Bethany Hamilton

I first heard of Bethany Hamilton in 2013 when she was filming Dolphin Tale 2 in Florida at the Clearwater Aquarium, working with Winter, the dolphin that learned to swim using a prosthetic tail. In 2003, at age thirteen, Bethany lost her left arm in a shark attack. In this book, published in 2004, she tells the story of the attack, the aftermath, her Christian faith, and how she returned to professional surfing. I read the updated version that includes her thoughts on the movie, also entitled Soul Surfer, which was released in 2011. This book is written in plain language in a colloquial young adult style. It serves as an inspirational example of a young person overcoming life-altering adversity.… (mehr)

This biography tells the story of Bethany Hamilton, a talented young surfer who is attacked and severely maimed by a shark. In the process, she loses practically her entire left arm. Soul Surfer tell the story of her recovery, the major adjustments she was forced to make, and her faith that she relied on for strength. The author does a good job of showing the extreme adversity that Bethany had to overcome, and how she relies heavily on those who love and care for her to make it through. I also really like that Bethany is portrayed sincerely and authentically as the soft-spoken girl that she is, who has to find a new level of inner-courage and strength as a result the aftermath of the attack.
The author also does well in balancing demonstrating Bethany's faith and how it benefits her, but not overwhelming the story with this facet of her recovery.… (mehr)