THE DREAM COLLECTOR

by Joyce Sweeney ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 1989

A thoughtful stow about the bittersweet side-effects of fulfilled wishes. Becky wants to give the members of her family the world for Christmas, but all she can afford is five copies (plus one for herself) of Creative Wishing, a book that promises to make dreams come true by teaching the reader to set realistic goals. Everyone writes down his or her own heart's desires--one brother wants a cat, another wants an expensive bike, and sister Julia would like to have her poetry published. Becky's parents' wishes, though, are more complicated--and result in their separation and probable divorce. As for Becky: she gets the boy of her dreams, only to discover that she's really in love with his best friend. What might have been a pat story never lapses into easy answers or predictable outcomes. Instead, members of this contemporary family do find plausible ways to achieve their goals, although sometimes at high cost. Sweeney's upbeat style, with a nod toward modern realism (the kids swear at each other when the parents aren't around), offers provocative ideas as well as sturdy entertainment.

Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1989

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 208

Publisher: Delacorte

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1989

Categories: CHILDREN'S