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Bethany Hamilton
Growing up in Hawaii, Bethany Hamilton loved to surf. But one day, she was in her favorite place, out on the waves, when a tiger shark suddenly attacked. Thirteen-year-old Bethany lost her left arm.
As she fought to recover, Bethany wondered: Would she ever surf again?
Follow Bethany as she got back on her board and fearlessly chased her surfing dreams. With the strength of her family and faith behind her, Bethany knew she could become not only a professional athlete, but a champion and a role model.
Meet Bethany. Get inspired.
As she fought to recover, Bethany wondered: Would she ever surf again?
Follow Bethany as she got back on her board and fearlessly chased her surfing dreams. With the strength of her family and faith behind her, Bethany knew she could become not only a professional athlete, but a champion and a role model.
Meet Bethany. Get inspired.
131 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2019
29 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Jenni L. Walsh
16 books643 followersJenni L. Walsh is the USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books for adults and children, spending her days knee deep in words in Philadelphia’s suburbia. Beyond words, Jenni is a mama (of a soulful eleven-year-old, a soccer-loving nine-year-old, and six needy furbabies), a wife, a Philly and 'Nova sports fan.
But where did it all begin? Jenni spent her early years dabbling in various forms of writing and with her nose in a book. Her writing chops first began to develop through one-page stories. Never fail, the storyline followed the same progression: girl meets boy, girl marries boy, girl and boy have baby. That's it.
Now Jenni has moved on to stories with a bit more depth and, for the mamas, Side by Side is a historical women's fiction story of America’s most infamous crime spree of Bonnie and Clyde told in the raw and honest voice of the woman who lived it, Bonnie Parker. In Becoming Bonnie, a prequel set in the Roaring Twenties, a picture of Bonnie's earlier life, before and while she meets Clyde, is brought to life. Jenni's third historical women's fiction book A Betting Woman takes us to the California gold rush, featuring a little known woman from history, Eleanor Dumont, but who is largely remembered by the moniker Madame Moustache. In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni introduces readers to the Women's Royal Naval Service (the Wrens), who carried wartime secrets on their shoulders as motorcycle dispatch riders during both world wars. Unsinkable is Jenni's first bestselling novel, hitting the USA Today bestsellers list, and is about two resilient women, one of which is the real-life Violet Jessop who survived the Titanic and two additional maritime disasters. Jenni's next historical novel Ace, Marvel, Spy features Alice Marble, who was the world's number one women's tennis player, an editor for the Wonder Woman comics, and a spy during the Second World War. Up next from Jenni, in October 2025, is Sonora, a historical novel about performer Sonora Carver, one of the first women to dive from a forty-five foot tower on the back of a horse and who inspired the film Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.
For the kiddos, Jenni's debut middle grade books, She Dared, features true stories from women who, at a young age, accomplished daring feats of perseverance and bravery. She is also the author of I Am Defiance, inspired by a real-life resistance group, known as the White Rose. Jenni has contributed Hettie and the London Blitz: A World War II Survival Story to the Girl's Survive series. Revolutionary War hero Sybil Ludington, who is often known as the "female Paul Revere," is brought to life in By the Light of Fireflies, Jenni's first historical novel with a touch of magical realism. Over and Out is a thrilling and fast-paced espionage and escape story that is inspired by real stories of life in East Berlin during the Cold War. Operation: Happy, set during the attack on Pearl Harbor, tells the story of a real-life survivor and includes the POV of her dog, Happy, to soften the events of one of America's most notable moments in history. In May 2025, Jenni is excited to be releasing her first contemporary novel, a mystery/adventure story called The Bug Bandits, which is inspired by a real heist and the shenanigans of Home Alone.
But where did it all begin? Jenni spent her early years dabbling in various forms of writing and with her nose in a book. Her writing chops first began to develop through one-page stories. Never fail, the storyline followed the same progression: girl meets boy, girl marries boy, girl and boy have baby. That's it.
Now Jenni has moved on to stories with a bit more depth and, for the mamas, Side by Side is a historical women's fiction story of America’s most infamous crime spree of Bonnie and Clyde told in the raw and honest voice of the woman who lived it, Bonnie Parker. In Becoming Bonnie, a prequel set in the Roaring Twenties, a picture of Bonnie's earlier life, before and while she meets Clyde, is brought to life. Jenni's third historical women's fiction book A Betting Woman takes us to the California gold rush, featuring a little known woman from history, Eleanor Dumont, but who is largely remembered by the moniker Madame Moustache. In The Call of the Wrens, Jenni introduces readers to the Women's Royal Naval Service (the Wrens), who carried wartime secrets on their shoulders as motorcycle dispatch riders during both world wars. Unsinkable is Jenni's first bestselling novel, hitting the USA Today bestsellers list, and is about two resilient women, one of which is the real-life Violet Jessop who survived the Titanic and two additional maritime disasters. Jenni's next historical novel Ace, Marvel, Spy features Alice Marble, who was the world's number one women's tennis player, an editor for the Wonder Woman comics, and a spy during the Second World War. Up next from Jenni, in October 2025, is Sonora, a historical novel about performer Sonora Carver, one of the first women to dive from a forty-five foot tower on the back of a horse and who inspired the film Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.
