Lucky Girl: Lessons on Overcoming Odds and Building a Limitless Future by Scout Bassett Book Review

 

In Lucky Girl, Scout Bassett opened up about her life story and how she was an orphan who survived and became a champion. She was named Zhu Fuzhi which means Lucky Girl. She was born in Nanjing, China and she was seriously injured in a horrible fire. She lost her right leg and was then abandoned in the streets. She was placed in a government orphanage. She lived there for a total of 7 years and had to live off a bowl of rice. She weighted 22 pounds at age 8. She shared how her leg was amputated poorly and she had some left behind growth plate. This made her leg anatomically incompatible with her body. The orphanage provided her with four leather straps to try and help her but they only ended up bring her pain. She compared it to a manmade prison and they were even waterboarded as punishment. They would make the children work and do chores. They didn’t have air condition and it was hot. 

 

 

 

She was adopted by a family in Michigan. She shared how when she first arrived in the United States that this was the very first time, she even saw an animal. She attended a Christian school and she felt like an outsider. She was Asian and had a disability and struggled to fit in. In the book, she revealed names she was called and the looks she received. She was gifted a prosthetic leg in the 8^th grade. She revealed how entering the spelling bee and winning it twice taught her about life and how you can always change the odds. She also explained how she made it as an American sprinters and long jumper. She holds seven national championship titles. 

 

 

 

 

In the book, she also looked at the track record of the Braves since she is a huge sports fan. She shared how they won in 2021 and became World Series champions. When they entered it at first, they were considered having the worst record of any other team. She explained how they chose to be buyers and changed history. They won again after 26 years. She conveyed how they chose to rise above their adversity and to create their own odds. 

 

I would recommend this moving story to anyone who is seeking an inspirational read and it will teach you the principles to overcome your own odds. It was also heartbreaking to read about how she went back to visit the same orphanage 20 years later and not much has changed at all. Reading about her experiences there and her struggles with being judged was very eye opening to readers. One of my favorite stories was about a girl she named, Hope. She helped to take care of her when she was in the orphanage. She credits her to helping to make sure that she lived and survived and she refers to her as an an angel since she hasn’t ever been able to reconnect with her again. This story was very remarkable and touching to read about a friend who was truly selfless. I really enjoyed how she tried to assist readers in overcoming their loneliness and choosing instead to make relationships that matter. I also liked the topic of pivot and how we can overcome and make a comeback and learn the skills needed to do so. 

 

 

 

 

"I received this book free from the publisher, Hachette Book Group/Faithwords for my honest review.”

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy, check it out on Amazon.com:

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Girl-Overcoming-Building-Limitless/dp/154600386X/