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It seems that a few minutes of the daily news broadcast are all it takes these days to ruin a perfectly good mood. But the small-town charm and heartwarming message of A Drop of Hope by author Keith Calabrese is sure to bring that warm, fuzzy feeling right back.
The story follows a trio of unlikely friends as they bring a little happiness to their small town. It all starts with a story told by sixth-grade teacher Mr. Earle about Tomkins Well�an old well that�s believed to grant wishes. Inspired by Mr. Earle�s story, kids begin making their way to the well to make their own wishes. And the strangest thing happens: those wishes start coming true in unexpected ways�with a little bit of help from three kids and an attic full of old toys.
A Drop of Hope is a sweet, lovable novel that�s filled with pleasant surprises. The town of Cliffs Donnelly, Ohio, isn�t a bustling, thriving city. It�s a small town that depends mostly on one business�a business that�s rumored to be in trouble. It�s a town that could definitely use a little magic�and that�s exactly what it gets when awkward young Ernest Wilmette starts cleaning out his late grandfather�s attic and accidentally brings joy to so many lives. An art set, a stuffed toy, and even an old fire extinguisher somehow help the town�s residents find just what they need at just the right time.
That�s not to say, though, that this is always a bright, cheery, fluffy read, where one little thing changes everything for everyone, and they all live happily ever after. It�s an honest story about lifelike characters who face real challenges. The people of this town have their share of struggles�like Tommy Bricks, the former bully who manages to find an escape from a troubled home life with help from a new friend. Life isn�t perfect for Tommy, but the story shows how one small kindness�or just one new friend�can turn around a person�s whole outlook on life. That leads to another kindness�and another�until it becomes contagious. And as these average kids�the quiet, lonely kid, the jock from the wrong side of town, and the brainy, insecure girl�reach out to help their community, readers will realize that you don�t have to be rich or important or even grown up to make a difference in someone�s life.
With its lovable characters and its small-town charm, A Drop of Hope is a moving and thoughtful novel for young readers. It may not be an action-packed read, but it�s one that will remind readers (both young and not-so-young) of the value of kindness.
Listen to the review on Shelf Discovery:
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