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Hope's Journey
Sydney is a straight-A student heading to college on a scholarship, and Alex is a quiet jock preparing to serve an LDS mission. But their dreams are shattered on the eve of their high school graduation when they find out that Sydney is pregnant. Separated, they must both trust in God as they search for the worth they once found in each other.
288 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2011
4 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Connelley Worlton
13 books40 followersStephanie Connelley Worlton lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains where she enjoys frequent opportunities to observe nature and feed her creative spirit. She has been blessed to be a stay at home mom to her four children, many of whom share her artistic tendencies. She spends her days designing, building, painting, drawing, landscaping, and snuggling with her dogs. She has her own collection of power tools, a plethora of camera equipment, and a passion for shoes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 28, 2011
The author did a fabulous job capturing the emotions and thoughts of her characters. I could relate to what they were going through, connected with them and felt for them. When done reading I kept thinking about the story. I felt like I had learned something by reading this book.
This book truly had the potential to be a 5 star book. There are just a few things that detracted from the story. I wished there had been a couple more chapters at the end. For so long it felt like the story was headed one direction and then it headed another direction which was ok but I felt like it was just too easy. I wanted more resolution and closure and it just wrapped up too quickly. There were also several subplots that could have been left out or developed further. For example Sydney's brother abruptly decides not to serve a mission but we are never told why and he's never brought up again so why include that storyline at all.
Hope's Journey is a fabulous book I would recommend to any LDS teenager in a serious relationship as well as to the parents of LDS teenagers. This was a book I couldn't put down.
In the Author's Notes Stephanie says this:
Everybody makes mistakes; nobody makes it through this life unmarked. It just so happens that some sins are more visible to others. It is my desire to tell a story that will perhaps cause people to take a step back and take a deeper look before they cast judgment.
By sharing her story in this book she achieved her desire.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Content: Clean
This book truly had the potential to be a 5 star book. There are just a few things that detracted from the story. I wished there had been a couple more chapters at the end. For so long it felt like the story was headed one direction and then it headed another direction which was ok but I felt like it was just too easy. I wanted more resolution and closure and it just wrapped up too quickly. There were also several subplots that could have been left out or developed further. For example Sydney's brother abruptly decides not to serve a mission but we are never told why and he's never brought up again so why include that storyline at all.
Hope's Journey is a fabulous book I would recommend to any LDS teenager in a serious relationship as well as to the parents of LDS teenagers. This was a book I couldn't put down.
In the Author's Notes Stephanie says this:
Everybody makes mistakes; nobody makes it through this life unmarked. It just so happens that some sins are more visible to others. It is my desire to tell a story that will perhaps cause people to take a step back and take a deeper look before they cast judgment.
By sharing her story in this book she achieved her desire.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Content: Clean
May 17, 2012
Stephanie Worlton's novel Hope's Journey, follows the story of Alex and Sydney, high school seniors living in the Salt Lake valley. Sydney is trying to choose between her many scholarship offers. Alex is planning to spend the year biding his time at college while he prepares for his mission. And they're both trying to "be good"-- which they're finding really hard to do since they're completely in love with each other and overwhelmingly attracted to each other. In fact, they've already slipped up a few times, and they're not sure if they can stay together and keep their hands off each other.
And then Sydney discovers that she's pregnant.
I'm going to talk about the novel in two different ways-- first I want to talk about what it does, and then I want to talk about how it does it. Hope's Journey is an important book, I'd even say a necessary story that our culture needs to hear. Worlton documents the ambivalence that both Alex and Sydney feel, the confusion and anger that they both experience, the judgment that Sydney experiences every day as her belly grows, the double standard that allows Alex to remain relatively free from judgment and even to date other people during Sydney's pregnancy, the pressure Sydney feels to put the baby up for adoption, the economic realities that face teen parents, and the role that prayer and repentance play in their lives. It's an interesting, nuanced story, and Worlton admits that it was influenced by her own experience becoming a teenage mother. I think it's one that should be widely read by Young men and Women, not as a cautionary tale but as one that shows the full ramifications of an act that Worlton doesn't even mention by name (I'm not sure that the book even says "sex" once, which probably says a lot about our culture). I also think it's an important book for families, friends, acquaintances of someone who is or has been in Sydney and Alex's shoes.
That said, the book wasn't always easy to read. I don't fault Worlton for this as much as I fault Cedar Fort, which published the novel. I've read a lot of Cedar Fort books over the last few years, and they all suffer from a lack of thorough editing. In this case, the most problematic thing for me is Alex's voice-- he's characterized as a handsome high school jock, but his prose, especially his thoughts, are really flowery-- they're not the way an 18-year-old guy would talk. There are also a few places where story lines could have been tied up better-- what happened to the red truck? Why did Sydney's brother decide to stay home from his mission? What happened with Alex's evil mom? And then there are the excess of adjectives, the dialogue that doesn't really work, the minor misspellings. These are the kinds of things a good editor should catch. It's kind of a shame, in this case, because it's an accessible, instructive, interesting story, but it could have been better than it is with a really close, careful editing.
And then Sydney discovers that she's pregnant.
I'm going to talk about the novel in two different ways-- first I want to talk about what it does, and then I want to talk about how it does it. Hope's Journey is an important book, I'd even say a necessary story that our culture needs to hear. Worlton documents the ambivalence that both Alex and Sydney feel, the confusion and anger that they both experience, the judgment that Sydney experiences every day as her belly grows, the double standard that allows Alex to remain relatively free from judgment and even to date other people during Sydney's pregnancy, the pressure Sydney feels to put the baby up for adoption, the economic realities that face teen parents, and the role that prayer and repentance play in their lives. It's an interesting, nuanced story, and Worlton admits that it was influenced by her own experience becoming a teenage mother. I think it's one that should be widely read by Young men and Women, not as a cautionary tale but as one that shows the full ramifications of an act that Worlton doesn't even mention by name (I'm not sure that the book even says "sex" once, which probably says a lot about our culture). I also think it's an important book for families, friends, acquaintances of someone who is or has been in Sydney and Alex's shoes.
That said, the book wasn't always easy to read. I don't fault Worlton for this as much as I fault Cedar Fort, which published the novel. I've read a lot of Cedar Fort books over the last few years, and they all suffer from a lack of thorough editing. In this case, the most problematic thing for me is Alex's voice-- he's characterized as a handsome high school jock, but his prose, especially his thoughts, are really flowery-- they're not the way an 18-year-old guy would talk. There are also a few places where story lines could have been tied up better-- what happened to the red truck? Why did Sydney's brother decide to stay home from his mission? What happened with Alex's evil mom? And then there are the excess of adjectives, the dialogue that doesn't really work, the minor misspellings. These are the kinds of things a good editor should catch. It's kind of a shame, in this case, because it's an accessible, instructive, interesting story, but it could have been better than it is with a really close, careful editing.
October 25, 2011
Beautifully, achingly honest, Hope's Journey is a realistic exploration of a teenage pregnancy. Written from an LDS perspective, Worlton emphasizes what a taboo subject this can be in LDS circles, how cruel and prideful we can be without realizing it, and how our snap judgements of others can be so very unfair and unwise besides. Told through both Sydney and Alex's points of view, she explores subjects such as worth, worthiness, insecurity, accepting change, forgivness, and repentence. Her characters are not only realistic but endearing. You will wish you were one of their friends.
As a general rule, I avoid books that look to be "poignant" or "heart-warming," but this was one I could not resist. Admittedly, I was influenced greatly by the cover, which is one of the most beautiful and intriguing I have ever seen. For me to enjoy a story, the writing has to be good, and the story has to be worth telling and worth the time it takes me to read it. But most importantly, I really need to connect with the characters.
I completely connected with Sydney. Though having different outcomes, Sydney's experience took me straight back to my own high school experience, my own high school boyfriend, and my own inability to "break up" with my best friend even when I should have. If I had truly loved him, I would have. Working from both the male and female points of view, Worlton accurately describes the reasons why being serious with someone when you're both so young is so dangerously playing with fire, reasons I heard a hundred times as a teen and never, not once, actually interalized and believed--because I was like Sydney: a straight-A student, a good girl, and the exception to every rule.
I liked Alex's comparison of girls to cars, of Sydney to a Porsche--gorgeous, desireable, but something he was completely unprepared to take care of and a committment he was completely unprepared to make. But, when we take adult priveleges we have to accept adult consequences, and I loved how, when her options became limited, Sydney owned up, made a new plan, and moved forward. I would have liked to see more of Alex's acceptance, as well as a few other ends tied up, such as how his mother responded to his decision!
I enjoyed how all the terminology and references to sex were so tastefully and tactfully done, but I do think this would be a limitation outside of the LDS market. Same to be said of the situation as a whole; most of the world would probably not see much wrong with teen pregnancy and even less wrong with premarital sex, let alone consider it a sin that needed to be pain-stakingly repented of. Not taking this into consideration might even put us in the same boat as the judgemental old hags in Sydney's ward!
I appreciated Grams and her words of wisdom. She could view the Sydney's situation from a more eternal perspective than anyone else. I loved Gabe's sweet devotion. And Damon. Oh. Man. (fanning myself with my hand). Even Sydney's brother. His own plans took a back seat when Sydney needed his support. She inspired devotion in so many. How could she really be as terrible as those who were judgemental believed her to be?
