Things Hoped For [Hardcover]

Andrew Clements (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

When Gwen’s grandfather disappears from their home in New York City, he leaves a message saying not to worry—but it’s hard when Gwen has upcoming violin auditions at Julliard! But then she meets Robert, a fellow musician, and things seem to look up.

At the same time, there are other forces in motion, like the scary great uncle who keeps coming by, and the strange man Gwen sees one day when shopping. Then the even stranger story Robert tells her about what she saw. And finally, the discovery that brings their worlds to a halt, uniting Gwen and Robert in ways neither of them could have foretold.

In this remarkable follow-up to the wildly popular Things Not Seen, Andrew Clements brings readers a multi-layered story all about art, friendship, love, and life.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up–The protagonist in Things Not Seen (Philomel, 2002) becomes a helpful friend to 17-year-old Gwen, who has been living with her grandfather in Manhattan while attending music school and preparing for intense auditions for college. Then, just after her grandfather and his brother have a fight about money, her grandfather disappears, leaving a confusing and cryptic note. Robert, also a musician, and Gwen pair up to solve the mystery when an uncomfortable reminder of his past shows up. The plot is quick, and readers will identify with Gwen's feelings of being torn between responsibility to herself and to her future, and her need to find her grandfather. Gwen's story is a good mix of mystery, friendship, and fantasy, with a touch of creepiness that will make the most sense to those who have read Things Not Seen.–Sherry Quinones, Frederick County Public Libraries, MD
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 8-11. Since leaving West Virginia for New York City two years ago, Gwen has been living with her grandfather and studying violin at the Manhattan School of Music. Now a senior, she finds tensions rising as the conservatory auditions that will determine her future as a violinist approach. When Grampa disappears after leaving a reassuring, though cryptic, message on the answering machine, shy Gwen is unsettled but determined to carry on with her routine. Several days later, the manner of his reappearance is a shock, but by that time Gwen has an ally: Robert, a trumpet student who wants to help and seems uniquely qualified to do so. Robert will be better known to readers of Clements' Things Not Seen (2002) as Bobby, who woke up invisible one morning and struggled to become visible again. Gwen's story, which takes place two years later, is already disquieting when an unpredictable and dangerous character enters the story, drawn by Robert's experience with invisibility. That subplot recedes in importance, though, beside the realistic depiction of a young woman who is thrown off kilter by emotional turmoil and not just regains her balance but also gains a new level of confidence. This offers a riveting story line, engaging characters, and intriguing insights into the development of musical artistry. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (September 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039924350X
• ISBN-13: 978-0399243509
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,366,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Most of my characters are fairly normal people who are dealing with the basics of everyday life--getting along with others, finding a place in the world, discovering talents, overcoming challenges, trying to have some wholesome fun along the way, and getting into some scrapes and a little mischief now and then, too. I guess I hope my readers will be able to see bits and pieces of themselves in the stories, particularly the novels that take place in and around school. School is a rich setting because schools and education are at the heart of every community. The stories that are set in school seem to resonate with kids, teachers, parents, librarians--readers of all ages. Everyone's life has been touched by school experiences. And I also hope, of course, that kids and others will enjoy reading, enjoy the use of language, enjoy my storytelling.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as the first, but still worth the read, May 3, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Things Hoped For (Hardcover)

This is the follow up to the amazing novel, Things Not Seen. This book is not nearly as good as the first one, but is still definitely worth the read. It is about 17 year old Gwen Page, who is an aspiring classical violinist, living with her Grandfather in New York City. One day, her grandfather disappears, leaving behind only a very mysterious phone message. Gwen then meets Robert (Bobby) the protagonist from Things Not Seen, and together they unravel this mystery. This book has a good set up, but the way it ends is disappointing. The main character is also not very interesting. I liked the way it connects to Things Not Seen, and if you haven't read that, you definitely should. Andrew Clements writing style is flawless, and though the plot is a little disappointing, it's still definitely worth reading.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Follow-Up to "Things Not Seen", December 15, 2006

By 

George Buttner "Agent0042" (Dayton, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Things Hoped For (Hardcover)

"Things Hoped For" is a follow-up to Andrew Clements's amazing novel, "Things Not Seen." I won't say exactly how, or why, I'll let it be a surprise as to just how --- as it was for me.

If you haven't read "Things Not Seen," I recommend finding it and reading it before reading this book. It's a bit longer, but just as enjoyable, and you'll soon be done and ready to go onto this. This book can definitely be enjoyed without reading "Things Not Seen," but I highly recommend reading it.

"Things Hoped For" is about a girl who's approaching her final auditions for music school. She already has a lot to deal with in her life when her Grandpa drops a bombshell --- he's left the house that he's letting her stay in and he's left her a message asking her to watch over it without letting anyone know that he's gone. It's a lot to ask and the pressure starts to build, but then she discovers someone special and unique. He not only helps her out, but he also becomes a friend --- something that she hasn't made time for in her life recently.


For those who read "Things Not Seen," "Things Hoped For" is the sequel you've been hoping for. For those that haven't, now is the time to discover this series.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why Not Read the Reviews AFTER you read this book?, October 12, 2006

By 

mcHaiku "nmi" (Brown County INDIANA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Things Hoped For (Hardcover)

"Things Hoped For" by Andrew Clements (#039924350x)
is an exciting 'upper-level' novel by an author with those same qualities. Readers can thoroughly enjoy this book without first encountering "Things Not Seen" which preceded it. The author shares an unusual perspective on the intense performance jitters of music students, involving readers who hope for their success.

The tensions parallel more ordinary aspects faced by all high-schoolers, ones they wrestle with each day. With students at music prep schools, there are time restraints & practice goals to contend with as they try to make space for more normal elements of adolescence. Gwen Page comes from West Virginia to study violin and assess her skills against future opportunities. She teams up with Robert, a Chicago student who is also in NYC on track for auditions. Music permeates the background of a story in which ideas about study, concentration & motivation can be applied to the lives of many.

The characters are strong but even they find shocking some of what happens to them. They try to make sense of a situation created by the grandfather with whom Gwen lives. The way in which he fights for his old & valuable brownstone will make an indelible impression on readers. "Things Hoped For" has a storyline that may cause skepticism, yet can help young people learn to focus on their own more believable problems. Clements has a deft hand that draws readers in swiftly and carries them along until many pages later they are somewhat breathless. The possibilities in friendship, the 'sweats' of going through the maze of growing up and the sweetness of a trumpet honoring a slain musician, "Hey Jude" - - all contribute to a fantastical novel that reviewer mcHAIKU recommends highly.