The Dream Bearer: A Compassionate Middle School Novel of Father-Son Understanding and Self-Discovery

by Walter Dean Myers

Printz Award winner Walter Dean Myers deftly draws a compassionate portrait of a boy's odyssey of self-discovery and the acceptance and empathy for others he learns along the way.
David doesn't know what to make of his father, Reuben. His older brother, Tyrone, says Reuben is crazy. But Tyrone is acting like someone David doesn't know anymore. Then David meets Mr. Moses, a mysterious man who tells him that dreams might be the only things we have that are real. And it is Mr. Moses' gift of dreams that gives David a new way to see inside his father's heart. I wonder what kind of dreams Reuben has. When I thought about him dreaming, I thought of him having a storm in his head, with lightning and far-off thunder and the wind blowing big raindrops and a bigger storm coming just down the street, just around the corner, like a monster waiting for you. I thought Reuben dreamed of monsters that scared him. They scared me too.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fiction, African American

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

pseudonyms:
Stacie Williams
Stacie Johnson

Walter Dean Myers was born on August 12, 1937 in Martinsburg, West Virginia but moved to Harlem with his foster parents at age three. He was brought up and went to public school there. He attended Stuyvesant High School until the age of seventeen when he joined the army.

After serving four years in the army, he worked at various jobs and earned a BA from Empire State College. He wrote full time after 1977.

Walter wrote from childhood, first finding success in 1969 when he won the Council on Interracial Books for Children contest, which resulted in the publication of his first book for children, Where Does the Day Go?, by Parent's Magazine Press. He published over seventy books for children and young adults. He received many awards for his work in this field including the Coretta Scott King Award, five times. Two of his books were awarded Newbery Honors. He was awarded the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Virginia Hamilton Award. For one of his books, Monster, he received the first Michael Printz Award for Young Adult literature awarded by the American Library Association. Monster and Autobiography of My Dead Brother were selected as National Book Award Finalists.

In addition to the publication of his books, Walter contributed to educational and literary publications. He visited schools to speak to children, teachers, librarians, and parents. For three years he led a writing workshop for children in a school in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Walter Dean Myers was married, had three grown children and lived in Jersey City, New Jersey. He died on July 1, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 76 years old.

Reviews

[Wilfred europe · Rating 5 out of 5]

the dream bearer was one of my top favorites.this book is about a kid and his friend who meets a homeless guy and learns so much history about his black culture.the homeless guy is over 100 years old so he knows a lot of things.the book is called the dream bearer because the homeless man remembers all of his dreams and shares them with people who are interested.

[Lizzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having enjoyed Monster and Shooter I was curious to read another Water Dean Myers book - his works are popular with my high school students - but I was disappointed with this book. I felt like The Dream Bearer had a concept that wasn’t fully developed. I thought it would be more of an in-depth exploration of the African American experience, and how this has contributed to issues the community is dealing with today, but it felt like the length and depth of the book was simply not adequate for what it was trying to attempt. It felt like the book was struggling to deal with too many issues – drugs, homelessness, mental health, abuse, immigration – like it was written to stimulate “issue” talks in classes. Students with family members affected by mental health might connect with the story’s exploration of this topic. On a positive note, I did like how Myers left the parent's mental health issues unresolved, but showed how the child protagonist could at least come to terms with the illness, gain empathy for his parent and a degree of understanding of how it must affect him.

[Kesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dramatic story telling about a typical Myers topic.

[Jennifer Altom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moving story of a young teen who figures out who he is, who his family members really are, and what is important. Great story of loyalty. I think a few teens today may find it slow-moving without major resolution.

[R0ME0]

Hes building a house on the roof and he said this is my ancestor in Kenya built their houses. And loren ask how many people can get into the house and he said this is just the model and if they were in kenya its gonna be ten times bigger.

[Linkin Griffin · Rating 1 out of 5]

My little pony was better

[Blue North · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Dream Bearer" by Walter Dean Myers is a story about David, his family and friends. David has a brother, named Ty. David's best friend's name is Loren. Another interesting character is Mr. Moses. Mr. Moses is an old man without a home. He has a grocery cart, wears two sets of coats and is sickly. He spends lots of time sitting on the porch bench. Mr. Moses claims to be a little over three hundred years old. He is a Dream Bearer. Not being familiar with the title "Dream Bearer" I decided to think of Mr. Moses as a wise old man. I also enjoyed reading about Sessi Mutu. Sessi is from Africa. Her family want to become American citizens. Sessi is very proud of being an African. To keep a strong memory of her homeland she begins to construct an African house on her family's rooftop. This book gave me the chance to think of Africa in different way. Africans are very hospitable. When Mr. Moses becomes sick, Sessi's mother doesn't think of herself. She thinks of Mr. Moses' well being. She quickly cooks a soup. Then, takes it over to the park to him. Also, Sessi's mother serves tea and cookies to neighbors in order to celebrate a happy occasion. Watching Sessi grow up between two cultures, American and African is fascinating. There is more in this book. Ty is an interesting character. He leads a life apart from his family. Reuben, David and Ty's father is a sad character. He comes across as cynical and angry. All of the characters are multilayered and fun to psychoanalyze. Even the angry characters have moments when they wear their hearts on their sleeves.

[Kayna Olsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

David is a young adolescent growing up in Harlem. His father Rueben has gone crazy and if he doesn't take his pills he has no control over himself. Years previous his father insisted that they call him Rueben because that is his name. David's older brother Ty is getting into drugs and gang activity though he and his mother would prefer not to admit it and remain hopeful. David and his mother have grown very close as they cling to each other for support. His mother is David's protector from Rueben. Several times during the book she intercepts an angry mood to protect her son. David meets Mr. Moses at the park. The old man claims to be over 300 years old and says that he is a dream bearer. David finds him oddly interesting and a very friendly man. As they continue their friendship David learns more about the dreams which this man has been carrying around for years.

This book was alright. I really liked the family dynamics. Seeing their relationships unfold and how strong the relationship between David and his mom was, was really satisfying, while any relationship with the father was fearful. I was confused on the whole part about the dream bearer. Even though this was the title of the story and supposed to be David's source of changed thinking, it felt really random to me and like it didn't fit in with the rest of the story. I think I just missed something with Mr. Moses.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Dream Bearer includes issues teens can relate to: not fitting in, drugs, bad home life, and many more. This book definitely did not end the way I expected it to. The daddy issue became somewhat resolved, which I expected. It didn't feel realistic that the dad could go from crazy and then normal just by helping Mr. Moses, but that's pretty much how the book depicts it. The situation with Mr. Moses almost seemed like a cop-out. At one point he was in the hospital, the next he's telling the kids goodbye with a suitcase in his hand and he walks off. I thought he would play a more significant role in David's life, or that he would share more of his dreams, or that the dreams he did share would have a major impact in the story, but Moses was more minor of a character than I expected him to be. This was a good book, but I would probably push other books of this same genre before I would push this one.

Warnings
Language: very mild and nothing young adults aren't completely used to by this age
Violence: some fist fights, domestic abuse, and references to gangs
Sex: none
Drugs/Alcohol: brother using drugs, father drinks alcohol

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book I read was "The Dream Bearer", by Walter Dean Myers. This book is about a boy named David who lives in Harlem. His dad, Reuben, is coming home late and night yelling at his wife(David's mother). He all grumpy and everything. David don't know what to do with his family with his dad and brother dealing drugs and gangs.

But David meets a guy named Moses Littlejohn. He says he is a 300-year-old dream bearer-one who harnesses and preserves human dreams. As David gets to know Moses more he gets a better understanding of what his dad feels. I think this a great book for young kids who think their parents are out of there mind. They should look at it in their parent's shoes. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.

[Pierce Hili · Rating 3 out of 5]

David is a kid growing up in Harlem. His family isn't exactly what you will call a happy family. His brother Ty is involved in something bad and owes people money. Their dad Reuben is abusive. He has to take medication to calm him down. David looks out for his mother and tries to be nice to Ty who usually blows him off.
In this story, David and his friend Loren meet a guy who calls himself the dream bearer. He has dreams of years ago. He says he is over three hundred years old. David's parents don't like it when he talks to him. Reuben is concerned about him touching David. He does give good advise though. Advice that David eventually uses.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dream Bearer is a story that follows David (13 or 14 years old) through a little snip-it of his life. David's older brother has been hanging with the wrong crowd and has been getting himself into lots of trouble. David's father had a nervous breakdown a while before the story begins and his mother is trying to provide and keep everyone together. David meets Mr. Moses at the park one day. Mr. Moses says he is 300 years old and is very tired from carrying dreams.
This book does not have anything exciting happening in it. Just about an emerging adolescent finding his place in his own family and society. It was easy to get through but definitely not a book that you just can't put down.

