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.
"If you like this, you'll love this: Ten Girls who changed the World by Irene Howat. This book includes a chapter on Joni Eareckson Tada that is aimed at a 8-12 readership." Catherine MacKenzie ~ Author and CF4K Editor
"TRY ANOTHER TRAILBLAZER: Corrie Ten Boom - The Watchmaker's Daughter, by Jean Watson. This title is an ideal companion volume to Swimming against the Tide. Corrie was one of Joni's own heroines and the two women knew each other well before Corrie's death." Catherine MacKenzie ~ Author and CF4K Editor
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!
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!
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.
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
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.
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.