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READING GUIDE

The Hope

by Ravi Dhungel · A Memoir from the Foothills of the Himalayas

About the book

This memoir tells the story of a childhood in the Himalayan foothills and the move to Kathmandu, offering young readers a vivid window into life in Nepal. Through the author's memories, children will encounter family, school, and the landscapes that shaped him.

Why kids love it

Reading The Hope helps children build empathy by seeing the world through another child's eyes while learning about a different culture and geography. The memoir's themes of resilience, education, and family are universal and encourage reflection on what gives us hope.

Step into the world of The Hope

The Village Courtyard

A dusty courtyard in the foothills of the Himalayas, where prayer flags snap in the mountain wind and the white wall of the high peaks fills the northern sky. Children play between the houses; everywhere there is the sound of running water.

The Schoolyard

A simple school stands at the edge of the village, its walls chalked with lessons. Children recite their tables in the shade. From a village like this, one boy set out to cross the world.

The Hillside Temple

A small temple clings to the hillside, its bells ringing softly. From the steps you can see the terraced fields stepping down to the valley, green and gold in turn.

Sample questions

Here is the kind of thinking The Hope asks for — drawn from the actual quiz:

  1. The memoir is set partly in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal.

    The subtitle describes the Himalayan foothills as the starting point of Ravi's journey.

  2. Where does Ravi Dhungel eventually immigrate to?

    The memoir recounts Ravi's immigration from Nepal to the United States of America.

  3. Nepal is a landlocked country bordered by India and China.

    Nepal lies between India to the south and China to the north.

Words to know

memoir
A true story that someone writes about their own life.
foothills
The lower slopes of a mountain range, where the land begins to rise.
Himalayas
The highest mountain range in the world, stretching across several countries in Asia.
Kathmandu
The capital city of Nepal, known for its rich history and busy streets.
resilience
The ability to keep going and stay strong even when things are difficult.
tradition
A custom or belief that is passed down from parents to children over many years.
perseverance
Continuing to try hard at something even when it is challenging.
hope
A feeling of wanting something good to happen and believing it is possible.

Talk about it

  1. How does the author's life in the Himalayan foothills compare to your own life? What similarities and differences do you notice?

  2. What role does family play in the memoir? How do the author's family members support him?

  3. The author moves to Kathmandu. How do you think he feels about leaving his home, and what does he discover in the city?

  4. What does the title The Hope mean to you after reading the book? Where do you see hope in the story?

  5. Which events in the memoir show the author's resilience or perseverance? Can you think of a time when you showed those qualities?

  6. What did you learn about Nepali culture from this book that you didn't know before?

Play the full quiz

Answer fast, earn coins, and follow your student journey through The Hope.

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