The novel, Hope Was Here, is a great chapter book that will inspire students to find who their true identity is. Especially during the adolescent years, finding oneself can be very hard and this story demonstrates that. It Life doesn't always deal everyone a great hand of cards, but no matter what people need to make the best out of their life. Tulip finds this out as she grows through the book. In the beginning Tulip changes her name to Hope, she figures that it would make everything okay in her life. She soon discovers that a name, no matter how positive it is, doesn't always ensure a perfect life. Ever since Hope's mother abandoned her as a baby, Hope follows her Aunt Addie around the country, longing for a permanent home and always looking for the father she doesn't know. However, she and her aunt go where the jobs and the money are. This is another issue that can spark conversation in classrooms, especially if there is a new student in class, or someone about to move. Hope says good-bye by leaving her usual calling card, "Hope Was Here" written in half-inch tall letters on one of the boards. Hope struggles as she tries to grow up and remember that, although she has a lot to overcome, she also has a lot for which to be thankful.
I don't think this would be a good book to read with the whole class, but I do believe it would be a good addition to a classroom library. This book is intended for older audiences that can understand all the emotions and hardships that Hope makes it through during the story. A lot of different discussions can be branched off from this book if you let students give their opinion about what is going on. I really enjoyed reading this chapter book and think that it will leave readers feeling hopeful that things will get better.
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