Journey of Dreams

by Marge Pellegrino

This is the story of how one family survives the Guatemalan army's 'scorched earth' campaign in the 1980s and how, in the midst of tragedy, suspicion and fear, their resilient love and loyalty - and Papa's storytelling - keeps them going. On their harrowing journey as refugees to the United States, the dramatic ebb and flow of events are mirrored in the tapestries of one daughter's dreams.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, International, Fiction, Childrens

256 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2009

About the author

Pellegrino has been active in the Sanctuary Movement for ten years, working to provide safe havens to refugees from around the world. Her beautiful story about Central American culture and turmoil has received multiple starred reviews.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely opened my eyes. Often, I had to reread because I had no background knowledge!!! This heart wrenching book tells the horrors of the genocide in Guatemla in 1984 and brings to life the question when to stand up for your beliefs.

This would be a great historical fiction book to use for fifth-eighth graders although background information would be needed to support their understanding.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for many reasons. For one, the story starts in 1984 and is about a girl, Tomasa who is around 14 years of age, which is around the age I was in 1984. I kept thinking through-out the book how I was enjoying so many luxuries at 14 that these people didn’t even know existed. I was clueless as to what the Guatemalan refugees were experiencing at that time. My life and Tomasa’s life were so very different and it made me stop and ponder. The Guatemalan government were burning villages and slaughtering thousands of people to gain land. Many people were forced to flee to Mexico, a place definitely not more peaceful. Tomasa needed to blend in to look Mexican and in so doing learned the Mexican anthem which is so Lamanite in thinking.

Second, I loved that the father told stories every night to his family, folk lore stories that are beautiful as they teach lessons. I loved how these people used nature and animals to tell a story and relate it to life. Of course the actual story of this family was touching too.

Third, the history involved. These people were refugees so they could freely and legally enter into the United States. Many crossed into Arizona by the Mexican border. Because of all the human and drug smuggling into the US at the time, the Guatemalans fleeing for a better life was hampered due to the lack of understanding that they were indeed not Mexican. They had to cross dangerously, always with the fear that they would be captured by the Mexicans and sent back to Guatemala. It made me think twice about all the immigrant problems Arizona is currently experiencing.

Though the book is fiction, it is based off of many stories gathered by the author. The book was published in 2009 in hopes to bring to light the many misunderstandings happening with immigrants.

[Paulina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a real good book. I think people should read this book.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Tomasa's story and how she and what's left of her family must try to escape from the Guatemalan army. They must journey far, sometimes retracing their steps, when things go awry. They must hide who they are and be careful who they trust. Their father tells them stories to help them get to sleep after hard days of many miles. All they want is the quiet refuge of the United states and a reunion with the others of their family.

I really appreciated this book and am very glad I signed up to receive it. I wouldn't normally pick up a book like this because I can't really relate to it. Most of us have never had to endure genocide or border crossings, that fear mixed with the glint of hope. This was a beautiful story with rich storytelling and heartfelt moments. Everything seemed so real and the images were vivid in my mind, much like Tomasa's woven huipil blouses. I think this would be a great novel to read along with a Central American unit in school, or if you are interested in Guatemalan culture and their hardships. This is a great book about refugees and how much different people's lives are in other parts of the world. This is a novel of bravery and dreams and a passion for freedom that drives them through. If you get a chance definitely pick up this book. If you are a teacher this is a must read for you. Marge Pellegrino wove a beautiful story in this novel.

First Line:
"Thwap, thwap, thwap. The high green branches of the pine trees shiver in the wind from the dark green machine whirring above us."

Favorite Line:
"'Where did the green go?' Maria asks."

