What makes this story so strong are the moments in which the teen remembers being with her mother before she was sick and the dream journal that opens each chapter and reflects on her feelings. The relationship with her father grows believably stronger at the end of the novel. Teens who have recently lost someone close to them, or know that it’s about to happen, will appreciate this sincere and thoughtful novel.–Kelly Czarnecki, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg, NC, School Library Journal
“Award-winning writer Karen Halvorsen Schreck hops between heavyweight emotion and typical adolescent angst when relaying the multi-faceted story of 16-year-old Olivia's adventures over the summer prior to her junior year in high school. A beautifully written coming-of-age novel, DREAM JOURNAL is a gallant effort about surviving loss . . . by a noteworthy writer.” -www.teenreads.com newsletter
“The difficult material -- obviously deeply felt – will resonate with young adults, especially young women . . . a recommended new young adult title . . . about mother-daughter relationships and about the loss of a parent.”
—Michael Cart, columnist and reviewer for ALA's Booklist magazine.
“I hope DREAM JOURNAL makes it into the lives of many girls. For some, it will be comforting to read about a character surviving the ultimate loss. For others, it will serve as a test of sorts for how they might one day react to a similar situation.” –Teri Lesesne, Professor of Young Adult and Children’s Literature at Sam Houston State University, and author of Making the Match: The Right Book for the Right Reader at the Right Time, Grades 4-12, from Stenhouse Publishers.
“I hope DREAM JOURNAL makes it into the lives of many girls. For some, it will be comforting to read about a character surviving the ultimate loss. For others, it will serve as a test of sorts for how they might one day react to a similar situation.” –Teri Lesesne, Professor of Young Adult and Children’s Literature at Sam Houston State University, and author of Making the Match: The Right Book for the Right Reader at the Right Time, Grades 4-12, from Stenhouse Publishers.
“{DREAM JOURNAL] is told in a clear, immediate voice. It is a young adult novel . . . Livy’s journey through her mother’s final weeks speaks to adults—and the losses we’ve endured—as well. Livy is a perceptive and honest narrator, a person too young to be caring for herself, but strong and resourceful. You grow to love her, to root for her.” -Jennifer Grant, The Wheaton Sun
