HEROES by DESIGN (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781732907805)

Sela has been best friends with Emily and Zach as long as she can remember. Losing her dog is the most traumatic thing Sela has ever dealt with and her first real test of faith. Then Emily's mother dies. The friendship is tested when Emily decides she no longer needs God or friends who do.

In a moment of frustration, Sela petitions her Guardian Angel to help her by intervening on Emily's behalf. The petition is heard and God grants a redirection. He sends Victorious and Glorious to Roosevelt Middle School and gives them permission to interact with no one's knowledge that they are angels. Victor and Gloria Way, the new twins, weave their way into the lives and activities of the students. They provide subtle and not so subtle fun and enlightenment. They make it clear to Mara, Sela's former friend turned bully and her group that they will make their own choices in friends. They encourage the students to embrace their differences and learn to work out the small things.

Sela and Zach's youth group have a hayride and barbecue and Zach makes Sela see that she is pushing Emily away. Emily accepts Zach's invitation after he promises that no one will pressure her. Sela has to accept that sometimes God tells us to step back and give Him control. Victor survives his first, date, and successfully directs Mara's attention to another boy. The hayride helps to heal some old wounds and open the opportunity to rebuild friendships

Emily and her father meet with the youth minister and Pastor. They help them to understand that being angry with God is natural when dealing with the death of a loved one. Pastor Rick shares his experience in dealing with the loss of his brother. He points out that all of the people of great faith in scripture suffered loss and struggle. They move toward becoming a family again and rebuilding their faith in each other and God.

Mara gets the lead in the school and is bullied by another group in the school. She discovers how it feels to be put down by her peers and the group agrees to work together to find a solution to include, Heidi, the girl who is used to always getting the lead and is behind the attacks on Mara. They each share what they know about Heidi and Mara remembers that Heidi prides herself on her ability to redesign clothing. Sela gets excited and decides that Heidi would be a perfect designer for the play. The play serves as a catalyst for all of the students to work together and embrace their differences.

God reveals to the Angels that their current mission is finished but to expect more to come. He allows the Way twins to finish the play before returning. Each character in the play speaks to some issue; diversity, compassion, acceptance, pride, entitlement, and genuine love. Sela is overwhelmed with emotion and so happy to see so much accomplished by everyone working together. She has discovered that although she loved having the twins there to help, most of the changes have come about by taking responsibility for her own judgments and actions and finding the Hero that is in each of us.