Gretchen Olson

In Oregon, eleven-year-old Hope copes with her mother's verbal abuse by devising survival strategies for herself based on Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, and finds an unexpected support system that helps her to finally confront her mother.

Call Me Hope

never felt so angry while reading a book until u

Mahalia Lockhart 

** spoiler alert **
           Call Me Hope by Gretchen Olson is such an amazing book that I recommend everyone should read it. This is actually my second time reading this and I was a lot more emotional this time that last time. When Hope said "I just want to be loved. ", THAT. That shattered me because a child should never have to question if their parents love them. Their actions would show them that if their parents care about them and love them and I believe because of her Mother's abusive words and negative body language, really made Hope feel otherwise which is not okay. 
The characters were excellent especially Ruthie and Anita. I would kill to have friends like them or have a friendship like theirs. Even Hope's mom known as DD was written well as Olson brought to light the harsh reality of verbal abuse which many people don't discuss. Mrs. Nelson, Tyler, Mr. Hudson, Gabriela Feliciano and Brody were wonderful as well and all played their parts in helping Hope in her situation. Despite my 5 star rating, my only critique is that I wish Mrs. Nelson educated the students about abuse early on instead of waiting till grade 6 to finally let them know that it has a name and it's not right.
Abuse is always a touchy subject that people tend to walk on rocks about, but I think it's time that we talked about it the way that Olson did. Because if we don't, we'll just be saying that it's okay and it's right when it's everything but. In the world's of Matilda the Musical, 🎶Just because you find that life's not fair, it doesn't mean that you just have to grin and bear it. If you take it on the chin and wear it, nothing will change. Even if you're little you can do a lot you mustn't let a little thing like 'little' stop you. If you sit around and let them get on top, you might as well be saying you think that it's OK and that's not right. And if it's not right, you have to put it right!!🎶 P.S.The lyrics are from the song- Naughty
I know that's random, but while writing this whole essay, it popped into my head and it makes me wonder. Would Hope and Matilda good friends because they had verbally abusive parents and tried to take matters in their own hands? I think Hope and Matilda would be amazing friends, wouldn't you think?

Nicole de Guzman

Talia Dominguez 

Now with a new cover! A heartwrenching and poignant novel about a young girl dealing with verbal abuse perfect for fans of Wendy Mass. Hope Elliot is struggling to live under the pressures of her verbally abusive mother. But instead of running away, precocious Hope chooses resilience instead, and creates survival strategies for herself. Her strategies include: a support team that includes the employees of a used clothing store, the smartest kid in the sixth grade, her older brother; and a point system to help deal with her mom. Will Hope find a way to confront her mother and help things change for the better?

Call Me Hope

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