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One Girl One Dream
The amazing autobiographical account of the youngest ever solo circumnavigation of the Earth. Aged just 14, New Zealand-born Laura Dekker defied the authorities and braved the open oceans to realise her dream of becoming the youngest ever sailor to circumnavigate the Earth. When she finished the journey she was still only 16, the youngest ever person to achieve this feat. Her extraordinary story is both a real-life adventure for all ages, and an inspirational account of how a free spirit and will to succeed can accomplish anything.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 10, 2020
Laura Dekker is gewoon een gelukkig meisje als ze mag varen. Ze geniet van de (lange) overtochten over de oceanen. Deze stukken zijn lang, maar niet langdradig. Omdat tijdens de lange overtochten vaak elke dag hetzelfde is, gebruikt ze deze momenten in haar dagboek om terug te blikken op de tijd vóór de wereldreis.
Ze deelt hoe ze zich voelde onder de druk van de instanties. Hoe ongelukkig ze was, hoe het haar kapotmaakte vanbinnen en hoe gemeen en doortrapt mensen haar behandelden. Ze geniet zo van het zeeleven, dat ze ertegenop ziet dat het einde van de reis nabij komt. Op zee is ze zichzelf, ze kan goed alleen zijn, maar ook goed aansluiting maken als ze nieuwe mensen ontmoet.
Lees verder op mijn blog :)
Ze deelt hoe ze zich voelde onder de druk van de instanties. Hoe ongelukkig ze was, hoe het haar kapotmaakte vanbinnen en hoe gemeen en doortrapt mensen haar behandelden. Ze geniet zo van het zeeleven, dat ze ertegenop ziet dat het einde van de reis nabij komt. Op zee is ze zichzelf, ze kan goed alleen zijn, maar ook goed aansluiting maken als ze nieuwe mensen ontmoet.
Lees verder op mijn blog :)
January 16, 2018
What a determined young lady! Unbelievable what her and her family went through with authorities to make her dream come true. Easy to sit back and think no way would I let my 14-16 year old sail the world solo. However, she clearly had the training and skills to do just that with the love and support of her family. It is hard to let our children grow up and not depend on us, but if you've given them the tools, they can flourish.
While there was plenty of sailing terms through the book i didn't find them too much to distract from the story. Even if i don't have a clear understand of what this sail does and that sail I get the overall meaning.
While there was plenty of sailing terms through the book i didn't find them too much to distract from the story. Even if i don't have a clear understand of what this sail does and that sail I get the overall meaning.
June 5, 2015
Interesting read if you are into travel logs & sailing! I was keen to read her story after hearing her on interviewed on National Radio. She is the youngest person to sail solo around the world. The Dutch goverment did everything in their power to stop her. Pretty amazing to sail single handed at 14/15!
April 12, 2016
I have rated this book 4 stars , as it is quite inspiring. One has to admire Laura for her achievement at such a young age. However it reads like a ship's log in many places and will certainly not be up for any literary awards! Watch Maidentrip and other Laura Dekker clips on You Tube
August 14, 2020
Keeping in mind it was written by a 16-year-old...what a story!
December 13, 2019
Laura neemt me mee op reis over de oceanen waar ik in mijn leven nooit overheen zou willen varen. Het lijkt me niets op zo'n boot.
Toch zorgt ze er voor dat ik geïnteresseerd raak en begrijp wat het water en de verlatenheid voor haar zo aangrijpt. Dat ze Nederland niet meer als haar thuis kan zien begrijp ik volkomen. Nederland en ik denk meerdere andere landen hebben regeringen die graag denken voor andere wat goed is en wat niet. De media heeft daarin nog een grotere rol. Zij denken graag dat wat ze zeggen en schrijven waar is. Er bestaat geen goed of slecht er bestaat alleen anders en dat is wat Laura is. Anders! en dat maakt dit boek, haar reis zo leuk om te lezen.
Toch zorgt ze er voor dat ik geïnteresseerd raak en begrijp wat het water en de verlatenheid voor haar zo aangrijpt. Dat ze Nederland niet meer als haar thuis kan zien begrijp ik volkomen. Nederland en ik denk meerdere andere landen hebben regeringen die graag denken voor andere wat goed is en wat niet. De media heeft daarin nog een grotere rol. Zij denken graag dat wat ze zeggen en schrijven waar is. Er bestaat geen goed of slecht er bestaat alleen anders en dat is wat Laura is. Anders! en dat maakt dit boek, haar reis zo leuk om te lezen.
