Sarah dessen is an american novelist who lives in chapel hill, north carolina. Dreamland gave me the hardest punch of all her books to date. Dreamland by sarah dessen is a story that follows caitlin after her sister cass ran away on caitlins sixteenth birthday. Her best friend is rina and throughout the story, she begins to smoke marijuana. Caitlins dreams of cass and rogerson are expressing whats really on her subconscious mind, but she does not express those. A novel, 2000, dreamland, sarahdessen shop online for books in the united states we use cookies to provide essential features and services. If youd like another dark novel, i recommend broken things by lauren oliver. Sarah dessen grew up in chapel hill, where she teaches fiction writing at the university of north carolina and recently married her high school sweetheart. She starts to cope when she meets the mysterious and alluring rogerson. About sarah dessen sarah dessen grew up in chapel hill, where she teaches fiction writing at the university of north carolina and recently married her high school sweetheart.
Caitlin wanders in a dreamland of drugs and a nightmare of sudden fists, trapped. They have been translated into twentyfive languages. Ive read nearly all of sarah dessen s books and id been wanting to read this for a while, but to be honest, i. Ever since she started going out with rogerson biscoe, caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where n. A modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, supersummary offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes. This study guide consists of approximately 18 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of dreamland. When dreamland by sarah dessen opens, it is caitlin okorens sixteenth birthday and her eighteenyearoldsister, cassandra cass, has just run away from home. Dreamland, sarahdessen shop online for books in the. Sep 01, 2000 dreamland was my first sarah dessen book, and for some reason id always thought she wrote lighthearted, fu wake up, caitlin, mr lensing had said. Sarah dessen s first two books were made into a movie named how to deal starring mandy moore.
Sarah dessen is at the top of that list and i have never passed up an opportunity to read one of her books. Apr 24, 2014 even sarah dessen quoted that she had a challenge with this book because it was unlike anything she has ever written. Edwards award from the young adult division of the american library association. Theres a certain burnout phase that follows writing, editing and preparing a novel for publication. But really, anyone whos ever had their heart broken could probably find something enjoyable in this title. While, of course, anyone could enjoy this, i definitely put dreamland in the hands of girls more than boys. Dreamland 2000 is a teenoriented novel in three sections by sarah dessen. Penguin, may 11, 2004 young adult fiction 256 pages. Apr 11, 2011 add dreamland by sarah dessen to the list of books teenage girls need to read along with speak. Occupationnovelist nationalityamerican alma materuniversity of north carolinachapel hill period1996present genrerealistic fiction subjectyoung adult literature children1 website.
The book is a must read for both parents and teenagers. Abuse is the overriding theme of the novel, both selfdirected and the physical and emotional abuse from others. Her mother starts redecorating the house in a victorian theme and buys creepy porcelain dolls from infomercials. Caitlins world seems to spiral away until she meets rogerson, a strange guy with awesome hair and whom caitlin feels at ease with, someone she can be anyone with. Abuse is the overriding theme of the novel, both selfdirected and the physical and. Audiobook excerpt narrated by liz morton created by recorded books. This is the case with dreamland by sarah dessen is found amongst the endless number of shallow teen novels. I feel she is slightly nasally and her male voices make me laugh. The theme of finding yourself getting out from under the shadow of a mythical friend or family member can resonate with just about everyone. Dreamland by sarah dessen by brianna lemp outside reading presentation by. Examples of codependence in dreamland are usually associated with teenage love relationships e. Dreamland is darker than other sarah dessen novels, but even more unforgettable because of it. Sarah dessen was born in evanston, illinois, on june 6, 1970 to alan and cynthia dessen, who were both professors at the university of north carolina, teaching shakespearean literature and classics.
What are two theme in the book dreamland by sarah dessen. Further reading and recommended sites books by sarah dessen. I just recently finished reading dreamland by sarah dessen. What is the overall theme for the book dreamland by sarah. Dec 31, 2011 so i finish reading the book and now i have to present two themes i think it is the life lessons the book taught in front of class. The theme is people who are abused tend to hide their scars, both physically and mentally. Edwards award from the american library association. Sarah dessen s remarkable dreamland will have you reading until you turn the very last page. Dessen s books are frequently chosen for the teens top ten list and the list of best fiction for young adults. Life lessons weve learned from every sarah dessen book.
When dreamland by sarah dessen opens, it is caitlin okorens sixteenth birthday and her eighteenyearoldsister. The main problem found in sarah dessen s young adult book dreamland is that protagonist 16yearold caitlin okoren feels she needs to find a way to separate her own identity from that of her. Her books are very much relevant to todays youth and parents as they open a window to the psyche and vulnerability of teenagers. The first section, cass, opens on the sixteenth birthday of protagonist caitlin okoren, when it is discovered that her eighteenyearold sister, cass cassandra has run away. Analysis and discussion of characters in sarah dessens dreamland. Feb 02, 2005 sarah dessen builds an almost unbearably escalating sense of dread into the climatic scene of the novel. Dreamland by sarah dessen meet your next favorite book. Codependency is defined as a psychological condition or a relationship in which a person is controlled or manipulated by another who is affected with a pathological condition typically narcissism or drug addiction. Its a bit heavier in theme than most of dessens work, which i enjoyed, as it fit her.
