Fish and Grits

Wow!!!! Ms. Brown has captured the grit of survival and the sweet taste of overcoming the darkest of obstacles. This story is beautifully written evoking both laughter and tears. The characters' personalities jump off the page straight into your heart. The story as witnessed through the eyes of an innocent child is well worth the read. I wait with baited breath to see what new developments will happen in the upcoming sequel, "Brother". A must read as it is a colorful reminder of the durability of the human spirit.

I am so very happy that I decided to read this book!!! The story line grabbed your attention from the very beginning and held me attention to the very end. Excellent writing and excellent characters. I have recommended the books to my fellow book club members (Go on Girl Book Club).

The title of this book caught my attention. Why is it named Fish & Grits? We soon find out and begin the life journey of a young girl caring for her 2 siblings and trying to make life as "normal" for them as possible. Many ups and downs, obstacles and challenges in this book before the "flashy" Uncle comes into the picture - what a great man he is. The end came all too soon for me. I finished this book in 2 days. The writing style is wonderful and I would like to read something more from this author.

I must tell you that this is a one of the best books that I have read this year. Kala is no holds barred and lets you in without trying. The story while horrific is all too familiar to some and not familiar enough to others, but it is a story that needs to be told and it needs to be told just like this. There is no bobbing and weaving between stereotypes, phobias or anything else in this novel. The author hits you right in the gut, waits for you to bend over to gather yourself and then upper-cuts you to the chin. I will take a beat down from a good book that will lift you right back up and have you cheering when something does finally go right for this family of five children with a crack-head mother and lust filled pedophiliac father. Years go by and you want to cry every time you think that one fish has made it until you realize they are pulled back into the river of grits that they know as pain. Aunt Charlie allows the reader to finally breathe and hope and laugh and love these characters even more. I didn't want the book to end. These five children had become my own and I wanted to protect them and wrap them up in my arms, but they fell away as stories do. I'm anxiously awaiting the next novel from this great author. Thank you for such a heartfelt well written novel.

I finished this book today and I was pleasantly surprised with the writing and how the story was presented. I read this in 2 days and would have finished it sooner, but sometimes it was a challenge to keep moving forward because it was like riding an emotional rollercoaster. The characters came to life, the storyline was realistic and it's depiction of how crack ruined neigborhoods, families and generations was real. I like this book a lot and was very happy with this purchase. It's been a while since I read a book that kept me so engaged. A good book with a great price.

If I could give this book 10 stars i would, fish& grits simply amazin book to read. How these kids made it through with the the help of there uncle/aunt from battling with drug abused parents and even sexual abuse! wow these kids been though high hell and back! can't wait to read new book! great job

Wow, what a good book!. I have read many books with tragedy and abuse, however, I'm almost always left saddend at the end. However, in this tale of pain and misery to children who probably asumed this was just the hand they were dealt and to deal with it, were able to stand triumphant in the end. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!!!.

Mrs. Smith Brown I look forward to reading Brother (coming soon, as promised I hope). I just finished and as often happens when I am particularly moved by a story and its characters, I will still be thinking of them long after preceding on to reading other books. I stumbled on this book completely accidental. As an avid reader for 2.99 and a good review I jumped on it! I am delighted to read in the aftermath that this is your first novel. Anyone wanting an excellent read trust me it is worth every penny and much more. I can't wait to read the sequel. Awesome job, I am eagerly awaiting her next installment; hopefully the wait won't be long.

Fish and Grits is a poignant story that takes you on a gut-wrenching ride into the belly of the badlands. Tina Smith-Brown does an excellent job of giving us a look inside Philadelphia's inner city. Through her words we can see Philly's natives, and their drama. Tina Smith-Brown is a master in writing milieu, so much so that I live in the heroine's house, walk her North Philly streets, and hobnob with her neighbors. And, my mouth waters for the ever-present fish and hot, violent grits. Bravo, Tina.
[[ASIN:0963985809 Roxie's Mirage: Featuring the Original Boys and Girls from the Hood]]

I REALLY DID ENJOY THIS BOOK. ONE THING I DID NOT LIKE IS THE FACT THAT THE YOUNGER SISTER HAD NO NAME THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE BOOK. I THINK HER NAME IS KELLY BUT I WOULD HAVE LIKE TO HAVE KNOWN THAT WHILE I WAS READING IT. I LOVE THE OLDEST SISTER KALA, SHE WAS A GOD SEND. UNCLE\AUNT CHARLIE WAS DEFINITELY A GIFT FROM GOD. I WAS SO GLAD TO SEE KALA TAKE SUCH GOOD CARE OF HER SIBLINGS. THAT TOUCHED MY HEART. THE ONE THING IN THE WHOLE BOOK THAT MADE ME THE HAPPIEST IS WHEN UNCLE\AUNT CHARLIE CAME AND RESCUED KALA. SHE WAS ABLE TO BE A KID AND HAVE SOMEONE THAT SHE COULD DEPEND ON FOR ONCE. I LOVE THE WAY SHE DIDN'T LET HER PAST HURTS GET IN THE WAY OF HER FUTURE. I WAS GLAD SHE HAD NOODLE IN HER LIFE AND IF IT IS A BOOK 2 I HOPE SHE AND NOODLE GET MARRIED AND LIVE HAPPY BECAUSE THEY BOTH DESERVE IT.

I WOULD SUGGEST THIS BOOK AND PLEASE DON'T LET THAT UGLY COVER KEEP YOU FROM READING IT BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT KEPT ME FROM READING IT SO MANY TIMES. I HAVE PICKED THIS BOOK UP AND PUT IT DOWN A LOT. THAT COVER IS DISGUSTING IN MY OPINION.

KALA- A SMART LOVING GIRL WHO HAD TO GROW UP WAYYYYY BEFORE SHE NEEDED TOO.

NARRATOR\KELLY- A SMART GIRL WHO LOVES HER FAMILY AND JUST WANTS EVERYONE TO BE HAPPY,

UNCLE\AUNT CHARLIE- A WONDERFUL LOVING MAN\WOMAN WHO GAVE LOVE EVEN WHEN HE\SHE PROBABLY DIDN'T FEEL LIKE IT BUT BECAUSE HE LOVE HIS FAMILY NOT DOING IT WASN'T AN OPTION.

NOODLE- A MAN WHO LOVED HIS FAMILY SO MUCH HE WOULD DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT THEM.

SIGNED: DREAMS ARE REAL.