HOPE'S WISH by Stuart and Shelby Stout

Release Date: March 18, 2008

Don't even think of reading HOPE'S WISH without Kleenex in hand. For the record, I used 18 of them. HOPE'S WISH is a tearjerker!

What started as leg pain turned into nightmare for Hope Stout and her family. The vivacious girl's life changed when a diagnosis of bone cancer was given. Despite the fact that the cancer had already spread beyond her knee into her hips, back, lungs and more, the Stout family was hopeful that Hope would beat the odds.

Things did not work out as planned. When it became obvious that Hope might not make it, she made a simple wish. That wish was about to change the lives of many children. Her wish came clearly from the heart--she wanted the Make A Wish Foundation to raise enough money so that the 155 children in her region would all be given their very own wish.

From the get-go, you know that Hope isn't going to live. This broke my heart because I have a similarly aged daughter, and I can only imagine what the Stout family endured. Showing up at the front door to sign for packages with tears streaming down my face seemed minuscule compared to what they faced.

Apparently, HOPE'S WISH is slated to become a motion picture. I think it will be a delightful movie, but people should read the book first. I think the book will bring you much closer into the heart and soul of the Stout family and all they've been through. It also allows you to get to know Hope in a very intimate manner. It's a stunning read and definitely worthy of your time and money.