Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board [Paperback]

Bethany Hamilton (Author), Rick Bundschuh (Author), Sheryl Berk (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 6, 2006

They say Bethany Hamilton has saltwater in her veins. How else could one explain the passion that drives her to surf? How else could one explain that nothingnot even the loss of her armcould come between her and the waves? That Halloween morning in Kauai, Hawaii, Bethany responded to the sharks stealth attack with the calm of a girl with God on her side. Pushing pain and panic aside, she began to paddle with one arm, focusing on a single thought: Get to the beach.... And when the first thing Bethany wanted to know after surgery was When can I surf again? it became clear that her spirit and determination were part of a greater storya tale of courage and faith that this soft-spoken girl would come to share with the world.

Soul Surfer is a moving account of Bethanys life as a young surfer, her recovery after the attack, the adjustments shes made to her unique surfing style, her unprecedented bid for a top showing in the World Surfing Championships, and, most fundamentally, her belief in God. It is a story of girl power and spiritual grit that shows the body is no more essential to surfingperhaps even less sothan the soul.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. Readers may not recall the name Bethany Hamilton, but after a glance at the cover photo, they'll recognize her as the girl who lost her arm to a shark while surfing. Hamilton tells her own story, though in many places the narrative sounds more like it's from an adult's perspective--perhaps from an adult coauthor. It begins with the moment a giant white shark chomps off her arm. She then goes back to discuss the events leading up to the attack and to describe what her life was like before the tragedy--home-schooling in a strong Christian household and lots of competitive surfing. Hamilton's account is suffused with her feelings for God and His impact in her life. Perhaps because of this relationship, she never seems depressed about her situation; in fact, she is surfing again. The inset of color photos offers further insight into Hamilton's life. Although this may quickly date, it has automatic appeal for a wide range of readers. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Bethany Hamilton, who YM magazine called the "Bravest Girl in America," has been surfing since she was seven years old. Since her shark attack last year Bethany has participated in numerous competitions and has received the 2004 Teen Choice award for Most Courageous Teen and the 2004 ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete.

Sheryl Berk most recently collaborated with Sopranos star Jamie-Lynn DiScala on her memoir, Wise Girl, and with Britney Spears on her autobiography, Stages. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, Peter, and their own little miracle, daughter Carrie.

Rick Bundschuh is a surfer, writer, and cartoonist, and serves as one of the pastors at Kauai Christian Fellowship. He makes his home in Kalaheo, Hawaii, along with his wife, Lauren, their four kids, a weenie dog, and a quiver of surfboards.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: MTV Books; Reprint edition (June 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416503463
• ISBN-13: 978-1416503460
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (175 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Surfing
  • #47 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Regional U.S. > West
  • #87 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Water Sports

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 54 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't Be Fooled October 30, 2004

By C. Balderson

Format:Hardcover

I was browsing Borders on Kauai recently and overheard a couple of young teens ask about 'the Bethany Hamilton book.' I turned and followed as they were led to where "Soul Surfer" was located. After reading the flap, I decided this was a great Christmas gift for many of my young relatives on the mainland. A week went by, and I picked up one of the 5 copies I purchased: DON'T BE FOOLED! This book looks like is is for the 8-16 set but, it is for EVERYONE young and old. A quick, inspiring read that will take your mind off your own problems, and make you realize that God has a plan in everything, no matter what we think or how we feel in times of adversity.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Will be interesting to teens May 23, 2005

By Camille VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Fourteen year old Bethany Hamilton became a celebrity overnight when a shark bit off her left arm while she was surfing one October morning in 2003. Written in a simple narrative style, Bethany describes her love for her family and surfing as well as her life before and after the shark attack. Living in Hawaii, she comes from a family of surfers. She discusses her faith in God and the strength she finds in her relationship with Jesus Christ.

Her description of the events of that morning are the stuff of nightmares, "suddenly there was a flash of gray." Bethany's father was awaiting knee surgery in the local hospital operating room when the news came in that a young girl had been attacked by a shark and the room was needed for that emergency. He said later he knew in his heart it was his daughter. The quick thinking of her friends and appearance of a paramedic on the scene helped save her life. There is no doubt though that her survival was miraculous. She learned later that she lost almost half her blood volume.

In many ways she is amazed at the interest her story has generated. She does convey her deep faith and hopes that her experiences will serve a greater purpose and help others in times of trouble in their lives.

She is just a kid so do not expect high falutin' prose but this is a touching story and the chapter that describes her return to surfing for the first time is quite moving.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable true life story with some positive life lessons. November 11, 2004

By Hello Kitty Ellen

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this for my grade school aged niece (it's a young adult readers book), but decided to read it first. Who can forget Bethany's story of getting her arm bit off by a huge shark? It was interesting to learn about her family. Both of her parents moved to Hawaii when they were young to follow their passion for surfing. They met up while working at the island's resorts, and raised their kids to surf as soon as they could. Bethany is a very accomplished surfer, with endorsements from surfing clothes and board manufacturers, and it's uplifting to know she is still surfing and still doing well in competitions after the accident. Bethany mentions that she is happy to do interviews (which she admits are tedious) as long as she can mention what Christ has done for her life.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Anything is possible if you try November 29, 2009

By Lauren D

Format:Paperback

Anything's possible if you try!!

The book "Soul Surfer" really shows that anything's possible if you try. In "Soul Surfer", Bethany Hamilton gets her arm bit off by a tiger shark on October 31st. This major situation changed her life forever but she was able to overcome her obstacles with great strength. Not only was it hard to get dressed, it was a challenge to do what it takes in life to survive. With her trust with God, she uses her strength to get through it all and eventually learns to surf again.

She was amazingly able to get through any obstacle just like Stacy's grandmother from "Ribbons". Both of them have a limb that's disfigured and they both have to learn how to use their limb to survive. Unlike Bethany's shark attack, Stacy's grandmother's injury was due to the Chinese custom of wrapping feet. Both girls were determined to not let their disability stop them from doing the things they love. If they had known each other, they would have been a great support for the other.

"Soul Surfer" is about a 13 year girl whose passion was to surf. One morning on October 31st she got attacked by a tiger shark in Hawaii. Luckily she had a great faith in God which helped her overcome the loss of her arm. Bethany wasn't nervous during the attack but her main goal then was to get to shore fast. After Bethany got out of surgery the first thing she said was "When can I surf again?" Now she is back surfing, has done many interviews and is an inspiration to a lot of people.

I would recommend this book to people because this story is an inspiring story. I believe anyone who has a missing body part would love reading this book because they could relate to Bethany and understand her problems.... Anyone who loves to surf or enjoys the ocean would love to read this story of a one armed surfer who overcame her tragic shark attack.

The theme of this book, I believe, is to never give up. If you set your mind to something, never stop trying. If you get hurt don't tell yourself that's the end. With the help of God you can get through anything! If you get hurt never give up! Anything is possible if you try.

Lauren D. Read more ›

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars good book March 3, 2005

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

Soul Surfer was a really good book. Since it was a true, you can put yourself in Bethany's shoes and imagine how awful that experience was. I give this book 5 stars because I thought it was an inspiring story. There was a lot of pictures that were cool to look at. There were tips that Bethany gave you. This book had a lesson to be learned; and that is that any girl or guy can do anything they put their mind to.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for all readers August 31, 2009

By vmary

Format:Paperback

I read this book when I was only 11 years old, but now I am 18, and I picked it up the other day and read it, and I still loved it. This story is inspirational how Bethany puts her life in God's hands, and doesn't blame anyone for anything that went wrong in her life, and how she was able to get back on the board after the attack. A great read for all ages!