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Description edit
When 16-year-old Hope, waitress extraordinaire, moves cross-country to Wisconsin with her aunt Addie to run the Welcome Stairways Diner, Hope isn't sure she'll fit in. But she quickly finds herself involved in the small town's mayoral race, as G.T., owner of the diner, surprises everyone with... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Hope Yancey: 16-year-old main character, born Tulip Yancey. Smart, quick, energetic, and full of feeling. She's worked in diners her whole life, and as a waitress since age 14. Her mother abandoned her as a baby to the care of Hope's aunt, Addie. She doesn't regret her past, but she wants her mother to accept her and to be able to find a father. Has moved several times with Addie. Stands up for what she believes. Changed her name to Hope, because she thought there should be more of is in the world. Loves to help spread hope, living up to her name.
- Addie: Hope's Aunt, who has been a mother to her since birth. She's caring and understanding and knows how to cook comfort food like no one else in the continental U.S.
- Braverman: Short order cook at the Welcome Stairs Diner. Has little sisters that he takes care of. Braverman is not his real name.
- G.T. Stoop: Proprietor of the Welcome Stair Diner and mayoral candidate. A very religious Quaker who tackles problems and challenges straight on, even if the challenge is running for mayor right after being diagnosed with leukemia. A great man, honest, caring, generous, and able to stand on his own two feet.
- Eli Millstone: Present Mayor of Mulhoney, Wisconsin. He's corrupt, mercenary, and selfish, and goes to unimaginable lengths to get G.T. off the mayoral ticket.
- Flo: A friendly black woman who works as a waitress at the Welcome Stairs Diner.
- Lou Ellen: A redheaded waitress at Welcome Stairs who's a single mom with a tiny special needs baby. She seems snappy at first, but she's really just worried for her future.
- Deena: Hope's mother, also a waitress. She's only visited Hope three times. Named Hope Tulip, and will only call her Tulip. Gives Hope great waitressing tips.
- Adam Pulver: Boy whose uncle wants to help with G.T. Stoop's campaign for mayor. Adam supports Stoop and tries his hardest to help Stoop to a victory. Friends with Braveman.
- Anastacia: Daughter of Lou Ellen. Only a few months old, but she has developmental problems and has a very difficult time doing things that should be fairly simple.
- Yuri: Bus boy at Welcome Stairways. Russian, but wants to become an American citizen. Also supports G.T. Stoop's candidacy, but can not vote because he is not a citizen.
- Brenda Babcock: Police officer that is good friends with G.T. Stoop and always wants to do her best to bring peace and justice to the city of Mulhoney. Is a great cop, but sometimes her judgments get interrupted and corrupted by the actual sheriff
- Gleason Beal: Owner of a diner that Hope had previously worked at. Hope and Addie's boss. He then stole the money from the diner and ran off with a married woman, forcing the diner out of buisness and Addie and Hope out of a job.
- Al B. Hall: Pastor of the Evangelical church. Friends with G.T. Stoop and supportive of his campaign.
- Harrison: LB
- Addie: Hope's firy adoptive mom, who also happens to be her birthaunt, and a great chef.
- Cecelia Culpepper: Add a description of this character.
- Brice
- Sid Vole
- Greebs
- Mr. Sage
Quotes edit
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“"You know what I like most about waitressing? When I'm doing it, I'm not thinking that much about myself. I'm thinking about other people. I'm learning again and again what it takes to make a difference in other people's lives."”
Hope Yancey -
“I'm a zebra without stripes--but you know me”
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“"If you stick that anger behind you, one day you're going to turn around and find it's gone."”
G.T.Stoop
First Sentence edit
Somehow I knew my time had come when Bambi Barnes tore her order book into little pieces, hurled it in the air like confetti, and got fired from the Rainbow Diner in Pensacola right in the middle of lunchtime rush.
Themes & Symbolism edit
- Standing Up For What You Belive In: Throughout this book, hoards of people or standing up and speaking out again Eli Millstone's decisions for the town of Mulhoney. They're doing it all for the mayoral candidate G.T. Stoop, who may have leukemia, but is kind, honest, generous, and knows what people want.
Series & Lists edit
This book is in Newbery Honor Roll. (community list)
This book is in Young Adult. (community list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Joan Bauer (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Putnam
Country: USA
Publication Date: 2000
ISBN: 0399231420
Page Count: 186
Publisher: Putnam
Country: USA
Publication Date: 2000
ISBN: 0399231420
Page Count: 186
Awards edit
- Newbery Honor Book (2001)
- Texas Lone Star Reading List (2002)
Subjects edit
- Books › Children's Books › People & Places › Social Situations › Emotions & Feelings › Fiction
- Books › Teens › Authors, A-Z › ( B ) › Bauer, Joan
- Books › Children's Books › People & Places › Family Life › New Experiences
- Books › Children's Books › People & Places › Girls & Women › Fiction
- Books › Children's Books › People & Places › Social Issues › New Experiences
- Books › Teens › Social Issues › Being a Teen
- Books › Children's Books › Issues
- Books › Teens › Literature & Fiction
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