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Dream on, Amber
My name is Amber Alessandra Leola Kimiko Miyamoto. I have no idea why my parents gave me all those hideous names but they must have wanted to ruin my life, and you know what? They did an amazing job. As a half-Japanese, half-Italian girl with a ridiculous name, Amber's not feeling molto bene (very good) about making friends at her new school. But the hardest thing about being Amber is that a part of her is missing. Her dad. He left when she was little and he isn't coming back. Not for her first day of middle school and not for her little sister's birthday. So Amber will have to dream up a way for the Miyamoto sisters to make it on their own… A Junior Library Guild Selection An Odyessy Award Honor Book Four STARRED Reviews Age 8 and up | Grade 3 to 7 Great for parents and educators looking Praise for Dream On, Amber : "Funny, poignant…[a] wise and accessible read for 9- to 12-year-olds."― The Wall Street Journal "' Dream On, Amber ' also does something unusual for a children's book that grapples with It does not solve Amber's biracial identity crisis. Though Amber struggles with the questions of her missing father and Japanese identity, the biggest lesson of this book is that sometimes there are no answers."― The New York Times "One of those books that you simply won't want to put down…five out of five stars!"― The Guardian "[A] beautifully written story."― The Independent
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 6, 2014
43 people are currently reading
1009 people want to read
About the author
Emma Shevah
12 books31 followersEmma Shevah is half-Irish and half-Thai. She was born and raised in London but has lived in Australia, Japan, India and Jerusalem. She now lives in London with her family and works far too much. Emma has been a fire-juggler, restaurant manager, copy writer, vegetarian take away server, CV advisor, features writer and blogger, and is currently a freewheeling philosopher and cosmic English-teaching novelist and mystic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
November 22, 2015
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
I will be honest. I've been reading a lot of depressing MG books lately. They are all about the same things and the plots are starting to run together in my head. And then I read Dream On, Amber by Emma Shevah, and it was like a ray of sunshine burst into my world.
Ambra Alessandra Leola Kimiko Miyamota has many problems, not the least of which is the terrible name her Italian mother and Japanese father saddled her with. To make things easy on herself she goes by Amber. But she can't hide how short she is and is tired of telling people yes she is really 11. She can't hide her mixed heritage either, and is tired of the questions and people asking her to say something in Japanese. (Her standard response is "sushi"). She hates that she has a boring old flip phone that doesn't even have a camera or connect to the Internet. How uncool does her mom want her to be? Most of all she hates having the hole in her life caused by her father leaving them. When her little sister, Bella, realizes she is missing out on a dad and tries to write him a letter, Amber responds creating a dad in her head to help her through her problems and make both her and Bella a little more content.
Amber's voice is so perfect. It has the exact right combination of snark and vulnerability you hear from 11 year olds. She is smart, but common sense often escapes her. She can be judgmental and impulsive and brave and scared. She is incredibly real and just jumps off the page. Amber's relationship with Bella is beautifully depicted too. They squabble and fight like any pair of siblings, but there is a deep devotion and caring underpinning their relationship that comes out in their every interaction-even the sniping ones. Bella herself is a fully realized character which is not something we see a lot in the younger siblings in MG fiction. I appreciated how the author wrote how the girls feel something is missing with their father being gone, but simultaneously showed how great a family they have anyway. They are missing something and it needs to be acknowledged that it's okay to mourn the absence of someone you think should be there for you. The family unit in the book is a strong one though. The girls have a fantastic mother, a doting grandmother, and they have each other. I am sucker for sibling stories, especially ones about sisters, so this book was a perfect fit for me.
The book has several elements going on to form the plot. There are Amber's letters to Bella, Amber starting at the upper school and not having many friends, a situation with a bully, and an art competition Amber is being forced to enter. It is a lot, but at the same time it's not, because this is Amber's story. It is about her life and these are all little pieces of who she is at the time we are glimpsing into her life. All of it works to make her voice stronger and her character more rounded. I liked the way it all came together in the end too and how much Amber grew as a person.
My one major complaint about the book is not a flaw in the writing, but in the editing and a decision made by the publisher to Americanize the language. STOP DOING THIS, PUBLISHERS. Kids are smart and British English is not going to throw them into massive confusion especially if your already dropping in Italian occasionally. Context is everyone's friend. This could have been a five star read for me, but that was a major distraction. (Though it's a testament to how much I like Amber's voice that I like the book as much as I do. I usually DNF books that do that.)
Some favorite quotes:
She was nice and everything but I wasn't sure I could ever be proper friends with her because her bag was pink and so was her pencil case. I know that's really shallow and everything, but she also had a button saying "I heart Justin Bieber" on her coat, and I really don't heart him at all, so our friendship was never going to be massively deep and special. (p37)
She smiled at me with pity and confusion an went back to the conversation, so I just stared out of the window and in my head, I drew the world as it should be.
For a while it made me feel better.
But then I got to school. (p100)
Both of these highlight Amber's loneliness, but also capture the varied aspect's of her personality. I really like that part about drawing the world as it should be. Amber is an introvert and that's what we introverts do in our heads. All. The. Time. And it does make you feel better. But then reality happens.
I am now handing this one over to my own 11 year old who loves art and snark as much as Amber does. (And also does NOT heart Justin Bieber.)
