Fierce: How Competing for Myself Changed Everything

by Aly Raisman Narrated by Natalie Roy Camargo

Overview

Discover Aly Raisman's inspiring story of dedication, perseverance, and learning to think positive even in the toughest times on her path to gold medal success in two Olympic Games--and beyond.

Aly Raisman first stepped onto a gymnastics mat as a toddler in a "mommy & me" gymnastics class. No one could have predicted then that sixteen years later, she'd be standing on an Olympic podium, having achieved her dreams.

Aly's road to success was full of hard work, perseverance, and victories, but not without its hardships. Aly faced many obstacles, from naysayers who said she'd never make it in gymnastics to classmates who shamed her for her athletic body to a devastating betrayal of trust. Through it all, Aly surrounded herself with supportive family, friends, and teammates and found the inner strength to remain positive and believe in herself. Now, in her own words, Aly shows what it takes to be a champion on and off the floor, and takes readers on a behind-the-scenes journey before, during, and after her remarkable achievements in two Olympic Games--through her highest highs, lowest lows, and all the moments in between.

Honest and heartfelt, frank and funny, Aly's story is enhanced with never-before-published photos, excerpts from the personal journals she's kept since childhood that chronicle memorable moments with her teammates, and hard-won advice for readers striving to rise above challenges, learn to love themselves, and make their own dreams come true.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

A New York Times Bestseller
An Entertainment Weekly Best YA book of 2017

"Aly Raisman is fierce in every sense of the word. Her story is one of persistence, hardship, triumph and leadership and Fierce is both inspiring and illuminating."—Billie Jean King, Founder, Women's Sports Foundation

"Aly's success as a gymnast is no doubt incredible. But Fierce gives an intimate look into her journey not just as an athlete, but as an impressive and powerful young woman. She's a role model to our daughters, an incredible friend, and the embodiment of bravery and girl power!"—Nick Swisher and JoAnna Garcia Swisher

"An appealing, readable memoir for more than just future gymnasts."—Kirkus Reviews

"...an accessible memoir, of an inspirational bent...with some vital, tender discussion of her experience of sexual assault included as well. It's a book of (appropriately) fierce advocacy."
—Entertainment Weekly

"...lively and straightforward...Raisman's inspiring and enlightening story belongs in every teen biography collection."—SLJ

Kirkus Review

2018-01-03
One of the most decorated American gymnasts details her life in and out of the gym."The story of my life in gymnastics is an underdog one," Raisman says in the opening pages of this memoir, and she provides plenty of examples to support her statement: the extra time it takes her to learn new skills, whether it's a roundoff back handspring or the Amanar vault; her difficulty coping with the incredible pressure placed upon all gymnasts; and the injuries that interrupted her career, such as a back injury suffered at the age of 12. Yet every time she's knocked down, she works extra hard and succeeds. And that ability to overcome serves her in good stead whether it's choosing to come back to gymnastics after the 2012 Olympics or stepping forward to reveal the sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of the USA Gymnastics doctor. Said revelation is handled delicately, and it's combined with valuable information for other sexual abuse victims. Raisman's voice remains forthright and grounded, her words sounding as though they were drawn from her journal—as they were in several cases. It's difficult to read about the physical injuries and the mental pressure Raisman places upon herself, yet her love for gymnastics always shines through.An appealing, readable memoir for more than just future gymnasts. (Memoir. 12-18)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170378364
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	11/14/2017
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

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