August 8, 2022
Ein wirklich fesselndes Buch über eine Reise, die mit so vielen Hürden startete. Laura meisterte selbst lange Überfahrten souverän und ich bin absolut überzeugt, dass es ihr positives Mindset ist, das ihr durch so viele schwierige Situationen geholfen hat. Sie hat stets Lösungen gesucht und nicht akzeptiert, dass Probleme ihre Träume boykottieren. Ich bin trotzdem froh, dass meine Töchter nicht alleine um die Welt segeln wollen. ⛵️
March 5, 2015
Pretty easy to read since her enthusiasm for sailing was crystal clear. An amazing story about an amazing feat. A bit too much harping on about how hard done by the Netherlands authorities, but all the rest I enjoyed.
August 16, 2016
I didn't finish this book, it was so bad and boring. It's the story of a 14 years old girl who wants to sail around the world, it could be good BUT it's just a complain about the Dutch government, and a holiday story.
August 21, 2016
Inspiring story! I have great admiration for this girl's bravery, though, it was obvious that it was written by a child. Though her journey was exciting, the writing was not so much. I did enjoy the movie very much.
December 16, 2015
i thought it was a great story of how you can achive your dream, the beginning of the book was great and very interesting but towards the end I got bord as it was very repetitive.
June 10, 2020
I didn't know exactly what to expect when I began this book but it's basically a journal or a travel-log of Laura's journey, and as such, it's much more interesting in some place than in others. It is divided into sections for each country she lands in and acts as a daily check-in injected with a lot of her tongue-in-cheek humor. I was drawn far more to her time on land and her battles with the government, but that is not really what this book is about and I believe there are some published by other people (including one by her grandmother) that go over that in much more detail.
I love Laura's personality and teenage snark as well as her story, but I think I might've preferred reading a narrative account of her voyage rather than the day-to-day details. The days are pretty repetitive and she admits to being bored a few times herself so it's hard not to feel that way as a reader. Expect a lot of entries about what she ate, the books she was reading, and how much time she spent cleaning the boat each day. Surprisingly, she glosses over all the parties and contacts with the media, because as she makes clear in her writing, that was never what her trip was about. Unless you know or care a lot about different sails or sailing boats in general, there's a lot here that you'll probably end up wanting to skim over.
The best parts of the book to me were the beginning details about her battle with the government of The Netherlands to be able to take her trip, and her descriptions of her adventures with other people whenever Guppy was docked. At those times, it was much more of your typical travel book. I loved the anecdote about pulling out the shampoo during a rainstorm on her sailboat and she does have a very mature and beautiful way of talking about her own journey and mindset and what she discovers during her travels.
I would love to hear more about what she's doing in life now and how she feels about her voyage around the world and the publication of this book. I'm so surprised that this book has so few reviews on Goodreads, what Laura did was incredible!
That being said, it was kind of a drag to finish. So much of it is just so dull and repetitive. Laura is an incredible person and her journey was record-breaking, but for lack of entertainment value, I can only give this book a 3.5.
I love Laura's personality and teenage snark as well as her story, but I think I might've preferred reading a narrative account of her voyage rather than the day-to-day details. The days are pretty repetitive and she admits to being bored a few times herself so it's hard not to feel that way as a reader. Expect a lot of entries about what she ate, the books she was reading, and how much time she spent cleaning the boat each day. Surprisingly, she glosses over all the parties and contacts with the media, because as she makes clear in her writing, that was never what her trip was about. Unless you know or care a lot about different sails or sailing boats in general, there's a lot here that you'll probably end up wanting to skim over.
The best parts of the book to me were the beginning details about her battle with the government of The Netherlands to be able to take her trip, and her descriptions of her adventures with other people whenever Guppy was docked. At those times, it was much more of your typical travel book. I loved the anecdote about pulling out the shampoo during a rainstorm on her sailboat and she does have a very mature and beautiful way of talking about her own journey and mindset and what she discovers during her travels.
I would love to hear more about what she's doing in life now and how she feels about her voyage around the world and the publication of this book. I'm so surprised that this book has so few reviews on Goodreads, what Laura did was incredible!
That being said, it was kind of a drag to finish. So much of it is just so dull and repetitive. Laura is an incredible person and her journey was record-breaking, but for lack of entertainment value, I can only give this book a 3.5.
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June 28, 2023Title: One Girl, One Dream
Author: Laura Dekker
Genre: Autobiography
Category: Non-fiction
Date finished: 3rd of May
I was surprised when the Dutch government did not let Laura Dekker sail around the world alone. Her story was such a compelling and inspirational one I just can not understand why the government could not get behind that. Instead of encouraging Laura they tore her down and made her life a living hell. “Over a period of 11 months, I was constantly afraid that Youth Care would lock me up. It was all a frightening and traumatic experience. So often, these terrible memories come to me. I can not ignore them," she says. Yes, they may have had bad publicity if she was unsuccessful or if something was to go wrong but that would not have been their fault. People hurt themselves and do dangerous things all the time and the government can not put a bubble around those individuals. In the end it is no one's fault but their own and this situation was no different. My point is, yes the bad news would have been bad but I think it was a risk worth taking. Laura was going to go down in history as the youngest sailor to ever do this but the government just could not let her go. She was just a girl with a big dream, way in over her head. Little did they know that Laura was not just any girl, she was a fighter. She never gave up. The writer is teaching us this because it is so important to never give up and I know how cliche that sounds but it’s a message we all need to hear every now and again. In my opinion they should have supported Laura. If they had she would still be proud to be from the Netherlands instead she was left embarrassed, embarrassed of the place she was raised, the place she once called home. Looking at the bigger picture, you should always support people and encourage them to never give up. Do not be the reason they quit, or the reason they are embarrassed. That is not doing anyone any favours. We need to learn as a society how to support people rather than tear them down.
Author: Laura Dekker
Genre: Autobiography
Category: Non-fiction
Date finished: 3rd of May
I was surprised when the Dutch government did not let Laura Dekker sail around the world alone. Her story was such a compelling and inspirational one I just can not understand why the government could not get behind that. Instead of encouraging Laura they tore her down and made her life a living hell. “Over a period of 11 months, I was constantly afraid that Youth Care would lock me up. It was all a frightening and traumatic experience. So often, these terrible memories come to me. I can not ignore them," she says. Yes, they may have had bad publicity if she was unsuccessful or if something was to go wrong but that would not have been their fault. People hurt themselves and do dangerous things all the time and the government can not put a bubble around those individuals. In the end it is no one's fault but their own and this situation was no different. My point is, yes the bad news would have been bad but I think it was a risk worth taking. Laura was going to go down in history as the youngest sailor to ever do this but the government just could not let her go. She was just a girl with a big dream, way in over her head. Little did they know that Laura was not just any girl, she was a fighter. She never gave up. The writer is teaching us this because it is so important to never give up and I know how cliche that sounds but it’s a message we all need to hear every now and again. In my opinion they should have supported Laura. If they had she would still be proud to be from the Netherlands instead she was left embarrassed, embarrassed of the place she was raised, the place she once called home. Looking at the bigger picture, you should always support people and encourage them to never give up. Do not be the reason they quit, or the reason they are embarrassed. That is not doing anyone any favours. We need to learn as a society how to support people rather than tear them down.
April 9, 2020
es ist ein wahres wunder, dass ich dieses buch noch beendet habe... das thema interessiert mich unglaublich und ich denke Laura hätte auch viel zu schreiben gehabt hat, aber leider (und ich weiß nicht, inwiefern ich ihr das vorwerfen will/kann), ist sie eine ziemlich schlechte autorin. ihre erlebnisse sind super spannend und es gab viele kapitel, die ich sehr interessiert las und anfangs waren ihre gefühle über die niederlande und die behörden auch noch interessant, aber irgendwann reicht es... vorallem gegen ende des buches, als sie begann zu reflektieren. ich meine, ich verstehe, dass die "korrupten" (ich würde gerne wissen, wie oft sie dieses wort verwendet hat) behörden sie sehr schlecht behandelt haben und das unglaublich viele wunden hinterlassen hat, aber entweder soll sie noch weitere perspektiven beleuchten oder das thema einfach irgendwann sein lassen. mein größtes problem waren tatsächlich die ständigen wiederholungen über alle spannenden themen, die mich am meisten interessiert hättten. dadurch wurde das buch ziemlich flach und ich habe bestimmt alle 30 seiten in erwägung gezogen, es einfach abzubrechen.
