What is Finding the Edge: My Life on the Ice about?
Figure skating icon and U.S. National Champion Karen Chen tells the amazing story of her rise to the top, featuring never-before-seen photos and behind-the-scenes details from her journey on and off the ice!
At seventeen years old, Karen Chen has already achieved what some girls only dream of—and yet it’s only the beginning for this incredibly talented athlete.
The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, Karen began to figure skate at just five years old. Ten years and many grueling training sessions later, she broke out at the 2015 US Championships with a bronze medal. This was after sustaining a nearly career-ending ankle fracture a year earlier.
In 2017, Karen became the US National Champion, winning gold in two programs and receiving the highest score ever recorded for the short program at the US National level.
Now for the first time, Karen shares the story of how she got where she is today—and where she’s going next. Karen has already overcome astounding obstacles, and her grit, determination, and positive attitude have made her future truly limitless.
In Finding the Edge, she shares, in her own words, what it’s like to be Karen Chen—and what it takes to achieve the impossible.
Features a foreword from Kristi Yamaguchi, the Olympic champion, two-time World champion, and U.S. champion.
What does it take to go from a five-year-old on the ice to a U.S. National Champion?
- A Story of Perseverance: From a nearly career-ending ankle fracture to the top of the podium, Karen shares how she fought back and never gave up on her dream.
- Behind the Scenes of Elite Skating: Go beyond the competition to see the grueling training sessions, the sacrifices, and the joy of life as a world-class figure skater.
- An Inspiring AAPI Voice: As the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, Karen’s story is a powerful example of dedication and family support in the Asian American community.
- Growth Mindset in Action: A must-read for any young athlete, this memoir shows how determination, a positive attitude, and hard work can make the impossible possible.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Finding the Edge: My Life on the Ice?
Children’s, Teenage and Educational > Children’s / Teenage: General interest > Children’s / Teenage general interest: Communities, places and peoples