Scan barcode
jnishi's review
5.0
If I could give this more than 5 stars I would because I finally got to see Middle Grade me represented in a book. From the age of 11-20 I was obsessed with musicals and theatre like Annie (the main character in this book) I even convinced my frugal-find-a-good-deal Japanese-Canadian (I'm biracial--half Japanese half Euro-Canadian) family that acting classes, headshots, auditions, and theatre school was worth the money, I was going to be a star! But just like how Annie and her family were faced with micro-agressions and the lack of diversity on the screen and stage, I was also faced with the blunt realities of the profession I was trying to get into. There were very few stories with Asian actors in it on stage and on screen, My biracial ethnicity confused people, and realistically I would be constantly cast as a child (I'm very short) or as the funny side kick. So I left and became a teacher determined to have each child have their voices heard and their stories told. Dream Annie Dream is a necessary commentary on the importance of representation of POC stories and creative works and how small and insignificant it makes someone feel when they cannot find themselves in the creative and pop-cultural makeup of their world. Absolutely fantastic read.
blobmustardsprinkles's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katiegrrrl's review
4.0
This was a very enjoyable MG book. Annie was relatable. I think her internal struggle was honest, even if the late ‘80’s casual and overt racism weren’t being talked about she was still facing it. I think these are the kind of stories more kids need to see so that they better understand and see micro aggressions.
smo13's review
5.0
More than I could have hoped for. Seeing more Asian American rep in new books especially for kids always makes my day. Especially when the story also gets to be about other things too!
notinjersey's review
5.0
I loved this story about Annie, a Japanese American girl who just finished 6th grade and is ready to dream about where the world will take her. Annie appreciates the ability to see herself in the dreams she has – be it as an Japanese American actor or a shorter basketball player. Although the book description refers to Annie’s role in The King and I, she also participates in the show Annie and later in Alice in Wonderland. This book takes place in 1987 – the same year an article was published describing Asians as a “model minority.” The microaggressions Annie faces are so cringe-worthy. It was meaningful to see her come to terms with anti-Asian racism and to learn who she is and can be even when she looks different from her classmates. I also enjoyed that this book takes place in Kansas!
fictionfiend74's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
missprint_'s review
3.0
Some of this was good but my overall take is I would have probably enjoyed it more in print--the audio production had way too much pep for my tastes. While the author's note offered some explanation of the setting, I spent most of the book wondering why exactly we were reading a story set in 1987. I appreciated Annie's love for both theater and basketball and how these interested were portrayed with such care. I didn't love the way Annie's nemesis teacher was shown--a lot of it felt like one note cheap shots although you could argue that the antagonist doesn't deserve better. The microagressions and outright racism Annie deals with are presented with nuance and I also appreciated the way other characters push back against some of the instances, particularly Natalie from the basketball team. It's incidental to the plot of the book but there is also a very good commentary on yellowface in old Hollywood later in the story which still needs to be discussed more at every level.