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Насън и наяве
Деветгодишната Тио и нейната твърде млада и безотговорна майка са уловени в капана на своя мизерен и безрадостен живот. Тио мечтае за голямо и истинско семейство, с още братя и сестри, с двама усмихнати и добри родители, които никога не се карат и с много обич се грижат за децата си. И когато желанието й се сбъдва и тя става една от идеалното семейство Калдор, просто не може да повярва, че това е истина, а не вълшебен сън.
Дали Тио ще се събуди и ще открие, че всичко е било само сън или истинският живот може да бъде и наяве прекрасен, ако се обичаме и вярваме един в друг, а понякога и в чудесата, сътворени от един загадъчен призрак?Тио не познава баща си. Живее с майка си, която е твърде млада и безотговорна, за да се грижи за умното си и будно дете. Често оставайки без работа, тя постоянно се мести и момиченцето й е винаги в ново училище и без приятели. Бедността и мизерията му печелят само присмеха на останалите. В един момент Тио се оказва бреме за майка си, която достига до убеждението, че е намерила мъжа на живота си. Решила да заведе момичето при сестра си, тя се качва на ферибота, който ще я отведе в градчето, което отдавна е напуснала.
Но там става чудо и на следващото утро Тио се събужда в дома на голямото и сплотено семейство Калдор, което по някакъв загадъчен начин я е осиновило. За пръв път в живота си Тио има нови дрехи, сигурност и добри приятели. Но с течение на времето, магията на новия живот на Тио започва съвсем буквално да се разсейва и много скоро тя се озовава отново с майка си. Дали семейство Калдор са истински или са само красив сън? И кой е загадъчният призрак, появил се в живота на Тио?
Нима сънищата не са по-хубави от действителността? Нима когато сънуваме мечтания от нас свят, не искаме да спим дълго и никога да не се събудим?
Дали Тио ще се събуди и ще открие, че всичко е било само сън или истинският живот може да бъде и наяве прекрасен, ако се обичаме и вярваме един в друг, а понякога и в чудесата, сътворени от един загадъчен призрак?Тио не познава баща си. Живее с майка си, която е твърде млада и безотговорна, за да се грижи за умното си и будно дете. Често оставайки без работа, тя постоянно се мести и момиченцето й е винаги в ново училище и без приятели. Бедността и мизерията му печелят само присмеха на останалите. В един момент Тио се оказва бреме за майка си, която достига до убеждението, че е намерила мъжа на живота си. Решила да заведе момичето при сестра си, тя се качва на ферибота, който ще я отведе в градчето, което отдавна е напуснала.
Но там става чудо и на следващото утро Тио се събужда в дома на голямото и сплотено семейство Калдор, което по някакъв загадъчен начин я е осиновило. За пръв път в живота си Тио има нови дрехи, сигурност и добри приятели. Но с течение на времето, магията на новия живот на Тио започва съвсем буквално да се разсейва и много скоро тя се озовава отново с майка си. Дали семейство Калдор са истински или са само красив сън? И кой е загадъчният призрак, появил се в живота на Тио?
Нима сънищата не са по-хубави от действителността? Нима когато сънуваме мечтания от нас свят, не искаме да спим дълго и никога да не се събудим?
208 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1996
51 people are currently reading
1571 people want to read
About the author
Kit Pearson
34 books282 followersKit Pearson spent her childhood between Edmonton Alberta and Vancouver, British Columbia. As a high-school student, she returned to Vancouver to be educated at Crofton House School. She obtained a degree in English Literature at the University of Alberta, and spent several years following the degree doing odd jobs or travelling in Europe.
In 1975, she began her Library degree at the University of British Columbia and took her first jobs in that field in Ontario. She later obtained an M.A. at the Simmons College Center for the Study of Children's Literature in Boston. Returning to Vancouver, she completed her first novel "The Daring Game" which was published by Penguin Books.
