Raising the Bar by Gabrielle Douglas is a great book for any young girl, especially a gymnast. The book is over sized and laid out in a memory book/scrapbook fashion. It has vibrant colors drawing the reader into the book. Gabrielle starts out by introducing her family and explaining how she started her career when she was only 6 years old. She shares her inspirational story, including sacrifices she and her family went thru for her to live her dream/God given calling. She emphasizes her faith in God and expresses how she gives glory to God for bringing her to this place, the Olympics. She discusses the heartache she felt when she had to move across the country to train for her challenge of a lifetime, how God brought her through that and placed her with a family who became her second family.
Through out the book there are biblical stories or verses that Gabrielle draws her strengths from when she is away from home or training. She discusses lots of different things about her like what she likes to eat, what she does to relax or who has inspired her showing that she is a grounded real person, not a character. I think this is something that girls, preteens especially, can really relate to. This book is recommended for 8 year olds, the perfect age to be influenced by a good role mode. In a world where there are few good role models Gabrielle's story is a refreshing one of faith, determination and hard work.
You can check out this book at Zondervan as well as her other book, Grace Gold and Glory.
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