“A touching tale of a young girl finding a loving home.

Eleven-year-old Hope Jenkins is wary and weary after being bounced around the foster care system, having suffered neglect and abuse in many homes. Her situation improves when Ms. G, Hope’s determined and supportive social worker, places her with Samantha, a young widow and photographer who is fun, welcoming, and understanding. Samantha slowly earns Hope’s trust with support and affirmation while also allowing her the space to feel and process her emotions (“The knots in my belly loosen, and my chest doesn’t feel so tight anymore,” Hope reflects). As Hope settles into a routine with Samantha, things start to turn around—she slowly bonds with new friends and grows more confident when she joins the cross-country track team. But Hope, who lost her mother to cancer, still struggles with grief. She’s also upset because she has not been able to have visits with her father, who was incarcerated after a drug offense (the character is not demonized for his struggles). Longing for family and a permanent home, Hope also tries to contact her cousin, Baylee James, the star of a reality TV show reminiscent of the Real Housewives franchise. When Baylee shows up, Hope must determine not only where she wants to live but also what love and security really mean to her. The author’s depiction of the flaws in the foster care system is extremely moving. While Hope’s voice doesn’t always feel authentic to her age, readers are privy to what is inside her head, feeling the pain she carries and her reticence to believe that anything good can come her way. Stein’s depiction of the ways loving people can help and support children in foster care is both educational and heartening. The story has the outlines of a fairy tale, but it’s not too sweet—nobody here is perfect.”

— Kirkus Reviews

“Johnna does an incredible job of capturing the many complicated and multi-faceted relational aspects of foster care. The first chapter sheds light on the love, care and grace the foster mom extends to the teen as she first arrives. In the professional world, counselors working with children who have experienced trauma desire first and foremost for caregivers to work towards a state of calm as they care for and set boundaries with the children in their care. Untangling Hope shows how this is done while providing space for the imperfect journey of both the caregiver and teen.  Untangling Hope allows the reader to experience a story with unique insight into the mindset of a child in foster care and a caregiver who figures out how to navigate this world best. I highly recommend!”

— Cindy R. Lee, LCSW, Executive Director of The HALO Project

“An unforgettable journey of resilience and discovery. Eleven-year-old Hope must navigate the confusing maze of the foster care system, where every twist and turn is a test of her courage and determination. Still, Hope clings to the belief that something better lies just beyond every corner. All she needs is a phone of her own, and she can begin to reconnect the dots of her shattered life.

Untangling Hope is a poignant tale that will resonate with readers of all ages, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, love will light the way.”

— Ginger Garrett, author of Name Tags and Other Sixth Grade Disasters (Carol Rhoda Press/Lerner) and The Last Monster (Delacorte/Random House)

“Hope, Ruby, Samantha, and the cast of characters Johnna has created will give any reader the best kind of company- they will entertain, challenge and encourage. Untangling Hope tells the story of a foster child with heart and authenticity. I am grateful this kind of story is being told, and regardless if you are familiar with these settings or not, you'll find yourself identifying with the thoughts and feelings of Hope- who just wants to know where she belongs.”

— Beth Guckenberger, author, speaker, Co-Executive Director, Back2Back Ministries, a nonprofit organization providing comprehensive care to vulnerable children and families across the world.