by Aly Raisman
First published 2017
Aly Raisman began gymnastics as a toddler in a mommy and me class. Sixteen years later, she stood on Olympic podiums as a gold medalist. Raisman chronicles her path from those early days through two Olympic Games, revealing the hard work and perseverance required to reach elite competition. She faced critics who doubted her potential, classmates who mocked her athletic physique, and a profound betrayal of trust. Family, friends, and teammates provided crucial support as she developed inner strength and maintained positive thinking through setbacks. Raisman shares behind-the-scenes moments from training and competition, drawing from personal journals she kept throughout her career. She includes previously unpublished photographs and recounts memorable experiences with teammates. The book offers practical advice for overcoming obstacles, building self-confidence, and pursuing ambitious goals. Raisman writes with honesty about both triumphs and struggles, showing readers what championship performance demands on and off the competition floor.
Genres: biography, autobiography, sports, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: overcoming-obstacles, pursuing-ambitious-goals
359 pages · Hardcover · Little, Brown Books for Young Readers