Alphabet of Dreams

by Susan Fletcher

Mitra and her little brother, Babak, are beggars in the city of Rhagae, scratching out a living as best as they can with what they can beg for—or steal. But Mitra burns with hope and ambition, for she and Babak are not what they seem. They are of royal blood, but their father's ill-fated plot against the evil tyrant, King Phraates, has resulted in their father's death and their exile. Now disguised as a boy, Mitra has never given up believing they can rejoin what is left of their family and regain their rightful standing in the world.

Then they discover that Babak has a strange gift: If he sleeps with an item belonging to someone, he can know that person's dreams. Mitra believes that they can use this gift to find passage back to the city of Palmyra and their remaining kinsmen. But soon Babak and his abilities come to the attention of a powerful Magus—one who has read portents in the stars of the coming of a new king and the dawn of a new age. Soon Mitra and Babak find themselves on the road to Bethlehem...

The acclaimed author of Shadow Spinner returns to ancient Persia in this spellbinding saga—a tale filled with the color of the caravansaries and the heat of the desert, a tale that reimagines the wonder and spirit of a lost age.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical, Fiction, Christmas, Adventure

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Susan Fletcher is the award-winning author of fourteen books for young readers, including Dragon’s Milk, Shadow Spinner, and Journey of the Pale Bear. Her novels have been translated into ten languages and have received a Golden Kite Honor from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, as well as acclaim from the American Library Association, the Children’s Book Council, Bookriot.com, Natural History Magazine, Western Writers of America, Women Writing in the West, and many more. Susan taught for many years in the M.F.A. in Writing for Children program at Vermont College.

Although Susan loves to write about the long-ago and the yet-to-come, she can’t bring those worlds to life without grounding them in details from the world in which we live now. To that end, she has explored lava tubes and sea caves; spent the night in a lighthouse; traveled along the Silk Road in Iran; ridden in a glider, on a camel, and on a donkey; and cut up (already dead!) baby chicks and mice for a gyrfalcon’s dinner. To write Sea Change, she immersed herself in the geography and cultural vibe of Galveston, Texas; explored a Gulf of Mexico oil platform; and brought to mind her childhood experiences of skin diving off Catalina Island with her family.

Reviews

[پگاه · Rating 4 out of 5]

مردّدم بین چهار و پنج ستاره.(و وقتی می‌گم ستاره غرق در هیجانی که از داستان در تنم باقی مونده می‌شم)

این طور داستان‌ها رو من خیلی دوست دارم. وقتی اتفاقی افتاده و ازش چیز خیلی کمی معلومه و کسی قلم برمی‌داره(یا برنمی‌داره و صرفا روایت می‌کنه) و داستانی که پشتش بوده رو از نگاه خودش می‌سازه. من از آمیختن خیال و واقعیت کیف مي‌کنم. بله، منظورم هم کاریه که خانم نویسنده کرده و هم اون چه در کتاب می‌گذره.

دوست دارم به زودی گمشدهٔ شهرزاد رو هم بخونم.

[Zahra Dashti · Rating 5 out of 5]

فوق العاده بود. خیلی لذت بردم از این کتاب. با اینکه برای گروه نوجوان بود و فانتزی نبود ، باز برای من در سنین جوانی کشش داشت.
بزرگ شدن و درک میترا ، نگاهش نسبت به عشق ، اینکه در دوست داشتن واقعا چه چیزی مهمه و ...
بخونیدش حتما :)

[Jaq · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about the journey of the Magi to visit the newborn Christ. Taken from a new, unexpected perspective of a young lady who's young brother has a gift for prophetic dreams. They join the caravan of one of the Magi and journey across Persia with him. Loved the story.
Ms. Fletcher is also kind enough to have a notes section at the end of the book filling us in on some of the research that she did in order to write a book that had the right feel for the time, culture, and geographic area that she was portraying.

[Diana Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long have I bemoaned the lack of good prose and strong, believable, human even, characters in modern middle-grade/young adult books, and now, oh how glorious! I have found one to suit my tastes. Beautifully written and such a compelling story woven with a greater, glorious Story. My many thanks go to Amber, who first made "our" acquaintance, and to Jane, who made me curious to "hear" its story☺️

[Adena · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is adolescent literature, so reading it as an adult was a bit boring. But it's interesting, and ends up being a cool story. Just a bit predictable at parts.

