Tackle Twelve -- Spotlight on Inspirational Fiction

As part of BPL’s Tackle Twelve promotion, 16 reading challenges have been issued. This week’s blog takes a closer look at ‘Read an Inspirational Fiction Book’ and offers up recommendations.

Secrets of Sloane House by Shelley Gray

In order to find her sister who went missing while working as a maid for a prominent family in 1893 Chicago, Rosalind Perry hires on as the new housemaid for the same family.

Touching the Clouds by Bonnie Leon

Set in the 1930s, Kate Evans is a pilot who wants nothing more than to fly the Alaskan skies. She finally succeeds in landing a mail delivery job, where she meets the mysterious Paul Anderson. Circumstances throw the two together, and it’s discovered that they each have a significant secret they’re hiding from each other and the world.

Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot

The future stretches out in front of Sarah Dobbs like the pure blue Texas sky. Leaving the past behind in Philadelphia, mail-order bride Sarah arrives in San Antonio ready to greet her groom, a man she has never met but whose letters have won her heart from afar. But there is one problem, he has died.

Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey

Three friends reunite and join with a beautiful forensic anthropologist to identify skeletal remains uncovered near Little Round Top in Gettysburg National Military Park. There, they become targets themselves.

House of Living Stones by Katie Schuermann

In the small Illinois town of Bradbury, change doesn’t come often, and it certainly doesn’t come easily. So when Pastor Fletcher hires Emily Duke as the new choir director at Zion Lutheran Church, he unknowingly sets in motion a chain of events that turns the life of his congregation upside down.

Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell

Do dandelion wishes actually come true? Katherine Galloway knew this moment of calm wouldn’t last, blown away like the dandelion seeds she scattered as a girl. In 1880, three years after her husband’s death, she struggles to run an Oregon boardinghouse and raise two girls alone.

A Perfect Ambition by Dr. Kevin Leman & Jeff Nesbit

The firstborn son of the powerful Worthington family has been groomed for political power since his first breath. Will family secrets keep him from getting there?

Thorn in My Heart by Liz Curtis Higgs

In 1788, amid the moors and glens of the Scottish Lowlands, two brothers and two sisters embark on a painful journey of discovery. Jamie and Evan McKie both want their father Alec’s flocks and lands, yet only one brother will inherit Glentrool. Leana and Rose McBride both yearn to catch the eye of the same handsome lad, yet only one sister will be his bride.

The Forgiven by Marta Perry

When three women are given the task of sorting through the treasures of several generations of their Amish family, they each discover a story from the past that provides inspiration for their own lives.

No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

Desperate to locate her only family, Cara Hamilton leaves Ireland for American and finds herself at the mercy of dangerous revolutionaries, and Rourke, the man she thought she knew and loved.

This readers advisory brought to you by YA Librarian, Chris.

Movie Review

Pitch Perfect 3

Featured Actors

Anna Kendrick (Beca)

Rebel Wilson (Fat Amy)

Hailee Steinfeld (Emily)

Ruby Rose (Calamity)

After winning the world championships, the Barden Bellas split apart to find their careers. However, they find that their dream jobs aren’t as perfect as they thought. This is mentioned again when the Bellas are brought together for a reunion to watch the new Bellas of Barden University sing. When Aubrey gets word of an overseas USO tour, the group gets the chance to reunite and sing once more! No one is told, though, about the competition to perform as a warm-up for DJ Khaled. Along with the other bands, the Bellas will compete for the chance to be seen by millions!

I enjoyed how the movie revolves around different locations in the Mediterranean because they are on tour. I also liked the way this movie deals with family. It shows us that relationships developed by choice are stronger than those formed by blood. It’s a great message that helps the Bellas stay together, knowing they can go their separate ways and still never be alone.

The main reason for my score is that Pitch Perfect 3 is rated PG-13, but I think it’s more mature than that.

Rating: 3.8 out of 5

This review brought to you courtesy of YA volunteer, Johanna.

Recently Added to the YA Bookshelf

Taking a look at some of the most recent additions gracing the shelves of our YA department:

Mirror, Mirror by Cara Delevingne

Sixteen-year-old friends Red, Leo, Rose and Naomi are misfits; still figuring out who they are and who they want to be. Life isn’t perfect, but music unites them, and they’re excited about what the future holds for their band, Mirror, Mirror. That is, until Naomi vanishes before being pulled unconscious out of the river. She’s left fighting for her life in a coma. The police claim it was a failed suicide attempt, but her friends aren’t convinced. Will Naomi ever wake? What, or perhaps who, led her to that hospital bed?

If There’s No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Lena is always looking forward to tomorrow, especially at the start of her senior year. She’s ready to pack in as much friend time as possible, to finish college applications and to maybe let her childhood best friend Sebastian know how she really feels about him. For Lena, the upcoming year is going to be epic, one of opportunities and chances. Until one choice, one moment, destroys everything.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. However, many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. To win a place at the Court, she must defy him and face the consequences.

Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2) by Neal Shusterman

A year has passed since Rowan has gone off grid. Since then he has become an urban legend, a vigilante snuffing out corrupt scythes in a trial by fire. His story is told in whispers across the continent. As Scythe Anastasia, Citra gleans with compassion and openly challenges the ideals of the “new order.” But when her life is threatened and her methods questioned, it becomes clear that not everyone is open to the change.

The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano

After discovering that she has the ability to turn people into gemstones, Wilhemina seeks redemption by putting herself in the path of a cursed prince.
Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills
When Claudia accidentally eavesdrops on the epic breakup of Paige and Iris, the “it couple” at her school, she finds herself in hot water with prickly, difficult Iris. Thrown together against their will in the class production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Iris and Claudia are in for an eye-opening senior year.

Eight Days on Planet Earth by Cat Jordan

To the universe, eight days is a mere blip. To Matty Jones, however, it may be just enough time to change his life. On the hot summer day Matty’s dad leaves for good, a strange girl suddenly appears in the empty field next to the Jones farm. The very field where a spaceship supposedly landed fifty years ago.

Together at Midnight by Jennifer Castle

Teens Kendall and Max witness a tragic accident during the holidays and, racked with guilt, accept a dare to perform seven random acts of kindness to strangers by New Year’s Eve.

Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Ely

Seventeen-year-old Serendipity Jones inherited two things from her mother: a pair of six shooters and perfect aim. Those won’t get her far on the farming commune, but in the decadent, dangerous city of Cessation, a fast draw will buy her freedom. So Serendipity heads west, where lawlessness is a way of life for those on the losing side of the Civil War.

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson

When Stevie Bell begins her first year at a famous private school in Vermont, she plans to solve the cold case involving the kidnapping of the founder’s wife and daughter shortly after the school opened in 1936.

Getting to Know ... Diana

Introducing another valuable member of our YA Volunteer Team, Diana Diaz-Gutierrez! A 14-year-old eighth grader, Johanna has accumulated 9 volunteer hours since April. 

FAVORITE BOOK GENRES:  Romance
FAVORITE TV SHOWS:  Pretty Little Liars
A TOPIC SHE COULD DISCUSS FOR AN HOUR:  Her family
AN INVENTION SHE WOULD UNINVENT:  Graduation
ROLE MODEL: Her mom
HAPPY PLACE: The beach
SPIRIT ANIMAL: Giraffe
INTERESTING FACT:  She can get really loud
DESERTED ISLAND FRIEND:  Her mom
FUTURE CAREER: Human rights lawyer
FAVORITE QUOTE: "We were born to be real not to be perfect."