From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
September 2026 - A Day at the Beach
By Kristen · 5 posts · 55 views
By Kristen · 5 posts · 55 views
last updated Sep 07, 2025 06:50PM
showing 6 of 6 topics
view all »
Other topics mentioning this book
Probably not a future Newbery...
By Kristen · 25 posts · 299 views
By Kristen · 25 posts · 299 views
last updated Nov 10, 2010 04:28PM
What Members Thought
Winner of this year's ALA's Pura Belpre award and Boston Globe Honor. I think Ryan has won or been honored several times by the ALA. It was in the running for a Newbery, but faced very mixed reviews. I was on the side who liked it. It read in such a way that a true poet or dreamer might think. I found it very fascinating and I loved Peter Sis' artwork. I did not know anything about Pablo Neruda either, so for me, it was also informative. I can't remember too many details since I read it last sum
...more
I started the first couple of chapters a few months ago and knew I would love it but had to put it down until recently when I picked it up again and started all over again. It is a beautifully written fictionalized account of the childhood of the poet Pablo Neruda. I need to see how children respond to this book. I can see sharing it with them through a read aloud and how the discussions would go. Just might need to find a way to book talk this for them.
This book was beautiful, literally and physically. The simple illustrations were beautiful. The text, printed in green, demonstrated Ryan's ability to take a story and tell it beautifully. Neftali is a young man with desires different than his father wishes for him. This conflict between a young man with dreams and a stubborn father causes Neftali to become secretive about what he does. However, his sister and grandmother support him.
...more
Absolutely beautiful. Could not put this book down. I plan to recommend this book to my students who have enjoyed "The Invention of Huge Cabret." I think the similar format of the two books will really appeal to them.
...more
the Newbery race keeps heating up. I loved Pam Munoz Ryan's writing. Neftali was an incredible character. Really a great intertwining with the Peter Sis illustrations. Very poignant.
...more
A very good book. Touching and a bit of an eye opener to the power of words.
Sep 17, 2010
Teresa Garrett
added it
Wow a powerful book about hope and possiblilty. I wonder how children survive and thrive in spite of harsh almost abusive parenting but that is exactly what Neftali does. In fact he goes on to become the world renowned poet: Pablo Naruda. Wonderful illustrations by Peter Sis and a collection of poems by Naruda. Reads like a biography but is fictionalized.
Loved the lyrical nature of the book. Such beautiful writing. All the more beautiful when you realize who the narrator is. Amazing figurative language.
This beautifully-written novel based on the childhood of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda is a strong contender for the 2010 Newbery. The Dreamer is the best children's book that I have read so far this year.
...more
Wow, this book was rather more intense than I expected it to be. A good read for anyone who's survived an oppressive parent.
...more
Inspiring. Profound. Exquisite.
Jun 21, 2010
Beth
marked it as middle-grade-to-read
Mar 02, 2013
Nate Balcom
marked it as to-read
Apr 02, 2013
Jennifer
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
z-display-january,
z-display-april
Apr 09, 2014
Kirsten Barber
marked it as to-read-soon
