The Hope of Elephants

What a heartfelt story about Cass and her family coping with her dad’s cancer. Cass remembers dad telling her “there’s something good in every situation.” When her dad’s cancer returns, she finds out there’s a 50% chance of her inheriting the same gene mutation. Cass and her dad have an annual tradition of attending the World Series, and she’s worried it won’t happen this year. She reminds herself, “life is hopes, dreams…and miracles.” She comes up with an idea for them to attend. Will it happen? Will dad be still around for it to happen?

This book is a collection of poems that tells a compelling and important story. The presentation of each of the poems enhanced the narrative and made it more dynamic revealing the complexity of relationships and the subject matter covered. Although the story is heart-wrenching, the book is incredibly enjoyable.

I haven’t read many books in verse, but this was so great!!! This story was so touching with how it handled and addressed a terminal illness, but left me wanting so much more at the end.

The Hope of Elephants is a beautiful middle grade novel in verse. It's an important story the explores the effects of terminal illness on a family and how children must learn to cope and adapt and try to carve out some happiness for themselves. I was somewhat surprised by the prominent role that religion plays in the novel and typically middle grade novels tend to shy away from this, but I think this is something that many readers will be able to relate to. Cass must navigate some difficult decisions like to play on the team and risk bringing home germs or not, whether to to give up on the World Series or not, and most importantly whether to have a gene test or not. The repetitive nature of Cass's list of pros and cons makes it clear how much this last decision weighs on her because the stakes are so high. I found myself rooting for Cass and unable to put this novel down.

Cass's dad has been dealing with cancer for almost a decade. At his most recent trip to the hospital, she overhears the doctor's saying that Cass might have the gene that could make her get cancer over and over again, too. She struggles between being supportive of her dad, trying to decide if she should get the test, and being a good friend. As she sees what her dad is going through, it makes it harder for her to decide whether or not to get the test.

I thought this was such an interesting perspective to take for a book. There are several books with kids dealing with cancer in their family, and a few who are dealing with it themselves. But this book is unique in how it presents the option for a young person to find out whether or not they're more susceptible to cancer. The power of knowing is sometimes a burden.

A heart-wrenching middle grade story in verse about a family facing cancer over and over again due to a genetic mutation. The characters feel authentic and the protagonist's struggles will be very relatable to young readers. Have tissues handy while reading!

May you always find hope. May you always find life in the little moments. When you are feeling split in two, remember that you are still just one and your life is worth living.

Cass and her family never know when the dreaded C word will take a seat at their table again. Her father just can't seem to go very long without cancer landing back into their lives and taking over. From the treatments to all of the disinfecting, Cass's life turns upside down and sideways whenever her dad is diagnosed with a new form of the disease. Baseball and her friends are the only things she has that are a steady force in her life until she meets Hazel, an elephant at the zoo who shares a secret with Cass.
Amanda Rawson Hill brings a very tough topic to the forefront for middle grade readers in this beautiful novel told in poetry. It will be a great resource for kids going through a tough time like Cass or for kids going through any sort of struggle. Rawson Hill captures Cass as a real 12 year old, not simply a character in a book.

The Hope of Elephants by Amanda Rawson Hill
I’m kind of a sucker for a sad book but I’m also kind of a sucker for elephants. I’ve always loved them so when I spotted this book on Netgalley and then recognized the author as a Twitter pal I decided I needed to read it. Well it absolutely didn’t disappoint in the sad category or the elephant one.
My favorite thing about this story is the back and forth with the decision that Cass has to make. I think moral dilemmas like this make for fascinating stories and it really exercises a kid’s brain to puzzle them out. I call it “difficulty of concept” and I really believe books should get rated on this instead of readability scores. A book that has a difficult concept, where the answers aren’t black and white, does more for a young reader than a book with complex vocabulary. (Fwiw, this book is rife with rich vocabulary too!)
I think Amanda does a splendid job showing readers how a big decision can be both right and wrong, depending on the circumstances.
Cancer and religious faith play a big role in this book. I would make sure that cancer is not too much of a trigger for youngsters before you hand it to them, but there are some really authentic and real bits that could be comforting and maybe cathartic for kids who know this path. And I think we shy away from books that mention Christian faith because it seems like a voice that doesn’t need help being heard, but so many kids walk this life, to ignore it completely feels weird too. I love that the family’s faith was strong without being oppressive and that they were free to question it without judgement.
Finally, the verse here is breathtaking. I love how other poets and novels are woven throughout, anchoring this story. This story in prose would’ve been too much, too hard. It’s still a lot and really hard but the verse gives you space to fill in the unsaid bits with your own experiences and emotion which makes it more personal but somehow less hard…don’t ask me how that works because I have no idea.
I really loved this book and I’ll be putting a copy on my shelf right between Tuck Everlasting and The One And Only Ivan…feels like a great spot for a paper elephant enthusiast with a big decision to make!

