The Dream Master - Theresa Breslin

...she has become one of the most prolific children’s fiction authors around. Her work is easily distinguishable by the way she makes the child the centre of the story in a believable way. Her outlook is childlike and this makes her stories very engaging especially for younger readers. Her books seem to comprise all the essential ingredients for successful child fiction. The heroes are often children that are slightly marginalized in their own lives ...
...is also a familiarity about the settings, average households, average schools in average towns but inevitably these ‘ordinary’ children find a way to have extraordinary magical adventures.

THE DREAM MASTER

We are told the story of Cy an ordinary boy living in an ordinary town. When Cy sleeps like millions of other small boys, he dreams of exciting adventures in far away places. One day he wakes from a dream about ancient ... more

Theresa Breslin has been writing books since 1988 and in that time she has become one of the most prolific children’s fiction authors around. Her work is easily distinguishable by the way she makes the child the centre of the story in a believable way. Her outlook is childlike and this makes her stories very engaging especially for younger readers. Her books seem to comprise all the essential ingredients for successful child fiction. The heroes are often children that are slightly marginalized in their own lives whether it is through bullying at school, dysfunctional family or more general teenage worries. There is also a familiarity about the settings, average households, average schools in average towns but inevitably these ‘ordinary’ children find a way to have extraordinary magical adventures.

THE DREAM MASTER

We are told the story of Cy an ordinary boy living in an ordinary town. When Cy sleeps like millions of other small boys, he dreams of exciting adventures in far away places. One day he wakes from a dream about ancient Egypt with the feeling that he had not finished the dream off properly. In his dream a small Egyptian boy named Aten is about to be executed and Cy feels it is up to him to save him. But you can't control dream… or can you. With the help of a very odd companion, the ‘Dream Master’ a rude and mischievous dwarf with magical powers that appears from nowhere, Cy manages to re-enter the dream and try once again to rescue his newfound friend Aten. From this point on Cy 's life becomes anything but ordinary as his dream world and his reality become intertwined. In a classical timeslip type plot Cy begins an adventure in ancient Egypt while Aten tries to come to terms with the modern world leading to an exciting conclusion with a clever final twist.

Theresa Breslin writes in a very clear, funny and engaging style that is perfect for older children to access the fantastic story she creates.

She makes her characters believable both in the way they speak and act. The story is well structured but not too complicated so younger readers will not be put off. In her description of the ancient Egyptian world we get the feeling that she has done her research thoroughly something which many children’s author neglect in the misguided belief that children will not know the difference. Of course when it comes to ancient Egypt as with other subjects like Dinosaurs or medieval times kids are often far more knowledgeable than their parents!

The story is arranged in short chapters each ending on dramatic moments guaranteed to keep you reading further.

The language is simple but structurally fairly challenging for the youngest readers. The style relies on conveying the plot as much through character's conversation as through lengthy descriptions. This will encourage lazier readers more used to looking at comic books than novels to keep their interest in the story.

I bought the hardback copy and the illustrations also need praise the design on the front is full of rich colour and the drawings have a slightly embossed textured feel. There are no pictures inside as part of the story but each chapter heading comes with small black/white illustrations to give you a flavour of what is to come in the chapter. I know the saying goes you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover but in this case your initial judgement would not be wrong and I feel this would make a great present that would be treasured for years to come.

This is an excellent children’s book and deservedly won the Carnegie Gold Medal for children’ literature. I first read this book to my 5year old a few years ago and we both loved it since then he’s re-read it on his own. I would say that the story is suitable for all ages although the reading age required is probably 8+

Two sequels to this have also been published ‘DreamMaster Nightmare’ and ‘DreamMaster Gladiator’. The time slip theme continues one set in Viking Britain and the other in the Roman Empire. Although the same characters appear each book can be read in it’s own right.

Highly recommended.

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The Dream Master (176 pages ISBN: 0440863821) is widely available form many bookstores and can be bought as a paperback; online at Amazon.co.uk for £3.99 (+p & p) it is published by Corgi Juvenile.
It is also available in many local libraries.

Thank you for reading and rating this opinion.

©Mauri 2003
 

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