Dream on, Amber
-
- $10.99
-
- $10.99
Publisher Description
My name is Amber Alessandra Leola Kimiko Miyamoto.
I have no idea why my parents gave me all those hideous names but they must have wanted to ruin my life, and you know what? They did an amazing job.
As a half-Japanese, half-Italian girl with a ridiculous name, Amber's not feeling molto bene (very good) about making friends at her new school.
But the hardest thing about being Amber is that a part of her is missing. Her dad. He left when she was little and he isn't coming back. Not for her first day of middle school and not for her little sister's birthday. So Amber will have to dream up a way for the Miyamoto sisters to make it on their own…
A Junior Library Guild Selection
An Odyessy Award Honor Book
Four STARRED Reviews
Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 to 7
Great for parents and educators looking for:
•An illustrated format for middle grade readers, especially for reluctant readers and those who love graphic novels
•A story featuring a strong, diverse female character
•A funny story that deals with tough topics while entertaining young readers
•Children's books with a story of being multiracial
•Award-winning middle school books
Praise for Dream On, Amber:
"Funny, poignant…[a] wise and accessible read for 9- to 12-year-olds."—The Wall Street Journal
"'Dream On, Amber' also does something unusual for a children's book that grapples with race: It does not solve Amber's biracial identity crisis. Though Amber struggles with the questions of her missing father and Japanese identity, the biggest lesson of this book is that sometimes there are no answers."—The New York Times
"One of those books that you simply won't want to put down…five out of five stars!"—The Guardian
"[A] beautifully written story."—The Independent
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Charismatic 11-year-old Ambra Alessandra Leola Kimiko Miyamoto finds it confusing to be of both Italian and Japanese descent, and it's "molto embarrassing" to have five names that draw attention to her differences she'd prefer to stick to Amber. What's more, her Japanese father abandoned the family years earlier, leaving Amber and her younger sister, Bella, with unresolved anger and longing. Middle school is going to be tough, so Amber creates an imaginary father to confide in and tries to lift Bella's spirits by sending her faux letters from their father, who she pretends is a secret agent ("When all my missions are over, I might be able to come back. I might not though, so don't get all excited or anything"). Crawford-White's margin doodles (stars, confetti, swirls, etc.) and a smattering of Italian and Japanese words (including chapter numbers written in English, Italian, and Japanese) further enliven Shevah's debut. Amber's effervescent and opinionated narration captivates from the start, making it easy to root for her as she strives to conquer the "beast" of her worries and thrive at home and at school. Ages 9 12.
