Awake and Dreaming

Author: Kit Pearson

Type or emotional/crisis issue(s) addressed: Poverty

Year of Publication: 1996

Publisher & Location: Penguin Books, Ontario, Canada

ISBN#: 0670869546

Target Age Level: Upper Elementary

# of Pages: 228

Quality of Illustrations: No illustrations

Brief Summary: Nine-year-old Theo desperately wants to be out of her gray, loveless existence and into the middle of a large and happy family like the ones she reads about in her wonderful library books. Often neglected by her young and immature mother, she is still reluctant to leave their Vancouver apartment and go to live with her aunt in Victoria. On the ferry trip, Theo makes a wish on the new moon and is amazed when it comes true. She wakes up as part of the perfect family, with nurturing and always happy parents and four caring siblings. Now she doesn't have to dance for money on the street or worry that her mother doesn't want her. But of course, it is too good to be true, and the magic doesn't last. While her real life isn't perfect like when she was "awake and dreaming," things are changing for the better and Theo is learning to be happy.

Personal Comments/Biases, and/or Things to Consider When Using This Book With Child

Other children who's families are experiencing poverty could relate to this book. There could be a discussion of dreams that the children also have. The dreams could be written down or the child could draw pictures of them