Fierce: How Competing for Myself Changed Everything

Raisman, Aly. Fierce: How Competing for Myself Changed Everything. 2017. 359p. ISBN 9780316472708. 

Even as a toddler, Aly Raisman knew she wanted to be a gymnast. Obsessed with a 1996 recording of the Atlanta games, Aly pestered her parents and eventually joined the local gymnastics club. She thrived in that environment, and learned important life lessons concerning hard work and dedication. With her eyes on joining the elite Olmypic team, she transferred to another gym where the trainer had worked with Olympians. Her efforts paid off when she successfully joined the elite ranks and was invited to Olympic training camp in Texas.

Over the next few years Aly renewed her efforts and worked on her techniques. In 2012, she made the Olympic team and reached her goal of participating under the American flag. In London, Aly and the girls' team won several medals, but she finished fourth on the All-Around competition, a position she was too accustomed to. Over the next year, Aly retired and traveled the United States, promoting gymnastics and competing on Dancing with the Stars. The gymnastic bug never left her, however, and she returned to practice, hoping to make the 2016 team. The odds were against her, as the last time a gymnast had made the team two Olympics in a row was back in the 1980s.

Once again Aly defied the odds, and joined Simone Biles and the other girls for another shot at medals. Aly even earned a medal in the All-Around competition, finally defeating her trend of 4th places. Despite all of the hard work and heartaches that it takes to become a champion, Aly describes her life with humor and understanding, and shows the reader that they can accomplish their own goal if they go all out and apply all of their effort!