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Sophie's Journey
It could have been anybody's child. Ten days before Christmas, December 2003 at a children's daycare centre, a car crashes through the doors into the midst of sleeping children. Incredibly no child was killed but Sophie Delezio bears the legacy of that day.
233 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 1, 2014
What an incredible journey this is ...
Told through the stories of those closest to Sophie and those who were somehow involved in her accidents from by-standers to police officers to medical personnel, this book documents the journey of Sophie. This book covers everything from the fateful day when she slept on a little bed on the floor at her child care centre and a car came hurtling through the window, to the long, slow and painful recovery process from her resulting horrific burns ... to the second traumatic accident when she was hit by a car as she was crossing the road.
It's difficult to comprehend that one little person could cope with so much, but it's evident that her lovely personality and strong will shines through and brings a smile to everyone's face. She has an incredible family and such supportive friends and one can only wish her all the very best the future can bring.
Told through the stories of those closest to Sophie and those who were somehow involved in her accidents from by-standers to police officers to medical personnel, this book documents the journey of Sophie. This book covers everything from the fateful day when she slept on a little bed on the floor at her child care centre and a car came hurtling through the window, to the long, slow and painful recovery process from her resulting horrific burns ... to the second traumatic accident when she was hit by a car as she was crossing the road.
It's difficult to comprehend that one little person could cope with so much, but it's evident that her lovely personality and strong will shines through and brings a smile to everyone's face. She has an incredible family and such supportive friends and one can only wish her all the very best the future can bring.
December 13, 2011
I was given this as a freebie when I purchased other books and almost didn't pick it up as I was simply uninterested in her story and thought I already new everything I needed to know from what I'd seen on TV. But the book provides an insight into the family, the great pains the parents went through, and their humbleness - they did not ask for all this publicity, sympathy and attention, it was all just natural typical response of the Australian people.
I also liked the way the book was written - each chapter being from a different person's perspective, all of whom were involved, from those who helped at the site of the accident, to medical staff and relatives and close friends of the family. It made the book more interesting and easy to read.
I also liked the way the book was written - each chapter being from a different person's perspective, all of whom were involved, from those who helped at the site of the accident, to medical staff and relatives and close friends of the family. It made the book more interesting and easy to read.
August 8, 2017
As nice as this book was to read about an inspiring girl and her very supportive family, friends and medical team, it is a collection of interviews which makes it extremely repetitive. It could be cut in half and still repeat itself.
May 5, 2010
This is a tragic and amazing story just not very well written.
February 19, 2020
The recollections of a tumultuous time in life of a young child and their family which touched a nation early this century. When the stories recounted details in a factual manner seeing Sophie as a youngster who experienced an inexplicable horrific accident, not once but twice, it tells of resilience, hope, ups and down and the good nature of humankind.
The dedication of her team of dedicated specialists and support staff, including the Foundation staff, is commended. As much as it reveals a health system pre NDIS, the book suggests improvements needed as much as details what's working very well.
For the rest, the pedestal approach frustrated me. I see potential for the lass and her wider family as continuing to be ambassadors for children in need of medical support and ongoing social infrastructure change.
I also see a family trying to retain some privacy whilst opening their lives and hearts to people from across the world who followed her progress from the time they first heard about what happened. Celebrities who recounted their recollections show a side often kept private too.
The resounding message that I hope readers in general take away is that what happens to us and our loved ones does not need to define us. It shapes us, changes us, can strengthen or weaken us (and over and over). Plus so much more.
It's a reminder to live life. Support local and wider community. Accept diversity and celebrate it. See potential and work towards solutions. Give thanks for what we have and when things get tough know it is ok to share the downs and ups with those we trust. Work together. No man is an island. Acceptance, Inclusion. Perseverance. No easy path but a path worth travelling none the less.
As Sophie's family, friends and well known personalities others note- the goal is to see Sophie and other children like her as the child/adult/teen/person they are -first and foremost- not the burns or missing/disfigured limbs, or assistive technology or equipment relied upon or the supports people use to enable them to live a good and meaningful life.
The dedication of her team of dedicated specialists and support staff, including the Foundation staff, is commended. As much as it reveals a health system pre NDIS, the book suggests improvements needed as much as details what's working very well.
For the rest, the pedestal approach frustrated me. I see potential for the lass and her wider family as continuing to be ambassadors for children in need of medical support and ongoing social infrastructure change.
I also see a family trying to retain some privacy whilst opening their lives and hearts to people from across the world who followed her progress from the time they first heard about what happened. Celebrities who recounted their recollections show a side often kept private too.
The resounding message that I hope readers in general take away is that what happens to us and our loved ones does not need to define us. It shapes us, changes us, can strengthen or weaken us (and over and over). Plus so much more.
It's a reminder to live life. Support local and wider community. Accept diversity and celebrate it. See potential and work towards solutions. Give thanks for what we have and when things get tough know it is ok to share the downs and ups with those we trust. Work together. No man is an island. Acceptance, Inclusion. Perseverance. No easy path but a path worth travelling none the less.
As Sophie's family, friends and well known personalities others note- the goal is to see Sophie and other children like her as the child/adult/teen/person they are -first and foremost- not the burns or missing/disfigured limbs, or assistive technology or equipment relied upon or the supports people use to enable them to live a good and meaningful life.
