Soul Surfer - Autobiography

Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board

Bethany Hamilton 

  

Summary

At age 13, Bethany Hamilton was surfing and a shark attack took her left arm but not her life or spirit.  After surgeries and therapy, Bethany did not let this trauma stop her from perusing her passion of surfing. This autobiography is an inspirational story of courage, faith, family, and determination.

 

Bethany's surf board after the 2003 attack.

“I don't really want people looking to me for inspiration. I just want to be a sign along the way that points toward Heaven.”- Bethany Hamilton

Annie’s Thoughts

Soul Surfer was an enjoyable, easy book to read. I was very touched and inspired by this young lady's story.  The theme of the story is to never give up, no matter what obstacles come your way.  I think this type of positive, faith and family based message is something young people need.

St. Leo University Core Values

Soul Surfer follows Saint Leo University's core values in many ways such as: 

Personal Development:  Emphasis the development of one's mind, spirit, and body for a balanced life.

Community: Bethany Hamilton started a non-profit charity called "Friends of Bethany" that supports shark attack victims and traumatic amputees.

Classroom Activates:

Letter to author - Students (approx 3rd - 5th graders) practice letter writing skills and compose a letter to Bethany Hamilton expressing their feelings about her book, questions and thoughts.

Jeopardy Game - Create the jeopardy game with questions and answers from the book

Response Questions:

Why has Bethany been such a fierce competitor?

In chapter 12, "Being Almost Famous" Bethany states how this is both a blessing and a curse.  Why do you think she states this?  What do you think?



References:

  

Friends of Bethany. Retrieved from http://www.friendsofbethany.com/about/

Hamilton, B. (2004). Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board

St. Leo University - Core Values. Retrieved from http://www.saintleo.edu/about/florida-catholic-university.aspx