Hope's Boy: A Memoir

Andy 'Andrew' Bridges' job as a lawyer takes him to an institution for children in state custody--an institution eerily similar to the one he found himself in years ago as a young boy. Bridges then flashes back to tell us the story of his childhood--a childhood where his mother, Hope, took him at age 7 from his grandmother. For a while things were fine with Hope and she tried to be a good, if somewhat eccentric, mother, but her mental conditon continued to deteriorate and eventually Andy was taken away from her. Then he found himself in the care of the state where he lived through several hellish years of institutional and foster care. He never forgot his mother though, the one person whose love he could count on, who he was sure he show more belonged too. It is a poignant story and very well told. Bridges does a good job of expressing just what his childhood feelings were in very vivid scenes and words. I was enthralled by the audio version and highly recommend reading or listening to this story. show less

A heartbreakingly honest tale of a young boy removed from his mother at age 7 due to her deteriorating mental state, and left to make the best of it in a loveless foster home. He goes on to become a successful litigator on behalf of children who have entered the foster care system...wonderfully written and deeply moving.

Great story if you're thinking of adopting or fostering a child, as we are. This is one boy's true story of how he ended up in the foster system and how he endured it. If you've never taken a look at the way our government handles the children they pull from devastating situations, here is your chance. I believe awareness is the driving force of this book.

A friend of mine who's works at an independent book store gave me an advance reading copy of Hope's Boy. I read it in three days. Bridge has written the incredible story of his mother, her final fall into psychosis and his childhood in foster care. It's a devastating written story about the binds between a mother and child, and Bridge's ultimate success despite the profound loss of his mother. I especially admired his ability to describe his mother's mental collapse in precise language -- which he himself witnessed -- free of the overly sentimental written we see too much of today. You put the book down and it still stays with you. Bridge has done an incredible job.

This memoir is about hanging on to that bit of love experienced. Through a description of his own childhood, most of it lived in the Foster Care system, he exposes how little love or consideration for love exists in the system. He was one of the very few lucky ones who had known his mother's love and then used his intelligence, school, and perseverance to survive his Foster care childhood. He presents a clear and brave picture of that process. Enjoyable in its honesty

What a truly valuable, praiseworthy memoir.

Loved the title. The story is impressively detailed and passionately written. The attention Andy dedicates to recalling the people coloring his memory stand out. The love he held out for his mother and her return I as well admire and respect. So of course their meeting (Andy & Hope in the final chapter) moved me to tears. But what is most moving... and outstanding, is the way Andy opens his memoir; arms raised, palms flat, facing outward...surrendering a credible advocate for children in foster care.

A humbling memoir of extraordinary integrity and reliability.

A brutally honest description of Andy Bridge's life from age 5 on. When the state of California takes custody away from his mother and places him in foster care, the reader gets a little boy's view of what happens over the next 15 + years. Very well written.