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Hope's Wish: How One Girl's Dream Made Others Come True
One courageous girl used her final wish to fulfill the wishes of 155 other children. When Hope Stout was diagnosed with bone cancer, the Stouts prayed for a miracle. The miracle occurred, but not in the way the Stouts expected. Instead this young girl asked for what seemed to be impossible-that one million dollars be raised in a month to fund the wishes of all the children on the Make-A-Wish Foundation's list for Central and Western North Carolina.
Shelby and Stuart Stout felt led to write "A Legacy of Hope" after compiling a journal of the 191 days from Hope's diagnosis to her death. Both parents were with Hope every step of the way on her journey from a healthy preteen to being dependent on crutches to eventually being bedridden. Their heartfelt story includes the times when they were angry and desperate, as well as the times when Hope's humor and spirit shone through.
Academy Award winning screen writers Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry are developing the screenplay for "Hope's Wish" with an expected production date sometime in 2013.
Shelby and Stuart Stout felt led to write "A Legacy of Hope" after compiling a journal of the 191 days from Hope's diagnosis to her death. Both parents were with Hope every step of the way on her journey from a healthy preteen to being dependent on crutches to eventually being bedridden. Their heartfelt story includes the times when they were angry and desperate, as well as the times when Hope's humor and spirit shone through.
Academy Award winning screen writers Diana Ossana and Larry McMurtry are developing the screenplay for "Hope's Wish" with an expected production date sometime in 2013.
- GenresMemoir
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 13, 2022
Hope's story truly changes the way you look at the world. I've read this story many times (probably at least six times by now, though Goodreads only says two), and I know I'll read it many more.
I really hope we get to see Hope's story as a movie. She wanted to be a movie star, and I'm saddened to see how many failed attempts the movie of her story has gone through.
I really hope we get to see Hope's story as a movie. She wanted to be a movie star, and I'm saddened to see how many failed attempts the movie of her story has gone through.
August 30, 2018
We now know that God wants us all to have the childlike faith Hope possessed, a faith that refuses to be overcome by doubt or fear. This is the confidence that God is there with us and will take care of us.
Michael Yaconelli says in his book Dangerous Wonders, "Deep within all of us, there is a voice. It speaks to us continuously, knocking on the door of our consciousness. When we are children the voice is loud. It's loudness is not like a train or a jet engine. It shouts to us with a whisper. This voice of our childhood is the voice of wonder and amazement, the voice of God, which has always been the speaking to us, even before we were born.
Soon, I was the one who found strength. I was the one hugging and comforting Holly and her friends.
And then Shelby began to lose control of her emotions.
And that was how it would go over the next six months. When one of us was at the end of our emotional rope, the other was the tower of strength. God would always show up and strengthen either Shelby or me.
You can see the differences between a dad's approach to illness and a mom's in this chapter. I was always overly cautious; Stuart was likely to allow Hope extra leeway.
Life is so precious. Life is so sweet. Life moves all too fast. All those years seem like they took place yesterday.
Matthew 6: 25-27: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" God said the birds don't worry about food or anything, so why should we? Are we not more important than the birds?
All around us life went on, and here we were dealing with this horrendous situation.
Once afternoon that week, a man walked into the Make-a-Wish office in downtown Charlotte. His clothes were worn and dirty and he had an unkempt beard. At first the staff became alarmed, because the office did contain a lot of cash that had come through the mail.
"I don't have much to give..... But I got to do something. Here" The man handed over a small handful of change. "It isn't much, not I have to help out that little girl." The staffer told him to keep the money for himself, but the man was resolute in giving the money for Hope's wish. After taking his donation, the Make-a-Wish staff member gave him a Hope charm, which was a small star with Hope inscribed on the back.
The man left holding the charm in both hands, like it was gold.
When faced with a horrifying illness that unfortunately cut her physical life short, Hope Elizabeth Stout showed us how to have a childlike faith and trust in God in every circumstance. She knew God would take care of it.
So, why shouldn't we?
