Bethany Hamilton: Follow Your Dreams! (Defining Moments)

At the age of 13, Bethany Hamilton lost an arm to a shark while surfing. She returned to the waves less than a month after the accident. The teen wants to make a difference in peoples' lives and has helped children in Thailand who lost their families to the tsunami and has helped raise funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The cover originally put off my daughter, but after I started reading the story she moved in closer to see and hear everything. She was very impressed by Bethany's story but found some of the images disturbing.

Big Kid Reaction: This is a book to read with your kids at least the first time through. It might not bother a fifth grader, but third graders probably need that shoulder nearby. That said, this is an incredibly well written, well presented story. The photography is incredible. The glossary is filled with words that are probably familiar to kids who play sports but they offer tried-and-true definitions that will help them.

To read our full review, go to The Reading Tub®.