Heart of a Champion: The Dominique Dawes Story

by Kim Washburn

Overview

Dominique Dawes made history as the first African American woman to win an individual Olympic medal, and her trailblazing story is presented in Heart of a Champion, a biography perfect for readers eight and up, and anyone interested in learning about one of the greatest gymnasts in American history.

Long before Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles entered a gym, Dominique Dawes was a young African American girl focused on her dream—and nothing would stop her from reaching it. Although the odds were against her, by the time she was nineteen years old she stood on an Olympic podium to receive a historic gold medal in women’s gymnastics, as well as numerous other impressive accolades—including medals in a record three Olympics—over her long career. Discover how her faith in God and hard work led her to become one of the top gymnasts in the world. Let her story and her motto of “determination, dedication, and desire” encourage you to become all you can be, in competition and in life.

Heart of a Champion:

• includes a special note from Dominique Dawes
• contains quotes from and photos of Dominique that follow her life from childhood to her work with President Obama and Michelle Obama on physical fitness
• is perfect for school reports and assignments
• is an inspiring story for gymnastics fans as well as anyone with a dream

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310722687
Publisher:	Zonderkidz
Publication date:	05/27/2012
Series:	ZonderKidz Biography Series
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	1,033,482
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.30(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	1020L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kim Washburn has been writing for children for more than ten years. While working at Focus on the Family, two of her original stories were recognized by the Evangelical Press Association, including first place in the fiction category. Her nonfiction books for young readers have reached a wide audience—including Breaking Through by Grace: The Bono Story and Defender of Faith: The Mike Fisher Story.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

1 Success Under Pressure 11

2 The Blessings That Brought Her Here 15

3 What Teamwork Can Do 24

4 Nothing Less Than Perfect 32

5 Breakthrough and Clean Sweep 38

6 Long Road to Magnificent Gold 47

7 Audiences Fit for Rock Stars 61

8 Back to the Mat 68

9 Following Her Heart 79

10 The Challenges That Need a Champion 85

11 What She Missed the First Three Times 94

12 When the White House Calls 98

13 Building on the Foundation 104

Editorial Reviews

Gr 4–8—This motivational biography vividly recounts the extraordinary accomplishments of the gymnast and describes the empowering faith that helped her follow her career path. Guided by her personal motto, "D-3: Determination, Dedication, and Desire," Dawes won three Olympic medals and multiple national and world championships. She was the first African American national gymnastics champion and the first black woman of any nationality to win Olympic gold in gymnastics, as a member of the 1996 "Magnificent Seven." During her 18 years of training and competition, she displayed remarkable talent, resilience after mistakes and injuries, and a relentless commitment to perfection. When her gymnastics career ended at age 23, she had to decide what to do with her life. She has found her niche in sports media and as a spokesperson for the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition; Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" initiative; and recreational opportunities for youth with disabilities. Through personal interviews, periodicals, websites, and photos, Washburn focuses on the principles and religious faith that have guided Dawes's life. Surprisingly little information is provided about her family and the challenges she may have faced as an African American gymnast. This purposeful biography is informative and engaging and carries a clear message about faith-based inspiration and guidance.—Gerry Larson, formerly at Durham School of the Arts, NC

School Library Journal