letztendlich bin ich ihr auch dankbar, denn ich habe auch viel über das segeln gelernt. und wie gesagt, die stellen über ihre vergangenheit und weiteren träume waren inhaltlich zwar gut, aber leider literarisch nicht gut umgesetzt.
letztendlich bin ich ihr auch dankbar, denn ich habe auch viel über das segeln gelernt. und wie gesagt, die stellen über ihre vergangenheit und weiteren träume waren inhaltlich zwar gut, aber leider literarisch nicht gut umgesetzt.
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June 24, 2022One Girl One Dream made me think about resilience and fighting for your dreams. In the book the main character Laura showed lots of resilience when she was sent home after trying to escape in Saint Martin. Looking back on it she said, “I almost gave up but if I did I would prove my government right.” After this it would have been very easy to give up but Laura didn’t. She persevered and later when she reached saint martin again was not held back she said, “last time I was here I was on the run.” She fought for her dreams and achieved them. Reading this book reminded me of last year when we did a project in English on inspirational young people changing the world. I did mine Adeline Tiffanie Suwana who is changing the world environmentally. Laura Is just as inspirational for her resilience and how she got past all obstacles in her way. I hope that when I face an obstacle I have as much Resilience as Laura did. As Steve Maraboli says “Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.”
May 20, 2025
Ich bin mir wirklich nicht sicher, was ich von dem Buch und von Laura selbst halten soll. Ich finde es schon bewundernswert, dass sie diese Reise wirklich geschafft hat, aber anderseits sehe ich das als Mutter eher kritisch. Sie war 14 als sie allein los ist und ich finde, dass es einfach zu gefährlich ist. Mir geht es dabei nicht unbedingt um die Überfahrten selbst, sondern um ihre Landgänge. Sie kommt an den Häfen an, lernt dort Leute kennen und zieht mit denen los, lässt sich auf die Boote zum Essen einladen. Sie ist allein und wenn was passiert weiß keiner wo sie abgeblieben ist. Vielleicht bin ich einfach nur zu ängstlich, aber ich würde das nie zulassen.
Ansonsten war es zeitweise schwierig zu lesen, wenn man vom Segeln absolut keinen Plan hat, dafür war einfach zu viel fachliches dabei. Irgendwann ergibt sich das meiste aber aus dem Kontext und man kommt irgendwie klar.
Ich gebe 3,5 Sterne und runde auf 4 auf.
Ansonsten war es zeitweise schwierig zu lesen, wenn man vom Segeln absolut keinen Plan hat, dafür war einfach zu viel fachliches dabei. Irgendwann ergibt sich das meiste aber aus dem Kontext und man kommt irgendwie klar.
Ich gebe 3,5 Sterne und runde auf 4 auf.
September 18, 2020
Ik moet zeggen dat ik met de nodige vooroordelen aan dit boek was begonnen. Ik vond Laura Dekker een over het paard getild nest. Ik was niet van plan het boek uit te lezen. Ik wilde alleen dat vooroordeel bevestigd zien. Dat liep even anders. Ik kon niet stoppen met lezen. Laura is gewoon een vroeg volwassen meisje. Daar kun je van alles van vinden maar ze heeft mooi wel geflikt waar de meeste mensen niet eens de moed voor hebben. Ik zou haar willen aanraden om geen schrijverscarrière te beginnen, maar dat vind ze zelf gelukkig ook. Maar het verhaal wat ze te vertellen heeft maakt dat ruimschoots goed.
September 14, 2025
Ik was zeven toen ik Laura Dekker voor het eerst zag op het jeugdjournaal. Ik hoopte gewoon heel erg dat ze mocht zeilen, van de rechtszaken begreep ik weinig en het jeugdjournaal was mijn enige bron van informatie, ik wist toen nog niet dat ze een blog bijhield. Het was fijn, ontzettend leuk en verhelderend om nu, ruim vijftien jaar, later haar verhaal te mogen lezen en het van haar kant te mogen horen. Even voelde ik me weer kind, hopend dat ze mocht zeilen.
