Dreamland

Abuse in an YA novel is not something I usually read about. But because Sarah Dessen was writing about it, I figured I would not be reading it eventually. Because I love all of her books!
Rogerson's a dick, for real. I hated him. But his character just goes to show you what NOT to turn to when coping with life's problems. There are better ways, believe me. And Caitlin finds that through photography.

Reader reviewed by Selena Peterson

     Sarah Dessen's remarkable Dreamland will have you reading until you turn the very last page. Dessen starts off by having a beautiful, wonderful, talented girl, being taken for a loop as her sister disappears on her sixteenth birthday. She starts to cope when she meets the mysterious and alluring Rogerson. It turns out that she might be better of without him than with. But how long will it take Caitlin to realize that?
     This is story is simply compelling and will have you flipping the pages feverishly until you reach the end. She shows the pain of one girl and how the turn of events aren't very beneficial to her. It is painfully honest as she describes the reality of abusive boyfriends. It's truly amazing.

Reader reviewed by Selena Peterson

     Sarah Dessen's remarkable Dreamland will have you reading until you turn the very last page. Dessen starts off by having a beautiful, wonderful, talented girl, being taken for a loop as her sister disappears on her sixteenth birthday. She starts to cope when she meets the mysterious and alluring Rogerson. It turns out that she might be better of without him than with. But how long will it take Caitlin to realize that?
     This is story is simply compelling and will have you flipping the pages feverishly until you reach the end. She shows the pain of one girl and how the turn of events aren't very beneficial to her. It is painfully honest as she describes the reality of abusive boyfriends. It's truly amazing.

Reader reviewed by Julie

*Spoilers*

I liked this book, though it wasn't my favorite. It started out sadly with Caitlin's sister running away. The story was just in the life of an average teenage girl at the beginning, who was a little depressed. Soon, Cailtin became a cheerleader and found some dark, alluring guy she couldn't stay away from. Rogerson. He was mysterious and exciting, he added 'fun' into Caitlin's life. Everything was perfect, except for the occasional drugs and all. Caitlin was slowly getting over her sister leaving. Then... Rogerson hit her. This started happened more and more everday, but Caitlin kept it a secret; she loved him. The story is a good, but sad book. The cover is eye-candy, first of all and second of all, I liked the plot. It was simple and normal, which I could relate to... kinda. This was a good read and I finished it in two short days. I would recommend it to anyone! It was a good read!

Reader reviewed by Katherine

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen is a moving novel. It is about a teenage girl, Caitlan, who meets a mysterious guy named Rogerson. Of course, she's attracted to him right away. They start dating and she thinks things are going perfect. But then, out of nowhere, he hits her. Then, over time, it keep happening. It gets to the point that she's terrified of making him unhappy and she does anything he tells her to do.
Meanwhile, her older sister, Cass,  ran away from home. She seemed like the perfect daughter. She was homecoming queen, a great athlete, really smart, and beautiful. Caitlan and Cass were extremely close, so she's surprised to not know why her sister left home to be with her boyfriend in New York.

Read this great novel to see what Caitlan has to go through to feel like her old self again. This book will really touch you as it did for me. You will not be disappointed.

Reader reviewed by Nikki

The book was so good that i could not put it down! The book made me want to cry and throw things at the same time! Wow, what a book!!!! I think that i can relate to how the mother feels and what she thinks of the actions of her daughter.
     Here is a brief summary: Cassie is 18 years old. She was always the one who was better than her younger sister Caitlin. Cassie picks out her college and everything! Then one day, Cassie goes missing. The family is torn. Then Caitlin decides that she needs to be better than her sister. She starts getting involved in activities and even meets someone new. But Cassie is in a whole lot more trouble than she think she is. The story of an abusive relationship.

Reader reviewed by cintia

rogerson seemed like such a cool person at first and i can totally understand why caitlin fell for him. this novel is so realistic because it hppens to sooo many young girls and this incourages them to stand up for themselves. it all transitions so smoothly .

Reader reviewed by Lea

Dreamland is a heartbreaking novel about Caitlin. At first, I thought it would be about Cass, her sister who ran away in the beginning. In a way, it is.

While Caitlin is trying to fill the gap in her family's life, she meets Rogerson. Sexy, dread-locked, Rogerson Biscoe. At first, their relationship is beautiful, if a little unhealthy (potheads, not appealing). But then things change, and Rogerson steadily beats Caitlin, worse and worse everytime. But where does the love end and the pain begin?

It hurt me to watch Caitlin suffer, for the sake of love. She became my best friend because I could relate to her in the beginning. Dessen does a wonderful job of showing Caitlins steady downward spiral, even her written "voice" changes. Frantic, worried about what-would-rogerson-think. It's a novel that will break your heart, make you cry, and change your life.

Reader reviewed by mockock

when i read this book, i cried for most of the book. it was sad and i usually dont read sad books, but this one i could not pass me by. i wanted to go in the book and hit Rogerson!... caitlin didnt mean to fall in love with him and and he did things to her i dont wanna discuss because you need to read the book to find out. it was a heart breaking book that made me cry and i dont cry that much...read this book..NOW
with lots of love,,
Rogerson hater!

Reader reviewed by Kelsey

Rogerson, with his green eyes and brown dreads, pulls Caitlin into his charm and she falls for it. Everything starts out going perfectly for both of them, until one night when he punched her; she thought it was nothing until it kept happening. Lost in his world, Catilin gets lost in what he does and pushes her family away. In this book of an abusive relationship, Caitlin goes through the struggle to keep it from showing, until she can't take it. This book really shows what happens to these type of relationships, and it's recommended for eighth and up.