[Kelly Lynn Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really profound book that deals with many topics: family, drugs, mental illness and racism. Despite the heavy subject matter, the author creates a believable kid who deals with the changes in his life in an ultimately positive and pragmatic way. At the same time, the author says a lot about slavery, racism and how others perceive those with mental illnesses, and how those perceptions affect the family member of the ill person. I "read" the audio book (it was my first-ever audio book!).

[Celia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an interesting little story with a good cast of characters. This is one of Walter Dean Myers' earlier works, but as usual, the setting is Harlem, with it's bustling and colorful streets. David is a 12 year-old who is dealing with a father who is unstable, and a brother who might be running with a rough crowd. He meets an interesting old man in the park, and is drawn to him when the old man informs him that he remembers dreams for people, and has been doing this for hundreds of years.

[Priscilla Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

i don't like a lot of walter dean myers. i like the idea of him, & i like that he's responsible for a lot of my students reading during class, but i have trouble connecting with his characters. monster & shooter don't do much for me, & the beast drove me absolutely crazy. but this book introduced a character that i actually cared about. ummmm IT'S GOOD READ IT PLS.

[Ruben · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book,there are plenty of turning points when you have to question wheather or not it is fake or reality. life is like that sometimes, and that is why the book can connect to any reader so very well, and keep them interested. life can seem just like a dream, but can also be a cold realiy check. I gave this book a 4 out of 5.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great middle school age story about a child in Harlem dealing with the challenges of his environment and especially with his father’s struggle with mental illness and how this affects him and his mother and brother. The character’s struggle to understand his father and try to make sense of his own circumstances is compelling.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having struggled with the difficulties with his family, David finds comfort in the wisdom of Mr. Moses who helps explain the meaning of dreams and how they help guide one through reality, in a moving coming-of-age tale from a Printz Award winning author.

[Imani ♥ ☮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright. I read it during some summer...I can't remember which, because it was on some book list. I wish I could remember what it was about. But I just can't. Something about an old homeless man, I think? Yeah, maybe that's it.

[Katie]

During a summer in Harlem, David tries to come to terms with his father’s outbursts and unstable behavior, with the help of his mother, a close friend and an old man he meets in the park.

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see why kids like to read Walter Dean. He's got that voice down.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a blog! Follow me for reviews of tween lit.
http://lauralynnstweenpicks.blogspot.com

[Dy'talzha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I'm glad I picked it . It was a very moving book it was rare. But I felt like I was right along with David when every thing was happening.

[Tria Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book. this is the very first chapter book I have ever read and ever since, I've loved reading. R.I.P. Walter Dean Myers

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost like science fiction, but still dealing with an urban theme.

[Aaron Smi]

it awesomes an look awesomes b since it read the back of th book...... an it fun

[Joel]

Joel Yambo
1/10/17
Book review
The Dream Bearer by Walter Dean Myers (180 pages)
Realistic Fiction
This book is set in Harlem, New York during the summer time. The author does a good job of telling what the setting is, and where it takes place. The main characters are David, His dad Reuben, David’s brother Tyrone, and his mother. The characters are believable as in, they could have been real. I don’t know anyone that I can relate to them, but I’ve heard stories about things that I can relate to this book. The author describes them ok; it isn’t the best I think it could be better. So a teenager David meets n homeless man. His name is Mr. Moses he tells them that he is 300 years old. He said he bear dreams of African American’s. David’s father is an alcoholic. His mother stays with him regardless. The books strengths is the suspense it’ll make you want to read the whole book, so you won’t miss anything. The books weakness is its lack to describe the characters and to get to know more about them. But overall this book is good, for a short story.

[Madison Klopfer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award, author Walter Dean Myers writes a compelling story about the journey of self-discovery and learning how to empathize and accept others. The Dream Bearer is a young adult novel about David, a teenage boy trying to understand the world he lives in. David’s father, Reuben, has been acting strangely and many people believe that he is crazy. On top of that, David think that his brother, Tyrone, has friends that are associated with things they shouldn’t be involved in. David’s life becomes even stranger when he meets a mysterious man who claims to be a dream bearer and over 300 years old. It is through the gift of dreams that David begins to find himself and rebuild relationships within his family.

I thought The Dream Bearer was a very interesting book. Although Walter Dean Myers does a really good job at depicting the personal and family struggles teenagers face, I did not particularly enjoy reading the book. It was hard for me to become invested and interested in the story line and I felt like I didn’t really relate to David or any of the characters. I think it is a good book to include in a classroom library because there are many students who would be able to relate to the story, but wasn’t a book that I would read again by choice.

Content Warnings: Violence and drugs