I will be honest. I've been reading a lot of depressing MG books lately. They are all about the same things and the plots are starting to run together in my head. And then I read Dream On, Amber by Emma Shevah, and it was like a ray of sunshine burst into my world.
Ambra Alessandra Leola Kimiko Miyamota has many problems, not the least of which is the terrible name her Italian mother and Japanese father saddled her with. To make things easy on herself she goes by Amber. But she can't hide how short she is and is tired of telling people yes she is really 11. She can't hide her mixed heritage either, and is tired of the questions and people asking her to say something in Japanese. (Her standard response is "sushi"). She hates that she has a boring old flip phone that doesn't even have a camera or connect to the Internet. How uncool does her mom want her to be? Most of all she hates having the hole in her life caused by her father leaving them. When her little sister, Bella, realizes she is missing out on a dad and tries to write him a letter, Amber responds creating a dad in her head to help her through her problems and make both her and Bella a little more content.
Amber's voice is so perfect. It has the exact right combination of snark and vulnerability you hear from 11 year olds. She is smart, but common sense often escapes her. She can be judgmental and impulsive and brave and scared. She is incredibly real and just jumps off the page. Amber's relationship with Bella is beautifully depicted too. They squabble and fight like any pair of siblings, but there is a deep devotion and caring underpinning their relationship that comes out in their every interaction-even the sniping ones. Bella herself is a fully realized character which is not something we see a lot in the younger siblings in MG fiction. I appreciated how the author wrote how the girls feel something is missing with their father being gone, but simultaneously showed how great a family they have anyway. They are missing something and it needs to be acknowledged that it's okay to mourn the absence of someone you think should be there for you. The family unit in the book is a strong one though. The girls have a fantastic mother, a doting grandmother, and they have each other. I am sucker for sibling stories, especially ones about sisters, so this book was a perfect fit for me.
The book has several elements going on to form the plot. There are Amber's letters to Bella, Amber starting at the upper school and not having many friends, a situation with a bully, and an art competition Amber is being forced to enter. It is a lot, but at the same time it's not, because this is Amber's story. It is about her life and these are all little pieces of who she is at the time we are glimpsing into her life. All of it works to make her voice stronger and her character more rounded. I liked the way it all came together in the end too and how much Amber grew as a person.
My one major complaint about the book is not a flaw in the writing, but in the editing and a decision made by the publisher to Americanize the language. STOP DOING THIS, PUBLISHERS. Kids are smart and British English is not going to throw them into massive confusion especially if your already dropping in Italian occasionally. Context is everyone's friend. This could have been a five star read for me, but that was a major distraction. (Though it's a testament to how much I like Amber's voice that I like the book as much as I do. I usually DNF books that do that.)
Some favorite quotes:
She was nice and everything but I wasn't sure I could ever be proper friends with her because her bag was pink and so was her pencil case. I know that's really shallow and everything, but she also had a button saying "I heart Justin Bieber" on her coat, and I really don't heart him at all, so our friendship was never going to be massively deep and special. (p37)
She smiled at me with pity and confusion an went back to the conversation, so I just stared out of the window and in my head, I drew the world as it should be.
For a while it made me feel better.
But then I got to school. (p100)
Both of these highlight Amber's loneliness, but also capture the varied aspect's of her personality. I really like that part about drawing the world as it should be. Amber is an introvert and that's what we introverts do in our heads. All. The. Time. And it does make you feel better. But then reality happens.
I am now handing this one over to my own 11 year old who loves art and snark as much as Amber does. (And also does NOT heart Justin Bieber.)
May 11, 2016
Lovely :')
Such a wonderfully written emotional tale of 2 fatherless girls who find it hard to get in terms with the bitter reality that their father actually left them to fend off for themselves.
The self belief exhibited by Amber despite the emotional turmoil that she underwent and her idea to go the extra mile to keep her little sister happy,
Bella's longing to meet her dad and the grit of their mom, were beautifully expressed by the author.
The innocence of Amber and Bella tugged my heart so much :'( I'm not shy to admit that I cried while reading this book. This book, having a couple of sketches and the humor content in it, could easily pass off as a wimpy-kid like book. But the story line was so meaningful and was woven with beautiful, genuine, heart-felt emotions which I think makes the book to stand out from the rest.
For all the girls who have lost their father, this book would serve as a refuge from the hollow,empty feelings which they endure.
My Small Message to such Girls :
You girls are the Princess of your own story even if you don't have a person to call as 'Dad'. Accept the reality and cherish the relationships that you share with the people around you. Because, their love for you is true and perennial. They never would like you to be moody and sad all the time. Shower immense love on those people who love you and who are always beside you in your life. Good things will always take place in your life. You can't change the past. But you can certainly change the future,for it is in your hands. I know it would really be hard for you to forget your dad's cruel act of leaving you and your mom all alone in this world...But still,always remember this,
" Memories are etched in our heart.
They can never be deleted.
But they can be overwritten with better ones "
" Your dad might have left your life as a crumpled paper but still, you can make it colorful"
Embrace who you are, be happy in life, take care of your near and dear ones and nurture the bonding you share with the people around you. You're a warrior. A fighter. Never be disheartened in life. If you ever think of giving up, think of the reason why you held on all these years.People who are beside you love you and believe in you so much more than anything. Don't let their hopes down. Most importantly, don't let yourself down :)
Such a wonderfully written emotional tale of 2 fatherless girls who find it hard to get in terms with the bitter reality that their father actually left them to fend off for themselves.