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

When The Animals Went To Play (An illustrated bedtime story for children ages Baby - 8 years) (Dixie Tails)
When The Animals Went To Play (An illustrated bedtime story for children ages Baby - 8 years) (Dixie Tails)
Price: $2.99



4.0 out of 5 stars ANIMAL ANTICS, April 5, 2013


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This review is from: When The Animals Went To Play (An illustrated bedtime story for children ages Baby - 8 years) (Dixie Tails) (Kindle Edition)
The author gives us background information that at age twelve she had a horse named Dixie with whom she often shared her fantasy tales. That is the origin of Dixie Tales. In this book, a young girl returns home from school on a cold winter's day to find that her ten animal pets have disappeared. She finds them one by one acting very strangely by trying to be human! The turtle is reading a comic book, the cow is looking in the mirror, the horse taking a bath and the dog making pizza. By the end of the tale she is wondering, what will they be doing outside on a summer day? Our little friend invites the reader to draw what they think will happen and send it to her website. The rhymes are one or two lines and very simple. This book is recommended for ages birth through eight, but I believe it better suited for the lower end of that range. Vivid illustrations complement the silly rhymes. A child will enjoy hearing them over and over. Comment Comment | Permalink


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When Monsters Come Out to Play.(Rhyming Children's Book)
When Monsters Come Out to Play.(Rhyming Children's Book)
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4.0 out of 5 stars NIGHTTIME VISITORS, April 1, 2013


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When Monsters Come Out to Play is a charming little book written to allay a child's fears about nighttime. It is written in rhymes which flow nicely most of the time. The drawings are simple but colorful. An assortment of monster types visit. One or two of them are depicted a bit on the scary side. Be aware of this if your child is easily frightened. The message of the book to the child is a valuable one. If we are not afraid of what we don't understand and try to see monsters as people like us, there is nothing to fear. A delightful read aloud for children age three and up! Comment Comment | Permalink


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Weather (Little Bunny series)
Weather (Little Bunny series)
Price: $2.99



5.0 out of 5 stars A TODDLER'S TREASURE, April 1, 2013


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This book is simple and explicit. Babies and toddlers will love the charming bunny as he experiences both pleasant and unpleasant weather. He turns to mom for sympathy and consolation when he is disappointed. The text is accompanied by illustrations that are simple and pleasing to the eye. This book teaches a child that weather is something that we must prepare for and accept. A young child will want to hear it read again and again. As a bonus, there is a website to download little bunny activities! Comment Comment | Permalink


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Caarina the Cooking Fairy (KiteReaders Fairy Series)
Caarina the Cooking Fairy (KiteReaders Fairy Series)
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4.0 out of 5 stars Caarina Craves Cooking, March 31, 2013


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Caarina the Cooking Fairy is a delightful story about one of every little girl's favorite characters, a beautiful fairy. Gemini uses soft colors and draws lavish costumes. Her gremlin is really ugly; you really do want to hate him. Caarina has been commissioned to prepare a lavish feast, but she runs into trouble when a gremlin decides to wreck her plans. Like the rest of Julia Dweck's books there are lessons to be learned. The rhymes are smooth. Young children will delight in the language when read aloud. Get the book to find out who will win the contest. Will the gremlin succeed in ruining Caarina's menu? Comment Comment | Permalink


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Julio Bunny and the Pirate Ship (Julio Bunny Series)
Julio Bunny and the Pirate Ship (Julio Bunny Series)
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5.0 out of 5 stars PIRATES AND FRIENDS?, March 31, 2013


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This book is my personal favorite in the Julio the Bunny series. The illustrations are colorful and unstylized. One summer day, Iggy the Hedgehog suggests a pirate adventure. They find a pirate ship complete with skull and crossbones flag waiting for them at the shore. But Iggy refuses to allow girls aboard. So Maddy the cow and Katie Goose must remain behind. They don't notice Sally Snail sneaking aboard the vessel. The adventure does not happen as planned. What will save the pirate crew? Maddy and Katie are angry and hurt. Will they forgive Julio the Bunny, Tommy Mouse and Iggy the Hedgehog? Read this story to find out what lessons they have to teach, Comment Comment | Permalink


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Where Are the Dinos?
Where Are the Dinos?
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars DINO-STUPENDOUS!, March 31, 2013


This review is from: Where Are the Dinos? (Kindle Edition)
Where Are The Dinos? is the newest entry in Julia Dweck's fantastic collection of children's stories. The illustrator for this book is cartoonist Bob Ostrom who does an amazing job of capturing the images supported by the text. He uses the familiar cartoon balloons to display what the character is thinking and saying. A little dog goes to the zoo and asks the tour guide why he doesn't see dinosaurs at the zoo. His questions mirror what a young child would be thinking. Where and how do dinosaurs eat, sleep, shop, vacation, go to school? The rhyming language flows exactly right. Adults and children want to read aloud and answer the questions. I think that even very young children will want to hear this story over and over. Comment Comment | Permalink


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Where Is Baby? A Fun Guessing Book For Little Ones
Where Is Baby? A Fun Guessing Book For Little Ones
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5.0 out of 5 stars PEEK A BOO, March 27, 2013


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Parents and caretakers will have lots of fun reading and acting out this story with babies and toddlers. The author uses the positional concepts under, behind and in. Then she names familiar objects like a cat, dog or ball and places them in, under or behind something else the child knows like a bed or chair. Throughout the book the question Where is BABY? is repeated until she is finally found in an appropriate setting at the end. The illustrations are softly drawn in muted colors pleasing to the eye. Young children will want to hear it read over and over. Comment Comment | Permalink


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Great Kids In History
Great Kids In History
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Information and Inspiration, March 27, 2013


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Great Kids in History is a collection of twenty two short stories on the contributions of kids to history. Some of these names will be familiar to adults and many children. For example, there are stories about Thomas Edison, Andrew Jackson and Robert Fulton. But then you probably have never heard of Grace Bedell or Philo Farnsworth. This compilation is a nonfiction book that is not intended to be comprehensive or scholarly. It is written in simple language appropriate for independent reading in middle grades. The information presented is not exhaustive; it may give children a sense of pride in the achievements made by these young people in many fields such as politics, sports, inventions, science, the military and technology. I think that any boy or girl will find at least a few of these stories inspiring. Teachers will be able to select one or more as a springboard for discussion and research on many topics. My guess is that any adult who shares this book with a child will learn a thing or two as well!

[Isabela]

The Journey of Dreams by Marge Pellegrind is a historical fiction book about a family that is followed by the Guatemala army and needs to escape, this happens in the 1980's. The conditional love and support adding papa stories help a lot in the escape plan for the refugee in United States. The main character is Tomasa as the narrator being a very attentive girl and worried about the well being of the family. The author writes in a communicative way showing about what's kind of happening in Guatemala. This book was interesting to read because it tells you a kind of real story that's happening in Guatemala and makes us realize the reality of these people and how they need to live with it. One thing I enjoyed about this book was how the family worked together and supported each other to keep going. I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because it was very interesting but some parts were sort of slow and redundant. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes history and has between 11 and 14 years old.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

After spending the last month working on projects around the violence in Juárez and the disappearances and torture in Pinochet’s Chile, I have to admit, I wasn’t sure I was up for reading Journey of Dreams. While all the reviews were quite positive, every time I read the synopsis I’d start to feel the dread of one more incredibly depressing story that I was going to have to immerse myself in. I managed to talk myself out of starting it a number of times. Eventually I ran out of time, our book group meeting was just a few weeks away, and there was no more putting it off. Once I started it though, I loved it.

It is a beautiful book in so many different ways. I obviously had expectations based on the historical context of the book. While the story takes place during the violent period of the Guatemalan Civil War, it isn’t a depressing story in the way one would expect. There are parts that are sad and difficult to read. These parts are even harder to come to terms with when you realize you’re reading them through the eyes of a thirteen year-old girl. Pellegrino manages to deal with much of the violence implicitly, making the novel appropriate for a much broader age range. There is no explicitly gruesome violence. Tomasa talks about the smell of the burning villages or the sights of the mounds of what appear to be bodies in the village square, but the reality of the violence that these things speak to seems to hover just outside of the story. As an adult reader, I know the horror of what these things represent, but a younger reader more than likely would not. This means that a teacher could share the story of Tomasa and her family, without delving into the darker parts of this period in Guatemala if that wasn’t appropriate for the grade level. For more background on both the Guatemalan historical context and the Sanctuary Movement, be sure to read the section “About the Story” at the end of the book.

It’s a book that has the potential to open the eyes of our students to a world that they may not know. It puts a face and a story to the word “immigrant” that’s been so hotly debated. For our students who know this story all too well because it echoes parts of their own, it’s a way to see themselves reflected in our classrooms, to read about a protagonist who represents them. For these same students, it’s a story of hope—an immigration story with a happy ending. Tomasa’s voice is clear, strong, and endearing. Often we hear that we don’t have enough books with strong female characters, but Pellegrino offers us one with 13 year-old Tomasa. But, it’s not just Tomasa; all of the characters seem real and well-developed. I believe students will be able to identify with both Tomasa and her younger brother Manuel in significant ways.

There were many things that I loved about this book, but three things stand out that are present throughout the novel: the storytelling, the weaving, and Tomasa’s dreams. The book opens with Tomasa’s father telling one of their favorite stories. He does this every night before they go sleep. It becomes an important constant as the story unfolds. There are always multiple meanings or interpretations of the stories, and at times they foreshadow what is to come.Tomasa and her mother are both weavers. Tomasa seems to process many of the things she experiences through imagining how she would weave them. Once they flee, she no longer has the ability to actually weave, so instead she draws pictures in her head or in the dirt on the ground. As I read these parts, I was reminded of the other projects we’ve worked on this semester where art became not only a way to heal from these experiences, but also a form of documenting or story-telling, a way to make sure that others would know what had happened. Tomasa’s images seem to do the same: “Even the smallest noise made with a stick in the dirt could alert a civilian patrol. Without my loom, or even the earth, I can only draw in my mind. . .The thought of a stick scratching these images in the earth helps me stop trembling” (p. 88). Tomasa’s dreams are another constant and important part of the novel. Through her dreams we see what she worries about, and often, how she makes sense of their experiences through her father’s stories. In all three of these things—the storytelling, weaving images, and dreams—Pellegrino uses incredibly lyrical and poetic writing. She paints pictures in the minds of the reader with beautiful figurative and sensory language. Many of these sections would be excellent examples to use as mentor texts to show students the power of descriptive writing.

There are many ways to integrate Pellegrino’s book into our classroom curriculum. Aside from the ways it could be used to teach writing, her content connects to multiple topics: the history of the Maya, the role of weaving in Mayan Culture, the Guatemalan Civil War, Día de los Muertos in Guatemala, the Sanctuary Movement, and Civil Rights activism. I’ve included ideas for how to teach on these topics in our Educator’s Guide.

It’s a book that I think will be a very valuable addition to our classrooms. I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the book: “In the morning, we start walking again, beginning the pattern of our day as Mama might begin a new line on the loom. Each footstep is like a string wrapped by a thread, marking another piece of our journey. Only God knows how large the fabric will grow or how long our lives will be. If my prayers are heard, we will be with Mama and Carlos before it is finished. I wish I knew what kind of images we will weave between now and then” (p. 123).

We have a free Educator’s Guide for the book available on our blog at: http://teachinglatinamericathroughlit...

[Vamos a Leer · Rating 5 out of 5]

After spending the last month working on projects around the violence in Juárez and the disappearances and torture in Pinochet's Chile, I have to admit, I wasn't sure I was up for reading Journey of Dreams. While all the reviews were quite positive, every time I read the synopsis I'd start to feel the dread of one more incredibly depressing story that I was going to have to immerse myself in. I managed to talk myself out of starting it a number of times. Eventually I ran out of time, our book group meeting was just a few weeks away, and there was no more putting it off. Once I started it though, I loved it.
It is a beautiful book in so many different ways. I obviously had expectations based on the historical context of the book. While the story takes place during the violent period of the Guatemalan Civil War, it isn't a depressing story in the way one would expect. There are parts that are sad and difficult to read. These parts are even harder to come to terms with when you realize you're reading them through the eyes of a thirteen year-old girl. Pellegrino manages to deal with much of the violence implicitly, making the novel appropriate for a much broader age range. There is no explicitly gruesome violence. Tomasa talks about the smell of the burning villages or the sights of the mounds of what appear to be bodies in the village square, but the reality of the violence that these things speak to seems to hover just outside of the story. As an adult reader, I know the horror of what these things represent, but a younger reader more than likely would not. This means that a teacher could share the story of Tomasa and her family, without delving into the darker parts of this period in Guatemala if that wasn't appropriate for the grade level. For more background on both the Guatemalan historical context and the Sanctuary Movement, be sure to read the section "About the Story" at the end of the book.

It's a book that has the potential to open the eyes of our students to a world that they may not know. It puts a face and a story to the word "immigrant" that's been so hotly debated. For our students who know this story all too well because it echoes parts of their own, it's a way to see themselves reflected in our classrooms, to read about a protagonist who represents them. For these same students, it's a story of hope--an immigration story with a happy ending. Tomasa's voice is clear, strong, and endearing. Often we hear that we don't have enough books with strong female characters, but Pellegrino offers us one with 13 year-old Tomasa. But, it's not just Tomasa; all of the characters seem real and well-developed. I believe students will be able to identify with both Tomasa and her younger brother Manuel in significant ways.

There were many things that I loved about this book, but three things stand out that are present throughout the novel: the storytelling, the weaving, and Tomasa's dreams. The book opens with Tomasa's father telling one of their favorite stories. He does this every night before they go sleep. It becomes an important constant as the story unfolds. There are always multiple meanings or interpretations of the stories, and at times they foreshadow what is to come.Tomasa and her mother are both weavers. Tomasa seems to process many of the things she experiences through imagining how she would weave them. Once they flee, she no longer has the ability to actually weave, so instead she draws pictures in her head or in the dirt on the ground. As I read these parts, I was reminded of the other projects we've worked on this semester where art became not only a way to heal from these experiences, but also a form of documenting or story-telling, a way to make sure that others would know what had happened. Tomasa's images seem to do the same: "Even the smallest noise made with a stick in the dirt could alert a civilian patrol. Without my loom, or even the earth, I can only draw in my mind. . .The thought of a stick scratching these images in the earth helps me stop trembling" (p. 88). Tomasa's dreams are another constant and important part of the novel. Through her dreams we see what she worries about, and often, how she makes sense of their experiences through her father's stories. In all three of these things--the storytelling, weaving images, and dreams--Pellegrino uses incredibly lyrical and poetic writing. She paints pictures in the minds of the reader with beautiful figurative and sensory language. Many of these sections would be excellent examples to use as mentor texts to show students the power of descriptive writing.

There are many ways to integrate Pellegrino's book into our classroom curriculum. Aside from the ways it could be used to teach writing, her content connects to multiple topics: the history of the Maya, the role of weaving in Mayan Culture, the Guatemalan Civil War, Día de los Muertos in Guatemala, the Sanctuary Movement, and Civil Rights activism. I've included ideas for how to teach on these topics in our Educator's Guide.

It's a book that I think will be a very valuable addition to our classrooms. I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the book: "In the morning, we start walking again, beginning the pattern of our day as Mama might begin a new line on the loom. Each footstep is like a string wrapped by a thread, marking another piece of our journey. Only God knows how large the fabric will grow or how long our lives will be. If my prayers are heard, we will be with Mama and Carlos before it is finished. I wish I knew what kind of images we will weave between now and then" (p. 123).

We have a free Educator's Guide for the book on our wordpress blog Vamos a Leer at https://teachinglatinamericathroughli....

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some novel are written from the heart: they sing with emotion and paint a picture on your soul. Journey of Dreams is just such a novel. Set in 1984, Pellegrino tells the story of Tomasa, a young Mayan girl, who must flee from her small village in the Guatemalan mountains during the Guatemalan army's "scorched earth" campaign.

