Hope Was Here

JJJJJ

My View:   An excellent book! I've read it several times, but I never get bored reading it. The characters are realistic and inspirational. Hope is a wonderful character with a great message, and it isn't the sappy soap opera of a book that the cover suggests. I'm glad I found Joan Bauer, because her style really makes the book shine, and I plan on reading more of her writing. Her brief, honest style which elaborates where necessary but leaves a lot to the imagination is charming, funny, and entertaining. The book really pulls you in until you feel like a part of all of the action; emotionally attached to G.T.'s campaign and the town of Mulhoney. A story about exploring new places, learning new things, being dedicated, adjusting to change, holding onto hope, and believing in the power of a good man. Thoughtful and full of life lessons about the things we often take for granted. The book teaches that you can learn and grow from everything. I re-read it during a cancer battle one of my close family members was going through. It helped me face the misery of the situation and learn from it. This is a really powerful and simple book, with winning characters and a strong sense of direction. One of my Top Tens.

Wikipedia Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_Was_HereNovel/fan

Link: http://www.joanbauer.com/abouthope.html

General Information:

Method of Reading:	Personally owned paperback novel, 186 pages
Dates of Reading:	May 18, 2009-May 24, 2009
Author:	Joan Bauer
Publication Year:	2000
Recommended To:	Girls in 7th to 10th grade. It's a fairly easy read that any 5th grader can understand. But it's got some really deep stuff, too, that won't fully affect you until you're a little older. Reading it a few times over brings out these types of highlights, too. But after 10th grade, you may not fall in love with it the way younger girls will.
Quotes:	"Whatever happens, girl-- you remember the power of the light" (83). "You think that all teenagers care about are musicians and movie stars? … We'll blow your socks off" (122).
Movie?	Not yet. Maybe someday-- there could be some potential, but I'm really happy nobody's touched it yet.

Always,

Your Bibliomaniac


Bibliographic info:

• Bauer, Joan. Hope Was Here. New York, NY: Putnam, 2000. Print.
• "Hope Was Here: Our Conversation with the State of Wisconsin." Help Readers Love Reading. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 July 2013.