The self belief exhibited by Amber despite the emotional turmoil that she underwent and her idea to go the extra mile to keep her little sister happy,
Bella's longing to meet her dad and the grit of their mom, were beautifully expressed by the author.
The innocence of Amber and Bella tugged my heart so much :'( I'm not shy to admit that I cried while reading this book. This book, having a couple of sketches and the humor content in it, could easily pass off as a wimpy-kid like book. But the story line was so meaningful and was woven with beautiful, genuine, heart-felt emotions which I think makes the book to stand out from the rest.
For all the girls who have lost their father, this book would serve as a refuge from the hollow,empty feelings which they endure.
My Small Message to such Girls :
You girls are the Princess of your own story even if you don't have a person to call as 'Dad'. Accept the reality and cherish the relationships that you share with the people around you. Because, their love for you is true and perennial. They never would like you to be moody and sad all the time. Shower immense love on those people who love you and who are always beside you in your life. Good things will always take place in your life. You can't change the past. But you can certainly change the future,for it is in your hands. I know it would really be hard for you to forget your dad's cruel act of leaving you and your mom all alone in this world...But still,always remember this,
" Memories are etched in our heart.
They can never be deleted.
But they can be overwritten with better ones "
" Your dad might have left your life as a crumpled paper but still, you can make it colorful"
Embrace who you are, be happy in life, take care of your near and dear ones and nurture the bonding you share with the people around you. You're a warrior. A fighter. Never be disheartened in life. If you ever think of giving up, think of the reason why you held on all these years.People who are beside you love you and believe in you so much more than anything. Don't let their hopes down. Most importantly, don't let yourself down :)
August 26, 2016
Won in the First Reads giveaway.
Was sweet and funny. The illustrations were adorable.
Was sweet and funny. The illustrations were adorable.
September 17, 2016
Very enjoyable and funny with a side of fear and a splash of insanity.
August 1, 2016
Primero tengo que destacar la edición de Sigue soñando, Amber, está llena de detalles e ilustraciones que aportan más a la trama porque son cositas relacionadas con ella y la protagonista, ¡y es que no faltan en ninguna página! lo que es un lujazo. Visualmente es muy atractiva y lo bueno es que su interior lo acompaña con una novela sencilla y divertida para los lectores más jóvenes.
Es un libro perfecto para esta época del año, para acompañar al lector entre lecturas más densas y disfrutar con una novela encantadora que de primeras parece aportar poco, pero según continuas te das cuenta de que hay mucho más en su interior. Y es que vemos muchos avances en Amber, somos partícipes de sus miedos, sueños y esperanzas y como todo (aunque sea un pequeño problema) se le echa encima y no sabe qué hacer, problemas habituales de niños de esa edad con los que es fácil identificarse... todo ello bañado en una narración ágil, con un toque de humor muy bueno y con una imaginación desbordante.
Reseña completa: http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com....
Es un libro perfecto para esta época del año, para acompañar al lector entre lecturas más densas y disfrutar con una novela encantadora que de primeras parece aportar poco, pero según continuas te das cuenta de que hay mucho más en su interior. Y es que vemos muchos avances en Amber, somos partícipes de sus miedos, sueños y esperanzas y como todo (aunque sea un pequeño problema) se le echa encima y no sabe qué hacer, problemas habituales de niños de esa edad con los que es fácil identificarse... todo ello bañado en una narración ágil, con un toque de humor muy bueno y con una imaginación desbordante.
Reseña completa: http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com....
March 25, 2017
I listened to this one, and the narrator was very good, nice accent, good inflections. I really like Amber's voice and how funny/clever she is, while also being a little neurotic in a way I can totally relate to.
March 22, 2018
I think this book was pretty good and I would defiantly read it again. The theme of this book is to be yourself and people will like you for that reason. The theme is also don't be afraid to stick up for yourself. That is what the central theme of this book was.
September 2, 2015
Dreaming Reality
Shevah’s Dream on, Amber is a funny yet poignant novel which explores the challenges that young girls face. The story partly mirrors Shevah’s own childhood and life experiences growing up as a mixed race child; whilst Shevah is half-Irish and half-Thai, Amber is half-Italian and half-Japanese whose name reflects her mixed identity: Ambra Alessandra Leola Kimiko Miyamoto. The eleven year old protagonist has an extremely complex and twisted life.
Readers accompany Amber through her first year in high school where she tries to find her place and deal with the absence of her Japanese father. Immediately, the fast and surprisingly funny first person narrative allows readers insight into Amber’s inner most thoughts and how she deals with the “heart-breaking part” of her life – her father’s unexplained departure when Amber is six. Although he never comes back and that is “the end of that” for him, his children, including Amber, are deeply haunted by his lack of care and appreciation: “My dad’s leaving feels like there’s this massive black hole in me... and it crushes me from the inside”. To add to her sources of stress, she is unable to form any profound bonds of friendship with other girls at her school and carries the burden of protecting her little naïve sister, Bella, from the bully Tommy Pyke, who is molto violent. It also breaks her heart to see Bella realise that she will never have what other children have: a father on whose shoulder she can rest her chest on, or cry to because she does not have a “daddy”. Bella’s silent “gigantic fat tears” show the deep suffering of young children when they are deprived of basic yet essential gestures of love like “sitting on [her] daddy’s lap”.
