Surfer of the Century by Ellie Crowe

If you have never heard of Duke Kahanamoku you really should read Surfer of the Century. At first I thought, really? how interesting could a book about a surfer be? But this book is about a lot more than just a surfer. It's about determination, perseverance, heart-ache, pride and honor. Duke learned to swim when he was just 4 years old, he father basically used the "sink or swim' theory of teaching, but it worked for Duke. Since swimming seemed to come so easily for Duke, it only seemed natural that the next step would be surfing. Unfortunately, surfing was not an Olympic sport, but swimming was. Duke competed in four Olympic games and broke and set numerous world records. Duke Kahanamoku was a man to be honored and admired for more than just his swimming skills, he was a hero as well. Duke and two friends saved 12 fishmen's lives using their surfboards making it now mandatory for all beach lifeguards to have small surfboards with them on duty.

The story itself was really interesting and for whatever reason, as I read the story silently to myself, the voice that I heard was Hawaiian! It's nice to read a book about someone coming from nothing to acheive their dreams and goals and doing it with honor. It never would have occured to me that Mr. Kahanamoku would have had to endured racism and prejudice behaviors, but he did and he overcame them. I think this book is a book to share with all levels of school libraries-elementary, middle and high school!