Sometimes it is hard to tell reality from fantasy in real life and in novels.  Real life bears down on 12 year old David and his friend Loren in Harlem.  David’s problems bring him down.  Booklist says, “Growing up in Harlem, 12-year-old David manages to keep his wits about him and his heart in the right place as he copes with his father, who is depressed and sometimes violent, and his older brother, who is hanging out with a dangerous crowd.”  David and Loren meet an old man on a bench who claims to be 300 years old and to be a dream bearer.  The boys don’t know whether to take the man for real.  But they do find out he has a lot of interesting stories to tell:  vignettes of African-American experience through the ages. Booklist says, “In the end, he finds that he not only has made Mr. Moses' dreams part of himself but also has his own dreams to help him understand those around him. The portrayal of David's family, particularly his relationship with his troubled father, is sharply realized and sometimes moving, and the Kenyan immigrant family of David's friend, Sessi, introduces a fresh point of view.”  School Library Journal says, “The story admirably addresses the many facets of anger and forgiveness within the African-American community, making it potentially compelling as a politically driven children's novel.”

Mr. Myers writes this book in first person.  David narrates the book.  He reveals the kind of problems some African-American adolescents deal with everyday even if they are not desperately poor. The book lets everyone else experience David’s world even if they have never been to Harlem.  It reveals how even an old man in the park can matter and enhance lives if people let them.  The book also tells us that somehow, dreams are connected to the past and to those we love.  The mysteries are:  who is Mr. Moses in reality and why was it David’s destiny to meet him?

Booklist says, “. . . this well-crafted novel has some original characters and insights.”

Martin, Hillias J. Review of The Dream Bearer in School Library Journal. Available from: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/006029521X/ref=dp_item-information_1/002-8640359-4732068?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=283155&s=books. Accessed 28 November 2004.

Phelan, Carolyn. Review of The Dream Bearer in Booklist. Available from: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/006029521X/ref=dp_item-information_1/002-8640359-4732068?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=283155&s=books. Accessed 28 November 2004.