Take Your Best Shot: Do Something Bigger Than Yourself

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Austin has left me with a sense of anticipation to see just how God will use my family as we begin to simply take our best shot!!! In his first book, Austin Gutwein tells the story of how Hoops of Hope began when he was just 9 yrs old! Austin is the founder of Hoops of Hope....THE FOUNDER!!! He founded Hoops of Hope at the tender age of 9!!! Austin blew me away in the introduction when he said, "...I'm a normal kid who heard, 'Austin, God wants to use you' enough times that I started to believe it." He tugged at the very heart of my being with the statement, "Kids are really trying to make a difference in the world." Yes, dear Austin, that is exactly what they desire to do! My own precious daughters have warmed my heart as they have given from within themselves...and they are not alone. Austin says it so well, "They're reaching out to people in need, and they're stepping out of their comfort zones....They want to do something bigger than themselves." Austin's heart was touched when he watched a video of a girl named Maggie that lived in Africa. Watching the video started a fire in his heart, one that he could not extinguish...and didn't! With his parents support, his family began sponsoring a child through World Vision. However, it didn't stop there.... Austin wanted to do more for the aids victims in Africa and as I read his story, I was shaken to the core to see how God used the gifts a 9 yr old boy could bring to change so many lives in a far off continent! This book...the Hoops of Hope organization...they aren't about Austin, and he knows it. They are about reaching out to the orphans and those less fortunate, just as God calls us to do. I pray that you will pick up this book, especially at this Christmas season. Pray as you read it, and ask God what you can do...maybe not in Africa but what about your neighborhood, church or community. Then, pass the book on, maybe even to a teenager, because you never know who God is calling to take their best shot!

The moment I cracked open the first few pages of Austin Gutwein's TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT, I knew I was in for something all right. I had heard vague stories about a kid who had done something with basketball to help the AIDS crisis, and I knew that this book talked all about that. I'll be honest, charity stories always hit me with a slight bit of cynicism -- wondering if the money is really going to the place they say. So I went in wondering if this was going to be one of those books that makes me feel guilty for not sponsoring a child or for not living in the depths of Africa feeding starving people. But I was wrong. This book didn't make me feel guilty at all -- it made me feel hope. Austin, only 14 years old at the time of this review, started with a deep desire to want to change the world -- in some way, somehow. And that started his organization Hoops of Hope -- which raises funds for kids in Africa who have been orphaned by AIDS. In TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT, Austin tells his story of visiting Africa, starting out with Hoops of Hope, and what all of it means for us as people living our day to day lives with the things we need: food, shelter, clothing. Each chapter focuses in on different aspects of Austin's personal journey, and tying it into the larger picture -- taking the reader through almost a devotional-like atmosphere with thoughts from Austin, famous and non-famous people, the Bible, and personal stories from Africa. At the end of the chapters are a few questions to keep you thinking about the topic of the chapter, which makes it ideal for working through as a daily sort of devotional. Teens who have read books like DO HARD THINGS by the Harris brothers or DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE by John Piper, would really enjoy reading Austin's story of hope and encouragement to get out in the world, do something to change it -- it doesn't have to be big, all you have to do is what Austin encourages from the outset: just take your best shot at it.

At age nine, Austin Gutwein watched a 4 minute video about the AIDS orphans in Africa. In an instant, his life was changed and a long journey began. After watching the video, Austin felt the Lord stirring in him a desire to do something to help these orphans. He didn't know what, but he knew that he wanted to listen to the Lord's leading. Take Your Best Shot follows Austin's journey to help the AIDS orphans. But, the book isn't just about his journey and his passion. He wants to help others to find their passion, their vision. "I don't want you to finish this book and walk away with just a cool story. I want you to walk away with a burden on your heart. But not just any burden. I want you to be pursuing the purpose God has put on your heart-it has to be your vision.... My prayer for you is that God will give you your own vision of how you can take your best shot to make a difference in the world around you." Each chapter shows a glimpse into his life and his journey. He shares scripture and insights into how you can find your vision. The chapter closes with "Take Your Best Shot", an interactive study guide. Each end of chapter study guide features a scripture passage, questions, online experience, and a take action activity. This book was an inspiring read. People of all ages could benefit from reading about Austin's experience. The truth is if we had more children (and adults) who followed the Lord's vision for their lives, the world would be a better place.

Wow! This was an inspiring book. I could not put the book down. The story about Austin and his vision to really make a difference as teenager was great. As a youth pastor we hear so much negative about this generation. Stuff like they are lazy, apathetic and lack any vision. Austin breaks that mold and challenges a generation to get up and do something. It also teaches us all that we can make a difference in a lost and hurt world. This is a must read book for teens and adults alike.

Take Your Best Shot by Austin Gutwein Wow. A thousand times over. Wow. This book should be made into a movie. It would inspire the world. It would show young people that they are not too young or too little to make maximum impact on this earth. I want every young person in my life to read this book and be encouraged to follow their dreams. This twelve-year-old boy pursued a dream and stepped into greatness. The peoples' lives he has and will affect, innumerable. I wish this book would be required reading in all grade, middle and high schools. If you have a young person in your life who needs to believe that they can make an enormous difference in the world, I encourage you to get this book and go through it, story by story with them. Absolutely fantastic book about a boy who will inspire-to-action anyone who comes in contact with him and with his story. Don't miss this! Cheryl Wyatt