Joel [Hardcover]

Joel Sonnenberg (Author), Gregg Lewis (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0310246938 | ISBN-13: 978-0310246930 | Publication Date: July 31, 2004

Joel Sonnenberg was only two years old when an 18-wheeler smashed into his family's car. In the inferno that followed, he was burned on over 85 percent of his body. This is his story as only he can tell it. Experience the world from Joel's perspective as he takes you on a personal journey with more twists and turns than a Hollywood movie. It's been a life of both great struggles and of tremendous achievement and honor. Yet Joel asserts, 'I am just an ordinary person whom people find extraordinary.' Be prepared to fall in love with a young man named Joel. We have known Joel since he first moved to Montreat, North Carolina, eighteen years ago. What an incredible boy he was; what an incredible man he has become. His testimony will stir your heart and forever change you. Ruth and Billy Graham Joel is a dear friend. His story is truly remarkable. I encourage everyone to read it. It is truly inspiring! Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Head Coach, Duke University Basketball Joel is an American hero. True courage is demonstrated in every page. Bob Dole, Former United States Senator, Kansas The dictionary doesn't have enough adjectives to describe my love and admiration for Joel Sonnenberg. To spend time with Joel---whether in his book, at a soccer game, or over a soda---is to come away a different person simply because you've been with him. Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder and CEO of Joni and Friends Joel Sonnenberg's story is more than just an uplifting tale of persistence and achievement. Rooted in tragedy, it's the story of a mother's love, a boy's courage, and the resilience of the human spirit. Bryant Gumbel, Television News Journalist His story is one all young people need to hear . . . optimistic, confident, and filled with faith. Dr. Jay Kesler, President Emeritus, Taylor University

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The victim of a horrendous car accident, the now 26-year-old Joel Sonnenberg always wanted to be a musician, but without hands, or even lips, what could he possibly play? Sonnenberg eventually realized his instrument was his voice. On September 15, 1979, en route to Maine, the Sonnenbergs' family car was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler. When a rescuer pulled the 22-month-old Sonnenberg from the wreckage, burns covered 85% of his smoldering body. With little hope, emergency workers transported Sonnenberg to the Shriners Burn Institute in Boston where he quickly lost his fingers, toes, lips, ears and nose. However tragic his story, Sonnenberg's recounting of his young life resounds in hope as he takes every opportunity to speak about how God has given him the courage to succeed. He is an enthusiastic storyteller, wanting to communicate not only his sorrows, but also his achievements, which are considerable. Sonnenberg credits his own optimism and his family's strong support with helping him earn his Eagle Scout award, serve as his high school's student body president, get elected Citizen of the Year for western South Carolina and carry the Olympic torch. A graduate of Taylor University, Sonnenberg continues to use his voice, and his experiences, to speak regularly across the country of his remarkable life and unshakable faith.
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Review

' ... In 'Joel,' Sonneberg allows the reader to see his personal journey from his perspective. He shares his life of almost insurmountable struggles and of tremendous achievement and honor. ' ... In 'Joel,' the reader will find an inspiring story of tremendous tragedy and grief followed by the immense faith, hope and love of the Sonneberg family. The book's message is that no matter how tragic the circumstances in life, they can be overcome with a positive attitude and knowledge that God has a purpose for your life. With God's love and strong support from family and friends, people can survive, even thrive, through life's difficulties. -- Black Mountain News -- Barbara Hootman

(Black Mountain News -- Barbara Hootman )

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (July 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310246938
• ISBN-13: 978-0310246930
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #271,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, highly recommended!, August 17, 2004

By 

R. J. Manna "killerad" (Rome, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Joel (Hardcover)

I got the book, read half, and my wife asked if she could "take a look at it." She read it in one night and loved it. Then my assistant grabbed it from me, and now she won't give it up! All of us agree that this is a wonderful book about winning through hard times. Highly recommended

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful and Uplifting, February 1, 2005

By 

Susan (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joel (Hardcover)

I differ with another reviewer in that I was not bothered by passive voice nor the occasional personal aside. Joel's book gave me an incredibly authentic view of what it is like to live in America with a highly visible disability. His expression of his equal discomfort with the extreme reactions of both pity and hero-worship was very eye-opening. His faith in God is clearly what helped him through his challenges and gave purpose to his life. I began the book thinking that it would have been better had Joel been allowed to die at the scene of the accident. By the middle of the book, I came to see that his life, while having tragic aspects, was not the tragedy that his loss would have been. A fascinating read, but keep a few tissues nearby in the early chapters!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joel, May 16, 2005

By 

cindy joy (texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joel (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book that I think everyone should read.
I am a teacher and I plan on buying one for our school library and one for my church library....
When I first got the book I thought it might be depressing.... but from the first page I couldn't put it down...... and nothing about this book is depressing!!!! Joel is the most uplifting book I have ever read!
Not only does it help young people see how someone can cope and be successful with a life altering accident, but it also shows them what it's like to be that person who has been changed.... It also helps adults to see that maybe their life problems aren't so bad after all..... Joel is a true hero!!!