About the Book:

If you are looking for a feel good, true-to-life, inspirational children's book, you will find it in The Little School of Hope. This heartwarming story recalls the memories of a young migrant girl named Esperanza, and the school that brought her HOPE.

Through her storytelling, Esperanza opens the eyes of the reader to the plight of thousands of children who have followed the migrant stream.

The story and the illustrations are meant to bear a striking resemblance to the actual events and people who brought this little school to life in Indiantown, Florida. Their names have NOT been changed to protect them, for they are the real movers and shakers of our world. Without them and their passion for changing the lives of the migrants through education, there would be no story. 

About the Author:

Promoting education, especially among immigrants and the disadvantaged, has been the life-long focus of Sister Mary Dooley's ministry. This pursuit has brought her to the high bush country in Liberia, West Africa, the inner city of Boston, Massachusetts, and the rural town of Indiantown, Florida.

Educating children from remote villages, gang and drug infested cities, and rural areas to take their rightful place in society has been her passion and has earned her the title of Hometown Hero and an Honorary Degree in Humane Science from Simmons College in Boston.

Sister Mary Dooley is a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, a religious community of women dedicated to transforming lives through education. Presently, she is the director of Hope Rural School in Indiantown, Florida. 

About the Illustrator:

Claire Siefker, along with her husband Paul, was instrumental in helping to establish Hope Rural School over 30 years ago. The characters in her illustrations were her true to life friends who loved and worked with the migrants. Claire welcomed them and the migrants into her heart and home.

Claire is an artist and lives in Indiantown with her husband Paul. He was the architect and builder of Hope Rural School. They have six children and 20 grandchildren.