The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman Review for Christian Parents

Name: The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman
Author: Gennifer Choldenko

Concern LevelMedium-Low

Concerning & Potentially Concerning Content

The biggest thing for Christian parents to know about this book is that it is heavy. The author keeps her audience in mind well, and it is moving and meaningful, but the subject matter is one not all kiddos will be ready for. This is an emotional story of an 11-year-old boy Hank who is growing up with a Mom that is a complete mess. To make things harder, this makes Hank the huge responsibility of caring for his 3-year-old sister Boo. The story opens to these two in a run-down apartment, nearly out of food, with mom AWOL. As the story progresses we find out that mom has been wrestling with addiction and that it was their sweet grandma that used to be the safety net that held things together, but she passed away a year ago. This book is such a great chance to see life through the eyes of someone else to grow compassion and grace… but only if your child is ready for it.

Below are a few other items to be aware of:

Hank focuses on mistakes he has made. At one point he imagines making a huge mistake and gives forgetting to hold Boo’s hand and her running out in front of a car as a potential example.

Hank has been taught to be very polite on the outside, which is great, but we often read that inside he feels nothing like how he is acting. He occasionally lies to adults.

There is some discussion around Hank kissing a sweet girl he likes. This is handled very well though.

They visit a church looking for mom. A really nice lady there introduces herself as a pastor, but no other context is given.

At one point Hank says Boo “smells like crap” (dirty diaper). The term “devil’s dancing shoes” is used (great context, referring to getting wrapped up in the sinfulness of this world, but some kids may not get it). Hank refers to one of his teachers as “droning on”. At his new school Hank says he is looking for the popular kids so he can avoid them (says “my peeps are the kids who don’t have phones and laptops and money for lunch”, although we see him misjudge a really nice girl right after this). We hear “Oh my God” used flippantly. The phrase “Let’s not get our panties in a wad” is used by an older lady, with its meaning explained.

Hank doesn’t want to give a personal story in class so he writes on involving zombies.

While understandable given the storyline, we are told Hank signs his mom’s name on a field trip permission slip.

There are references to the following: Music - Queen, Dancing Queen. Books: Harry Potter, The Underworld Chronicles, Sideways Stories from Wayside School

VerdictRecommended

Our Thoughts

We love the ability for books to transport us and see life through the eyes of another person in a totally different situation than our own (or at times through our own situation, realizing we are not alone). This is one of those stories, and it is an excellent one. If your child is ready for it, and that is an important ‘if’, this can be a great tool to grow compassion and grace for others. What if that kid from our youth group or co-op or school or the neighborhood is really going through something we can only begin to imagine and understand.

We would encourage adults to read this one. There are so many side characters that will fill your heart with love and joy as they play big and small parts in helping Hank and Boo along this journey, from a woman on a bus, to wonderful quirky unlikely new friends at a new school, to the next-door neighbor. It is dedicated to “every kid who carries adult responsibilities on their eleven-year-old shoulders. You are not alone”. While not a Christian book, church is mentioned a few times and held in a positive light.

This book is well-written, meaningful, and heart-warming. For those children who are ready for it, it is one we Recommend.

Plot Summary

Note: This information is typically from the publisher.

Use with caution

Readers will be rooting for a happy ending for Hank in Newbery-Honor-winner Gennifer Choldenko’s gripping story of a boy struggling to hold his family together when his mom doesn't come home.

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.

Gennifer Choldenko has written 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.

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Scripture Reflection

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

— Galatians 5:16-18

Quick Answer: Recommended

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