Book Recommendation: Call Me Hope by Gretchen Olson
I'd like to recommend "Call Me Hope," a middle grade novel (5th-8th grade). The story follows 11-year-old Hope Elliot as she begins her sixth grade year excited for the annual spring Outdoor School. But life begins to unravel as she struggles to live under the pressure of her verbally abusive mother. With increasing strain of her mother's abuse, Hope creates a secret haven and finds comfort from Holocaust stories, especially "Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl." The book has received numerous awards including the Kentucky Blue Grass Award, voted favorite book by 6th-8th grade readers in the state. School Library Journal says, "...a compelling and rewarding read." Publisher's Weekly says, "Children who can identify with Hope's predicament will find solace in this book as well as tips for survival, listed by Hope in the final chapter." (Personal note: I feel a little funny recommending my own book, but I have just discovered "A Mighty Girl," and I've fallen in love with it. I'm a huge believer in supporting girls as they move through their young lives. I'm a member of Soroptimist International whose mission is "improving the lives of women and girls." A portion of "Call Me Hope" revenue goes to the fantastic Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Project, an international program to end abuse and violence. The program has endorsed "Call Me Hope," and the "Hands Pledge" is in the book, "I will not use my hands or my words for hurting myself or others." Check out www.handsproject.org Thanks for your vote!!!