Things Hoped For

Things Hoped For follows seventeen-year-old Gwen, a talented violinist living alone in her grandfather's New York City house while preparing for crucial music school auditions. Her grandfather has disappeared without explanation, leaving only a note, while a hostile great-uncle demands ownership of the property. Gwen meets Robert, a fellow musician in town for his own auditions, and offers him lodging in her grandfather's house. Their paths cross with a mysterious invisible figure in the city, leading Robert to reveal his own past experience with invisibility. The story centers on Gwen's pursuit of her musical dreams while navigating the pressures of her grandfather's absence, property disputes, and increasingly dangerous circumstances involving the invisible stranger. This novel explores themes of sacrifice, friendship, and the complexity of family ties, set against the backdrop of New York City's competitive classical music world.

Readers found this mystery novel engaging but less compelling than other Andrew Clements books. Young readers connected with the protagonist Gwen and her musical aspirations, while adult readers appreciated the New York City setting details. Liked: - Fast-paced plot that builds suspense - Integration of classical music themes - Authentic portrayal of teen musicians - Clean content appropriate for middle grade readers Disliked: - Confusing supernatural elements that feel out of place - Unresolved plot threads - Less developed side characters - Abrupt ending that left questions unanswered One reader noted: "The mystery keeps you guessing but the ending feels rushed and incomplete." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (48 ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 (parent reviews) Several readers mentioned this book works better when read as part of the series rather than as a standalone novel.

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🎵 This novel is part of a duology, paired with "Things Not Seen," which follows a boy who becomes invisible - both books share the character of Bobby. 📚 Andrew Clements was a former teacher who didn't begin his career as a children's novelist until age 38, yet went on to write over 80 books. 🎻 The book accurately depicts the competitive world of classical music auditions in New York City, drawing from extensive research into Juilliard's pre-college program. 🏛️ The brownstone setting in Manhattan reflects the historical architecture of New York's Upper West Side, where many musicians and artists have traditionally lived. 🏆 The novel received the Nebraska Golden Sower Award nomination and was selected for several state reading lists, recognized for its unique blend of realistic fiction and supernatural elements.