Beneath the Surface by Michael Phelphs (pg 1-45)

Summary:
In the expostion, Phelphs immediatly begins the story with action, describing his first Olympic race in Athens. He describes the feelings he was going through before, during, and after the race. Then in chapter two Phelphs goes back to when he was born and introduces his family. Michael is from Whiteford, Maryland and didnt live a very happy childhood. Phelps grew up without a father, and was made fun and bullied by other kids in school. In the sixth grade he was diagnosed with ADHD. Although he didn't have the best behavior at swim practice, it was his getaway. Then at a swim meet at the age of 11 he met Bob Bowman, who would soon become his coach, and is still currently. Chapters 1-6 are not in chronological order, for example, the story begins at a swim meet, then rewinds back to when he was a child. It jumps from place to place.


Quote:
"Mom, look. Here it is" (Phelps 9).

Reaction:
When I read this, i got so many flashbacks to me at my swim meets, although they are not as big as the Olympics. Every time I got a trophy or my medals, the first person i would go to is my mother and hand them to her. It is a great feeling, feels like you are on the top of the world.
So far I love this book, I can relate to alot of things that are explained in the story, which helps me understand it alot better than someone who is not a swimmer.