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The Story and Science of Hope
Hope is more than a feeling — it can change the world! Discover how new science and ancient knowledge can help us face an uncertain world.
All over the world, kids are struggling with grief, anxiety and fear about the climate crisis, war, and a future that seems out of their control. Sometimes it’s hard to have hope – but hope may be the one thing that can change the world! Modern researchers – called Hope Theorists – are helping us to understand that we can use hope to improve our own lives and those of our neighbors, friends and even the planet.
The Story and Science of Hope is an illustrated non-fiction book for middle-grade readers that weaves together ancient history with surprising new scientific research showing hope is more than a feeling — it’s essential for our well-being. People who are high in hope are happier and healthier, they live longer, do better in school and have stronger friendships. Learn the history of hope, how it can be measured, learned and practiced — even where you can find hope in your brain ( it’s the bilateral medial orbitofrontal cortex, above your eyes and a few centimetres inside your brain)!
Backmatter includes real-world examples of hopeful environmental activists and a list of ways that kids can cultivate hope, as well as a glossary of unfamiliar terms, sources and further reading.
Key Text Features
illustrations
definitions
facts
further information
further reading
glossary
headings
historical context
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.2
Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.8
Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.2
Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.8
Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.2
Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3
Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.5
Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6
Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
All over the world, kids are struggling with grief, anxiety and fear about the climate crisis, war, and a future that seems out of their control. Sometimes it’s hard to have hope – but hope may be the one thing that can change the world! Modern researchers – called Hope Theorists – are helping us to understand that we can use hope to improve our own lives and those of our neighbors, friends and even the planet.
The Story and Science of Hope is an illustrated non-fiction book for middle-grade readers that weaves together ancient history with surprising new scientific research showing hope is more than a feeling — it’s essential for our well-being. People who are high in hope are happier and healthier, they live longer, do better in school and have stronger friendships. Learn the history of hope, how it can be measured, learned and practiced — even where you can find hope in your brain ( it’s the bilateral medial orbitofrontal cortex, above your eyes and a few centimetres inside your brain)!
Backmatter includes real-world examples of hopeful environmental activists and a list of ways that kids can cultivate hope, as well as a glossary of unfamiliar terms, sources and further reading.
Key Text Features
illustrations
definitions
facts
further information
further reading
glossary
headings
historical context
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.2
Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.8
Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.2
Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.8
Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.2
Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3
Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.5
Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6
Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
- GenresNonfictionMiddle Grade
40 pages, Hardcover
Published October 8, 2025
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Curtis
20 books26 followersAndrea Curtis is an award-winning writer in Toronto whose books have been published around the world. She writes for both adults and children.
Her most recent kids' books are Barnaby (Owlkids) and City of Water (Groundwood). She is also the author of A Forest in the City (Groundwood), Eat This! How Fast Food Marketing Gets You to Buy Junk (and How to Fight Back) and What's for Lunch? from Red Deer Press.
Her first YA novel is Big Water, published by Orca. It's inspired by the true story of a shipwreck on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, and the harrowing experience of the two teenaged survivors.
Her most recent adult book, written with Nick Saul, is the National Bestseller, The Stop: How the Fight for Good Food Transformed a Community and Inspired a Movement. It is published by Random House Canada and Melville House Press in the US and UK. It was shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award and won the Taste Canada Award for Culinary Narratives.
Andrea's critically acclaimed creative nonfiction book Into the Blue: Family Secrets and the Search for a Great Lakes Shipwreck (Random House) won the Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction.
Andrea lives in Toronto, Canada, with her family.
Her most recent kids' books are Barnaby (Owlkids) and City of Water (Groundwood). She is also the author of A Forest in the City (Groundwood), Eat This! How Fast Food Marketing Gets You to Buy Junk (and How to Fight Back) and What's for Lunch? from Red Deer Press.
Her first YA novel is Big Water, published by Orca. It's inspired by the true story of a shipwreck on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, and the harrowing experience of the two teenaged survivors.
Her most recent adult book, written with Nick Saul, is the National Bestseller, The Stop: How the Fight for Good Food Transformed a Community and Inspired a Movement. It is published by Random House Canada and Melville House Press in the US and UK. It was shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award and won the Taste Canada Award for Culinary Narratives.
Andrea's critically acclaimed creative nonfiction book Into the Blue: Family Secrets and the Search for a Great Lakes Shipwreck (Random House) won the Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction.
Andrea lives in Toronto, Canada, with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 12, 2025
THE STORY AND SCIENCE OF HOPE is a compelling nonfiction book for middle-grade readers that dives deep into what hope really is, and why it matters more than ever.
Far from just a feeling, Curtis reveals that hope is a powerful, science-backed force that shapes our health, our choices, and our future.
Blending ancient stories with cutting-edge research, the book explores everything from where hope lives in the brain, to how it’s used in medicine, and practiced in everyday life. As Curtis writes, “Hope is more about possibility. It’s about leaning into working toward something meaningful to you…”
Both a fascinating journey through the past and a toolkit for today, this book challenges readers to see hope not as wishful thinking, but as something we can grow, nurture, and put into action.
Far from just a feeling, Curtis reveals that hope is a powerful, science-backed force that shapes our health, our choices, and our future.
Blending ancient stories with cutting-edge research, the book explores everything from where hope lives in the brain, to how it’s used in medicine, and practiced in everyday life. As Curtis writes, “Hope is more about possibility. It’s about leaning into working toward something meaningful to you…”
Both a fascinating journey through the past and a toolkit for today, this book challenges readers to see hope not as wishful thinking, but as something we can grow, nurture, and put into action.
December 15, 2025
We hear about and long for hope so much, but so often it's thought about in a way that makes it abstract, saccharine, and nearly meaningless. Not so in this book! I love how The Story and Science of Hope accessibly presents hope as something scientific, achievable, and infinitely worthwhile. This books inspires me to practice and nurture my own hope through setting and achieving goals, engaging in acts of service and creativity, and spending time in nature. I hope it will do the same for many young readers!
November 11, 2025
This picture book had so much promise, hope if you will. But, I found that it was far too wordy and detailed to catch even my attention. The idea is brilliant though. So hopefully many children will be drawn in more than I.
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August 18, 2025Reading and reviewing for professional magazine.
January 28, 2026
What is the difference between a wish, a dream and a hope? A thoughtful conversation starter. Made me think!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews