Hope Was Here

( 132 )

Overview

When sixteen-year-old Hope and the aunt who has raised her move from Brooklyn to Mulhoney, Wisconsin, to work as waitress and cook in the Welcome Stairways diner, they become involved with the diner owner's political campaign to oust the town's corrupt mayor.
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More About This Book

Overview

When sixteen-year-old Hope and the aunt who has raised her move from Brooklyn to Mulhoney, Wisconsin, to work as waitress and cook in the Welcome Stairways diner, they become involved with the diner owner's political campaign to oust the town's corrupt mayor.
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Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble
Our Review
What happens when a saucy, optimistic teenager and a terrific short-order diner cook head to Mulhoney, Wisconsin? Great apple pie, a killer mayoral election, and a heartfelt story about life in a rural town.

Readers will immediately fall in love with 16-year-old Hope. She has bounced from place to place, serving plates of meat loaf and frittata specials to diner patrons cooked up by her aunt Addie, with whom she lives. Since changing her name from Tulip to Hope, this protagonist always tries to live up to her name, offering readers an uplifting look at politics, love, friendship, and, literally, life, as a waitress at G. T. Stoop's Welcome Stairways diner.

G. T., who is battling leukemia, decides to run for mayor of the town, so his diner, which is perpetually crowded with customers, becomes a hotbed of political activity. It is there that Hope shines as she runs around refilling coffee mugs, soothing customers whose orders have been screwed up, and fielding questions from curious voters. And it is in this small town's diner that she finds what has been missing from her life.

Hope experiences love for the first time with junior short-order cook Braverman. Unlike the brainless relationships found in the Sweet Valley High series, this relationship is more in tune with first romances that real teenagers experience. At first they banter back and forth, but Braverman's winning pork-chop sandwich and his deep compassion for Hope when her mother comes to visit culminate in a passionate relationship built on friendship and trust.

This friendship and trust is also at the heart of G. T.'s mayoral battle. Hope and Braverman, among others, rally together, fighting initially to get G. T.'s name on the ballot and later on, as the corrupt incumbent mayor will do anything (planting a mouse in an entrée at G. T.'s diner) and everything (having Braverman beat up because he is involved in the campaign) to get reelected. And just when the politics get really dirty, Hope Was Here gives readers a reason to believe in the political system.

An underlying thread in Hope Was Here is Hope's secret desire to one day meet her estranged father. While her father never does appear in Hope Was Here, she does get the next best thing -- a father figure in G. T. She fosters a relationship with G. T., who praises her waitress skills and serves as an inspiration to not only Hope, but also all of the people in the town. At one point, the two are strolling outside in back of the diner and looking at the trees that G. T. has planted. G. T. says, "I like thinking [the trees will] be here long after I'm gone. All those fine memories pushing up to the sky."

To which Hope replies, "I hope you're here for the longest time possible, G. T."

It is at that moment, Hope gains a father and a home in this rural town she thought she would loathe. Once accustomed to writing "Hope was here" on an old window ledge or on a wall before she departed from one of the countless places she lived, Hope, as well as her aunt Addie, form roots in this town of good people and finally stay put. Hope Was Here offers a refreshing outlook on being a teenager and gives readers a little hope of their own.

