The Dreamer [Hardcover]

Pura Belpr? Award Winner

A tender, transcendent, and meticulously crafted novel from Newbery Honoree, Pam Mu?oz Ryan, and three-time Caldecott Honoree, Peter S?s!

From the time he is a young boy, Neftal? hears the call of a mysterious voice. Even when the neighborhood children taunt him, and when his harsh, authoritarian father ridicules him, and when he doubts himself, Neftal? knows he cannot ignore the call. He listens and follows as it leads him under the canopy of the lush rain forest, into the fearsome sea, and through the persistent Chilean rain on an inspiring voyage of self-discovery that will transform his life and, ultimately, the world.

Combining elements of magical realism with biography, poetry, literary fiction, and transporting illustrations, Pam Mu?oz Ryan and Peter S?s take readers on a rare journey of the heart and imagination as they explore the inspiring early life of the poet who became Pablo Neruda.

From the time he is a young boy, Neftal? hears the call of a mysterious voice. Even when the neighborhood children taunt him, and when his harsh, authoritarian father ridicules him, and when he doubts himself, Neftal? knows he cannot ignore the call. Under the canopy of the lush rain forest, into the fearsome sea, and through the persistent Chilean rain, he listens and he follows. . . Combining elements of magical realism with biography, poetry, literary fiction, and sensorial, transporting illustrations, Pam Muñoz Ryan and Peter S?s take readers on a rare journey of the heart and imagination.

PRAISE FOR PAM MUNOZ RYAN:

Told in a lyrical, fairy tale-like style....Ryan fluidly juxtaposes world events with one family's will to survive. --Publishers Weekly, starred review, ESPERANZA RISING

Ryan writes a moving story in clear, poetic language that children will sink into, and the book offers excellent opportunities for discussion and curriculum support. --Booklist, ESPERANZA RIlS.