Amber’s inability to help her sister, to comprehend why their father left them so heartlessly and to deal with her unpopularity at school, leads her to seek refuge in art. Whilst the abandonment of Amber’s family makes the book rather pessimistic, it is indeed Amber’s lack of a paternal figure which gives meaning and power to the subsequent events in the book – these are more light-hearted moments to which other children can relate.
Our young protagonist’s childish approach to life’s challenges is evident when, in a fit of sadness, she draws and creates her ‘Dream Dad’. Thus her artistic creation becomes a shoulder to cry on as she pours out her fears to him. Using art as therapy and having her supportive and witty Dream Dad by her side, Amber understands that she is not alone in overcoming her struggles. Her ‘Dream Dad’ also teaches her to forgive her real dad before it unleashes itself “at the world, maybe at someone [she loves]. Maybe even at everyone [she meets]”. Her imaginary creation further benefits her as she discovers her talents, forms real friendships, learns to empathise with others and gains confidence.
The story of our imperfect heroine’s navigation through life will be highly interesting to young girls who face rapid life changes. It explores complex themes of broken families, understanding one’s identity, loneliness, struggles faced as an outsider at a new school and the accompanying emotional imbalance. The story’s complex thematic reach makes it more interesting than other stories for 8-12 year old girls. It stands out from the typical fairy, princess or boarding school series which are normally aimed at 6-10 year olds.
The book would be suitable for year 5 and year 6 students as they begin to delve into more profound issues facing teenagers. The book is also visually stimulating as it features line drawings and illustrations on most pages, bringing the narrative to life and adding a light-hearted touch to the book. There are also chapter headers which are made up of three languages “TWO DUE NI” - Italian, Japanese and English - that mirror Amber’s mixed background and allegiances, shaping some of the internal conflict she faces.
Amber’s direct and honest voice makes readers laugh-out-loud as she touches upon intense life issues with subtlety and humour. The expression of confidence and insecurities will make this book interesting for primary students. They will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of family as a support system, sensitivity towards others facing similar issues as well as treating the acquisition of new skills as an escape and a possible source of strength.
Shevah’s Dream on, Amber is a funny yet poignant novel which explores the challenges that young girls face. The story partly mirrors Shevah’s own childhood and life experiences growing up as a mixed race child; whilst Shevah is half-Irish and half-Thai, Amber is half-Italian and half-Japanese whose name reflects her mixed identity: Ambra Alessandra Leola Kimiko Miyamoto. The eleven year old protagonist has an extremely complex and twisted life.
Readers accompany Amber through her first year in high school where she tries to find her place and deal with the absence of her Japanese father. Immediately, the fast and surprisingly funny first person narrative allows readers insight into Amber’s inner most thoughts and how she deals with the “heart-breaking part” of her life – her father’s unexplained departure when Amber is six. Although he never comes back and that is “the end of that” for him, his children, including Amber, are deeply haunted by his lack of care and appreciation: “My dad’s leaving feels like there’s this massive black hole in me... and it crushes me from the inside”. To add to her sources of stress, she is unable to form any profound bonds of friendship with other girls at her school and carries the burden of protecting her little naïve sister, Bella, from the bully Tommy Pyke, who is molto violent. It also breaks her heart to see Bella realise that she will never have what other children have: a father on whose shoulder she can rest her chest on, or cry to because she does not have a “daddy”. Bella’s silent “gigantic fat tears” show the deep suffering of young children when they are deprived of basic yet essential gestures of love like “sitting on [her] daddy’s lap”.
Amber’s inability to help her sister, to comprehend why their father left them so heartlessly and to deal with her unpopularity at school, leads her to seek refuge in art. Whilst the abandonment of Amber’s family makes the book rather pessimistic, it is indeed Amber’s lack of a paternal figure which gives meaning and power to the subsequent events in the book – these are more light-hearted moments to which other children can relate.
Our young protagonist’s childish approach to life’s challenges is evident when, in a fit of sadness, she draws and creates her ‘Dream Dad’. Thus her artistic creation becomes a shoulder to cry on as she pours out her fears to him. Using art as therapy and having her supportive and witty Dream Dad by her side, Amber understands that she is not alone in overcoming her struggles. Her ‘Dream Dad’ also teaches her to forgive her real dad before it unleashes itself “at the world, maybe at someone [she loves]. Maybe even at everyone [she meets]”. Her imaginary creation further benefits her as she discovers her talents, forms real friendships, learns to empathise with others and gains confidence.
The story of our imperfect heroine’s navigation through life will be highly interesting to young girls who face rapid life changes. It explores complex themes of broken families, understanding one’s identity, loneliness, struggles faced as an outsider at a new school and the accompanying emotional imbalance. The story’s complex thematic reach makes it more interesting than other stories for 8-12 year old girls. It stands out from the typical fairy, princess or boarding school series which are normally aimed at 6-10 year olds.
The book would be suitable for year 5 and year 6 students as they begin to delve into more profound issues facing teenagers. The book is also visually stimulating as it features line drawings and illustrations on most pages, bringing the narrative to life and adding a light-hearted touch to the book. There are also chapter headers which are made up of three languages “TWO DUE NI” - Italian, Japanese and English - that mirror Amber’s mixed background and allegiances, shaping some of the internal conflict she faces.
