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Summary: Here's a book I don't think you'll soon forget
Review: Several weeks ago I stayed up most of the night to finish reading this haunting story. I've read some good books since then, but Dreamland has stayed with me. It's a strangely gripping mixture of the poetic and the realistic. I couldn't help but believe this is how life is for many teens. For one thing, the author caught the intelligence and frivolity of being a teen so vividly. One moment the narrator is making a breathtaking observation about life, and the next she's ignoring danger signs practically screaming at her. The story somehow maintains a feeling of hope even as it deals with drugs and self-destructive choices. And yes, this did remind me a bit of last year's TV show FREAKS & GEEKS, since the main character is a girl who changes her choice of friends and style of life. However, Freaks and Geeks (pretty good show that is was) didn't pack near the punch of this book. I rank this book five stars because it's an good book and it's one that stays with you. It will probably stay in your mind long after you're finished reading.
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Summary: The most realistic story about an teenagers life
Review: The book Dreamland by Sarah Desson is an excellent story about a young girl's life and the decisions she is faced with. It all starts on Catlin's 16th birthday, when she wakes up to find a unexpected note on the kitchen counter, that her older sister, Cassandra, has ran away to with her new boyfriend, Adam. Catlin's parents, who were very invovled in Cassandra's life, are devastated by this mishap. Catlin is now going insane, she doesn't even feel like a part of the family anymore. Her friends convince her to join the cheerleading squad, which wasn't easy for her. Next, she finds herself with a new boyfriend, totally opposite from her friends. He is out of school, a big partier and worst of all, a drug dealer. This however does not stop Catlin. Soon, she starts to drift way from her friends and is with him everyday. Her parents start noticing bruises all over Catlin and black eyes appearing out of nowhere. This is one book, you will not be able to put down, it keeps you wanting to know more and more "Is Cassandra going to call home?" or " Is Catlin's boyfriend really the sweet guy she thinks he is?" I would recommend this book to anyone. Especially teenagers, these are real life situations that can happen to an everyday teen.
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Summary: Thought-provoking novel about dating violence
Review: After her apparently perfect older sister Cass runs away with her boyfriend instead of attending Yale, Caitlin is left struggling with her feelings of abandonement and loneliness, especially as her parents focus on trying to persuade Cass to rejoin their lives.Sinking into loneliness as she endures cheerleading season--which she tried out for without real enthusiasm, Caitline grows more and more attracted to Rogerson, a mysterious, sleepy-eyed student at a local private school--a BMW driver who rarely seems to attend school and yet is extremely intelligent. As their relationship grows increasingly intimate, Caitlin learns secrets about Rogerson--about his family life, his source of money, and about his violent temper. Soon she begins hiding bruises on her arms and legs with long sleeves and pants, and lying about various injuries. All the while, she debates with herself: to stay with Rogerson and gain a sense of belonging and companionship, or leave him and admit to everyone what has been happening. As with her other novels, Sarah Dessen captures the teenager's voice well, and sees inside their world with a keen eye. If this story lacks for anything, it's dialogue and a sense of "show" rather than "tell." I felt that too many large periods of time were summarized by the narrator, and that the novel and our understanding of Rogerson and Caitlin's parents, especially, would've been strengthened by scenes that showed them independently of Caitlin's perspective. Nevertheless, an engaging story with much worthy of discussion.
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Summary: THe coOLEst ReviEW
Review: Abusive relationships are all too prevalent in our society... i thought that though this was a very sad book it was enlightening because caitlin clings to hope and the cast of characters is very well defined. If u are looking for a good book to read on some rainy afternoon this would be an excellent choice.
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Summary: Dreams
Review: Dreamland takes a look into the world of abuse in teen relationships. Incredibly realistic and powerful. Something every teenager should read.
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Summary: deliciously different
Review: The thing that struck me while reading Dreamland is the same element that causes many people to label the book 'disturbing'... the focus on how Caitlin let herself be abused and hurt. The language is beautiful and honest, and the characters are remarkably sympathetic- not in the sense that the reader feels sorry for them, but that the reader understands the reasons behind their behavior. Dreamland may be dark and gloomy, but it is also painfully honest, realistic, and compelling. A must read for anyone that isn't under the delusion that all teen literature has to be coated with happy pills!
