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Trailblazers

Joni Eareckson Tada: Swimming Against the Tide

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Joni Eareckson is a well-known Christian speaker and author from America but there was a day when she was a teenage girl in a bathing costume with nothing on her mind but boys, make up and her beloved horse, Tumbleweed. However, all that changed one morning when an innocent dive turned into a tragic accident. Joni's story is a wonderful testimony to God's grace and power in someone's life. Healing may have been an amazing miracle that didn't happen but Joni's ongoing work with thousands of disabled people throughout the world is a miracle in itself.

176 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

4 people are currently reading
84 people want to read

About the author

Catherine MacKenzie

211 books17 followers
Catherine Mackenzie has written several biographies for young teens in the Trailblazers series as well as other titles for younger children. She lives in Scotland and has several nieces and nephews – a perfect practice audience!

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5 stars
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35 (38%)
3 stars
13 (14%)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Angela Priebbenow.
103 reviews9 followers
November 27, 2021
This was one of those books that I didn't really expect to enjoy as much as I did. For me, it was a reminder that God's will and ours doesn't always align, and yet that He always brings out the best things for us in His timing. Joni's struggle with needing to give up her dreams and plans for her life and depend on God to bring about His even better plans is something that I can relate to, even though my life hasn't been so drastic!
Profile Image for Carly Leigh Forbes.
115 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was amazing to read about Joni's life, struggles, and faith. Being a disabled woman myself, I could relate to a lot of her emotions and frustrations - especially regarding the subject of healing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vas.
98 reviews2 followers
May 26, 2021
Such a great story about perseverance and trust in God during difficult time.
Profile Image for Katy Lovejoy.
10.7k reviews9 followers
February 12, 2022
I remember when we were little and my mom was homeschooling me and my brothers and we had to try to draw a butterfly like Joni would. It didn't end well just in case you were wondering
Profile Image for Jodi Howard.
110 reviews2 followers
June 20, 2022
A quick audiobook listen about the life of a terrible accident resulting in tremendous faith. Listened in one afternoon.
Profile Image for Maree Brown.
116 reviews2 followers
February 24, 2024
Joni's beautiful testimony of accepting Gods will and trusting in his greater purposes after breaking her neck and becoming paralysed from a diving accident at seventeen.
Profile Image for Yibbie.
1,412 reviews55 followers
January 12, 2026
Three stars because I remember it quite fondly from my youth, and the message is so well woven throughout the book. It is well done for a children's book, but it is highly novelized. There is a lot of dialogue. Still read it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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