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Hopes Boy: A Memoir Audiobook, by Andrew Bridge Play Audiobook Sample

Hope's Boy: A Memoir Audiobook

Hopes Boy: A Memoir Audiobook, by Andrew Bridge Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: David Drummond Publisher: Tantor Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 7.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: February 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781400176069

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

19

Longest Chapter Length:

58:11 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:31 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

32:54 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

1

Publisher Description

When Andrew Bridge was seven years old, he and his mother—a mentally unstable woman who loved her child more than she could care for him—slid deeper and deeper into poverty, until they were reduced to scavenging for food in trash bins. Welfare officials did little more than threaten to take Andrew away, until a social worker arrived with a police escort and did just that while his mother screamed on the sidewalk. And so began Andrew's descent into the foster care system—"care" being a terrible irony, as he received almost none for the next eleven years.

Academic achievement was Andrew's ticket out of hell—a scholarship to Wesleyan University led to Harvard Law School and a Fulbright Scholarship. Now an accomplished adult, he has dedicated his life to working on behalf of the frightened children still lost in the system. Hope's Boy is his story, a story of endurance and the power of love and, most of all, of hope.

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"A stirring, eye-opening book regarding the quiet loneliness and pain of being in the foster care system. It really caused me to reflect that parents I may see as "bad" still have a bond with their child and their child with them. How sad that those bonds can be stretched so thin by the thoughtless inattention of others. While at times it may seem that some bonds are better off broken, maybe that is not altogether true."

— Marvelle (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Bridge…has provided remarkable insights into a dark corner of American society.”

    — Publishers Weekly
  • David Drummond's delivery of narrative is straightforward and well paced.... Drummond's portrayal of Andy has the longing and wistfulness of a son who adores his mother and grieves their parting.

    — AudioFile
  • “David Drummond’s delivery of narrative is straightforward and well paced…Drummond’s portrayal of Andy has the longing and wistfulness of a son who adores his mother and grieves their parting.”

    — AudioFile
  • “An inspiring account.”

    — Library Journal
  • “Bridge has written an affecting, moving memoir which in the end is a poignant cry for rethinking our foster care system. Hope’s Boy will stay with you long after you’ve put it down.”

    — Alex Kotlowitz, author of There Are No Children Here

Hope's Boy Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00)
5 Stars: 11
4 Stars: 15
3 Stars: 11
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Pretty good, but not the best book about foster care that I've ever read. Maybe I'm just jaded and I need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Anyway, at least we do a way better job than this in SLC these days. "

    — Trisha, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I learned so much about the American foster care system. It was also inspiring to read about Andrew Bridge and how despite his childhood's trials and tribulations he moved forward. A great read! "

    — MiaM, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved this book. A beautifully written story of a lost childhood and the hope that held him through it. I recommend it for everyone! You won't forget it. "

    — Suebee, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An autobiography of a boy who grew up in foster care. This book breaks your heart every few pages, from the sad situation with his grandmother, to the tragedy of his mother's mental illness, the heartlessness of the foster care system, and the many missed opportunities. The writing style was mediocre and it sometimes skimped in parts that I wanted to learn more about. In many places the author attaches motivations/feelings/etc to people that come across more as his own projections. Mostly, I felt like the book was to tell his mom that he forgives her (which is certainly a valid purpose for an autobiography). This man's story definitely made me want to learn more about the U.S. foster care system, especially from a less memoir/more objective nonfiction perspective. "

    — Holly, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good book about a child's love for his mother, despite her inability to care for him. Amazing story of a young man who saves himself from the foster care system and has returned to that system to help others. "

    — Eileen, 1/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Thought provoking and something you "should" read - but sad and not really telling the entire story about foster children. This book might make you feel that you need to be doing more to help children (and that is good) - but it is a depressing story about how things can go badly for some children. I know several foster parents who very much love "their kids" and provide very well for them. The reality is that there is good and bad in this world; this story emphasizes the bad and left me feeling depressed. "

    — Nickie, 1/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I picked this book up in the bargain section of Barnes and Noble on a whim since I've been on a memoir kick lately. I remember seeing the author on a talk show and his story is quite remarkable. I highly recommend this book if you don't mind reading about a very traumatic childhood, which thankfully for Andrew Bridge, leads him to Harvard Law and a career as an advocate for foster children. "

    — Kristin, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Heartwrenching account of growing up in foster care. Andrew Bridge shares his brave and important story of hope and of Hope's love. Unforgettable memoir. "

    — Cathy, 12/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I found this book interesting. Unfortunately I see too many young people like Andrew daily. The system isn't fixed it just shuffles along. "

    — Lynette, 12/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved this book. My friends loved this book. You'll love this book. "

    — New, 12/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " loving this book. i love a good true story with a fabulous sense of 'hope'. i love strife, as long as there is hope. "

    — Camille, 11/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a good book, but I guess I was expecting it to be better. I know that's a weird critism for an autobiography, but I wanted to know more about his mother. Even though his time in foster care wasn't great, I am positive that others have it much worse. "

    — Angie, 11/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " True story of a boy's struggle/survival during his time in foster care. "

    — Kathy, 10/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A wonderful memoir that sheds light on the American foster Care system and a boy's resiliency into becoming a children's rights advocate. "

    — Nimra, 3/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " True account of a boy who was passed through the child foster system. Sad and heartbreaking at times. Found myself routing for Andrew Bridge's as he took his life into his own hands and determined to make a positive future for himself. "

    — Maria, 1/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I learned a lot about the limits of foster care. "

    — Marianne, 10/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book gives the first person report of life as a foster child. Much food for thought. "

    — L, 10/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " If you are interested in foster or foster/adoption this was a very interesting book. Very graphic and he did not have the best experiences in life but I found it to be a good book. "

    — Amber, 5/19/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was so sad, I kept wanting to reach out and give Andy a hug. "

    — Dee6265, 4/30/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I'm kind of addicted to memoirs, whether they're very good or not. I think it's my desire to peak into other people's lives (I guess most of reading is that, actually). This one is good-- I couldn't stop reading to see what he would do. And it has moved me to read up more on foster care in the US. "

    — Maryanne, 4/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Brave, but slightly depressing. "

    — Jillian, 2/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I saw him speak on the steps of the capital in Sacramento. He is the most articulate advocate for foster children that I know of. I recommend this book not only to every social worker but every one who cares about kids and families in crisis. "

    — Rusty, 12/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Heard this author at Lewis Ginter Bot. Garden lecture- a very quiet-spoken, intelligent, and courageous man who relates his life as a foster child. As an adult lawyer, he has made advocacy for foster children his life's work. "

    — Phyllis, 12/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good. Powerful, but sad. Hope's boy overcame so much! "

    — Melissa, 11/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " You can read my thoughts here. (3.5/5) "

    — Joy, 11/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Heartbreaking, but a great story. A good reminder for those of us insulated in our suburan lifestyles. "

    — Annette, 6/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Heard this author at Lewis Ginter Bot. Garden lecture- a very quiet-spoken, intelligent, and courageous man who relates his life as a foster child. As an adult lawyer, he has made advocacy for foster children his life's work. "

    — Phyllis, 5/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great story of a boy who overcomes a hard childhood in foster care and becomes a successful lawyer. Although the book is powerful and has a great take home message about the successes and short comings of the foster care system, I didn't absolutely love it. "

    — Jessica, 4/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A super quick read. And a good story. "

    — Ny, 3/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " only OK....I know this is on a lot of book club lists....mediocre "

    — Shannan, 3/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved this book. I think anyone who wants to be a Social Worker or is already one should read it :) "

    — Meredith, 2/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A very quick read. It is really sad but it's the hard truth. "

    — Leah, 12/17/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I just finished this. It's a good read if you are interested in child welfare and specifically foster care. "

    — Anne, 11/16/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I enjoyed this book's humor and wit. The violence in this book tugs at your heartstrings. For me the beginning was fast and enjoyable but the ending was slower. All in all this book doesnt "WOW" me. "

    — Rumschik, 10/26/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Heart-breaking biography of Andrew Bridge who grew up in foster care and his work to change the foster care system. "

    — Florence, 10/25/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Amazing! <br/>I also had the pleasure of listening to the author speak about his life and his now current work with the foster care system. He continues to devote his work to protecting children and the mothers they love. "

    — Trish, 10/22/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Such a sad story! At times I wanted to put it down because the author's childhood was so painful to even read about, but I kept reading in hope that he would overcome his circumstances--and he did. No child should have to endure the things he (and so many others described) endured. "

    — Trish, 10/1/2010

About Andrew Bridge

Andrew Bridge spent eleven years in foster care in Los Angeles before earning a scholarship to Wesleyan University. He went on to Harvard Law School and was also a Fulbright Scholar. Formerly the CEO and general counsel of the Alliance for Children’s Rights, he lives in New York City. He remains a dedicated and vocal advocate for children in foster care.

About David Drummond

David Drummond has made his living as an actor for over twenty-five years, appearing on stages large and small throughout the country and in Seattle, Washington, his hometown. He has narrated over thirty audiobooks, in genres ranging from current political commentary to historical nonfiction, fantasy, military, thrillers, and humor. He received an AudioFile Earphones Award for his first audiobook, Love ’Em or Lose ’Em: Getting Good People to Stay. When not narrating, he keeps busy writing plays and stories for children.