Bethany Hamilton

This was a book I definitely feel like I am reviewing as an outsider (aka, old). It was a book pre-teens might really relate too, being written in the voice of a 13 year old. The preface acknowledges that she had help editing and such but it reads from a true teenage voice. The shark attack is not sensationalized as that is not the goal of her book. Her goal is to demonstrate strength through her faith and her love of surfing. She achieves both of these goals, and make no mistake her show more Christian faith is the most important thing to her and comes out in the book. However, she does not come across as preachy or as though she is trying to convince you, just honest. She does not delve into the trauma as much as she must have felt and that might not ring as true, but she acknowledges in the afterword that she was not as comfortable discussing it. The newer version contains her journal on the making of the movie which is a nice touch. I would not recommend this book for everyone, but I think teenagers, people into surfing and people who've struggled through harrowing events might all find this book charming. show less

I first read this book as a young teen, and found it quite inspiring. I just remembered it again recently, and decided to reread it. I’m glad I did; once again, this was quite the story!

It’s hard to imagine living through a shark attack, but I loved Bethany’s determination through it all and her desire to help others with her story. I also loved the way her community pulled around her and the family; that was special to witness!

I also appreciated her desire to share her faith through show more telling her story. I had to smile a little at the teenage idealism that came through—mostly because I remember being there when I was her age!—but at the same time, it was refreshing to read about someone who isn’t embarrassed about her faith.

Recommended to any girls in the 8-14 age range; this is a story that has and is destined to continue to inspire many. show less

Bethany was 13 when she lost her arm in a shark attack, and she was 14 when she wrote the book about her experience. She writes eloquently about her Christian faith and that she draws her strength from God. There is no doubt that it was a struggle, first to survive the initial attack and then to start surfing again. She sustained a massive loss of blood and credits her survival to her friends’ quick actions. She relies on her faith in God who sustained her through her recovery and return show more to surfing. She had to learn to adapt to surfing with one arm, including changes to her surfboard. The memoir clearly illustrates that she lives her faith, she just doesn’t profess it, although she does share her beliefs readily. At the end of the book, she discusses the movie that was made about the attack and the aftermath as she recovers to surf again. The book is quite well written, especially when you realize she was only 14 when it was penned. It’s an inspirational, true story. Bethany could not stop surfing, nor could anything - even the loss of an arm - shake her faith in God. It’s a remarkable story, and Bethany is a remarkable woman. show less

This is an inspirational story written by a young girl for young teenagers. I thought the writing lacked detail, polish and depth, but I admired Bethany's courage as she struggled with the challenges of losing an arm after a horrific shark attack. I think younger readers will find this an interesting story, but for me I felt there was something lacking.