Nelson's Dream

by J.M. Newsome

Cambridge English Readers Level 6 Advanced

Award-winning original fiction for learners of English. At seven levels, from Starter to Advanced, this impressive selection of carefully graded readers offers exciting reading for every student's capabilities. Nelson Mbizi returns to his home in southern Africa after studying in Britain. When he tries to help a family of orphans he meets Viki, a South African TV presenter. The story of Nelson and Viki's relationship is told against a background of HIV/AIDS and government corruption on the one hand, and great good humour and wonderful music on the other. Contains a paperback and 3 Audio CDs with complete text recordings from the book.

112 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2008

Reviews

[Vasil Dedov · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring and predictable plot, unnatural dialogue between characters. Awkward transitions between chapters. Just a badly written book

[Ana Ariza]

Nelson's Dream is a book which shows how difficult can be the life in some parts of Africa where the HIV is present. Nelson's attitude towards such a situation like the one Melanie's family was living needs a lot of bravery and desire of helping because he needed to put over his parents selfish way to live, his desire of doing charity.
Nelson was a young man who came back to his original country, Africa, after being studying in London. His parents where people with money who didn't care about anyone at all. Philomena, their housekeeper, turned to be the responsible for some children who lost their mother and Nelson was the only one who was interested in helping so that's how he get involved in that children's development story and get to know through them his love, Viki.
It's a hard story whose moral lessons are very clear, but a weakness could be the fact that at the end some situations aren't clarified and are lacking from details needed.
The moral lesson I understood was the love and solidarity you can give to someone who needs it to have a little hope in their lives so they can push on to the path of success.

[Amanda Moeller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to read this for my learners as it’s part of their required reading, I wouldn’t have chosen this book for them. It’s depressing throughout. The dialogue is unnatural, and the plot very predictable.

[Xoya · Rating 1 out of 5]

How can you marry someone with HIV positive and then have an AIDS free kid. Too good to be true.

[Alexandra Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

This is an easy and interesting book for people who are learning English as a foreign language. It also has a wide range of vocabulary.

[Francesca Salvarani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and easy

[PUMEZA WITBOOI]

Want to read the book,how can I do

[Echy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting with happy end!

[Antonio Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book has a happy ending, that was enough for me, because AIDS is a complex topic for reading.

[Olga · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fue una lectura obligatoria para clase y bueno no estuvo del todo mal, dentro de lo que cabe es interesante y no fue difícil de leer en cuanto al inglés

[Snenhlanhla Khumalo]

I want to now this novel

[✨BELLE✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forma parte de una colección de libros en ingles de Cambridge English Readers, son de mucha ayuda con el tema de aprender y familiarizarse con la gramática inglesa y la interpretación. También son historias cortas que resultan muy interesantes.

[José Manuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Está claro que la lectura no sólo es placer y que de toda lectura nos aporta. Ahora bien, este libro creo que se centra solo en mejorar tu nivel académico dejando de lado lo más importante, hacerte disfrutar del tiempo de lectura.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Nelson's dream book, the author tell us the story of a young man, Nelson Mbizi, who was moved by the sad story of a family, in which the parents died of HIV and the children where struggling to survive and taking care of their siblings. Nelson wanted to help the kids since he knew their condition, but he had no money and his rich parents won't help him either. However, Nelson finds the way to get some money and to do what is in his hands to help the orphans. The story is not only moving by all the effort Nelson has to do to help the children, but also because it has a romantic touch. Nelson experienced what they call "love at first" with a TV reporter, and the whole story develops arround this romantic and exciting love story, which blends with the lovely story of the orphans, making it the perfect story.

The best aspect about this book is probably how the author achieved to make a really motivating and moving story by using a realistic topic, HIV, which is also one of today's most trending and polemic topics. Nowadays society know about the existence of HIV, but probably they've never read a story that shows them the reality of the families who suffer from this disease, through their own point of view, which probably is the most truthful of all. I think this book in particular has a very strong moral lesson, which is that for helping you don't have to be rich, or anything, you just need the desire to help someone in need, and this is perfectly represented in Nelson's character. The whole book is a constant reflection on how some people's reality is so difficult, and how we usually are so indifferent with those who are in need, sometimes thinking we can't do anything to help.

[Paulina Arango · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Nelson's dream by J.M Newsome, tells the story about a young man named Nelson Mbizi who finished his studies in London and goes back to his home in South Africa. At the same time, lot and lots of people were dying because of AIDS in one of the suburbs. Nelson's housekeeper, told him about some children that lived near her and were really close, whose parents had died because of the disease and they were now by themselves, with no money and no food. Nelson thinks that it is necessary to help them continue with their lives without a problem. He realizes that he doesn't want to work for his dad as much as he wants to help the AIDS cause, so Nelson decides to start a center to help people prevent it.

In my opinion, Nelson's actions were not really expected. Nelson was rich and rich people usually didn't care about others but themselves. The fact that he wanted to help and show some support, shows what kind of person he really is. He was kindhearted, generous and inspirational. Most of the money he was making at his dad's company was for the causes and even though a lot of people told him to stay away from the people with AIDS, he stayed and tried to make people conscious about the situation that was going on. He really is someone people should look up to.
This book shows the differences of social classes and how we are all going through different things in our lives. But in the end we are all humans and we all need help at some point. It shows that differences don't really matter. What matters, is bettering yourself to make the others feel better.

[Valentina Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nelson's Dreams, written by J. M. Newsome, is about Nelson Mbizi, a hotel management student in the UK, born in Gomokure, who comes back to his country and tries to help a family of poor orphans (Mawazda) that lost their parents because of the AIDS. He falls in love, as well, with Viki, a TV reporter who is also helping these orphans by reporting how they suffered. Nelson inaugurates an AIDS helping center, in which people can learn from this illness and get treatment. He help Mawazda children to get jobs and a place to live, too.
The most outstanding fact, is when Nelson help the poor sectors of the city, especially Sector D, by constructing the AIDS Centre, as all people needs to get information on how to prevent the illness as well as they need treatment once they have it. Apart from this, I like how the objective of Nelson ( to get closer to Viki) led into helpful actions to other people, as those were a part of the way to get this objective. Furthermore, the way he got to know the real problems that his country, and particularly his city, helped him to be happy by helping others.
In my opinion, I think this story teaches how helping other people can make your own self happy, and how it is impossible to stay unconscious of our reality around us. At the same time, it describes how the process it as important as the objective, because it leaves great teachings and memories.

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nelson's Dream tells the story of Nelson Mbizi once he's returns to his house after studying in Britain. Their housekeeper Philomena tell them about a family in a very poor sector called Sector D whose mother had died few days before due to HIV. The children have nobody to look after them and sometimes don't even have anything to eat. Nelson feels very moved about the situation and wants to help. In Sector D he meets Viki and Phil who were reporting the case. What Nelson doesn't know is the importance that later this people will have in his life. Meanwhile Nelson's parents are away town due to some problems with government. The story ends up with a background of HIV situation in which the community is helped and supported to deal with this hard, real life situation that many have to face.

The books tells a very good story that contrast the life of a poor family with the life of a well accommodated one. It brings the reader to feel emotional and sensitive about the problems that many have to face. We can take from it as a moral lesson how important it is to appreciate life, health, people around us and everything we are blessed with because we never know we can loose all we have. It is until we don't have those things that we learn how much they value. Also it shows us that people shouldn't be judged by a first impression until we really get to know them.

[Juanita · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Nelson's Dream, J.M Newsome delivers a very touching story of a man and his dream to make a difference. Nelson, after his return from studying in England, discovers a very harsh reality that some people face at his city, the struggle of HIV. Nelson helps a family of orphan children who lost their mother, he does this with the help of Vicky and Phil who work in the TV business. Nelson's parents hace to leave the country, and all the family money is given to him. With this, he makes a Social Center for the people of the affected community. Nelson's dream finally comes true, he made a difference and he helped people.

With this amazing book, Newsome delivers a heart-touching story that mixes love, family, and illness. It shows reality as it is, harsh, but life isn't always harsh, and this too is shown in this story.
The plot in general is dense, and the book is too short. This story could've been more extense, in order for the reader to really introduce himself emotionally in the book. Understsnd the characters, their emotions, all in detail.

In conclusion, Nelson's Dream is a very good book, with a very good plot, and development of events. It shows us the reality that everyone ignores, and teaches us to never judge a book by its cover, and to be thankful for everything that we have.

[Valeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nelson Mbizi began working in his father' s hotel before he returns from Britain. He meet a poor family formed by four orphan children, who were fitting to survive without their parents, that passed away because of HIV/AIDS. Nelson was a very generous person who was trying to help them in any way he could, so he decided to create a foundation for all those people that have HIV, teach them how to live with it without being so afraid.

From this book I can really highlight Nelson's attitude towards the situation of the orphan children, how he was arranged to help them, without having in mind their social class. I also like how Nelson assume that Viki has HIV, and do not change his feelings towards her.
Additionaly, I do not like Ruby's attitude when she was informed about the four orphan children. She treat them like if they were less than her because of the different social classes between Ruby and the children.

