Parents' Guide to

Things Hoped For

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Teens connect over music and death. Intriguing.

Book Andrew Clements Contemporary Fiction 2006
Things Hoped For Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 1 parent review

takeatrip
takeatrip Adult
July 15, 2009
age 15+
Weirs is a way to describe it. It is very slow at the beginning and tends to be designed for girls. The end is fast, confusing and has the grandpa dead in the freezer. The girl also invites in a strange boy and an invisible, naked boy?? It was captivating and implored you to finish, however, it leaves you still asking questions at the end.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Gwen is living with her grandfather in New York so she can attend a prestigious music school and audition for top music colleges. But one day her grandfather disappears, leaving behind a cryptic message telling her to hide his disappearance and go on with her audition preparations, which she attempts to do despite her uncle hammering at the door every day, demanding to see her grandfather.

Then she meets Robert, a trumpet player also in town for auditions, who has a secret of his own. Having shared their individual secrets, together they discover one more in Gwen's basement, a secret that shatters Gwen's quiet, regular life and her ability to concentrate on auditions, yet deepens their friendship in surprising ways.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (8):

This is a great group discussion book, because Clements only hints at the central meaning of the story, a most unusual trait in a children's book. Is he talking about faith in God? Family? Friends? Oneself? Dreams? They're all here, along with many others and a cast filled with thoughtful, giving characters.

This is a sequel only in that the main character from the first book enters as a supporting player partway through, bringing along the invisibility theme, which is the least interesting plot element here. Of more interest are the details about being a gifted young musician and living in New York. But this is primarily a character- and idea-driven piece, and even when some of the plot elements don't quite make sense, the ideas are intriguingly open-ended, and the characters are warm, real, and moving.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the death that occurs in the book. What did the character hope for, and did he succeed? What is the author trying to say with the book's title?

Book Details

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