Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion

3 Questions

Michelle writes about how she feels like she's flying on the ice several times, but I feel that she is overusing it. If I had been the author, I would take some of those similes out and replace them with something else. What's so special about this book is that it's an autobiography, so there's more information and I know that it's more accurate than other biographies written about Michelle Kwan. In addition, I would like to point out that Michelle wouldn't have been an ice skater if her brother, Ron, didn't play ice hockey and influence her to get on the ice. So in a way, Ron is one of my favorite characters in the book.

• Did Michelle's parents really sell their house, without hesitation, to pay for ice skating lessons?
• What exactly is the Ice Castle?
• Is Karen's dream about the results of Nationals really true?

My Evaluation

I love how the author uses vivid details to describe her surroundings and feelings. In addition, her use of similes and metaphors really make me understand and feel her passion for skating.

3 Quotations

Michelle writes...

• "Skating is in my heart, not my head" (Kwan 6).
• "In winter the branches sag from the weight of the snow. In spring & summer, when the flowers are in bloom & the fish are jumping, it seems like the most beautiful place on earth" (Kwan 40).
• "I could put some real weight into my edges and increase my speed. I was able to really cover the surface of the ice. That's when I feel most like I'm flying" (Kwan 57).

Power point

by Linh Dang

My Experiences

This book reminds me of the first day when I started to play tennis. On that first day, it was terrible because I couldn't hit the tennis ball correctly. It either didn't go over the net, in the right direction, or in the boundaries. I felt embarrassed to be around all of these great players. I was questioning whether I should quit, but I reminded myself that I wanted to learn. Since then, I really believe that I have improved.

My Reactions

I feel like these quotes and sentences from the book are an example of good writing because I can really understand and feel her passion for skating. In addition, I love the details that Michelle writes because they make me picture what her surroundings look like.

After reading this book, I feel like it is one of the best books that I have ever read because it inspires me to never give up on my dreams. In general, I feel like this is a good book to read, and I recommend others to read it, especially those who have a dream they think is unrealistic. It teaches you that if you work really hard and don't give up like Michelle, it pays off.

This concludes my presentation.

The Main Character

The main character in this book is Michelle Kwan. I love how Michelle skated from her heart and not just for the medals, fame, and rewards. In the beginning of the story, she started off as a little girl, but as she grew up, she learned more techniques and got stronger. She was no longer a kid, she became a woman. Personally, I feel that Michelle is an inspiration to thousands of people, including me.

The Author

I think Michelle wrote this book because she wanted the readers to know what she went through trying to become a professional skater. Through it all, she didn't give up. She just got up and tried again. Michelle wants to teach us that when you do something you love, you shouldn't give up.

My Mood

While reading this book, there were many funny and exciting parts. What sticks out most in this story was when Michelle decided to turn her Axel into a triple toe-loop, at Worlds. She was able to overcome her competition, Lu Chen, who had a near perfect score, and Michelle won the gold. However, right after Michelle being on the top, Harris Collins, Michelle's tour manager and one of her best friends, died of a heart attack at age 49. The mood of the story instantly changed.

The Writing

By reading this book, I learned that I should include many details that can make me picture what something looks like. In addition, I should add some similes and metaphors so that the readers can imagine what something feels like. To sum it up, I should use sensory details in my writing.

My Predictions

Before I read the end of the book, I predicted that Michelle would become a professional skater and continue to skate because of her passion for it. My prediction was very similar to the resolution of the story, since I knew of Michelle Kwan before I read this book.