Holly learns the hard way that crossing her fingers and hoping for the best is no strategy for success. The night before an important English test, Holly socializes more than she studies. On the day of the exam, Holly hopes the test won't be too hard and she really hopes to score big. But when her grade is posted online, she sees a big fat D with a plus sign. Staring at her grade and feeling a mix of disappointment and disbelief, Holly tells her mom that she had hoped really, really hard but it looks like that wasn't enough.

Mom must gently remind her daughter that wishful thinking rarely works by itself. If Holly wants to make her dreams come true, she has to do more than hope. She has to be an active participant by staying motivated, putting in the effort, and being resilient. What Holly needs is a different kind of hope. A HOPE that is built on Hard work, Optimism, and Perseverance, so Eventually her dreams can become reality.

Author Gina Prosch helps young children see and understand how to be the leaders of their own lives by maintaining a sense of hopefulness and emotional resilience. A special page written specifically for parents and educators offers insights and practical tips on helping children lean into hope to find the motivation they need to achieve their goals.

Hope! More Than Wishful Thinking is the second title in the author's Holly's Choice series, which also includes Joy! You Find What You Look For. Written for children ages 5 to 11, the series empowers young readers to embrace life with more joy, hope, and love.