Module 6- Historical Fiction: The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan

*Summary:

In this book, the reader watches as a young Chilean boy grows up right before our eyes. Neftali is a sutterting, sickly, perpetual daydreamer; all qualities his father hates. Neftali's father wants him to grow strong and become a doctor. As Neftali grows older the reader sees him begin to grow as a writer and as a thinker. The book includes images that portray the boy's daydreams and poems and phrases that float throughout Neftali's mind. Neftali is happiest when he is left alone to explore, draw, and write. However, he wants nothing more than his father's approval. At a family vacation to the ocean, Neftali begins to realize that he does not need his father's approval, only his own. This is the turning point where Neftali begins to follow his own path. After becoming an apprentice at his uncle's newspaper, Neftali grows his talent as a writer; to his father's dismay. Eventually, the reader finds out that Neftali is actually the famous Chilean writer who goes by the pen name of Pablo Neruda.

*Bibliography:

Ryan, P. M., & Sís, P. (2010). The dreamer. New York: Scholastic Press.

*My Rating:

This was one of my favorite books I have read for this course so far. I loved the interspersion of images, phrases, and poems throughout the book. I felt like the format really followed Pablo Neruda's mind. I felt like I was in his head. I also loved that Pam Munoz Ryan waited until the end of the story to reveal the who Neftali really was-- Pablo Neruda.

*Review:

A shy, stuttering, daydreaming child blossoms into an influential poet in this skillfully crafted fictional biography of the Nobel Prize–winning Chilean writer Pablo Neruda. Told through stories, bits of poetry, and interwoven illustrations, the book follows Neftalí (Neruda's given name) through childhood, focusing on small incidents with large significance, such as Neftalí's lifelike daydreams, a toy sheep gifted through a hole in the fence between backyards, and his grief after an unsuccessful attempt to save an injured swan. The author traces influences on Neruda's writing, from his father's strict countenance and near-abusive demands, to a love letter that spurred Neftalí's interest in writing, and to his early political activism while working for his uncle's newspaper. Ryan's writing is fittingly poetic, echoing the voice of Neruda through bits of original poetry and evocative questions modeled after The Book of Questions, such as "Is fire born of words? Or words born of fire?" Delicate and pointillistic, Sís' art provides a dreamlike, almost surrealistic, backdrop for the story, reflecting plot points and expanding beyond them, breathing life into ideas. The attention to detail reflects a careful regard for Neruda; for instance, both art and text are printed in green ink (Neruda's preferred color because to him it represented hope), and Neftalí's stepmother is referred to as Mamadre (the family's nickname for her). While the considerable length contrasts with the fairly young-aimed text, the story is a readable blend of fiction and biography. The representation is impressionistic rather than expository; without the author's note or prior knowledge of Neruda, a reader might not easily identify this as biographical material. This is a striking, loving portrait, which does justice to Neruda's life and also stands as an accomplished work of art in its own right. An author's note and small selection of Neruda's poems are included.

Hommel, M. (2010). The dreamer. Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, 63(11), 498-499. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/609963229?accountid=7113

 

*Uses in a library:
A librarian could create a bulletin board featuring this book. The board could include quotes and some poems and images from the book. This display would make students more interested in reading the book. Also, the librarian could get an expert on Latin American history to come lead a short discussion and read excerpts.