Dream Things True | TheBookSeekers

Dream Things True


No. of pages 352

Published: 2015

Great for age 12-18 years

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Evan, a soccer star and the nephew of a conservative Southern Senator, has never wanted for much, except a functional family. Alma has lived in Georgia since she was two-years-old, excels in school, and has a large, warm Mexican family. Never mind their differences, the two fall in love, and they fall hard. But when ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) begins raids on their town, Alma knows that she needs to tell Evan her secret. There's too much at stake. But how to tell her country club boyfriend that she's an undocumented immigrant? That her whole family and most of her friends live in the country without permission. What follows is a beautiful, nuanced, well paced exploration of the complications of immigration, young love, defying one's family, and facing a tangled bureaucracy that threatens to completely up end two young lives.

 

 

There are 352 pages in this book.

It is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed.

This book was published in 2015 by Griffin Publishing .

MARIE MARQUARDT is a Scholar-in-Residence at Emory University's Candler School of Theology and the author of Living Illegal The Human Face of Unauthorized Immigration . She is widely published in the areas of religion, inter-ethnic relations, and civic participation of Mexican immigrants in the U. S. South. Marquardt has also worked extensively as an advocate among immigrants in Atlanta. She is a founding organizer and currently serves as co-chair of El Refugio, a hospitality house outside the gates of the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. Marie is also a member of the We Need Diverse Books team. Marquardt lives with her husband and four children in a very busy household in Decatur, Georgia. Dream Things True is her first young adult novel.

 

"Marquardt knowledgably takes on the plight of undocumented families . . . readers seeking a star-crossed love story with a twist won't be disappointed" --Publishers Weekly

"Marquardt has a lot to teach . . . but never does it feel didactic. Instead, Marquardt envelops you into the story of this one family and this one young couple trying to beat the odds." --Bustle

"Worthy examination of undocumented immigration in the American South through the lens of young love." --Kirkus

"Marquardt provides a critical view of the stigmas and difficulties plaguing undocumented youth in U.S. schools without glossing over the legal realities of deportation and detainment. Readers will find the romantic aspects of Alma and Evan's relationship sweet and exciting." --School Library Journal

"Marquardt has written a book with a hopeful, if not happy, ending, filled with stark details about life in the U.S. for undocumented families. Eye-opening and touching." --Booklist

 

 

"Dream Things True is a satisfying and rich debut novel about love and the importance of following dreams." -Am ricas Award Committee

"A true Romeo and Juliet romance with a wider moral sweep-tender, heart-wrenching and wise. Every character shines." --Huntley Fitzpatrick, author of What I Thought Was True

"DREAM THINGS TRUE by Marie Marquardt is a story that must be told and needs to be read. With sensitivity and care, Marquardt deftly illustrates the struggles and hopes of Alma, an undocumented teenager living in the United States. Alma's story reflects the lives of millions of young people trapped between countries and cultures, longing for a place to belong. An important story that's full of heart, it will forever change the way you view those who live their lives in the shadows." --Jennifer Mathieu, author of The Truth About Alice

"A compelling read with complex, true-to-life characters, DREAM THINGS TRUE is a unique novel. Not only will it cause readers to empathize with characters in difficult situations, it will get them to consider the plight of people in the real world. Add in a love story you can root for." --Adi Alsaid, author of Let's Get Lost

"Marquardt's Dreams Things True vividly weaves to life the thrill of falling in love in the South while awakening readers to the struggles of US-Mexican immigration policies. In this touching coming-of-age story, full of hope and possibilities, Marquardt captures the bittersweet world of undocumented teens living in the US and the power of true love." --Malin Alegria, author of Border Town series