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The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

By Gennifer Choldenko

By Gennifer Choldenko

By Gennifer Choldenko

By Gennifer Choldenko

By Gennifer Choldenko

By Gennifer Choldenko

By Gennifer Choldenko

By Gennifer Choldenko

By Gennifer Choldenko
Read by Javier Prusky

By Gennifer Choldenko
Read by Javier Prusky

Best Seller
Paperback $8.99

Mar 03, 2026 | ISBN 9781524718954 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Hardcover $17.99

Jun 11, 2024 | ISBN 9781524718923 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Hardcover $20.99

Jun 11, 2024 | ISBN 9781524718930 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Ebook $10.99

Jun 11, 2024 | ISBN 9781524718947 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

Audiobook Download $20.00

Jun 11, 2024 | 417 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up)

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    The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko
    Hardcover $17.99
    Jun 11, 2024 | ISBN 9781524718923

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      Mar 03, 2026 | ISBN 9781524718954 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

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    • $17.99

      Jun 11, 2024 | ISBN 9781524718923 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • $20.99

      Jun 11, 2024 | ISBN 9781524718930 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • Jun 11, 2024 | ISBN 9781524718947 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

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    • Jun 11, 2024 | ISBN 9781984833716 | Middle Grade (10 and up)

      417 Minutes

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    About The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

    Everyone will be rooting for a happy ending for Hank, a boy struggling to hold his family together when his mom doesn’t come home, in this gripping story from Newbery Honor winner Gennifer Choldenko.

    When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and Mom has never stayed away this long… Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact.

    But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he’s been trying to keep secret. And if they can’t find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes–he could lose everything. 

    Gennifer Choldenko has written a heart-wrenching, healing, and ultimately hopeful story about how complicated family can be. About how you can love someone, even when you can’t rely on them. And about the transformative power of second chances.

    About The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

    Everyone will be rooting for a happy ending for Hank, a boy struggling to hold his family together when his mom doesn’t come home, in this gripping story from Newbery Honor winner Gennifer Choldenko.

    “One of those rare and important books . . . Hank Hooperman may well be the most resourceful, courageous, and loving big brother in the history of children’s literature.”—Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan

    A CALIBA GOLDEN POPPY AWARD WINNER • A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

    When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and mom has never stayed away this long… Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact.

    But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he’s been trying to keep secret. And if they can’t find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes–he could lose everything. 

    Gennifer Choldenko has written a heart-wrenching, healing, and ultimately hopeful story about how complicated family can be. About how you can love someone, even when you can’t rely on them. And about the transformative power of second chances.

    About The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

    Everyone will be rooting for a happy ending for Hank, a boy struggling to hold his family together when his mom doesn’t come home, in this gripping story from Newbery Honor winner Gennifer Choldenko.

    “One of those rare and important books . . . Hank Hooperman may well be the most resourceful, courageous, and loving big brother in the history of children’s literature.”—Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan

    A CALIBA GOLDEN POPPY AWARD WINNER • A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

    When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and mom has never stayed away this long… Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact.

    But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he’s been trying to keep secret. And if they can’t find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes–he could lose everything. 

    Gennifer Choldenko has written a heart-wrenching, healing, and ultimately hopeful story about how complicated family can be. About how you can love someone, even when you can’t rely on them. And about the transformative power of second chances.

    About The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

    Everyone will be rooting for a happy ending for Hank, a boy struggling to hold his family together when his mom doesn’t come home, in this gripping story from Newbery Honor winner Gennifer Choldenko.

    “One of those rare and important books . . . Hank Hooperman may well be the most resourceful, courageous, and loving big brother in the history of children’s literature.”—Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan

    A CALIBA GOLDEN POPPY AWARD WINNER • A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

    When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and mom has never stayed away this long… Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact.

    But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he’s been trying to keep secret. And if they can’t find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes–he could lose everything. 

    Gennifer Choldenko has written a heart-wrenching, healing, and ultimately hopeful story about how complicated family can be. About how you can love someone, even when you can’t rely on them. And about the transformative power of second chances.

    About The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

    Everyone will be rooting for a happy ending for Hank, a boy struggling to hold his family together when his mom doesn’t come home, in this gripping story from Newbery Honor winner Gennifer Choldenko.

    “One of those rare and important books . . . Hank Hooperman may well be the most resourceful, courageous, and loving big brother in the history of children’s literature.”—Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan

    A CALIBA GOLDEN POPPY AWARD WINNER • A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL AND KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

    When eleven-year-old Hank’s mom doesn’t come home, he takes care of his toddler sister, Boo, like he always does. But it’s been a week now. They are out of food and mom has never stayed away this long… Hank knows he needs help, so he and Boo seek out the stranger listed as their emergency contact.

    But asking for help has consequences. It means social workers, and a new school, and having to answer questions about his mom that he’s been trying to keep secret. And if they can’t find his mom soon, Hank and Boo may end up in different foster homes–he could lose everything. 

    Gennifer Choldenko has written a heart-wrenching, healing, and ultimately hopeful story about how complicated family can be. About how you can love someone, even when you can’t rely on them. And about the transformative power of second chances.

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    Listen to a sample from The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

    Also by Gennifer Choldenko

    Orphan Eleven
    One-Third Nerd
    Al Capone Throws Me a Curve
    Dad and the Dinosaur
    Chasing Secrets
    See all books by Gennifer Choldenko

    Also by Gennifer Choldenko

    Orphan Eleven
    One-Third Nerd
    Al Capone Throws Me a Curve
    Dad and the Dinosaur
    Chasing Secrets
    See all books by Gennifer Choldenko

    Also by Gennifer Choldenko

    Orphan Eleven
    One-Third Nerd
    Al Capone Throws Me a Curve
    Dad and the Dinosaur
    Chasing Secrets
    See all books by Gennifer Choldenko

    Also by Gennifer Choldenko

    Orphan Eleven
    One-Third Nerd
    Al Capone Throws Me a Curve
    Dad and the Dinosaur
    Chasing Secrets
    See all books by Gennifer Choldenko

    Also by Gennifer Choldenko

    Orphan Eleven
    One-Third Nerd
    Al Capone Throws Me a Curve
    Dad and the Dinosaur
    Chasing Secrets
    See all books by Gennifer Choldenko

    About Gennifer Choldenko

    Gennifer Choldenko was the youngest in a family of four kids, where her nickname was “Snot-Nose.” Her quirky sense of humor made its debut at the dinner table when Gennifer was a very little kid. She is the author of seven… More about Gennifer Choldenko

    About Gennifer Choldenko

    Gennifer Choldenko was the youngest in a family of four kids, where her nickname was “Snot-Nose.” Her quirky sense of humor made its debut at the dinner table when Gennifer was a very little kid. She is the author of seven… More about Gennifer Choldenko

    About Gennifer Choldenko

    Gennifer Choldenko was the youngest in a family of four kids, where her nickname was “Snot-Nose.” Her quirky sense of humor made its debut at the dinner table when Gennifer was a very little kid. She is the author of seven… More about Gennifer Choldenko

    About Gennifer Choldenko

    Gennifer Choldenko was the youngest in a family of four kids, where her nickname was “Snot-Nose.” Her quirky sense of humor made its debut at the dinner table when Gennifer was a very little kid. She is the author of seven… More about Gennifer Choldenko

    About Gennifer Choldenko

    Gennifer Choldenko was the youngest in a family of four kids, where her nickname was “Snot-Nose.” Her quirky sense of humor made its debut at the dinner table when Gennifer was a very little kid. She is the author of seven… More about Gennifer Choldenko

    Product Details

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Paperback | $8.99
    Published by Yearling
    Mar 03, 2026 | 304 Pages | 5-3/16 x 7-5/8 | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9781524718954

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Hardcover | $17.99
    Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Jun 11, 2024 | 320 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9781524718923

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Hardcover | $20.99
    Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Jun 11, 2024 | 320 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9781524718930

    Category: Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Ebook | $10.99
    Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
    Jun 11, 2024 | 304 Pages | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9781524718947

    Category: Audiobooks | Children’s Middle Grade Books

    Audiobook Download | $20.00
    Published by Listening Library
    Jun 11, 2024 | 417 Minutes | Middle Grade (10 and up) | ISBN 9781984833716

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    Praise

    A Texas Lone Star Reading List Selection

    ★ ”Moving and perceptive    : Hankies are a must.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

    ★ “From the first line of Hank‘s engaging first-person narrative to the last, he comes across as a reliable, sensible boy who is aware that his options are few and is determined to make the right choices. Choldenko speaks from the heart in this compelling story of Hank and Boo’s found family.” —Booklist, starred review

    ★ “Hank’s story will break readers’ hearts before putting them back together again. Highly recommended.” —School Library Journal, starred review

    ★ “Readers will immediately be drawn into the world of The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, whose endearing and memorable characters will inspire repeated readings. This book tackles a tricky subject with grace, showing readers that even seemingly hopeless situations can offer happy endings.” —BookPage, starred review

    “A gut-punch tale that is by turns heartbreaking and hopeful.” —Publishers Weekly

    “Hank Hooperman may well be the most resourceful, courageous, and loving big brother in the history of children’s literature. Brimming with Gennifer Choldenko’s trademark wit and heart, this is one of those rare and important books that belongs on every shelf.”
    — Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal winner for The One and Only Ivan

    Awards

    CALIBA Golden Poppy Award – Octavia E. Butler Award WINNER

    Judy Lopez Memorial Award WINNER 2025

    Maryland Children’s Book Award NOMINEE 2026

    Oklahoma Sequoyah Children’s Book Award NOMINEE 2026

    Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Book Award NOMINEE 2025

    Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award NOMINEE 2025

    Utah Beehive Book Award NOMINEE 2026

    Vermont Golden Dome Book Award NOMINEE 2025

    ALA Notable Children’s Book SELECTION 2025

    Amazon Top 20: Children’s & YA Books SELECTION 2024

    Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children’s and Teens SELECTION 2025

    Junior Library Guild Selection SELECTION

    Kid’s Indie Next List “Inspired Recommendations for Kids from Indie Booksellers” SELECTION 2024

    Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Books SELECTION 2024

    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year SELECTION 2024

    Texas Lone Star Reading List SELECTION 2025

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