Pearson now lives in Victoria, British Columbia, a few blocks from Ross Bay Cemetery, one of the settings in Awake and Dreaming.
In 1975, she began her Library degree at the University of British Columbia and took her first jobs in that field in Ontario. She later obtained an M.A. at the Simmons College Center for the Study of Children's Literature in Boston. Returning to Vancouver, she completed her first novel "The Daring Game" which was published by Penguin Books.
Pearson now lives in Victoria, British Columbia, a few blocks from Ross Bay Cemetery, one of the settings in Awake and Dreaming.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews
June 23, 2010
Wow.. I had such a deep, emotional attachment to this book. I still do. It's a big part of my childhood. Some say a good book is determined by a writer's ability to write. I partially disagree. I believe that every book will strike a reader differently. I found this book to resonate with my emotions at the time of reading so deeply that this book will always rank up there with Austen and Shakespeare. I wish more people knew about Kit Pearson. There's a lot of talented authors who go unknown and a lot of not so talented authors who receive all the spotlight. It's such a pity.
June 12, 2010
When I first read this book three or four years ago, I was struck by it's depth and feeling, as the emotion had been coming from an eleven year old. It was a beautiful story, focused completely on the love a young girl needs from her family, and I was so touched that when I dug it up again a year ago, I couldn't believe I'd forgotten it's amazingness. Today, having forgotten about it, I suddenly imagine a life where a person can have a dream about something else, but still love what they're doing, if you catch my drift. I was wondered by what brought my attention to this subject, and frankly remembered this touching story.
This was my first Kit Pearson book, and because I'd loved it so much, I was drawn to My Perfect Gentle Knight, which was just as equally heart warming. Congratulations, Miss Pearson, you've hit me again.
This was my first Kit Pearson book, and because I'd loved it so much, I was drawn to My Perfect Gentle Knight, which was just as equally heart warming. Congratulations, Miss Pearson, you've hit me again.
September 7, 2023
this shit rocked my world when i was 13
October 3, 2022
It’s scary to revisit a favourite book from childhood. Is the memory of a book that touched your soul worth ruining by reading it again in adulthood? This was a huge risk I took with rereading Awake and Dreaming, but I’m happy to report that I’m so glad I did revisit it.
I think I was around 12 or 13 the first time I read this book. I remember devouring it and I’m sure it’s responsible for turning me into a huge bookworm. The story of 9 year old Theo - daughter to very immature 25 year old, Rae, has stayed with me all these years. Theo hasn’t had an easy life. Rae is irresponsible and they never live in the same place for too long. Hunger, too small of clothing, dirty hair, panhandling, longing for friends, extreme loneliness - these are all things Theo is no stranger too. So it’s no surprise that she immerses herself in books that tell stories of large happy families, and dreams of being part of one.
But then one day, while on the ferry with her mom, she observes such a family in real life that she wishes out loud she was a part of for real. The next thing Theo knows, she’s waking up in a strange house and has a new family - the one from the ferry. Is Theo dreaming?? She can’t tell for sure but if she is, she doesn’t want to wake up.
I think I still love this story so much because it’s just so simple but has aged well. Who hasn’t wished for a different life at one time or another? Theo is such a wonderful character, you can’t help but love her, root for her and want to wrap her up in a hug. She’s lost and lonely and trying to figure out how she fits into the world. And watching her find her voice and place in her small world is just so touching and humbling.
And there’s just enough plot and mystery to move this book along without it being overly written or confusing. A book in which imagination and reality are beautifully, and sometimes heartbreakingly, described. I wish everyone I knew had read this book when they were younger.
December 3, 2025
Every once in a while, a true literary gift comes along. Awake and Dreaming is an exceptional novel by an exceptional writer.
I have had the pleasure of reading this book several times with my intermediate classes, at the suggestion of a friend many years ago.
The book centres around the main character Theo, who has difficulty staying mentally present in her "grey" world, until something magical changes her forever.