--Soozan Baxter

Publishers Weekly
Of this tale of a 16-year-old waitress who searches for a sense of belonging, PW said that the prose, "often rich in metaphor, brings Hope's surroundings and her emotions to life. Readers are likely to gobble this up like so much comfort food." Ages 10-14. (May) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Bauer (Rules of the Road; Squashed) serves up agreeable fare in this tale of a teenage waitress's search for a sense of belonging. Sixteen-year-old Hope has grown used to the nomadic life she has built with her aunt Addie, a talented diner cook. She doesn't mind the hard work it takes to make a diner hum; she seems to have inherited a knack for waiting tables from the free-spirit mom (Addie's younger sister) who abandoned her years ago. But Hope would gladly give up always having to say good-bye to friends and places she loves. When Addie accepts a new job that takes the pair from Brooklyn to the Welcome Stairways diner in Mulhoney, Wis., Hope never could have imagined the big changes ahead of her. She and Addie shine in the small-town milieu and gladly offer to help diner owner G.T. Stoop, who is battling leukemia, run for mayor. Along the way, Addie and Hope both find love, and Hope discovers the father figure she has so desperately wanted. Readers will recognize many of Bauer's hallmarks here--a strong female protagonist on the road to self-discovery, quirky characters, dysfunctional families, a swiftly moving story, moments of bright humor. Her vivid prose, often rich in metaphor (e.g., Hope's description of the Brooklyn diner: "The big, oval counter... sat in the middle of the place like the center ring in a circus"), brings Hope's surroundings and her emotions to life. The author resolves a few of her plot points a bit too tidily, but her fans won't mind. They're likely to gobble this up like so much comfort food. Ages 12-up. (Oct.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|
From The Critics
Moving from New York City to a small town in Wisconsin is the latest in a long string of disappointments for Hope. Abandoned by her mother and pining for the father she has never met, Hope yearns to stay in one place, but more importantly, to belong. Aunt Addie provides stability in Hope's life, but it is Hope's own sense of humor, her ability to relate to people, and her considerable skills as a waitress that forge her a place as an important citizen of Mulhoney, Wisconsin. In the process, Hope discovers integrity, romance, and a resolution to dreams she has long carried in her heart. Joan Bauer excels in using humor to address serious issues such as responsibility, political double-dealing and acceptance. Hope Was Here also offers a central character who, while plagued with adolescent insecurities, remains strong. This book is particularly recommended for the way it shows young people performing competently outside of school, at work, and in politics. Genre: Coming of Age/Relationships 2000, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 186 pp., $16.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Beverly J. Jackson; Columbia, South Carolina
Children's Literature
Sixteen year old Hope (formerly called Tulip) knows all about survival, but the latest move she must make with her aunt Addie is calculated to test even her resilience. In Wisconsin, the Welcome Stairways diner awaits Hope, as does its owner, G.T.Stoop, and a cast of characters both noble and nefarious. Hope's is a fresh young voice, and her story is about finding trust in the middle of corruption, optimism in the mayhem of smalltown politics, and faith, above all, in the power of the spirit. Which is good, because when she comes to face the reality of loss, Hope is going to need all the spirit she has and then some. Bauer creates a believable world in this crisplytold tale. 2000, Putnam, Ages 12 up, $16.99. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami
VOYA
Hope moves from Brooklyn to a small town in Wisconsin with her Aunt Addie, a diner cook. Hope's mother left her as a baby, and since that time, Hope and Addie have moved from town to town and diner to diner. At sixteen years old, Hope is a great waitress but is not excited about her new small-town life and job. Soon after they arrive, their employer, G. T., announces that he is running for mayor although he has leukemia. As Hope adjusts to the new place, she and the tall cook, Braverman, become friends, and soon they are a main force in the fight to elect trustworthy G. T. over his corrupt incumbent opponent. Hope fights some personal battles as well, as she deals with not knowing her father, missing city life, and feeling ignored by her mother when she visits. Bauer has succeeded in creating another quirky, poignant, and funny novel about a strong girl who admits her frailties. Hope lives up to her name in the face of loss, of which she has been handed her fair share. Some great waitressing advice is thrown in, and anyone who appreciates the power of a good meal will smile at the comfort-food references. Although the message against corruption gets somewhat heavy-handed, politically minded readers will enjoy the election story line. Her relationship with Braverman—"sometimes I think he likes me and other times I don't think he does and I'm finding the whole thing really irritating"—reveals complexities beyond a typical teen romance. Hope's story is highly recommended for both middle and high school students. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to12). 2000, Penguin Putnam, 192p. Ages 13 to 18. Reviewer: Julie Wilde VOYA, February 2001 (Vol. 23, No.6)
From The Critics
Joan Bauer's Hope Was Here is a triumph of wit, word, structure, and character. Her heroine is Hope, a sixteen-year-old who was deserted by her mother at birth, doesn't know who her father is, and has been moved around the country by her Aunt Addie, an obsessive chef who is wise in more than matters of food. Hope is no whiner and she sees the positive partly because of Addie's influence. Since the time Hope was little, Addie's had her keep a "Best of Mom" book which holds hints, gleaned from her mother's years of waitressing and living. Hope has picked up these practical tips from the few times her mother has visited, and they have added to Hope's perspective and success. Hope's mom has told her, for example, "three hard and fast rules that every professional waitress has to follow: 1) The customer is always right 2) The cook is always right 3) If the customer and the cook disagree, and you can't settle it, your tip is history." These concepts and her own waitress experiences have informed Hope's life. She is a keen and thoughtful observer. Hope's narration simmers with humor-filled restaurant-speak. She sees a morning go down "like cold rolls with a hot meal" and food imagery even creeps into "an excellent kiss—the kind where you feel your stomach burn hot and you know it's not from indigestion." Hope finds strength in serving and expresses this in culinary vernacular. "When you can carry five full dinner platters on your left arm, you should be able to vote, even if you're not eighteen." And at the bittersweet ending, "joy and sadness mix together like cream in coffee." There's another side of Hope that's more serious. She's kept scrapbooks her entire life, filling them withmementos that she hopes to share with her father, if he ever shows up. And every time she leaves a place, she scribbles "HOPE WAS HERE" on something permanent. At the book's beginning, Hope and Addie are moving to a small town in Wisconsin to manage G.T. Stoop's diner while he deals with his leukemia. Hope's still smarting over the way their last cooking colleague stole their money, trust, and business, but moving has become part of her way of life, and she knows that she's always found friends. The new cast of characters she meets is amazing. It's not just the daily traffic of the restaurant, though the cameos are as rich as one of Addie's good gravies. Nor is it the staff who brings Hope's life and the book the depth of a bottomless cup of coffee. The story's most powerful character may be G.T. Stoop, who balances Hope's lights and darks like a well-planned meal. He is unlike any man Hope has ever met, and before long, she's immersed in helping him win a election against a dishonest politician. Stoop's potential death creates a bond between him and Hope, who has a profound understanding of the transitory nature of life. Commemorating is as important to G.T as it is to Hope. He plants trees to remember those he loves. "I like thinking they'll be here long after I'm gone. All those fine memories pushing up to the sky." By the book's end, Addie's married G.T., he's won the election and adopted Hope, and she shows him the scrapbooks she's assembled throughout her life. When G.T. opts for the long version and listens attentively, Hope tells him, "You're as real and true a father as a human being will get in this world." Ironically, though Hope loses G.T. at the book's final chapter, her future seems more certain and meaningful than ever before. 2000, Putnam, $16.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Susie Wilde — The Five Owls, March/April 2001 (Vol. 15 No. 4)
KLIATT
Sixteen-year-old Hope is "trying to live up to her name," even though she is deeply upset that she and the aunt who has raised her are moving to small-town Wisconsin from exciting New York City. Her aunt Addie is going to be the manager and cook of a diner; the owner has leukemia and needs help. Hope will be working at the diner too, and she is proud of her skills: "I took to waitressing like a hungry trucker tackles a T-bone," she says. Hope gets involved in town politics when the diner's owner, kind and honest G.T. Stoop, decides to run for mayor against the corrupt incumbent. With the help of the attractive young short-order cook, Braverman, Hope and other teenagers in the town work on G. T.'s campaign, and see it finally succeed despite the odds. Aunt Addie and G.T. marry, and Hope finds in him the father she has always sought, only to lose him to cancer at last. At the end, she's ready to move on to college, but feels like she has finally found a real home in Wisconsin. As in her acclaimed Rules of the Road, Bauer here tells the story of a smart, funny, strong-minded teenage girl overcoming obstacles to achieve fulfillment, and standing up for what's right. Hope is admirably determined to be upbeat (she changed her name from Tulip), despite her mother's abandonment, her lack of a father, and the many moves in her life, and readers will root for her to succeed. The other quirky characters in the novel are also well drawn, from food-obsessed Addie to brave Braverman to G. T. and his graveyard humor. I like how Bauer's teenage characters enjoy their jobs, and take them seriously, too. There's lots of hard-won wisdom here, a bit of romance, and many funny scenes as well as some sadones. This is a wonderful read. KLIATT Codes: JS*—Exceptional book, recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2000, Penguin Putnam, 186p, 00-38232, $16.99. Ages 13 to 18. Reviewer: Paula Rohrlick; January 2001 (Vol. 35 No. 1)
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up-Joan Bauer's story (Putnam, 2000) of 16-year-old Hope Yancey's discovery of fatherly love, romance, community, and her own inner resources comes to life in actress Jenna Lamia's youthful reading. Hope, raised by her peripatetic diner cook Aunt Addie since her mother deserted her at birth, changed her own name from the regrettable Tulip to the perfectly apropos Hope when she was 12. Now Hope and her aunt have moved once again, this time to a small Wisconsin town where the local diner owner is fighting leukemia and, upon their arrival, takes on dirty politics as well. Like Bauer's other heroines, Hope is both strong and a bit uncertain, her story tinted with good humor and touched by pathos. Hope slowly comes to accept the small Wisconsin town as home, other diner staff as family, and the owner as the father she might have had. Braverman, the cook's assistant, makes a perfect first boyfriend, being neither weaker than Hope nor less sensitive. Lamia voices these characters perfectly as they discuss the menu specials, civic corruption, and the inevitable resurgence of cancer in G. T. Stoop's blood. Bauer's story is a delight, and this audio presentation enhances it.-Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Another entry in Bauer's growing collection of books about likable and appealing female teenagers with a strong vocational calling. Ivy Breedlove in Backwater (1999) is a historian, Jenna Boller in Rules of the Road (1998) is a talented salesperson, and Hope Yancey's gift is for waitressing. As the novel begins, Hope, 16, and her aunt Addie are about to move from Brooklyn to Mulhoney, Wisconsin, where Addie will manage and cook for a diner called the Welcome Stairways. Hope, whose mother abandoned her as an infant and who has never known her father, is pretty welladjusted, all things considered. She throws herself into her new life in the small town, working on the grassroots mayoral campaign of the diner's owner, quickly acquiring a boyfriend and friends, and proving herself to be a stellar waitress (she's been working in restaurants most of her life, after all, and one of the few things her mother has given her is a list of waitressing tips). Despite having moved so often and having had such inadequate biological parents, Hope isn't afraid to connect to people. The relationship between Hope and G.T., the man who owns the diner and who eventually marries her aunt is especially touching and sweetly portrayed. He's everything Hope ever wished for in a father. It could be said that the occupation of waitressing is overidealized; it's portrayed as the noblest of professions. But the lessons she's learned from the job are essential to Hope's character and a part of why the plot develops as it does. More important, and as always from Bauer, this novel is full of humor, starring a strong and idealistic protagonist, packed with funny lines, and peopledwithinteresting and quirky characters. (Fiction. 1116)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780142404249
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
  • Publication date: 6/2/2005
  • Edition description: Reissue
  • Pages: 192
  • Sales rank: 53,963
  • Age range: 12 - 17 Years
  • Product dimensions: 5.06 (w) x 7.76 (h) x 0.57 (d)

