This book was required summer reading for my grandson entering 6th grade at a Christian school.

What would happen if you decided to change the world? Think you're too young? Too poor? Too plain? Austin Gutwein was only nine when his heart was broken by the truth of AIDS orphans in Africa. More than just wanting to make a difference, Austin had to. He couldn't sit by and pretend the problem wasn't his. It took him a while, but he finally found a way. He would ask people to sponsor him to shoot free throws. That was the start of something that in now a major non profit organization. Hoops for Hope has saved a generation of Africans by providing food, clothing, education, medical supplies, and hope. Praise the Lord for a young man who wasn't willing to say, "No." His story moved me right down to the Pet rocks. I am honored to live on earth with such a courageous young man. In this book he tells his story. How it started, what he was thinking, the doubts and fears he had, and how God took his small effort and multiplied it again and again. God designed you for a purpose. Have you found your purpose yet? Read this book. It will change your life. Highly recommended.

Austin started Hoops of Hope, a foundation that supports international AIDS relief, and education in Africa. How do they do it? By challenging kids to have a sponsored shoot-athon, to get a donator for each basket they will shoot. He was only a nine-year old who loved playing basketball.And Take Your Best Shot tells that story. His book does not necessarily follow a linear timeline, but then it's not a random order either. We read a delightful telling of his journey to being the founder of something that raised over a million dollars. I love the Austin is continually humble, and is repeated saying that none of it would be possible without other people, and most importantly, God. This book would be most impactful to teens, but it certainly doesn't exclude adults! He provides both encouragement to get out an make a difference and the education to go about it in the right way.

15-year-old Austin Gutwein, the founder of Hoops of Hope, shares his story of inspiration in his book. This remarkable young man was 9 when he saw a video by World Vision about AIDS victims in Africa. Austin wanted to do something to help, but he didnt know what. He loved to play basketball, so someone suggested he use his passion for basketball to help the cause in Africa. Thus, Hoops of Hope got its start. At first, Austins goal was to raise enough money to sponsor 8 children in Africa for 1 year. He determined that if he could make 2,057 free throws, and get enough people to sponsor him, he could raise the necessary funds. He started shooting hoops in his school gym with just his parents & a couple of friends in attendance. Word soon spread & someone from a radio station called him for an interview. Then a couple of camera crews for local TV stations showed up. Before he was done, there were almost 60 people there watching him. As a result, he not only reached his goal of 2,057 free throws & his financial goal, he had started the ball rolling so to speak.After that momentous day, instead of being content with what he had done, Austin began to wonder: What if.a thousand of my friends could do this next year? Think of all the money we could raise. By the power of the grapevine, the power of the media, the power of the Internet, & most importantly by Gods power, over 1000 kids in 6 locations in the US shot hoops the 2nd year, raising $38,000. The next year, over 10,000 people in 11 countries joined in. And the organization keeps growing, bigger each year, providing funding for all types of projects to help AIDS victims in Africa.Along with telling his remarkable story, the author includes stories about the World Vision organization & about other kids in the world who have made a difference in peoples lives. His goal is to encourage everyone to find their passion in life and make a difference. This is a story everyone should read.

This is a fascinating story of how God used one young man to imapact an entire region across the world that is being devastated by AIDS. Although the book is written by a teen for teens, adults will also find it inspiring and challenging. The inclusion of portions of Scripture along with questions to consider and action steps to take at the end of each chapter mean this book would work well as a devotional for teens or for lesson material for a Sunday School or youth group. The story is told by Austin himself and is well written and enthusiastically, yet humbly told.