Have you been staying up late this week watching the events happening in Rio? So many of us end up getting sucked into the competitions, stories and events because this event only happens once every four years. There’s just something amazing about watching these teenagers and young adults put everything on the line and compete for the opportunity to bring the medals home for their country. My daughter had the opportunity to read this biography of Olympic competitor Missy Franklin and is here to share it with you.

Hobbies on a Budget received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Swimming with Faith Book Review

Though Missy Franklin didn’t achieve her goals in Rio, she says she did her best and the future is bright!

“…that positivity just comes from knowing that I did the best that I possibly could and it just wasn’t my week,” Franklin said. “It’s heartbreaking that all the hard work and sacrifices I made just didn’t show up, but I know that they will eventually and I think I’m going to be so much stronger after this experience.”

Franklin vows to return to the next Summer Olympics stronger than ever as we look ahead to Tokyo 2020. From ABC News

Natalie’s Review

Swimming with Faith is an inspiring book about Missy Franklin. Before reading this book, I didn’t know much about Missy. For instance, I didn’t know the fact that she turned down thousands and thousands of dollars just so she could swim in college.

While reading this book I thought about a lot of things. From my own swimming experience to WOW! Girl power! This book was an easy, intriguing read. I would recommend this book for 4th and 5th grade girls, anyone who swims competitively or just someone wants to learn more background on what to expect in Rio with the games going on. Typically I don’t read biographies, but this one I enjoyed and can’t wait to see what else Missy does in her life.

About the Book

Missy Franklin is one of the most talented swimmers in the world. She is a four-time Olympic gold medalist and currently holds the world record in the 200-meter backstroke and American records in both the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke. She was Swimming World’s World Swimmer of the Year and the American Swimmer of the Year in 2012. This story tells of her rise in fame and humbleness in the sport.

About the Author

Natalie Davis Miller has been a professional writer for more that seventeen years, writing a variety of stories for print and web, including articles on many sports figures such as football legend and movie icon Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger and Olympians Cullen Jones and Kelly Clark in the Zonderkidz biographies, Speed to Glory, The Cullen Jones Story and Reaching New Heights, The Kelly Clark Story. Miller connects with her subjects and tells their stories in an informative and inspiring way, with a personal goal to glorify God using her writing talents.

Do you enjoy biographies? What is your favorite part of the events in Rio? I’d love to hear!