Winner of the Newbery Honor Medal

When sixteen-year-old Hope and the aunt who raised her move from Brooklyn to small-town Wisconsin to take over the local diner, Hope's not sure what to expect. But what they find is that the owner, G. T., isn't quite ready to give up yet—in fact, he's decided to run for mayor against a corrupt candidate. And as Hope starts to make her place at the diner, she also finds herself caught up in G. T.'s campaign—particularly his visions for the future. After all, as he points out, everyone can use a little hope to help get through the tough times . . . even Hope herself.

Filled with heart, charm, and good old-fashioned fun, this is Joan Bauer at her best.

"Readers will recognize many of Bauer's hallmarks here: a strong female protagonist on the road to self-discovery, quirky characters, dysfunctional families, a swiftly moving story, and moments of bright humor. Her vivid prose, often rich in metaphor, brings Hope's surroundings and her emotions to life."—Publishers Weekly