*Please note: This post contains affiliate links.

I love determined protagonists.

Seriously. A book is much easier to love if the hero stands up for herself. If she fights for what she wants, more than anything.

A little bit of stubbornness and a lot of determination can be relatable, exciting, and fun to follow along with.

That’s how I felt reading Roll with It (Amazon Affiliate Link) by Jamie Sumner.

Ellie is the star of this book, and she’s an absolute joy to get to know.

A girl with a big heart and cerebral palsy, Ellie has a strong voice and a determined spirit—not to mention a love of baking that made me crave some good desserts while reading.

Life as Ellie knows it is upended when she and her mom move to take care of her grandpa, who has Alzheimer’s. Ellie has to adjust to a new school, and being the new kid in a wheelchair is no fun. Ellie isn’t sure she can do it—until she starts making some friends.

Ellie’s goal changes.

She needs to convince her mom to stay in their new town, no matter what. And, of course, she keeps on baking along the way, holding tight to her dreams of one day becoming a professional baker.

As I read Roll with It, I couldn’t help but reflect on some of my goals and dreams in life, and what I am doing to go after them. How often do we give up on our dreams as time goes on because they no longer seem practical? How often do we let other people dictate what we can and can’t do?

I can’t speak for anyone but myself—and I’m typically pretty determined when it comes to my dreams.

But when it comes to something that has faced repeated rejection, it’s much easier to give up.

But Ellie’s story is inspiring. She shows us that there is beauty in determination—and joy, too. God gives us dreams for a reason, and even though things won’t always turn out the way we expect, we can keep moving forward in our lives.

That’s why I love determined protagonists—it’s great to read about characters who inspire us to do better.

Never forget … you are wonderfully created.

Love,
Becca