The plotting is perfect. The imagery is excellent, and the character growth is exceptional and emotional. The fact that I have read this almost ten times, and it can still make me cry, is a testament to how wonderful this story is and how well the characters are written.
A MUST read.
Update 2025
I'm not crying...you are. Wow, I still love this book. You must read it.
Update Dec 2022.
Just reread this book, and fell back into Theo's grey world. The book is exceptional. A must read.
Update Dec 2023.
A new class brought me back to this world again. Living Through Theo's life again is pure pleasure. A true Canadian classic.
Update 2025
it is funny how many times I have read this book and enjoyed it. you would think after multiple reads if would stop impacting me so much. Reading about Theo's transformation, truly moves me every time I read it to my class. A MUST read.
I have had the pleasure of reading this book several times with my intermediate classes, at the suggestion of a friend many years ago.
The book centres around the main character Theo, who has difficulty staying mentally present in her "grey" world, until something magical changes her forever.
The plotting is perfect. The imagery is excellent, and the character growth is exceptional and emotional. The fact that I have read this almost ten times, and it can still make me cry, is a testament to how wonderful this story is and how well the characters are written.
A MUST read.
Update 2025
I'm not crying...you are. Wow, I still love this book. You must read it.
Update Dec 2022.
Just reread this book, and fell back into Theo's grey world. The book is exceptional. A must read.
Update Dec 2023.
A new class brought me back to this world again. Living Through Theo's life again is pure pleasure. A true Canadian classic.
Update 2025
it is funny how many times I have read this book and enjoyed it. you would think after multiple reads if would stop impacting me so much. Reading about Theo's transformation, truly moves me every time I read it to my class. A MUST read.
March 6, 2019
I enjoyed this one. Having never read Kit Pearson before, this is a good place to start. I loved Theo, she was such a pensive and strong protagonist. Her struggles felt real and I loved that closeness that Pearson creates. Her writing isn't showy, there isn't action and flashiness. It's down to earth and feels like a plain but good story. Of course the premise and the "story within a story" trope are a big cheesy and dated, but I really did enjoy the twists in the plot even though I saw most of them coming. The ending wasn't a "happily ever after" fairytale, it was a true to plot ending that captured the best and worst of Theo's situation and didn't promise readers unrealistic dream lives.
Different characters taught her different lessons. Her mother to be independent, her aunt to be compassionate and kind to others, Cecily to be strong and creative, and the Kaldors to enjoy the moments of joy in life. I'd recommend this to fans of kids' lit and contemporary books with some cool "magical" elements.
Different characters taught her different lessons. Her mother to be independent, her aunt to be compassionate and kind to others, Cecily to be strong and creative, and the Kaldors to enjoy the moments of joy in life. I'd recommend this to fans of kids' lit and contemporary books with some cool "magical" elements.
June 16, 2010
This was a very good book about a young girl named Theo who lives a tough life. She and her young mother are very poor and they keep moving from school to school across Vancouver because they can't afford rent in there apartments. When her mom meets a boy and they fall in love, Theo has to go live with her aunt for awhile in Victoria because the boy who her mom falls in love with doesn‘t like kids. On the ferry, she meets a nice family. The kind of family that she dreams of. Then she‘s running on the deck of the ferry and slips and falls! The next thing she knows is she‘s living with her dream family! Is it a dream? Is it real? Find out by reading this great Kit Pearson novel.
January 4, 2019
I wish I had read this book as a child. The three of Pearson's books that I did read, I loved. Pearson treats her child characters with gravity and feeling, and it's clear she respects and understands the depths of emotion children experience.
This is a rather dark book, with an optimistic, but not fairy tale ending, and I love that Pearson respects kids enough to sort out Theo's difficult choices and emotions in this book. It's also pretty unflinching about poverty and the consequences of teen pregnancy. I also loved the classic children's books that Theo reads.
