Hope Was Here

How would you like your name to be Tulip? Meet Hope, a sixteen-year old girl, whose real name is Tulip. She decided a while back that she hated that name, so she changed it to Hope. She and her Aunt Addie are about to move from their diner in exciting New York, to what Hope thinks will be boring Wisconsin. Follow a girl whose excellant waitressing skills, knowlege of politics, family and friends, inspire others.This book is perfect for young adults, or for people who have lost all hope. Joan Baur writes this book in an easy-to-read, humorous and touching way, that shows you that there IS hope, and that there IS a way. Mrs.Baur takes us on a journey through Hope's eyes. Hope overcomes the obstacles in her city. In this book you'll laugh, cry, and be touched all at the same time. Hope Was Here is a book with interesting characters, some good, some bad.You'll meet G.T Stoop, a leukemia patient with high hopes for the community, and Eli Millstone, the mayor whose a cheater and deciever. This book will bring hope to anybody's life. As Aunt Addie says about hope,"It's like the thrill I get from shoving a raw-plucked chicken into the oven and knowing that in a little while I'll have a soul-satisfying entree," Hope Was Here is a book for anybody who likes suspence, romance, and real-life situations will enjoy this book. Next time you are at the library, be sure to check out this Hope Was Here.

Sixteen-year-old Hope, is a strong, independent, and, at times hilarious teenager. Hope, an acclaimed waitress, and her Aunt Addie, a widely acclaimed diner cook, have toured the country working at different diners. Before the twosome leave each diner, Hope writes/carves her mark - "Hope Was Here". Hope and her aunt embark on a little town in Wisconsin. There Hope meets G.T. Stoop, the owner of the diner where Hope and her aunt work. G.T., who has leukemia, decides to run for mayor in an attempt to defeat a corrupt incumbant. Hope is at G.T.'s side, serving somewhat as an assistant, helping him with the campaign - G.T. leaves a lasting impression on Hope.Hope Was Here_ is a great novel. This novel is great for teaching characterization and plot. This novel is not only helpful in the English classroom, but also helpful in a history classroom as it discusses politics - campaigning (dirty at times) and voting.This book reaches readers of all academic levels as it teaches one that he/she grows stronger through adversity. This was a wonderful novel!

Hope Was Here is one of Joan Bauer's greatest successes yet. Rules of the Road and Squashed aslo qualify for this category. One thing that is admirable about Bauer's books is that you don't just hear about the main characters day at work, you live it. Little bits of waitressing wisdom are scattered throughout the book. This is a unique quality, you learn about whatever the protagonist is passionate about; you know it, and learn to love it as they do. When I finished the book, I felt like I could walk into any restaurant, and get a waitressing job, hands down. Hope Was Here also contains many wonderful characters: Hope, Addie, GT Stoop, and of course Eli. I've been in a reading slump lately, but I couldn't put this one down. Not for the life of me. A very good read, and check out Joan Bauer's other books if you haven't already.

Like most reviews, this one is late. In our world with so many complex problems, what is one late book review? What could I possibly give you, the reader, that would make any difference in your life? Ah.....maybe one thing. A tip on hope. Although HOPE WAS HERE was designed for young adult readers, it abounds with hope for all who read it. And, you have to admit it, we all need hope. There are a lot of stories out there for young readers today. Some stories sling the hash, others sling the bull. But at the end of a long day would you rather have something that sticks to your ribs or to the bottom of your shoes? This story sticks with you like good food and gives you that well-being feeling of a rush of endorphins. The author, Joan Bauer, isn't like many short-visioned writers churning out garbage for young minds. She entices the young reader with real people, real pain, and real hope. Bauer weaves her plots with a high-energy girl named Hope who offers "full-service waitressing" mixed with common sense, honesty, and solid restraurant philosophy. Hope is a rejected transplant with only one constant relationship in her life. Using that as a seed of hope, and watered with the intrigue of dirty-play politics, Bauer gives us a must-finish story. When you've finished, you realize you have been in the presence of "do the right thing, no matter who opposes you" kind of people. People of character, morals, and truth. Meet the restrautant owner fighting for his life and community fairness; the young cook who rates at least an 7.4 and rising on the male cuteness scale; the faithful aunt who subs as a mom and cooks with professional creative flair, and the gang of school kids who actually make a difference in their town. Oh, there are plenty of antagonists, too, who play their sinister roles. We see them in this little Wisconsin dairy town fashioned as a microcosm for the self-serving politics of any town or nation. If you are asking if there is any help, trust, or truth left to maintain our freedoms, you will find this a great text book. But wait, this is for young readers not flag wavers or bible thumpers. My point exactly! Just when you've given up on how to serve good food to kids without them knowing it, this book comes along and hope come with it. It welcomes the reader like twin "Welcome Stairways." They remind you that no matter where you are coming from or what you we seek in a book, you leave blessed for the time spent. Like a great engrossing movie that makes you unaware of the actors acting, Bauer's writing skills make us forget that this is fiction. This makes the reader delight in being part of Hope's life. We get a taste of the food service trade with funny but thoughtful rules of professional waitnessing. We get the common sense of survival through a free verse poem straight from a heart of a teenager's pain. We get clever one liners worth remembering.........."a B-minus in Grief," "a creaking door of friendship opening,"

Bauer is one of my favorite authors, so I snatched this one up as soon as I found it. It is definitely my favorite so far. Hope and her aunt leave Brooklyn to travel to a small town in Wisconsin. There they will help GT, owner of the Welcome Stairways Diner, who is suffering from leukemia. He surprises everyone in town by announcing his candidacy for mayor. Many won't support him due to his illness, but Hope and many of the town's teenagers rally behind him in an attempt to oust the corrupt town leaders. Bauer's trademark humor and Hope's feistiness makes this book a joy to read!