Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE TENTH MISTAKE OF HANK HOOPEERMAN by Gennifer Choldenko
Introduction by Heavy Medal Award Committee Member Jenn Potter

Saving the best for last we are looking today at THE TENTH MISTAKE OF HANK HOOPERMAN by Gennifer Choldenko. Hank Hooperman must rank as the best big brother to his three-year-old sister Boo as it’s his responsibility to take care of Boo when their mom drops the ball. This story starts after their mom has been gone a week and Hank has to make tough choices to try to keep his sister safe. According to Hank a level one mistake is forgetting to write your name on your paper while a level ten mistake will get you taken out, so when he and Boo have no food left he has to decide where to go for help.
The character development in this book sucks you in immediately and keeps you rooting for Hank even as the story progresses to show the mistakes an eleven-year-old makes as he tries to do what he thinks is best for his family even as his definition of family changes.
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Character descriptions and development even of the most minor passersby make this book a true Newbery contender. As Hank and Boo brave the bus without knowing where they’re going they get help from an elderly Ms. Pearl who directs them to their destination.
“Ms. Pearl leans over to me. ‘See the man in the green plaid pants? The one with the cane in the second row.’
I nod.
‘You get off when he gets off. That’s Orchard. From there you’ll get the eleven south like you wrote down. Then you ask the driver on the number eleven to let you know when Cleveland comes up. Okay?’
‘Okay,” I say
‘Good boy. You keep on taking care of your little sister like that, you’ll be fine,’ Ms. Pearl’s wrinkly face breaks into a shining smile.
‘Yes, ma’am,’ I say.
‘Polite too. Sparkle you hear how polite this one is?’ she shouts back.
‘He called you ma’am. Don’t hear that much nowadays,’ Sparkle says back.
‘Ain’t that the truth,’ Ms. Pearl says. ‘You’re alright, Big Foot,’ she pats my leg. ‘You’re alright.’”
(p 14-15)
This scene is only about one page but it shows Ms. Choldenko’s mastery in creating characters that not only moves the story along but gives depth to the world that she has created. Many children’s books have orphaned children but the feelings evoked by Hank’s will to do anything to keep his family safe make this book rise above the rest.
Heavy Medal Award Committee members and others are now invited to discuss this book further in the Comments section below. Let the Mock Newbery discussion begin!
Filed under: Book Discussion, Heavy Medal Mock

About Steven Engelfried
Steven Engelfried retired from full-time library work a couple years ago and now works as a part-time Youth Librarian at the West Linn Public Library in Oregon. He served on the 2010 Newbery committee, chaired the 2013 Newbery Committee, and also served on the 2002 Caldecott committee. You can reach him at sengelfried@yahoo.com.
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I have been waiting so many weeks to write this: Pooperman! Boo is hands down one of the best younger sibling characters ever written. I completely agree with Jenn that Choldenko especially excels at developing characters. Hank and Boo are masterfully done, but even Ray and Lou Ann get rounded out in a way where you sort of hate Lou Ann for her choices, but I was able to feel some empathy and understand where she was coming from. As I’ve done more reading for the Newbery this year than in previous years, I really started to notice when grown up characters (or even side characters) get the cardboard cut out treatment instead of being crafted as full 3D people. Boo, Hank, Lou Ann, Ray and even Hank’s mom felt like whole real people instead of cut outs made to fill up the story.
The plot of this book is also masterful. I was rooting for Hank this entire book as he makes choices that no 11 year old should have to make. I was honestly so scared when he showed up at Lou Ann’s house. Choldenko gives a completely character driven plot but adds so much real gravity when you get Hank’s monologue about not knowing what was going to happen to Boo when he left her in Lou Ann’s hands. The stakes felt higher in HANK HOOPERMAN rather than QUAGMIRE because I always felt like Quag could land on his feet, he was so savvy and so self-possessed, that I worried for him, but I was never truly scared. With Hank and Boo, I was scared! Choldenko did a great job of keeping Hank’s worries front and center in a way that I don’t think QUAGMIRE did making the plot feel richer, more tense and much higher stakes.
I know this book isn’t perfect, but it is definitely one of my top 3 reads from this list and I truly hope we get to debate the heck out of it on Jan 24 as part of our Final 5!
