Book Details
Written by
Genre
More details

The Dream Bearer (by Walter Dean Myers)

common sense media says

Compelling novel of boy's 12th summer in Harlem.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the author raises more questions than he answer in this quiet novel about a boy trying to deal with an increasingly messy home life.

Positive messages: David's brother, Tyrone, is on the path to drugs and gangs.
Violence: Reuben strikes his son. A lynching in the past is described. Reuben's unpredictable and sometimes violent behavior might be unnerving for some children.
Sex: David's parents wonder if the old man has touched him inappropriately.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drugs and drinking are mentioned. It's implied that Tyrone is using and/or dealing drugs.

More on The Dream Bearer

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what's wrong with Reuben, what's happening to Tyrone, why Mr. Moses lives the way he does, and many other issues.

What's the story?

What's the story?
David's life in Harlem is not easy. His father, Reuben, is, at least, emotionally disturbed: David's brother, Tyrone, says he's just crazy. His unpredictable and sometimes violent outbursts keep everyone on edge. But Tyrone, angry and rebellious, isn't doing too well either: he's hanging with the wrong crowd, catching the interest of police, disappearing for days at a time, and may be involved with drugs.

As David tries to understand and cope, he meets Mr. Moses, an old homeless man in the park, who claims to be 300 years old and the bearer of dreams, which he proposes to pass on to David. These turn out to be stories of the past, compelling in their own right, and mysteriously relevant to David's life.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This compelling novel of an empathetic boy's 12th summer is a bit like David's summer vacation: It wanders a bit, at times seems to lose focus, and doesn't seem to get much of anywhere. By the end of the story, not much has changed -- except David, who has deepened his understanding of and sympathy for his father.

Punctuated with vivid moments, especially Mr. Moses' stories, it holds readers through the vague, unresolved suspense that David feels every day as he watches his family fall apart and wonders why, and what he can do to save it. At times poignant, at times didactic, it raises many questions that are unresolved, and ends realistically. Though the situation hasn't really changed, David has grown, and therein lies hope.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Walter Dean Myers
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Publication date: November 30, 2003
Number of pages: 181
Hardcover price: $15.99

This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

Review It

 

Review The Dream Bearer





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

JoyneciaB
teen, 16 years old
 
That Book of Mine
idk

damituh
teen, 14 years old
 
Great for teens, not kids.
I LOVED this book. Walter Dean Myers is my Favorite author! But about the book, some parts might not be for kids, like about the drug usage and hitting. I thnk it's more for teens and up (even though i'm 12).

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you read The Dream Bearer?


Already read it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age