Michael Yaconelli says in his book Dangerous Wonders, "Deep within all of us, there is a voice. It speaks to us continuously, knocking on the door of our consciousness. When we are children the voice is loud. It's loudness is not like a train or a jet engine. It shouts to us with a whisper. This voice of our childhood is the voice of wonder and amazement, the voice of God, which has always been the speaking to us, even before we were born.
Soon, I was the one who found strength. I was the one hugging and comforting Holly and her friends.
And then Shelby began to lose control of her emotions.
And that was how it would go over the next six months. When one of us was at the end of our emotional rope, the other was the tower of strength. God would always show up and strengthen either Shelby or me.
You can see the differences between a dad's approach to illness and a mom's in this chapter. I was always overly cautious; Stuart was likely to allow Hope extra leeway.
Life is so precious. Life is so sweet. Life moves all too fast. All those years seem like they took place yesterday.
Matthew 6: 25-27: Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" God said the birds don't worry about food or anything, so why should we? Are we not more important than the birds?
All around us life went on, and here we were dealing with this horrendous situation.
Once afternoon that week, a man walked into the Make-a-Wish office in downtown Charlotte. His clothes were worn and dirty and he had an unkempt beard. At first the staff became alarmed, because the office did contain a lot of cash that had come through the mail.
"I don't have much to give..... But I got to do something. Here" The man handed over a small handful of change. "It isn't much, not I have to help out that little girl." The staffer told him to keep the money for himself, but the man was resolute in giving the money for Hope's wish. After taking his donation, the Make-a-Wish staff member gave him a Hope charm, which was a small star with Hope inscribed on the back.
The man left holding the charm in both hands, like it was gold.
When faced with a horrifying illness that unfortunately cut her physical life short, Hope Elizabeth Stout showed us how to have a childlike faith and trust in God in every circumstance. She knew God would take care of it.
So, why shouldn't we?
March 1, 2025
Hope, Devastation and More
This is the story of a young girl named Hope Elizabeth Stout as she and her family make the best of an osteosarcoma diagnosis that had already spread by the time Hope was diagnosed! Cancer, as the hospital social worker pointed out, affects the whole family and as the story goes on, we see some of the challenges they face as well as the faith they live by.
The story is told technically in two voices, those of Hope's parents, Stuart and Shelby Stout but through them, we obviously get Hope's perception and experience as well! My only wish here (aside from the obvious one that no one gets cancer - especially a child!) is that the book allowed at least a few pages from the perspectives of Austin and Holly who are Hope's older sisters.
The book covers a myriad of feelings - as one might expect. I found it captured my attention from the beginning. I did feel I had to lower the rating due to the multiple spelling mistakes -- glaringly obvious especially in the picture section.
This is the story of a young girl named Hope Elizabeth Stout as she and her family make the best of an osteosarcoma diagnosis that had already spread by the time Hope was diagnosed! Cancer, as the hospital social worker pointed out, affects the whole family and as the story goes on, we see some of the challenges they face as well as the faith they live by.
The story is told technically in two voices, those of Hope's parents, Stuart and Shelby Stout but through them, we obviously get Hope's perception and experience as well! My only wish here (aside from the obvious one that no one gets cancer - especially a child!) is that the book allowed at least a few pages from the perspectives of Austin and Holly who are Hope's older sisters.
The book covers a myriad of feelings - as one might expect. I found it captured my attention from the beginning. I did feel I had to lower the rating due to the multiple spelling mistakes -- glaringly obvious especially in the picture section.
September 24, 2024
I was interested in reading this book because I am a supporter of Make A Wish and after reading the story of Hope Stout, I am even more of a supporter and amazed at all that she accomplished for other kids to receive their wish.
Hope's parents wrote the book and were very open about Hope's cancer diagnosis, treatment and how they felt by reflecting on diary entries they made during her battle. The only reason I gave it four stars was because for most of the book Hope's Dad starts each chapter, and then her Mom makes some comments, but then it switches a little more than half way through the book by having the Mom go first, and then at the end is back to the Dad telling the story first. I wish they'd just stayed with one way for the whole book.
Hope's parents wrote the book and were very open about Hope's cancer diagnosis, treatment and how they felt by reflecting on diary entries they made during her battle. The only reason I gave it four stars was because for most of the book Hope's Dad starts each chapter, and then her Mom makes some comments, but then it switches a little more than half way through the book by having the Mom go first, and then at the end is back to the Dad telling the story first. I wish they'd just stayed with one way for the whole book.
October 2, 2021
A journey of Hope's life. She was only 12 when she passed away from bone cancer. Her journey is recorded by her parents. A child who didn't want a Make A Wish for herself, but to give to the others so they could have something.
A must read in my opinion.
A must read in my opinion.
December 8, 2019
An incredible true story about Hope Stout who in the midst of her pain and struggle with cancer did something so unselfish it will leave you speechless. A great story.
July 17, 2026
Inspirational story about an extremely selfless competitive cheerleader battling cancer. True story based in NC.
November 3, 2014
If you haven't been to Charlotte, NC, you will want to once you've read this book. Told from the heart of the Stout family, it is a true story and moving book about their young daughter who may have succumbed to cancer, but she made it her last wish to grant wishes to others. You will fall in love with her and the people of Charlotte...as well as the Charlotte Panther's organization from the first page. And if you are a parent like I am, Stuart Stout, her father, gives a very gritty, often not pretty, account of how parents (and married couples) deeply struggle with what really matters when facing the death of a child. I found the book in a bookstore in Houston, TX while my dad was at M.D. Anderson for cancer treatment...and 5 years later, once actually living in Charlotte, I had an unlikely chance to meet the Stouts...it was an honor... Get your tissues out when you read this one...a whole box, but it is a MUST READ!
Read
April 24, 2008No rating yet, as I haven't finished it. Story of Hope, a little girl that had cancer, who used her MakeAWish to grant the wishes of the other children in her area awaiting their wishes. Such a selfless act in a world full of sh*t. I cry uncontrolably when telling friends of this remarkable kid. One downside is that it's got major religious overtones which totally turn me off, but if you focus on the facts, it's not so bad, and I feel like this little girl deserves to have her story read.
January 22, 2012
I found this to be a very real and raw story of what it would be like to go through the loss of a child.
I laughed at the humor and sobbed during the hard parts. At time I felt like a fly on the wall during the family's experiences.
I definitely recommend this book even for those that are not spiritual. It can really open your eyes to have fleeting life can be and what is really important.
I laughed at the humor and sobbed during the hard parts. At time I felt like a fly on the wall during the family's experiences.
I definitely recommend this book even for those that are not spiritual. It can really open your eyes to have fleeting life can be and what is really important.
February 4, 2014
What can you say about a sweet and fiery redhead who was suffering from bone cancer and her last wish was to help 155 children have their wishes..
I was humbled as I read this story and realized how selfish my life can be.
The Stouts should be so proud of their little girl
I was humbled as I read this story and realized how selfish my life can be.
The Stouts should be so proud of their little girl
Read
March 13, 2008It was ok. The story is inspirational but the faith parts could have been a little more subtle.
thanks
Sam
thanks
Sam
July 7, 2008
It was really sad but it had some funny parts. Hope wasn't really scared of dying but the actual treatment.
September 27, 2008
I cried the whole way through this book.
June 4, 2011
Hearbreaking and very real. This was a great story that truly inspired me to focus on life and faith.
June 18, 2011
Wonderful touching book. Really makes you think about your faith and life. Loved it!
December 18, 2018
Totally awesome!!!!!
This book was so stupendous. I could not put it down. Hope was a true Angel, and her family were amazing. Thank God for the make a wish foundation. Please let there be a cure for cancer soon, and may the cure not be so hard on the body. I have had cancer and the cure is worse than the disease.
This book was so stupendous. I could not put it down. Hope was a true Angel, and her family were amazing. Thank God for the make a wish foundation. Please let there be a cure for cancer soon, and may the cure not be so hard on the body. I have had cancer and the cure is worse than the disease.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews