Resource Filters Description More information about this book
More information about this book

Book Description

Resource Type

  • Pre-Reading Activities
  • During Reading Activities
  • Post-Reading Activities

Skills and Subjects

  • Oral Language
  • Social & Emotional Learning
  • Critical Thinking in Literacy
  • Visual Elements
  • Integrated Learning
  • Comprehension Strategies
  • Making Connections
  • Writing
  • Key Ideas & Details
  • Further Research
  • Developing & Creating Texts
  • Just for Fun!
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The Story and Science of Hope

    Book Genre:

  • Nonfiction

    Audience:

  • ages 9 to 12 / grades 4 to 7

Written by

  • Andrea Curtis

Illustrated by

  • Ana Suárez

  • Book Description

    Did you know that people who are high in hope are happier and healthier, they live longer, do better in school and have stronger friendships? Modern researchers — called Hope Theorists — are helping us to understand that we can use hope to improve our own lives and those of our neighbors, friends and even the planet.

    In this middle-grade introduction to hope science, learn the history of hope, how it can be measured, learned and practiced — even where you can find hope in your brain! The Story and Science of Hope serves as an antidote to the climate anxiety and fear about current world events that many young people are facing today. Having hope is revolutionary — because nothing has ever changed in the world without hopeful people coming together to act.

  • Pre-Reading Activities/ Oral Language, Social & Emotional Learning
    Hope Interviews

    Students interview a family member or community elder about a time they held onto hope. Share highlights in a class circle.

  • Pre-Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy, Visual Elements
    See-Think-Wonder

    Show the book’s cover illustration. Ask student: What do you see? What do you think is happening? What do you wonder?

  • Pre-Reading Activities/ Integrated Learning
    World Map of Hope

    Students place sticky notes or pins on a world map to mark hopeful events or hopeful activists from different countries.

  • Pre-Reading Activities/ Comprehension Strategies
    Anticipation Guide

    Present statements like “Hope is something you are born with” or “Hope is contagious.” Students debate before reading, then revisit after.

  • Pre-Reading Activities/ Making Connections, Visual Elements
    Art as a Window to Hope

    Show art pieces (ex: Picasso’s ‘Dove of Peace,’ Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’). Students discuss how art can inspire hope.

  • During Reading Activities/ Comprehension Strategies, Writing
    Hope Tracker

    Students create a Hope Tracker chart while reading and include answers to the following questions: Who shows hope? What actions do they take? What outcomes follow?

  • During Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy, Oral Language
    Philosophy Café

    When the text mentions philosophers (ex. Greek myths of hope), hold a Socratic seminar and ask: Is hope always good? Can it ever be harmful?

  • During Reading Activities/ Integrated Learning
    Neuroscience Connection

    Explore the role of dopamine and the prefrontal cortex in hope. Students sketch a Brain of Hope diagram labeling the parts.

  • During Reading Activities/ Making Connections, Social & Emotional Learning
    Double-Entry Journal

    Students record powerful quotes from the book in one column, and their personal reactions or connections in the other.

  • During Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy, Social & Emotional Learning
    Identity & Hope

    Pause at examples of youth activists. Students reflect: How does their identity shape the way they bring hope to the world?

  • Post-Reading Activities/ Integrated Learning, Key Ideas & Details
    Hope Action Project

    Students work in small groups to design a mini-project that spreads hope (ex: kindness campaign, peer tutoring, recycling initiative).

  • Post-Reading Activities/ Critical Thinking in Literacy, Further Research
    Compare & Contrast – Global Voices

    Students research another book/person about hope (Malala, Greta Thunberg) and compare it with stories from The Story and Science of Hope.

  • Post-Reading Activities/ Developing & Creating Texts, Writing
    Poetry of Hope

    Students write poems using figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification) to express what hope means to them.

  • Post-Reading Activities/ Integrated Learning
    Hope Data Investigation

    Explore surveys or studies on how hope affects health and resilience. Students graph results or create infographics.

  • Post-Reading Activities/ Social & Emotional Learning, Writing
    Hope Time Capsule

    Students write letters to their future selves about what gives them hope. Seal in a classroom time capsule to open later.

  • Post-Reading Activities/ Just for Fun!
    Digital Storytelling

    Students create a short video or digital comic showing a hopeful action in their school or community.

  • Post-Reading Activities/ Just for Fun!
    Hope Playlist

    Create a class playlist of songs that inspire hope, then analyze lyrics for theme.

  • Post-Reading Activities/ Just for Fun!
    Hope Tree

    Put up a large paper tree in the classroom. Students add leaves with personal hopeful wishes or actions.

  • Post-Reading Activities/ Just for Fun!
    Role Play Hope Heroes

    Act out scenes where someone chooses to act with hope versus giving up.