reneeisreadingbooks 's review for:

Dream On by Shannon Hale

5.0

---

 

We are big Shannon Hale fans in my house. My daughter even dressed up as The Princess in Black for favorite character day at school this year. So, when I saw that she had a new book coming out, I couldn’t wait to read it. And wow! Let me tell you, I read it twice! The graphic novel is friendly and easy to read. I would hand this book to kids from 3rd grade to adult (truly). 

The story follows Cassie, a fourth-grade girl, who can’t quite figure out how she fits into the world. She still loves to play pretend, make up games and plays, and dream big. Some of her siblings and peers, though, are feeling like those are babyish, and they are more interested in talking and listening to music. To make matters worse, she and her best friend Vali are trying out a trio friendship instead of just their duo. And it feels tricky when its two against 1…poor Cassie is usually the 1. 

At home, Cassie is a true middle child. She’s not quite old enough to enjoy the things her older siblings like. And while she has the imagination to play with her younger siblings, she worries, again, about being too babyish. All she wants is some alone time with her mom, a little attention just for her. When she finally gets this moment, it’s so lovely to see their relationship blook (a kind reminder to parents for making this time to listen and talk with your kids!). 

Reading this book, I was immediately transported back to memories of elementary and middle school. I related so easily to Cassie’s confusion about where she fits because she’s not quite an adult but also feeling less like a little kid. Cassie also feels big/deeply. Hale offers the good and bad of this, thus offering moments of introspection about coping with sadness, loneliness, and frustration. 

I opted to read this book a second time to really focus on a parent and teacher lens. It really just made me love it even more. I found key excerpts that I would want to carry into a classroom and passages that I know I could use to talk through emotions with my own children. This will absolutely be a book I recommend to my students, my friends, and kids. 

The book releases August 26, 2025, and it’s already getting some buzz with starred reviews!!! Pre-order this one from your local bookstore now. Gift it to kiddos in your life. Read it yourself. 

Kudos, Shannon Hale. Thanks for continuously putting beautiful work into the world for kids of all ages.