Grace is a young girl who is active in mind, body and spirit. But in order to fulfill her dreams, she must revisit the past. Born into an impoverished and frustratingly complacent Irish American family whose parameters have been set by the restraints of their cultural upbringing and religious faith, she struggles to cope with her father's seeming rejection. With the birth of her baby sister, her interest in understanding her roots as well as her place among her family intensifies. Equipped with a colorful imagination, Grace believes her mother's old and neglected hope chest holds the key to answering her questions. Intertwined with the enigma of her origin is a desire to see the world beyond the drab reality of her life. With the hope chest by her side, she embarks on a quest for validation and discovers the freedom to grow, learn and love on her own terms. An uplifting coming-of-age tale, The Hope Chest examines the strength of family ties, the pressures of one's faith and culture, and the eternality of love and friendship.