Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Vibrant, honest graphic novel stars relatable fourth grader.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
DREAM ON tells the story of Cassie, who's finishing up fourth grade in the spring of 1984. Cassie gets told a lot that she's "too sensitive," and wonders if that's true. And if it is, how can she trust her own feelings? As one of six kids in a house that's much too small for a big family, Cassie also wishes for a bigger house, a second car, and parents who have more time to spend with her. When she opens a sweepstakes envelope in the mail that promises fabulous prizes, Cassie starts to hope that her dreams could become real. All the while at school things are changing between her and best-friend Vali. Maybe winning the sweepstakes would solve that problem, too.
Is It Any Good?
Popular kids' author Shannon Hale has created another winning graphic novel that explores complicated emotions and relationships in ways big kids and tweens will relate to. Dream On strikes a good balance between humor, sadness, and changing friendships while Cassie learns how to trust her own feelings and stand up for herself. The large cast of lively characters are easy to keep track of and Cassie's ups and downs keep the pages turning. The drawings convey motion and emotion with vibrant colors. Cassie's story entertains while providing kids with food for thought about big feelings and how they affect us.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about being highly sensitive like Cassie in Dream On. Do you feel things deeply, good and bad? Or do you know someone who does? How does Cassie learn that being sensitive can be a strength?
Cassie thinks that winning the sweepstakes will solve all her problems. Is she right?
Do you know someone like Stesha, or have you ever done the kinds of things she does to separate Cassie and Vali? Why does she do it? What makes her stop?
How do empathy and compassion show up in this story? What role does self-empathy have for Cassie? Why are these good character strengths to develop?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Marcela Cespedes
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Family Stories , Friendship , School ( Elementary School , Middle School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Roaring Brook Press
- Publication date : August 26, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 240
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 25, 2025
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