I completely agree, Lauren! The character development of secondary characters was absolutely top notch, and I love how Lou Ann’s character was written with such nuance. I also appreciate the the hard stuff still happened and consequences were felt ~ this wasn’t a cookie cutter abandonment story with a clean storyline. I have to add too that the audio version of this book made it stand out to me even more. While I know that is not part of the Newbery consideration, I can still hear “Pooperman!!” ring out in my head.
Pooperman! YES!
I adored this book–because I LOVED the characters. But you hit on something: it was scary for Hank. You had no idea where he would end up, in large part because he was eleven AND had Boo. Eleven year olds should not have to make some of the decisions and experience some of the things that Hank does. I am so thankful that he had Ray. I’m thankful we as readers had Ray. A masterful compassionate character indeed!
Here’s what I wrote in my GR review (I loved the book!): This is another bad-parent book (there are a lot of those this year) that rips your heart out. Hank is such a good kid, such a loving and resourceful brother, making adult decisions that he should never have to make. His care for his little sister is so sweet and so genuine, and his feelings for his mother so genuine as well–he loves her, but he’s really mad at her, too, and he struggles to reconcile those feelings. I liked that the author didn’t also give Hank the burden of being a school outcast, though it’s uncomfortable to hear how his new friends keep asking him difficult questions over and over, as if it’s their right to know the answers. I liked that Ray is Latine, and that Hank falls right into his large, extended family with no sense of prejudice or awkwardness beyond that of being new. I can see why there’s Newbery buzz about this one. Well-deserved.
This is off-topic, but wanted HM readers to know that ALSC is holding a YMA Predictions Social on January 22nd. From the ALSC Facebook page:
“Don’t forget to register for the ALSC Membership Committee’s virtual social next week! On January 22 at 3pm ET/2pm CT, come discuss your Youth Media Award predictions. Even if you’re not an ALSC member, you’re welcome to take part!” Here’s the registration link.
Should be fun. Emily and I will also be sharing our own predictions (and asking you to share yours) here on Heavy Medal on that same day…
Thank you Steven! I registered. Because who wouldn’t want to discuss and nerd out with others!!
Among 2024’s “bad/absent parent,” books, this one is not my favorite. The trailer park setting in AND THEN, BOOM is spot on. The tornado scene, though far-fetched, is well done and exciting. Lots of kid appeal. And then there’s ORBITING JUPITER. Talk about emotions, wowza. The characters in these two are similarly well defined as is the HANK cast. With QUAGMIRE as another finalist, I am looking SO forward to our live discussion and can’t wait to hear everyone’s thoughts about WHY questionable or downright criminal parents are so dominant in middle grade fiction right now.
YES! I also really liked many things about AND THEN, BOOM!
I absolutely loved this book. Apparently I’ve been recommending a lot of tearjerkers to staff and students, and one of my teachers wanted a recommendation that wasn’t so tough. I gave her this one since it has a happy ending, but she texted me after finishing it saying that never has a book had her sobbing like this one did. Oops!
I so wish this book and Quagmire weren’t so similar because it really muddies the “individually distinct” aspect of the criteria and honestly I am having to refer to my notes to remember what the mom did specifically in each one.
I do feel that the characters are very distinct and well drawn. Lou-Ann is a really interesting character and the fact that the readers’ emotions toward here are ambivalent really speaks to the writing there. Hank is such a real boy – his worries, his protectiveness, his feelings towards his mom – it’s all there. And, of course, Boo is adorable.
I don’t think this will be one of my top picks but I have a feeling we may be discussing it and I will need to reread it this weekend.
HANK HOOPERMAN has strong characterization that is developed as the protagonist makes life altering decisions. Decisions are complex and take practice. The tension of the story builds as the character experiences failure. Choldenko tone is clever in HANK HOOPERMAN, and she guides readers through a rollercoaster of unfortunate circumstances that are offset with the constant reminder that HANK is surviving and trying. The feeling of loneliness is gripping and conveyed as Hank’s mindset shifts as he looses hope as seen on page 114, where Hank states, “Nothing good ever happens to me.” (Choldenko 114)
The language and dialogue achieve a middle-grade appropriateness of style as the character learns that asking for help is a good start, and forgiving others and yourself when things don’t go perfectly is winning big. It’s a reminder to kids who struggle that “brokenness” is a value you can bring to the world.