For the kiddos, Jenni's debut middle grade books, She Dared, features true stories from women who, at a young age, accomplished daring feats of perseverance and bravery. She is also the author of I Am Defiance, inspired by a real-life resistance group, known as the White Rose. Jenni has contributed Hettie and the London Blitz: A World War II Survival Story to the Girl's Survive series. Revolutionary War hero Sybil Ludington, who is often known as the "female Paul Revere," is brought to life in By the Light of Fireflies, Jenni's first historical novel with a touch of magical realism. Over and Out is a thrilling and fast-paced espionage and escape story that is inspired by real stories of life in East Berlin during the Cold War. Operation: Happy, set during the attack on Pearl Harbor, tells the story of a real-life survivor and includes the POV of her dog, Happy, to soften the events of one of America's most notable moments in history. In May 2025, Jenni is excited to be releasing her first contemporary novel, a mystery/adventure story called The Bug Bandits, which is inspired by a real heist and the shenanigans of Home Alone.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 24, 2019
It's hard to imagine that some kids may be unaware of surfer Bethany Hamilton, though they are certainly too young to have personal memories of the global news about her shark attack back in 2004. This title (in an excellent series of profiles of coruageous girls the ) is a slim but ideal introduction. It captures the dramatic shark attack and its immediate consequences in heart-pounding and page-turning text. From those earliest pages and throughout, Hamilton's upbeat and forward-facing personality shines through.
She continues to be surfing, winning awards, and living in the spotlight. From the earliest days through to today, she presents a strong model of managing that spotlight for positive purposes, not to capitalize on personal fame but to encourage others to pursue goals and overcome setbacks.
Her self-acceptance is also a strong rejection of "body-perfect" images for anyone, but especially for youth and girls.
She continues to be surfing, winning awards, and living in the spotlight. From the earliest days through to today, she presents a strong model of managing that spotlight for positive purposes, not to capitalize on personal fame but to encourage others to pursue goals and overcome setbacks.
Her self-acceptance is also a strong rejection of "body-perfect" images for anyone, but especially for youth and girls.
April 24, 2019
An Inspirational Story of Courage and Passion
“She Dared” is an inspiring, true story about a teenage girl whose dream is to be a professional surfer. Since she was eight years old, Bethany Hamilton has surfed competitively. But one day, when she was only thirteen years old, Bethany was attacked by a tiger shark and lost her left arm. How would you react and what would you feel and think if you were attacked by a shark? “She Dared” gives an inside look at what was running through Bethany’s mind and her thoughts during the terrifying shark attack.
“She Dared” is about Bethany’s struggle to recover and the obstacles she faces. As she was fighting to survive, Bethany began to doubt that she would ever surf again, but she was determined to get back in the water. Only one month after her terrifying encounter, she got back in the water and began to surf again. With hard work, support from her family and friends, and a ton of practice, she is able to surf again. Will her hard work pay off? Will she be good enough to get into the finals at her first big surf competition after the tragedy?
A fast, easy read, and uplifting book for children 7 years and up. I highly recommend this book for those who love inspiring, non-fiction books about courage, hard work, and passion, especially if you love surfing.
Review by Ashlynne N., age 11, North Texas Mensa
November 7, 2018
Thank you to the Kid Lit Exchange network for a preview copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Malala Yousafsai and Bethany Hamilton are featured as part of a set of biographies planned by Scholastic. The stories in the book were familiar to me because I have read Soul Surfer and I Am Malala, sources for these books, but they might be new to young readers learning about these young women for the first time. I like that the author wrote about the importance of faith in both girls' lives, since it is integral to understanding who they are and how they coped with their adversities. Both of these young women experienced traumatic events that changed the trajectory of their lives, including their amounts of influence and fame. I am curious to see if this pattern holds true for any other people planned for the series. I'd love to see Scholastic feature someone who has not been traumatized so that readers understand that they don't need to experience tragedy to make a difference.
These books include good photographs and cite several sources. Overall good, easy-to-read biographies.
Malala Yousafsai and Bethany Hamilton are featured as part of a set of biographies planned by Scholastic. The stories in the book were familiar to me because I have read Soul Surfer and I Am Malala, sources for these books, but they might be new to young readers learning about these young women for the first time. I like that the author wrote about the importance of faith in both girls' lives, since it is integral to understanding who they are and how they coped with their adversities. Both of these young women experienced traumatic events that changed the trajectory of their lives, including their amounts of influence and fame. I am curious to see if this pattern holds true for any other people planned for the series. I'd love to see Scholastic feature someone who has not been traumatized so that readers understand that they don't need to experience tragedy to make a difference.
These books include good photographs and cite several sources. Overall good, easy-to-read biographies.
January 4, 2020
Part of the inspiring She Dared series, this book focuses on champion surfer Bethany Hamilton. while surfing in Hawaii, she was attacked by a tiger shark in 2003 when she was thirteen, and lost her left arm. Not only is the description of the attack and aftermath vivid and engaging, but readers will be astonished at her bravery and determination as this young woman somehow managed to bounce back, train hard, and return to the sport she loves so much. I cannot imagine ever being able to stand up on a surfboard even on flat ground or in the ocean, much less climb onto one without the use of my left arm. I can only try to imagine the fear she must have had the first time she got back in the ocean, but she did it--and did it time and time again. Readers will draw inspiration from her example and strong faith as well as her supportive family and friends, and applaud all her accomplishments. The inclusion of photographs of Bethany at various stages in her career and the accessible writing make this book compelling reading for middle graders.
February 26, 2020
From a new paperback series spotlighting famous young women, this title on surfer Bethany Hamilton focuses on her injury from a shark bite when she was an early teen and follows her recovery as she works hard to adapt to surfing with only one arm and her struggle to compete on a professional level. While the story and dialogue driven text is unauthorized, it does recreate her experience from many published sources and recorded interviews. There are several pages of photographs, a glossary of surfing terms, a scientific explanation of wave reports, and bibliography of sources for more information and website links. The book offers a high interest biography that middle grade readers will find attractive for its ease of reading and overall kid appeal. I would recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library.
This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries
This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries
August 5, 2020
A 2020 MCBA book
Short quick read. I think it’s a great book for anyone interested in learning more about Bethany Hamilton
Not overly compelling but interesting. I think it’s made for a fairly young audience. Perhaps 3rd and up. It has a very upbeat tone which matches what we learn about Bethany.
I might suggest it to students who are doing biography reports.
I think she’s incredibly inspiring and her message of perseverance is important.
I am interested to see what else this series produces
Short quick read. I think it’s a great book for anyone interested in learning more about Bethany Hamilton
Not overly compelling but interesting. I think it’s made for a fairly young audience. Perhaps 3rd and up. It has a very upbeat tone which matches what we learn about Bethany.
I might suggest it to students who are doing biography reports.
I think she’s incredibly inspiring and her message of perseverance is important.
I am interested to see what else this series produces
April 23, 2021
Well Jenni Walsh has done it again – she has taken an amazing true story and breathed a fresh new perspective into it. Bethany Hamilton is an amazing young woman who took a harrowing incident and turned it into an amazing life adventure. When most young women her age are struggling to just fit in, Jenni Walsh allows us to see how Bethany thrives. This story will dare you to dream in even your darkest hour. Travel with Walsh as she guides the reader through the events that led Bethany to thrive when then chips were down.
August 29, 2018
For every child who dreams big dreams, who worries if they'll ever have the courage it takes to conquer their fear, this is a must read. They will see themselves in Bethany Hamilton, a girl following her passion. But what I love most about this story is how Jenni L. Walsh showed Bethany's courage and her decision to chose resiliency over adversity. An uplifting, inspirational read.
September 11, 2018
Quick paced and powerfully written, this book will be popular with kids drawn to “I Survived” books as well as “Who Is/Was?” biographies. I would consider this a must-buy for schools, libraries, and kids interested in Bethany Hamilton.
January 1, 2019
Bethany Hamilton is such a great role model for kids. She has a fighting spirit and has proved the power of faith and never giving up. This was a great read full of hope and inspiration.
June 26, 2020
I love this book. Recently I have wanted to know more about her and this book helped a lot. It summarizes her life from before her shark attack to her new life! This is well written.
August 19, 2020
The second biography I've read on Hamilton in my MCBA tenure. Fascinating story--never give up!
October 3, 2020
While I love the story of Bethany Hamilton and have read another book about her, I found this to be so poorly written. It was so difficult to overlook the writing.
December 30, 2020
My 9 year old granddaughter is fascinated by Bethany Hamilton and her tenacity. This is a great introduction to the shark incident that took Bethany’s arm and how she learned to surf competitively again.
Want to read
August 25, 2021Young Hoosier Book Award - Intermediate Books
October 9, 2021
Short and simple version of Bethany Hamilton’s story. Great for young readers.
December 9, 2021
This was a great version of the Bethany Hamilton story. I like it so much, I've reread it.
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December 20, 2018Thank you, Booklist and School Library Journal!
"While engaging text puts readers in the life-or-death moment, the book focuses more on Bethany’s recovery...Readers see Bethany’s ultimate test of perseverance when she competes in her first pro competition with her self-nicknamed 'Stumpy.' [An] inspirational journey." - Booklist
"... powerful, depicting the drama of Hamilton’s experiences and demonstrating the impact of her Christian faith, her mental toughness, and her family’s support." - School Library Journal
"While engaging text puts readers in the life-or-death moment, the book focuses more on Bethany’s recovery...Readers see Bethany’s ultimate test of perseverance when she competes in her first pro competition with her self-nicknamed 'Stumpy.' [An] inspirational journey." - Booklist
"... powerful, depicting the drama of Hamilton’s experiences and demonstrating the impact of her Christian faith, her mental toughness, and her family’s support." - School Library Journal
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews