Bauer, J. (2012). Hope was Here. New York: Puffin Books.
In this Newbery Honor award winner, the reader is introduced to Hope Yancey, a teenage waitress living with her aunt Addie in New York. Hope is being raised by her aunt Addie due to her mother's inability to raise her and her not knowing who her father is. After the diner they both work at shuts down, Addie decides to move her and Hope to a small town in Wisconsin named Mulhoney. Once in Mulhoney, they both begin to work in a diner named Welcome Stairway owned by GT Stoop, who is fighting leukemia. GT runs for mayor after becoming disgusted by the corruption in the city. The incumbent mayor is very corrupt and is in the pockets of many large corporations. Hope, the Welcome Stairway crew and her fellow high school classmates become so inspired by GT's integrity and bravery to stand up to the corrupt mayor, that they organize together to help GT's campaign. This causes some push back with the incumbent's supporters, even causing them to beat up Welcome Stairways cook Eddie Braverman. Some romances form during the course of this campaign with GT and Addie and with Hope and Eddie. GT finds out his leukemia is remission but the other campaign spreads a rumor that he is dying, causing him to lose the race. Hope and Eddie being investigating the votes and discovered that the election was rigged and GT is named the new mayor. After GT is named mayor, her marries Addie and adopts Hope. Fast forward 2 years and GT's leukemia comes back and he dies, devastating the town, especially Hope and Addie. Hope realizes though that she is grateful for Welcome Stairway and finally finding the stable family she always wanted.
You will not be able to put this book down once your start it. The characters are so likable and relatable. They are humorous, kind and quirky. Hope is a strong female protagonist who is one a journey of self discovery, trying to find her tribe. I love the theme that family isn't always biological and to appreciate the ones who are there for you. I would recommend this book for middle school aged students.
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