Heart of a Champion: An Autobiography

by Michelle Kwan, Laura M. James, Peggy Fleming (Introduction)

At 16, Californian Michelle Kwan claimed the women's World Champion crown. A bright and appealing role model for kids and adults alike, her story is one of hard work and true achievement. Full-color photos.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Figure Skating, Biography, Memoir, Childrens, Biography Memoir

151 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1997

About the author

Michelle Kwan (born July 7, 1980) is a retired competitive figure skater and diplomat serving as United States Ambassador to Belize. In figure skating Kwan is a two-time Olympic medalist, a five-time World champion and a nine-time U.S. champion. She is tied with Maribel Vinson for the all-time National Championship record.

Reviews

[Ashley Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't tell you how many times I took this book out of the school library as a kid. I adored Michelle Kwan (and still do) and I probably read this book a thousand times throughout gradeschool. I also remember there being some gorgeous photos included in the middle of the book -- she made me want to be a skater so badly, but unfortunately I could never get the hang of it. But I'm okay with that, as long as she's there to tell me about it!

[Constanza Camacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Kwan is one of the greatest ice-skaters of all time. This book is all about her journey in the sport of ice-skating. She lets us in on what it took to accomplish her goals and she gives thanks to the people who supported her along the way.

One of the many things I admire about ice-skaters is their ability to block out external pressure in competitions. They train long hours for years in preparation for a few minutes of performance in front of the judges and the audience. It is at these performance times when we get to witness the ice-skater’s ability to withstand whatever fate throws at them. Whether it is a good outcome, in their case a great score, or a poor outcome, a bad score or a fall, they take in whatever happens to them and move on with their heads held high.
This is a great life lesson because there will always be mishaps or bs happening but another opportunity is around the corner. Whether the next opportunity is in the form of another competition, or maybe something completely different, we must work/train hard like the ice-skaters and be ready for it.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey everyone! Today, I'm super excited to tell you about this awesome book called "Michelle Kwan - Heart of a Champion." It's like a magical journey into the life of a real-life champion skater, and I can't wait to share it with you!

So, this amazing girl named Michelle Kwan, who's from California, did something super incredible when she was just 16! She became the World Champion in figure skating. Can you believe it? I mean, I can barely skate without holding onto the edge, and she's a World Champion!

The best part about this book is that it's like Michelle telling us her own story. She's a bright and super cool role model for kids like us and even for grown-ups. Her story is all about working really, really hard and achieving big, awesome things.

The book is filled with full-color photos, and they show us all the amazing moments from Michelle's skating journey. It's like flipping through a photo album of her coolest moves and winning smiles.

What I love the most is how Michelle Kwan shows us that with hard work and determination, we can achieve our dreams. It's not just about skating; it's about believing in ourselves and never giving up.

If you love stories about real champions, figure skating, and pictures that make you go "Wow!", then "Michelle Kwan - Heart of a Champion" is the perfect book for you. It's inspiring, it's colorful, and it makes me want to put on my skates and dream big, just like Michelle! She's totally got the heart of a champion! 🌟

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a simple, easy read. Covers up to age 17 and her path to be the goat. But good to revisit one of my passions.

[Chy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish it had been a bit longer and had gone a bit more in depth when it came to her career, but I did enjoy it nonetheless!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Kwan was my childhood hero and watching her on the television inspired me to figure skate myself. Watching her on ice is a dream but her story of how she became an Olympic athelete is so inspiring.

[Annalysse B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion" is about the life story of Michellle Kwan and how she grew to love her passion of ice skating. Her family had money troubles and had to move out of their house to rent a house. Michelle did what ever she needed to do to keep skating. She wore hand-me-down clothes and used skates. That proved that her family would do anything for their passion. On top of that she struggled with the other skaters at first. She was always the youngest person in her level and felt the other skaters treated her like a baby and called her cute. She did not like this and wanted to change her image. To change her image she put make-up on in her performance and changed her hairstyle. She also had a grown up acting in her skating program. She had changed her image successfully changed her image and wanted to keep it that way. Additionally, she also was one of the best skaters and always skated with her heart and not to win. This helped her eventually and started to win more and more of her competitions. Finally, she was considered the best(and youngest) world skater ever. Michelle was a true champion.

