For teens facing immense pressure and unexpected family challenges, this story explores navigating tough choices, honesty, and forging new connections amidst uncertainty.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is buckling under the pressure of high expectations and grappling with family uncertainty. It centers on Gwen, a talented cellist whose life is upended when her grandfather and guardian vanishes just before her crucial music school auditions in New York City. The story gently explores heavy themes of anxiety, the weight of secrets, and what it means to be honest with yourself and others. It is an ideal read for teens 13 and up, offering a quiet, character driven mystery that values emotional resilience and the power of new friendships. It’s a story about redefining hope when life doesn't go according to plan.
A sweet, gentle romance develops between the main characters, including holding hands and a kiss.
Sensitive Topics
The central sensitive topic is the terminal illness of a beloved guardian. The grandfather's cancer diagnosis is revealed late in the book. The approach is direct, secular, and focuses on the character's choice to control his own end of life journey. The resolution is not about a cure, but about understanding, acceptance, and love. It's realistic and poignant, but ultimately hopeful as Gwen finds a new support system in Robert and her great-uncle.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful teen, 14-17, who is feeling overwhelmed by performance pressure (in arts, academics, or sports) and appreciates character-driven stories. It's particularly resonant for a teen who has a close bond with a grandparent or is beginning to grapple with the realities of illness and loss in their family.
Parent Prep
A parent should be prepared for the story's shift from a simple mystery to a sensitive exploration of terminal illness. The reveal of the grandfather's cancer and his choice to forgo traditional treatment is a key part of the climax (around page 140). The book can be read cold, but this context is helpful for guiding conversation. A parent hears their teen express feelings of being overwhelmed, saying something like "It's all too much," or notices them struggling to balance high-stakes goals with a challenging family situation they are reluctant to discuss.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely focus on the mystery, the budding romance, and the adventure of two teens alone in New York City. An older teen (15-17) will connect more deeply with the internal pressures Gwen faces, the complexity of her grandfather's decision, and the bittersweet nature of growing up and redefining family.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA mysteries focused on crime, this is a quiet, emotional mystery rooted in a family's love and secrets. It uniquely combines the high-pressure world of classical music with a tender, realistic look at how a family navigates a terminal illness diagnosis. The focus is on emotional truth rather than solving a puzzle.
Read plot summary
Seventeen-year-old cellist Gwen is in New York City to audition for top music schools. Her guardian and grandfather, who was meant to accompany her, disappears, leaving only a cryptic phone message. While juggling intense practice, lying to a demanding great-uncle, and navigating the city, she befriends Robert, another musician auditioning. Together they uncover a painful family secret: her grandfather has terminal cancer and has secretly left to pursue alternative, end-of-life care on his own terms.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Gwen's grandfather chose to hide his illness from her. Why do you think he made that choice? Do you think it was the right decision for Gwen?
2
Throughout the book, Gwen has to lie to her great-uncle about her grandfather's whereabouts. Do you feel her lies were justified? When is it okay to not tell the truth?
3
How did Gwen's friendship with Robert help her cope not just with her grandfather's absence, but also with the pressure of her auditions?
4
The title is 'Things Hoped For'. What did Gwen hope for at the beginning of the book, and how had her hopes changed by the end?