Amber’s direct and honest voice makes readers laugh-out-loud as she touches upon intense life issues with subtlety and humour. The expression of confidence and insecurities will make this book interesting for primary students. They will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of family as a support system, sensitivity towards others facing similar issues as well as treating the acquisition of new skills as an escape and a possible source of strength.
September 22, 2015
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
Let me start by saying Dream On Amber isn't a bad book, it just completely missed the mark for me. I like to read a Middle Grade book now and then as the plot and characters focus on very different things than other age categories. I usually read MG with some sort of fantasy or paranormal plot, lots of action etc. Dream on Amber is a more contemporary Middle Grade book. I am not sure if it's the genre or just book, but this book didn't work for me.
Dream On Amber is about a half Italian, half Japanese girl called Amber who hates her name, hates how she looks and how short she is, wants a new phone, can't stand anything that's gross, misses her dad, is an artist and has trouble starting her new school. It was kinda cute, but annoying at the same time. It was hard to relate to Amber as it's been a long time ago since I was eleven. Amber was a bit whiny at times, with how she wanted new things and she ran into some problems and made up an imaginary dad to cope with things. I thought it was realistic, but even so it just didn't work for me. Towards the end she does a few things that did make me like her a bit more, she showed love and appreciation for her other family members and does something nice.
As Dream on Amber was fairly short I did decide to finish the book and I really wanted to know how it would end and find out why her dad had gone away. Sadly we never get the answer to that question. I can understand why the mother didn't tell her kids at that time, the famous "I'll tell you when you're older and you'll understand" sentence was used, but as a reader I wanted to know where their dad was. I wanted to know whether he had died, they got divorced or if he really was out there saving the world. I felt a bit sad for the characters, things aren't easy for them, but maybe I felt most sorry for their mom. Handling two young kids all alone can be hard and it makes me appreciate my own mom a bit more, knowing she went through that as well.
I think my main problem with Dream On Amber was that I felt too old for it. I couldn't relate to Amber her problems, about her dad and school and not having a phone. I know I've been that age and worried about things like that as well, well beside for the phone, we only had old phones back then and as soon as I started high school I got a phone. I just didn't connect with the characters and the story meanders through their normal live, Amber her problems get solved eventually and they was a sweet scene with her sister at the end, but overall I think this just wasn't a book for me.
To summarize: Dream On Amber follows the normal life of Amber who grew up without a dad, struggles with not belonging, fitting in and more. I felt like the book adequately represented kids of that age, but I had a hard time relating to Amber as it's been a long time ago I was her age. Overal I just felt too old for this book. And I didn't like how we never learned what happened to their dad. if you are looking for a cute diverse middle grade book about daily school and family life this is the book for you. I think it's a great book for kids, it just wasn't for me.
Let me start by saying Dream On Amber isn't a bad book, it just completely missed the mark for me. I like to read a Middle Grade book now and then as the plot and characters focus on very different things than other age categories. I usually read MG with some sort of fantasy or paranormal plot, lots of action etc. Dream on Amber is a more contemporary Middle Grade book. I am not sure if it's the genre or just book, but this book didn't work for me.
Dream On Amber is about a half Italian, half Japanese girl called Amber who hates her name, hates how she looks and how short she is, wants a new phone, can't stand anything that's gross, misses her dad, is an artist and has trouble starting her new school. It was kinda cute, but annoying at the same time. It was hard to relate to Amber as it's been a long time ago since I was eleven. Amber was a bit whiny at times, with how she wanted new things and she ran into some problems and made up an imaginary dad to cope with things. I thought it was realistic, but even so it just didn't work for me. Towards the end she does a few things that did make me like her a bit more, she showed love and appreciation for her other family members and does something nice.
As Dream on Amber was fairly short I did decide to finish the book and I really wanted to know how it would end and find out why her dad had gone away. Sadly we never get the answer to that question. I can understand why the mother didn't tell her kids at that time, the famous "I'll tell you when you're older and you'll understand" sentence was used, but as a reader I wanted to know where their dad was. I wanted to know whether he had died, they got divorced or if he really was out there saving the world. I felt a bit sad for the characters, things aren't easy for them, but maybe I felt most sorry for their mom. Handling two young kids all alone can be hard and it makes me appreciate my own mom a bit more, knowing she went through that as well.
I think my main problem with Dream On Amber was that I felt too old for it. I couldn't relate to Amber her problems, about her dad and school and not having a phone. I know I've been that age and worried about things like that as well, well beside for the phone, we only had old phones back then and as soon as I started high school I got a phone. I just didn't connect with the characters and the story meanders through their normal live, Amber her problems get solved eventually and they was a sweet scene with her sister at the end, but overall I think this just wasn't a book for me.
To summarize: Dream On Amber follows the normal life of Amber who grew up without a dad, struggles with not belonging, fitting in and more. I felt like the book adequately represented kids of that age, but I had a hard time relating to Amber as it's been a long time ago I was her age. Overal I just felt too old for this book. And I didn't like how we never learned what happened to their dad. if you are looking for a cute diverse middle grade book about daily school and family life this is the book for you. I think it's a great book for kids, it just wasn't for me.
December 30, 2020
I just want to find Amber and give her a mega-hug and tell her she’s not short and her phone is cool and she’s a great artist and the book written about her is AMAZING!!! So cute and heartwarming, and Amber was so relatable. All the little references to books, movies, and brands I know were just the cherry on top and made Amber feel a lot more real. 5/5 stars for a sad but cute little book that is VASTLY underrated!