I think that the moral lesson of this book is that we have to help the other ones without having in mind the social status or the prize that we might receive for doing some charity. If we have the oportunity to help someone that is going through some personal problems we might help them, because we don't know in which time it might be our turn to need some help from the other ones.

[Valentina Daniels Restrepo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Nelson's Dream is a great book that shows the reality of the HIV problems in Africa. The story follows Nelson Mbizi who comes back to his hometown to helps his father with his hotel business, there he hears about Daniel and his tragic family story with HIV and decides to help. He meets the presenter Viki, an HIV patient that is fighting against the ignorance about the topic across the country. He finds himself falling in love with her, growing close to Daniel's family and his problems, and a corruption case in the government. It aims to show the real problems suffered by patients of the virus and how the lack of information plays a huge part in spreading the disease.
The story is really touching, it makes you fall in love with the characters and makes you suffer with their problems, It shows the real effect HIV has in people with little resources in Africa. The fact that Nelson, a wealthy man with quality education, decides to help all these poor people with a disease that is marked as taboo in the community and not talked about enough makes you question yourself if you are doing enough to help, if you are educated enough about the topic and being inclusive with others that suffer from this disease.

[Viandka Carrillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Nelson's Dream from J.M Newsome is about a man named Nelson that returns to southern Africa before studying in Britain. He started working in his father's hotel. Due to the maid of his house, he heard the story of some children that lost their parents who had HIV, there were 4. He decides to help them when he met Viki, a TV presenter that was in charge of their story. The story develops concerning a series of HIV problems and government corruption, with some music and romance.

I liked that they talk about the HIV, seeing that is a disease that is killing a lot of people all around the world and principally in Africa. Is a disease that isn't suppose to be avoided, is important for people to know more about it and take care.
Also, I found lovely the story of Daniel. He was a boy that was devoted to his family and was an incredible musician, but he didn't have money to accomplish his dream. One day, a coincidence led him to be a famous musician.

The moral lesson of this story could be that maybe with a better sexual education, people in Africa would have bigger knowledge about the HIV. Thanks to this, they would know how to prevent this disease or how to take good care of them if they have it.

[Laura González · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set in Africa and it's principal purpose is to develop a story of love between the principal character Nelson and Viki, a tv presenter. Both are involved in the background of the sexual disease (AIDS) and their desire to help contagious children, made their life take a different way. Moreover music and humor is unfolded in the story. Enjoyable moments but also hard events are seen in the development of the story. It is based on an actual problem which is difficult to deal with it, but it's real and it's a challenge nowadays

In my opinion, the book is easy to read and it's interesting. It shows reality and more specific, describe a disease in not only medical terms but in a way the reader can understand the situation and the challenge that the characters had to overcome.
Unfortunately, the book was predictable. It had moments of sadness and reflection but also moments of joy and excitement. I am pleased of read a book with a different range of topic that those that are written nowadays.
The moral lesson of the book is to inform and conciseness the readers about the importance of take care about this disease, that not only occurred in the set of the story, it can occurs anywhere.

[Juliana Escobar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nelson's Dream written by J.M. Newsome, is about Nelson Mbzisi who studied in Britain, and then he returns to Southern Africa, to work on his father's hotel. When he arrives to Southern Africa, he goes to a part of the city where he finds a family where children were alone because her mother dies of HIV. He decide to help this poor family and during this he meet Vicky, who was a television presenter. The children know they have to continue their lives and help other people, so Nelson began to work with the sector D community, and create a centre were young people can be treated for AIDS/HIV.
In my opinion, I liked that Nelson attitude, because he is trying to help many people who need help, he just tried to do his best. Also, I liked that this story is a real story, that we could act as Nelson did it, and be able to help people who really needed, without regardless if we are rich or people that have all kind of resources.
The moral lesson could be that we have to help others regardless of their social status or condition. Also, helping others makes many lifes be better and happier. And that helping others, you help yourself and you will feel pleased with yourself.

[Zayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nelson's Dream by J.M Newsome is the story of Nelson Mbizi how returns to Gomokure, his country, after studying in London. At the same time in a suburb, before dying, the mother of a poor family asks to her friend Philonema (the housekeeper of Nelson's house) to ask for help to Ruby, nelson's mother, but Ruby says no. Nelson heard Philomena's taking about the orphans, so he decided to help them. Helping them, Nelson finds out how HIV/AIDS is causing the dead of many people, that's the reason why he opens an AIDS centre.

