Book Info

Children's Author 'Like-for-Like' recommendations

Synopsis

Journey of Dreams by Marge Pellegrino

This is the story of how one family survives the Guatemalan army's 'scorched earth' campaign in the 1980s and how, in the midst of tragedy, suspicion and fear, their resilient love and loyalty - and Papa's storytelling - keeps them going. On their harrowing journey as refugees to the United States, the dramatic ebb and flow of events are mirrored in the tapestries of one daughter's dreams.

---

Reviews

An involving read, strong in the celebration of Mayan-inflected folklore and culture. Financial Times A modern Underground Railroad story. ABC Best Books for Children The details of the journey make this a gripping story. Marge Pellegrino's expressive, poetic writing makes this art. What an amazing tool language is in the hands of a gifted writer! Journey of Dreams accurately relates a tragic episode of history, and makes it accessible to readers of all ages. Without sentimentality, it teaches that hope, love and generosity can withstand evil. Fortunately, it accomplishes this in sublime language that can only encourage readers to read more, in hopes of finding another such book. Southwest Books of the Year An inspiring story that may alter our perception of immigration. Irish Examiner Not a book for young readers as the horror of certain events is vividly portrayed but it is an informative account of a tragic situation. School Librarian The book moved me so much I immediately went in search of more history about Guatemala and the 'scorched earth
campaign. Luckily there is a detailed historical note at the end of the book to get you started along with a glossary of the Spanish and Quiche words used. Marge Pellegrino knows and cares for her subject and tells Tomasa
's tale with tenderness and hope. This book would ignite a lively debate about human rights and the rights of indigenous and native populations displayed by outsiders. Use it as the basis for work around Citizenship or read it simply because it's a great book www.writeaway.org.uk'

---

About The Author

Marge Pellegrino read Psychology at Marist College, New York. She is a journalist and book reviewer, runs writing workshops and has been Writer in Residence at a number of US elementary and high schools. Her children's books include Too Nice, My Grandma's the Mayor and I Don't have an Uncle Phil Anymore. She lives in Tucson, Arizona.

Marge’s writing won the SouthWest Writers’ Storyteller Award in 2002 and her poetry won a prize in Sandscript literary journal. She also won a AZ Press Club award for a personality profile about Ted DeGrazia written for Tucson Guide in 2008.

More books by this author

Share this book

---

Share this book with other net users and your friends