This is a rather dark book, with an optimistic, but not fairy tale ending, and I love that Pearson respects kids enough to sort out Theo's difficult choices and emotions in this book. It's also pretty unflinching about poverty and the consequences of teen pregnancy. I also loved the classic children's books that Theo reads.
June 18, 2024
Cute lil read packed with BC kid nostalgia!
November 23, 2018
Nine-year-old Theo has had a rough life so far, moving from one crummy Vancouver apartment to the next with her irresponsible 25-year-old mother Rae, without friends as she moves from school to school. When Rae meets a new man, she decides to move in with him and send Theo to her sister Sharon in Victoria for a while; on the ferry, however, Theo meets the Kaldors, a family of four children who, along with their parents, immediately accept her as one of the family. She spends a blissful few months with the family, until all of a sudden they don’t seem to see her anymore; and then, abruptly, she’s back on the ferry with Rae. Was the whole experience just a dream? Theo doesn’t know, but she’s depressed about it until she suddenly discovers that the Kaldors are quite real after all…. This is quite a lovely YA book (perhaps meant for slightly younger children, given that Theo is only 9) about the power of imagination, finding one’s place in the world and discovering that “perfect” doesn’t exist. Written in 1996 by a well-known Canadian YA author, I especially liked the setting in Victoria, since I’ve been there several times and know the neighbourhoods depicted in the book. The above description is only part of the story - there are ghosts and a cemetery and lots and lots of books, too, resulting in quite the tale; recommended!
July 8, 2020
Ten year old Theo is a poor young girl living with her unreliable mother in Vancouver. By a twist of magic, Theo gets her wish of loving with a seemingly picture perfect family in Victoria. However, the magic seems to fade and an interesting turn of events occurs. This book was very emotional.
April 30, 2013
A childhood favourite. I haven't read it recently, but it has always stuck with me.
April 5, 2017
Oh, the pressure in my eyes, as I determinedly hold the dam on those pushing, brimming tears!
A novel not without its problems--two of them, in fact, poke garishly out of the story: firstly, the middle section, where Theo lives the reality she idealizes in her fantasies. Stories can't linger in happiness: moments, yes, arrivals over and over, yes, but not lengthy stays in a conflict-less oasis. Secondly, the ending section, where she meets the ghost of Cecily, is filled with ideas that are ethereal, light, butterfly spirits. Presented with a sledgehammer slam, patronizing and pedantic. Crushes the life right out of the ideas.
(I know it's a book written for someone with maybe 10 years of life experience, not 40, but children's books should grow richer, more complex, when read as an adult, not duller, simpler.)
The young mother's change was somewhat idealized, but not overly so, and acceptable, since people do mature. Theo's 9-year-old maturity was unusual, but not impossible, considering her life.
But! Disregard all the above. It's fine magic realism! Simple, joyous. Hopefulness, positive growth through trials: that's what we have here, in a charming, if sometimes childish, tale.
And it feeds my love of cemeteries. A cemetery that feels warm, comforting, life-inspiring, playful. Imagine that!
(I've been to Victoria, my brother lives there, so the location, which is vivid and obviously loved by the author, was especially evocative for me.)
A novel not without its problems--two of them, in fact, poke garishly out of the story: firstly, the middle section, where Theo lives the reality she idealizes in her fantasies. Stories can't linger in happiness: moments, yes, arrivals over and over, yes, but not lengthy stays in a conflict-less oasis. Secondly, the ending section, where she meets the ghost of Cecily, is filled with ideas that are ethereal, light, butterfly spirits. Presented with a sledgehammer slam, patronizing and pedantic. Crushes the life right out of the ideas.
(I know it's a book written for someone with maybe 10 years of life experience, not 40, but children's books should grow richer, more complex, when read as an adult, not duller, simpler.)
The young mother's change was somewhat idealized, but not overly so, and acceptable, since people do mature. Theo's 9-year-old maturity was unusual, but not impossible, considering her life.
But! Disregard all the above. It's fine magic realism! Simple, joyous. Hopefulness, positive growth through trials: that's what we have here, in a charming, if sometimes childish, tale.
And it feeds my love of cemeteries. A cemetery that feels warm, comforting, life-inspiring, playful. Imagine that!
(I've been to Victoria, my brother lives there, so the location, which is vivid and obviously loved by the author, was especially evocative for me.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2024
Anything by Kit Pearson is amazing, but this book was so tragic and magical at the same time. I was on the edge of my seat, and there were definite points that made my mouth drop - along with my 2 sons (ages 7 and 10) that I was reading out loud to. The subject matter of a young girl being neglected by her mother was something I wondered might be too much for my boys, but I think this was a good medium to learn about and talk about some of the darker things that exist in the world. It was also such a treat to re-experience some of the places in Victoria that I remember visiting as a child- not to mention ferry rides to and from Vancouver! It was neat to share those with my sons and makes me dream of taking them there and trying to visit some of the locations mentioned in the book.
December 17, 2025
The book is really well written, and I like it. The way the author shows us at first, Theo's sad, and gray life, and then in the middle, everything fully changes and they show the difference, is awesome. The book is really enjoyable to read, because of those jumps from sad to happy life. The emotional feelings that you get because of reading it, and imagining in your head, is really strong, and Theo's realization about everything in the future, and at the end of the book, makes you deeply think about it.
I really enjoyed reading this book, so I am recommending you to also read it, especially if you want to read something interesting, and something that will make you feel the main character in the book, or even found the similarities between each other in this book.
I really enjoyed reading this book, so I am recommending you to also read it, especially if you want to read something interesting, and something that will make you feel the main character in the book, or even found the similarities between each other in this book.
February 17, 2020
This is my first experience with a Kit Pearson Book. I loved it! This book is initially filled with sadness about the life that main character Theo is forced to live with her young mother who struggles financially, & in making good decisions for her child & herself. Reality was hitting Theo hard in this book but her life shifts when love and hope are introduced to her in terms of a family, but is she awake? dreaming? Can she enjoy it? embrace it? Can she find her place in this world? I’m glad I included this book set in Vancouver & Victoria into our themed lit circle unit on poverty.
April 27, 2019
This is the way that a children's book should be written. It's got a straight forward plot, and it's easy to understand, but it doesn't shy away from difficult topics. It taps into the emotions that every child (and adult) feels at one time or another. This book doesn't dumb itself down to suit a younger audience, while still speaking to kids in a way that they will understand and appreciate. Though I'm told I read this as a kid, I have no memory of it, but I'm sure I would have loved it.
May 13, 2020
This was one of my favourite books to read and re-read in high school. Upon a re-read for me – about 8 years later! – it’s still one of my favourites.
I loved Kit Pearson’s simplistic way of capturing Theo’s dreaminess. It reminded me so much of how I used to feel about stories and books and daydreaming.
I’m so glad I have a physical copy of this book!
I loved Kit Pearson’s simplistic way of capturing Theo’s dreaminess. It reminded me so much of how I used to feel about stories and books and daydreaming.
I’m so glad I have a physical copy of this book!
July 5, 2021
This is my favourite kind of book: it's simple enough that it can be accessed and enjoyed by a child, but also complex enough that I can be amazed by it as an adult. It's dark in a way that is okay for children, and resolves not in an "everything is magically okay" way but in a meaty satisfying "life goes on" way. It reminds me a lot of the genius of Cynthia Voigt's novels.
September 21, 2022
I read this when I was young and wanted to give it another try. It was just as lovely as I remembered and taught a wonderful lesson on life. Definitely worth a read!
July 4, 2024
A childhood favourite I have revisited recently. Highly recommend such a gorgeous beautiful underrated story. 💌
July 4, 2025
Read it when I was younger and loved it. One of the few books I liked at that point. Saw it in the thrift store recently and KNEW I had to get it
May 4, 2019
I’m heading to Victoria for the first time this summer, and as soon as I found out I grabbed this to re-read. Kit Pearson the GOAT of Canadian YA, can’t wait to cosplay and visit some ghosts.
November 27, 2025
I had never heard of this book until recently! It was very good but I wasn’t expecting it to be so depressing… poor Theo!!!
January 22, 2020
I have long felt that if there is one book that I would recommend to someone who wanted to understand me better, it would be this one. From the first time I read it - when I was around the same age as the nine-year-old protagonist, Theo - I felt that it captured my inner world in a way that few other books did. Reading it years later means revisiting many of the mental landmarks that defined my childhood and considering how they've shaped my life since then.
Theo Caffrey has never felt a sense of belonging: she is the only child of a poor, young single mother and they are forced to move around frequently, which prevents them from putting down roots anywhere. Bullied and excluded at school, overlooked and harangued at home, Theo copes by escaping into her imagination: reading books about magic and happy siblings, and dreaming about how her life could be different. Her dreams seem to come true when she wakes one morning to find herself part of a large, affectionate family: the Kaldors. But the dream turns into a nightmare as she slowly fades out of their reality, leaving Theo wondering whether the Kaldors ever existed and what kind of magic has been meddling in her life.
Theo is a lonely child, and certain tendencies born out of loneliness only makes it harder for her to make friends: she is soft-spoken, often seems to be lost in thought, and quick to withdraw into herself when the outside world grows dull or threatening. Her prolonged lack of social connection leads her to both overrate and underrate her own value: she would rather stay in her own fantasies than venture into friendship with the occasional child who does reach out to her. She doesn’t envision the potential ways in which they could enrich her life, nor does she realize that her friendship might be a treasure to them.
Theo’s turning point comes after she discovers the Kaldor family in reality: they resemble the family of her dream, but they’re not nearly as perfect. The perpetually joyful rapport that she had hoped for might not actually be possible. The pain of trying to reconcile her dream with reality eventually gives way to a willingness to give the real Kaldors a chance; to build a connection despite the flaws of the people involved. Slowly, the imperfections of her world become something to work on, rather than something to give up on and run from.
Throughout the story, Theo’s relationship to literature is changing. At first, books are an escape, but then lose their importance when she stops wanting to escape. She comes back to them when they become a key to understanding the strange magic that had touched her. Finally, she realizes that her personality and her experiences have given her the potential to create powerful stories on her own.
As with a lot of good children’s literature, there are things that stood out to me as an adult that I hadn’t thought of as a child. I noticed that some of the adults in Theo’s life behave with an astounding blitheness - the signs of Theo’s troubled life are right in front of them, but they act like nothing’s wrong. I also inevitably wondered what kind of adult Theo herself would grow into. A lot of healing has taken place by the end of the story, but I tend to think that some part of her old ways may always stay with her. At the same time, I think her gifts of observation and imagination would stay with her too, and I would hope that the friends she’s made would be a lasting positive influence.
I think it’s rare to find a book that is both so gentle and so unflinching. This book urges the reader to honor and nurture the inner life, to use its ideals to guide us towards what we truly want and need, but to also notice and respect the imperfect manifestations of those ideals in reality; with a little patience and courage, we can use our inner world to make the outside world better, sometimes in ways that we could never have imagined on our own.
Theo Caffrey has never felt a sense of belonging: she is the only child of a poor, young single mother and they are forced to move around frequently, which prevents them from putting down roots anywhere. Bullied and excluded at school, overlooked and harangued at home, Theo copes by escaping into her imagination: reading books about magic and happy siblings, and dreaming about how her life could be different. Her dreams seem to come true when she wakes one morning to find herself part of a large, affectionate family: the Kaldors. But the dream turns into a nightmare as she slowly fades out of their reality, leaving Theo wondering whether the Kaldors ever existed and what kind of magic has been meddling in her life.
Theo is a lonely child, and certain tendencies born out of loneliness only makes it harder for her to make friends: she is soft-spoken, often seems to be lost in thought, and quick to withdraw into herself when the outside world grows dull or threatening. Her prolonged lack of social connection leads her to both overrate and underrate her own value: she would rather stay in her own fantasies than venture into friendship with the occasional child who does reach out to her. She doesn’t envision the potential ways in which they could enrich her life, nor does she realize that her friendship might be a treasure to them.
Theo’s turning point comes after she discovers the Kaldor family in reality: they resemble the family of her dream, but they’re not nearly as perfect. The perpetually joyful rapport that she had hoped for might not actually be possible. The pain of trying to reconcile her dream with reality eventually gives way to a willingness to give the real Kaldors a chance; to build a connection despite the flaws of the people involved. Slowly, the imperfections of her world become something to work on, rather than something to give up on and run from.
Throughout the story, Theo’s relationship to literature is changing. At first, books are an escape, but then lose their importance when she stops wanting to escape. She comes back to them when they become a key to understanding the strange magic that had touched her. Finally, she realizes that her personality and her experiences have given her the potential to create powerful stories on her own.
As with a lot of good children’s literature, there are things that stood out to me as an adult that I hadn’t thought of as a child. I noticed that some of the adults in Theo’s life behave with an astounding blitheness - the signs of Theo’s troubled life are right in front of them, but they act like nothing’s wrong. I also inevitably wondered what kind of adult Theo herself would grow into. A lot of healing has taken place by the end of the story, but I tend to think that some part of her old ways may always stay with her. At the same time, I think her gifts of observation and imagination would stay with her too, and I would hope that the friends she’s made would be a lasting positive influence.
I think it’s rare to find a book that is both so gentle and so unflinching. This book urges the reader to honor and nurture the inner life, to use its ideals to guide us towards what we truly want and need, but to also notice and respect the imperfect manifestations of those ideals in reality; with a little patience and courage, we can use our inner world to make the outside world better, sometimes in ways that we could never have imagined on our own.
June 11, 2018
Great story! Theo is 9 and has seen some of the seedier side of life. Her mom only cares about herself and doesn't have enough money to take proper care of Theo. School is hard also -the kids tease her and she learns to ignore them. She doesn't have the look of a well cared for and loved child. So she lives in her books, daydreaming and being with her book 'friends'.
One day, on a ferry ride her wish to belong to a family comes true...Is it too good to be true? Theo hopes not, but real life does catch up with her. A chat with an author she loves helps her to see her life a little differently ( the same way Dickens showed Emily of New Moon)- that people can be interesting studies, if you step away from the action and don/t take it personally.
I think i was a lot like Theo. I lived in my books too, most of my childhood and adolescence. Maybe i annoyed my friends also by not being totally there all the time, but immersed in some book i was or had finished reading. That would explain a lot!
One day, on a ferry ride her wish to belong to a family comes true...Is it too good to be true? Theo hopes not, but real life does catch up with her. A chat with an author she loves helps her to see her life a little differently ( the same way Dickens showed Emily of New Moon)- that people can be interesting studies, if you step away from the action and don/t take it personally.
I think i was a lot like Theo. I lived in my books too, most of my childhood and adolescence. Maybe i annoyed my friends also by not being totally there all the time, but immersed in some book i was or had finished reading. That would explain a lot!
January 21, 2023
Nine year old Theo and her young, irresponsible mother, Rae, seem trapped in their miserable, poverty-stricken life in the slums of Vancouver.
An avid reader, Theo withdraws into her books to deal with the mistreatment and dreams of belonging to a “real” family. Until one day, her dream seems to come true when she is mysteriously adopted by the large, warm Kaldor family. It's everything Theo has dreamed about and more!
But as time passes, the magic of Theo’s new life begins to fade, and she finds herself back with to her old life with Rae. Was the Kaldor family real or just a dream?
Storytime!
I read this book when I was Theo’s age and simply adored it. A young avid reader feeling like they don't fit it so living in their books?! YES!
Fast forward to today, and a copy of awake and dreaming lands on my doorstep in a box of donated books. So it cut in line of my To Read shelf so I could live in It's magic again.
It's still amazing. It's still magical. And it's still 5/5 from me!
An avid reader, Theo withdraws into her books to deal with the mistreatment and dreams of belonging to a “real” family. Until one day, her dream seems to come true when she is mysteriously adopted by the large, warm Kaldor family. It's everything Theo has dreamed about and more!
But as time passes, the magic of Theo’s new life begins to fade, and she finds herself back with to her old life with Rae. Was the Kaldor family real or just a dream?
Storytime!
I read this book when I was Theo’s age and simply adored it. A young avid reader feeling like they don't fit it so living in their books?! YES!
Fast forward to today, and a copy of awake and dreaming lands on my doorstep in a box of donated books. So it cut in line of my To Read shelf so I could live in It's magic again.
It's still amazing. It's still magical. And it's still 5/5 from me!
December 19, 2012
Oh my.... This book was absolutly amazing!
Theo such a young girl who wants to be in a "real" family.
I love this book so much! The pation in the writing was
FANTASTIC!
Theo,I love her character! She is so sweet but sad at the same time!
I felt so bad for her since she had to pan handle and live the way that she did!
But I was so happy when she made friends and pretty much gotten
what she needed the most, LOVE!
I hope to read MORE SOON!
I need to know WHAT HAPPENEDS TO HER IN THE FUTURE~!!!!!
I love all the charaters!
Their so uniqe!
I have never meet someone who wanted to be in a different family nor someone who lived the way they did~
I hope that Theo stays in touch with the Kaldors.
PLEASE. TELL. ME. THAT. SHE. WILL!!!!!
So pretty much this book was
ABOSOLUTLY AMAZING! :D
Theo such a young girl who wants to be in a "real" family.
I love this book so much! The pation in the writing was
FANTASTIC!
Theo,I love her character! She is so sweet but sad at the same time!
I felt so bad for her since she had to pan handle and live the way that she did!
But I was so happy when she made friends and pretty much gotten
what she needed the most, LOVE!
I hope to read MORE SOON!
I need to know WHAT HAPPENEDS TO HER IN THE FUTURE~!!!!!
I love all the charaters!
Their so uniqe!
I have never meet someone who wanted to be in a different family nor someone who lived the way they did~
I hope that Theo stays in touch with the Kaldors.
PLEASE. TELL. ME. THAT. SHE. WILL!!!!!
So pretty much this book was
ABOSOLUTLY AMAZING! :D
September 25, 2011
One of my favourite books of all time. I could happily read this book over, and over, and over, and over....
I read this book the first time, shortly after it was published in 1998. It probably would have been right at the end of Grade 10, or the summer after. I laughed, I cried, and the book landed on my all-time favourites list.
I read the book the second time, 10 years later, while rereading some of my favourites books of all time. I wanted to soak up the style and inspire myself for my own novel, which I finished shortly afterwards.
Then, I read this book a third time during the spring of 2011, which taking a course on children's literature at Langara. I used the book as the subject for a book talk that I had to submit.
I read this book the first time, shortly after it was published in 1998. It probably would have been right at the end of Grade 10, or the summer after. I laughed, I cried, and the book landed on my all-time favourites list.
I read the book the second time, 10 years later, while rereading some of my favourites books of all time. I wanted to soak up the style and inspire myself for my own novel, which I finished shortly afterwards.
Then, I read this book a third time during the spring of 2011, which taking a course on children's literature at Langara. I used the book as the subject for a book talk that I had to submit.
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