Dreamland

By Zoe Jacobson, Age 15, Literary Editor of TweenTribune

Sarah Dessen tells the story of two sisters, Cass and Caitlin, in Dreamland. Cass runs away weeks before she is to attend Yale. Her sister, Caitlin, is left to try and out step her older sister’s “perfect” shadow.

Caitlin spends her junior year in Dreamland, where nothing can go wrong, but the reality is far from it. She continues to fail school and she alienates her only friend to spend more time in Dreamland, hoping to catch glimpses of Cass in her dreams. Caitlin tries to fill the gap of Cass’s absence so she tries out for cheerleading, convincing herself that things will begin to look up.

She meets Rogerson, a dark mysterious brilliant boy who allows Caitlin to be anyone when she is around him. Things start to get better when she has someone to talk to who understands, so she begins spending her every waking moments with him, until he becomes too dangerous and she is forced to consider her inner strength and what to do when someone you love hurts you.

I can’t say that I’m surprised when it comes to the quality and excellence of this novel. Sarah Dessen has and continues to perform to high standards in both her writing and creation of realistic, but still likable characters. I have to say though, that I did find the plot a bit unbelievable because no one stepped in, not her neighbor, her distant father, or her emotion rot mother. I also felt that this book was written to teach a lesson to young woman, but what book doesn’t have a moral component? Dessen did a great job with this book, and I rate it a 4 on a scale of 1 to 5.

- Posted on January 15, 2011

Submitted by melissad543 on Thursday, 05/17/2012 - 12:13.

This is the first time I've ever heard of the author Sarah Dessen. But after reading this review, I'd like to see if I can find more books by her. It sounds as if this book is a great novel and I'd really like to read it someday! I'll also be looking for other books by Sarah Dessen, too. If she's really as god as the person who wrote this review says, then her books will definitely be worth my time...

Submitted by Kristinh-Pak on Thursday, 05/10/2012 - 19:55.

I love her books! I read almost all of her books! When I read one of her books I just can't seem to put the book down until I finish it. This book I really want to read it seems really interesting and good.

Submitted by Nicole313 on Sunday, 05/06/2012 - 18:23.

I don't doubt Sarah Dessen did a good job on this book!I have read one of her books and loved it!And it really helped me to undertand that you don't have to be perfect!I hope she keeps writing!

Submitted by MelanieT-Pak on Thursday, 05/03/2012 - 12:29.

WOW! This book seems interesting and nice to read. I want to read this book now. Where can I get this book? I read other books called Dreamland but it wasn't that good. I hope I can find this book somewhere.

Submitted by BethyyW2012 on Wednesday, 05/02/2012 - 23:56.

I remember reading almost all of Sarah Dessen's book when I was in middle school. That includes this book. It's a book you can really relate too. I believe all of Sarah Dessen's books are like this though. She really knows how to empathize with the reader.

Submitted by CameronJ16 on Tuesday, 05/01/2012 - 10:23.

I have read lots of Sarah Dessen's books and I enjoyed every minute of every one I read. I think that Dreamland sounds good and I really want to read it. I think that Sarah Dessen not adding any help from any one in the book makes it that much more real though, although if I was in Caitlin's perspective I would definitely want some one to step in and help me out.

Submitted by ErinR16 on Tuesday, 05/01/2012 - 10:22.

I've read a some of Sarah Dessen books and I love her writing. This book Dreamland sounds really good. I really wonder what happens with Caitlin and Rogerson. I have read " The Truth about forever" by Sarah Dessen and it was really really good. I think I found the next book for me to read.

Submitted by sarah33txrv on Monday, 04/30/2012 - 23:52.

Wow, I never thought to read this book. I own Dreamland but never got around to reading it. Thanks to this informative review I think I will read it. I am supprised it has so much more story to it than i had pictured from the cover and summary. This is a very useful article!

Submitted by RaquelS-5 on Monday, 04/30/2012 - 22:56.

Cass runs away to dreamland before she attends to Yale.Her sister, Caitlin, is left to try and out step her older sister’s “perfect” shadow. Caitlin spends her Junior year in dreamland were she thinks nothing can go wrong, but in reality everything is pretty much going wrong for her, her grades fall. she try out for cheer hoping that things will look up for her. she meets a boy named Rogerson who is a dark mysterious brilliant boy who allows Caitlin to be anyone when she is around him. thing had been starting to get better for her now that she has someone to talk to. until he becomes too dangerous and she is forced to consider her inner strength and what to do when someone you love hurts you.
I have been wanting to get this book for a while because, well to be honest i think i relate to this character Caitlin.

Submitted by Ana_Mendoza32 on Monday, 04/23/2012 - 13:13.

This book seems so good. It seems mysterious and interesting. I have read some other books by Sarah Dessen and i really enjoy them. I think Sarah Dessen is such a good writer. Her books are really great too.