Kicking Up Dirt: A True Story of Determination, Deafness, and Daring

I purchased this book for my daughter, who is just learning to ride dirt bikes at 14 years of age. She read the book in one evening. She raved about the book, saying it helped her to be a more confident rider. She also loved reading how Ashley overcame a truly challenging condition to become the championship rider that she is. As a result of her enthusiasm for the book, I read it too. The book is well written, and includes plenty of references to race and bike terms so that non-riders don't get lost in the jargon. If you purchase the book, and have a chance to see Ashley at a race, take the time to have her autograph it at the pre-race autograph session. Ashley has a great personality, is wonderful with fans, and you will find that the girl in the book is everything you read about.

My 16 year-old daughter is a reluctant reader at best, but a great motocross rider, riding since the age of 4. She has been fascinated by Ashley Fiolek since she was about 12, but never knew of her deafness until a couple of years later watching her on the podium! This is a well written biography that will interest most any child or parent for that matter. It shows the ups and downs of a child's motocross career from the first ride to a Pro career. It isn't a difficult read, but contains plenty of technical terms for readers familiar with motocross, while not confusing non-riders. I really enjoyed reading about Ashley's family's choices that helped her deal with her deafness and encouraging her unique talent. Well worth the read.