Bethany Hamilton
Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board (2004)
Author: Bethany Hamilton (with Sheryl Berk and Rick Bundschuh)
Genre: Non-Fiction (Memoir/Christian)
Book Summary:
Bethany Hamilton grew up in Kauai and learned to surf at age five. By the time she was thirteen she was a fierce competitor and had a major corporate sponsor. Her life changed dramatically early on Halloween morning of 2003 when a fourteen-foot tiger shark bit off her left arm while she was surfing. She lost 60% of her blood and her arm had to be amputated just below her shoulder. Bethany is incredibly determined, however, and through her unshakable faith in God and the support of her family and friends, she recovered from her traumatic injuries and was back on her surfboard in just over three weeks. She became an instant celebrity and has used her celebrity status to speak of her faith and to inspire people. This book gives a brief history of her family and early life and then focuses on the day of her accident, her recovery and her faith.
Geographical Setting: Kauai, Hawaii
Time Period: 2003 - present
Appeal Characteristics:
Despite the horrific shark attack, the tone of this book is upbeat, inspirational and very moving, especially when she describes her relationship with her family. There is a strong Christian message. For the most part, it is slow paced with the exception of the segment describing the shark attack and rush to the hospital for surgery. It is told in the first-person, and the language is simple and contemporary – it truly sounds like a teenaged girl telling her side of the story which would make it an appealing story for Young Adults. Most of the book is set on the island of Kauai and it captures the beauty and character of the island. Another big appeal element of the book is the descriptions of surfing and the ocean. Color photos and a glossary of surfing terms are a very helpful addition to those who want to know more about surfing.
Read-alikes: Aron Ralston (Between a Rock and a Hard Place); Francess Lantz (Luna Bay fiction series for Young Adults); Isabella & Caroline “Coco” Tihanyi (Surf Diva: A Girl's Guide to Getting Good Waves); Anne LaMott (Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith)
Red Flags: None.
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