OAKLAND — Team USA swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin will visit A Great Good Place for Books in Montclair Village on Dec. 10 to launch her new book, “Relentless Spirit: The Unconventional Raising of a Champion.”

Franklin wrote the book, published Dec. 6, with her parents Dick and D.A. Franklin.

“I can’t wait to meet Missy,” said bookstore owner Kathleen Caldwell. “As a swimmer, I’ve always been a fan. I admire her talent and perseverance and am excited to welcome her to A Great Good Place for Books — and I have a feeling I’m not alone.”

Franklin, 21, brought home four gold and a bronze medal from the London Olympics in 2012 but was disappointed not to medal in an individual event in Rio this summer. She brought home one gold in the 4×200 relay.

“I was very disappointed in my results in Rio, but I learned from the experience and am moving forward,” said the upbeat Franklin, adding that she had physical and personal challenges before the 2016 Olympics that she thinks affected her performance. But she’s not deterred and continues to train hard.

“I use ‘relentless’ in the title of the book because it’s a word that has always had special meaning for me, but especially this last year,” said Franklin, who trains five hours a day, six days a week — both swimming and lifting. “No matter if it’s swimming, school or work, I give it everything I have. I never quit. That word — and that feeling — has always carried me and is a big part of my story.”

She said the “unconventional raising of a champion” describes not only the fun she had writing the book with her parents, but how unconventional and unexpected it was when her swimming success landed her and her family firmly on the international stage.

“Through it all, we’ve stuck together and kept our values as a family,” said Franklin, whose deep faith in God has helped her through ups and downs — including the disappointment of Rio. “We sit down as a family and talk things over — it’s a lost art in families today.”

Franklin, who was raised in Colorado, is currently enrolled at UC Berkeley, studying psychology and education. She took a year off from school to train for the 2016 Olympics with her lifelong coach Todd Schmitz, but is set to return to the Cal campus in the spring. She added that one of her greatest achievements was competing for Cal as a sophomore in the 2014 U.S. National Championships.

“I can’t wait to return to campus life, I really miss it,” said Franklin, whose career goal is to teach or work with children. “I love kids, I have a really passion for working with them, especially children with special needs.”

She devotes a lot of time to visiting hospital pediatric oncology wards.

“It’s very hard, but also very rewarding. Despite the difficulties and hardship the kids face, they are so confident and full of life,” Franklin said.

She is also active with the USA Swimming Foundation and SafeSplash, which provide opportunities for kids to learn to swim.

“Drowning is the second leading cause of death in children under age 14,” said Franklin, who said her mother — who didn’t know how to swim — introduced her to the water when she was just 6 months old. “I want to make sure as many kids as possible get the opportunity to learn how to swim. Swimming is a sport that you can do all your life and it’s the only sport that can save your life. I can imagine myself still swimming when I’m 85 and a grandma.”

Franklin, who began swimming competitively when she was 5 and qualified for the 2008 Olympic Team Trials at just 13, said she’s had an affinity for the water from the start.

“The water is so therapeutic for me. No matter if it’s the best or worst day, once I dive in and am doing what I love, I come away feeling centered and refreshed. For me, it’s a beautiful sport,” said Franklin — who also has a signature line of women’s swimwear that she designed in conjunction with Speedo. “That’s always been a dream of mine to own a line of women’s swimwear — something that is flattering, functional and good quality.”

When she’s out of the pool, Franklin pursues her faith-based activities, such as Athletes in Action at UC Berkeley. She’s also a “massive bookworm,” currently engrossed in “Uninvited” by Lysa TerKeurst and follows the “Throne of Glass” sci-fi series by Sarah Maas.

“I’m really an old soul,” Franklin said. “I like reading, hot tea, country music — and going to bed at 8 o’clock.”

___________________________________________________

FYI

What: Book launch for “Relentless Spirit: The Unconventional Raising of a Champion,” by Missy Franklin and Dick and D.A. Franklin.

When: 3 p.m. Dec. 10

Where: A Great Good Place for Books, 6120 La Salle Ave., Oakland

Information: 510-339-8210 or www.ggpbooks.com

Cost: Free

___________________________________________________