Dreams of Victory

by Ellen Conford

Victory thinks of herself as a loser until she uses her imagination in writing a school composition

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Ellen Conford was an author for children and young adults. Among her writings are the Annabel the Actress and Jenny Archer series. Her books have won the Best Book of the Year Citation, Best Book of the International Interest Citation, Best Book of the Year for Children, Parents' Choice Award, and more.

Reviews

[Susann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has the same Conford humor found in her YA novels. Much like Sally J. Freedman's stories, Vicky's daydreams seemed completely plausible to my middle grade self. Amusing that Jimmy Fallon is the most popular boy in class.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my reading goals this year is to reread books I loved from my childhood. Dreams of Victory is one of those books. I loved this book in grade school because I related to the main character so much. I still felt the same today in the most wonderfully nostalgic way.

Victory is a 6th grader with a fantastic imagination who dreams of being amazing at all kinds of different things. But in reality, she isn’t very good at anything. She continues to try different things until she almost accidentally discovers something that makes her feel remarkable. One thing I never forgot about this book was that Victory’s Mom was terrible at baking pies but kept baking them anyway. Why did that one detail stick with me for 40 year? I have no idea, but it made me laugh to read that part again.

I don’t think I’m capable of reviewing this book through the lens of a contemporary 6th grader, but I honestly think it mostly stands the test of time minus the lack of technology. It’s such a cute story.

[Esther Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love collecting older Scholastic books because occasionally, you hit a gem. This is one of those.

Victory is one of those characters—somewhat like Anne of Green Gables or The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry—whose main coping technique when things aren’t going their way is to imagine themselves in a different situation. In this case, Victory has dreams of being someone grand—if it’s an election for class president, she envisions herself as the president of the United States. If it’s the evening after an awkward birthday party, she imagines she’s the winner of a beauty pageant. Along the way, Victory has the most hilarious side comments or observations about different people in her life.

This is a fast, enjoyable read. It’s nothing outstanding, in my opinion, but it’s a lot of fun, and I can see my younger sisters enjoying it eventually.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Ellen Conford and this one was new to me. Victory is a 6th grader with a fun imagination. I found the beginning a little slow. I felt her elaborate imaginings were taking away from the story. After the first couple, I liked them more. Quick simple read that kids today would still like.

[Britt, Book Habitue · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know, they don't really write books like this anymore. Victory is an ordinary kid doing ordinary things.

[Dennis Harrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was one of my favourite books growing up since i could relate to Victory and her shortcomings
definitely going to reread it for old time sake

[Mande Garrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story. I guess its about A girl named Victory trying to find out who she is and what she is good out.

[Henrietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book 30 years ago when I was in 6th grade. I was bullied and taunted. I felt bad about myself because I was a poor student. Reading about Victory's daydreams gave me courage to believe I was bigger than everything around me. My life could be better as long as I could believe I could have a better life. I was a little girl who grew up to become a PhD candidate at Stanford University and I credit Victory Beneker for her help.

[Elicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was younger. I think that Victory is a very relatable character. She is not-so-popular yet not a 'loser', has her doubts about where she fits in like many kids, and feels particularly ordinary. However, she is a funny kid and has her imagination to help uplift her and understand that she is going to be something. I think her daydreams are actually duller than what she/this author is capable of, but that's the besides the point. Her real everyday life is more interesting than her daydreams and that is what she deals with skillfully.

[Someone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice read. I really liked the character Victory and like another reviewer said, she's like the female version of Charlie Brown. I think almost all teenagers have gone through that phase at least once where they glum at the fact that they don't feel special. I did get tired of the same day dreams of hers though. I liked the message the book was sending, that everyone is special in their own way.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Victory is a female Charlie Brown. Glum perfectly sums up her approach to life. However, her dry wit and easy-to-relate to daydreams resonate.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this book when I was in 4th grade. My mom bought it for me because the protagonist's name was Victory -- very similar to my given name. This book is good business!

[Theo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. It was legit. It was cool that victory was victorious in the end.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was fun--see http://www.eatreadandbemommy.com/2015... for why!

[cubbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute, but it never got quite as good as i'd hoped it would.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book again and again when I was in elementary school. Very funny and well-written.