This book is so completely a romance while the two main characters spend most of the book apart and misunderstanding the other's good intentions. Usually misunderstandings, things that could be cleared up with a conversation, frustrate me, but this was just so sweetly done, and in truth, the relationship was much too complex to be cleared up with a conversation. So many other factors came into play because Sydney and Alex had not lived enough of life (college, steady income, experience in general) for the relationship they had developed to work as it should.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially teen girls and women. An enthusiastic 6 of 5 stars (the extra one's for Damon).
As a general rule, I avoid books that look to be "poignant" or "heart-warming," but this was one I could not resist. Admittedly, I was influenced greatly by the cover, which is one of the most beautiful and intriguing I have ever seen. For me to enjoy a story, the writing has to be good, and the story has to be worth telling and worth the time it takes me to read it. But most importantly, I really need to connect with the characters.
I completely connected with Sydney. Though having different outcomes, Sydney's experience took me straight back to my own high school experience, my own high school boyfriend, and my own inability to "break up" with my best friend even when I should have. If I had truly loved him, I would have. Working from both the male and female points of view, Worlton accurately describes the reasons why being serious with someone when you're both so young is so dangerously playing with fire, reasons I heard a hundred times as a teen and never, not once, actually interalized and believed--because I was like Sydney: a straight-A student, a good girl, and the exception to every rule.
I liked Alex's comparison of girls to cars, of Sydney to a Porsche--gorgeous, desireable, but something he was completely unprepared to take care of and a committment he was completely unprepared to make. But, when we take adult priveleges we have to accept adult consequences, and I loved how, when her options became limited, Sydney owned up, made a new plan, and moved forward. I would have liked to see more of Alex's acceptance, as well as a few other ends tied up, such as how his mother responded to his decision!
I enjoyed how all the terminology and references to sex were so tastefully and tactfully done, but I do think this would be a limitation outside of the LDS market. Same to be said of the situation as a whole; most of the world would probably not see much wrong with teen pregnancy and even less wrong with premarital sex, let alone consider it a sin that needed to be pain-stakingly repented of. Not taking this into consideration might even put us in the same boat as the judgemental old hags in Sydney's ward!
I appreciated Grams and her words of wisdom. She could view the Sydney's situation from a more eternal perspective than anyone else. I loved Gabe's sweet devotion. And Damon. Oh. Man. (fanning myself with my hand). Even Sydney's brother. His own plans took a back seat when Sydney needed his support. She inspired devotion in so many. How could she really be as terrible as those who were judgemental believed her to be?
This book is so completely a romance while the two main characters spend most of the book apart and misunderstanding the other's good intentions. Usually misunderstandings, things that could be cleared up with a conversation, frustrate me, but this was just so sweetly done, and in truth, the relationship was much too complex to be cleared up with a conversation. So many other factors came into play because Sydney and Alex had not lived enough of life (college, steady income, experience in general) for the relationship they had developed to work as it should.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially teen girls and women. An enthusiastic 6 of 5 stars (the extra one's for Damon).
April 25, 2012
(4.5)
[Hope's Journey is a wonderful book that gives an honest look at the power of carnal appetites and its consequences. But of course, also the greater power of God's influence. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and I think you will too.]
I would venture to say that it is innate in us to seek after a mate. The teenage years seem to be the stage for the practical draft of that quest. Physical and biological changes during these tender years allow for exploration of all sorts of emotions, including carnal appetites. Oh, the power of those lascivious desires are so underestimated! Even in the hands of seemingly two strong Christian minded individuals, can fall victim to it's influence. And so the case was for Alex and Sydney. They succumbed. The result was a pregnancy. Their future, tainted. Their journey, to unfold.
Wow, I was surprised at how alive the story was presented. Little did I know that this might have been so because it was the author's personal story (after the end of the book, in the Author's Note, does the author state this) so the events and feelings were real, under the umbrella of fictional novel. Oh, I could imagine the tears that she must have shed while writing this novel. Anyway, I really was captivated. I was not liking Alex's reaction to the pregnancy (among few others). But as the story progressed, I was getting that he needed that stay-away-from-me time. Truly this young couple had a lot of soul searching.
Although, this was from a point of view of LDS individuals, the storyline was not preachy. It really was a raw take on issues of teen pregnancy ..the emotional spiritual battle, the social humiliation and rejection, contemplating what is the right thing to do now, questioning a place in society, finding a support team, etc. There were distinct side characters that you loved and disliked. There were mean people, surprisingly even church members! But I sure loved Sydney's grandmother. She so rocked! But, I wondered where grandpa was. He was not around when Sydney came to visit. Was he at work, chillin' in another room, or what? ..my silly little pet peeve. ;)
The prologue was strong and solid. The follow through was meaty perhaps because the author did not want to leave anything out but unfortunately it also provided some disjointments. The main focus was Alex and Sydney so the other characters lost details. Then the ending was quickly wrapped up but it worked for me. Overall, it was a story that edified me. Well done, Ms Worlton!
Jinky is Reading
[Hope's Journey is a wonderful book that gives an honest look at the power of carnal appetites and its consequences. But of course, also the greater power of God's influence. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and I think you will too.]
I would venture to say that it is innate in us to seek after a mate. The teenage years seem to be the stage for the practical draft of that quest. Physical and biological changes during these tender years allow for exploration of all sorts of emotions, including carnal appetites. Oh, the power of those lascivious desires are so underestimated! Even in the hands of seemingly two strong Christian minded individuals, can fall victim to it's influence. And so the case was for Alex and Sydney. They succumbed. The result was a pregnancy. Their future, tainted. Their journey, to unfold.
Wow, I was surprised at how alive the story was presented. Little did I know that this might have been so because it was the author's personal story (after the end of the book, in the Author's Note, does the author state this) so the events and feelings were real, under the umbrella of fictional novel. Oh, I could imagine the tears that she must have shed while writing this novel. Anyway, I really was captivated. I was not liking Alex's reaction to the pregnancy (among few others). But as the story progressed, I was getting that he needed that stay-away-from-me time. Truly this young couple had a lot of soul searching.
Although, this was from a point of view of LDS individuals, the storyline was not preachy. It really was a raw take on issues of teen pregnancy ..the emotional spiritual battle, the social humiliation and rejection, contemplating what is the right thing to do now, questioning a place in society, finding a support team, etc. There were distinct side characters that you loved and disliked. There were mean people, surprisingly even church members! But I sure loved Sydney's grandmother. She so rocked! But, I wondered where grandpa was. He was not around when Sydney came to visit. Was he at work, chillin' in another room, or what? ..my silly little pet peeve. ;)
The prologue was strong and solid. The follow through was meaty perhaps because the author did not want to leave anything out but unfortunately it also provided some disjointments. The main focus was Alex and Sydney so the other characters lost details. Then the ending was quickly wrapped up but it worked for me. Overall, it was a story that edified me. Well done, Ms Worlton!
Jinky is Reading
November 30, 2011
Sydney and Alex have their lives all planned out, and things are running smooth. Mostly. Everything changes when Sydney discovers she's pregnant. They both have to deal with their own struggles of seeing their dreams shattered. Sydney and Alex must figure out their paths separately, something they never thought would happen. In doing this, they must also figure out if their futures involve each other. The only sure thing is that nothing will be as they planned it to be.
I'm going to get the little bit of negative out of the way first. This is a book with very introspective characters. Sometimes it was a bit too introspective to me. However, some people will really love this aspect of the book. I just got overwhelmed with the emotion of it all sometimes. My other minor issue was with the ending. I don't want to spoil anything, but I did feel like it was wrapped up a bit too neatly.
That being said, what this book did well it did very, very well. This book did a brilliant job in portraying an unexpected teen pregnancy, especially as it pertains to LDS members. Having known females and males in Sydney and Alex's positions, the things they went through and feelings they felt were spot on. The way Sydney got negative treatment from members of her ward was so heartbreaking, yet so accurate. It can be a very harsh world for a single pregnant young lady within the church. I also really felt for both Sydney and Alex. Their struggles with self-worth and forgiveness were hard to read at times, and I wanted to be able to reach into the page and help them.
I think the most important thing this book did was emphasize that so many times the mistakes we make in life can be tied into our feelings of self-worth. This is applicable to both young and not-as-young women. I think that this book really gives an amazingly accurate look into the lives of two people who find themselves in the position of becoming parents at a less than desirable time in their lives. I think a lot of people would benefit from reading this book. Hopefully it can raise awareness on the feelings of young mothers and fathers and the empathy we have for their situations. Everything is handled in such a way that even younger people can read it comfortably. This book can certainly open up avenues of conversation. Overall this book did a wonderful job of telling a difficult story in a wonderful way.
Book provided for review.
I'm going to get the little bit of negative out of the way first. This is a book with very introspective characters. Sometimes it was a bit too introspective to me. However, some people will really love this aspect of the book. I just got overwhelmed with the emotion of it all sometimes. My other minor issue was with the ending. I don't want to spoil anything, but I did feel like it was wrapped up a bit too neatly.
That being said, what this book did well it did very, very well. This book did a brilliant job in portraying an unexpected teen pregnancy, especially as it pertains to LDS members. Having known females and males in Sydney and Alex's positions, the things they went through and feelings they felt were spot on. The way Sydney got negative treatment from members of her ward was so heartbreaking, yet so accurate. It can be a very harsh world for a single pregnant young lady within the church. I also really felt for both Sydney and Alex. Their struggles with self-worth and forgiveness were hard to read at times, and I wanted to be able to reach into the page and help them.
I think the most important thing this book did was emphasize that so many times the mistakes we make in life can be tied into our feelings of self-worth. This is applicable to both young and not-as-young women. I think that this book really gives an amazingly accurate look into the lives of two people who find themselves in the position of becoming parents at a less than desirable time in their lives. I think a lot of people would benefit from reading this book. Hopefully it can raise awareness on the feelings of young mothers and fathers and the empathy we have for their situations. Everything is handled in such a way that even younger people can read it comfortably. This book can certainly open up avenues of conversation. Overall this book did a wonderful job of telling a difficult story in a wonderful way.
Book provided for review.
March 16, 2012
This book is one I plan to bookmark for future use. It needs to be read by kids who are dealing with teenage pregnancy (both male and female) but I think it is also inspirational for all people who struggle with having self-worth or who have made bad decisions that they need to find a way past. I really want my girls to read it as I hope it will help them to understand their infinite worth as daughters of God, which will hopefully help them make good decisions. Relating one's own self-worth with their ability to take good care of themselves is one of the major themes of this book.
The synopsis: a teenage couple winds up pregnant. The very foundation of their faith are shaken, as is their relationship.
I really enjoyed the way the author gave us the story chronologically from both character's standpoints. She did a great job of giving them each their own voice and it is of no surprise that she herself has dealt with teenage pregnancy. Her portrayal of emotions was very honest and obviously from the inside of the problem, not from the outside looking in.
My only critique would be that it has a lot of LDS references which I think could have been flushed out to make this more appealing to a larger audience. Mormons aren't the only kids dealing with this issue. As a Mormon, however, I really enjoyed the accurate portrayal, even if it is a shame that many of the members of my church really are judgmental and callous at times. Aren't all religious people at risk of such?
As a codependent in recovery I think this book will speak powerfully to many other suffering codependents who look to others to define their own worth. In fact, I would love to hand out a copy of this book to every woman in my weekly support group.
Well done Stephanie Worlton. Your labor of love is inspiring and I hope it will end up in the hands of every person who needs the message of self-love and self-acceptance delivered. Sometimes God speaks through fiction and this is the kind of book that I believe He will use for his purposes. As a writer you have achieved the miraculous with this book. Not all books can draw one into the story and also give a portion of self-help but yours has.
I loved it.
The synopsis: a teenage couple winds up pregnant. The very foundation of their faith are shaken, as is their relationship.
I really enjoyed the way the author gave us the story chronologically from both character's standpoints. She did a great job of giving them each their own voice and it is of no surprise that she herself has dealt with teenage pregnancy. Her portrayal of emotions was very honest and obviously from the inside of the problem, not from the outside looking in.
My only critique would be that it has a lot of LDS references which I think could have been flushed out to make this more appealing to a larger audience. Mormons aren't the only kids dealing with this issue. As a Mormon, however, I really enjoyed the accurate portrayal, even if it is a shame that many of the members of my church really are judgmental and callous at times. Aren't all religious people at risk of such?
As a codependent in recovery I think this book will speak powerfully to many other suffering codependents who look to others to define their own worth. In fact, I would love to hand out a copy of this book to every woman in my weekly support group.
Well done Stephanie Worlton. Your labor of love is inspiring and I hope it will end up in the hands of every person who needs the message of self-love and self-acceptance delivered. Sometimes God speaks through fiction and this is the kind of book that I believe He will use for his purposes. As a writer you have achieved the miraculous with this book. Not all books can draw one into the story and also give a portion of self-help but yours has.
I loved it.
September 9, 2012
First of I want to apologize for not reading this book earlier. I got this book a while ago and I was waiting this whole time to read it. At the other hand that's a good thing as I'm reading contemporary books these days.
This is one of those situations when I hate the blurb. I wasn't planing on reading it but it was at the beginning of the book so I read it. What do I hate it? Because it reveals too much. I wish some things are left secret like pregnancy. The book is mostly what you see in the blurb, there is a boy and the girl, for some reasons (I'll talk about it later) they do something "stupid" and now they have to deal with. Only thing you're curious is the end. Even though I would change some things here, like repeating some things over and over again I find this book something that teens should read. Hopefully they'll learn some things on time.
Why I say so? Well I couldn't relate with any of the characters here (maybe if I was seventeen I would, but I highly doubt). I asume that there are the teens that think this way. We live in the time where values aren't set right, so some would do anything to keep someone not realizing that they give everything and another person nothing. Yes I'm talking about sex. Here Syd has done that, she slept with his boyfriend thinking this is right thing to do and without using protection. That's why she has to strugle with the pregnancy.
I don't judge teens here, just so you know, I judge society. Regardless on that, the thing that confused me the most here are the parents. I mean I do understand that focus of this book are teens themselves and their friends but those few times when parents appeared I was lost. Maybe I was raised differently but I couldn't understand how parents let all this slide, mostly. Sure my Ma would do everything to help me but she would also have few thing to tell me. For sure nothing would change but still...
All in all I'm not fascionated with the book or writing, but I also believe this book could help some if they found themselves in this situation.
This is one of those situations when I hate the blurb. I wasn't planing on reading it but it was at the beginning of the book so I read it. What do I hate it? Because it reveals too much. I wish some things are left secret like pregnancy. The book is mostly what you see in the blurb, there is a boy and the girl, for some reasons (I'll talk about it later) they do something "stupid" and now they have to deal with. Only thing you're curious is the end. Even though I would change some things here, like repeating some things over and over again I find this book something that teens should read. Hopefully they'll learn some things on time.
Why I say so? Well I couldn't relate with any of the characters here (maybe if I was seventeen I would, but I highly doubt). I asume that there are the teens that think this way. We live in the time where values aren't set right, so some would do anything to keep someone not realizing that they give everything and another person nothing. Yes I'm talking about sex. Here Syd has done that, she slept with his boyfriend thinking this is right thing to do and without using protection. That's why she has to strugle with the pregnancy.
I don't judge teens here, just so you know, I judge society. Regardless on that, the thing that confused me the most here are the parents. I mean I do understand that focus of this book are teens themselves and their friends but those few times when parents appeared I was lost. Maybe I was raised differently but I couldn't understand how parents let all this slide, mostly. Sure my Ma would do everything to help me but she would also have few thing to tell me. For sure nothing would change but still...
All in all I'm not fascionated with the book or writing, but I also believe this book could help some if they found themselves in this situation.
February 28, 2012
Wow, this has to be one of the most honest books I've read in a long time!
Sydney and Alex are typical high school kids, preparing for graduation with big dreams of college and, for Alex, a mission. Then they discover that Syd is pregnant.
Hope's Journey is an unflinching look at the very real consequences of such a situation. Told from alternating POV's of both Alex and Syd, you can't help but be completely drawn into their drama. Even if you want to throttle both of them at times for stupid decisions they're making, the book deals very, very realistically with them and their reasons for making said decisions.
I started reading this for an upcoming book tour for Stephanie Worlton, with plans to just read the first part and finish the rest later when I had more time. I couldn't put it down. I read the whole thing in two days, putting aside all the things I should have been doing instead. I was so drawn into the story and caught up in these characters that I couldn't let them go. That, to me, is the mark of an excellently well-written book. From Syd and Alex's feelings, to the judgements they are dealing with from friends, family, and ward members who claim to be "Christ-like", every word rings (sometimes unfortunately) true.
This is a must read for every person who has ever judged someone without knowing the whole story, or who have been in a situation where they were the one being judged, whether you are LDS or not. (FYI, there is no gospel preaching, so if you're not LDS, please, please read this.)
Sydney and Alex are typical high school kids, preparing for graduation with big dreams of college and, for Alex, a mission. Then they discover that Syd is pregnant.
Hope's Journey is an unflinching look at the very real consequences of such a situation. Told from alternating POV's of both Alex and Syd, you can't help but be completely drawn into their drama. Even if you want to throttle both of them at times for stupid decisions they're making, the book deals very, very realistically with them and their reasons for making said decisions.
I started reading this for an upcoming book tour for Stephanie Worlton, with plans to just read the first part and finish the rest later when I had more time. I couldn't put it down. I read the whole thing in two days, putting aside all the things I should have been doing instead. I was so drawn into the story and caught up in these characters that I couldn't let them go. That, to me, is the mark of an excellently well-written book. From Syd and Alex's feelings, to the judgements they are dealing with from friends, family, and ward members who claim to be "Christ-like", every word rings (sometimes unfortunately) true.
This is a must read for every person who has ever judged someone without knowing the whole story, or who have been in a situation where they were the one being judged, whether you are LDS or not. (FYI, there is no gospel preaching, so if you're not LDS, please, please read this.)
April 12, 2012
Hopes Journey is an emotional roller coaster. The story deals with teen pregnancy and the many issues that teens (even some adults) navigate through when dealing with a "woopsy" (as my dad likes to call it).
The emotions portrayed are raw and very honest. The book follows both Alex and Sydney's point of view. Each chapter alternates between the two. It is very frank in dealing with the many issues and social aspects of teens dealing with pregnancy and the fallout of family and friends. I could picture the scenes in my mind. Stephanie Worlton doesn't sugar coat the situation. I felt particularly bad for Sydney as she is judged. I found it ironic that she feels more of the social pains than Alex does, because it is her body changing and not his.
I think that this is a great book for youth to read. The emotions are real. The situation is real. It might help a few to think twice before following the same path. Many young women have tied up their self esteem into their relationships with boys. Thinking that if they don't give up their virtue, the boy will leave. This book addresses that thought admirably.
This book kept me glued to the pages and I hoped the best for each of them and their innocent child.
The emotions portrayed are raw and very honest. The book follows both Alex and Sydney's point of view. Each chapter alternates between the two. It is very frank in dealing with the many issues and social aspects of teens dealing with pregnancy and the fallout of family and friends. I could picture the scenes in my mind. Stephanie Worlton doesn't sugar coat the situation. I felt particularly bad for Sydney as she is judged. I found it ironic that she feels more of the social pains than Alex does, because it is her body changing and not his.
I think that this is a great book for youth to read. The emotions are real. The situation is real. It might help a few to think twice before following the same path. Many young women have tied up their self esteem into their relationships with boys. Thinking that if they don't give up their virtue, the boy will leave. This book addresses that thought admirably.
This book kept me glued to the pages and I hoped the best for each of them and their innocent child.
December 12, 2012
I saw this book at the library and because it said "LDS" on the side and I liked the cover, I got it. I had low expectations since I hadn't heard of the author, but this book blew me away.
I loved how we instantly get inside Sydney and Alex's heads. The way the author was able to switch back and forth with unique character voices for these two of opposite gender was extremely impressive. I thought it was just brilliant. It was a real eye opener as it just taught me to be a little less judgemental and more supportive of people who have gotten into a situation like this.
I also loved that I really wasn't sure what was going to happen. I started liking Damon so much that I wondered if he and Sydney would get together after his mission! It was really fun that there was the element of surprise. It definitely ended in a way that I did not expect, and yet I didn't feel tricked or anything.
Beautiful writing! I will definitely be reading more books from this author in the future!
I loved how we instantly get inside Sydney and Alex's heads. The way the author was able to switch back and forth with unique character voices for these two of opposite gender was extremely impressive. I thought it was just brilliant. It was a real eye opener as it just taught me to be a little less judgemental and more supportive of people who have gotten into a situation like this.
I also loved that I really wasn't sure what was going to happen. I started liking Damon so much that I wondered if he and Sydney would get together after his mission! It was really fun that there was the element of surprise. It definitely ended in a way that I did not expect, and yet I didn't feel tricked or anything.
Beautiful writing! I will definitely be reading more books from this author in the future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2012
I was really intrigued with this story...mostly because in LDS fiction you seldom see the LDS person making the mistakes...and these two kids made mistakes.
The portrayal of feelings from both these kids as they face an unwanted pregnancy was very compelling and realistic. It was interesting to read about how each of them dealt with the changes that would happen in their lives because of this pregnancy.
For the most part, it was well-written. A little too much telling and not enough showing for my taste...and typical of LDS lit, it had the sweet ending.
I really appreciate the message that the author wanted to convey. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about loving the sinner not the sin. Her message to love those who have strayed is timely and necessary. I applaud her effort and hope others will embrace it.
The portrayal of feelings from both these kids as they face an unwanted pregnancy was very compelling and realistic. It was interesting to read about how each of them dealt with the changes that would happen in their lives because of this pregnancy.
For the most part, it was well-written. A little too much telling and not enough showing for my taste...and typical of LDS lit, it had the sweet ending.
I really appreciate the message that the author wanted to convey. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about loving the sinner not the sin. Her message to love those who have strayed is timely and necessary. I applaud her effort and hope others will embrace it.
January 23, 2015
An emotion-packed roller coaster ride! I loved that this book was so true to life. It was real. It was genuine. And it wasn't nice and fluffy. I wasn't expecting to get to hear both sides of the story, but I loved how the author went back and forth between the teen who found herself pregnant and her boyfriend. It was very cool to follow the journey they both took as they found themselves at rock bottom, and had to climb their way back up and seek forgiveness. I loved that this story was not about a troubled, rebellious teen. They were both good, righteous Mormon kids with bright futures. Such a beautiful story! I highly recommend it!
July 4, 2011
I'm lucky enough to know this author and count her as a friend. I found this book very moving, often reading it through my tears. I knew that this was based off of Steph's own experience and so it was an emotional read for me. I had a little trouble getting into it at first (told ya I'd be honest Steph!) and trying to read it as a book instead of as if it were Steph's own journal, but then it really took off for me and I couldn't put it down until I was finished. I really enjoyed it and am SO proud of Steph's amazing accomplishment! Love ya Steph! You did a great job!
December 17, 2011
At times I was frustrated with Alex, but I did see the necessary journey for both characters. Alex's mother was unbelievable, those cruel things she said, placing all the blame on Sydney. It has a very valuable lesson about placing judgement on others, really made me think how cruel people can be. Honestly, my favorite part of the book was the Epilogue with Damon and the Author's Note.
May 14, 2012
My Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3
Great!
The moment that I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I don't completely recall how I came across Hope's Journey; just that I ended up on Stephanie's website and that I left her a comment saying that I would be delighted to read it and write a review. What I didn't realize until after I'd left the message was that the post was seeking people from the U.S. I was not offended, but being from Canada I put this out of my mind and got back to doing other things.
Imagine my surprise, then, what I was contacted by Stephanie and asked to be part of this tour. Can you tell I was (and still am!) excited? This book was a bit personal for me. I had friends in my late teens and early twenties who attended the LDS church and I often went with them. I have a great deal of respect for their beliefs, and even al these years later it was a bit surprising how simply reading this brought back such a flood of memories for me.
But let my spare you the walk down memory lane. You're here to find out what I thought of Hope's Journey, right? Well then, read on and hear what I have to say...
The Plot: (Summary from GoodReads)
Sydney is a straight-A student heading to college on a scholarship, and Alex is a quiet jock preparing to serve an LDS mission. But their dreams are shattered on the eve of their high school graduation when they find out that Sydney is pregnant. Separated, they must both trust in God as they search for the worth they once found in each other.
The overall concept of the plot for Hope's Journey is pretty straight forward. But the way that it plays out, the fact that we get a double narrative, and the fact that that we get to see how the characters change and grow over such a large stretch of time kept the story from ever getting boring for me.
I like the fact that Stephanie took so much care to show how what has happened has effected Sydney and Alex both in their hearts as well as in how their lives are going practically. There is no denying that finding out you are pregnant as a teen is going to be a life altering experience no matter what you choose to do, and this was an aspect of the story that was developed extremely well and in great detail.
I also liked the fact that we get to see the impact that the situation has on the characters community, and how various people within that community respond to what has happened. For those who are not familiar with anything involving the LDS this book might be a little confusing, and some of the behavior might seem questionable. However, within the context of the book, where the characters are all deeply connected to the church (which makes total sense since this does take place in Utah) I found it very interesting to see how it effected everything in this regard. I think that it was good that Stephanie showed both the warmth and strength of the community, as well as how much we, as humans, can struggle with being too eager to judge rather then to step forward to ask "How can I help?".
My only major gripe about the plot overall is that certain things either got dropped off or not explained / concluded fully. Why did Corbin decide not to go on his mission? What happened to Becca once Alex made his decision? It also somewhat jarred me that the POV for the epilogue was who it was. I feel it would have been more poignant from Sydney's POV. However, doing it that way might have brought up issues and problems that would not have been appropriate for this particular book.
The Characters:
This is where Hope's Journey most vividly shined, the thing that gave it that "I can't put this down!" factor that made me stay up until the wee hours of the morning in order to finish it. (Seriously, I read the book in a day. I didn't just not want to stop, I *couldn't* stop. It drew me in that strongly.)
Sydney was a likeable heroine who seemed to have a lot going for her. I like the fact that she seems to have a lot of drive and that even when things were difficult -- wondering what would happen between her and Alex, wondering what she should do with the baby, dealing with people's reactions -- that even if she was sad or confused for a while she would always gather up the strength to keep going. I found her extremely relatable and real, someone I would want to be friends with if she was someone I met in real life.
Alex was interesting and complex. On one hand, there were parts of the book that showed very well why Sydney wanted to be with him and the dynamic the two seemed to have built. At the same time, though, Alex also came across very real -- the good and the bad. The range of emotions that Stephanie showed him experiencing as the story progressed, and the amount of growth that we get to see him go through, is amazing.
I liked the fact that Sydney and Alex's friends were all equally unique and interesting, and that they all reacted to the things that were going on in their own ways. These characters successfully walked the line between having enough to show varying opinions, while not having too many that they all got jumbled together. I especially liked parts of the book where Damon and Gabe were present. They both added interesting situations to Sydney's situation, since they had been around prior to it and they both stuck with her through it. Considering the way Alex behaved at times, these two were a major help.
The Romance:
While actual romance was definitely not the focus of this book, that doesn't mean it was not present. I think that Stephanie did a great job of showing us how Sydney and Alex were together, both the good and the bad. I think this was really important since one of the things Sydney seemed concerned about was whether Alex would stay or not as she decided what she was doing. It was good to see that while she still clearly loved Alex, that she was not going to stop living if he didn't decide to be part of the future, and that the baby's future was not going to be reliant on his approval.
Remember I talked about Damon and Gabe? Well, apparently there are other guys who like Sydney and she has been so wrapped up in Alex that she never realized this. I like how each of these character's stories were completely different and that, although not every guy could be the one who ends up with Sydney, every guy who *wanted* to was equally a worth while consideration. Truthfully, I was personally very fond of Damon by the end, to the point where I wasn't actually concerned about Sydney and Alex (but still about the baby, obviously.)
My only real complaint about the romance is that there really didn't seem to be any consequences for how Sydney and Alex treated each other (especially on his end -- the message that if a guy gets you pregnant and he didn't mean to things are gonna get ugly fast was very clear here.) Plus there was the whole issue with the way that his mother treated Sydney and the fact that this was never resolved. Considering the way that Alex behaved and (in my opinion) the fact that his behavior and hers were both not covered, the fact that he ended up with Sydney was actually a little concerning, perhaps even disturbing. I wonder if this was intentional?
This is definitely an aspect of the book where I had trouble buying what happened and being happy for the characters because it made me wonder how their future would go. If the focus of this book was a love story, this would be a deal breaker for me. But that's not the focus here, and while the ending did do things that left me questioning, that was in the best 'truth' of the characters in this book. Because there lives during this whole thing were not easy and for it to suddenly change at the end from Alex making a single decision would have seemed unbelievable.
In General:
I really enjoyed Hope's Journey and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to read it. If you are looking to read a book about a young woman dealing with the joys and sorrows of pregnancy, this is likely a good choice. The depths of emotion that this book caused me to experience were very strong, because the characters seemed to be capable of feeling very deeply and they drew me into their world with ease.
Great!
The moment that I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I don't completely recall how I came across Hope's Journey; just that I ended up on Stephanie's website and that I left her a comment saying that I would be delighted to read it and write a review. What I didn't realize until after I'd left the message was that the post was seeking people from the U.S. I was not offended, but being from Canada I put this out of my mind and got back to doing other things.
Imagine my surprise, then, what I was contacted by Stephanie and asked to be part of this tour. Can you tell I was (and still am!) excited? This book was a bit personal for me. I had friends in my late teens and early twenties who attended the LDS church and I often went with them. I have a great deal of respect for their beliefs, and even al these years later it was a bit surprising how simply reading this brought back such a flood of memories for me.
But let my spare you the walk down memory lane. You're here to find out what I thought of Hope's Journey, right? Well then, read on and hear what I have to say...
The Plot: (Summary from GoodReads)
Sydney is a straight-A student heading to college on a scholarship, and Alex is a quiet jock preparing to serve an LDS mission. But their dreams are shattered on the eve of their high school graduation when they find out that Sydney is pregnant. Separated, they must both trust in God as they search for the worth they once found in each other.
The overall concept of the plot for Hope's Journey is pretty straight forward. But the way that it plays out, the fact that we get a double narrative, and the fact that that we get to see how the characters change and grow over such a large stretch of time kept the story from ever getting boring for me.
I like the fact that Stephanie took so much care to show how what has happened has effected Sydney and Alex both in their hearts as well as in how their lives are going practically. There is no denying that finding out you are pregnant as a teen is going to be a life altering experience no matter what you choose to do, and this was an aspect of the story that was developed extremely well and in great detail.
I also liked the fact that we get to see the impact that the situation has on the characters community, and how various people within that community respond to what has happened. For those who are not familiar with anything involving the LDS this book might be a little confusing, and some of the behavior might seem questionable. However, within the context of the book, where the characters are all deeply connected to the church (which makes total sense since this does take place in Utah) I found it very interesting to see how it effected everything in this regard. I think that it was good that Stephanie showed both the warmth and strength of the community, as well as how much we, as humans, can struggle with being too eager to judge rather then to step forward to ask "How can I help?".
My only major gripe about the plot overall is that certain things either got dropped off or not explained / concluded fully. Why did Corbin decide not to go on his mission? What happened to Becca once Alex made his decision? It also somewhat jarred me that the POV for the epilogue was who it was. I feel it would have been more poignant from Sydney's POV. However, doing it that way might have brought up issues and problems that would not have been appropriate for this particular book.
The Characters:
This is where Hope's Journey most vividly shined, the thing that gave it that "I can't put this down!" factor that made me stay up until the wee hours of the morning in order to finish it. (Seriously, I read the book in a day. I didn't just not want to stop, I *couldn't* stop. It drew me in that strongly.)
Sydney was a likeable heroine who seemed to have a lot going for her. I like the fact that she seems to have a lot of drive and that even when things were difficult -- wondering what would happen between her and Alex, wondering what she should do with the baby, dealing with people's reactions -- that even if she was sad or confused for a while she would always gather up the strength to keep going. I found her extremely relatable and real, someone I would want to be friends with if she was someone I met in real life.
Alex was interesting and complex. On one hand, there were parts of the book that showed very well why Sydney wanted to be with him and the dynamic the two seemed to have built. At the same time, though, Alex also came across very real -- the good and the bad. The range of emotions that Stephanie showed him experiencing as the story progressed, and the amount of growth that we get to see him go through, is amazing.
I liked the fact that Sydney and Alex's friends were all equally unique and interesting, and that they all reacted to the things that were going on in their own ways. These characters successfully walked the line between having enough to show varying opinions, while not having too many that they all got jumbled together. I especially liked parts of the book where Damon and Gabe were present. They both added interesting situations to Sydney's situation, since they had been around prior to it and they both stuck with her through it. Considering the way Alex behaved at times, these two were a major help.
The Romance:
While actual romance was definitely not the focus of this book, that doesn't mean it was not present. I think that Stephanie did a great job of showing us how Sydney and Alex were together, both the good and the bad. I think this was really important since one of the things Sydney seemed concerned about was whether Alex would stay or not as she decided what she was doing. It was good to see that while she still clearly loved Alex, that she was not going to stop living if he didn't decide to be part of the future, and that the baby's future was not going to be reliant on his approval.
Remember I talked about Damon and Gabe? Well, apparently there are other guys who like Sydney and she has been so wrapped up in Alex that she never realized this. I like how each of these character's stories were completely different and that, although not every guy could be the one who ends up with Sydney, every guy who *wanted* to was equally a worth while consideration. Truthfully, I was personally very fond of Damon by the end, to the point where I wasn't actually concerned about Sydney and Alex (but still about the baby, obviously.)
My only real complaint about the romance is that there really didn't seem to be any consequences for how Sydney and Alex treated each other (especially on his end -- the message that if a guy gets you pregnant and he didn't mean to things are gonna get ugly fast was very clear here.) Plus there was the whole issue with the way that his mother treated Sydney and the fact that this was never resolved. Considering the way that Alex behaved and (in my opinion) the fact that his behavior and hers were both not covered, the fact that he ended up with Sydney was actually a little concerning, perhaps even disturbing. I wonder if this was intentional?
This is definitely an aspect of the book where I had trouble buying what happened and being happy for the characters because it made me wonder how their future would go. If the focus of this book was a love story, this would be a deal breaker for me. But that's not the focus here, and while the ending did do things that left me questioning, that was in the best 'truth' of the characters in this book. Because there lives during this whole thing were not easy and for it to suddenly change at the end from Alex making a single decision would have seemed unbelievable.
In General:
I really enjoyed Hope's Journey and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to read it. If you are looking to read a book about a young woman dealing with the joys and sorrows of pregnancy, this is likely a good choice. The depths of emotion that this book caused me to experience were very strong, because the characters seemed to be capable of feeling very deeply and they drew me into their world with ease.
September 28, 2019
The author is a friend of mine and much of this is based on her own story. It really brought to life the struggles of teen pregnancy and how difficult that can be, especially in a religious culture. Stephanie writes beautifully and effortlessly. Her story reminded me that we all make mistakes and sometimes those mistakes take us on a different path and journey than others. But God is there with us the whole time. And sometimes those off-paths teach us something about ourselves we couldn’t have learned on a smooth course.
March 28, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book! It was written by a friend of mine and I am so excited for her accomplishment. I cried many times because she a great job of expressing the characters emotions. I think there are some great lessons to be learned from this book, and that we all need to be more careful with our judgements of others. Good Job Stephanie! Thanks for sharing your story and talent with us!
November 18, 2017
This is a book that has stuck with me for a long time. It is one of my favourite reads. So beautiful and heartwarming, but also still showing the reality of our decisions, and the consequences.
November 9, 2011
Blog Tour and giveaway at http://fireandicephoto.blogspot.com/2...
Hope's Journey is a book that will leave a lasting impression in your mind and heart long after you are done reading. For me it was sad in the beginning because it was easily what could and does happen to so many youth. As the story progressed I could literally feel the heart wrenching experiences and feelings both Alex and Sydney were going through. This is not an easy read because it tackles the issue of teenage pregnancy, the road through repentance the social shunning that comes as a result of other people's judgements and the anger of dreams lost. It is beautifully written and heart wrenching, so very real. I would recommend this to all teens, male and female, youth leaders and parents. I admire that the author does not skirt around the issues but meets them head on. She teaches that self-worth and confidence are at the core of the problem. I also love that she teaches there is a merciful Father in Heaven who knows us each individually and answers our prayers. Sydney took the road less traveled and she does it bravely because she knows it is right. An absolutely moving debut that I will keep and pass on.
There were several things that left me wanting as I finished...so here is my fair warning of a *spoiler alert*
*I wanted Alex to mature a little more than he did in the 40 weeks he had to think about his future and I was disappointed in the way he handled the news he was going to be a father. He seemed pretty self-centered and immature in comparison to all the progress and growth Sydney made. I also really wanted to see some closure in the confrontation between Alex's mother and Sydney. Did he even knew that conversation took place? How did the mother handle the way things ended up? I have to admit that deep down I sad she didn't pick Damon. Could a guy be more perfect? He was an amazing friend and so much more. As well, I think the author left the issue of Sydney's brother deicing not to go on a mission open ended. Why did he decide not to go and where did he end up? As far as the ending... WOW ...so not what I was expecting. A few more chapters may have been good to win me over. I want to see how the road new parents and teen newlyweds was a hard road. I am sure the couple faced many more challenges in their immediate future. Teens need to realize that marriage is hard work and not the end, but just the beginning. * (end of spoliers)
When I read the epilogue and realized Hope's Journey was a story based on the author's own experience I was amazed. I admire that she is brave enough and felt compelled to tell her own story within a fictional framework. I would recommend reading the author's end notes, interviews and the post on the inspiration behind the story on her blog. What a gift Stephanie Worlton has left for each of us. Well done!
Hope's Journey is a book that will leave a lasting impression in your mind and heart long after you are done reading. For me it was sad in the beginning because it was easily what could and does happen to so many youth. As the story progressed I could literally feel the heart wrenching experiences and feelings both Alex and Sydney were going through. This is not an easy read because it tackles the issue of teenage pregnancy, the road through repentance the social shunning that comes as a result of other people's judgements and the anger of dreams lost. It is beautifully written and heart wrenching, so very real. I would recommend this to all teens, male and female, youth leaders and parents. I admire that the author does not skirt around the issues but meets them head on. She teaches that self-worth and confidence are at the core of the problem. I also love that she teaches there is a merciful Father in Heaven who knows us each individually and answers our prayers. Sydney took the road less traveled and she does it bravely because she knows it is right. An absolutely moving debut that I will keep and pass on.
There were several things that left me wanting as I finished...so here is my fair warning of a *spoiler alert*
*I wanted Alex to mature a little more than he did in the 40 weeks he had to think about his future and I was disappointed in the way he handled the news he was going to be a father. He seemed pretty self-centered and immature in comparison to all the progress and growth Sydney made. I also really wanted to see some closure in the confrontation between Alex's mother and Sydney. Did he even knew that conversation took place? How did the mother handle the way things ended up? I have to admit that deep down I sad she didn't pick Damon. Could a guy be more perfect? He was an amazing friend and so much more. As well, I think the author left the issue of Sydney's brother deicing not to go on a mission open ended. Why did he decide not to go and where did he end up? As far as the ending... WOW ...so not what I was expecting. A few more chapters may have been good to win me over. I want to see how the road new parents and teen newlyweds was a hard road. I am sure the couple faced many more challenges in their immediate future. Teens need to realize that marriage is hard work and not the end, but just the beginning. * (end of spoliers)
When I read the epilogue and realized Hope's Journey was a story based on the author's own experience I was amazed. I admire that she is brave enough and felt compelled to tell her own story within a fictional framework. I would recommend reading the author's end notes, interviews and the post on the inspiration behind the story on her blog. What a gift Stephanie Worlton has left for each of us. Well done!
March 23, 2012
I loved this book! Hope's Journey is about two seniors in high school: Alex and his girlfriend Sydney. They are in love, and have such a sweet, tender relationship.
Except, for Sydney, something is missing. On the outside, she appears to have it all: a confident tomboy who has more guy friends than girl friends, and an energetic, outgoing personality. On top of that, she is very smart, has received multiple scholarship offers and has her pick as to which college she'll attend. But, on the inside, she feels an emptiness. For someone who appears to have all the confidence in the world, she actually has pretty low self-esteem. She searches for her self-worth outside of herself, and finds it in her relationship with Alex.
Alex is a smart, talented athlete, and plans to go on a mission as soon as he turns 19, which is several months after high school ends. Alex and Sydney are Mormon, and most Mormon young men go on mission trips for two years after high school, before they start college. The missionaries' purpose is to spread the word of God to non-believers, and they are assigned a location for their mission: they could be sent anywhere in the world. Young men have to be pure before their missions, and if they have sinned, they have to tell the church elders and repent of their sin. Depending on the nature of their sin, they may or may not be allowed to complete their mission.
Alex and Sydney have "gone too far" a couple of times. Worlton doesn't give any of the details, just alludes to the fact (this being a Christian fiction, it is very clean and appropriate for any age). Sydney starts to fear that she is pregnant, and soon finds out she is (this is not a spoiler---see the summary). Their carefully constructed plan for after graduation crumbles around them like a house of cards. Suddenly, Alex's mission is in jeopardy, and Sydney's college plans are up in the air. And Sydney and Alex react to the news in very, very different ways.
The majority of Hope's Journey is based on how Sydney and Alex react, grow, and adapt during Sydney's pregnancy. The story is told in alternating point-of-views, with Sydney narrating one chapter and Alex the next. I love that style of narration because I love getting to know both main characters so well. And, I really enjoyed being in Alex's head because if I hadn't known his inner thoughts, his actions, at times, would have made me want to reach through the book and slap him!
I ended up reading this book in a day: I could not put it down and had to know how Alex and Sydney's stories ended. And I was most pleased with the ending---although it was not what I had expected and I would have liked more details.
I would recommend Hope's Journey to fans of YA and fans of Christian fiction. It was a beautifully written book and I will definitely read more from Stephanie Worlton.
Except, for Sydney, something is missing. On the outside, she appears to have it all: a confident tomboy who has more guy friends than girl friends, and an energetic, outgoing personality. On top of that, she is very smart, has received multiple scholarship offers and has her pick as to which college she'll attend. But, on the inside, she feels an emptiness. For someone who appears to have all the confidence in the world, she actually has pretty low self-esteem. She searches for her self-worth outside of herself, and finds it in her relationship with Alex.
Alex is a smart, talented athlete, and plans to go on a mission as soon as he turns 19, which is several months after high school ends. Alex and Sydney are Mormon, and most Mormon young men go on mission trips for two years after high school, before they start college. The missionaries' purpose is to spread the word of God to non-believers, and they are assigned a location for their mission: they could be sent anywhere in the world. Young men have to be pure before their missions, and if they have sinned, they have to tell the church elders and repent of their sin. Depending on the nature of their sin, they may or may not be allowed to complete their mission.
Alex and Sydney have "gone too far" a couple of times. Worlton doesn't give any of the details, just alludes to the fact (this being a Christian fiction, it is very clean and appropriate for any age). Sydney starts to fear that she is pregnant, and soon finds out she is (this is not a spoiler---see the summary). Their carefully constructed plan for after graduation crumbles around them like a house of cards. Suddenly, Alex's mission is in jeopardy, and Sydney's college plans are up in the air. And Sydney and Alex react to the news in very, very different ways.
The majority of Hope's Journey is based on how Sydney and Alex react, grow, and adapt during Sydney's pregnancy. The story is told in alternating point-of-views, with Sydney narrating one chapter and Alex the next. I love that style of narration because I love getting to know both main characters so well. And, I really enjoyed being in Alex's head because if I hadn't known his inner thoughts, his actions, at times, would have made me want to reach through the book and slap him!
I ended up reading this book in a day: I could not put it down and had to know how Alex and Sydney's stories ended. And I was most pleased with the ending---although it was not what I had expected and I would have liked more details.
I would recommend Hope's Journey to fans of YA and fans of Christian fiction. It was a beautifully written book and I will definitely read more from Stephanie Worlton.
April 6, 2012
The story is heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. As the mother of three teenagers, it made me think a little more about if I really know what my children are up to, what it means to allow a child to learn to be independent, and how, as a parent, to guide them in their decision making while allowing them to make their own decisions, and rely on the Lord as they do so.
My oldest right now is dealing with deciding on which university to attend this fall. Ultimately, it is his decision, even though I have a very strong opinion. I just have to trust that he will remember some of what I’ve taught these past many years and will be able to listen for, and to, the Holy Ghost as he tries to make the best decision for himself at this time of life. My son’s decision is nowhere near the same as Sydney and Alex’s decision in the book, yet in other ways, it’s not so very different. He still must seek answers for himself, and to do so, he must be willing to put in the work, listen for the answer, and then be willing to do what he’s being prompted to do. (I loved the “blue footprint” part of Hope’s Journey. It was probably my favorite part, but I won’t spoil it here…just make sure you look for it!)
As a Young Women’s president, I appreciated reading this book—especially knowing the why this character allowed herself to succumb to temptation. I truly believe in the Atonement of the Savior and know that repentance is real, but if I can help, in any small way, to keep one young woman from feeling that she is unimportant or unloved, or keep her from making such a mistake, it would be worth it. It is always good to be reminded not to judge, but to love.
Besides the thematic importance of this novel, I enjoyed reading Stephanie’s prose with the fun banter and smooth writing. I appreciated the fact that it was written from both the boy’s perspective as well as the girl’s point of view. They both had such different reactions to the same situation, which made it plausible and balanced.
Now in case you're wondering, even though these two teenagers make one decision, I don't think that the author is saying that's the only correct decision to make in every situation. I don't think she writes it as a way to justify or guilt teens who find themselves in similar circumstances to make the same decision. Just as we shouldn’t judge Sydney for her choice, we shouldn’t judge those who offer their baby for adoption, either. I admire Sydney’s courageous decision to follow the Spirit in making an unpopular decision, but that was her situation, and I'm sure the author joins me in saying that adoption is just as courageous, just as loving, just as healing as raising the child. And that's what I liked about this book. It is about doing the best that we can, righting our wrongs, forgiveness, and above all, hope.
My oldest right now is dealing with deciding on which university to attend this fall. Ultimately, it is his decision, even though I have a very strong opinion. I just have to trust that he will remember some of what I’ve taught these past many years and will be able to listen for, and to, the Holy Ghost as he tries to make the best decision for himself at this time of life. My son’s decision is nowhere near the same as Sydney and Alex’s decision in the book, yet in other ways, it’s not so very different. He still must seek answers for himself, and to do so, he must be willing to put in the work, listen for the answer, and then be willing to do what he’s being prompted to do. (I loved the “blue footprint” part of Hope’s Journey. It was probably my favorite part, but I won’t spoil it here…just make sure you look for it!)
As a Young Women’s president, I appreciated reading this book—especially knowing the why this character allowed herself to succumb to temptation. I truly believe in the Atonement of the Savior and know that repentance is real, but if I can help, in any small way, to keep one young woman from feeling that she is unimportant or unloved, or keep her from making such a mistake, it would be worth it. It is always good to be reminded not to judge, but to love.
Besides the thematic importance of this novel, I enjoyed reading Stephanie’s prose with the fun banter and smooth writing. I appreciated the fact that it was written from both the boy’s perspective as well as the girl’s point of view. They both had such different reactions to the same situation, which made it plausible and balanced.
Now in case you're wondering, even though these two teenagers make one decision, I don't think that the author is saying that's the only correct decision to make in every situation. I don't think she writes it as a way to justify or guilt teens who find themselves in similar circumstances to make the same decision. Just as we shouldn’t judge Sydney for her choice, we shouldn’t judge those who offer their baby for adoption, either. I admire Sydney’s courageous decision to follow the Spirit in making an unpopular decision, but that was her situation, and I'm sure the author joins me in saying that adoption is just as courageous, just as loving, just as healing as raising the child. And that's what I liked about this book. It is about doing the best that we can, righting our wrongs, forgiveness, and above all, hope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2011
If I could give half stars, I'd definitely give this one 3.5
In Hope's Journey, we are introduced to Sydney Steele, a girl who has it all---tons of friends, good looks, and lots of scholarships to consider as soon as high school ends. Until the day she finds out she’s pregnant. Then everything changes.
Her boyfriend, Alex Hastings, is a tall handsome boy with just as much going for him. He’s planning to serve a mission for the LDS church, planning to go to college, and planning for a future. A future that changes with two lines on a pregnancy test.
I thought the author did a great job in describing the roller-coaster of emotions that follows an unplanned pregnancy announcement---both for the couple and for their families. I liked the back and forth between the two points of view and how different they each saw the same events. I also liked the visual of how many weeks Sydney was into her pregnancy and how it sort of corresponded with the changes she was experiencing in her life. It was a nice touch on the page.
However, the author talks many times about Sydney’s insecurities and hints at family problems and I wish that angle could have been explored more to explain why Syd felt and acted the way she did. I also liked how the friends were explored so carefully and that throughout the journey they seemed authentic and real. I would have wanted Sydney’s friends for any of my teens. (And without giving anything away, I don’t know if I would have chosen what Sydney did in the end “friends-wise” anyway.) And I would have liked a little more depth with Sydney’s brother about why he makes the decisions he does, but it’s really a small detail in the book.
If I’m going to be honest, I loved reading about Sydney’s journey a little more than Alex’s and I thought he got off a bit too easy in some instances when his behavior was over the top. I enjoyed the deep emotional scenes and think this author has an ability to really paint the scene for her readers. Because of this, I really wanted to see some of the important scenes in the journey told right when they happened, but unfortunately the author just told us about them later. With her talent, this was the reader’s loss for sure.
All it all, though, this was an emotional book that pulled me in and really made me think about what I would do if any of my teens found myself in this position.
Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com
In Hope's Journey, we are introduced to Sydney Steele, a girl who has it all---tons of friends, good looks, and lots of scholarships to consider as soon as high school ends. Until the day she finds out she’s pregnant. Then everything changes.
Her boyfriend, Alex Hastings, is a tall handsome boy with just as much going for him. He’s planning to serve a mission for the LDS church, planning to go to college, and planning for a future. A future that changes with two lines on a pregnancy test.
I thought the author did a great job in describing the roller-coaster of emotions that follows an unplanned pregnancy announcement---both for the couple and for their families. I liked the back and forth between the two points of view and how different they each saw the same events. I also liked the visual of how many weeks Sydney was into her pregnancy and how it sort of corresponded with the changes she was experiencing in her life. It was a nice touch on the page.
However, the author talks many times about Sydney’s insecurities and hints at family problems and I wish that angle could have been explored more to explain why Syd felt and acted the way she did. I also liked how the friends were explored so carefully and that throughout the journey they seemed authentic and real. I would have wanted Sydney’s friends for any of my teens. (And without giving anything away, I don’t know if I would have chosen what Sydney did in the end “friends-wise” anyway.) And I would have liked a little more depth with Sydney’s brother about why he makes the decisions he does, but it’s really a small detail in the book.
If I’m going to be honest, I loved reading about Sydney’s journey a little more than Alex’s and I thought he got off a bit too easy in some instances when his behavior was over the top. I enjoyed the deep emotional scenes and think this author has an ability to really paint the scene for her readers. Because of this, I really wanted to see some of the important scenes in the journey told right when they happened, but unfortunately the author just told us about them later. With her talent, this was the reader’s loss for sure.
All it all, though, this was an emotional book that pulled me in and really made me think about what I would do if any of my teens found myself in this position.
Originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com
April 12, 2012
Hope's Journey starts out like any other book of high school seniors living their lives. I liked the group of friends that hang out and appear to know each other very well. Main characters, Syd and Alex, (both active members of the LDS church) are not only best friends, but also boyfriend and girlfriend. Many of the challenges that young people face are intertwined in this story of young love. The issue of morality plays strong in this story. This novel shows that ALL kids, religious or not are tempted when it comes to premarital sex. On the front cover are these words:
"A life changing mistake. A soul-changing journey"
From the back cover we already know that Syd becomes pregnant. This novel explores the heart-ache and trials, that come to both teens, as they decide what to do concerning the baby. I knew ahead of time that this book would bring up many emotions in me. I was adopted as a baby, and my birth mom was only sixteen years old. I have always been so grateful for the gift of life that she gave to me. I have also been happy that she chose adoption because I love my family so much! I also am the Mother of an adopted child. Her birth mom was also a teenager. I know of the struggles teens go through, as they try to decide what happens after they find out they are pregnant. I want to say here, there is no wrong or right answer. All birth parents have to make the choice that is best for them and their baby. I know with God's help they can make the right choice. This is the overall message in the book, along with the blessing of forgiveness that all people can accept and seek after.
Some of the reactions of ward and family members, towards Syd and her unplanned pregnancy, can be shocking to the reader, especially the actions of Alex's mother. Sadly, I have seen behaviors just like this with people. I hope that all readers will realize that we all sin and need to be careful not to judge others. Some reviewers have said they were troubled by the ending of this book. There is a kind of twist in the last chapter that you don't see coming. I was also surprised, but not troubled. I am also wondering if there will be a 2nd book in this series. I would love to have all of the relationships explored more.
Hope's Journey is a book that I would happily share with any teenager within my circle of friends and family. The message of hope and forgiveness is something that all of us need to be reminded of.
"A life changing mistake. A soul-changing journey"
From the back cover we already know that Syd becomes pregnant. This novel explores the heart-ache and trials, that come to both teens, as they decide what to do concerning the baby. I knew ahead of time that this book would bring up many emotions in me. I was adopted as a baby, and my birth mom was only sixteen years old. I have always been so grateful for the gift of life that she gave to me. I have also been happy that she chose adoption because I love my family so much! I also am the Mother of an adopted child. Her birth mom was also a teenager. I know of the struggles teens go through, as they try to decide what happens after they find out they are pregnant. I want to say here, there is no wrong or right answer. All birth parents have to make the choice that is best for them and their baby. I know with God's help they can make the right choice. This is the overall message in the book, along with the blessing of forgiveness that all people can accept and seek after.
Some of the reactions of ward and family members, towards Syd and her unplanned pregnancy, can be shocking to the reader, especially the actions of Alex's mother. Sadly, I have seen behaviors just like this with people. I hope that all readers will realize that we all sin and need to be careful not to judge others. Some reviewers have said they were troubled by the ending of this book. There is a kind of twist in the last chapter that you don't see coming. I was also surprised, but not troubled. I am also wondering if there will be a 2nd book in this series. I would love to have all of the relationships explored more.
Hope's Journey is a book that I would happily share with any teenager within my circle of friends and family. The message of hope and forgiveness is something that all of us need to be reminded of.
April 2, 2012
Sydney and Alex are high school sweethearts anxious for graduation. When they discover that Sydney is pregnant, they realize that their future is likely to be very different than the one they originally imagined. How they come to terms with their faith, their relationship and that future is a very different journey for each of them.
The alternating perspectives were good and I liked the corresponding weeks of Sydney's pregnancy. It was nice to see where Sydney and Alex were as they worked through this. I do think Alex got off relatively easy in some regards, but perhaps that is often the case with the young woman bearing most of the burdens, physically as well as emotionally. The way Sydney was treated by friends and other church members was heartbreaking, but I suspect it was all too true as well.
I appreciated that the story also focuses more on Sydney's pregnancy and the effect it has on her life as well as Alex's, rather than the how or when she got pregnant. In that respect, it's a clean YA novel with a sensitively handled subject.
The ending was a little too neatly wrapped up, particularly after the hostility that Alex's mother showed toward Sydney. It would have been interesting to see that relationship explored further, especially given how the book ends.
While the story is obviously geared toward an LDS audience with many LDS-related references, it will appeal to those of any faith. Teen pregnancy isn't something that is limited to one particular faith or demographic. I think that this would be a great book for any teenager and it is one that could spark some good conversations between parents and teens.
Overall, a terrific debut novel and one I enjoyed. I look forward to more from Stephanie Worlton.
The alternating perspectives were good and I liked the corresponding weeks of Sydney's pregnancy. It was nice to see where Sydney and Alex were as they worked through this. I do think Alex got off relatively easy in some regards, but perhaps that is often the case with the young woman bearing most of the burdens, physically as well as emotionally. The way Sydney was treated by friends and other church members was heartbreaking, but I suspect it was all too true as well.
I appreciated that the story also focuses more on Sydney's pregnancy and the effect it has on her life as well as Alex's, rather than the how or when she got pregnant. In that respect, it's a clean YA novel with a sensitively handled subject.
The ending was a little too neatly wrapped up, particularly after the hostility that Alex's mother showed toward Sydney. It would have been interesting to see that relationship explored further, especially given how the book ends.
While the story is obviously geared toward an LDS audience with many LDS-related references, it will appeal to those of any faith. Teen pregnancy isn't something that is limited to one particular faith or demographic. I think that this would be a great book for any teenager and it is one that could spark some good conversations between parents and teens.
Overall, a terrific debut novel and one I enjoyed. I look forward to more from Stephanie Worlton.
December 23, 2011
I really liked Hope's Journey. I liked Sydney, her personality, and her thoughts as she struggled with giving up her scholarship & college dreams and recreating her dream.
The only part I didn't like - and am still confused about - was the ending. I couldn't understand why Sydney - after choosing to keep the baby and raise her without the father (Alex) - would choose to get engaged to the baby's father, (who basically broke up with her & hardly saw her at all throughout the pregnancy). His family is hateful and said the pregnancy is her fault and she's trash. There were so many other reasons throughout the book that led me to believe Sydney and Alex would not get back together. It was shocking to have that all turn around in one page at the end. On the other hand, there's her friend Damon, whose friendship and feelings develop between Sydney, leading to hope of a possible relationship in the future. I felt like there was a lot left hanging between Sydney and Damon.
I wondered if Hope's Journey might turn into a series - another book for while Damon is on his mission, highlighting the stress of raising Hope, college, and things possibly not working out between Alex and Sydney? Then a 3rd book from when Damon returns & developing a relationship with Sydney? I don't know if that's the author's intention or not. The way Hope's Journey ended, it wasn't clear if this was going to be a stand alone book or a series.
Overall, I like the story, flow of the plot and voice of the characters. But the ending is what completely threw me off and left me unsatisfied.
The only part I didn't like - and am still confused about - was the ending. I couldn't understand why Sydney - after choosing to keep the baby and raise her without the father (Alex) - would choose to get engaged to the baby's father, (who basically broke up with her & hardly saw her at all throughout the pregnancy). His family is hateful and said the pregnancy is her fault and she's trash. There were so many other reasons throughout the book that led me to believe Sydney and Alex would not get back together. It was shocking to have that all turn around in one page at the end. On the other hand, there's her friend Damon, whose friendship and feelings develop between Sydney, leading to hope of a possible relationship in the future. I felt like there was a lot left hanging between Sydney and Damon.
I wondered if Hope's Journey might turn into a series - another book for while Damon is on his mission, highlighting the stress of raising Hope, college, and things possibly not working out between Alex and Sydney? Then a 3rd book from when Damon returns & developing a relationship with Sydney? I don't know if that's the author's intention or not. The way Hope's Journey ended, it wasn't clear if this was going to be a stand alone book or a series.
Overall, I like the story, flow of the plot and voice of the characters. But the ending is what completely threw me off and left me unsatisfied.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2011
I found the book to be just ok. I was a bit disappointed in that it wasn't so much of a journey as much as it was a catalog of events. Just your basic this happened, then this happened, and then this. For it truly to be a helpful, uplifting, view changing story I'd have liked to read more about HOW she learned to value herself, how she dealt with things like the cruel judgement of people at her church, and especially, the potential mother in law. If a teen girl was to read this (as is being recommended by most reviewers) I fear all that would be communicated was that someone else had gone through it, and if you find yourself in this predicament, good luck, you're happy ending will find you. Which is nice, but not exactly helpful, especially in the abrubtness of the ending.
I felt that since the characters Alex and Sydney both made it a point to talk about repentance, that was obviously a big deal for them, but that journey and process was all but ignored.
I felt what the book lacked in story development, it made up for in character development. There was no shortage of inner dialogue for either of the main characters, which I found helpful. Also, both Damon and Gabe were a HUGE added benefit to the book, they beautifully portrayed how to combat judgement with love and compassion. The only problem with the characters I found was in the conversation between teens. It didn't seem real at all to me, it seemed forced and out of date.
I felt that since the characters Alex and Sydney both made it a point to talk about repentance, that was obviously a big deal for them, but that journey and process was all but ignored.
I felt what the book lacked in story development, it made up for in character development. There was no shortage of inner dialogue for either of the main characters, which I found helpful. Also, both Damon and Gabe were a HUGE added benefit to the book, they beautifully portrayed how to combat judgement with love and compassion. The only problem with the characters I found was in the conversation between teens. It didn't seem real at all to me, it seemed forced and out of date.
October 26, 2011
Based on real-life events, Stephanie Worlton's debut novel Hope's Journey is a definite must read for any teenager, young adult or parent of a teen. The author tackles the sensitive subject of teen pregnancy in a very tasteful and mature manner and I thought the emotions expressed by both the adults and teenagers were as real as it gets. The author did a great job grabbing your attention by emerging you in both Alex's point of view and Sydney's point of view. It was difficult to get through this book without tears. Sydney's and Alex's characters were defined and well-rounded, the plot was very well developed, and the story is definitely heart-rendering. Stephanie did a wonderful job showing the growth and development of the characters as they progress on their journey of denial, anger, acceptance, forgiveness, and ultimately hope. I had a difficult time getting into the story at first, but once in the heart of the plot, it was impossible to put down. I think this is a wonderful debut novel. Well done!
Read my full review and author's interview: http://heyyouslackers.blogspot.com/20...
Read my full review and author's interview: http://heyyouslackers.blogspot.com/20...
July 25, 2011
This is unlike any book I've ever read. It was very well written and I enjoyed reading it but what made it different from other books is that is was so real and enlightening to the true feelings of individuals in similar situations. Stephanie really pin points the emotions that teenage and young adult girls go through concerning the need to feel loved and wanted during those critical years. I know because I am still in those years of trying to find love and find acceptance. Stephanie also explores the feelings that boys experience during these life-altering years which was refreshing because it's not common to read from a boy's perspective. I loved how Stephanie described the journey of the young girl and boy discovering who they were to God and how precious each individual is to Him. It is definitely not what I expected it to be but it was so much better because of the raw emotions and truthfulness of it all. I recommend it for anyone at any age. It is truly a lovely coming-of-age story!
April 9, 2012
We've all made mistakes of differing magnitudes. This story took me into a situation no one wants to be in but curiosity and good, realistic writing compelled me to learn how it would be handled. I not only enjoyed reading Stephanie Connelley Worlton's book, I consider it an important read for teens, their parents, and leaders of youth. Clues are given about self-worth and spending time alone in relationships, extending our awareness to prevent such situations and of the way we treat those in such difficulties. It was interesting that the same reasons the couple fell into trouble were the things that also drove a wedge between them.
I loved the realism, bantering dialogue, the perspectives of both main characters, lessons learned, and Sydney's journey in particular. There is so much to be gained by reading this interesting, heartrending yet hopeful book. It contains values held by the LDS faith but can be enjoyed by many with high moral values. This is a clean read.
I loved the realism, bantering dialogue, the perspectives of both main characters, lessons learned, and Sydney's journey in particular. There is so much to be gained by reading this interesting, heartrending yet hopeful book. It contains values held by the LDS faith but can be enjoyed by many with high moral values. This is a clean read.
April 12, 2012
First, I'm the mother of two teenagers and I've always told my kids to worry about their education and when the time is right, the rest will come. But what if one of them came home pregnant or got someone pregnant? I think at first I would be shocked, then mad, then disappointed, but I think I would eventually come around to be joyful, but at the very most, supportive of their decision.
That said, Hope's Journey is an emotional rollercoaster told from both perspectives, which was refreshing and gave more light to the situation and the thoughts going through both of their heads. Not only the changes in their life journey, but the changes in those closest to them as well is depicted without any sugar-coating. A very clean read, with the power of God, hope and forgiveness leading the path, I would highly recommend Hope's Journey not only to teens, but to parents and those who are in close proximity with teens (ie, pastors, youth leaders, teachers etc).
That said, Hope's Journey is an emotional rollercoaster told from both perspectives, which was refreshing and gave more light to the situation and the thoughts going through both of their heads. Not only the changes in their life journey, but the changes in those closest to them as well is depicted without any sugar-coating. A very clean read, with the power of God, hope and forgiveness leading the path, I would highly recommend Hope's Journey not only to teens, but to parents and those who are in close proximity with teens (ie, pastors, youth leaders, teachers etc).
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