4.5 Stars Out Of 5
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4.7 out Of 5
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Value:
4.8 out Of 5
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Meets Expectations:
4.7 out Of 5
(4.7 out of 5)
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Displaying items 1-5 of 11
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  1. Faye
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Winning Read
    September 20, 2012
    Faye
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    A winning read, indeed!

    Shawn Johnson tells her story from birth and adventurous youngster to top gymnast and finding a balance when some of the drama died down. Shawn opens up her life and her heart to her readers, as well as inspiring and encouraging along the way.

    I immensely enjoyed reading Shawn's storyas she shared from her heart the trials she'd been through as well as the joys. I liked how she shared about her faith and how she had grown in a variety of ways during different parts of her life.

    The book had an engaging conversational tone to it, that made it feel more personal.

    I think that my favorite parts of the books were the ones about the struggles she faced and overcame after the 2008 Beijing Olympics were over and how she found her sense of joy again.

    Overall an inspiring read about faith, determination, love, and dreaming big. This is a book that shows the world the true Shawn Johnson. A book I enjoyed the whole way through, I highly recommend!
  2. Dr JSK
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: male
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    June 15, 2012
    Dr JSK
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: male
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Winning Balance: What I've Learned So Far About Love, Faith, And Living Your Dreams, written by Shawn Johnson with Nancy French, is an inspiring compilation of reflections on the lessons Shawn has already learned during her short time on Earth.

    Shawn begins to share her story chronologically, beginning with her first score, an Apgar test of zero at birth, to winning three Olympic silver medals and one gold, to winning Dancing with the Stars, and she does so with great emotion.

    Throughout the book, Shawn shares small glimpses of her joy, moments of fear, times of frustration, and instants of confusion. She does this not to elevate herself as one who has conquered, but to show the power of the experiences that have occurred within her life.

    What touched me the most out of all that was declared within this book by Shawn were the moments she shared about her faith and her need to rely on the Lord for each moment in her life. From realizing that she needed to attend church more than a few times a year to feeling at home in the house of God, Shawn's experiences will touch the heart of every servant of God.

    All in all, this is a recommended read for any fan of Shawn Johnson or any person of faith seeking to see how others have drawn closer to God.

    Dr. Jeff Krupinski
  3. Robin Prater
    Missouri
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    What A Way To Stand!
    June 5, 2012
    Robin Prater
    Missouri
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    When I picked up, "Winning Balance", I didn't really know what to expect. I was surprisingly blessed. It is so awesome to see one give glory to God for all He has done, is doing and will do in their life. That is exactly what Shawn does.

    I would say, every young girl should pick up this book and read cover to back. Shawn shares about her journey. Not just in gymnastics and winning gold, but being winner in your own skin. She shares with us her life lessons as has over come obstacles and learned to face her fears head on.

    Here is a little about Shawn:

    Shawn Johnson is an Olympic gold and three-time silver medalist in women's gymnastics. She was the 2007 all-around World Champion and the 2007 and 2008 US all-around champion. Shawn won the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars as the youngest competitor in the show's history. She has appeared on Oprah, Today, Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show, and other programs. Shawn earned ESPN's ESPY Award for Best US Female Olympian in 2009; she also won the Teen Choice Female Athlete of the Year Award in both 2009 and 2011. Visit her online at www.shawnjohnson.net.

    I love how at the end of each chapter Shawn shares lessons she has learned. Here are a few of my favs.

    "Learn to find pride in your own success, even if your accomplishment isn't recognized by others. Your worth isn't determined by the color of the ribbon around your neck or anything else someone might give you. God created you in His image; that is where your worth comes from."

    "Life will be richer once you find your passion-but never lose sight of everything else. If one activity becomes everything to you, you may have nothing left if you lose it. To keep my life in balance, my parents didn't want my schedule to be lopsided, too heavily weighted with one activity. They encouraged me to fill my time with the right amount of hobbies, schoolwork, and relationships-in the right proportion."

    Shawn also shares a lot of great quotes and poetry. These are life words that will empower you as you ponder them. I enjoyed learning more about Shawn. I was captivated by her story. A story that isn't finished yet. I suppose that is the one thing I love most about Shawn's book. She knows life is a journey and it is worth giving your all and living without limits and regrets.

    This book was a gift from Tyndale for it's review.
  4. bookwomanjoan
    Oak Harbor, WA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    inspiring story of young success
    June 4, 2012
    bookwomanjoan
    Oak Harbor, WA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Shawn has written this book as a way to reflect on the lessons she has learned from her training and competitive experiences. She shares her childhood, climbing and jumping. She was so full of energy her mother signed her up at a gym.

    Her early accomplishments are amazing — on the junior national team in Belgium and taking first place in the all-around, vault and floor. She came in first at the Visa championships (2006). She won the all-around title at the 2007 Tyson American Cup, at the 2007 Pan American Games, and the 2007 Visa Championships (this time as a senior competitor), and at the World Championships. She writes, "I had gone from an up-and-coming junior to the best gymnast in the world in one year." (59)

    Beijing was in her sights but she experienced a stress fracture and the future looked uncertain. Then the gym was flooded one week before the Trials.

    Shawn shares her experiences at the Olympics — the fear of defeat, the moment she realized she would not win the all-around gold, and being away from her parents for a month.

    Back in the U. S., as life was returning to normal, she was invited to be on Dancing With the Stars, the youngest contestant at that time. She shares how the glitz of Hollywood affected her. After DWTS, she thought she needed to find a new identity for herself. She realized that her identity came from something other than her accomplishments. She knew that lasting happiness would never be found in another medal. Her faith in Christ was what mattered.

    Shawn loved to ski and tells of the accident wrecking her knee. The injury gave her time to think about her future. She decided to try for the 2012 Olympics. However, just Sunday, June 3, Shawn announced her retirement because of trouble with her left knee. She reminds us at the end of her book that a gymnastic career is short. She looks forward to college, marriage and kids.

    The message she wants her readers to embrace is that God will walk you through the tough times. She knows God has done that for her.

    What a treasure of a book! It is well written and compelling. Shawn kept a journal and has done a wonderful job creating a very readable and inspiring book.

    At her young age, Shawn is mature beyond her years sharing the lessons she has learned at the end of each chapter. What a privilege to get to know the young woman we've seen in the spotlight. And I promise, if I see her at the mall and happen to be next to her in the bathroom, I won't reach under the divider with a piece of paper and ask for her autograph (you have to read the book).

    I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.
  5. Kara
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    June 1, 2012
    Kara
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Winning Balance, by Shawn Johnson with Nancy French, is a compilation of reflections on the lessons that Shawn has learned over the years. While the author says that it is not an autobiography, it covers many aspects of her life and is presented in chronological order.

    Beginning with her first score, an Apgar test of zero at birth, to winning three Olympic silver medals and one gold, to winning Dancing with the Stars, Shawn tells her story with a great deal of emotion. She shares glimpses of her joy, fear, frustration, and confusion as she tells of each experience as it occurred in her life.

    I enjoyed reading this book. I especially liked the passage about beginning to attend church more than just a couple of times per year and how she appreciates her current church family. The story of her serious injury and her journey back into gymnastics was also quite moving. After each chapter, she has expressed a "Lesson I've Learned," something that could be especially helpful to young girls reading this story.

    I would recommend this book to young girls or anyone who enjoys gymnastics.

    Kara

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to

    write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Displaying items 1-5 of 11
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