Gabby Douglas signs book deal; first one due by Christmas

Gabby Douglas, who won two Olympic gold medals in gymnastics this summer in London, has signed a book deal, with her memoir expected to be available by Christmas.

The teenager with the infectious smile will write two books for HarperCollins’ Zondervan division, the first a memoir titled “Grace, Gold and Glory: My Leap of Faith.”

“I want people to read my story and say, ‘If Gabby can do it, I can do it too. Anything is possible,’ ” said Douglas, who won gold in the individual all-around competition as well as the team event.

Douglas, nicknamed the Flying Squirrel for her high-flying routine on the uneven bars, grew up in Virginia Beach, Va., before moving to West Des Moines, Iowa, at 14 to train full time with Liang Chow at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute.

She said her first book will include “how much my family and I have overcome during our journey. It hasn’t been easy.”

Lisa Sharkey, senior vice president at HarperCollins, added in a written statement: “Gabby Douglas shines even more brightly than her Olympic gold medals. The reason is her inner strength and strong faith.”

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