The Hope of Elephants

By Amanda Rawson Hill

Facing her father's cancer, Cass must decide if knowing her genetic fate is worth the risk.

4.5/5 Goodreads · 377 ratings

480 pages· 39,014 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

$17.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

Cass's world is shaken when her father's cancer returns, and she learns she might inherit a genetic mutation. With dreams of baseball and travel, she faces a choice: take a test to know her fate or embrace uncertainty. As her father's condition worsens, Cass clings to their cherished World Series tradition, navigating the storm of illness and hope. Will she find the courage to face the unknown, or will fear hold her back? Dive into Cass's poignant journey of love, resilience, and the power of hope.

From the publisher

An inspiring coming-of-age novel in verse about weathering the uncertainty that comes with family illness perfect for fans of Starfish and Red, White, and Whole. Cass and her parents haven’t let her dad’s cancer stop them from having a good life–full of love and poems and one annual World Series game. Now that Dad’s cancer is back, Cass overhears the doctor say that she has a 50% chance of inheriting her dad’s genetic mutation, Li-Fraumeni syndrome. There’s a genetic test Cass can take that will tell her for sure. There’s still so much she wants to do–play baseball, study at the zoo, travel the world with her best friend, Jayla. Would it be better not to know? When it turns out Dad’s cancer is worse this time, Cass is determined to keep up their World Series tradition while navigating all the change and uncertainty that lies ahead. Poignant and powerful, Cass’s story brings the pains and anxiety linked with illness to the surface, and reminds us that sometimes hope is worth holding on to. Praise for The Hope of Elephants: A Bank Street Best Children’s Book of 2023An NCTE Notable Poetry Book of 2022A 2022 Cybils finalist for Novels in VerseA Whitney Awards finalist

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