Let me start by saying that I love Shawn Johnson. What I can remember of her- from watching her in the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing. What girl doesn’t love the gymnastics portion? I sure do!

So, when I saw the chance to review this book- which was just barely released- I took it! And, I loved it!

Isn’t she beautiful? What a great role model for young women and girls!

Here’s what the Tyndale Media Center says: “Twenty-year-old American gymnast Shawn Johnson is a four-time Olympic gold and silver medalist; a national- and world-champion athlete. Already a popular role model to all ages, in 2009 she captured the national spotlight again when she won the widely popular Dancing with the Stars. Yet Shawn is no stranger to hard work and adversity. Her loss of the major gymnastics prize everyone expected her to win in Beijing, the all-around Olympic gold medal, was the loss of a dream she’d worked for since childhood. And later, she suffered a potentially career-ending injury in a skiing accident that forced her life to a halt and made her rethink what was really important. She wasn’t sure who she was anymore. She wasn’t sure what her goals were. And she wasn’t sure she was satisfied with where she was with her faith and God. Could she find the right kind of success in life—the kind that doesn’t involve medals or trophies, but peace, love, and lasting joy? This is the amazing true journey of how the young woman who won an Olympic gold medal on the balance beam became even more balanced.” (Which, by the way, Tyndale Media Blog center provided me with a free review copy of this book.)

My conclusion- I still love Shawn Johnson, even more than I did watching her win the Olympics! What a strong young woman, and I love her writing style!

I couldn’t help but compare the book to Suzanne Collins’  book The Hunger Games (which I finished recently- very intriguing!)  They use the same contrite first person point of view, discussing “the games,” their love life, their family. The main difference in Shawn’s book, there was no killing!

I would highly recommend this book, to anybody who loves a good read. It’s quick and easy, complete with colored photographs, original poems, and more. Quick and fun to read!