Dreamsleeves

Paratore, Coleen Murtagh      Dreamsleeves      

 Scholastic/Grolier/Childrens Press/Watts  2012  273p  $16.99      978-0-545-31020-8     ms/jr       Realistic fiction

For 12-year-old Aislinn, life is rough.  She must care for her younger siblings and deal with the abuse of her alcoholic father.  Having heard of "wearing your dreams on your sleeves", she attaches notes to her clothing in hopes that someone will make her dreams come true.     Some try, but her largest dream, that her abusive alcoholic father will stop drinking, is a tall order.  Bordering precariously on bibliotherapy, this feel-good novel comes with a strong message and a strong heroine.  It is an enjoyable read for younger teens, with enough humor and a little romance, but still tackling tough subjects like abuse, alcoholism, and self realization.

G     Pat Naismith      Dreams, Alcoholism, Family