Jimmy WayneReseñas

What a story, the fact that Jimmy Wayne is successful is a testament to him and the people who would not fail him when he needed it the most. This book shows the power of a couple of people that can transform a life. Most of the book deals with his growing up with a bi polar mother and the constant change in his life. A teacher and counselor who would not give up and then Bea and Russell Costner who took him and help him grow up. His music careers up and downs. Finally he walks across America to draw attention to the plight of foster kids aging out of the system. A very powerful and inspiring read.

I wanted to read this book for a couple of reasons. First because I love dogs, secondly because I wanted to find out more about the walk Jimmy Wayne did to bring awareness to Foster Children Aging Out ans lastly because I saw him at the Grand Ole Opry a few years ago talking about being a Foster Child. The story was a good one. You have to suspend belief because Ruby talks to humans as she narrates this story. Many of them understand her and talk back. I loved the relationship Mr. James and Ruby develop. They had to learn to trust one another and Ruby had to rely on him as well. This book has several messages. When the book opens, Ruby is in a shelter that is more of an animal warehouse. They talk about euthanizing animals that have been there more than 18 days. There is also some discussion about puppy mills. There is a plug about adoping a dog from the local shelter, that they should not be thrown away. The main plotline of course is about the walk. In 2010, Jimmy Wayne walked halfway across the US to bring awareness to Foster Children who aged out and had nowhere to go. They often end up in jail, homeless or on drugs. There were a couple of plugs for companies that supported him on this walk, but it was not too bad. Jimmy also talks about his faith and belief in God. He discusses forgiveness and how holding onto grudges makes you feel bad and fills you up with those negative feelings. He also discusses being generous, giving to others, loving and caring for others and the world and knowing what is really important in life. There are some scriptures quoted throughout the book. I really liked the messages that were given, but the story itself was a bit jerky and parts were repetitive. Perhaps writing with someone else might have improved that part of the process. Overall, I would not recommend this to young children, perhaps 10 and over. This would make a good addition to a Church library or Christian School Library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

I've had this in my Kindle cloud for three years and for some reason never read it. I caught the movie this year and liked the story so much that I decided it was time to read the book. I always appreciate books that tell stories of people who are struggling somehow, and this book was full of mental, physical, and spiritual struggle. I won't summarize the plot because there's plenty of summary already here for you to read if you want to know how the plot goes. I have to tell you about the way the story touched me. It made me realize that we can all give to others, no matter how little we have and no matter how bleak things look. I kind of think we're all paper angels. Each of us needs something that someone else has to give. We're not meant to be alone, especially at this time of year. So I think I'm putting my paper angel up on my imaginary tree and looking for what others need that I can give. This book was a real blessing.

This is an interesting memoir which encompasses the life of Jimmy Wayne Barber, his relationship with God, and his motivation to help children in the foster care system, especially in changing the law that forces them out on their own at 18. Jimmy's early life was both horrifying and inspiring. He was like that toy which gets punched down and then springs back up again over and over. His years in the music business were interesting, but were sometimes more detailed than I needed. I'm sure though they would be helpful to those entering the music business showing them how hard you have to work to make it, how much luck is involved, and how vigilant you must be not to be taken advantage of and/or to keep your eyes and ears open to new opportunities or disappointments. I applauded Jimmy's forgiveness of the neglect and abuse he suffered, but I think he goes too far in adding his parents to his acknowledgements list, especially his father who intentionally turned his back on his children, not once but at least twice. A worthy read.

This is a beautiful story, although a bit sappy, but I enjoy a little sap in my Christmas reads. 'Tis the season after all.
The main characters, Thomas and Kevin, are in no way equally yoked. Kevin is difficult to like, but I am sure he plays in well for the "we are flawed, but deserve love" theme. Thomas, on the other hand, is easy to love, and is a remarkable young man throughout the story, but the selfless love that Thomas is capable of isn't uncovered until the very end.

A special thank you to Thomas Nelson--W Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Walk to Beautiful, The Power of Love and a Homeless Kid Who Found the Way is a poignant and inspiring account of Jimmy Wayne’s journey, written by Jimmy Wayne and Ken Abraham—one which will forever change your life!