Meet the Author


Joan Bauer has won critical acclaim for her many books, which include Rules of the Road, winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Close to Famous, and Peeled. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 132 )
Rating Distribution

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(88)

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(27)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 134 Customer Reviews

  • Posted June 4, 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    Rules of the Road
    Backwater

    Welcome Friend from whichever way you've come...

    I adore Hope and wish I knew her. She is a fabulous waitress and lives with her aunt, Addie, who raised her. Together, they move to a small town with a big problem. There is a corrupt mayor, and the man that Hope and Addie now work for, G.T. Stoop, is willing to run against him despite his leukemia. Can you smell a tear-jerking story like I can? You fall in love with Addie, G.T., the big cook Braverman, the other waitresses, and a few of the townspeople too, and especially Hope. Her mother is a ditz, she doesn't know who her father is, but in the end, she has a father she loves who isn't who she expected him to be.

    I especially love the line on the menu... "Welcome friend from whichever way you've come. May God richly bless your journey."

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted November 1, 2008

    more from this reviewer

    Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com

    HOPE WAS HERE is a brilliant book by an equally brilliant author, Joan Bauer. When I read this book for the first time (my copy is worn; I've read it so often!), I was an instant fan of the author. HOPE WAS HERE is worth your time, worth your money, and worth anything else that you have to do to get your hands on this book. <BR/><BR/>Hope is a sixteen-year-old waitress who has lived all across America with her Aunt Addie. Hope's mother (who, upon seeing her tiny baby for the first time, named her Marigold, of all things. Addie's twelfth birthday present to her niece was a name change.) has long been out of the picture, visiting only occasionally with tidbits of advice. <BR/><BR/>Waitressing at the diner in Brooklyn was great for Hope, but, like all good things, it comes to an end. The owner stole all of the money and ran off, leaving Addie and Hope with nothing. The two of them boarded up the windows, and, just before driving off, Hope left her mark: Hope Was Here, in blue ballpoint pen at the edge of one of the boards. <BR/><BR/>Addie and Hope are off to a small town in Wisconsin. When they get there, they meet G.T., the owner of the local diner where Addie will be cooking and Hope will be waitressing. G.T is a man the town loves, and he's going to run for mayor and change things. The current mayor, a scheming, dishonest typical politician, isn't standing for that, though. He's got to bring up how G.T. has leukemia, and is dying. How, he says, can a man who is dying take care of an entire town? He might not be alive in a few months. <BR/><BR/>G.T. isn't alone, though. Hope, Addie, and countless others are trying to get him elected, so that he can do some good for the town. Even though things are hard, they've still got to have hope. <BR/><BR/>This novel is amazing. HOPE WAS HERE is a book that you will not read only once, but over and over. It sticks with you. Part of this is due to the well thought-out characters, especially Hope. She is a strong character, but also a strong person. She's been through a lot, and she's still around, serving up food to hungry customers. <BR/><BR/>Her waitressing jobs have a lot to do with who Hope is. Maybe to some people (you know the type--not good enough unless you've got a diploma from Harvard), waitressing seems like a dead-end job, but this book shows different sides of it. <BR/><BR/>HOPE WAS HERE is a page-turner that will keep you riveted from the first word (which happens to be "somehow"), to the last ("had"), and when it's over, you'll want more. Luckily for us, Joan Bauer has written several other books for young adults, including BACKWATER, RULES OF THE ROAD, and SQUASHED. They're just as good as HOPE WAS HERE, too, and that's saying something!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 25, 2012

    AMAZING!!!

    I had to read Hope Was Here for a school book project this year and I read it in 1 day! The book is one of the best books I ever read, and I'm 11 now. Hope Was Here is the most inspiring book I ever read. To readers out there that have never read Hope Was Here, read it today and you will never regret it. THIS BOOK IS A BOOK THAT WILL MAKE YOU NEVER WANT TO PUT IT DOWN AND IT IS A BOOK YOU WILL REMEMBER IN YOUR HEART FOREVER. READ IT TODAY AND I'M POSITIVE YOU WILL READ IT MANY MORE TIMES. I TRULY RECOMEND IT!!!!!!!!!! :)

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 24, 2009

    Good Read and Theme

    i thought that Hope was Here was a very inspirational book. It talks a lot about hoping (go figure) and doing your part in society. It's a quick read and it wouldn't take up to much time but it still leaves you thinking. I liked how she incorporated a little romance into the story because i enjoy romance and I thought that that was awesome. The one thing that i didn't like about the book was that it was really predictable. I still would suggest it to people to read, though. Also, i really loved how Joan Bauer portrayed Hope as a waitress. It's making me think that i want to be a waitress and i had never even thought about that before. Read the book and contemplate it when your done :)

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 14, 2008

    Finding Hope in everything

    Hope had nothing, no dad, an absent mom, and no residence that lasted for over two years. Constantly moving from place to place with her aunt Hope who was first named Tulip by her mother finally arrives at the Welcome Stairways where she finds not only hope in a battered old town, the young cook who had to give up everything for his family, the man dying dying of Lukemia, but Hope in herself, finally living up to the name she so readily picked for herself.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 17, 2012

    Okay Book Hope Was Here was about a very simple sweet girl named

    Okay Book Hope Was Here was about a very simple sweet girl named Hope
    who was trying to find a place for herself in life. This coming-of-age
    book was written very well and had offered some very good pointers on
    cooking, family life, and how to deal with some very difficult
    situations. What I did not like about this book was that it lacked a lot
    of deep emotion. Although I liked how it seemed as if the young girl
    portrayed in this actually did write the book, the writing was a bit to
    child-like sounding for me. When you are writing about a concept as
    deep as someone having cancer and having a risk of dying from it then
    the quality of the writing and how deep it goes should make you feel as
    though you were the one having the stand by that persons side as they
    fought to live. all in all it was an good quick read.

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  • Posted September 18, 2011

    It was ok!

    It was was an ok book. Hope was a very mature and strong girl, that is one reason why she changed her name to hope...because of it's meaning. Her mom left her to her grandma when she was a baby. She also dreamed of knowing her father.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 9, 2010

    You Go Girl!

    Title of Joan Bauer's book is Hope was Here and in the title it reveals the hidden theme to the plot, one must keep hope that everything will work out. The main character feels so incredibly strong about keeping hope through life's trials that she legally changes her name from Tulip to Hope. This young girl has experienced obstacles in her life that most of us are lucky enough to say we never have. For example, her mother decided she did not want the responsibility of raising a child so Hope moved in with her loving aunt Addie who was willing and ready to take on the responsibility. The new, little family lived in New York City where they both are equally happy with their lives, until they discovered one of Addie's employees had been stealing from them. Therefore Addie and Hope had to pack-up and move to Wisconsin where they obtained jobs at the local diner. In their new town they befriended G.T. Stoop who wanted to run in the up coming election for mayor. The book then becomes much like a stereotypical good verses evil plot scheme. G.T. Stoop's opposing candidate is every bit as cruel as any good villain should be. The campaign leads Hope on a new and exciting path; Addie and she realize that their move to Wisconsin was more than they imagined it would be.

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  • Posted November 15, 2010

    Not The Best Book.

    To tell the truth I was not crazy about Hope Was Here. I didn't like this book at all. Hope Was Here is about a girl named Hope and she lives with her aunt Addie. Shes lived with her aunt since she was born because her mom (who visits every couple years. If your wondering about her dad she doesn't know who or where he is.) was not ready to have a kid but Addie always wanted a kid so perfect match. So Hope is living with Addie who travels A LOT (all across the country). They start working at this dinner but someone took off with the money and the hole place closed down. So Addie and Hope move to Wisconsin (I think it was Wisconsin but I don't remember. sorry but if you really want to know read the book(;) for a new job where Addie will be a cook and Hope will be a waitress. The meet a guy names G.T. who is the owner of the Diner. G.T. has leukemia (if you don't know what that is it is a type of cancer that is in the blood and bone marrow.). They start working there and while they are working there G.T.runs for mayor (which was a HUGE deal because the mayor controls everything and everyone is to scared to run for mayor because he controls everything). Since I don't want to ruin the ending for everyone and anyone who may want to read this book I will stop there. I don't know but it sounded like a cool book but i didn't really like it. I liked the ending and that was about it.

