Dreamland

Title: Dreamland
Author: Sarah Dessen
Published: Oct 2000
ISBN: 9780142401750
Page number: 250
Price: 17.99
Reading Level: 7th grade 
Interest Level: 9th-12th grade
Awards: Booklist Editor's Choice, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults
Genre: fiction, realistic fiction
Plot Summary: Caitlin has always lived in her older sister's perfect shadow. Then Caitlin's sister runs away and instead of Caitlin's parents finally focusing on her they instead fret and stress over Caitlin's sister. Caitlin fights for her parents attention and finally gets some why she makes the cheerleading squad. The Caitlin meets Rogerson, an older high school with a bad reputation and access to drugs. Caitlin is more than willing to venture down this road of bad boy boyfriend and drugs because she is finally feeling like she is living outside her sister's shadow. But when Rogerson becomes abusive Caitlin can't seem to escape the dreamland she has fallen into. She makes excuses for Rogerson's abuse and starts to feel that she brings it upon herself. Can Caitlin ever come back from Dreamland or will she live in this new reality forever.
Review: Sarah Dessen writes emotionally charged and heartbreaking stories. Dreamland explores the downward spiral of one teen as she embraces drugs and falls victim to abuse. The story really shows Caitlin's inability to get out of the abusive relationship. Dessen is able to show how one can become a victim of abuse and then blame themselves or make excuses for their abuser. This topic is one that many girls fall victim to and Dessen tells an intriguing and heartfelt story that will keep a reader interested till the end.
Reader's Annotation: In attempt to escape her sister's shadow Caitlin dives into drugs and an abusive relationship. But Caitlin might never be able to escape her new reality.
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: Many victims of abuse blame themselves or make excuses for their abuse like Caitlin does in the story. It also shows the effects that drugs have on Caitlin and how they leave her unable to stay in reality. Teens may also connect to Caitlin and her sister's dynamics. Caitlin feels inadequate when compared to her sister and believes that her parents don't care for her. Teens with similar feelings will connect with Caitlin.
Issues: Caitlin engages in drug use and an abusive relationship. 
Book Talk Ideas: The story themes of abusive relationships and drug use should be focused on for the book talk. 
Main Themes: identity, abuse, drugs
Read-alikes: Nothing to Lose by Alex Finn
Author Website: http://sarahdessen.com/
Professional Reviews: Kirkus Reviews
Publisher's Weekly
Why this book was chosen: Sarah Dessen's books are always touching, heartfelt and compelling. This story deals with tough issues of drug abuse and relationship abuse.