Soul Surfer - Movie Tie-In: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board

Bethany is an inspiration to all! I'm glad I got this book and not the original. In this book she goes behind the scenes of her movie "Soul Surfer". At the end of the book she keeps a journal of the whole movie experience. From picking out the actors to the day the movie was released. It's so awesome to see whole process! I love how she was so open about her faith and just laid it out black and white, plain and simple. Even while filming the movie she would constantly tell the director(Sean McNamara) to keep her faith as the main focus of the movie. Not only did she want to be a inspiration to the world but she wanted to do it through Jesus Christ. This is a book for all ages. Even if she wrote this as a teenager she has the maturity and wisdom that goes way beyond that. I'm 22 years old and I found this book so compelling. I could not put it down! I to am a Christian and in this world we live in it so easy for girls to sell themselves out, especially being in Hollywood. Bethany said in her book that she wants to continue to stay humble and be a good example to young girls out there, even after being famous. How cool is that! Not only has this surfer shown how talented and ambitious she is but, she got to show the world that with Jesus all things are possible! Thanks Bethany! :)

This movie tie-in version is much better than the original 2004 version. Not only does Bethany talk about how she helped make the movie about her life, but it has interviews with the actress AnnaSophia Robb who played Bethany, the director Sean McNamara, and the actress Lorraine Nicholson who played Bethany's friend Alana. It also contains new photos taking up to 5 pages. For anyone who wants to know why Bethany Hamilton is such a hero today, this is the book to buy. The way Bethany wrote this book makes it feel like her emotions are ours. This book will bring tears of emotion both happy and sad to your eyes, as it did for me. You'll enjoy this!

I saw the movie and loved it. I got the audio book from the library. They leave out so much of the story. There was 15 minutes of just explaining surfer terms, and then probably 30 minutes of her talking about the girl who starred for her in the movie. This part of the book must have been added later??? I assume the book came out first? Usually people say books are better than the movie, not this time! Very disappointed.

Love the story. Love the book. I like this version because of all the new photos. Great motivational book. I want to get the movie when the price goes down.

See the movie too!

Bought it for my daughter. She loved the movie and the book. Good pictures included in the book. Will buy from again.

After watching the movie, Soul Surfer" I wanted to get the book and here Bethany's own words. Her story is even more amazing and inspirational in written form as it was as a movie. It shows what true faith in God can do. I also suggest her mother's book,"Raising a Soul Surfer." It is equally inspirational.

Purchased the book for my 11year old, who hates to read. She loved the movie so I thought it was worth a shot. She's almost done with it!!! No begging, no pleading & she's telling me everything she has read and what is different from the movie. My older daughter wants to read it next. So happy I bought the book, I think it will leave a lasting impression.

This is my second time to buy this book, now i have 3 in total. This book is very nice and its good for us. My teacher is asking us to read this book. So, its worth for you to get it!!!

I just finished reading "Soul Surfer" by Bethany Hamilton. She's the surfer from Hawaii who had her arm bitten off by a shark when she was 14. By coincidence, I was able to watch the movie version the same day I finished the book. Even though it was a wonderful movie, of course Hollywood had to put their spin on it, but what do you expect?

Hamilton's story is inspiring because of three things: her ability to not let fear stifle her, the strength of her faith, and her genuine compassion for humanity. Most people would have been terrified to get back in the water, but Bethany didn't hesitate. Only three weeks after the attack, she was back to surfing. As she says, "Life is full of what-ifs. You can't let what might happen hold you back."

Secondly, she says her faith in Christ helped her through her ordeal. Her faith was just as strong before the attack as after it. This was emphasized heavily in the book, but not so much in the movie. And as for her compassion for humanity, it amazes her when she visits New York and notices that people walk right by the homeless without even noticing them, much less helping them. She says, "I can't turn away from someone in need. Not when just a little kindness can go so far."

The beauty of this story is that she realizes, at a very early age, that only in our imperfections do we become perfect. She's told, "You're something more now than a surfer, you're the bearer of hope for those who have been handed a bad deal in the card game of life." Our biggest liabilities truly can become our biggest assets. That's a choice we make, and it's a choice Bethany Hamilton has made.

David Allan Reeves
Author of "Running Away From Me"