Hope's Journey [Paperback]

Stephanie Worlton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 14, 2011

Sydney is a straight-A student heading to college on a scholarship, and Alex is a quiet jock preparing to serve an LDS mission. But their dreams are shattered on the eve of their high school graduation when they find out that Sydney is pregnant. Separated, they must both trust in God as they search for the worth they once found in each other.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Bonneville (July 14, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599555069
• ISBN-13: 978-1599555065
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,843,612 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephanie Connelley Worlton was raised in the suburbs of Salt Lake City, Utah where she developed a love for the arts. She has spent years of service volunteering with the youth in her community - an opportunity that has led her to develop a deep love and fascination for our rising generation. "Hope's Journey", her first publicized work, was inspired by her interactions with youth as well as her own personal experience as a young mother. It has received much acclaim for tackling a difficult subject with grace and tact.

Whether it's in her contemporary fiction or LDS based non-fiction, Stephanie's interaction with the youth influences most of her writing. She has been blessed to be a stay at home mom to her four children, many of whom share her artistic tendencies. She spends her days designing, building, painting, drawing, landscaping, and snuggling with her dogs

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for teenagers and parents August 1, 2011

By T. Jensen

Format:Paperback

This book is a heart-felt depiction of the author's real-life journey. It had such a positive message about dicovering your own self worth, rather than depending on validation from others. Such an important priciple for teenagers to understand at this critical time in their lives. My heart just ached for the struggles and range of emotions that both charachers went through. It was a very well written and captivating book - I would reccomend it to all of my friends. My teenage daughter really enjoyed it too and it gave her such a great perspective that will help guide her decisions in life.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Real and Reflective July 29, 2011

By Natalie Wold

Format:Paperback

This book is an easy read although the subject itself is quite deep. The author's description is very accurate. The story is presented from both sides, with the two main characters narrating alternate chapters. I was glad for this, as I would have greatly disliked one of them and drawn my own judgments. It tells of a girl, about to finish high school, with great grades and a bright future and how that can all change on a dime. I liked this book because it addressed the feelings involved when a mistake is visible and the way others act around it. It caused me to be reflective on my own actions and thoughts. The author took time to describe the characters so well that I had my own favorite friends. I could actually picture myself hanging out with these guys. It helped my awareness of my own actions around teens and youth especially.

My only complaint, I wish the book hadn't ended when it did, I wanted to read more.
I would love to see a follow up. The next few years.
This book is clean and appropriate for anyone, teen aged and up.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Heartfelt and True--- A Must Read! July 24, 2011

By MayGirl

Format:Paperback

This is unlike any book I've ever read. It was very well written and I enjoyed reading it but what made it different from other books is that is was so real and enlightening to the true feelings of individuals in similar situations. The author really pin points the emotions that teenage and young adult girls go through concerning the need to feel loved and wanted during those critical years. The author also explores the feelings that boys experience during these life-altering years. I loved how the author described the journey of the young girl and boy discovering who they were to God and how precious each individual is to Him. It is definitely not what I expected it to be but it was so much better because of the raw emotions and truthfulness of it all. I recommend it for anyone at any age. It is truly a lovely coming-of-age story!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your typical LDS book May 27, 2012

By Jay Monson

Format:Paperback

A friend told me about this. I find it refreshing to see a LDS book that actually addresses real stuff that happens in life. Rather than glossing over the reality of life. Glad to see a publishing company taking a chance.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth I want my daughter to know January 18, 2012

By Sherylynn

Format:Paperback

Finally some truth about the lives of LDS teens. I have struggled to teach my teenagers how easy it is to fall into sins of morality. To have them understand the great difficulty they will have if they do. This book lays it all out for them to see while keeping it P.G. The way the author describes the feelings of the main characters is just what I wanted my teenagers to feel and understand. The author has a great way of communicating those feelings in way we all can understand and relate to. Also, it is such a great story and is told in such an interesting way that it held my teenagers (and my) attention. In fact we wanted to read more. Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Now my kids know.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope's Journey October 27, 2011

By MaryAnn Dennis

Format:Paperback

blurb--"The seemingly perfect worlds of Sydney and Alex, high school sweethearts on the brink of graduation come crashing down around them when they learn that Sydney is pregnant. They face separate journeys of self-discovery and loneliness as they try to rebuild their individual lives and shattered dreams."

It's not just another YA romance. Sydney is a straight A student and very active in the LDS faith. Alex plans to serve an LDS mission.

At the beginning, I thought this would be a difficult read, but the author's words flow seamlessly, almost effortlessly. That is the sign of a great author--one who makes writing appear effortless.

It's not just that this is well written. This book has great potential for vast amounts of good. I think it helps us see people and situations more the way the Savior sees them.

The characters are very well developed. I related to them on two different levels.

First, it took me back to age 17, dating my first boyfriend. Although thankful we didn't cross that line--this story could've been ours just as easily.

Second, I related as a Young Women's leader. How do I help the self esteem of a Young Woman convinced that she is worthless. One particular Young Woman came to mind--a friend of my daughter. I prayed over her, talked with her, and treated her as one of my own, but she was in denial. Instead of getting to the root of the problem, her mother provided birth control. I will never know if she was able to pull out of that tailspin.

This I do know, if she'd had the chance to read Hope's Journey, I think it would've made a big difference in her life. In fact, I think every young woman of dating age, and every young man who has a girlfriend should read this book....

The author does a wonderful job dispelling the stereotype. Many good LDS kids find themselves in this situation. They're not necessarily bad kids, but normal mistake makers like the rest of us.

The author also does a great job portraying the honest emotions of both sides. Although I often found myself thinking Alex was a selfish jerk, I couldn't help but admire the courage it took to be so open and honest. Yes, Alex is fictional, but his reactions are very common in the real world.

SPOILER ALERT: My only concern is the ending. While the author acknowledges that Syd's answer is not going to be everyone else's answer, I fear that kids who read this will rationalize that things should work out this way for them without putting their own effort into finding their own answers. From my experience as a labor and deliviery nurse, Syd's answer is not typical--it's more the exception. Kids get the impression of the "happily-ever-after" ending rather than the "beginning-of-work-and-compromise-for-the-rest-of-your-life" sort of ending. The author does provide sound advice and discussion questions at the end. For me I woould've liked to read one more chapter about the work and struggle of the next several years.

Read this with your kids so they don't miss the whole point of this book. No matter how the story ends for each individual, the message of hope is the same. If you take the steps of repentance in faith, Heavenly Father and the Savior's atonement provide that hope and all of the little details will work out, regardless of those details.

Overall, this book is a definite must read for teenagers in general, but especially for those who find themselves in this position, and their parents, because it truly does bring Hope. Read more ›