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
Pablo Neruda's fictionalized childhood, written in green ink, was beautifully portrayed and enhanced by Peter Sis's drawings. I especially liked the second half, in which Neftali pursues his dream of becoming a journalist and poet. Neftali's authoritarian father echoed the intolerance of his country. A smattering of Naruda's poems are included.The author's note complete the picture and inspires the reader to learn more about Neruda.
...more
What a great book to use to introduce magical realism to students. The fictional story inspired by the real-life story of poet Pablo Neruda, this story is accessible to children from early elementary through middle school. The themes are complicated yet Ryan presents them in a way that all children can understand and intrepret them on a level that is age appropriate. Neftali, the main character, finds magic, color, and words everywhere. He is incapable of stopping himself despite his domineering
...more
25 November 2009 THE DREAMER by Pam Munoz Ryan and Peter Sis, illustrator, Scholastic Press, April 2010, 384p., ISBN: 978-0-439-26970-4
He was a boy who stammered; who filled his pockets, room, and mind with collections of all sorts of natural and seemingly random objects; and who grew up with a father so abusive and controlling that the boy eventually found it necessary to change his name in order to pursue his dreams.
"He loved the rhythm of certain words, and when he came to one of his favori ...more
He was a boy who stammered; who filled his pockets, room, and mind with collections of all sorts of natural and seemingly random objects; and who grew up with a father so abusive and controlling that the boy eventually found it necessary to change his name in order to pursue his dreams.
"He loved the rhythm of certain words, and when he came to one of his favori ...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 is one of those books that I feel like I should like more than I actually did. The writing is truly excellent...quiet, lyrical. The story of a creative, day-dreaming, sensitive boy, who was constantly bullied by his father is moving, and the main character is very well developed. I love Pam Munoz Ryan, and I really expected to love this book, but I just ... didn't. So my rating is definitely a reflection of my personal reaction to it, and not of it's actual quality.
...more
The illustrations were my favorite part of this imaginative book about Pablo Neruda. I especially liked the teasers at the beginning of the chapters. But, even without illustrations, this is a terrific story about being true to yourself and finding a way to do what you love.
Beautiful book about the Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, and the struggles he had in his childhood. Loved it.
Good book. Quiet.. like a dream. Interesting way to convey someones life story.
Newbery contender. good, but not my favorite
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.
Inspiring. Profound. Exquisite.
Aug 25, 2010
Natasha (Vasilly)
marked it as to-read
Oct 13, 2010
Angie
marked it as to-read
Dec 20, 2010
Melissa
marked it as to-read
Apr 26, 2011
Carol Royce Owen
marked it as to-read
Jul 08, 2011
clare o'c
added it
Dec 07, 2011
Tracy
marked it as 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
May 19, 2013
Sylena
marked it as to-read
