Mary Weeks Millard has been amazingly courageous to take on such topics as disability, failure, discussing faith with children, and family politics all within the same book: topics that most people find easier to just avoid. However, Millard not only addresses these topics, but wraps them all up together within the major discussion point of the year - Olympic & Paralympic sport. Because the story addresses such intense issues, it is advised that the book be read with parents of primary aged children, and used as an opportunity to discuss the story as it unfolds and where God fits into it. Children are keen to learn and understand the world around them. This story gives a platform for parents to explore the aspects of failure and how to respond well, how life can be unfair, but how we can respond to it, and most important of all how we are able to find God in the midst of it all. This story can help a parent prepare their child for disappointment with life, with themselves and even with God and see an example of how to grow stronger in response to these experiences.

Part of a DayOne Publications ?Faith Finders? series, and a companion title to ?The Mystery of the Deserted House?, ?Never Give Up on your Dreams? is a very involving and engaging read for early teenagers. The story itself is quite extraordinary and bravely handled and it?s hard to feel anything but a great deal of warmth, empathy and love for such a well portrayed central character. Gabrielle is a keen swimmer and after her natural talent is identified, she has extra swimming coaching and her diligence and natural competitiveness takes her close to the training squad for the Olympics. An accident puts these plans on hold as she struggles to get back on her feet and acknowledges she might be in a wheelchair for some time. Saying any more might spoil the story, but I can reveal that the title of the book is a strong hint that her Olympic hopes might not be completely dashed ? albeit in a way she had not considered before. This is a story rich in detail and in understanding about school life, family life and living with a disability. Unlike some other teenage fiction, this is a book clear in language, precise in description and a book its target audience will love to read. While an unashamed Christian title, this is a pleasurable read for anyone looking for a good story they can?t put down. While there are some parts of the story that settle for a simple narrative rather than perhaps the fuller explanation that more senior readers would expect, the tone and pace is exactly suited to younger readers. There?s wonderful action at various points throughout the story that readers will get caught up in and keep reading and at just over 100 pages would be a welcome rainy day read. In reviewing this title, I veered towards thinking it was aimed at girls particularly, but I?m not really sure that I would say that was solely the case. Highly commended as a back to school gift, for holiday reading and as an extra something for the young lady who?s a keen reader.