A boy called hope by Lara Williamson - Usborne

The main character of the novel “A boy called hope” is called Dan. He is eleven years old. He lives with his mother and his rather annoying teenager sister, Grace. Now Dan did have a father but for some reasons he walked away four years ago. Inside his head, he keeps a list of things he wants to come true. 

The book essentially focuses on Dan's day-to-day struggle with the loss of his father in his life. He’s desperate to stay in contact with his dad. He would love to have a relationship wtith his father but he doesn’t quite know how. He's sending letters but does not receive any answers. In chapter 2, he writes an email to his dad : "Could you send me an email telling me what you've been up to ? It would be nice if we could be pen pals. Do you think we could meet up soon ?"

At some point in the story, he knows where his dad lives and he wish he could go there, knock on the door and says hello but he does not have the courage or perhaps the audacity to do it.

What actually emerges later on, is that Dan’s dad has become a presenter on the news. So Dan can see his dad every single day on the television but still can’t talk to him.

What I liked about this book is Dan’s personality. He’s facing a tricky family situation however he always remains positive, hopeful and at times funny. I also very much like her friend Jo who is into religion and wants to be a good friend when she gives him a special medal to make Dan feel better. This is what she declares when si giving Dan a special gift : " It's for someone who needs healing. It's for someone who is carrying a secret sorrow and they need a dream to come true. It's for someone like you. "

At times, the narrator is using a light-hearted tone, especially when things are not going the way he would like them to be. There are also lots of good metaphors in this book.

This novel remind us that sometimes a little bit of hope can go a long way.