What do you think?
Rate this book
Dream Master #1
The Dream Master
'There are always rules . . . I am the Dream Master. Not you. What I say goes. And I say this dream is gone, so beat it.'
There are good dreams and there are rotten dreams, but once they're over, they're over. Or are they? For one morning, as Cy is about to wake up from a terrific dream about Ancient Egypt, he discovers that he can get back into his dream world. There's just one problem: the Dream Master, who isn't used to stroppy boys standing up to him and wanting to break all the rules. And as Cy moves back and forth between the present day and the land of the pharaohs - sorting out all kinds of problems with schoolwork and bullies - dream life and real life become ingeniously intertwined!
There are good dreams and there are rotten dreams, but once they're over, they're over. Or are they? For one morning, as Cy is about to wake up from a terrific dream about Ancient Egypt, he discovers that he can get back into his dream world. There's just one problem: the Dream Master, who isn't used to stroppy boys standing up to him and wanting to break all the rules. And as Cy moves back and forth between the present day and the land of the pharaohs - sorting out all kinds of problems with schoolwork and bullies - dream life and real life become ingeniously intertwined!
173 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
99 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Breslin
90 books96 followersTheresa Breslin is a Scottish author of over 50 books, known for her contributions to children's and young adult literature. She won the Carnegie Medal in 1994 for Whispers in the Graveyard, which tells the story of a dyslexic boy overcoming personal struggles. Born and raised in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, she started writing as a teenager and later worked as a librarian before becoming a full-time author.
Her works often explore historical and social themes, as seen in Divided City (2005), which addresses sectarianism in Glasgow, and The Medici Seal (2006), a historical novel featuring Leonardo da Vinci. Her book Prisoner of the Inquisition (2010) was shortlisted for another Carnegie Medal.
Breslin has received numerous accolades, including the Scottish Book Trust's Outstanding Achievement Award and an Honorary Fellowship from the Association for Scottish Literary Studies. In 2019, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to literature.
Her works often explore historical and social themes, as seen in Divided City (2005), which addresses sectarianism in Glasgow, and The Medici Seal (2006), a historical novel featuring Leonardo da Vinci. Her book Prisoner of the Inquisition (2010) was shortlisted for another Carnegie Medal.
Breslin has received numerous accolades, including the Scottish Book Trust's Outstanding Achievement Award and an Honorary Fellowship from the Association for Scottish Literary Studies. In 2019, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to literature.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 6, 2022
I first read this book in the summer of 2000, and it has been one I have recommended frequently over the years to young readers. It is aimed at late primary or mid grade readers, and the story is definitely age appropriate and good and enjoyable stuff for young readers. But why would I re-read it? We will get to that! But first what is it about?
Cy is a boy in upper primary school with a big imagination, but problems of his own. He suffers the attention of the two class bullies, and also struggles with aspects of his school life. However, his dreams are rich and imaginative, aided by a magical dream master. But there is a magical mishap and a boy from Cy's dreams crosses over from ancient Egypt into the modern world, and fun and mayhem ensue.
The book has educational elements about Ancient Egypt, and a very enjoyable plot. It is a quick read, and the characters are well done. Theresa Breslin knows how to write well and she does so here. There are good reasons I have often recommended this book.
But now why would I re-read it? Well that comes down to the protagonist, Cy. When I read this in 2000 I recall being blown away by the fact I was at last reading a protagonist who just seemed to be me! Some excerpts I have highlighted this time around are:
His terrible handwriting:
"Cy hated writing in class. He was so clumsy, his wrist and fingers didn’t seem to be in tune with his brain."
Clumsiness :
"Cy looked at the mess. As usual, panic was slowing him down. He couldn’t think what to do."
Coordination, imagination, thinking on the spot:
“Imagination is everything”.’ Grampa knocked the top of Cy’s head very gently. ‘And you’ve certainly got dollops of that in there.’ ‘Yeah,’ said Cy gloomily. ‘But a lot of crossed wires as well. Nothing co-ordinates. And the harder I try, the worse it gets.’
Obligatory Einstein reference:
‘Einstein never passed a single maths exam at school.’
And an absolute stunning ability that Cy and I share (including the last sentence):
Cy frequently forgot things. If he was asked at home to fetch something, by the time he got to his room he often hadn’t a clue what he was looking for. Once he even forgot that he was actually on an errand.
The author never states it outright, but Cy is dyspraxic. She has a wonderfully observed dyspraxic protagonist here with all his strengths and weaknesses. I strongly identified with Cy when I first read this book, but it was only when I realised that this was meant to be a dyspraxic boy that I went back and re-read the story and saw just how well the author has captured what it is like to have dyspraxia.
And it is a wonderfully positive book for children with dyspraxia, so thoroughly recommended for that reason.
It is not *especially* deep and meaningful for adults. If you don't identify with Cy, your mileage will vary, but there were some profound words here, all the same. Such as:
‘As I said, truth is a gift offered. Although,’ Aten paused, ‘it is sometimes not offered alone. One has to choose carefully. There can be dung amongst dates. Your sister and her friends selected the truth they wished to hear.’