Tomasa lives with her family high in the Guatemalan mountains, in a native Quiché Maya village. They are a close-knit family, working the fields, going to the village school, weaving clothes for the local market. But the army becomes a growing presence in their lives, intimidating local villagers. After her mother speaks out, complaining to other village women of people becoming sick after chemicals were sprayed by a plane on their fields, Tomasa's family receives threatening notes thrown at their home. First, Tomasa's mother and older brother flee for their safety, and then a few days later Tomasa's father leaves, taking Tomasa, her younger brother and sister. The story follows Tomasa's flight for survival, traveling north through Guatemala, Mexico and eventually to the United States.

Pellegrino crafts a compelling story with several fully drawn characters. Young readers will especially be drawn to Tomasa and Manuel. Tomasa and her younger brother Manuel each struggle with the psychological impact of their family's separation. Many times, Tomasa stifles her own emotions as she takes care of her siblings and acts far older than her 13 years. "As we walk I tuck my feelings into my heart. I hide them away just as Papa tucked our small treasures into the oilcloth and hid them in the earth for when we return." (page 85).

I especially like how Pellegrino shows the power of storytelling: Tomasa's father tells folktales and stories each night, as a way to bring the family together, teach the children lessons, and inspire hope or caution. The language of dreams and stories is woven throughout Tomasa's story.

"Tonight, I wake up from a dream of the jagged teeth - letters tearing at the wall of our ni'tzja, while I cough green. In the darkness, I wipe away the spit from the side of my mouth. I will check in the morning to be sure my fingers and mouth show no trace of green." (p. 39)

At times, I felt that the writing jarred between lyrical descriptions and short, choppy sentences. The contrast seemed to jolt my reading at times. But I wonder if this is how a 13 year old might think or write - at times with beautiful images, and at times with short, factual sentences. Tomasa's voice came across authentic and full of feeling.

The end of the story is uplifting, and I would certainly share this with middle school students. You do not see explicit violence, but you certainly feel the effects of the army's wrath. While 5th and 6th graders would be able to read this story, it might be harder for them to understand the context. Pellegrino includes a very helpful author's note at the end, explaining the Guatemalan Civil War and the Sanctuary Movement in the United States. She also includes a very helpful glossary with Spanish and Quiché words.

Journey of Dreams comes from Pellegrino's work with the Sanctuary Movement, working with refugees from around the world.

[Lisa]

Lisa Tetreau
Ms. Burr
Language Arts
26, September, 2016

Journey of Dreams



Marge Pellegrino’s book begins in Guatemala in 1984, where Tomasa and her family live all together in their Hut. Tomasa’s family is composed of her Abuela who cooks Tamales all day and prepares medicines with herbs that Manuelito (Thomas's brother) recollects for her. Next, Papa who is Tomasa's Dad. He works in a field collecting frijoles (black beans) and elote (corn), and every night he tells a different story to the four of his children before bedtime. After, Carlos Thomas's older brother who is taken by the soldiers along with Mama. Tomasa’s everyday routine is very different then normal children’s. She wakes up every morning at 4 to start weaving her huipiles, which she will further on sell in the market on Sundays. Secondly, she helps cook breakfast with her mom and her abuela. Thirdly she goes to school with Manuelito and her friends.Finally, she comes back at home and helps her mother with her chores. But, when Carlos and Mama are taken away to the United States, Tomasa’s life turns around 360 degrees.
After the disappearance of Carlos and Mama, Tomasa and her three younger siblings stay in their village, until soldiers come and burn the whole village. The family barely gets to escape. Knowing only Tomasa’s point of view out of her experience, Marge Pellegrino uses simple descriptions and sentence structures to describe her journey to the United States; where she will reunite with her family again. The frightened, gentle, mature, black long-haired pre-teen, helps her father to take care of Manuelito and Maria (younger siblings), find jobs, try to have a meal every day and seek friendly people to help them during the course of several months until they reach their final destination. It takes three risk-taking attempts to cross the Mexican Border. Were Tomasa is almost held back by a petulant man who wanted to kidnap her. Nextly, the family learned from some Refuge in Mexico that Carlos and Mama were safe in sound in Phoenix. At last, they too are able to be smudged to Arizona where, finally, the family comes back together.
Along the journey, Tomasa describes her dreams every night and her ideas for her weavings. One of my favorite dreams is when Tomasa imagines herself being a Quetzal. On page 30, chapter 5, Tomasa dreams of her flying away to a world where there is no worries, no guerillas, no soldiers and peace is all that exists. I thought it was an original idea from Pellegrino to tell Tomasa’s dream every night. However, at the end of the book I thought it was pretty unnecessary regarding the plot of the story.
Marge Pellegrino is good at describing Tomasa’s experience because she worked with many refugees and children who had been mistreated. This gave her an idea of how Tomasa’s reactions would have been if she was a real character. What I most liked about the book was the description of the Guatemalan culture throughout the story. Additionally, I also liked how she used words in Spanish and Quiche to give the story more power and emphasis. I would recommend the book to people that like to explore new cultures, in this case, Guatemala’s.

