Hank Hooperman is no mistake. In fact he’s the best character in middle grade contemporary novels this year. His story is one you will never forget.

Hank’s first person voice is spot on for an 11-year-old. He’s been left home unsupervised with his little sister Boo for a week after their mom left and never returned. Hank will do anything to be the best big brother for the little sister he adores.

The first thing he finds is the name of an emergency contact. They take the bus to visit this person. Turns out Lou Ann Adler was friends with Hank’s Grandma Mae who previously passed away. Lou Ann takes the two kids into her home and the roller coaster of emotions never lets up through 61 short chapters.

Life certainly has taken a bad turn for Hank, but his natural good nature and helpfulness will hopefully convince Mrs. Adler let to let both stay until their mom comes back. At first it works. He makes friends with Ray, an old neighbor who shares Hank’s love of basketball and enrolls in a neighborhood school.

Not more can be said about the plot without revealing spoilers. Each step of the journey is engaging and believable. The ending was perfect and real. It’s a hard story to put down as you can’t wait to get back to the heart tugging scenes, hoping like Hank for a miracle.

THE TENTH MISTAKE OF HANK HOOPERMAN is a powerful read for all.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: June 11, 2024 PAGE COUNT: 320

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE TENTH MISTAKE OF HANK HOOPERMAN

1. There were no school bullies. Hank’s diverse set of new classmates were supportive without knowing his true situation.
2. The heartwarming relationship Hank and his 3-year-old sister have will make you smile. They are lucky to have each other. The tough decisions he makes are almost always with little Boo as the reason.
3. Hank does make mistakes and the last one is the most hurtful. His reasons though are ones young readers will sit solidly on Hank’s side since it is about the most important person in his life: Mom.
4. Everyone deserves a person like Ray in their life. He’s a listener and helps Hank through this difficult time.
5. You get a good introduction as to how the foster care system works. It’s so needed but full of raw emotions for the affected kids and adults.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Gennifer Choldenko

With more than 2 and a half million books sold, Choldenko’s best known Tales from Alcatraz series, has been called “A cornerstone series in contemporary children’s literature.” Al Capone Does My Shirts — the first book in the series — was a Newbery Honor Book and the recipient of twenty other awards. All four books in the series were Junior Library Guild selections and garnered many starred reviews. Gennifer’s newest novel: The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman was released in June. Booklist wrote in a starred review, “From the first line of Hank‘s engaging first-person narrative to the last, he comes across as a reliable, sensible boy who is aware that his options are few and is determined to make the right choices. Choldenko speaks from the heart in this compelling story of Hank and Boo’s found family.” Gennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her loyal husband and naughty dog.

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