Dreamland (Book Review)

Author: Sarah Dessen
Year: 2004
Genre: Novel
Reading Level: Young Adult

Literary Awards:

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults, An Amazon.com Editors Choice for (2000), New York Library Book for the Teen Age 

Plot Summary: Caitlin has spent her life so far as an also-ran, always in her sister's shadow.  When her sister abruptly runs away, Caitlin looks for her own direction in life and finds it in Rogerson Briscoe.  While Rogerson is (SUPPOSEDLY) good looking, smart and exciting, he pulls Caitlin's life in a direction she never wanted to go and she may not be able to escape before it's too late.

Red Flags: Language, teenage drinking/drug use/canoodling, abusive relationships

My Rating: B
This is a hard one to rate because even though I think it's a good book and well written in the way I expect from Sarah Dessen, I didn't really enjoy reading it at all.  Partly that's because of the subject matter, which is pretty dark and not really ever enjoyable.  Also because I had no idea that's what this book was about (my library often has no Dessen books on the shelf so I just grab them when I see them), and I think it's something one has to be in the mood for.  I was not so much in the mood. 

Anyway, like I said, it's well written and I was invested in Caitlin, even though I also wanted to shake her more than once.  Rogerson, however, was not appealing at all, even at the beginning.  Maybe he's not supposed to be, even then, but I thought he actually sounded terribly unattractive.  

So, not my favorite of her books, but that doesn't mean it's not a story worth telling.  Just not the best pick when one wants something with lighter teenage angst.