[David Gallin-Parisi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This heartbreaking story is about genocide in Guatemala, and those that escape as refugees. This book is recommended for tweens, and their parents as it covers issues I don't think either group are aware of.
Reading it out loud makes the story flow better for me. The work's tone of voice is one reason I would recommend it to parents to read out loud to their children. The words are straight-ahead descriptive, and easier for me to understand when heard aloud.
I especially enjoyed the dreams portions of the book. The dreams resonate with me for their magical realism. They are horrifying, while drawing me into the emotions of characters. As nightmarish as the dreams are, I think they add a beautiful touch to the story. I would recommend this book to older readers who like One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez.
I would possibly recommend this book to readers based on just on the dream portions. In San Antonio, the Hispanic population often asks about dream interpretation and what people's dreams mean for them. Journey of Dreams is an interesting way to show people a story partially told with dreams. I think it would resonate with lots of readers, even older ones.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional read for me. I have taught ESOL students for years. I’ve had students from all over the world who have had to flee because of political and religious reasons. This is the story of Tomasa and her family’s struggle for survival. When a plane sprays chemicals over their fields and people begin to get sick Tomasa’s mother speaks out. This begins the threats against their family. Her mother and older brother are the first to flee to keep him from being drafted. When soldiers come to their village to relocate them, Tomasa, her younger brother and sister and their father flee. They make their way to Mexico and finally to America. Most of our students or American children today would not be able to survive. Tomasa had to grow up so fast. This is an excellent book. I look forward to putting it on my shelves for my students.

[Allison Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tomasa and her family make the frightening, dangerous journey from their oppressed Guatemalan village through Mexico and on to the United States, relying only on the kindness of strangers, hope, and each other.

This story had so much heart. Tweens are fast developing a sense of empathy, of purpose, of global awareness. This text is a perfect gem to feed this development. I suspect those who read the back matter describing the real life situation in the 1980s will be outraged that the U.S. did so little to protect these refugees. Another recently published title for tweens looking for more stories of struggle, survival, and hope is A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story.

[Janni]

Part historical novel and part adventure story, this is story takes a harrowing journey and tells it with surprising gentleness, in the way middle grade fiction is so good at. Tomasa is forced to flee her Guatemalan village in the mid-1980s and journey to the United States, crossing two borders and facing numerous hardships.

Genuinely moving, and along the way it gives some background into the Tucson-based Sanctuary movement, the echoes of which are still a part of Tucson and its politics today.

But the focus isn't on Tucson and Sanctuary, but on Tomasa's journey, especially in its earlier stages, which is as it should be. Recommended.