September 13, 2020
Very inspiring read! She is such an amazing girl and a true hero
April 28, 2013
This was a very emotional book to read and I felt for all involved. Sophie not only survived one tragic incident with a car crashing into the daycare she was at for the day peacefully sleeping and being scared for life with being burnt and losing an ear, she amazingly survived another incident when she was crossing the road with her step sister and a car hit her. Sophie is an inspiration for everyone for what she has been through and still is a very happy girl and will never give up. Sophie's family is just like any other ordinary family just wanted peace from all the puplic and the news they just all wanted to be alone and get throgh the everyday things in quite. Just an amazing story. The book showed exactley what it was like in thier everyday life and it really makes you see things in their suspective and realise what really happens to families who have had such horrible experince's. Recommened for a good read about Sophie's life struggle.
June 28, 2015
I read this in year nine and didn't really know what to expect. I started reading it and found myself not able to stop. Somedays I would take a box of tissues outside with me because I know I would cry. I would read and cry for hours on end until I had finished it. This is a very emotional book because it's so true and that so much happened to a little girl in such a short amount of time. I honestly didn't think that much could happen to one person but the thing that blew me away the most was how strong and dedicated both Sophie and her family was to pull through. Most touching book I've ever read in my life!
August 28, 2012
Two year old Sophie was sleeping, when a truck comes crashing into the childcare centre. She suffered from third degree burns and eighty-five percent of her body was burnt. She lost both feet, few fingers and her right ear. Two years later Sophie and her god sister was crossing the road when a car went didn't stop at the red light. Her injuries were fatal but she survives.
June 25, 2013
Wow, the strength and courage of this little girl. She is truely a miracle child, here on earth to teach us all a lesson in having strength, courage and fighting the odds. If you are having a hard time in life now, depression perhaps or questioning it - then you should read this story of this courageous child.
May 12, 2012
Incredible story. Such a sad story retold by all the people involved about the recovery of this beautiful brave little girl. Slightly disjointed and lacks in concise detail at times but a gripping read. Read over two days.
April 17, 2009
Very good book. One of the best books I've ever read. Lots of emotions and heart warming moments.
July 27, 2010
Extraordinary – a life changing book...Sophie is a very beautiful and special girl..really puts things into perpective...this book really touched me.
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May 18, 2011Amazing story of resilience, care and the human spirit. Got about half way thru.
January 12, 2011
The saddest and most harrowing real life story that I have ever read. I could barely see the words through the tears. Well worth a read, but get ready to have your heart broken.
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December 24, 2012i think this book is so tuching to me and its so inspiering
May 25, 2013
I didnt like this book ..
June 13, 2014
The chapters were quite long and all about the same scene each time but with different perspectives
May 13, 2015
3.5 stars
July 20, 2017
Brave.
May 22, 2022
Sad to say I didn’t enjoy this book and ended up giving up reading it at page 80 or so. I was hoping it would be a good story about Sophie. I didn’t realise it was like reading interviews statements from all who cared for her and her family. I felt I was reading similar story over and over. Everyone told their own story however it was same part of her life told in many ways.
I would have liked it to be more like other biographies that reference everyone but story is told by same people. In this case it would have been the parents telling the story.
Time to pass this book on to someone else to see if they enjoy it.
I would have liked it to be more like other biographies that reference everyone but story is told by same people. In this case it would have been the parents telling the story.
Time to pass this book on to someone else to see if they enjoy it.
November 25, 2019
this book was not enjoyable, i diddnt find it very good bacause the book was literaly writen how the people said it and they did it with minimal editing so it is very hard to translate it is like talking to someone but they can only talk. allso there wre like 20 sides to one story and the book would be much better of there where only like 2 to 4 sides to the story
July 27, 2018
Sophie is an incredible girl, but this poorly written book doesn’t do her tale any justice.
October 30, 2019
An amazing book about an amazing little girl and her family.
August 21, 2024
An important story about an amazing person.
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August 25, 2025what a journey that Sophie has been through.
June 24, 2024
Extraordinary barely scratches the surface of Sophie Delezio's remarkable journey. Her story will leave you pondering the mysteries of fate, chance, and coincidence. It's particularly poignant to revisit this story 17 years later, with the knowledge that Sophie has grown into a resilient young woman, now on the cusp of motherhood.
Exploring the voices of those closest to Sophie as they revisit her darkest days is both touching and thought-provoking. Their accounts, though challenging, illuminate the immense strength of Sophie and her family.
While the book's interview style provides diverse perspectives, it became repetitive as each person recounted the same events. Streamlining the snippets shared from these interviews could've enhanced the pacing without sacrificing the depth of the narrative.
Exploring the voices of those closest to Sophie as they revisit her darkest days is both touching and thought-provoking. Their accounts, though challenging, illuminate the immense strength of Sophie and her family.
While the book's interview style provides diverse perspectives, it became repetitive as each person recounted the same events. Streamlining the snippets shared from these interviews could've enhanced the pacing without sacrificing the depth of the narrative.
December 27, 2019
Such an amazing and inspiring book. Would've given this a 5 stars, yet it did drag on at the end.for the last 70 or so pages. Overall though, Sophie's story will touch the hearts of anyone who invests the time into reading it. Very heartbreaking and yet heartwarming at the same time.
June 12, 2024
Although the story of Sophie and her family is astounding, the interview style in which the book is written makes it incredibly repetitive
March 23, 2011
Sad but inspirational
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews