Dreamland

I am not a teenager. I am a mother of teenagers and I teach teenagers. This book really should be given to every teenage girl and ideally, if you could get them to read it, every teenage boy. And for good measure, give it to every parent of a teenager. If you read the plot synopsis, you might not be interested: it sounds pedestrian with great potential for emotional manipulation. I went into this book really knowing nothing about the book or the author except that I had read some impressive quotes from her books on Goodreads.The book is emotionally brutal but never manipulative: I was sobbing for the last third of the book, because the simple emotional truths were so raw and real. I remember reading "teen isssue of the month" young adult books as a teenager but they were popcorn dressed with a superficial lesson compared to this. I wish there had been such books when I was a teenager. At one point near the end, the main character reads a letter from her sister who ran away at the beginning of the book. Her sister writes about how she draws on the quiet strength of the main character to pull her through the hard times. Caitlin, the main character, who has always felt herself in the shadow of her "perfect" older sister, remarks "funny how someone's perception of you can be formed without you even taking notice of it." and that she wishes her sister had physically turned her head and forced her to see this strength in herself as it might have made all the difference.But I could so identify with characters in this book although my life has had none of the problems anyone in this book has. I would guess that most people would find someone in the book that they identify with or can picture someone in their own lives who is eerily similar to to a character in the book. Either you are the perfect sister or the second fiddle, the overly controlling and involved mom, the slightly crazy best friend who is there for you but whose decisions you question, the abusive boyfriend, the heart of gold friend with whom you have nothing in common with on the surface, the quiet but understanding in his own way dad. The theme of finding yourself/ getting out from under the shadow of a mythical friend or family member can resonate with just about everyone.The narrative of the abusive boyfriend rings so true as does the paralleling of such abuse as an addiction. The circumstances of how Caitlin gets in the abusive relationship is just like many people's first experience with a drug: it's a fascinating "bad" thing you just want to taste once. The bruises left behind and how Caitlin uses long clothes to cover it up are just the same effects and cover up that many addicts experience. And just as with a drug addiction, you never think you could find yourself in such a situation but then it happens.Dessen's writing is what keeps this from becoming a Lifetime Channel movie of the week. She is psychologically astute and doesn't shy away from the realities of life no matter how ugly they may be. Parents, yes this means that a lot of what teens are doing behind your back is realistically depicted: there is drug abuse, smoking, language, sex, violence, but I think the book could be very useful in pointing out these dangers to teens in a way that is not preachy and is entirely relatable.

Of all the book's of Sarah's this is the one that made me cry more, there were parts were I was just crying so hard that I could barely read.The story goes like this:On the moring of Caitlin's sixteen birthday Cass, her "perfect" older sister, runs out with her boyfriend Adam, chosing New York over Yale and leaving Caitlin's family chrushed. Caitlin's father feels betrayed by his daugther, her mom barely realizes of anything anymore, and Caitlin is left alone to start her junior year with out her sister, with the sole support of Rina, her best friend, and Boo and Stuart, neighboors and best family friends.Rina convinces Caitlin to try out for cheerleading, because that was one of the few things that Cass never did. Surprisingly and not really wanting to, she ends up being picked out for squad. After one of her games, Caitlin, Rina and another cheerleader stop in a carwash and there she meets Rogerson Briscoe, and things heat up with him.Suddenly he is everywere, and Caitlin suddenly finds herself with a brilliant cool boyfriend.Rogerson, however, has lots of long stories... and lots of dark secrets. Caitlin doesn't care, he is taking her places where Cass has never been. One day, Rogerson's dark secret comes out, when he hits Caitlin for the fisrt time. Not ready to leave him yet, she stays.And the story goes on, Caitlin has fallen into a box, sealed with love and need, feeling trapt but lacking the will to scape, she hides the bruises and resumes to Dreamland... were things don't seem so bad.All the characters are wonderful, Caitlin and Rogerson relationship well descrived, Boo and Stuart, Rina, Cass, Corina... I highly recomend this book.It's goes beyond the hiting problem, i think you can identify yourself there because more than about domestic violence, is about finding yourself when there are no pointers showing the way.One of my favorite parts is when Caitlin wonders what would she think if saw this photograph of this girl that sits in her boyfriends lap so easily and how happy both looked (the ones in the photo are her and Rogerson), she says that she would have think that her life was perfect, just like once she had believed Cass's life to be perfect, she says that she had learned it was too easy to just asume things

I've read nearly all of Sarah Dessen's books and I'd been wanting to read this for a while, but to be honest, I was slightly disappointed. The mistake might have been finding out too much about the book before I read it, but I felt like the book had quite a slow start, while important events later on were skimmed over. I just didn't like the structure much, for whatever reason. I also felt like good characters weren't really developed properly, especially people like Rina and Boo, who didn't seem to have much of a storyline or do much in the book. Also, while most characters had really good and believable personalities, Caitlin herself seemed to be an incredibly bland character, not really having much personality at all. I did enjoy the book overall, though, it was a great read and unlike any of Sarah Dessen's other books. Even though it dealt with quite serious issues, it was never too depressing, and it was the sort of book that's hard to put down. I also felt that the ending was very realistic, but also satisfying.

Having bought this book just for something to read, I wasn't really expecting much. The characters are portrayed well and have depth and personality, but the storyline isn't the most interesting of all the books I've read. Having said that, the book gives a great insight into the troubled mind of a teenager, and it seemed as though I felt and understood exactly what Caitlin was going through whilst I read. A good read, but not outstanding - not worth buying if you're looking for a fun read.

bought for my daughter, who likes this author's books. not given it to her yet, so don't know the outcome.

Arrived quickly, really good read I couldn't put it down, loved the way it was wrote. Even missed emmerdale n corrie to read this book which is a first for me. Could read it again

I couldn't get this book in my country and I have almost all of Sarah Dessens books. I love them and this book does not disappoint in the least. It arrived within the expected time frame and was in great condition. i'm very pleased, i would recommend this seller to anyone :)