    0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 22, 2010

    definitly should read

    I had to read this book for school and it has to be one of the best books i have read. This book wanted you to read more and more until it was over. For the ending you will definetly need a box of tissues, when people ask you what book I should read i tell them this one!! the best book :)

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  • Posted October 18, 2010

    A Great Book!

    I am 13 years old and have read Hope Was Here. I could really relate to the main character, Hope, as she tried to make everyday things have a little more hope. I also really liked Braverman, the cook for the Welcome Stairs. He put joy into Hope's life and true friendship. The story was so inspiring, with G.T. going for mayor even when he is fighting for his life. You really have to read the book to find out what happens next. This would be a great movie and I hope that one day it will be.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 9, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    The Sky Is Everywhere
    Exclusively Yours

    A Life Lesson For Sure

    Hope Was Here is definitely one of those heartwarming books that make you not be able to put it down. I was required to read this for one of my summer reading books and I'm glad I was because it is now at the top of my list. Of all the events that happen throughout the book, it keeps you at the edge of your seat, wanting to know what comes next and how it affects the characters. This book is the first book I've read about a waitress and how the community sticks together and I want to read more stories like that! I recommend this book to anyone who has lost anyone special to them because of leukemia or any other horrible disease. And, I also recommend this book to anyone who has someone in their life who has made an impact and changed them in some way...for the better.

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  • Posted September 24, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer

    I absolutely loved this book.
    I have to be honest, at first I wasn't really in to it especially when the politics came in to it.
    But the characters were so relatable and I got engrossed in it. I cried near the end.
    I recommend it to anyone who loves a fast, easy read :D

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 5, 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    Jellicoe Road
    Long May She Reign

    WOW!

    I love this book. My grandmother told me to read it and it looked a little bit boring at first, but I LOVED it.

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  • Posted July 16, 2009

    i love this book!!!

    i liked this book because even though g.t was going through a hard time they still was willing to help him and beat the mayor. at the end i was happy when her aunt and gt liked eachother

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  • Posted July 5, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    Hope Was Here

    I really enjoyed this book. I liked that it was different from a lot of the teen books out today. At first I thought the idea of her changing her name was weird but then it sort of made more sense as the book went on it was all about living up to your potential. It was nice to see teens taking on important issues and the romance stories kind of went on the back burner. Definitely a powerful novel and worth the read!

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  • Posted May 26, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Song of the Sparrow

    READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    This is probably one of the best books ive ever read!!!!! i love the plot characters and the setting! A must read for disscutions!!!!

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 9, 2009

    Great Book!

    I loved the book for its hopefulness. I liked the positive teen role models--teens who were helping in the community, helping their families, and trying their best to succeed while making the best of difficult situations. When Hope finally gains a father, it was touching. I liked the positive role model adults--her aunt who takes her in, the diner owner, G.T. With so many books about problems of teens, this book talks more about solutions. It is a great book!

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  • Posted March 6, 2009

    Hope was Here Book review

    "Hope was Here" is about a girl named Hope, Who lives with her Aunt moving from one restaurant to the next. She has moved more then seven times now and most leave now in order for her Aunt to get a job as a cook. Hope's real name was not Hope. Her mother gave her a different name but when her mom gave her away to her sister Hope was allowed to change her name. The book "Hope was here" is a great book that you do not want to put down. I would strongly recommend this book to any of my friends.


    reviewed by Shelby Often

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  • Posted February 24, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    Quick Review

    This book was a very good one. Joan Bauer is one of my favorite authors and she doesn't dissapoint in this amazing book that's filled with life lessons and adventure. Almost every page I read had a great deal of inspiration on it. I finished the book in a single day and have already reread it three times!

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