Oksana: My Own Story [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Oksana Baiul (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 14, 1997 | Age Level: 8 and up

Full-color photos throughout Here is the real-life fairy-tale story of figure skating superstar Oksana Baiul, the sixteen-year-old Ukrainian orphan who stole the spotlight, the gold medal, and the hearts of millions at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Oksana, who overcame unbelievable tragedies and obstacles to achieve her dream, has fans of all ages and is a true heroine and role model for young girls. Between her numerous skating show tours, competitions, and television appearances, Oksana trains in Simsbury, Connecticut for the 1998 Olympics. Told by Oksana herself and filled with exquisite photographs--many of them never before seen--Oksana: My Own Story reveals both the fantasy princess and the very real teenager to readers for the first time.  

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6. The 1994 Olympic gold medal winner from the Ukraine talks about her short life while she tells about the demanding life of a figure skater. Her autobiography is written in chronological order with engaging descriptions of her feelings, fears, and joys. As Oksana grows from an innocent child to a sophisticated world performer, readers feel her tragedies and the excitement of her accomplishments. The influence of Viktor Petrenko, her mother, and her coach are described in her first-person, conversational narrative. Excellent quality, full-color and black-and-white photographs of the skater appear on every double-page spread, thus personalizing this charming and heartwarming story. The thick paper with images of snowflakes adds to the skating motif. A lively look at a ballerina on ice.?Janice C. Hayes, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreeboro
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. Preteens who love figure skating will enjoy Oksana's story of how she came to win the Olympic gold medal in 1994. She provides very little information on her life now, concentrating instead on her early years, the death of her mother, and her training for the Olympics. Large full-color and black-and-white photographs document a childhood spent on skates, with more recent photos presenting a very Americanized, more glamorous Oksana. Readers who remember the 1994 Olympics and the TV profiles of Oksana won't find much that is new here, but this profile is pleasantly written, and Oksana's account of her medal-winning performance makes interesting reading. Chris Sherman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; illustrated edition edition (January 14, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679883827
• ISBN-13: 978-0679883821
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,253,379 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the heart, September 3, 2004

By 

Fruit Loop (Down South) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Oksana: My Own Story (Hardcover)

Oksana tells her story with moving earnestness, from her tragic personal losses to her triumph in Lillehammer. Everyone who watched her win the gold medal couldnt' help but be touched by her performance, which was yet another triumph over adversity (she had been injured in a practice in a collision with another skater). Her from-the-heart performance gave her the much-deserved Olympic medal. Here's a glimpse into the girl behind the glitter. Figure skating fans won't want to miss this one, and it's a tale of personal triumph and determination that other young athletes would do well to emulate

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oksana Baiul My Own Story, May 12, 2010

By 

K. Brown "kaybee" (near Niagara Falls) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Oksana: My Own Story (Hardcover)

This offers a glimpse into the world of a humble young Russian girl goes after the "brass ring" and wins Gold, before she fell from grace.

Oksana is a poised beautiful person who skates with her heart and was an inspiration for my 4 year old daughter to get on the ice and try.