107. Dream

107. Dream. Barbara O'Connor. 2025. 256 pages. [Source: Library] [MG Fiction, J Fiction, realistic fiction, 4 stars]

First sentence: The last place I wanted to be in the middle of July was the laundromat. 

Premise/plot: Idalee Lovett is the song-writing heroine in Barbara O'Connor's newest children's book, Dream. Idalee Lovett loves, loves, loves writing songs and playing on her guitar. Her mom is trying her best to be a country music superstar. But she has a hard time getting gigs even at bars and such. Idalee is not giving up on her mom's dream or her own. There's a song writing contest and Idalee is determined to win it. The winner will have his/her song played on the radio performed by a country singer.

While her mom is "on tour" with her band, Idalee is left behind at her family's boarding house. She makes new friends--some that live in town, some that are from out of town. Her best friend is "stuck" in town since his dad's car [truck, van, whatever] broke down. As big as her dreams are, she finds herself stuck and out of inspiration. 

My thoughts: This is a companion novel to Wish. I wish I'd reread Wish. I do. My advice to you is reread Wish first. Unless Wish is a novel that you've reread a few times already or perhaps read aloud to your class. Charlie and Howard are side characters in this one.

I liked this one. I did. I think if I'd reread Wish and been immersed in that world--that town--I would have appreciated Dream more. I think if I'd sat down and read it in one sitting I would have appreciated it more. I read it over two weeks. It was good. But I wanted it to be amazing and wonderful.

 

 

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