Review Detail

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.