Book Review -- "Hope and Other Punch Lines" by Julie Buxbaum

When I reflect back upon the day of the September 11th attacks, my first memory is always of how disappointingly uneducated I was when it came to matters of the world around me. 

September 11, 2001, was the first day of my Block 3 student teaching, which was a fact that had nearly paralyzed me with panic just the evening before.  I had always known I wanted to be a teacher, but when it came down to standing before a class of middle school students and attempting to be the adult in the room -- I just didn't feel qualified yet.  And let's be honest, I most certainly was not.

So when I woke up the morning of 9/11 and was gearing up for this next step in my quest to be a teacher, it never occurred to me that what was going on in the world news was anything I should concern myself with.  Even when I arrived at my assigned middle school, only to find everyone in a bit of a tizz and turning on every television in sight, I still didn't fully comprehend what was happening.

When I look back on that day, and in the days that followed, I'm still not even sure I understood the gravity of what was unfolding in that beautiful city, and in our nation as a whole.  Sure I blared the Toby Keith and Alan Jackson songs, and sang along to them like a true patriot, but I think it was only years later, and with much maturity later, that I could finally wrap my mind around the events of that day.

It's so interesting to me now that the subject of 9/11 has been a trending backdrop for many YA novels recently.  While most have been books that just did not pique my interest, I found myself picking Hope and Other Punch Lines up multiple times.  For one, I was so drawn to this beautiful cover.  And for another, I found the plot to be a unique perspective on an event that most of us can only envision through photographs.  In the end, I read this book in just a few short days, and found it to be a charming and captivating story about the effects of 9/11 on two teenagers' lives, as well as the lives of those around them.

Readers who like realistic young adult fiction will certainly love this one.  It is the perfect mix of friendship, humor, and a little bit of romance.  💕

Hope and Other Punch Lines
 by Julie Buxbaum

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

"There's no way that in less than twenty-four hours you could make out with a cool girl, find out your dad, who you thought was alive all these years, is definitely, a hundred percent dead and like this major hero, and then have your almost-first girlfriend die, who also happens to be, like, this national icon.  That would be too ridiculous, even for you, Noah." 

"You know what I think? I think the reason high school sucks is because it feels too small.  Like a too-tight turtleneck.  And even if you are brave enough to molt, there's all these people around you still, like, holding up and showing you your old skin."

Abbi Hope Goldstein is just a typical sixteen-year-old girl.  Except not at all.  She is also known as "Baby Hope," a fact she tries desperately to hide from those few who don't already know.  While Abbi craves anonymity, the world around her can't seem to let go of what her past, and what Baby Hope in particular, symbolize to them.

On that fateful day of September 11, a photographer managed to capture an image of Baby Hope and others who were fleeing the mayhem behind them.  To many, the photo came to embody hope, particularly because of the sweet baby girl wearing a birthday crown and holding a red balloon, completely unfazed by the horror raging around her.  To others, the photo, and thus Abbi herself, represent unfathomable loss and heartache.

When Abbi decides to spend her summer at Knight's Day Camp, presumably with people who are clueless as to her identity as "Baby Hope," she finds friendship in unexpected ways.  Her relationship with aspiring comedian Noah Stern, in particular, is one she never saw coming.

While much of the story has to do with the tragedy of 9/11, of course, this is not a dark and depressing read.  Just looking at the beautiful cover alone should tell any reader that much.  There is a lot of humor woven into the story, and the characters are absolutely delightful.  I would recommend this to any reader who enjoys realistic fiction.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

Want to read along with me?  Here are the next few books I'm looking forward to reading!

1.  "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" by Maria Semple -- I think I'm a little late in jumping on the Bernadette bandwagon, but after seeing this book in our book fair this past week, I knew it was time I gave it a whirl.  It has been dubbed an "aspiring comedy," which there just isn't enough of in life.

2.  "Dear Evan Hansen" by Val Emmich -- I heard a review of this book at my librarian's conference this Spring, and was very intrigued.  It is a Broadway musical that has been adapted into novel form.  Not only that, but Universal Pictures has purchased the rights to make a film version of this, which is always promising!

3.  "Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose" by Rebekah Lyons -- I saw Rebekah speak at a Lifeway women's conference in Nashville years ago, and she made a lasting impression on me, to say the least.  I began listening to her podcast in August, and she just has the most soothing voice and the most special message for women who live busy lives.  I can't wait to dive into this one.  Bonus -- the book is absolutely beautiful!
4.  "Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster" by Adam Higginbotham -- Okay, so I may be way in over my head on this one.  For whatever reason, I have picked this book up several times in the last six months, but have never dove into it.  When I saw that it was likely going to be the November Book Club for Introverts book, I threw it onto my November TBR pile as quickly as I could!

I'd love for you to comment below with any book recommendations you might like to throw my way!  While my TBR (To Be Read) pile is mile-high, there is ALWAYS room for more!  HAPPY READING!