July 15, 2025
A cheeky story about self-discovery and sisterhood regularly punctuated with moments that are both laugh-out-loud and heartfelt.
July 18, 2015
A Wonderful Voice; an Overlooked Gem
There are lots of books out there that are supposed to read and feel like the first person narratives of 11/12 year old girls contemplating their step up into middle school. Some are heavily plotted or in some way fantastical, and some focus on the slightly exaggerated problems of everyday life. The tone can be wistful, or snarky, or angsty, or precocious or played mostly for laughs. The "problems" they address can be over-the-top, gritty in an after-school special sort of way, humorous, or romantic and boy-centric.
This book is a bit more emotionally grounded than that, and is one of the few books I've read that scores consistently high marks for the characters that have been created, authenticity, plotting, the honesty of the problems addressed, deadpan humor, and, for want of a better word, wholesome decency. Each character is reasonably complex; each has a reasonable balance of good and bad traits, and each is revealed, at some level, to be basically sound. The result is that the book feels earnest and real, addresses common problems and issues with honesty, and somehow comes out on top with a feel good resolution that doesn't at all seem phony.
Our heroine Amber isn't perfect, but she's as good as she needs to be and better than most. Her Mom, grandmother and sister feel like real family members. The adults in her life are adults, with all of the pros and cons that go with that. Amber's sister, Bella, is a classic annoying little sister, but she has surprising depth and is allowed to be more than a cliche. The affection that binds Amber's family seems real. And this is balanced by the sadness that weighs down everyone as a consequence of Amber's father's absence. The author has taken a real chance - the family was simply abandoned by the father, and Amber's yearning to have a Dad or at least to know why her Dad left is heartbreaking. But of course this is the central event that gives power, energy and meaning to everything else that happens in the book.
The author has a delicate touch and pulls off the whole exercise without ever drifting into the maudlin or precious. As you might expect, Amber often narrates with a wisdom and eye for detail that's way above what you'd expect from an eleven year old, but I'm happy to suspend disbelief on that point in order to allow the author to slip in some sly, edgy, deadpan or vinegary comments, through Amber, that liven up the narrative. Almost every author has to do that sort of thing with adolescent narrators, and here it's done almost seamlessly.
So, all in all this turned out to be a touching, funny, upbeat and insightful work that had numerous rewards, big and small, on almost every page. A very nice find.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
There are lots of books out there that are supposed to read and feel like the first person narratives of 11/12 year old girls contemplating their step up into middle school. Some are heavily plotted or in some way fantastical, and some focus on the slightly exaggerated problems of everyday life. The tone can be wistful, or snarky, or angsty, or precocious or played mostly for laughs. The "problems" they address can be over-the-top, gritty in an after-school special sort of way, humorous, or romantic and boy-centric.
This book is a bit more emotionally grounded than that, and is one of the few books I've read that scores consistently high marks for the characters that have been created, authenticity, plotting, the honesty of the problems addressed, deadpan humor, and, for want of a better word, wholesome decency. Each character is reasonably complex; each has a reasonable balance of good and bad traits, and each is revealed, at some level, to be basically sound. The result is that the book feels earnest and real, addresses common problems and issues with honesty, and somehow comes out on top with a feel good resolution that doesn't at all seem phony.
Our heroine Amber isn't perfect, but she's as good as she needs to be and better than most. Her Mom, grandmother and sister feel like real family members. The adults in her life are adults, with all of the pros and cons that go with that. Amber's sister, Bella, is a classic annoying little sister, but she has surprising depth and is allowed to be more than a cliche. The affection that binds Amber's family seems real. And this is balanced by the sadness that weighs down everyone as a consequence of Amber's father's absence. The author has taken a real chance - the family was simply abandoned by the father, and Amber's yearning to have a Dad or at least to know why her Dad left is heartbreaking. But of course this is the central event that gives power, energy and meaning to everything else that happens in the book.
The author has a delicate touch and pulls off the whole exercise without ever drifting into the maudlin or precious. As you might expect, Amber often narrates with a wisdom and eye for detail that's way above what you'd expect from an eleven year old, but I'm happy to suspend disbelief on that point in order to allow the author to slip in some sly, edgy, deadpan or vinegary comments, through Amber, that liven up the narrative. Almost every author has to do that sort of thing with adolescent narrators, and here it's done almost seamlessly.
So, all in all this turned out to be a touching, funny, upbeat and insightful work that had numerous rewards, big and small, on almost every page. A very nice find.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
November 4, 2015
How do you resist a character like Amber Alessandra Leola Kimiko Miyamoto? Easy answer. You don't. I read the synopsis, fell in love with this half-Japanese, half-Italian little girl, and promptly added this to my reading list. I'm a big pusher of Middle Grade stories. Most specifically, I fully endorse any story that deals with diverse characters and real life situations. Dream On Amber hit all those points, and I couldn't wait to read it.
First off, I want to give a high five to Emma Shevah for writing such a wonderfully realistic eleven year old girl. As a person who worked with children for a huge chunk of my life, I always love to see a character who feels real. Amber impressed me to no end. Her love of art, but her fear of sharing that passion with others was spot on. Middle school is a scary place to begin, and setting yourself apart from others is difficult. Plus I absolutely loved the interaction between Amber and her little sister Bella. Anyone who has been a big sister knows that fine line we walk between annoyance and pure love for our little sisters. Amber and Bella felt like a real set of sisters, and I loved it.
