Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, a Life in Balance

In Courage to Soar, the official autobiography from four-time Olympic gold-winning and record-setting American gymnast Simone Biles, Simone shares how her faith, family, passion, and perseverance has made her one of the top athletes and gymnasts in the world--and how you too can overcome challenges in your life.

Simone Biles' entrance into the world of gymnastics may have started on a field trip in her hometown of Spring, Texas, but her God-given talent, along with drive to succeed no matter the obstacle, are what brought her to the national spotlight during the Olympic Games and have catapulted her ever since--including 25 World Championship medals. But there is more to Simone than her accomplishments.

In Courage to Soar, Simone shares:

• how she has relied on her faith and family to stay focused and positive
• the ways she's continued competing at the highest level and having fun doing what she loves
• a behind-the-scenes looks at gymnastics events, including the Olympics
• the events and challenges that carried her from an early childhood in foster care to a coveted spot on the U.S. Olympic team
• Along the way, Simone shares the details of her inspiring personal story--one filled with daily acts of courage that led her, and can lead you, to even the most unlikely of dreams.

Courage to Soar:

• presents a positive role model for young girls, whether athletes or not
• is an ideal gift for birthdays, holidays, or to celebrate important achievements
• is perfect for school assignments and reports
• is an inspirational story for fans of gymnastics or any sport
• contains an eight-page, full-color photo insert
• includes an autographed, fold-out Courage to Soar poster (see image)

Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 11/15/2016
Pages: 256
Weight: 1lbs
Size: 9.40h x 6.40w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9780310759669
Age: Young Adult

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 6.5
Point Value: 10
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 187506 / Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, a Life in Balance


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 03/01/2017

About the Author
Burford, Michelle: -

Michelle Burford is a #1 New York Times bestselling collaborative writer and a founding editor of O, The Oprah Magazine. She is a Harvard-trained journalist whose work has taken her to more than 35 countries on six continents. A native of Phoenix, Michelle now resides in New York City. Visit her online at www.MichelleBurford.com

Biles, Simone: - New York Times bestselling author Simone Biles is a four-time Olympic gold medalist and a three-time World all-around gymnastics champion. In 2015 at the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, she became the only female gymnast to ever win three consecutive all-around titles. She is also the most decorated American female gymnast, with a total of nineteen medals, fourteen of them gold. Simone, who was born in Ohio and later adopted by her grandparents in Texas, began her training at age 6. During a serendipitous day care field trip to Bannon's Gymnastix, a coach recognized Simone's natural talent and sent home a letter to her parents, requesting that they enroll her in a class. Simone rose quickly through the sport's levels, and in 2011, she began her junior elite career at the American Classics in Huntsville, Texas, where she placed third all-around. Amid a few setbacks in the following two seasons, Simone rebounded in 2013 to claim the first of her three all-around World Championship titles. With her strong faith in God and her triumph against the odds, Simone is inspiring millions to dream big and follow their hearts.