It's May 1910, and Halley's comet is going to pass through the earth's atmosphere. A lot of people are worried about what will happen when the comet comes. 13-year-old Hope and her dad have been part of a traveling circus for 5 years. Although her dad loves it, Hope longs for a real home again. When she overhears the road manger and his secretary talking about firing people, Hope thinks this is her chance to finally have a normal life. But she wants to make sure she and her dad are prepared to be fired, so with the help of her new friend Buster Keaton she starts selling "anti-comet pills". What I thought of it: My favorite character was Buster. His overall personality was really awesome. I wish there was a sequel, just so I could see more of him (and Nick). I really liked Nick (Hopes dad). This was one of the few books I've read that has female protagonist that isn't (overall) annoying. I really liked Hope actually. She was annoying a few times, though. Overall this is one of the best books I've in a while.
Selling Hope
By Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
| Interest Level | Reading Level | Reading A-Z | ATOS | Word Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 4 - 8 | Grades 3 - 6 | n/a | 5.3 | 49260 |
Selling Hope is an inventive middle grade novel about a girl who wants a normal life and how she sees Halley's Comet as her ticket out of the vaudeville circuit.
It's May 1910, and Halley's Comet is due to pass thru the Earth's atmosphere. And thirteen-year-old Hope McDaniels and her father are due to pass through their hometown of Chicago with their ragtag vaudeville troupe.
Hope wants out of vaudeville, and longs for a "normal" life -- or as normal as life can be without her mother, who died five years before. Hope sees an opportunity: She invents "anti-comet" pills to sell to the working-class customers desperate for protection. Soon, she's joined by a fellow troupe member, young Buster Keaton, and the two of them start to make good money. And just when Hope thinks she has all the answers, she has to decide: What is family? Where is home?
“[An] oft-engaging, pleasantly romantic romp through a fascinating time in America's entertainment history.” ―Kirkus Reviews