Hope Was Here (2001 Newbery Honor Book)

Hope’s used to thinking on her feet-she hasn’t become a terrific waitress by accident. But when she and her aunt Addie move from New York City to a small town in Wisconsin to run the Welcome Stairways Diner, she isn’t sure she’ll fit in. Luckily, she doesn’t have much time to dwell on it, what with life at the diner and her new home’s upcoming election. G.T., the owner of Welcome Stairways, has decided to run for mayor, and no one in town knows what to think. After all, G.T. has leukemia. And his opponent is the current mayor, who hasn’t lost an election yet. Some think G.T. is crazy, but Hope sees the goodness and power in him. Will everyone else see it too?