Jimmy Wayne is known for his altruistic and giving heart. In the country music industry he is known for his song writing, and hit songs, while being supported by his many fans, worldwide.

However, readers may not be aware of the horrific childhood and challenges on his way to stardom and adulthood. This is like “Job”; one hurdle, obstacle, disappointment, and challenge after another, and yet Jimmy possessed the drive, talent, determination, and tenacity, even in his darkest moments; to overcome his troubled past. He was fortunate to have some people along the way who took a chance on this remarkable young man, and he desires to give back and pay forward.

I will be honest, I am not a country music fan (even though my sister who resides in NC is an avid fan). A great deal of Jimmy’s childhood took place in Gastonia, NC area, with some of the crazy people and backward views.

Wow, I had no idea the power and impact of this beautifully written and extraordinary book. The more I read, the more intrigued, I became and began reviewing Jimmy Wayne’s website, and listened to all the videos and was highly impressed.

Walk to Beautiful portrays the story of how Wayne was able to rise above his background with the help of supportive, adoptive parents as a teen, and become a successful country singer and in-demand motivational speaker.

The book takes you from Jimmy’s early years as a boy, left many times on the street alone by his mother, bullied by his peers, to fend for himself; growing up being passed from one foster home to another, with neglect and abuse, tortured, with no food or place to live, or sleep. However, one woman and man took him in, and taught him about love, music and living.

When you look at this highly talented musician, good-looking guy, today, and listen to his beautiful words and songs, it is hard to believe the rough road he has traveled. Through his determination, he has not let his past define him, nor his future; however, has used his humble and troubled past to help others going through similar experiences.

Jimmy has dedicated the book, his life story to Bea, a wonderful 75-year old woman who took him in when he was 16 years old, after a voice told him to stop and see if she needed help with her yard work. Bea and Russell later asked him to move in, and were instrumental in turning Jimmy’s life around. Bea who passed always in 1997, will always be in his heart, and now Jimmy is giving back to the community to help other foster children, who have nowhere to turn.

From 2010 when Jimmy walked from Nashville to Phoenix on his Meet Me Halfway campaign, he set out to raise awareness for foster youth who have aged out of the system. The walk in itself helped stem the idea to document certain thoughts and memories, which led to the birth of Walk to Beautiful.

“Thirty Thousand kids every year age out of the foster care system the moment they turn eighteen. Many of them will become homeless, addicted, or imprisoned. Some will never see their twenty-first birthdays. I knew I wanted to help those kids the way somebody had helped me. But how?”

Walk to Beautiful is an inspiring and remarkable book. It does not read like a non-fiction, or memoir. As an avid reader of over 350 books a year, a professional reader and blogger—Trust me, this is a story you cannot put down! It is so shocking, you feel as though this has to be fiction. How could any one person survive this life?

On a Personal Note: I formerly served as a Board Member for an organization in Atlanta for at risk teens, YES Atlanta (Youth Experiencing Success) and commend adults who strive to help these youth, by providing positive role models, and resources in order to change their environment, with an opportunity to lead healthy and rich lives as an adults.

Even though the book will bring you to tears, there are many parts which are witty and humorous. I especially loved the parts about growing up in the south. He had such bad role models when it came to Christianity, with the distorted views of church, beliefs, and hypocrisy. It was refreshing to learn he did not lose his faith, through all of this, when he finally got to see firsthand from Bea what faith and love really means.

I highly recommend this beautifully written and inspiring book, and well deserving of 5 stars. It will change you. Nashville, and country music fans will love all the stars, names, mentions, and tidbits. Foster children and troubled youth, will find hope and joy in these words, for the future.

Congrats, Jimmy, thanks for putting yourself out there, with courage and bravery to tell your story, and relive your past, forgive those who turned their back on you, and share with others while making a difference in lives across the world.

http://www.judithdcollinsconsulting.com/#!Walk-to-Beautiful-/cmoa/69509E16-B15F-...

Faith, resourcefulness, and a few caring citizens help a poor, abused, and abandoned child grow up to be a hit country music singer songwriter and influential foster care advocate.½