Chalked Up: My Life in Elite Gymnastics Paperback – Bargain Price, May 1, 2009

As a former nationally competitive gymnast I found this book interesting to read. I could relate to the author and even empathize on a more personal level especially with regard to the favoritism and biased behavior of coaches/judges etc. Her experience in the sport did not seem to be a very happy one, and perhaps this book could serve as a warning to anyone with a thought of driving their children to highly competitive levels in anything (especially a sport such as gymnastics which has so much subjective judgment regarding perfection).However, I did not appreciate her overwhelmingly negative attitude regarding the sport, as is too often the case with so many former gymnasts. I am not exempt from this myself, as I have had my fair share of regrets... though I am determined to value the good I have gained from it: persevernce amongst extreme difficulties, intense ability to focus, determination, etc. Even when Ms. Sey spoke of her life after gymnastics, she spoke as though gymnastics were to blame for her OCD problems and former health issues... I've met a million and a half people like her in the sport of gymnastics and outside of it, and while I will agree that gymnastics (and a number of other sports such as ballet etc) do not help people who have weight issues, I do not believe that they cause weight problems or that they MAKE people behave any certain way. I can speak from this personally as I spent 12 years in the sport and never had any health issues aside from the physical injuries I incurred from the skills I performed. People who tend toward OCD and weight struggles have those struggles regardless of what they do in life. She would've had the same or similar issues if she were in beach volley ball. Gymnastics draws perfectionists in like a magnet, though. Perhaps this explains the number of former bitter pre-maddonna gymnasts justifying to themselves and everyone else why they didn't win the gold.That said, I thought Jennifer Sey's conclusion was bitter and that she was definitely still nursing grievances. While the sport of gymnastics does have it's problems, I believe that the problems she (and most individuals have in the sport) are more telling of an attitude and personality issue than one with the sport itself.

Having just gotten interested in gymnastics I found myself searching out titles that really involve the sport. This book shows an amazing and vast insight into the world of elite gymnastics. Jennifer Sey has a unique way of writing which really draws the reader in. You will triumph and be distressed with her. You will be shocked at what she does to be the best. Highly recommend this read.

Jennifer Sey is a terrible writer. She was a selfish self indulged child who grew into the same as an adult. She clearly has no sense of what her family sacrificed for her and has only complaints. She also has only complaints about every gym and coach. At some point don't you look inward and wonder what role you play in everyone disliking you? She also comments that she would never do anything for her kids that required a sacrifice. She also did not share this book with her parents because they could buy it like anyone else. Yuch she is a terrible daughter and mother and her writing leaves something to be desired. Don't waste your time reading this awful book.

my daughter liked it

Good!

Jennifer's autobiography is a great telling of her journey through the gymnastic world. It's an honest, funny, sad account of her rollercoaster life. It should be a must read for parents of children who are hopeful gymnasts and figure skaters. Their children's dreams are another person's business. Some coaches do not put the well-being of their charges before the glory of their gym. Some coaches do.I remember watching Jennifer on TV. I thought she was a wonderful gymnast. She was always one of my favorites and always in winner in my book!If you enjoy learning about gymnastics from the gymnast's point of view, I think you'd like reading this book.