I did not love this autobiography. I think that she is definitely a great skater but not a fantastic writer, but it was still good. I liked that she had a lot of heart and emotion in the book. I think it could have bee more organized, but overall a really cool book. I think my favorite part was when she was Salome, a powerful and ruthless person. She acted this character out in her program. It seemed really cool! I liked that she made a book about her life, it as very neat.

I would recommend this book to skaters and anyone who likes the idea of skating. I also think skating judges would appreciate it. You won't be disappointed.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Michelle Kwan ever since the 2002 Olympics. We had to do an assignment in my second grade class that most likely involved saying what we were looking forward to watching in the Olyimpics or who we wanted to get a gold medal I really can't remember well. I wanted to watch every minute of the Olympics, but I was especially eager to watch the figure skateing. Somehow in this time I decided I would root for Michelle Kwan and she was who I put in my class assignment. I remember my dad asking me why I was for Michelle Kwan to win when everyone was predicting Sascha Kowin (?) would take the gold. I don't remember what I said in reply, but probably about how I didn't believe that and she would win. Of course, when she was surpassed by Sascha Kowin(?) I was somewhat miffed, but still very happy that Michelle Kwan got a bronze medal.
Naturally, when I found this book several years back I had to read it. And of course I loved it.

[Emily Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olympic stories are living inspiration. Michelle Kwan is a legend, even through her book was written before her Olympic glory in 1998 (where she won the silver medal) and in 2002 (when she won the bronze).
I love reading Olympic stories before the Olympics come on! It sets the mood… and I suspect this Olympiad will be another winning year for us, especially in skating! Go USA! (Meryl Davis and Charlie White are going to win gold in Ice Dance! I'm calling it!)

[Lennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this autobiography because Michelle Kwan happens to be from the same hometown as me. You don't have to like figure skating to enjoy this book--it is very uplifting and inspiring. The reader comes to appreciate all the dedication and sacrifices it takes to become a world class athlete and Olympic contender.

[Jessica Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Mitchell, 11
Heart Of A Champion
4 stars


This was a cute little book. Michelle Kwan is light hearted and funny. A little cocky with her abilities. But who cares? She's good at skating and that's all that matters. I really liked the pictures in this book..They're in color!! I had to do this for a project so I didn't really have time to enjoy. But still a great book.

[Colleen Rue · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an advid fan of ice skating and figure skating,I enjoyed this book very much and plan to buy a copy from Amazon.Michelle is one of my favorites.I learned alot about Michelle from reading this book.The pictures are beautiful.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring book. I grew up ice skating my whole life. She has the most tenacity in life I have ever seen. All the awards she won in skating. From her costumes to her graceful skating and her powerful jumps made for a great read.

[Haylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book! It gave me the greatest inspiration of my life! Michelle Kwan says to jusst go out there and make your dreams come true.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my all-time favorite book since I'm into ice skating. My favorite skater is Michelle Kwan. Not that I'll ever go to Nationals, but I can still compete for maybe a few more years.

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

cool book

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't so much of a good book as it was that I have liked her and her skating since I was a peewee.

[Haley]

My 2nd grade book report! :D

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will work well with upper elementary girls, Asian or otherwise who are into sports. Clear and simple.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite quote is: "What is a champion? Is it someone who never falls? No. It's someone who falls but gets back up."

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a kid's book so it was written very simply and before she went to the Olympics. I would like to read a more in depth version.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good. I am an ice skater from my childhood and I have watched every one of her performances. She is an excellent skater and she has worked harder than anyone I have every seen.

[Jayce Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book! Unlike most autobiographies I wasn't bored. I love how Michelle keeps pushing herself.

[Julia Mulder · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was very inspiring to me, it was a very fun book to read