Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen tells her story -- on and off the ice

champion figure skater Sasha Cohen captured the world's attention with her exquisite spiral and outstanding layback spin at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. In Torino, she reigned as the most intriguing contender in figure skating at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games and triumphed with the silver medal. For the first time, Sasha tells her amazing story, in her own words, including:

Her discovery of ice skating at age 7 and the coaches who trained her

Her comeback from the injury that almost ended her career

The crushing lows and miracle wins

This is the official autobiography of the world's most captivating skater, on and off the ice.

Reviews

California-born figure skater Cohen offers a detailed, honest account of her life on and off the ice in this lively autobiography, which opens as she is about to perform in the 2002 Winter Olympics. She then cuts to her early childhood, portraying herself as a frisky four-year-old whose mother enrolled her in gymnastics class as "a good way to wear me out and keep my from destroying the house." At the age of seven, she began pouring her bountiful energy into figure skating and experienced some frustration at being less technically advanced than her peers who had started skating earlier. Cohen candidly reveals her nervousness while performing, mistakes made while competing and setbacks due to injuries. Yet as the skater chronicles her career, describing copious lessons and practices and her progression through various levels of competition, the pervasive tone of the narrative is positive and confident. The surfeit of particulars (about selecting skating costumes, about what she and her family ate at restaurants) at times slow the rhythm, but Cohen's fans will glide through these pages. Readers will be drawn into her recap of major competitions-especially when the narrative catches up to the 2002 Winter Olympics, where she failed to win the medal but left the games determined to get "back on Olympic ice." Not surprisingly, with the 2006 Turin Games on the horizon, Cohen leaves her story up in the air. Readers will be rooting for this plucky, resilient competitor. Ages 8-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Gr 4-8-From her early years as a gymnast to her determination and achievements as a professional skater, Cohen tells her story with frankness and humor. This fascinating glimpse into a skater's world-hours of practice, travel, and, finally, competition-will educate readers who think that the journey is an easy one. Cohen discusses her back injury and recovery, exhaustion, disappointments, and moments of triumph. The situations she describes are applicable to anyone who is contemplating a career in professional sports. The sacrifices that her family has made to support her skating-moving frequently, costly lessons, etc.-are described with candor as well. Black-and-white and color family and competition photographs add to the narrative. A thoroughly enjoyable read.-Kathleen A. Nester, Downingtown High Ninth Grade Center, PA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.