Hero's Purpose, Paperback

Sela and her friends are beginning ninth grade. Sela knows that being able to converse with her guardian angel and having Gloria and Victor (mentoring angels), is a blessing but also a great responsibility. God is entrusting her with getting His plan for TNT, (Teens for a New Tomorrow), in place will be a daunting task.

The girls and Zach are excited to start their freshman year. They take pictures and goof around until they are standing in front of Roosevelt High School, and then the reality sets in.

The first big set-back occurs when no one signs up for the group. Sela is disappointed and discouraged. She is challenged by an older girl and called an idealist. Then Zach hits the jackpot when he meets Chandra. Chandra is a member of the Poetry Club and interested in partnering with TNT. The poetry is usually about social, and environmental themes. The poetry draws people to the group and they decide to have a debate about global warming. During the debate a group of kids harass Zach and Chandra and challenge them to act and not just talk. Mrs. Carson, their sponsor, restores order and Zach and Sela invite the students to join TNT and contribute to the platform. The students leave and Sela notices that the ringleader is the girl that hassled her at the sign-up table.

Emily is battling her own things during this time. Her father is getting re-married and Emily's world is changing. She likes Angela and her children but while Sophie is loving and excited about a new sister Colin is not. Emily can see some of the same behaviors in Colin that she exhibited when her mother died. She wants to help but he keeps pushing her away.

Zach is working on a program for mental health as part of their monthly focus for TNT. His father is bi-polar and after Emily encourages him, he asks his dad to help with the round-table discussion. His father is positive and thinks they should both contribute to the activity.

A new member suggests that TNT team up with the special needs class to hi-light differences and acceptance. They have a Halloween Party for the class and develop a program called, Be Kind and Include. Allen, a student with Down Syndrome, becomes the face of the program. He teaches all of them the meaning of true acceptance because accepts differences with true love and compassion.

Sela's locker has been trashed and someone called the school and reported that TNT had a religious agenda. Mrs. Carson is supportive and Sela is encouraged to move on. Then she finds out that her father has a health issue. The stress is mounting and Sela has to call on her mentors, Victor and Gloria, for support. They inhabit her dog Halo and Emily's dog Cupid. They help the girls work out a plan to find ways to get the word out about TNT.

Chad is extra helpful and making it clear that he likes Sela. Sela is both flustered and excited. Chad asks her to save him a dance for the activity after his basketball game. Sela feels nervous and excited.

The bullying from the older student comes to a head just when TNT is taking off. They have been asked to visit another district and are working on a program when Sela is given notice that a parent has complained to the school board. The board suspends TNT until they can have a review. It gives Sela a chance to go with her parents for some of the tests for her dad and she prays that everything will work out. Zach organizes the information for the review and just before everything totally unravels Sela's dad is given a diagnosis. He has Lupus and Sela feels relieved that it is not cancer. She finds that all the other things do not seem quite so important and is able to 'Let go and let God'. She has finally learned patience.

TNT is re-instated and finds new life and they find new insight in understanding how dysfunctional families can impact a life.