Choosing Hope ─ How I Moved Forward from Life's Darkest Hour

*Books for a Better Life Award Finalist*
 
“[S]tirring . . . a bold, inspiring and ultimately hopeful book.” —Arianna Huffington, cofounder and editor-in-chief ofThe Huffington Post and author of the New York Times bestseller Thrive

“A beautiful portrait of the power of hope and love in the healing of a person, a community, and a country.” —Gabrielle Giffords,former congresswoman and New York Times bestselling author
 
“Heartfelt . . . [a] courageous and inspiring book from a genuine hero.” —Kirkus Reviews

Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis is the first-grade teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School who saved her entire class of fifteen six- and-seven-year-olds from the tragic events that took place on December 14, 2012, by piling them into a single-occupancy bathroom within her classroom, mere feet from the brutal and indiscriminate massacre taking place outside the door. Since then, despite the unimaginably painful experiences she endured, she has chosen to share her experience with others, in the hope that they, too, can find light in dark moments.

Choosing Hope is a lot of things. A written witness to a tragedy that will never be forgotten. A gripping firsthand testament to the power of good over the power of destruction. An inspirational memoir by a brave young woman whose story is one of courage, heroism, faith, and resilience. And a celebration of all the people who make the choice to pass along their hope and positivity to young ones—parents, mentors, and especially teachers. There is no moving on, but there is always moving forward. And how we move forward is a choice.

Kaitlin Roig-DeBellis is the founder of the nonprofit Classes 4 Classes Inc. which teaches compassion, caring, and empathy through active engagement to children across the United States. Previously, she was a first-grade teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School. DeBellis has been honored as a Glamour magazine Woman of the Year and a L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth, and she received the Dedicated Teacher Award from the Chicago International Conference on Education. She has been featured inPeople, Marie Claire, Glamour, and Cosmopolitan; has been a guest onThe Katie Couric Show; and is a motivational speaker for school boards, administrators, teachers, and students.