Relentless Spirit

November 1, 2016
A decorated Olympian reflects on her supportive upbringing and celebrated competitive swimming career. Five-time gold medalist Franklin's affinity for water began when she was a child vacationing with her family at oceanside locations and, later, in grade school, where she discovered and began honing the ability to "swim fast on my back." With obvious pride, she describes a succession of swim meets, influential coaches, competitions, and national championships, near and far, which her parents, who co-authored the book, were more than happy to shuttle her to. At some point, writes the author, "a switch got flipped, and swimming became something else--something more." With her parents' blessings and ceaseless encouragement, Franklin began training with top-level professional coaches. In perhaps her greatest achievement to date, Franklin, then just 17, won five Olympic medals (four golds, one bronze) at the 2012 London Olympics. A blitz of media attention descended on the family, but Franklin became buoyed by an insistence on finishing her secondary education with her friends and graduating class at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado, where her spirituality bloomed as well. Throughout the book, Franklin effusively credits her parents as being "at the heart of everything I do, everything I am, everything I might become." The co-authors add depth, personal history (both were victims of childhood abuse), and alternating perspectives on raising their daughter and cultivating her talent. They also offer a clear glimpse into how they raised and molded Missy to become a humble champion who continues to persevere--despite self-critically disappointing performances at the recent 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Brazil. But this is very much the swimmer's memoir. In a breezy style, she focuses on charting her own physical prowess and competitive skills while honoring and staying true to the interconnectedness and gravity of the family bond. A consistently sunny, family-oriented story of persistence and achievement.

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June 1, 2017

"Relentless" is the perfect title for this engaging, vivid tale of young determination and drive. Swimming prodigy Missy Franklin's account, cowritten with her parents, of her path to the Olympics is a reach-for-the-stars story that will enthrall adults and teens, who will be eager to see how the young athlete navigated each bump and curve. Missy Franklin explains how the word relentless motivates her to push herself. From early moments where she soared despite fear and uncertainty to her success as a decorated Olympian and celebrity athlete, she never gives up. Some may initially be deterred by the title's length but will quickly find themselves deeply absorbed. VERDICT An inspiring book that will appeal to sports fans, educators seeking a classroom read, and those looking for an uplifting memoir.-Ashley Selima, Lincoln Public Library, RI

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2016
Missy Franklin burst onto the national scene at the 2012 London Olympic Games and also competed at the 2016 Rio Games. Relentless Spirit isn't a typical sports memoir about a swimmer with five Olympic gold medals and two world records (200-meter backstroke and 4x100-meter medley relay) to her credit; it is also a heartwarming memoir about an only child born to older parents, with child and parents all contributing to the narrative. The flow between Missy and her parents works well in this format, similar to the way families share stories orally, with each jumping in to enhance or clarify a point. While Missy contributes most of the text, coauthors D. A. (her mother) and Dick share experiences as they dealt with raising a world-class athlete, commenting on when they elected to intervene or pull back, encouraging their daughter to set her own goals yet helping design a course to achieve them. Relentless may have been Missy Franklin's mantra, but keeping her spirit aligned while handling success and inevitable setbacks can be credited to her faith, plus positive parenting. Sure to inspire swimmers, young adults, parents, and coaches.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2016

Having won five medals--including four golds--at the London Olympics, swimmer Franklin will be one of the highest-profile members of the U.S. Olympics team in Rio this summer. Meanwhile, she's just gone pro after delaying that move for a few years so that she could attend college. Here she joins with her parents to discuss how to manage training and schooling and what it took to find the right facilities, coaches, and support network.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2016

Olympic gold medalist swimmer Franklin (b. 1995) has penned a compelling autobiography detailing her path to becoming an elite athlete. What makes Franklin's story stand out is her decision to cowrite with her parents, D.A. and Dick Franklin. The memories and personal insights into Franklin's perseverance and drive as a swimmer strengthen the admiration readers will feel for her. Starting with her early childhood swimming experiences (for example, when three-year-old Missy took off swimming in the ocean with her father's snorkeling mask), the Franklins tell the story of their daughter's love of the water and her sport. The recollections of Franklin and her family, when melded with the influence of her Christian faith, provide an intimate look at Franklin's beliefs. Throughout, it's clear that this athlete is mature beyond her years, and it's only through occasional flashes of goofiness and diarylike conversations that one is reminded of how much she accomplished at a young age. VERDICT This inspiring and quick read proves that Franklin's spirit is a strong as her backstroke.--Stacy Shaw, Orange, CA

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.