Barnes and Noble Reviews


 

I am a 15 year old student, going into 10th grade. I just finished The Westcoast Kid. It definitely makes you think about all the decisions that we have to make. I think this book is a must read for every high school student. It will make you think twice any time you are faced with the decision to get involved with drugs. Sports and academics are the best choice. Thanks Travis.

This book should be required reading for every teen in our country

I recently read this book and recommend it highly. We all experience the " what if's " in our lives but most of us do not have to live with the degree of disappointment that Travis Waters has experienced. The respect for his mother and the shame he has experienced comes up many times in his true life story.
His description of our prison system should scare any reader. He points out that the decisions we make as young people will have a profound effect on our future life and some of those decisions are regretted forever.
However it has a happy ending. I wish him the best life has to offer.

Anonymous: Posted May 11, 2011 (5.0 out of 5 stars)

A must read

What a great story about a young man going down the wrong path in life.This is one of the best books I've read. It doesn't hold back Travis tells it how it is. From his abusive father to the shootings. Travis takes you on his first load to how he got busted. He tell's all about Prison and what it was like being compared to Deion Sanders.Thanks for sharing and good luck.

Anonymous: Posted May 11, 2011 (5.0 out of 5 stars)

Should be on all talk shows !!

I could not put this book down. You actually feel sorry for him knowing he broke the law. Throughout the book he knows he made a huge mistake in his life. He became bigger,faster,and stronger in prison knowing he could of became a great pro player.Great life story I'm so glad I read this book. Movie material !!

Anonymous: Posted May 11, 2011 (5.0 out of 5 stars)

HIGHLY RECOMMEND A MOVIE

Best life story book I have ever read. When you read this book you feel all the emotions that Travis is going through at a young age.He survived some near death experiences. His great talent almost cost him his life in prison.Parents make your kids read this book. Kids don't mess with drugs read " The Westcoast kid ".

Anonymous: Posted May 11, 2011 (5.0 out of 5 stars)

Great book

What a life Travis went through growing up. Completing his dream to becoming his schools first great player. Throwing all his dreams away for what he thought was cool. Smuggling drugs for Pablo Ecabors Cartel.Doing hard time. This book should be read by all young adults in this country.

Anonymous: Posted May 11, 2011 ( 5.0 out of 5 stars)

Want to see movie

I never read a book I could not put down until I read The Westcoast Kid. I can't believe this book isn't a movie already.Great job telling your life story and letting young adults know about the wrong choices in life. I will tell all my friends to read this book.

Inspirind

What a great read

Anonymous: Posted May 8, 2011 (5.0 out of 5 stars)

Great movie

You will go on an awesome ride with young Travis and see in detail what drug smuggling and what really happens to young men in prison is all about.What a waste of talent this young man had.I'm glad to read he has turned his life around. He can definitely help a lot of young adults with his life story. A must read !!

Anonymous: Posted May 11, 2011 ( 5.0 out of 5 stars)

Can't wait for the movie

From the first chapter I could not put this book down. You are drawn into his life as if you are in the book. You go through so many emotions with Travis with each chapter of his life in sports. He details how he threw away his life for drugs and the hell he went through because of it.I'm happy to see he turned his life around. This book should be read by all. It should be a must read in all high school's.

Wow, couldn't put it down!!!

I enjoyed reading this book, and I hope wish and pray that it can help others from not making the same mistake. I am excited for him, he's changed a negative event in his life for the positive!!!! I just know if this reaches the kids that are thinking of a easy life selling, dealing drugs it may help them THINK twice.

awesome read

I completely enjoyed reading the west coast kid. I could not put the book down. I grew up in Naples and only knew Travis casually. I had no idea what was going on in his life~with either the dealing or experiences in jail. I have reccomended this book to all my friends and they also are reading it. Kids today think easy, fast money is the way to go and Travis shows how this lifestyle can ruin your life. With his second chance, he can help alot of kids see what can happen to you if you chose the wrong road. Thanks Travis, for writing this book and opening up yourself to your past and the terrible things that happend to you.

Awesome read - purchase the book today!

Wow, where to begin...I met Travis while attending Lely High School. We had mutual friends and ran in the same circles. His brother was married to my best friend's sister so we ran into each other outside of school. Travis always had a smile on his face and a kind word to say. His personality and attitude were very sincere and upbeat. I moved out of state and lost contact with Travis. He and I are have reconnected through Facebook within the past 3 months. That is when I learned about "The Westcoast Kid". As soon as the book was published I ordered it. I read the book in 6 hours; I couldn't put it down. The Travis Waters I knew in high school didn't show any negative emotions regarding his troubled upbringing. As a matter of fact, he never mentioned his younger years. Travis was always very friendly and outgoing. I couldn't believe I was reading "his" life events...as a mother myself, I felt saddened for Travis's mom. She just wanted the best for her children. Yes, Travis ultimately chose his own path in life and went against the law. The old saying 'you do the crime you pay the time' was an unfortunate reality Travis experienced. As the book unfolded my heart became quite heavy for Travis and his family. It is a true blessing that Travis is still alive. His life is an example of tragedy and wrong choices made, BUT was given a 2nd chance in life to help others know of the true consequences being involved in the illegal fast life. I literally cried tears of sorrow and tears of joy while reading his book. To know someone that chose the lifestyle of drug smuggling and go through the legal bureaucracy as Travis did and to end up the MAN he is today; I am proud to say, Travis, you are my friend and I want to personally thank you for sharing your life events! Good luck Travis in your future as a husband to Michele, father to your children and a mentor to many many children and adults!

