GET WHAT YOU GIVE

A sophomore at historically black Western Smith College, Hailey Grant learns a set of predictable lessons about friendship, leadership, sisterhood and God. When Hailey risks her life to rescue her orphan roommate Teddi’s family keepsakes from a dorm fire, her kindness and bravery impress both hunky do-gooder Covin Randall and the sisters of service-oriented sorority Beta Gamma Pi. In a narrative peppered with sorority jargon, Hailey pledges BGP, bonds with the “line sisters” who pledge alongside her and helps resolve strife among the “prophytes”—more established sorors. Hailey’s struggles and eventual success planning a fundraiser are realistic if tedious, but some of her other achievements—including inspiring both a racist cop and an abusive gangster to change their ways—are less believable. The lessons she learns dating Covin, such as not to cling to a guy after having sex with him, reinforce conventional values about gender roles and relationships. Fans of the series will find this fifth volume inspiring; skeptical readers will likely not be moved. (Fiction. 12 & up)