Soul Surfer

I recently read the book Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton(author), Sheryl Berk(author contributor), and Rick Bundchuh(author). This book's genre is nonfiction and based on a true story about the author Bethany Hamilton and contains 240 pages. In this novel, Bethany has to build up her courage and strength, so that she can embrace her new life with only one arm! I chose to read this story because one of my cousins was reading it and told me it was an amazing book!

In this book, the main character Bethany Hamilton faces something no person should have to go through, life with one arm. She has lived in Hawaii all her life, and is said to have saltwater in her veins. Bethany is a surfer on her way to the pros when something terrible stops her career in it's tracks. Just a normal day, waking up early to go out and surf with her best friend Alana and Alana's dad and brother turned into a nightmare. They were all just floating along in the waters of Kauai, Hawaii when a shark flew out of the water next to Bethany and attacked her left arm! Bethany lay there on her board after the shark retreated as blood filled the ocean around her. She started to feel cold, and instantly started paddling. Alana came to Bethany and yelled for help. Alana's father and brother rushed to them and guided Bethany to shore. They put together a tourniquet for her arm, and all the while, Bethany lie there praying to God. She was sent to the hospital and into immediate surgery.

Bethany's parents, brothers, and friends waited for her to wake at the hospital. The doctor told them the outcome of the surgery: he had to remove Bethany's left arm all the way up to her shoulder. They all knew that this life changing experience would be hard, but that Bethany could do it, and she did! As soon as she was out of the hospital, Bethany wanted to get back into the water! With the help of her Dad's modifications to her board, Bethany started to train again as if she'd never surfed before. She started to win competitions eventually, and then grasped that the title of a professional surfer was not so far away, even with one arm. Bethany never gave up on her dreams, and strived for victory! It was because of her ambition, her belief in God, and her will to surf that Bethany Hamilton got back on her board, and showed the world what she could do!

What I liked about this book was that it was very empowering, and showed me that with courage, you can do anything! This was an awesome book that always had me wanting to read more, and there isn't one thing that i disliked about it. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend, and any aged person could read this book. People that like moving, and based on a true story books, would enjoy this story. Overall, this novel was an excellent read!