Dreamland

Rating:
Summary: ill see you in dreamland
Review: Sarah Dessens's brilliant novel Dreamland is a very moving story of a girl just trying to find herself. Caitlin has always lived in the shadow of her sister Cass and when she runs away everyone is sad, but it finally gives Caitlin a chance to be herself and do things Cass never would have done. She unwillingly becomes a cheerleader with her friend Rina "it was one of the few things Cass never did", and one night meets Rogerson. Rogerson is unlike any boy she's ever met and as she spends more and more time with him she is introduced to new things and her whole way of life changes. Everything seems perfect until one night a dark side of Rogerson shows and the entire story shifts gears. I was drawn to this book just after reading the first few pages and after that I couldn't put it down, her style of writing just makes you want to keep reading. The story is filled with unexpected twists, fighting, love, and drugs, some things that most teens can relate to.

Rating:
Summary: Dessen Fails To Impress
Review: As a big fan of Sarah Dessen, I bought this book eagerly, hoping for a light but enjoyable teen girl story. I was disappointed.

Dessen tells the story of Caitlin, a high school student whose older sister, Cassandra, has been the prettier, smarter, and more talented daughter her entire life. With Cassandra poised to leave for Yale, Caitlin hopes to step out of her shadow. But Cassandra runs away the night before Caitlin's birthday, leaving her family bewildered and sending them on a downward spiral of depression and anxiety.

The premise, though clichéd, is interesting, and where Dessen goes wrong is the execution. Caitlin often sounds whiney and trite, and her decent into drug use and abuse is not very realistic. Even the various well written supporting characters cannot save this book. If you're looking for a good teenage depression book, try 'Speak' by Laurie Halse Anderson, or look into some of Dessen's lighter fare, like 'This Lullaby'.


Rating:
Summary: Wat can I say?
Review: Other than this book is AMAZING. Dessen's ability to capture the psyche of a teenager in an abusive relationship is perfect.

Caitlin is having to deal with a lot of stuff, espcially now that her erfect sister Cassie has left town. Her parents now expect Caitlin to live up to Cassie's image and Caitlin simply doesn't know how she can do it. Then she meets Roegerson, who loves her for who she is... or so she thinks. Things go sweetly for the frist few months, then Rogerson begins hitting her and dmanding things of her... Caitlin is trapped in a dangerous relatinship and doesn't know how to get out.

This is a must read for any one who has been in an abusive relationship, anyone who wants to know the signs of an abusive relatioship, and anyone who just wants a good book to read. Caitlin is real and you fight the battles right there with her.