Choldenko, Gennifer. Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, The. Knopf, 06/2024. 309pp. Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-5247-1892-3. GRADES 5–8. OUTSTANDING.
Eleven-year-old Hank and his preschool-aged sister Boo are left alone by their mother for a week, so they seek refuge with their late grandmother’s friend after they are threatened with eviction. Although many of the story’s circumstances are tragic, with accurate depictions of Child Protective Services and the foster care system, Hank’s first-person narration adds some humor and keeps this realistic novel from being grim. Many tween readers may know of a friend who has to take responsibility for a young sibling to an extent that adds too much pressure to their lives, which makes this very relatable. The main characters present as white, but several other supporting characters are Latinx. This compelling and unique novel reflects strong writing that does not exploit the “ripped from the headlines” plot.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool