The Dreams Where The Losers Go

by Beth Goobie

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. While in a treatment center for her self-destructive outbreaks, Skey finds comfort in an imaginary world where others like her roam in similar despair, until she begins to realize her fellow dreamers are causing her more harm than good.

Genres: Young Adult, Mental Health, Fiction, Novels, Teen, Canada

208 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Beth Goobie is best known for her quirky and dark young adult novels. She's published several of them, beginning in 1994. Her novel Before Wings won the Canadian Library Association's Young Adult Book Award in 2000, and was chosen by young readers for the Best Books list of the American Library Association.Much of the turmoil in Goobie's life has been laid bare in two books for adult readers, Scars of Light, which is autobiographical poetry, and The Only-Good Heart, a book of short stories. Both are built on the theme of cults, abuse, and emotional torture. They were, she says, both therapeutic for herself and a warning to others.

Reviews

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was great. The protagonist was easy to relate to, despite her somewhat extreme situation. It was really intriguing, and once I started it, I couldn't put it down. A very depressing read, with a realistic and optimistic ending; the main character coming to terms with her past and moving on.

[Hua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts with the dream of Skey. Throught out the book, Skey returns to her dream many times. In her dream she goes through an endless tunnel where she can heard a boy's breath but cannot reach him. When she finally reached him, she told him stories of the carving wall in her dream. In real world she when she returns to school she meets her boyfriend from dragon gang again. His boyfriend asked for sex and remined her of gang rape that happpened before. My favorite part of the book is when I know that Skey has treatment centre for self-destructive behavior because she unsuccessfully tried to suicide. This is a really amazing book. At first it was a little boring when the author keeps going back to her dream. It started to get my attention when Skey came back to real life. Her past really showed a path of many teenagers. This book really pulls all teenagers problems and thoughts together. If u want to know why she suicide, then you have read the book on your on own. Believe it or not, this book won't make you fall asleep however it will keep u awake at 3 am in the morning.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I picked this book up I wasn't sure what to expect, but I found that I was intrigued by the story and I really enjoyed it.

The book was about the main protagonist Skey and her journey that resulted in her coming to terms with a horrific event that happened in her past so she can ultimately move on.

This is a great book for teens so they can get a better understanding about how different events in your life can shape your future and what you need to do overcome obstacles put in your path.

The Dream Where Losers Go reminds me of the phrase "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." I'm not sure if Skey ended up necessarily stronger in the end, but she did learn to deal with her past instead of repressing it which required a lot of strength and bravery.

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally thought this was a great book. It was a quick read for me and the story was easy to understand. While some scenes were very graphic and dark in this novel, it was relatable to many people who are my age. Skey goes through something very extreme for her age and retreats herself into her mind , the " dream tunnels". She meets a boy there who is also going through the same pain as she is, all while in real life she hangs out with her old boyfriend and his gang. She then realizes how different they were from her , how mean they were.
You only really find out what actually happend to her in the end, this novel just keeps you guessing until the ending.
Id recommend this book to anyone , I personally really liked it.

[Teno Q. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and sadistic, The Dream where the Losers Go is a story of redemption. A amnesiac girl named Skey (the names in this book are all strange) finds herself having a recurring dream of being lost in dark tunnels. This dream is a symbolic place, though Skey doesn't know it yet. One day she encounters a boy wandering with her. She doesn't know who he is, but she knows they have something in common, something that brings both of them to the dream where the losers go. I was guessing until the very end what the dream meant.

I don't know why I keep reading depressing stories like this. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone because it's filled with cold, empty places and drugs and gangs.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good book!
I really liked the change between dream and reality. I also liked what the carvings on the wall really represented, for some reason it never crossed my mind that that is what they really meant.

It isn't the most cheery story but I wouldn't say it was depressive.
In some ways you can relate to Skey, even though her situation is kind of extreme you feel like you have a connection with her.
I would definitely recommend this book!

[Taryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Warning: teenage sexual activity and rape. This book started off good, but as I progressed I found it difficult to want to read. To be honest, I skimmed the last 70 pages and I don't feel like I missed much. However, I am realizing that the low rating is more to do with my reading preferences for subject matter. ai prefer not to read about detailed sexual exploits.

[Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book because it is very weird. I had to read this book last year and i didnt think i would like. This book is about this person considered a loser and this dream that she keeps getting.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had this book recommended to me as something I would enjoy - and they were right!
I especially loved this books mix of lifes harsh realities, with that of hope and spirituality possibilities. Authors willing to tackle this kind of subject are rare, and its even rarer for it to be done with such an openly honest and respectful way, particularly towards survivors. As someone who has also been through her own ordeal, this book touched me in a way that feels powerful and important - bringing the same things that Skey brought to those characters around her, hope and that sense of 'Im not alone'.
Beth has a rare way of creating dynamic and deep character's in a short amount of time, abd her style of writing really makes it the kind of book you cant put down!!!
Id recommend this book to anyone who loves to read and has an open mind towards the world and trauma.

[Katie Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book.

I think the trauma experienced by the main characters is important to represent in literature. I wasn't a fan of its execution, though. I'm not sure if the expression of emotions and sexual experiences were written by someone who was never a teenager, or they were purposely disjointed and strange for mood and foreshadowing purposes.

The extended metaphor was too drawn out, the connection with real life too unrealistic, and the wrap-up was too tidy.

Plus, although I'm sure there can be a valid reason to discuss farting in literature, this instance seemed wholly unnecessary. A lot of the dialogue was unrealistic, and I don't know anyone whose only response to adults is "yeah yeah."

[Em Jahay · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's been a very long time since I read this story but when I read it I was in a dark place myself and it truly spoke to me. It had been my favorite book at the time of reading it. as an adult I plan to revisit it and see if it is as good as I thought it was when I was a teen.

[Keisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Books written in omniscient point of view aren't my cup of tea, wish I had known in advance. The synopsis sounds interesting though so others will probably enjoy it.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skey is on a path of self destructive behavior landed her in a psychiatric ward and cant figure out why with a block in her mind. Her escape is a dream of dark tunnels is where she loves to go for solitude, but finds that she isn't alone and that there is another with secrets like her own. When she is allowed to go to school again and returns to her own gang of friends and back to her boyfriend. After spending time with them she notices violent and strange behavior from her friends and boyfriend and retreats back to her dream tunnel. The more she spends with her boyfriend and friends she more her memory unravels and finds the reason for her memory block.

In the book the beginning seems to drag with dream sequence. When I first read this book, I had a hard time trying to get into the book because of it. No matter how boring the first sequence is get through it because it gets better. I came to realize they were Skey's way of trying to understand the real world and her past memories. This is the most real book I've read can be very relate able to the readers.

[Kricket · Rating 2 out of 5]

agha. I may have enjoyed this more if I had not just read "After the wreck..." by Joyce Carol Oates. Trauma, drugs, gang rapes, and a main character disappearing into her head- some similar stuff going on in both. I don't know why I keep reading these depressing books.

BUT all things considered I did like this one. It begins with the most boring dream sequence ever, which almost made me shelve it, but then things get a bit more lively. Skey lives in a group home for troubled young ladies after cutting her arms- she doesn't remember why. Instead of facing her memories, she frequently disappears into a dark tunnel where she finds peace and support. I liked that the staff in the group home are portrayed as kind, understanding, and funny.

Everything is wrapped up very quickly and neatly at the end which wasn't exactly realistic. The other thing that drove me nuts was the names of the characters: Skey? Lick? Jigger? C'mon...Jigger?

[Lynnette · Rating 5 out of 5]

finished reading the book like an hour ago n i thought it was wonderful!! such a chaotic feeling is what i got from the book...but it ended as if the calming after a huge storm. i like how feelings are personified as colors; that could really help out in real life. but the escape that skey creates i think every one does that in their own way when they don't want to deal with something.

[TheSaint · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was quite unpleasant to live in Skey's head for the length of this book. There is nothing pleasant about her existence in lock-up, nothing pleasant in her dreams, and nothing pleasant in her trips outside -- back to her life and very unpleasant cronies.

The extended metaphor of the dream was, I suppose necessary to build tension, but I could not stay with it.

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally forgot this book existed until I just stumbled upon a list of books for teens and recognized the title. I remember reading it in high school and deeply enjoying it. Definitely going to look for it the next time I go to a bookstore. From what I remember I'd definitely recommend it.. a couple of fairly graphic scenes though, if I remember correctly.

[Rebecca H. · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book tells the story of two teens who struggle with mental problems. Everytime they need to go somewhere, they hide inside their heads and meet with each other. I found this book disturbing and inappropriate. Plus it was really confusing.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skey-what a beautiful name & girl-but she can't remember why she is in a special home for destructive girls. Wh does she have these dreams of tunnels wi/carvings? Who is the boy she meets in the dram tunnels? Very good.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just realized I read this book thanks to a library receipt I found haha. I remember bits and pieces of this book and I think it was very interesting and makes me believe that people do dream the same dreams sometimes.

[noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very emotional read, but an excellent book.

[Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorites. It kept me guessing.