“The Hope of Elephants” 🐘 ⚾️ is a middle grade novel by Amanda Rawson Hill which is due to be released September 6, 2022.

“The Hope of Elephants” is a realistic fiction novel about family. The story is told by Cass. Cass loves baseball, her friends, an elephant at the zoo named Hazel, and her friends. She loves her parents. Her dad has been battling cancer most of Cass’s life. Different cancers. And the cancer is back. A tradition the family has is going to the World Series. Cass desperately doesn’t want to give up this tradition. And she struggles with a decision about her own future.

This was a book I started and did not put down until I finished. It is just beautifully written. Emotional. Powerful.

Cass is no stranger to hospitals and cancer treatments. Her dad battles cancer every other year of her life. Through support groups, friendships, and baseball, she finds a way to cope. However this time around, it's different. She faces tough decisions about how this disease impacts her present (baseball practice), the near future (attend World Series), or adulthood (genetics). This stunning novel in verse is a treasure. From the lyrical language to the raw emotion, readers will not want to put this book down. This book will have readers reflecting on their own families and friendships, taking them deep into Cass' emotional arc. Most of all, this book instills hope––something we all need more of in our lives. Those who love sports books, characters with agency, novels in verse, and family stories will gravitate towards The Hope of Elephants.

If you had a chance to know whether or not you were predisposed to a fatal disease, would you choose to find out?

The Hope of Elephants by Amanda Rawson Hill is a middle grade novel in verse that takes on some tough topics.

Cass is a twelve year old girl with a dark cloud over her home. Her father has gone through multiple bouts of cancer. This time, when he is diagnosed again, he learns that he is so susceptible due to a faulty gene. What's worse is that there is a 50% chance that Cass also has that faulty gene.

As her father takes a turn for the worse, she is left to decide if it would be better or worse to know. I recently lost a close friend to cancer and it did make this book hit harder than I expected, especially since she also had a genetic disposition for it.

I'm the type that I would absolutely want to know, but watching the young protagonist struggle through her decisions and find hope in the darkness around her was heartbreaking.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and @netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Hope of Elephants is a beautiful middle grade novel in verse. It's an important story the explores the effects of terminal illness on a family and how children must learn to cope and adapt and try to carve out some happiness for themselves. I was somewhat surprised by the prominent role that religion plays in the novel and typically middle grade novels tend to shy away from this, but I think this is something that many readers will be able to relate to. Cass must navigate some difficult decisions like to play on the team and risk bringing home germs or not, whether to to give up on the World Series or not, and most importantly whether to have a gene test or not. The repetitive nature of Cass's list of pros and cons makes it clear how much this last decision weighs on her because the stakes are so high. I found myself rooting for Cass and unable to put this novel down.

My thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the advanced reader copy.

Author Amanda Rawson Hill quickly introduces cancer itself as a major character in this verse novel, an unwelcome but frequent visitor to 12 year old Cass' family. This time feels different, scarier and more deadly. When Cass overhears doctors talking with her parents, she discovers her dad lacks a cancer-fighting gene - and the condition is hereditary, meaning she may or may not be susceptible to recurring bouts with cancer herself. She can be tested to find out, but should she take the test?

Cass spends much of the story grappling with this impossible decision while trying to get her dad to one last World Series. Author Hill takes the reader on Cass' decision-making process through often gut-wrenching but always gorgeous verse. <i>The Hope of Elephants</i> is an honest look at how cancer can both disrupt and fortify a family.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this novel in verse.

The Hope of Elephants is a truly lovely novel in verse that does an amazing job capturing the pain of a family struggling with cancer treatments, unknown genetic destiny, and a love of baseball. This book is sure to be a staple in many school and classroom libraries.

Thank you to Amanda Rawson Hill, Charlesbridge Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow. Wow. Wow. I mean, what an incredibly powerful story. The emotion, very raw emotion, was so real. I truly felt like I was experiencing cancer through a 10-12 year olds eyes.

The writing was phenomenal. The verses went from heavy and gut-wrenching to light and playful. Hill seriously took you on that emotional rollercoaster that is a preteen.

I was hooked from the very beginning and the authors note, I have no words. Thank you, Amanda Rawson Hill for so beautifully sharing your family’s story with us. I know this will impact people for years to come on another level.

I’m honestly not a huge fan of sad stories, but this one, I will be suggesting this one to my students, friends and family as soon as it comes out in September.

A powerful middle grade novel which will be a popular choice for book clubs and discussion groups. Readers will empathize with the weighty decision Cass must face and the impact of her father's illness on her ability to live the life of a "normal" teenager. There is so much meaty content here-- friendship, acceptance of differences, appreciation of animals, religion, and devastating illness. The love of baseball ties many of these themes together and this, along with the novel-in-verse style, helps to make it an accessible read. Hopeful and thought=provoking; this one is a winner.

Beautiful. Heartfelt. Never has a book tore my heart apart, stitched it back together, tore it apart again, filled it with love, over and over. The Hope of Elephants is truly a masterpiece.

A sweet story of growing up and facing the world. Heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. I read this one entirely in one sitting.

Once I started The Hope of Elephants, I couldn't stop. A powerful voice, a realistic depiction of life with cancer, but also hope, friendship, and love. Highly recommended.

A beautiful story of Cass' family and their encounter with her dad's recurrent cancer. Her family's faith is woven into the poetry without overwhelming the story, it feels very natural and appropriate. The way that the author shares Cass' worries about her father and her own fate with this mutated gene feels true to life.

The Hope of Elephants is a profound, beautiful story. Cass is navigating a lot of challenges, but she's afraid of sharing those challenges with others. Her dad is fighting cancer, and she is seeking hope and understanding in many areas of her life. She and her friends come together to solve some problems and help carry the weight of suffering and navigating the unknown.

I love this so much. It's sad but heartwarming at the same time. It talks about family, friends, and cancer that have always been there in Cass' life. One day, she learned that she could be inherited the same path as her Dad because of the gene in his Dad's body. Cass is very mature because of what happened in her life at a young age, and this news makes her wiser. I suggest you pick this book up to see the relations between Cass and elephants and baseball.

Thank you, NetGalley and Charlesbridge for providing me this eARC!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

I am admittedly for stingy with 5-star reviews, this is just my 12th one in 2022 (and I've read more than 100 books), but this was a well deserved 5-star read. I really enjoy verse novels, and particularly enjoyed that aspect of this book as the author made full use of the style and played with the space well on the page.

Notes: Due to the themes and content in the book, I would recommend it for upper MG readers (5th-7th grade). This book reminded me of Ten Thousand Tries (but with baseball and cancer instead of soccer and ALS).

This novel, in verse for middle graders, is a heavy one. I tend to avoid cancer books because of my triggers, but read this one anyway. Honestly, it tackled the subject and feelings of everyone involved in a family dealing with cancer that I want to give to all the kids I know preemptively. Don't miss this one.

It's hard to figure out life when your dad has cancer. Cass and her mom try to find ways to cope using routines or support groups and friendships, but fear hangs over their lives constantly. Baseball is especially important, but they may not be able to attend another World Series when her dad's treatments only seem to make him more sick. Then Cass learns she may have inherited the gene mutation that would make her vulnerable to cancer. Should she be tested to know for sure? How can a middle grader make a tough decision like that?

Written in verse, this story reveals the daily pain a family struggles with when one is terminally ill. At times it tears them apart, but then they learn how to come back together again in love and forgiveness. I do not think I have previously read a book in verse and these themes seem perfect for the style. There are many powerful and painful scenes that are beautifully described and would be helpful for a middle grader wrestling with really hard things.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This one felt very close to home. I loved the sprinkles of poetry throughout the story, the references to books I’ve loved, and the raw emotion of the book. Tears fell from my eyes several times as Cass told her story. The fact that this was based on the author’s family made me extra emotional. It was a beautifully written story of love, friendship, community coming together, hope, and facing life’s problems head on.

Beautiful and heartbreaking, yet so full of hope and life. This one is going to stick with me for a long time.

A million thank you's go out to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for allowing me access to this eARC. This book comes out next Tuesday, September 6.

I was about to skip reading this one as I have a far too large chunk of books all coming out next Tuesday but I read the description again and when I read that it's ideal for those who enjoyed Lisa Fipps' Starfish (easily one of the top 5 favorite books of my entire life), I knew I needed to put the rest of the books on hold and I'm so grateful that I did.

Lately, I've really been enjoying middle age books written in verse. Along with Starfish, I've also been greatly moved by Ellen Hopkins's forays into middle grade (What About Will and Closer to Nowhere) as well as Jacqueline Woodson's Before the Ever After. I absolutely love this style, the beauty an author is able to convey in only a line or two, the greater impact the succinctness carries, the ability to deal with a topic that might be a little too heavy for younger readers if tackled in a different format.

I truly can't believe that this is Amanda Rawson Hill's first book and I dearly hope it's not the last. I am passionate about baseball in a way I don't know I'll ever be able to describe and so some of the lines about the connection Cass and her dad are able to share over this beautiful game moved me. I loved her friendship with Jayla, how they'd punnily insert country names into their conversations, and Alex, her brother who just needs a bit more care than other kids.

I feel shook and yet put back together in a truly remarkable way. 5 stars, hands down.

So, in Amanda's own words, I will thank this book for a wonderful story, lay it down softly and move on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I hate to say this, but I really enjoyed this book. The story was so beautifully sad and heartwarming.

Can you imagine your father having cancer for most of your life? Because that’s what Cass has to deal with. But this time they get his diagnosis on her 12th birthday. She also finds out a little later on that she has a 50/50 chance of developing cancer as well. Cass just wants to continue their tradition of going to the World Series game like they have the last 7 years!

This is a wonderful story about faith, family and sticking together when times get tough.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Hope of Elephants is a novel in verse about Cass, whose dad has had cancer in all the odd years of her life. The very last day of her 11th year is no different. The cancer is back and this time they find out it’s because of a gene that her dad has that causes cancer. And Cass could have it as well, she just has to get a test to find out. But does she really want to know? Cass uses her love of baseball to help deal with her ever-changing world. When she discovers that elephants carry a lot of the cancer fighting gene, Cass bonds with the elephant at the nearby zoo. She hopes that the studies being done on the elephant’s genes will help save her dad, and possibly her own life. This is a sweet story with a very age appropriate look at grief and hope, life and death.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

This book. Oh my god.... Will I ever recover from this moment of pain and sadness?

But also this story gave me hope to be someone better, live each day better and be conscious of the moments that would stay forever.

It's a book written in verse about a Cass whose father's cancer comes back worse than before and has fifty percent chance of inheriting the particular dreaded genes that would cause the same illness.

It's the story of a family's struggle throughout this painful journey from a young child's point of view. It's so well written with all the feels and emotions.

The book is a reminder that nothing lasts forever, try to live life with gratitude and care as much as possible, let your family know they are loved and be more mindful about our days.

Such a beautiful read. I am obsessed with the author's writing! It's so good.

Thank you, Charlesbridge, for the advance reading copy.

The Hope of Elephants is an exceptional middle grade novel (written in verse), telling the story of Cass and her family, who are dealing with the return of her dad's cancer. There are so many beautiful moments captured in the book (based on the real life story of author Amanda Rawson Hill's brother-in-law). As it was once said in You've Got Mail, read this one with a box of tissues. <3

Note: I appreciated the references to the pandemic and the need to be careful of illness when you are ill or immunocompromised. As a family homeschooling with a high-risk child, I saw a lot of our own personal experiences mirrored in The Hope of Elephants.

Beautifully written in verse, I was shocked to learn how many pages the finished book is because I couldn’t put it down and read it one sitting. Writing this story in verse was the right decision - a child dealing with her father’s cancer (over and over again) can become a heavy topic, but the poetry helps to lighten the load, lets the reader fill in the spaces with their own responses.
As a cancer survivor myself, and one who carries a genetic indicator, I loved the way Amanda allowed Cass to wrestle with the decision to be tested herself for the gene that continues to threaten her dad’s life. I loved her support group friends and the way they saw and understood each other.
Cass’s determination to get her father to the World Series was relatable even for readers who don’t have a baseball connection. Holding onto traditions and rituals becomes an anchor for Cass, just as her faith is an anchor that provides hope. Recommended for kids who like tearjerkers, but note - this is not a story about death, but about making difficult choices, grieving the losses that come with cancer and illness even when it doesn’t end in death, and finding hope in unexpected places.

This was a sweet book and I really enjoyed it! The plot and characters were great and the author definitely told the tale well.

This book has all the ups and downs of a family dealing with cancer. Cass' dad has cancer and it has turned their world upside down. Cass is not allowed to go to school because she could bring home germs that could be deadly to her dad. Cass' best friend, Jayla, always talks about the places they will go. The problem Cass has with that is not knowing if she will live long enough to go to those places. She may have the same gene as her dad. Does she decide to do the test to see if she does? Read this incredible book to find out.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of The Hope of Elephants by Amanda Rawson Hill.
This is a sweet story about a girl struggling with her father's cancer and concerns for her own genetic make-up. Written in verse, this story is easy to follow. Hill uses poetic form to enhance the images depicted throughout the storyline. Cass' struggles are realistic, and the way she confronts those issues makes her character three dimensional. The author's note at the end adds verification to the story and made me want to know more about this type of cancer.

Given that this plot centers entirely on emotional struggle, on a big decision and the fear of impending loss, it is exceptionally well suited to the verse novel format. There's a fair amount going on in the book between the cancer, the changes of approaching puberty, multiple groups of friends and their interactions, but the author handles it well and doesn't really resolve any of these plots. Solid read.

This was a beautiful book! I was nervous about it being in verse; my students typically shy away from stories written in this way, but this was very well done, and was such a meaningful story. I was swept away.


I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

This novel in verse about family and making the most of your life and your time with loved ones is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. If you know a kid you loves to cry give them this one!

This book tackles serious themes and topics with compassion and heart. Beautifully written coming of age novel.

Thank you Charlesbridge and NetGalley for the ARC.

Pre-teen Cass and her family have been in a battle against her dad's cancer since she was 5 years old. Cancer has affected every aspect of Cass's life. Now that it's back again, and Cass has learned that she may have the same gene as her dad, their life spirals once more. Should Cass get the test to determine if she does indeed have the same gene? Will her dad battle through this time? And what is the connection to Hazel, the elephant in the zoo that is being studied to advance cancer research?

Beautiful writing and an inspiring story of family, friendship and so much more, including baseball. I wish every adolescent child who had a parent battling cancer could read this. This is one of the best of the year for me.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Charlesbridge Publishing for an advance digital copy of the book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. A father who suffered from cancer all his life moved me so deeply. The story in this book was so touching. I was almost brought to tears by the hard times and trials faced by Cass.

Thanks to NetGalley its writer for providing me with an advanced copy.

What a wonderful tale of how Cass and her family dealt with her father's disease. There is always good to be found, Cass recalls her father telling her. She learns that she has a 50% risk of acquiring the same DNA mutation if her father's cancer recurs. Cass worries that this year's annual custom of watching the World Series with her father won't take place. She says to herself.

3.5

5 stars and O. M. G. This novel in verse covers several topics; the love of baseball, family, being twelve, and cancer - always present cancer. Cass's father gets cancer every other year. Turns out he has a rare gene mutation. There's a chance Cass may have it as well. Should she get tested? Her mother is always spinning the positive. Her father is trying to be optimistic. Cass is feeling all the feels, plus the burden of knowing she might have the gene. Hill weaves it all together with empathy but not pity.

I really enjoyed this book and thought that it was very easily readable. I love children's sports novels for some reason, maybe it's because of the theme of family you can find in the team setting