Top Ten Books with Characters who have Passion at a Young Age

Every Tuesday the ladies over at The Broke and the Bookish host a book related Top 10.

This week is “Top ten books that feature characters who ________”.  The blank can be anything from “grew up poor” to “have lost someone”.  I’m choosing “have passion at a young age”.  Growing up I played violin and piano, was in several honor choirs, and took about 10 hours of dance class per week.  I loved all of it and really admired people who were super dedicated to their art.

1) The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay  - this is a heart breaker because Nastya has lost her dream.  After dedicating over a decade to piano and injury ends any chance of a future.  She has to deal with starting over around two other people who also have passion and I think that forces her to deal with her grief.

2) Did You Hear About Amber by Cherie Bennett – Another heart breaker.  Instead of piano it’s dance, and instead of an injury it’s an illness.  But the end result is that Amber has to deal with the grief of losing her dream and finding another.

3) This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales – Elise finds a passion for DJing when she is 16.  In this book you’re just seeing the beginning of it, but

4) Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez – Carmen has been studying the violin her entire life.  Now she’s in the competition of a lifetime, but she’s also possible falling in love with a competitor she can’t trust, and dealing with tons of parental pressure.

5) Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham – This is a funny story of Franny Banks who is doing everything in her power to “Make it” as an actress by the deadline she set up when she moved to New York.  Unfortunately three years is now six months so the clock is ticking.

6) Slammed by Colleen Hoover – I knew nothing about slam poetry before reading this book and found it really interesting.  Add in an addictive love story and I’m sold.

7) Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins – Lola has put so much energy into fashion and design.  Her passion for costume just bleeds through the page and briefly infects this reader (who lives in yoga pants).

8) Where She Went by Gayle Foreman – I didn’t really connect with If I Stay but adored Where She Went.  Both main characters are dedicated to music – Adam has his rock band, and Mia is a classical cellist.

9) Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – Cath loves to write.  Specifically she loves to write fan fiction.  It’s fun to read her struggles as she grows from writing in someone else’s world to building her own.

10) The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay – This is one of my top 3 books of all time and everything I know about boxing I learned in here.  Due to extreme bullying (understatement) as a small child, Peekay discovers boxing as a way to feel power -  a way for little to beat big.