"This book peeked my interest from the very beginning & had me wanting to read more. So far, the storyline of Eden is intriguing and as a native of WV, I am wondering what is going on with this mysterious place."

"I was lucky enough to get PDF from the author and finally got to read Pt. 2 in this trilogy. Loved it and can't wait for Part 3. That said, I read Pt. 1 also, so I'm REALLY chomping at the bit! Good or bad, I can actually smell the aroma of the interiors and there's a good ear for the Applachian dialog that rings true. My advice is to get the first installment, then read this, (it's even better) and you'll go crazy awaiting the third installment."

"The bullying. The brutality. The isolation. The loneliness. The neglect. The scars – both physical and emotional. Stories abound of how life is for children forced to live in the foster care system. One could argue there can be no new information shared that would shed a different light on the harsh realities of orphaned and abandoned kids. For as many stories that exist, though, about such harsh realities – how many tales expound on the rare ones who emerge victorious from the confines of the brutal system? Count Broken Child Mended Man among that number. Throughout the pages of his heartrending memoir, author Adam Starks does more than simply take the reader through his eventful upbringing in the foster care system; he puts on full display his incredible story of survival and ultimate victory, one gained through nothing less than sheer faith and perseverance. Starks holds nothing back as he highlights the full measure of desperation inherent in children such as him – with apparently nothing to live for – while aptly pivoting to the tangible results of refusing to settle for a hopeless existence. More than just an inspiring tale of overcoming challenging beginnings, Broken Child Mended Man is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and the limitless potential within reach of all those willing to push for it. An absolute must-read."

"Ive been looking forward to the continuation of Ty's story and I wasn't disappointed. I loved the fast pace, the graphic descriptions of West Virginias rugged beauty, and the use of local dialect in the story telling. Im looking forward to seeing how Ty manifest in the final part to the trilogy!"

"Dr. Starks' book shows that a teacher may never know the challenges a student faces just to cross the threshold of her class each day. It is a shocking and eye-opening reminder that as teachers we are unaware of the troubled home life of some students and the baggage they carry. This gritty and moving autobiography presents one boy's struggles to change the hand he had been dealt and overcome tremendous obstacles, both external and self-imposed. Broken Child Mended Man takes the reader on a journey that is at times funny and at others tragic. It shows the resilience of the human spirit and is an inspiration to its readers."

"A great read and a very touching and emotional story! Kudos to Adam for his courage to recount his as well as his sibling's (although to a lesser extent) challenging upbringing in the foster care system with such truth and integrity. Despite being susceptible to possible judgment both presently and in the future, the author's vulnerability willingly comes together in these 243 pages (Kindle Paperwhite) to not be just another autobiography, but to be a tangible source of hope, inspiration, and strength to all those who pick up this book and read it. Upon concluding this book, I truly believe it does just that! No matter why you were drawn to this book, be you broken or mended, may Adam's story remind us all that no matter what life throws at us that if we just have faith in the Lord, goodness in our hearts, and devoted family & friends to help us along the way, that anything is possible!"

"My Brother is the author of this book. I am his brother Noah. I decided to write a review of the book after I had read the book twice as I like to do with most books I read. I am proud and admired by my bothers work, some parts were hard to read as it brought me back to a difficult time in our lives, nevertheless it was well written. I would have liked more detail in some of the situations and dialog even though I was around to witness alot of it. Adam displays alot of humor in this book dispite the seriousness of it, but it was a breath of fresh air. I busted out laughing on some parts. This book showed me alot of things I did not know about my brother and I am glad he had the courage to tell his story. Overall this is a well written book with a great story and a lesson to learn. If i can take anything away from this book , it would be, no matter were you come from in life and how bad you had it, you can always make a positive change."

""Broken Child Mended Man" is an honest and gripping true story of a life many felt (and even expressed) had little hope of overcoming the tremendous obstacles it was dealt from the beginning. The writer neither lays undue blame nor sugar-coats his own actions, showing us the consequences of his thought processes and motivations as well as those around him. Uprooted from southern California to rural Virginia as the young child of an addicted mother, he fights for survival and is eventually made a ward of the state. A series of foster families, while well meaning, often failed to understand the cultural challenges facing a black child (and later young man) with limited family ties and role models trying to form his own identity. I found this memoir both moving and, because it exposed me to experiences so different from my own, enlightening. Recommended."

"This is a wonderful book. I had a hard time putting it down. It really puts things in perspective. Adam's brutally honest story, holding nothing back from his life will help anyone who is struggling with past or present issues. It helped me and I also had my 13 year old son read when he was having "growing pains" as I call them. It helped him realize he doesn't have such a rough life. What I got from this book is that no matter what life throws at you how you handle it and move on is who you are. Don't let bad things define you and hold you back."

"This is a very inspirational book about growing up in foster care and beating the odds of the foster care stereotypes. Adam speaks about the harshness of growing up and the bullying and challenges that he dealt with. This book grabbed me from page one. I ended up reading it in four days because I couldn't put it down for very long. It makes you think about all the things taken for granted as a child. It is a book that everyone should read."

"When I first learned that a former high school friend was writing a book about his childhood and foster care experience, I was definitely intrigued. I can honestly say the author, Adam Starks PhD, did a splendid job retelling his story and making his readers feel his emotional highs and lows. I commend him for being brave enough to be completely open and honest about every aspect of his upbringing."