Friends, faith and fun: The adventures of Hope Campbell

For twelve-year-old Hope, this was supposed to be the best summer ever. 

After an unforgettable birthday filled with laughter, a family treasure hunt, and dreams of heading to summer camp with her best friend, Nina, Hope is certain nothing could spoil the adventure ahead. 

 Then, in an instant, everything changes.  

After an unexpected loss shakes Hope’s close-knit and deeply faithful family, Hope finds herself wrestling with feelings of anger and questions about the God she’s always trusted. Even prayer feels almost impossible until her beloved grandmother gently reminds her that “praying is like talking to your best friend.” 

When Hope arrives at camp, she isn’t looking for healing. But once immersed in the natural beauty of a Michigan summer (swimming, horseback riding, campfire ghost stories, midnight hikes, and more!), Hope can’t help but feel genuine happiness breaking through her lingering feelings of grief. 

Amidst daily outdoor adventures and a few hilarious mishaps, Hope takes on new responsibilities while growing her ability to accept help from others in her community. Teamwork and unforgettable friends who always keep the faith provide a framework for Hope to steadily find her way back to joy, laughter, and a feeling of deep trust in God. With greater self-awareness and maturity, Hope returns from camp with a new appreciation for the gifts in her life. 

Rich with family love, timeless summer nostalgia, and a heartfelt message of faith, this inspiring and highly entertaining coming-of-age novel celebrates the courage to keep trusting - even during moments of disappointment or loss.

Readers of all ages will bond with Hope as a trusted friend who shares challenges and triumphs with authenticity, humor, and resilience. Perfect for young readers who love stories full of adventure, heart, and the special magic of summer camp.

Sometimes being left behind is the first step toward finding your true path:

When all her friends get cell phones, Hope feels left behind. Feeling betrayed by people she thought she could trust, Hope struggles to understand why she is being ostracized and longs for the days when she didn't feel like an outsider. She now faces a life filled with inside jokes and plans shared over group chats she's unable to join. it doesn't help that the girl Hope most wants to avoid seems determined to make her life even more stressful.

But everything changes when Hope reconnects with Lily, a wise-beyond-her-years older girl who lives on a nearby farm. Amidst the simple pleasures of feeding chickens, learning to ride horses, and sharing heartfelt stories under open skies, Hope discovers something she didn't even know she was missing. As she connects with a world beyond her former friend group, Hope discovers that sometimes the "old fashioned" ways of life (including "snail mail"!) contain the secrets to lasting happiness. Hope's journey to discover real friendships and inner strength come from a much deeper connection within herself—and with God.

Perfect for young readers, this heartfelt novel celebrates the beauty of deepening faith and real friendship—and the power of truly seeing oneself and others with compassion.

Sassy first born, Hope Campbell, is just a week shy of her 11th birthday. Living in a small town in the Great Lake State of Michigan, she feels her responsibilities with her younger siblings are a huge pain in the neck and she is downright bored with the whole church thing. She would be happy with an interesting book, some peace and quiet and a sweet treat. But... is that all she is really looking for?

After sneakily rifling through her grandmother's photos, Hope is caught in the act; but in a twist of fate, her grandma is pleased. They take a stroll down memory lane and she surprises Hope with an invitation to join her at the family cottage for a week. Hope jumps at the chance to venture out without her siblings in tow, not realizing what she might be getting herself into.

In addition to all the wonderful adventures of cottage life, she struggles with self-doubt, homesickness and an unexpected mystery. Join Hope as she learns how to navigate the roller coaster of emotions that children often face and discover how she learns to cope with it all.