Awards: 2001 Newbery Honor Book, ALA Notable Book, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Hope has had her share of trouble. Naming her "Tulip" as a baby, Hope's mother leaves her to be raised by her Aunt Addie. Addie and Tulip move from place to place trying to find themselves and a life of contentment. Having changed her name to "Hope", Hope and Addie move to Mulhoney, WI so that Addie can cook and Hope can waitress for the "Welcome Staircase" Diner.
Hope vows to be the world's greatest waitress at this, her new home even though she desperatly misses her friends and work in Brooklyn, NY. She never imagines what really happens as she falls in love with one of the diner's cooks and then helps the diner's owner try to overcome cancer and become the town's new mayor.
There is humor, action, romance, and compassion in this well-written book.
Reaction: Each of us strive for "hope" in our lives as we struggle through family, work, and friendship issues. As I read the optimism in the life of someone with many more problems than I have had, I felt encouraged and wanted to cheer Hope on to become a great waitress and find love with "Braverman". I wanted good to win over bad with G.T. winning his election campaign. I wanted the cancer to be gone. I wanted Addie to find a husband.
While all of these things didn't happen, the "hope" for them to happen compelled me to read on and complete the book. This inspirational title was a very fast read.
Recommended to: I don't know a type of reader who wouldn't like this book. We can all find a quality in Hope to relate to. A student who has had to struggle with learning, though, could really relate well and be encouraged by Hope Was Here.
Book Talk "Hook": Just reading the first three pages of Hope Was Here aloud to a class of students would draw many readers to this award-winning, fast read.
2 comments:
Terrific first post David! You have set the bar for all of us. Adding the links to info on the author is a great idea.
I have read this book and enjoyed it too. I have Rules of the Road by Bauer on my list of books I want to get read this spring. Bauer excels at developing strong, funny characters.
David-thanks for recommending this book to me. I finished it last night and enjoyed it very much.
I also think it is a book that many young adults will enjoy reading.
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