Highly recommended

Once I started reading Travis' story-I could not stop! What a wild ride -with some very big highs and also some very,very big lows. I think anyone who is at a crossroads in their life should read this story. I cried for him and I am soooo glad there is a happy ending.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED/ONCE YOU PICK IT UP, U DON'T PUT IT DOWN

I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ. I ALSO WAS AND STILL AM A BAYSHORE ICON. MY FAMILY TOO, LIVED THIS LIFESTYLE FOR AWHILE. AS TO THINK THAT HE IS STILL WALKING AND TALKING AND DOING GREAT FOR HIMSELF IS AMAZING. GOD DEFINITELY HAS A PURPOPSE FOR TRAVIS HERE ON EARTH. AND IT IS TO TEACH THE YOUNGER GENERATION AS TO THE INS AND OUT'S OF STAYING AWAY FROM THE DRUG LIFE.
MY 14 YEAR OLD SON HAS NOW STARTED TO PICK IT UP AND IS READING IT, WHICH MY FAMILY WANTS TO READ ALSO. HIS TEACHER IN HIS SCHOOL IS PLANNING ON ORDERING ONE FOR ONE OF THE HIGH SCHOOLS IN NAPLES.
IT IS DEFINITELY WORTH THE MONEY AND THE TIME TO READ IT.
PLEASE ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEEMS TO SELL OUT QUICKLY.
AGAIN, THANK YOU TRAVIS!!!!!! I TELL EVERYONE I KNOW TO GET A COPY

highly recommended

I went to high school with Travis.I have to say that I am very proud of Travis for turning his life around and proud to call him my friend.This real life story took a lot of courage for Travis to tell.It is a real eye opener.I feel that all parents should have their teenagers read Travis's story so they don't follow down the drug world path and so that they can see that prison isn't a kiddie camp, that it real life and horrible things can happen, also that actions have consequences.

Highly recommended!!! A Must read

This story is two fold. It is a warning to some who may think that fast money and the "high" life are what it is all about, but it is also a message to others that it is never too late to turn your life around and start anew. Travis pours his heart and soul into this book to get the message out. This is a must read for all teens and young adults. I also think it is a must read for those who may have already been in some minor trouble so that they see that they cannot nor want to continue on the path they are on. Thank you Travis for sharing your story!

Anonymous: Posted  January 4, 2011 (5.0 out of 5 stars)

Highly Recommended

Once I started this book I could not put it down! It's a MUST READ for young adults. It's a true story of Travis's life going from promising athlete to the dark world of drugs. And then living thru the nightmare of the prison system. If teenagers and young adults read this they will think twice about becoming involved with drugs and take the better road in life.

Anonymous: Posted  January 1, 2011 ( 5.0 out of 5 stars)

A must movie for young adults

I hope all parents will give a copy of The Westcoast Kid to their adolescences. Especially ones that you suspect are dealing with drugs. This book is written with a no holds account of all the hell one will experience and the nightmares and pain you will have to endure with for the rest of your life when you enter the prison system. After reading this book, I hope it will change their minds about going down the wrong path. Thanks for sharing your inspiring story with us.

Highly Recommended - Must Read!

Once I began reading this book, I could not put it down! From the very first page you will be hooked! It is a very graphic and detailed account of what can happen to you if you choose a life of crime. The book was very insightful. At some points it is so detailed that you feel like you can see it happening right before your eyes! This is a story that all high school kids should read! It would be even better if Travis could share his story with them in person at the different high schools. Someone would have to be totally nuts to read this book and continue/start a life of crime! The book was very well written. It had to have taken a lot of courage for Travis Waters to share his personal experiences with everyone and I hope that people can learn from his mistakes so they don't have to go through the things he had to endure!

Highly Recommended

An inspiring account of one man's journey through the perils of life. This book is a must read, especially of those at an young adult age, who may be at a crossroads with their life today. Travis chronicals what can happen to you when bad choices with bad influences take you down the wrong path. Ultimately the consenquences are far greater than one would expect. I highly recommend that The Westcoast Kid be put on every high school and college library book shelf across the nation.

A Must read for all

From the moment I started the book, I could not put it down. The raw emotion, that Travis shares, during his peaks and valleys was felt as though I was there with him along this journey. This was a "no holding back" story that shared so many messages. Reminding us all how one small move can change your life forever.

This is a book that is not only needed for parents to read, but also to share with your teens. As a former teacher, I would also recommend as a high school read for the classes.