Jessica Watson Boeken

The personal account of the youngest individual to sail solo around the world, completing the journey in 240 days and covering 23,000 nautical miles from October 2009 to May 2010 at the age of 16.

*Now a Netflix film* The inspiring true story of Jessica Watson—an Australian teenager who set out to sail solo around the world! On May 15, 2010, after 210 days at sea and more than 22,000 nautical miles, 16-year-old Jessica Watson sailed her 33-foot boat triumphantly back to land. She had done it. She was the youngest person to sail solo, unassisted, and nonstop around the world. Jessica spent years preparing for this moment, years focused on achieving her dream. Yet only eight months before, she collided with a 63,000-ton freighter. It seemed to many that she’d failed before she’d even begun, but Jessica brushed herself off, held her head high, and kept going. Told in Jessica’s own words, True Spirit is the story of her epic voyage. It tells how a young girl, once afraid of everything, decided to test herself on an extraordinary adventure that included gale-force winds, mountainous waves, hazardous icebergs, and extreme loneliness on a vast sea, with no land in sight and no help close at hand. True Spirit is an inspiring story of risk, guts, determination, and achievement that ultimately proves we all have the power to live our dreams—no matter how big or small.

Focusing on the experience of premature birth, the book takes readers through the journey of a preemie from birth to childhood, presenting a narrative that is both hopeful and accessible for young children. It fills a gap in children's literature by providing a gentle story about early birth and homecoming, complemented by beautiful illustrations that depict the NICU environment without being overwhelming. Families can cherish the moments spent reading together, celebrating the resilience and progress of their little ones.