Hope Was Here facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Joan Bauer |
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| Country | United States |
| Genre | Young adult novel |
| Published | 2000 G. P. Putnam's Sons |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback), Compact Disc, Book on Tape |
| Pages | 186 pp (Paperback edition) |
| ISBN | 0-14-240424-1 |
| OCLC | 60590789 |
Hope Was Here is a novel written by Joan Bauer in 2000. It tells the story of a teenage girl named Hope. The book was recognized as a Newbery Honor Book in 2001. This is a special award for excellent children's literature. The audiobook version, read by Jenna Lamia, also won an award called the AudioFile Earphones Award.
Contents
What is Hope Was Here About?
Hope's Journey Begins
Hope Yancey is a teenage waitress. She lives with her aunt Addie in Brooklyn. Addie works as a chef at a place called "The Blue Box Diner". Hope's birth mother, Deena, felt she couldn't raise Hope herself. So, she asked Hope's aunt Addie to take care of her. Hope does not know who her birth father is.
One day, "The Blue Box Diner" has to close. This happens because the owner took all the restaurant's money and left. Addie decides they need a fresh start. She chooses to move to Mulhoney, a small city in Wisconsin. There, she and Hope can work at a diner called "Welcome Stairways".
A New Home and a New Challenge
Hope's new boss, G.T. Stoop, is a very kind man. He has a serious illness called leukemia, which sometimes makes it hard for him to work full-time. G.T. sees that there are unfair political dealings in Mulhoney. He decides to run for mayor against the current mayor, Eli Millstone. Millstone has secret deals with a big company called Real Fresh Dairy. In return, the company's workers support his campaign.
G.T.'s honesty and courage inspire many people. A group of students from the local high school decide to help G.T.'s campaign. Hope and Eddie Braverman, who is a cook at "Welcome Stairways", join this group. Because Eddie helps G.T., some of Millstone's supporters cause trouble for him.
Building Friendships and Family
While G.T. campaigns, Addie works hard to improve the diner. G.T. shows he likes Addie in a romantic way. Addie responds positively, though she is a bit direct. Seeing G.T.'s success with Addie, Eddie Braverman decides to ask Hope out.
Hope is unsure at first. Her mother, Deena, always told her not to date cooks. But after a test date, Hope and Eddie become a couple. Hope also makes friends with Flo and Lou Ellen, who are the other waitresses. Yuri, the Russian busboy, also becomes her friend. Lou Ellen has a baby daughter named Anastasia. Anastasia is growing a little slower than most babies. Hope and the "Welcome Stairways" staff decide to help Lou Ellen by caring for Anastasia.
The Election's Twist
During his campaign, G.T. gets good news. His leukemia is in remission, meaning it's getting better. However, Millstone's team spreads a false rumor. They say that G.T.'s illness has spread to his brain. The teens, Addie, G.T., and the deputy sheriff Brenda Babcock all try to tell the truth. But they cannot convince the townspeople in time. G.T. loses the election.
A few weeks later, Hope and Eddie find out that the election results were not fair. They notice that some people listed as voters were not actually registered to vote. Because of this, G.T. is named the new mayor of Mulhoney. He starts many helpful new programs for the town. He also marries Addie and officially adopts Hope.
Sadly, about two years later, G.T.'s leukemia returns. Before he passes away, Hope tells G.T. that she thinks of him as her real father. She tells him he is the father she had always been looking for. G.T.'s passing makes Mulhoney very sad. But eventually, Hope learns to cope with her loss. She appreciates that she has found a stable home at "Welcome Stairways".
Awards and Recognition
- Newbery Honor, 2001
- Young Reader's Choice Award, 2003
- ALA Notable Book
- ALA Best Book for Young Adults
