America's Dreaming

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Author(s)

Bob McKinnon

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Thai My Phuong

Publisher

Penguin Workshop

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

June 04, 2024

ISBN

978-0593658796

Buy This Book

From New York Times bestselling author Bob McKinnon comes a story about seeking inspiration from our past to become our best selves in the future.

Have you ever felt alone? Have you ever desperately wanted to fit in? America understands how you feel.

America dreams of adventures, making new friends, and being strong. But America’s first day at a new school turns out to be a nightmare.

Fortunately, America’s new teacher introduces the Welcome Wagon—a cart filled with books about real-life historical figures who also had trouble feeling accepted. When America falls asleep that night, Amelia Earhart, Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King Jr., and Emma Lazarus jump off the pages to share their stories—inspiring America to return to school the next day and make their dreams come true.

While we never see America, Bob McKinnon’s lyrical writing and Thai My Phuong’s unique, sweeping art helps readers see the world through America’s eyes and encourages us all to be as kind as we are brave, because everyone always deserves to feel welcome.

Editor review

1 review

Unexpected Delight

September 15, 2024

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

America’s Dreaming was an unexpected delight. Based on the title I thought it would be about America as a country with a patriotic theme. However, America is a child starting at a new school and looks and acts differently from everyone else leading to being ostracized and teased. The author deliberately doesn’t show America in the pictures, this allows for the character to be a stand-in for anyone feeling different to see themselves in the character. We see everything through the eyes of the child. America’s teacher is kind and helps America pick biographies of other people who have gone through a transition or fought for belonging. That night after soaking in the words of famous leaders, America dreams of how to be like them. This book was insightful and charming with meaningful ways to gain the courage to be yourself.