In fact, it was Amber's family life that really stole my heart. From her hardworking single mom, to her whimsical little sister, this group of characters came to life on the page. I think stories like this are important for Middle Graders. How many kids are there out there who are suffering from a dad shaped hole, just like Amber? How many of them wish they had someone to identify with? Plenty. Which is why I'm happy Dream On Amber is in existence. This is important stuff.
So why the three star rating? Mostly, and I'm being completely honest, it's because I didn't identify with this story as a whole. There were a lot of parts that I enjoyed, Amber being the main attraction. However I also felt like there could have been a deeper exploration of her feelings. There's a quick look at some bullying, that kind of blends into the background. Amber's art is in the background, but never quite comes to the forefront. This is the perfect story for a young reader, I just didn't feel like it had the oomph to transcend past that age group.
Still, this is a solid story that I'd highly recommend to any young readers. Especially those who might be missing a dad.
First off, I want to give a high five to Emma Shevah for writing such a wonderfully realistic eleven year old girl. As a person who worked with children for a huge chunk of my life, I always love to see a character who feels real. Amber impressed me to no end. Her love of art, but her fear of sharing that passion with others was spot on. Middle school is a scary place to begin, and setting yourself apart from others is difficult. Plus I absolutely loved the interaction between Amber and her little sister Bella. Anyone who has been a big sister knows that fine line we walk between annoyance and pure love for our little sisters. Amber and Bella felt like a real set of sisters, and I loved it.
In fact, it was Amber's family life that really stole my heart. From her hardworking single mom, to her whimsical little sister, this group of characters came to life on the page. I think stories like this are important for Middle Graders. How many kids are there out there who are suffering from a dad shaped hole, just like Amber? How many of them wish they had someone to identify with? Plenty. Which is why I'm happy Dream On Amber is in existence. This is important stuff.
So why the three star rating? Mostly, and I'm being completely honest, it's because I didn't identify with this story as a whole. There were a lot of parts that I enjoyed, Amber being the main attraction. However I also felt like there could have been a deeper exploration of her feelings. There's a quick look at some bullying, that kind of blends into the background. Amber's art is in the background, but never quite comes to the forefront. This is the perfect story for a young reader, I just didn't feel like it had the oomph to transcend past that age group.
Still, this is a solid story that I'd highly recommend to any young readers. Especially those who might be missing a dad.
January 19, 2016
11-year-old Ambra Alessandra Leola Kimiko Miyamoto – more often referred to by her preferred nickname, Amber – tries to come to terms with her father’s absence, both for her own sake and that of her younger sister, navigating the perils of starting middle school all the while.
I really enjoyed this book – in plot, it struck me as the middle grade answer to Lensey Namioka’s younger chapter book, Half & Half. In terms of style and interest level, it also seems like it might work for fans of Dork Diaries or Popularity Papers. I think it has a lot of themes that will resonate with middle schoolers - not only those with an absentee parent or multicultural (or multiracial) background, but more generally, figuring out who your people are when you start in a new place.
I thought Amber was a really well-developed protagonist as well. She has a lot of positive traits - tenacious, caring, reflective – but definitely has some realistic flaws, too. So although the ending winds up being a little too neat, it still feels really well-earned, because those happy resolutions are only provided after a lot of trying and failing on Amber’s part. My only real issue with the book was that sometimes it felt a little heavy-handed with exposition and some of the themes, but not so much so as to be a major detraction.
I really enjoyed this book – in plot, it struck me as the middle grade answer to Lensey Namioka’s younger chapter book, Half & Half. In terms of style and interest level, it also seems like it might work for fans of Dork Diaries or Popularity Papers. I think it has a lot of themes that will resonate with middle schoolers - not only those with an absentee parent or multicultural (or multiracial) background, but more generally, figuring out who your people are when you start in a new place.
I thought Amber was a really well-developed protagonist as well. She has a lot of positive traits - tenacious, caring, reflective – but definitely has some realistic flaws, too. So although the ending winds up being a little too neat, it still feels really well-earned, because those happy resolutions are only provided after a lot of trying and failing on Amber’s part. My only real issue with the book was that sometimes it felt a little heavy-handed with exposition and some of the themes, but not so much so as to be a major detraction.
February 19, 2016
This is a tricky one -- there were times when I thought it was really working, when Amber was a believable, authentic character, and then there were times when I thought, wow, this author is really trying hard to do an imitation of an eleven year old. Maybe what this book suffers from is weird pacing, maybe it's got one too many irons in the fire. For me, the question is: would a kid like this book?
And it's possible that many kids will latch onto it like crazy. I just found the experience of reading it to be...wobbly. I experienced moments of, "Wow -- this is great!". I just also had moments where I also thought, "Wow -- what?" That's strange to experience all in the same book!
And it's possible that many kids will latch onto it like crazy. I just found the experience of reading it to be...wobbly. I experienced moments of, "Wow -- this is great!". I just also had moments where I also thought, "Wow -- what?" That's strange to experience all in the same book!