In my opinion the book has a good story, not all of the teenagers and young adults' books uses HIV as a theme of the story, it showed different opinions about the same topic. I would like to know what else happens to Nelson's father.
The HIV/ AIDS is spreading all over the world, it's good to know how people struggles to get the medicines and accept themselves because of it, even if it's an imaginary country, this happens in many countries. We are equal despite of our social class, religion or color, we have to accept ourselves, our conditions and the others, in other to have a better world.

[Ctovar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nelson's Dream by J.M Newsome is the story of Nelson Mbizi who returns to his home in Kurupenda, the capital of Gokomure a fictional country in Africa. When he arrives the housekeeper of Mbizi's family ask for help for some children she knows that live In sector D, they have been orphaned by AIDS. Preoccupied, Nelson decides search and visit the sector, there he meets Viki who is making a film and the little boys, Daniel, Lily Anne, Blessing and Eddy. Meanwhile his parents have to go from the country and let in charge all the business and hotels, and taking care of sector D and the kids, and trying to find a way of making people awareness of AIDS/HIV.

In my opinion I like the book, it shows a realistic story of a difficult situation in Africa that is AIDS, the access of public health and the corruption present in the government, also the lack of knowledge about the disease and the will of people to make a better world. I think the book shows a beautiful moral lesson of helping others and the enthusiasm of making a change in the world.

[Valentina De · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nelson's dream is a short story about a young rich man, called Nelson, who came back from Britain to work in his father hotel. Besides, the book talks about a poor family of four orphans bothers who are trying to survive after their mom died from HIV/AIDS. Both stories connect when Nelson gets the opportunity to know about the situation of this family and to meet them. He felt the need to help these poor kids as he had enough money to do it. Later he opened a place where people affected by the HIV/AIDS could go for help and receive information about it. I would highlight one of the principal topics of the book, AIDS, due to it is a real life issue nowadays. The moral lesson I learned is the responsibility we have as members of the same community to get conscious about the importance of this kind of disease in order to help, with education, on how to prevent and treat AIDS in the right way.

[Juliana Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nelson's dream, by J.M Newsome, is a story of human interest. Nelson Mbizi, a hotel managment graduate, returns from studying in Britain to his mother land, Southern Africa, where his father,Washington Mbizi, expect Nelson to work with him. Meanwhile a poor mother dies, leaving her children orphans. Nelson's meeting with Viki and the orphants unfolds a desire in Nelson to help the HIV and AIDS people of sector D which develops a series of humor and sadness moments.
In my opinion, Nelson's dream book, is a
very deep and emotional book which show us one of the greatest realities of our age, the weaknesses of HIV and AIDS.
J.M Newsome told us the pure reality about the life deal by poor people suffering of this difficult weaknesses in southern Africa. Also he make us sees that few people are the ones helping in this difficult situation.

[Valerie]

Nelson's dream book is about a young man called Nelson Mibzi who comes back home in South Africa from England. The country was living a AIDS crisis and Nelson knew about a case of four orphan children who had to see rheir mom died because of AIDS. Nelson started to help them find a home with his made called Philomena, while doing this he met a girl called Vicky with who he fell in love. After a lot of obstacles Nelson get to help the four children, the neighborhood where they lived and feel part of something special.

In my opinion it a very interesting story, the author take js to a reality that ir not common to us. It is a book that makes you realize that we are all rhe same with different oportunities and makes you think on what can you do to help people in your own way. It is a really good book and keeps you enrolled all the time.

[Masao Koda · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Cambridge level6
2. 05/02=180min, 05/04=120min, 05/06=180min
3. Africa, AIDS, children, sing, charity, reporter, secret
4.(a) A large notice above the door said, 'THE GARAGE will repair your life.' Nelson laughed and pushed his way through the curtain. His dream rally was coming true.
(b) I do like this passage because he'd really wanted to make a facility to test people who may have HIV without shame and he could come true that.
5. I felt very sad when I read the passage that Lily Anne is raped by the owner who let her live his house. I thought why the man could do that bad to poor girl who lost her parents. On the other hand, I've never think about AIDS deeply until I read this book. There are many people who are HIV positive and also who misunderstand AIDS in the world. I think we should be more familiar with AIDS than now.

[Natalia Pineda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is about A young African man called Nelson Mbizi who returns to his country after studying in Britain, there is a cultural problem with HIV/AIDS and once he arrives he hears a special case were 4 children have become orphans because of the disease, and he decides to help them. I found this book very interesting, I liked how it shows a reality just the way it is and how it criticizes the state and the people who don't have AIDS for not taking action on fighting the disease or either helping the people who are sick by giving them medicine or a better life quality .
I realized It is important to be conscious of the reality we are living in and to be an active part by helping our society.