Fierce

Learn all about Aly Raisman’s journey from watching the Olympics as a child on her living room floor, to competing on the 2012 and 2016 USA Olympic gymnastics teams. Aly Raisman began her gymnastics career at eighteen months old in Needham, Massachusetts, taking part in a “Mommy and Me” class. By the age of six, Aly had made her studio’s pre-team, a gymnastics team that prepares young kids for future competitions. From there, her dedication and passion for the sport allowed her to continue to progress.  

Fierce delves into the hardships and triumphs that Aly Raisman faced on her way to the Olympics. From coming in fourth place – one spot away from a medal – at multiple competitions, to feeling tears stream down her face as she realized she won the silver medal in the all-around at the 2016 Olympics, this book gives an in-depth look at the time and dedication it takes to be a high-level athlete.       

Raisman explains her routines and the structure of each competition in a clear, beginner-friendly way. For example, Aly describes the competitive process of qualifying to become an elite gymnast. She explains the process of qualifiers, and how it involves a “compulsory. Compulsories are routines where gymnasts demonstrate that they can perform basic skills with good form.” These explanations make the book easy to understand, even for those unfamiliar with the nuances of gymnastics. Fans of the sport will be pleased with getting an inside look at what it takes to compete at a national level, while newcomers can enjoy learning about various aspects of the sport.  

Though the book is likely to resonate most with young kids with a passion for gymnastics, the level of commitment and athleticism that Aly Raisman demonstrates will feel relatable to any young competitor. Aly recalls moments where she felt left out at school because everyone was discussing their fun weekend plans that she could not partake in because of her busy practice schedule. However, she was confident that the sacrifices that she was making would allow her to achieve her greatest goal of being an Olympian. This dedication will be inspirational and relatable to any athlete.  

Chapter 25, titled “The Road to Rio,” speaks about Aly Raisman’s journey in gaining her confidence before the 2016 Olympic trials. The chapter includes twenty-two photos, ranging from Aly’s childhood all the way up to her time competing at the 2016 Olympics. Each photo also features a caption that explains what is happening in the image. Fans of the gymnast will enjoy getting this inside glimpse into Aly’s life.  

While most of the book describes her preparation for competition, Aly spends a chapter explaining the sexual assault that she and many of her teammates faced from USA Gymnastics physician, Larry Nassar. She states that she will not go into detail about what Nassar did but makes it clear that Nassar made her and her teammates uncomfortable during many treatments. Aly writes this chapter “in hopes that it may help people who are going through something similar.” She encourages people to speak up if they ever feel that they are being taken advantage of, as everyone’s story matters.  

Fierce also delves into the themes of body issues and the struggle to find confidence. By middle school, Aly had muscular arms from training. Since most other middle schoolers were not yet developing muscles, this quickly became a topic of discussion among other students, causing her to wear long-sleeved shirts to school to avoid showing her arms. She describes encounters with strangers after the 2016 Olympics, where she was asked how much weight she had gained since she stopped competing. In the final pages of her book, Aly reveals that as she’s gotten older, she’s learned to “be confident and comfortable in my own skin. It’s still a learning process and sure, there are definitely days where I don’t feel confident, but every morning, I look in the mirror and try to focus on something that I like about myself.” Young readers will feel inspired by Aly’s strength when dealing with her body insecurity and will feel empowered to embrace their true selves as a result.   

The book’s final chapter is titled “The Fierce Guide to Life,” where Raisman lists twenty-one pieces of advice for all her readers to live by. From speaking up for yourself to being kind to others, this list of rules is a great ending piece to encourage young readers to reach their goals and make the most of their lives. This chapter encapsulates the book’s overall tone, as Raisman is telling her story to encourage her audience to always try their best. Though Aly speaks about her successes, she also outlines the hardships and injuries that she has faced along the way, proving that even the strongest athletes have hard days. These honest recounts, along with Aly’s positive attitude, will make the audience feel connected to her story. Overall, Raisman’s Fierce is an empowering autobiography that will inspire young readers to chase their dreams and remain true to themselves while doing so.  

Sexual Content  

• None

Violence  

• Aly discusses the differences in how men and women are represented in the media, particularly in their clothing choices. “I heard an actress who had been raped say that when she shared her story, people sometimes asked, ‘What were you wearing?’ As though wearing a sexy outfit gave a man the right to disrespect her.”  
• When Aly got treatment from USA Gymnastics athletic trainer Larry Nassar, she felt uncomfortable. “It was different with Larry. I would lie on the table, my hands involuntarily balling themselves into fists as his ungloved hands worked their way under my clothing.”  
• At training camps, Aly and many of the other gymnasts thought the way Larry Nassar “touched us was weird. But he did it to so many of us that we assumed, blindly, that he must know something we didn’t.” 
• After speaking with a private investigator, Aly began to realize that what she had experienced with Larry Nassar was sexual abuse. “I wanted to throw up. Realizing that you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse is a horrible, sickening feeling. I didn’t want to believe it, but it had all become clear.”  
• Aly believes that her focus on training and competing caused her to live a sheltered life. “That’s probably why I didn’t question why Larry would sometimes close his eyes or seem out of breath when he worked on me. More than once I would make excuses for his strange behavior.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

• None 

Language  

• None 

Supernatural  

• None

Spiritual Content  

• None 

by Madeline Hettrick