Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

Dreamers

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Morales, Yuyi. 2018. Dreamers. Neal Porter Books ISBN 978082440559

PLOT SUMMARY

Dreamers/Soñadores tells the story of how one day my baby son, Kelly, and I arrived in the United States and became immigrants. It is the story of how difficult it was at first to come to a place where I didn’t understand the language and could not be understood, resulting in making several mistakes. And how one day we found a marvelous place called the public library, a discovery that changed our lives forever! It is also a story of how immigrants bring incredible gifts when they come to a new country to live. This book is a book about love. When there are times that are so troubling or heartbreaking, the author gives the reader a book filled with hope. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The book Dreamers is a picture book memoir.  This book introduces itself with a powerful surprise as the character gives birth to a son.  This text is a personal narrative, by Morales herself, tells how she migrated from Mexico to the United States. The author uses scanned photographs of items that have special meaning to her.  Both the son and mother find refuge in a public library. That is where she feels welcome and begins to trust.  The library is her foundation in learning to read and speak in English.

  It's a story of immigration, of taking your personal gifts with you to a new country, and allowing them to blossom. The story is of learning a new language for communication, and how to discover the power of libraries in inspiring one another. It's about the importance of books, of sharing stories, and of finding your own ability to tell your own personal stories and turn them into books. This is a book that reminds us of the vitality and importance of immigrants to our country. 

This book contained words in English with Spanish words integrated. This story also depicts hope, even in the challenges of a new language and social setting.  

REVIEW EXCERPTS

★ "Many books about immigration describe the process of making new friends and fitting in; this one describes what it’s like to become a creative being in two languages, and to learn to love in both. 'We are two languages. / We are lucha./ We are resilient./ We are hope.'"—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ "An immigrant's tale steeped in hope, dreams, and love. . . . Details in the art provide cultural markers specific to the U.S., but the story ultimately belongs to one immigrant mother and her son. Thanks to books and stories (some of her favorites are appended), the pair find their voices as 'soñadores of the world.' A resplendent masterpiece."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ "The narrative text is poetic and full of emotion. . . .  the mixed-media illustrations are breathtaking, created through painting, drawing, photography, and embroidery. The joyous imagination and intricacy of each illustration will make readers of all ages explore them further. . . . "—Booklist, Starred Review

CONNECTIONS

In an elementary setting discussion:

• The teacher can talk about dreams and the various types of dreams. 

• What's the kind of dreams students have? 

• Look at the pictures and get the students to describe what they see. 

• Ask them if they know what's coming next. 

• In small groups, have the students talk about what it means to accomplish dreams and the                        sacrifices one may need to make.