I liked that quote. We can all do that so often and it was nicely put.
I have decided to give this five stars (it was amazing) which I try to do only rarely. However this is five stars for dyspraxic children. Adult readers please bear that in mind. All the same, it is not a bad book for anyone to read.
Cy is a boy in upper primary school with a big imagination, but problems of his own. He suffers the attention of the two class bullies, and also struggles with aspects of his school life. However, his dreams are rich and imaginative, aided by a magical dream master. But there is a magical mishap and a boy from Cy's dreams crosses over from ancient Egypt into the modern world, and fun and mayhem ensue.
The book has educational elements about Ancient Egypt, and a very enjoyable plot. It is a quick read, and the characters are well done. Theresa Breslin knows how to write well and she does so here. There are good reasons I have often recommended this book.
But now why would I re-read it? Well that comes down to the protagonist, Cy. When I read this in 2000 I recall being blown away by the fact I was at last reading a protagonist who just seemed to be me! Some excerpts I have highlighted this time around are:
His terrible handwriting:
"Cy hated writing in class. He was so clumsy, his wrist and fingers didn’t seem to be in tune with his brain."
Clumsiness :
"Cy looked at the mess. As usual, panic was slowing him down. He couldn’t think what to do."
Coordination, imagination, thinking on the spot:
“Imagination is everything”.’ Grampa knocked the top of Cy’s head very gently. ‘And you’ve certainly got dollops of that in there.’ ‘Yeah,’ said Cy gloomily. ‘But a lot of crossed wires as well. Nothing co-ordinates. And the harder I try, the worse it gets.’
Obligatory Einstein reference:
‘Einstein never passed a single maths exam at school.’
And an absolute stunning ability that Cy and I share (including the last sentence):
Cy frequently forgot things. If he was asked at home to fetch something, by the time he got to his room he often hadn’t a clue what he was looking for. Once he even forgot that he was actually on an errand.
The author never states it outright, but Cy is dyspraxic. She has a wonderfully observed dyspraxic protagonist here with all his strengths and weaknesses. I strongly identified with Cy when I first read this book, but it was only when I realised that this was meant to be a dyspraxic boy that I went back and re-read the story and saw just how well the author has captured what it is like to have dyspraxia.
And it is a wonderfully positive book for children with dyspraxia, so thoroughly recommended for that reason.
It is not *especially* deep and meaningful for adults. If you don't identify with Cy, your mileage will vary, but there were some profound words here, all the same. Such as:
‘As I said, truth is a gift offered. Although,’ Aten paused, ‘it is sometimes not offered alone. One has to choose carefully. There can be dung amongst dates. Your sister and her friends selected the truth they wished to hear.’
I liked that quote. We can all do that so often and it was nicely put.
I have decided to give this five stars (it was amazing) which I try to do only rarely. However this is five stars for dyspraxic children. Adult readers please bear that in mind. All the same, it is not a bad book for anyone to read.
May 31, 2021
Am I the target audience for this book? No.
Do I teach the target audience for this book? Yes.
I read this book with my Year 3 class, and I speak for us all when every single person wanted this book to be finished. In part, I think it's maybe too 'American', and it's a cultural difference, but nonetheless.
The characters are completely unlikeable. Cy is devoid of personality, with his only real personality trait being 'good at drawing'. Okay, me too. Would I make a decent protagonist? Probably not, because people need more. Aten was slightly better, but he was still written more as a terrible nickelodeon side character. I liked the history behind the book, but the descriptions were lacklustre and there wasn't much of a picture painted. You took what you were given, which was essentially spoonfed.
Would I teach it again? Hopefully not.
Do I teach the target audience for this book? Yes.
I read this book with my Year 3 class, and I speak for us all when every single person wanted this book to be finished. In part, I think it's maybe too 'American', and it's a cultural difference, but nonetheless.
The characters are completely unlikeable. Cy is devoid of personality, with his only real personality trait being 'good at drawing'. Okay, me too. Would I make a decent protagonist? Probably not, because people need more. Aten was slightly better, but he was still written more as a terrible nickelodeon side character. I liked the history behind the book, but the descriptions were lacklustre and there wasn't much of a picture painted. You took what you were given, which was essentially spoonfed.
Would I teach it again? Hopefully not.
January 29, 2021
Another one gone from the shelves
primary-school-books
November 8, 2025:(
August 5, 2016
Great nostalgia trip and actually a surprisingly good book. I remember reading this series when I was at primary school and I found myself enjoying this again now I’m at University.
The plot is simple and at times somewhat predictable, but the loveable characters and childish wit, as well as the satisfactory comeuppance for the bullies, justifies that. Additionally, Breslin has interspersed the fiction with facts about Ancient Egypt, which add an educational element to the enjoyable story.
The plot is simple and at times somewhat predictable, but the loveable characters and childish wit, as well as the satisfactory comeuppance for the bullies, justifies that. Additionally, Breslin has interspersed the fiction with facts about Ancient Egypt, which add an educational element to the enjoyable story.
April 15, 2022
I love stories about ancient Egypt. This was an entertaining read with some really nice illustrations. Worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews