3 Novels About Overcoming Struggles

At every age, we overcome struggles, often accompanied by grief of some kind. In today’s novel recommendations for middle-grade and young adult readers, overcoming a struggle plays a role in each story. In Hearts Overboard, Savannah is upset over her boyfriend publicly breaking up with her and being called boring. She must overcome her fears. In The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Kit mourns her grandfather and the life she had before escaping to the American colonies. She must overcome discrimination. And in I Be Brave, Sissy grieves the death of her brother and the loss of her mother’s affection. She seeks love and acceptance.

In all three, the main character chooses to help another hurting soul, and in so doing, grows and becomes a stronger individual. I love all of these characters and their relatable, heart-tugging stories.

Hearts Overboard

Hearts Overboard by Becky Dean, a funny and sweet YA novel, follows the enemies to lovers trope; although technically, it’s only Savannah who thinks Tanner is the enemy. The two teens become friends and fall in love on a trip to Alaska with their families.

From the moment Savannah’s boyfriend, Caleb, breaks up with her publicly on the last day of school and someone calls her Moore the Bore, Tanner confuses her with his kindness. She dreads the Alaska vacation where she’ll be stuck with him on a ship. He suggests a temporary truce. He agrees to help her win back Caleb by proving she’s not boring, and Savannah promises to help Tanner choose a college major.

Then the adventures begin as Tanner coaxes Savannah to try new things and overcome her fears by leaving her comfort zone.

In one conversation Savannah’s mom says, “You know, your favorite characters from those movies and shows, the heroic ones? Their accomplishments, their great discoveries and biggest victories, never came when they played it safe. Living requires some risks. Loving takes risks.”

Throughout the trip, Savannah learns to take more risks, have more courage. It’s a beautiful thing to watch. Maybe it’s because I relate to Savannah wrestling with anxieties and too often opting for playing it safe that her successes bring me such joy.

I love that Tanner listens to how her wound formed and shows such loyalty and true friendship through his actions. Savannah notices Tanner’s silliness hides his own wounds.

Readers will delight in watching Savannah change her opinion of Tanner, who really is a very wonderful young man. I laughed a lot through this novel. I like that Savannah realizes that Tanner treats her with respect and that remaining friends with Caleb is best for her.  

Savannah also realizes over the trip that she isn’t grieving the loss of a relationship. Instead, she discovers a greater need that sets her free.

If you’ve ever wrestled with fears, doubts, and forgiveness, you’ll understand Savannah in Hearts Overboard.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Elizabeth George Speare wrote many award-winning, classic novels, all of which I highly recommend. The Witch of Blackbird Pond tops my list of favorites since I was a teenager. I shared it with my children who shared it with their friends. I continue to enjoy rereading it.

Kit sails from Barbados to live with her aunt and her family in the Connecticut Colony in the spring of 1687. She shocks the Puritans with her beautiful clothes and carefree ways. Because she was raised by a rich grandfather, she doesn’t know basic chores, which disgusts her cousin Judith.

Uncle Matthew accepts her into his home, but by his actions, one wouldn’t think he welcomes the added mouth to feed. Now, he has three teenage girls in his home, and no son to help him with all the work.

Because Kit escaped Barbados after her grandfather’s death, she cannot return to her sunny, childhood home where life was so much easier and the people so much friendlier. Without meaning to, Kit causes all sorts of trouble, including bringing attention to herself from a young man Judith set her cap for and in teaching a lonely child to read. But the absolute worst thing she can do is befriend an old Quaker woman whom townspeople call a witch. Will anyone save Kit?

Readers stay glued to the pages of this rich, historical novel, not just because of the high stakes and tension, but for the romance that unfolds.

I Be Brave

I loved I Be Brave, a middle-grade novel, by our very own Gretchen A. Carlson. Her characters and descriptions linger in my mind. Old Man Morton’s choice phrases like tighter than a gooseberry and his exclamation of, “Land’s sake, don’t wake him up . . .” when they’re caring for a baby raccoon made me laugh out loud. More than once, I was moved to tears.

This heart-warming novel filled with moments of humor and great tension just released on September 3.

I Be Brave continues the story of Sissy from More Than Grit, which was based on a true story. Both novels are set in the Great Depression, 1939-1940. In this sequel, Sissy and her family are mourning the loss of her brother when an abused and abandoned boy follows her home. Sissy faces many angry people who oppose allowing Henry in school. While Sissy fights for Henry, Henry comforts Sissy as she struggles with pain and loneliness from her hurting family. It feels like everyone is against poor Sissy. We also learn about other characters from the first novel too. Her best friend battles polio, and the bully took Sissy’s advice from the last novel.

Sissy is brave and kind. (Did I mention how much I love the characters?) Her acceptance and loyalty to Henry, along with her steadfast dedication to teach him and help him despite her own struggles is admirable.

Just as Henry’s whisper circled Sissy’s chest like a warm hug, this novel circles me with a warm hug and has me humming along, “Do Lord, oh do Lord, oh, do remember me. . .”

If you love rooting for the underdog, you’ll love this beautiful story about love and forgiveness. Readers will enjoy the surprises and the satisfying conclusion of I Be Brave.

For an author interview, read the September 9^th blog.

What are some of your favorites? I hope you’ll check out Hearts Overboard, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, and I Be Brave, and let me know about your experience within their pages.

Cover photo by Stephan Eickschen on Unsplash.