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riellareads's review against another edition
4.0
Patricia Maclachlan is one of my favorite authors. All of her books have a simple sweetness, a sort of whimsical wisdom. So I was super excited to see a new book of hers. This was another fun, sweet story. Louisiana and her brother Theo are staying with their family for the summer. While they are there, they learn about each other and their family.
Their family is changing. Diseases is taking root. New friends are appearing. Louisa learns about the island in a new way, she meets the people who make it special.
This is a book for almost everyone. It is a children’s book, so kids can read it. Most likely after age 8 or so. But it is touching and sweet for anyone.
Their family is changing. Diseases is taking root. New friends are appearing. Louisa learns about the island in a new way, she meets the people who make it special.
This is a book for almost everyone. It is a children’s book, so kids can read it. Most likely after age 8 or so. But it is touching and sweet for anyone.
nicolelynnreads's review against another edition
4.0
Initial thoughts: this one was super cute. The writing was lovely and beautiful and felt very calming & lyrical. The characters were warm & I loved falling into this story. This is definitely a comfort read. The only thing holding me back is that I’m not quite sure how young readers (who this book is written for) would like this one. Otherwise a heart warming, quick read.
sunflowerjess's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I wasn't sure about this book at first, but it grew on me, slowly and sweetly, like the island and the people in it.
jesstele's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this sweet book about being brave, first love and family.
tracie_nicole's review against another edition
4.0
Just a quiet, homey, simple young love story. It was so calming in the way kids stories should be.
csd17's review against another edition
This book seemed like one of those self-fulfilling projects that you can only do once you've made a name for yourself. I wanted to like it (McLachlan deserved her Newberry for Sarah) but ultimately didn't. And I'm rather beat up about it.
I couldn't find the why for the story to exist. It's not really about race, family, or love. Nor could I buy the need for a 12-yr-old to fall in love. And I really think that it should be a Mary Poppins-esque tale. It certainly seemed that way at the end. But it wasn't. And libraries never let 12-yr-olds head up community projects. Heavens, there are too many adults, usually, clamoring to do that sort of thing.
I loved the caprese salad and fish though. I want that meal... like now. Tonight. For dinner.
I couldn't find the why for the story to exist. It's not really about race, family, or love. Nor could I buy the need for a 12-yr-old to fall in love. And I really think that it should be a Mary Poppins-esque tale. It certainly seemed that way at the end. But it wasn't. And libraries never let 12-yr-olds head up community projects. Heavens, there are too many adults, usually, clamoring to do that sort of thing.
I loved the caprese salad and fish though. I want that meal... like now. Tonight. For dinner.
mrskatiefitz's review against another edition
3.0
Dream Within a Dream is another introspective and gentle middle grade novella from Patricia MacLachlan. Though the writing is, as always, of very high quality, the story of this book seems to follow a formula MacLachlan has established in her recent works. Like several of her other titles, this one focuses on the relationship between a child (named Louisiana, of all things) and her grandparents, one of whom, in this case, is going blind. Also like her other titles, this one involves parents who have left their children behind in order to travel for career pursuits. This one attempts to do something a bit different by introducing a sort-of romance plot between the main character and a boy from the neighborhood, but this aspect of the plot doesn't really work for the audience, and the scenes where they go on "dates" read as though the author herself isn't quite sure how she wants their relationship to be understood by the reader. The best parts of the book involve the discussion of books, and the fact that George, Louisiana's new friend and crush, has his own library and helps Lousiana's brother build one of his own. But this is one of the only things that happens in this book, and it's not going to be enough action to engage a lot of the readers who might otherwise gravitate toward the large-type format and slim size of a book like this. After years of reading MacLachlan's books and enjoying them myself as an adult, I still struggle to imagine the young reader who can appreciate them, but I will certainly have my oldest daughter try one in another year or two when the subject matter is a bit more suitable to her age.