Dreamland

Reader reviewed by Hillary

Caitlin has always lived in her sister's shadow. But now her sister just ran away and now she's the center of her parents' attention. Then she meets Rogerson. He's interesting and so unlike any one else that Caitlin has ever know. She falls for him...completely. But then when things start to get bad she just can't leave him. How dangerous will this get? Will she ever leave him?

Dreamland was written by Sarah Dessen...aka the god of all good books about normal girls that I can totally connect with. She's amazing. And so is this book. It's my favorite one that she wrote. I love it. Sarah Dessen is definitely one of my favorite authors. She rocks...READ ALL HER BOOKS! You'll love yourself for doing it.

I totally could understand Caitlin and even though Rogerson was such an awful guy I was totally with her in the whole don't leave him thing. I guess I'm a bad reader (I'm endangering the characters!)...but I just thought he sounded so great except the bad-ness of what he did...ahh, now I feel bad. It feels so real, like it's about a real person that you know. Gosh, I love this book! I'm getting even more obsessed now! And...READ IT!

Reader reviewed by Jax

Sarah Dessen has a gift for getting into the teenage mind.

One of my favorite books, Dreamland, tells the story of a girl who is still finding herself, and through the help of a very strange and influential boy, ends up doing just that.

The book tells of a relationship that is not so uncommon in society today, one where the male is dominant and the female is often scared. One where many things, including drugs and sex and violence, occur. A definate eye opener for anyone who is in a relationship of this sort, to get out, and get out now. Deeply written to speak to even the happiest of people in a dark but rewarding way.

Reader reviewed by Kate

This is the first book I read by Sarah Dessen. Though I'm older now, I still don't regret reading it a younger age-- it truly and really opened my eyes to another side of the world.

In the book, Caitlin is abused by her boyfriend, Rogerson. She hides this fact from everyone, especially when her family is consumed with her older sister's running away. The first time I read this, I don't think I really grasped the concept of why Caitlin couldn't just leave her boyfriend and get help. Now, reading it again, I realize that it isn't so easy.

Though this book is much different from Sarah's others, it still has her beautiful, well-written style and flair. Sarah captures the teenage girl voice better than any author I have found. Each of her books has many lessons to be taken away-- but this book especially. From this I learned that people are not always what they seem, and promises are not always fulfilled. Caitlin's voice was one that gave me chills as I was reading, even after multiple reads. The suspense and guessing is flawless-- just enough to keep the reader wanting more. Though Caitlin's future is uncertain by the end of the story, she is a character that you will continue to wonder about and hope for. Her story is like so many others that it is hard to turn away without feeling compassion and sympathy. Becoming strong and knowing your limits are all connected, which Caitlin learns.

I loved this book. I would recommend it to anyone.

Reader reviewed by abscae

I absolutely love Sarah Dessen's work, but her later novels have become more about romance than about true self development and finding yourself. That's why, while reading this novel, when I was immersed in Dessen's powerful words, I truly smiled at every little discovery Caitlin came across, because in some way, I learned those lessons through the words as well. I felt emotion, so powerful it made me smile that smile that I reserve for special occasions; so powerful it made me wonder, feel, think, and let my heart wander.

This is a truly compelling novel. And it's a must read.

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

This book should definitely be required reading for health classes teaching about dating abuse. With her signature spot-on teenage voice, Sarah Dessen once again crafts a masterpiece. Her novels are not merely novels; they are works of art that I hope will last forever.

Caitlins perfect older sister, Cass, ran away from home on Caitlins sixteenth birthday. Brilliant, proactive, and beautiful, Cass was everywhere in high school. On the soccer field, leading her team to state victories. On the high honor roll. On the Homecoming Court. On TV to lead student protests. Caitlin is used to playing second fiddle to Cass, and maybe now that Cass has run away, she will be able to be noticed by her parents.

But Caitlins mom is still obsessed over Cass running away. To have something of her own, Caitlin joins the cheerleading squad at the insistence of her best friend Rina. Then she meets Rogerson. He isnt like the other bland football players that all the cheerleaders date. Rogerson is sexy, dangerous, and secretive...and best of all, he is all Caitlins.

Caitlins relationship with Rogerson seems like the perfect way for her to break away from Cass shadow. However, she never anticipates all of the harm that Rogerson does to her, emotionally and physically. Can she not escape this abusive relationship because she is weaker than her sister?

While not everyone has gone through an abusive relationship, Sarah Dessen describes Caitlins thoughts and fears so genuinely that readers will feel as if they ARE Caitlin themselves. They will feel all of Caitlins pain and confusion, wrapped up in a world so well written that its easy to forget youre reading a book.

Reader reviewed by becca

OMG! I absolutley loved this book. It is such a good story about ten dating violence, drugs and the everyday struggles of fitting in in high school and trying to break the mold and be yourself at the same time. Dating abuse is such an untalked about subject in YA fiction, it was refreshing and really informative to read this story about the physical and emotional pain of being in an abusive relationship. Many girls wil be able to relate to this book....EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!

Reader reviewed by Shana

Dreamland was the third book that i read of sarah dessen. one of the things i love about her writing is that even though the books are separate novels the bools also combine together into a series. they do that because dessen sneeks in facts about previous books and you find out things about other charaters in other books.dreamland was a deep book for me it was one of the first where there was true contoversy. robertson is a name i will never for get. even though he was a character i look out for him every day. the way dessen writes about him makes him seem so real and his hits as well. as he hit the main character i felt it and the shame and the anxiety. i want to help her so bad but new she was only a character. but the best part was the end where she gets the note from her friend and it talks about how she needed to be free. my other favorite part is when she sees her sister at the end as well.

Reader reviewed by Alexandra

Caitlin has always been in her sister's perfect, over-achieving shadow. When her sister runs away, Caitlin feels completely confused about who she is, now that she's back in the light. When she meets Rogerson Biscoe, she knows he's the perfect escape from her old life. Even when he doesn't fit in with her friends, Caitlin writes it off. She likes who she is when she's around him, someone completely different from who she was before. All too quickly, she falls completely in love with him. She starts to blow her friends off, and soon Robinson is her entire world. But when her world becomes painful -- physically so -- she has nowhere to turn. She feels too distanced from her friends, and her parents are too preoccupied with her sister's disappearance, to know how to escape the cycle of abuse. This haunting, deeply moving novel has a deep, dark undertone, and will touch anyone and everyone who reads it.

Reader reviewed by kayla

this book was amazing!!!! it kept my interest and it was just easy to read!
so i incourage anyone and everyone to read it!!!...it is pretty amazing!!!

Reader reviewed by breana curtis



I read this book the first day i got it, and it just touched me. Sarah dessen is my favorite author, always putting so much heart into her novels. Dreamland had a theme that taught teenage girls a life of love, consequences, and dicipline. I learned a great deal from this book, and now look at things differently. I would just like to say thank you to sarah dessen, whom i would love to meet someday in my life, only to shake her hand.