Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion : An Autobiography [Hardcover]

Michelle Kwan (Author), Laura M. James (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

At sixteen, Californian Michelle Kwan claimed the women's World Champion crown. A bright and appealing role model for kids and adults alike, her story is one of hard work and true achievement.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8. In a direct, conversational style, this engaging narrative takes readers on a chronological journey through the athlete's life. The 17-year-old figure skater talks candidly about her life as a competitor; as a National and World Champion; and as a daughter, a sister, and a teenager. She describes the personal sacrifices that she and her family had to make early in her career and shares with her audience her sense of determination and love of competition by discussing her feelings before, during, and after various skating events. Through her motto, "Work hard, be yourself, and have fun," readers gain an honest look at this young woman. A 16-page insert of full-color photographs enhance the presentation. The glossary of skating and technical terminology is helpful for those unfamiliar with the types of jumps and spins involved in the sport. With the demand for autobiographies, books on sports celebrities, and ethnic biographies, this book will rank highly in most libraries.?Shirley N. Quan, Orange County Public Library, Stanton, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Trade (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590763407
• ISBN-13: 978-0590763400
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #417,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprising Depth from one so young, March 23, 1998

By 

Antoinette Aubert (Santa Clara, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion : An Autobiography (Hardcover)

At the risk of being thrown out of the association for people far too obsessed about figure skating, I must confess I think the idea of teenagers writing autobiographies is rather silly. This year brings us the autobiographies of not one, but two teenage world champions; 15 year old Tara Lipinski's "Triumph On Ice," and17 year old Michelle Kwan's "Heart of A Champion." The surprise is not that Lipinski's book is just fluff, but that Kwan's book is rather good. I am fast approaching Dick Buttonslevel of hysteria when it comes to Michelle Kwan. So I consulted some saner, or at least less biased, minds than my own. Everyone says the same thing, for a very thin book "Heart of a Champion" has surprising depth. On the ice she leaves audiences breathless with the exquisite depth of her skating. Off the ice this book surprised many by the extent to which Kwan tries to delve into her own mind and heart. Kwan is not content to tell you what has happened to her, she does her best to explain why it happened, and what it feels like. She does not always manage to convey these things, she is after all only 17. Kwan is meticulous in detailing the many people who havesupported her and aided her career. Her book is about commitment and devotion; to family, to coach, to the sport. Beyond that Kwan is devoted to an ideal she can barely express. She says that she wants to be a "legend"; she is after nothing less than immortality. Lipinski wants to win shiny medals, Kwan wants to leave an impact on the sport that has impacted so much on her.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for any competitive athlete!, March 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion : An Autobiography (Hardcover)

Michelle's book is a wonderful autobiography of the young skater who has dazzled the world with both her amazing skating skills and her gracious sportsmanship. It is a must-read for any competitive athlete, in any sport. Michelle's story of her love for skating and her maturity in handling defeat in the 1997 season and at the 1998 Olympics is truly inspiring.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She is the best!, November 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion : An Autobiography (Hardcover)

If you're a fan of michelle then you will realize why after reading this book. The book is geared towards a younger audience but you can read between the lines and see that michelle is a sweet person who is only human. She is the most popular figure skater out there and yet she just wants to be a regular person.