On another note, I loved the character of Boo in the novel. With her naivety and innocence, Boo provides a funny break. She is the breathing space in a serious story. She is likable and serves as a reminder that all kids rely entirely upon caregivers for safety, stability, emotional support, role models, education, and love. The theme of innocence protected is carried through the plot of the story as Hank prioritizes Boo’s safety, providing a trusted sibling connection and love to his sister. Readers with siblings can easily relate to the struggles and support Hank and Boo give to each other while providing a fun model for sibling relationships.
Judging alongside the Newbery criteria, this book is powerful in delineating characters and appropriateness of style for the upper end of the Newbery range. It succeeds in addressing the difficult topic of parentification in a way appropriate for middle-grade readers. Hank will be a strong contender for 2025 Newbery Consideration.
I am struggling not to compare HANK HOOPERMAN alongside QUAGMIRE TIARELLO because they both excel in similar rubrics and theme. I think the storytelling was great in both. I think HANK will resonate more with young readers, but QUAGMIRE has that librarian narrative distinction happening, and they are the ones picking. Putting them together int he final 5 may be a challenge- because of the limited time to talk about it, it could be a complete debate on it’s own.
I wonder if the Newbery committee feels the same?
There really are so many troubled parent books this year! HANK HOOPERMAN, QUAGMIRE TIARELLO, AND THEN…BOOM!, SHARKITA, SOMETHING LIKE HOME, TIG, and KYRA, JUST FOR TODAY. Each book is well done, but like the WWII books, they can be easily grouped, which makes them a bit less distinct.
I really liked HANK HOOPERMAN and it’s a strong contender for all the reasons everyone has already said (especially Lou-Ann; what a complex and well-developed character! With boundaries!). But I liked AND THEN…BOOM! just that much better: the way Joe used comic book structure to make sense of his life and the things that keep happening to him, the verse style, the climax (tornado!), and the resolution (a new home situation, and he gets to start free food pantries).
I finally finished Quagmire after putting it down a month or so ago because I just couldn’t read another book with a boy (it’s usually a boy) who has been abandoned by a seriously compromised mother (it’s usually a mother). In response to the issue about why there have been several similar books in recent years, my thinking it’s because the opioid epidemic has produced a lot of children in foster care. I agree with Quade that Hank probably has more kid appeal than Quagmire, at least for solidly middle grade readers. I think that Quag with its older, initially sarcastic narrator straddles MG and YA. That said, the two books do beg comparison. (I also think that due to tone, writing style, and plot, along with narrators eying high school, that Quag and Mid-Air do, as well). I agree with the multiple comments that Hank shines when it comes to both primary and secondary character development, the latter of which can be woefully underdeveloped in a lot of books as Lauren stated here. It’s the characters we relate to and remember most. In a post here several months ago, I argued that Hank’s need to be perfect and protective was a believable response to his situation. One criticism to the book has been that, despite the child abandonment, it’s a little too rosy, with Ray living conveniently next door and the school kids being very open to Hank. But I think it’s plausible — and we all need some feel-good. As for Quag, I think it may be more convincingly realistic in its relative maturity. Except for, maybe, the ending (I wasn’t sure why Cassie and her mom would drive across the country to see Quag; I didn’t get that relationship). One way I thought Quag transcended the sub-genre was in the beauty and evocativeness of some of the writing, particularly related to events on the farm when the foal is born, when the kids rid alongside the buffalos, and when they fly in the gyrocopter. Gorgeous.
Last year, the Newbery medalist and all honorees had male featured characters. I thought that was interesting.
I am going to rain on the Pooperman parade a bit. I just finished the book for the 3rd time and something really isn’t sitting with me at all. I work in a school library and the fact that Hank’s mom was able to come in an sign him out doesn’t jive with what I know about schools and student safety. This is especially true because protective services was involved. There would have been all sorts of red flags in his record – even if temporary – to prevent that from happening or at least cause some concern. Has it ever happened? Does it ever happen? Yes and possibly but things are pretty tight at least in schools I have worked in.
I know it’s a little thing and it was used to move the plot, but at this point as we are trying to narrow down our choices this bugs me.