September 29, 2015
For full review please go to: 5girlsbookreviews.blogspot.com, Twitter @camartinez and Facebook "5 Girls Book Reviews"
REVIEW BY: Michaela, age 11 years, 3 months
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:
I really enjoyed this book! Amber loves art, but is missing something (her dad).
I liked the fact that Amber was able to overcome and get through everything with art. I, myself, am an artist and use art to express my feelings and help me out when I am sad, mad, etc.
My favorite character is Amber because she is strong and helps everyone. My favorite part is Amber's sister's birthday party.
REVIEW BY: Michaela, age 11 years, 3 months
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:
I really enjoyed this book! Amber loves art, but is missing something (her dad).
I liked the fact that Amber was able to overcome and get through everything with art. I, myself, am an artist and use art to express my feelings and help me out when I am sad, mad, etc.
My favorite character is Amber because she is strong and helps everyone. My favorite part is Amber's sister's birthday party.
October 14, 2015
It's a wonderful book that takes us through the thought processes of a sixth grader. The troubles, the coping mechanisms and the creative solutions for problem solving (some of which are wonderfully absurd). Dream On Amber is simply a book grounded in reality. The voice of Amber is on cue and the illustrations by Helen Crawford-White are just an adorable accompaniment to the marvellous storytelling by Emma Shevah.
Full Review: http://sukasareads.blogspot.com/2015/...
Full Review: http://sukasareads.blogspot.com/2015/...
December 27, 2015
As Amber begins middle school, she faces a bit of an identity crisis. She feels like she doesn't belong, with her Japanese and Italian heritage, she is shocked to realize she's noticing boys for the first time, and she acutely missing her dad who left them years ago. In an attempt to comfort her little sister, she begins writing letters to her in the guise of her dad. I loved the way this author captures the joy and fears of the transition into middle school. I also love the illustrations that dot ever page. This is a brilliant novel.
June 7, 2016
Cute Amber would hate that I am referring to her as cute. She's got real stuff happening on the inside and real stuff happening in her day to day life--and the realness of all of that is what makes this a great work of fiction for middle graders. She's quirky and awkward and obsessive and trying hard to make sense of being abandoned by her dad, doing right by her annoying little sister, integrating the Japanese and Italian parts of herself, and finding friends in a new middle school. Loved the illustrations.
August 7, 2016
This is a great book for librarians and teachers to know about! This diary of a wimpy kid style book has the same atmosphere of sarcasm, with bigger font sizes text and sketches throughout. The protagonist is a bi-racial girl (half Italian, half Japanese) who is coming to terms with the absence of a father figure at home. It covers bullying, single parent household, middle school jitters, depression, and building self esteem! It's a great book, it's funny, it doesn't sugar coat, and I think it is very appealing to kids- oh and it's got a great cover ;)
November 21, 2015
Great. Funny, charming and poignant. Amber is endearing, and I really enjoyed her narration. The letters cracked me up. It's a story that highlighted the importance of families. It made me appreciate my own dad, but I also saw how a family is a family no matter who is or isn't there. This easily could have been sappy or didactic, but Amber’s spunky narration always moderates the more serious subject-matter. Very well done!
January 12, 2016
With four starred reviews, I expected this to be more of a standout. The cultural issues Amber was dealing with were by far the most interesting while I thought the school issues were more standard and even somewhat unbelievable. Maybe it just succeeds better as a lower school read.
June 20, 2016
Este es un libro muy simpático y divertido enfocado a un público más bien preadolescente. La protagonista de la novela nos narra sus problemas, aventuras y miedos, que bien pueden coincidir con los de los niños de esa edad, al menos la mayoría. Sigue soñando, Amber es una historia genial con una protagonista fabulosa.
Reseña: http://www.arte-literario.com/2016/06...
Reseña: http://www.arte-literario.com/2016/06...
January 27, 2017
Dream on ,Amber by Emma Shevah .Do you want to read a book a about a girl that has lived her life with out her father.well this is the perfect book for you .This book is about a girl ho wishes that her dad was there for her when she needed him. . I like this book because she talks about how she feels about her dad living when she was little.For example when she draws her dad .I think my brother would like this book.Because he likes book that make up a lot of things.
January 29, 2017
It taught me to stand up to bullies even when I knew she could squash me like a bug. I liked the part where Ambra (amber) won the art competition. I felt sad when she saw the little kid play with her father when she had no father to play with. I hoped in the end that amber’s father would come back and say he was sorry for leaving so unexpectedly, but it did end well even though what I thought didn’t happen. It felt heartwarming when amber’s teacher hugged her to congratulate her.
December 4, 2016
It was a sweet and cute story of a half Italian-half Japanese girl Amber (short for Ambra Alessandra Leola Kimiko Miyamoto!) who starts her high schooling at Spit Hill High School. Well, I won't tell you its story (read and enjoy it yourself), but just say that it's a unique and super-amazing story! Go! Dream on, Amber!
Read
February 18, 2015its awesome!!
June 3, 2015
a girl in my class loaned me this (ages ago!) I have been slowwwwly enjoying it at lunch times...it was a v.sweet story :)
August 21, 2015
DREAM ON, AMBER will be a huge hit with middle grade readers - a spunky main character with plenty of humorous antics and lots of heart and soul.
Want to read
June 22, 2017Top Ten First Novels for Youth 2015 (Booklist)
ALSC Summer Reads Grades 6-8
ALSC Summer Reads Grades 6-8
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