Hope Was Here

Thoughts and Ideas on Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer

Back cover reads:
"One new life, coming right up. Hope's used to thinking on her feet- she hasn't become a terrific waitress by accident. But when she and her aunt move from New York City to a small town in Wisconsin to run the local diner, she isn't sure she'll fit in. Luckily, she doesn't have much time to brood. G.T., the owner, has decided to run for mayor, and no one in town knows what to think. After all, GT has leukemia. And his opponent is the unscrupulous current mayor, who will do or say anything to win the election. hope knows that GT is up against the odds- but his vision of the future is so vivid and good that she can't help but join the campaign. Because, after all, everyone could use a little hope to get through the tough times. Even Hope herself."

Reaction:
Love it. Ok, so the back-cover's synopsis is a little hoakey... but Bauer has created an ingenious heroine here. Hope is witty and wise. The book is written in a hot-shot, witty style that makes you chortle out loud when you least expect it. This is the type of writing that i truly like. It has a little fluff, here and there, but the fluff is so well disguised by intelligent writing that you kind of slide right over it. This is an awesome book directed right at ladies ages 14-18. Any younger than that, and they might get bored. I would certainly use this in my classroom, especially around here. Kids always like it if it's about their state or town. It's also chock full of political upheaval and corruption.... which is something that adolescents should recognize.
Definite word nerd seal of approval here. Memorable strong characters that overcome adversity, little to no fluff, witty and creative writing, and real-life application. These are the things that win the WNSoA. yay!

Quotes:
"I took to waitressing like a hungry trucker tackles a T-bone" (2).

"I wasn't feeling too hopeful at the moment. Addie was flying on the interstate to Wisconsin, the land of lactose" (7).


"Even when you're not in school, life is a test" (36).

"Staring down hard truth takes guts" (44).

"The rest of the morning went down like cold rolls with a hot meal" (51).

"It was probably easier in the old days when the bad guys rode into town wearing black capes or whatever bad guys wore and the milk cows were owned by honest people. Right off the bat, you'd know who you were dealing with. Now everybody dresses alike. That's the problem with progress" (53).

"Empty moving boxes piled in heap-- the cardboard symbols of starting over" (57).

"Not every girl can say that boxing saved her" (57).

"Harrison can pull meaning from a stone. Both of his parents are English teachers" (89).

"We don't go back in this family. We just keep moving forward" (89).

" 'Like all males, Hope, he has a code that has to be deciphered.' 'What's the code?' 'I have no idea. But it's probably weirder than hieroglyphics' " (95).

"You think all teenagers care about are musicians and movie stars? Spend some time in Wisconsin. We'll blow your socks off" (122).

" 'What aspect of the definition of fine was it?' 'We had a decent time.' I've been to Walgreen's and had a decent time" (148). Hope asking Addie how her date went.

"My history teacher said I had yet to 'grasp the value of stating a clear thesis.' I've always been a person who meanders around to find truth. This is death in the five-paragraph essay" (154).

"Snow started falling like a promise, dusting the streets with anticipation of good things to come" (168).

"It takes a great cook to pull life truth from poultry" (168).