Unsinkable by Abby Sunderland and Lynn Vincent

The stirring narrative of Unsinkable tells sixteen-year-old Abby Sunderland's remarkable true story of attempting to become the youngest person ever to sail solo around the world.

More people have flown into outer space than have sailed solo around the globe. It is a challenge so immense that many have died trying, and all have been pushed beyond every physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual limit. In Unsinkable, readers follow Abby Sunderland into those depths. This biography delivers a gripping and evocative firsthand account that starts prior to her departure, travels through her daring (and sometimes near-death) encounters on the open sea, to her dramatic rescue in the remotest corner of the Indian Ocean, and the media explosion that happened upon her safe return to dry land.

Along the way, readers discover what it means to boldly face any challenge, to strive after something great, and to plumb the depths of faith, fear, and desperation only to emerge changed, renewed, and emboldened. In this day and age, when the most productive thing a teenager may do is play video games, Abby's ambition and tenacity is a real-life parable of what can happen when we choose to exceed our own limits, embrace faith, and strive after what all the naysayers say is impossible.

I really, really, really liked this book. And I've said before how I'm a fiction gal and usually stay away from biographies/autobiographies. I heard about Abby when I read Start Here by the Harris twins and they mentioned her in the book. It got me was interested in her story and I'm really surprised I never heard about it at all last year because it seemed like the media made a big deal about it. But I usually never watch TV and I never ever watch the news...

Abby's family sounds really awesome. I would have died of excitement if my parents bought a boat and we sailed around for three years. I mean, how cool is that?! My parents never took me and my sibs on a boat (except for that one time in Tallahassee, and that was so much fun), but I felt like I had a lot in common with Abby. She's one of seven kids, I'm one of six kids. She is home schooled, I was home schooled. She's 17, I'm 16. We're both Christians. We both have dreams that sound a little crazy to other people.

The book really did surprise me that I liked it so much. It was exciting and even though I know nothing about sailing, I made it through with only a couple of "yeah, I have no idea what that sailing term means, I'll just keep reading." There was a glossary in the back, but I hate those things and never use them.

I thought it was a great book, especially for teens. It gives hope, seeing what she did at such a young age. Or it might give you a kick in the butt to get motivated and chase after your own dream. For me, it was a little of both.

Way to go, Abby Sunderland!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.