[English Education]

TW: War, violence, child soldiers.
This novel begins as 13-year-old Mayan Tomasa’s village is destroyed by a Guatemalan military regime. Tomasa and her family must then flee across Guatemala and through Mexico to become refugees in the United States. As many students may be unfamiliar with the Guatemalan Civil War of the 1980’s, this text may provide students with important information and insights into this historical event. Likewise, as the text deals with the native Mayan population, it includes a relatively rare perspective that is worth exploring. The book could be easily situated in a unit on violence, political turmoil, family, or indigenous populations.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book to read. It was crazy to think about people living like they did in 1985, with no running water, no electricity etc. I deeply admired their trust and strength. I cannot imagine walking as far as they did, the whole time being terrified for my life. It made me really reexamine some of my feelings about immigrants to our country, especially in light of all that is going on in Arizona.

[Alwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book. It's really hard to write about trauma and horror and horrendous social injustices in a way that is hopeful and honest. This book does that. The teenage Tomasa's story and voice are riveting and lovely and so painful. You can tell that Marge Pellegrino has spent years and years talking, working, writing with, and loving the children of refugees who inspired _Journey of Dreams_.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great subject for a kids' book. The story of Tomasa and her family, who had to flee their village in the Guatemalan highland during the civil war in the 1980's. More focus is put on Tomasa and her family's experiences than any kind of social or historical commentary. But, I was a little bored with the story, the characters didn't come alive for me, and I can see why Maren had a hard time staying interested in it.

[MMatchak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family struggles to escape Guatemala during the mid-eighties. Told through the POV of a 12-13 year old girl over the course of a year. Her dreams weave in and out of the story itself. Interesting and touching.

[Erin Sterling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Addams honor book. Set in the 1980s during civil unrest in Guatemala, a family escapes to Mexico and eventually to America. Traumatizing, heartfelt account of being an immigrant always on the run. Pretty incredible.

[Deana Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really heartfelt account of the massacres that have occurred in the Guatemala/El Salvador areas. It is told from the point of view of a thirteen year-old girl. She tells what she and her family go through to find a "safe place."

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book written by a friend of mine. Marge wrote an extremely believable story and taught me a lot about what the Guatemalan Highlanders go through as refugees to the United States. I wanted to learn more about them and didn't want the book to end! I highly recommend it!

[Hitangshi Kothari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not that very expected kind of book that stays good the whole time. This book is very serious and sad book about how a little girl's life changes as well as her refugee family. I really recommend this book because after reading this book, " refugee" is much more than just a word.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Guatemalan refuge experience told in hope-filled voice of young narrator, Tomasa. Marge Pellegrino is poetic in her 1980's fictional account.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

fictional memoir of the "scorched earth" campaign in Guatemala imbued with the storytelling of the father

[Trisha]

Oh dear. Books that make me cry. I do not like them. An inspiring story which makes me realise how lucky I am to live where I do.

[Abby Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rich, vivid details of the Guatemalan jungle and seamlessly woven folktales bring this compelling story to life for young readers.

[Yanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's Okay...

[EvanTeohC2]

This book opens in 1984 in Guatemala, during the violent conflict between the Guatemalans and the government, which resulted in the death of some 150,000 people and the destruction of hundreds of villages. More than 200,000 fled Guatemala, including the narrator Tomasa, her father and two younger siblings, whose village burns as they escape. This family journey across their country, through Mexico and finally into the U.S. In the final stages, they are aided by Sanctuary Movement volunteers who helped refugees to safety. In Phoenix, the travelers have an l reunion with Tomasa's mother and older brother, Carlos, who both fled earlier, fearing Carlos would be forced to join the army. I believe that this novel is very similar to the A Long Walk to Water a short novel written by Linda Sue Park because mostly because of the ending when both Tomasa and Salva reunite with they close parents as they both went through two similar and identical stories in different places.Both of the story, the narrator would end up in a refugee camps and gets the chance to go to U.S .As these two books have come from a terrible event as both of the books they endure and fled their countries and leave alone and scared.Just like the book of Along Walk to Water both books have taken in a huge conflict between governments as they both have shown great braveness and courage as they keep moving on even if they fell they can’t anymore.Overall I would say this book is such a great book to read just like Along Walk to Water.