[AsimovsZeroth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it was just a case of too many similar names + listening via audiobook, but I wasn't a huge fan of this. Entertaining enough to finish, but nowhere near as good as Fletcher's book Shadow Spinner.

[Sarah Cavar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started strong and ended strong, but got really bloated toward the middle. This would have worked better as a book hald-2/3 of the length it was.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is supposed to be for middle-school-aged readers or, perhaps, teens. However, it is vividly imagined with living, breathing characters plus a realistic setting and historical background. Thus, the tale should appeal to adults as well. And, of course, the novel is a new take on an ancient story that journeys to the world at that time and depicts it as the dangerous place that it was.

I was pulled in as well as many others should be.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might not have read this book had I known how girly it was. This is a story about two children of royal blood: Mitri, fourteen-year-old girl, and Babak, four-year-old brother of Mitri. After a disastrous attempt by their father to seize the throne, Mitri and her brother are reduced to thieves and beggars. Mitri, determined for her and Babak to rejoin their family in a faraway city, starts selling her brother's dreams (which are prophetic) to earn passage. They end up on a series of adventures including the three famous magi, who brought the three gifts to baby Jesus.

It is a girly book, like I said. Mitri struggles trying to keep disguised as a boy throughout the story, and her changes into adolescents are making that difficult. Her emotional story is what makes this a girl's book. Also, I have to warn all readers, that this doesn't end like a traditional fairy-tale. It ends happy, but not without disappointing and sorrowful losses.

[Aida · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was certainly interesting, there are however a few things that were so horribly wrong with the book. For instance, you're talking Iran! The description of camels and sand and desert, that's Arabia!!!!!!! Seriously get it together. And it had rather strong feminism, she was treated with a lot of respect. It was an interesting way to look at things, but the plot was vague and boring with the 3 men and when it became important one barely recalled much about it. Again, the descriptions were nothing similar to what Iran was. For one thing at their time there were places to rest at between times designed for such purpose so their struggle or finding ways and lack was water was ridiculous!! The Author had to do her research way better!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really great. Mitra was a great sympathetic narrator and I really enjoyed learning more about ancient Persian culture. I did give it four stars because at times she became a little obsessed with whether or not certain young men thought she was a boy or a girl (she's really a girl hiding as a boy). Most of all I loved how the Magi were portrayed, each with a distinctive personality and each taking something from the miraculous meeting with the infant-king-to-be. Good read.

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was totally taken by this book. Since I didn't read any back or catalog copy I had no idea what the premise was for this story. It was lovely to have it unfold in front of me--and then near the end for the entire plot to come soaring into focus... What a great piece of writing--I'd give it five stars like so many of the other things I read, but then I'd have no where to go when I read something like Tolkien or Enger.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

My feelings about this one are complicated. On the one hand, the setting was wonderful and vivid, and it wasn't as preachy as I'd feared it could be. On the other, Mitra drove me crazy. She was a selfish bitch, and while that was very true to character and her motivations were understandable, I still wanted to strangle her. Oh, and this one features a tacked-on love triangle with an ending romance that should have worked for me but didn't. So... all in all... meh.

[MrsK Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think any book could be so enchanting. Susan has created such a compelling character. The attention to details provides you with every sense of the culture, the noises, the sights, and the tastes within the Persian empire.

Once again I must tell you that the eloquent word choice, the beautifully detailed scenes, and the overwhelming desire to encourage Mitra and Babak.

Take this journey... it will last a life time,
MrsK

[Annajune · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended as good Christmas reading from Brooke. Great story. This is one I will think about for awhile. I keep varying between 4 and 5 stars. Fictional story of the Magi traveling to see a new great king but told from the perspective of a kid traveling with them. So much in here. The version I had of the book included a series of questions she poses that she used to help in her writing of the story which was quite interesting as well. Definitely good seasonal read!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!! I read this book cover to cover in two days. Could not put it down. Absolutely breathtaking. Imagery is wonderful, and if you are a Christian, you'll love it even more!! Slight religious tones, but very well written.