Rogerson introduces caitlin to drugs and a woman in her midtwenties named corinna. And it comes in many guisesdirect physical contact, threats with intimidation, and abandonment. Dreamland, sarahdessen shop online for books in the united. Dreamland was published in 2001 and is an ala best book for young adults, an editors choice for 2000, and a new york library book for the teen age. Sarah dessen is the recipient of the 2017 margaret a. Sarah dessen dessen at the 2017 texas book festival bornsarah dessen june 6, 1970 evanston, illinois, u. Dreamland first starts off with these two girls that are sisters and they both live with their mom and dad. This study guide consists of approximately 31 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more.
And for people who have read it, you know that it is kind of sensitive, so in your opinion, what theme should i brought up that is not too sensitive. Sarah dessen is the author of more than a dozen novels, including what happened to goodbye, a new york times bestseller. But i appreciate the effort she puts into different voices so i can follow the dialogue easier. Characters dreamland by sarah dessen caitlin okoren caitlin is a sixteen year old teenager. She became involved with a 21yearold when she was 15 but cut all contact with him shortly after. This shovel represents caitlin, the protagonist of the book dreamland, because when caitlin was 4 and her sister cass was 6, cass whacked caitlin across the. Dreamland is the fourth book written by sarah dessen. If you want another book that features a romance but still has some serious themes. What is the main problem in the book dreamland by sarah. Sarah dessens remarkable dreamland will have you reading until you turn the very last page. But what he didnt understand was that this dreamland was preferable, walking through this life halfsleeping, everything at arms length or farther away. Thanks for exploring this supersummary plot summary of dreamland by sarah dessen.
Caitlin okorencaitlin is a sixteen year old teenager. Dessen starts off by having a beautiful, wonderful, talented girl, being taken for a loop as her sister disappears on her sixteenth birthday. This book could also be a great read for those high achievers who put a lot of pressure on themselves. It was my school reading book, and to be honest it was good. Edwards award for her novels dreamland 2001, keeping the moon 2000, just listen 2007, the truth about forever 2004, along for the ride 2010, what happened to goodbye. Dreamland is the secret story of many contemporary teen relationships, a finely drawn portrait of a young woman without a strong sense of self esteem. Sarah explores a dangerous relationship with empathy and care, as caitlin falls deeper into her relationship with rogerson and farther away from herself and everyone she loves in the process.
Every time i finish a book, i think i will never be able to write another one. Dreamland was my first sarah dessen book, and for some reason id always thought she wrote lighthearted, fu wake up, caitlin, mr lensing had said. Mar 29, 2009 what is the overall theme for the book dreamland by sarah dessen. Her first two books, that summer and someone like you, were made into the movie how to deal. We dont yet have a fulllength study guide for this book. What ive always admired about dessen is that while she doesnt go over the top with being controversial or writing things for the pure shock valueshe also does not gloss over certain subjects. The physical part was caitlyn enduring beatings from. That summer,someone like you,keeping the mood, dreamland,this lullaby,truth about forever,lock and key, just listen.
On caitlins 16th birthday she wakes up to discover that her older sister has run away. And if i didnt have many other friends because of hermost girls were intimidated by her looks, or thought she was too pushy, or just flatout feared for their boyfriendsit never bothered me. If you didnt love him, this never would have happened. That summer someone like you keeping the moon dreamland this lullaby. Brianna lemp shovel marijuana this shovel represents caitlin, the protagonist of the book dreamland, because when caitlin was 4 and her sister cass was 6, cass whacked caitlin across the head with a shovel and it made a scar above her eye. When i was in about seventh grade, i became obsessed with the topic of domestic. Dreamland by sarah dessen discussion guide penguin random. Caitlin and rogersons relationship becomes more physical. Caitlin becomes addicted, and later uses it as a way to escape the pain of her abusive relationship with her boyfriend, rogerson. I am not affiliated with the production of this book. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read dreamland.
The novel is an easy read, but the theme, plot, and characters in the book show that it. Dreamland by sarah dessen acknowledges relationship toxicity that teens can face, while offering hope that it is escapable. When they were younger, something happened between caitlinyounger and cassolder. In this riveting novel, sarah dessen searches for understanding and answers. Created by penguin books for young readers listen to the recording 05.
We can almost hear the throbbing drums in the background as caitlin, who has been bullied by rina into going off to the lake, frantically tries to telephone a dangerously furious rogerson. Edwards award for her contributions to ya literature, as well as the romantic times career achievement award. Originally, the story of caitlin and rogerson was in another novel id written, one which turned out to be mostly. Her books are frequently chosen for the topten list for teens and young adults. Sep 21, 2020 dreamland 2000 is a teenoriented novel in three sections by sarah dessen. It had a lot of the elements of the other books, but something kept pulling it deeper, to a place that for me, as a writer, was really challenging. Dreamland by dessen, sarah and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Dreamland 2000 is a teen novel by the american author sarah dessen. Sarah dessen, quote from dreamland and she was good to me. Even while i was writing it, i knew dreamland was different. Tips to elevate your hybrid or virtual sales strategy.
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