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The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman
by Gennifer Choldenko
ages 10 and up
Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN 978–1‑5247–1892‑3
Synopsis
When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and mom has never stayed away this long … Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact.
But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he’s been trying to keep secret. And if they can’t find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes — he could lose everything.
This is a heart-wrenching, healing, and ultimately hopeful story about how complicated family can be. About how you can love someone, even when you can’t rely on them. And about the transformative power of second chances.
Resources
- Educator’s Guide
- TeachingBooks.net
- “Gennifer Choldenko Talks with Roger,” Roger Sutton, The Horn Book, 18 October 2024
- “Now on The Yarn: Newbery Honor Winner Gennifer Choldenko,” Travis Jonkers, School Library Journal, 22 August 2024
Awards and Recognition
- ALA Notable Book
- Amazon Best Children’s Books of 2024 so far (Jan-June 2024) ages 9–12
- Amazon Top 20 Children’s Book of 2024
- Audible 10 Best Kids’ Listens of 2024
- Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books 2025
- Books Too Good to Miss
- California Golden Poppy Indie Booksellers Award Winner
- California Young Reader Medal nominee 2026–27
- Capital Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens 10–14 2025
- Cybils Award nominee
- Florida Sunshine State Book Award nominee 2026–27
- Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Reader Award nominee 2027
- Imagination Soup Best Middle Grade Books of 2024
- Indie Next List
- Iowa Children’s Choice Award nominee 2026–27
- Judy Lopez Memorial Award Winner
- Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
- Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Books 2024
- Louisiana Reader’s Choice Award nominee 2026–27
- Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award nominee 2025–26
- Michigan Library Association Youth Award nominee
- Michigan YouPer Award Top 10 title 2025
- Nevada Young Readers Award nominee 2026
- New Hampshire Great Stone Face Book Award nominee 2025–26
- Northern California Book Award Winner
- North Dakota Flicker Tale Award nominee, 2026
- Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts
- Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award nominee
- Oregon Orca Reader’s Choice Award nominee 2026
- Pennsylvania Keystone State Children’s Choice nominee
- Pennsylvania Mountain Laurel Book Award nominee 2026–27
- Reading Middle Grade Best Books of 2024
- Scripps National Spelling Bee, Bee’s Bookshelf
- School Library Journal Best Middle Grade Books 2024
- South Carolina Book Award nominee 2026–27
- Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award nominee 2025–26
- Texas Lone Star Reading List 2025
- Tome Society Book Award Winner
- Utah Beehive Children’s Book Award nominee 2026
- Vermont Golden Dome Award nominee 2025–26
- Virginia Readers’ Choice Award nominee 2026–27
International Editions
- China
- Korea
- Romania
Reviews
“A moving portrayal of the powerful bonds that connect him (Hank), an unwillingly parentified child, and the younger sibling who means everything to him … Hankies are a must.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
“From the first line of Hank‘s engaging first-person narrative to the last, he comes across as a reliable, sensible boy who is aware that his options are few and is determined to make the right choices. Choldenko speaks from the heart in this compelling story of Hank and Boo’s found family.” (Booklist, starred review)
“Hank’s story will break readers’ hearts before putting them back together again. Highly recommended for all middle grade collections.” (School Library Journal, starred review)
“Readers will immediately be drawn into the world of The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, whose endearing and memorable characters will inspire repeated readings. This book tackles a tricky subject with grace, showing readers that even seemingly hopeless situations can offer happy endings.” (BookPage, starred review)
“A gut-punch tale that is by turns heartbreaking and hopeful.” (Publishers Weekly)
“One of those rare and important books that belongs on every shelf.” (Katherine Applegate, Newbery Winner for The One and Only Ivan)