[Erin Bow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid, juicy middle grade historical with a realistic, well-researched setting. I ate this one up.

[Arghavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

اولین بار: اول راهنمایی. به اندازه‌ی گمشده‌ی شهرزاد دوستش نداشتم و ندارم و یحتمل نخواهم‌داشت.

[Marcia Mcintosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely audio book with excellent narration and pleasant surprises!

[Audreylee Rickenbacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE!

[Dominique Aguilera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've owned a copy of this edition since my teacher let me keep it after we went to a local book signing. Susan Fletcher herself was there, and I got to tell her how much I enjoyed Shadow Spinner, which we'd read as a class. She signed this copy of Alphabet of Dreams, saying "Keep writing!"
I'd picked it up and read a little bit, only to then put it down and leave unfinished for the next 12 years.

Now that I have read it in its entirety, I can finally give my thoughts.

Going in, I was sure that this was going to be a 5-star read. Like Shadow Spinner, I was intrigued by the historical setting and Persian culture/royalty. I wondered what kind of journey Mitra, the main character, would find herself in, along with her brother.
Unfortunately, it really started to drag for me by the middle. It was simply paragraphs of Mitra explaining what was going on and whom was doing what. There were so many male characters to keep track of, I forgot who was who--especially their age and physical appearance. Not even the historical Magi kept my interest (even though it was the author's intention, according to her Note, to fulfill her desire in writing their story). I even kind of missed the character Zoya, once she was out of the narrative, even if she was a bit mean. I felt as though the further I got, the more my want to keep going dwindled--kind of like Babak's spirits! Speaking of Babak, I kind of wish that this book was told from his perspective, considering how, not only is he the one with supposedly prophetic dreams, but I would tend to forget that Mitra was disguised as a boy.

And, this could just be nit-picky to point out, but Mitra's narration was a little repetitive at times (For ex: She would think Maybe... about 3 times in one paragraph)

I basically skim-read most of the second half, barely feeling any tension, including the climax.

Maybe I should just familiarize myself more to this time period in order to appreciate it more on a re-read?

[Meribeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mitra/Ramin and her younger brother Babak, from a noble Persian family, have become beggars due to their father’s unsuccessful plot against the tyrant-king Phraates. She has disguised herself as a boy, while her older brother, Suren, has left, at her urging, to learn what remains of their family, and dig up gold from the home they have fled, to help them recover their status. Meanwhile, Babak discovers if he sleeps with something belonging to another, he can dream that person’s dreams.
Author Fletcher has set this young adult novel, like a previous novel, Shadow Spinner, in ancient Persia (now Iran). It is the time of the Magi and the cusp of a new era.
Babak and Ramin/Mitra join the caravan of a powerful Magus who, understanding the movements of the stars, and wanting what Babak’s special abilities can offer him, is traveling to Bethlehem. In the course of their journey, three animals, a skinny, feeble donkey, a one-eyed kitten, and a mange-infested camel become their companions: they are kidnapped, escape, and are rescued, and ultimately do some rescuing themselves.
Long fascinated by the story of the Magi’s journey to Bethlehem, Fletcher also demonstrates her fascination with Persian/Iranian history, weaving celestial events, ethical practice, and traveling details seamlessly into her absorbing holiday tale of another age.

Atheneum, 2008

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A random 'sounds interesting' YA read from the library, and it was really not bad for something written in 2006. The author obviously put in loads of research to make the story feel authentic, and her settings and characters have the artist's touch. Not too complex, it's for teens after all, but it does end prettily, which, since I kept with it just because I wanted to see how she ended this thing, was satisfying. It was also fun to see how she designed the characters of the three wise men, and how they interacted with the main characters.

Being used to older lit in general, the coming of age details in this modern book reminded me of why the old-time young people's lit make better family read alouds. There's plenty of detail about puberty in here, which make it fine comfort reading for a teen girl, but probably would keep it off your family read aloud list.

The author's religious persuasion in regard to Christ is not clear, but I thought the perspective of being unsure, of only catching glimmers of what was happening at the time of Christ's birth, was authentic for the people and times. It would make a good Christmastime read - for girls at least.

[Camilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Das ist wirklich ein ganz tolles und besonderes Buch. Ich habe es vor einigen Jahren schon einmal gelesen, konnte mich aber nicht mehr an viel erinnern (außer dass ich es gut fand), und wollte es deshalb jetzt zur Weihnachtszeit nochmal lesen. Mich hat stark beeindruckt, wie hier die Rolle der drei Weisen in der Weihnachtsgeschichte so real dargestellt wird. Das Buch verbindet glaubwürdige und (zumindest soweit der Anhang vermuten lässt) sorgfältig recherchierte Geschichte, die bekannte Weihnachtsgeschichte und die persönliche Geschichte von fiktiven Personen, vor allem Mitra und ihrem Bruder. Gleichzeitig schafft sie es aber auch, wichtige Botschaften von Weihnachten herüberzubringen.
Mir haben auch der Erzählstil, der mal sehr tiefgründig und mal sehr leicht verständlich war, und die Charaktere sehr gut gefallen. Ohne dabei langweilig zu sein verbreitet das Buch eine Ruhe, die so gut zu Weihnachten passt.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Pray to the Wise God - that is my counsel. Though his plans for us may not be what we wish, prayer may lead us into his light."
- Balthazaar, in Alphabet of Dreams

Although certifiably no longer a "young adult," I thoroughly enjoyed Babak and Mitra's story. Excellent writing, dialog, character development, and description of place and time. I plucked the book off the library shelf with no foreknowledge of the story, and I was fully committed to their tale before I realized it would overlap with a well known historical journey. Mitra's internal journey through anger, hope, fear, bitterness, loss, and eventual acceptance of her situation was compelling. I would definitely recommend this story to tweens and teens, as well as adults.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Da wurde sehr sehr viel richtig gemacht. Die ersten 20-25 Seiten begeisterten mich noch nicht so, aber danach hat es mich eingesogen wie nur was. Ich wollte gar nicht mehr aufhören zu lesen. Und 25 langweilige Seiten von über 300 super mega spannenden dämmen das 5 Sterne Rating für mich nicht ein. Ich fand das Buch sogar so gut, dass ich es mir jetzt auch noch auf Englisch holen möchte. Ich war auch sehr überrascht wie realitätsnah man eine religiöse Geschichte erzählen kann. Natürlich muss es das eine oder andere Übernatürliche geben, aber ich konnte mich so gut in Mitra hineinversetzen, wie in keinen anderen Hauptcharakter. Das liegt vermutlich daran, dass diese Geschichte sehr lebhaft und aus der Sicht eines Kindes erzählt wird.

[Maggonosmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of the Magi (Wise Men), who followed the star to find a king. As we all know they found a baby of humble birth instead, but what was their story? Who were the Magi? Where did they come from? What did they know about the star they were following. This is a brilliantly creative story, steeped in research that allows you to discover possible answers to these questions. This incredibly touching story follows a Persian girl and her little brother as they end up with the Magi on their travels. The journey is full of self discovery for all involved.

[Rosie Gearhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is an imagined tale of what the Magi’s journey to visit the Christ child could have been like. A fictional 14 year old girl is the main character, hiding with her little brother from the soldiers of a king who wants them dead. The setting is interesting. The writing has depth. This would make an excellent family read aloud at Christmas (with the caveat that I’d want to make sure my children were old enough to understand that this is fiction). Intended audience is probably teen girls.

[Emily Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will confess...this is one of my favorite novels by far I have read. I like that while it's multicultural, it also showcases Biblical times from the New Testament era. Including the birth of Christ and the visit from the Wise Men. I learned a lot about these Biblical elements that I never knew about. I enjoyed reading this book and will definitely use it for the classroom and for my personal use.

[Alyssa Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ordinarily, I don't like Biblical fan fiction, because it tampers too much with real people, giving them thoughts and feelings that we have no valid reason to believe that they had. But since this book follows the Magi, some of the most mysterious people mentioned in the Bible, I found that it only intrigued me, and that I enjoyed it very much, since it is presented as purely fiction and imagination, and I find Mitra's story very enchanting.