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Summary: This book is great!
Review: This book is a fantastic book. I would recommend it for everyone! I was in a relationship where a guy pretty much took over my life. He never hit me but the emotional abuse was similar to the physical abuse that Caitlin recieves. I would say that this book really opens your eyes to what teenage girls go through when they are dating someone. You want to be in a relationship so bad that when he hurts you you stay with him anyway. You have this stupid reaction like he will never do it again and that it was just a one time thing. The reality of the situation is that they will never stop. They keep on hurting you until someone either finds out or they kill you. I believe that this book is very true to what really happens in a relationship like this and I believe that everyone should read this book.
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Summary: Dreamland
Review: I loved this book! She lives in the shadow of her perfect older sister and when Caitlin's older sister runs away, she is pulled into an unwanted limelight. She meets Rogerson at a party, and falls in love with him. She soon finds there is more to him than just that cool, silent exterior. A very gripping tale, and a must read.
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Summary: Dreamland
Review: some of the below have stated age limits for this book but in my opinion (im 14 almost 15) it all depends on how mature you are. this book plays your emotions..its hard to breath right after reading it and you cant get it off your mind, it sticks with you. everyone has said the plot so i wont go into detail about that but you see everything, feel everything the character does. when she talks about trying to reach the surface you feel you are too. the thing about the main character is she is so much like an everyday girl. she could be your best friend, or heck she could be you. and then theres the guy. you fall in love with him then in the end you are so torn because he was perfect if the situation had been different and if he wasnt him(you have to read it to get this). ive never felt my heart and mind go in so many directions. before this book i could not understand why someone would allow another person to abuse them and now it makes more sense then it should. the whole entire time you read it you want to break down crying but you wont allow yourself to. your heart feels burdened and your stomache turns. i love how the author didnt make the hit scenes so bad you got uncomfterble during them but enough to play your emotions. it dosnt have a perfect ending and so far is quite different then the rest of the books i have read by her. you never leave catlin, she becomes a part of you and all you want to do is be her friend, help her, tell her what to do when in actuality you have no clue yourself. every person should read a book like this to get a bigger picture then just yourself. this book had a meaning, but you cant sum it up its just there with each line. this could happen to anyone you know, it might have already and this book opens your eyes. it is so real its scary yet amazing at the same time. not my favortie by dessen by its a story that needs to be read and remembered.
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Summary: Dreamland, a deep novel
Review: First off, let me say that this was a very real and truthful book. It was so deep that sometimes I'd just have to stop and take some time to let out a big *sigh*, or let a little tear run down my check because this was a very intense book. I'm a total Sarah Dessen fan so when I read this I wan't disapointed.
Anyway, this story starts out in Caitlin's normal life, her living in the shadows of here sister, the "perfect" daughter, student, and all around girl. This book is divided into 3 section: Cass (her sister), Rogerson (her abusive boyfriend), and Me (Caitlin).
In the first section, "Cass", Caitlin and her family deel with her "perfect" sister running away, right before her freshmen year in collee at Yale. After this, she becomes even more invisiable in her parents eyes. Her father, by throughing himself into his work, and her mother crying over her long-lost daughter. The next section, "Rogerson", is about her abusive boyfriend hiting her and abusing her violently. Even though she knows this is happening to her so still loves him and trusts him. She soon becomes scared to talk to anyone but Rogerson. She can't talk to any guys at all because Rogerson might think that the wanna steal her away from him. All the problems that are going on are: her smoking pot, Rogerson beating her and leaving dark brusies and hand prints on her ghostly white skin, and her sister, Cass, leaving her to deal with her ploblems all by herself. The last section, "Me", is when she is found my her mother being beaten up by Rogerson. Her mother, Margrat, soon sees all of her bruises from the past 6 months. I won't tell you what happens in the end, but let me tell this: its a very emotinial ending. At least fo me anyway.
I give Sarah Dessen two thumbs up with this book. At some times it was a little depressing, whatching this beautiful, smart, and talented girl get abused by her boyfirnd. At other times I could tell Dessen was discribing this charcter with as much strength as any girl could put up with in this situation. Love for Rogerson gave her strength to forget the beatings and anger and think of it as a game. I love this book and hope you guys love it to! It had great charcters and was beautifully writen.
Jessica
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