Ze was zestien, zeventien toen ze dit (scheepslog)boek schreef, echt ontzettend knap gedaan; het alleen zeilen, maar vooral omgaan met de media, en nog erger, de Nederlandse overheid.
Ze was zestien, zeventien toen ze dit (scheepslog)boek schreef, echt ontzettend knap gedaan; het alleen zeilen, maar vooral omgaan met de media, en nog erger, de Nederlandse overheid.
May 22, 2019
Teenager's Trip.
While there is not a lot of suspense in the completion of this inspiring and intimidating journey, the telling of it is definitely a tale worth telling. For one who is petrified of open water, I was interested in hearing how one so young handled it. The diary format was the right way to tell it. They reader can definitely hear how it was for her. The distance covered and the solitude make the completion of this voyage a true accomplishment. One that garners a standing ovation!
While there is not a lot of suspense in the completion of this inspiring and intimidating journey, the telling of it is definitely a tale worth telling. For one who is petrified of open water, I was interested in hearing how one so young handled it. The diary format was the right way to tell it. They reader can definitely hear how it was for her. The distance covered and the solitude make the completion of this voyage a true accomplishment. One that garners a standing ovation!
March 20, 2018
A girl with amazing determination and a terrific supportive Dad.
I enjoyed the book but the daily log towards the end I started skimming.
A super achievement for anyone let alone a 14 year girl.
14 in body but lot older in the head.
I attended a presentation from Laura at my yacht club recently. Really enjoyable.
Lucky for New Zealand she was born here on her parent's yacht so she is now one of ours.
I enjoyed the book but the daily log towards the end I started skimming.
A super achievement for anyone let alone a 14 year girl.
14 in body but lot older in the head.
I attended a presentation from Laura at my yacht club recently. Really enjoyable.
Lucky for New Zealand she was born here on her parent's yacht so she is now one of ours.
August 31, 2019
Must Read
One of the finest books I have read. Its very well written and explains the details of the trip in a very detailed way. It is almost as if you are on Guppy and sailing around the world. I think what Laura has achieved at 16, an average person can't achieve in multiple lifetimes. BRAVE GIRL...!!!
One of the finest books I have read. Its very well written and explains the details of the trip in a very detailed way. It is almost as if you are on Guppy and sailing around the world. I think what Laura has achieved at 16, an average person can't achieve in multiple lifetimes. BRAVE GIRL...!!!
August 15, 2020
Echt leuk om te lezen over de zeilavonturen van Laura. Ik moet zeggen dat het mijn zeilershart wel aanspreekt. Het boek verder is niet zo bijzonder. Je merkt dat ze jong was toen ze het schreef doordat het soms een beetje vurig en puberaal is geschreven. Maar dat hoort denkik wel bij haar karakter ;) In ieder geval heb ik diep respect voor deze vrouw, maar zou het boek niet direct aanraden.
May 13, 2021
Fascinating story. She set the record for the youngest to circumnavigate the world on a sailboat alone and could have probably set it earlier in life if not for goobers from her home country meddling in her affairs. I've heard her speak in public, she was mature beyond her years. If you enjoy real-life adventure, this is worth a read.
December 28, 2017
A fine example!
Laura did something that most people could only dream about. Many more people would be scared out of their wits to even go beyond the site of land!
I'm proud of her accomplishments and her determined spirit!
Keep on going girl!
Laura did something that most people could only dream about. Many more people would be scared out of their wits to even go beyond the site of land!
I'm proud of her accomplishments and her determined spirit!
Keep on going girl!
July 17, 2023
Sort of good, sort of bad. I enjoyed the descriptions of the adventures of sailing around the world, but got tired of the endless complaining about the hard knocks she had been given to achieve her goal.
August 16, 2018
The MOST inspiring book I’ve read in my life! Must read!
September 16, 2019
Such an interesting story. The only fault: the end felt like it was “just get it done.” Both her journey and the book.
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January 8, 2020Verschrikkelijk boek om te lezen. Geen ster waard. Snap niet dat ze als 16 jarige meid de weide wereld over mag gaan.
March 18, 2021
Great book.
A good read through the entire book.
I hope she has more to write about
Well done.
A great adventure and life experience.
A good read through the entire book.
I hope she has more to write about
Well done.
A great adventure and life experience.
January 20, 2022
Not the best literature, but how inspiring! Amazing amazing story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews