A DROP OF HOPE

A DROP OF HOPE by Keith Calabrese

How about a book from an author who grew up in Ohio set in an economically depressed town in Ohio? Can anyone relate? A Drop of Hope by Keith Calabrese takes us to a place that a lot of us know in Smalltown, USA. Welcome to Cliffs Donnelly, Ohio, better known as If Only, Ohio, thanks to a can of black spray paint and some jokester's outlining of certain letters on the town sign.

Hope is in short supply in Cliffs Donnelly. There's trouble looming on the horizon for the local factory. Families are feeling the stress, and it's filtering down to the kids. The time is ripe for something completely unexpected. That unexpected happening is actually a two part deal. Following the stories of three kids, Ernest, Ryan, and Lizzy, one is gifted a strange pile of brand-new antique toys in his grandfather's attic. The second starts with a discussion in school about myths and legends. An old legend revolving a broken down wishing well located nearby is remembered. Through a chance happening the three kids (2 at first - one later) end up in the bottom of the well. Thanks to the discussion in school, kids start visiting the well and telling it their wishes. The majority of the wishes have to do with restoration for their families. Through bizarre, seemingly unrelated connections, the gifted, antique toys set off chain reactions of events resulting in the granting of wishes. With happenings like this the story starts to spread which can mean trouble. The question of magic is raised, but the book never settles if the happenings are by chance or magical. Little by little the town begins to heal and hope creeps in. This book does not have a mystical feel to it. Instead it has a feel similar to Tuck Everlasting. Overall it is a well written, enjoyable story.

HEADS UP- It's mentioned that the well is located in some woods where supposed devil worshippers are. There are no devil worshippers. It's a hangout for teens where they party. One of the wishes is by a family member for one of the teen partyers. There are some family issues such as abuse (one time it was about to happen but gets stopped), some minor talking back to parents, and one of the kids lies to parents about where he is. Still, the overarching theme in this book is healing for the families and the town.