Hope Was Here

Joan Bauer's Hope Was Here is a wonderful novel to read with junior high students.  This 2001 Newbery Honor book has a strong, teenage protagonist, but it is not a gender-exclusive novel.  It discusses issues of non-traditional families--nothing inconsistent with Catholic teaching is promoted.  It covers how doing what is right sometimes does not SEEM right or has negative repercussions.  It briefly introduces the topic of dying--but nothing too heavy.  The novel also addresses themes of hope, coming of age, friendships, etc.  I think I am going to teach this novel during April--National Poetry Month because this book is full of figurative language.

Bauer's website has some great resources including a teaching guide (click HERE) and a much thorough outline of a novel teaching plan (click HERE).