A searchable database of books recommended by the CCBC.
More information about CCBC Choices book recommendations
Dream On
CCBC Review:
When white fourth grader Cassie opens a magazine sweepstakes in the mail and sees a gold sticker (“GRAND PRIZE WINNER”), it feels like her wildest dreams are about to come true. In a large family where money is tight, Cassie often feels invisible and underappreciated. Winning a vacation, a car, or a waterbed (it’s the ’80s) will surely turn things around. Cassie’s sensitive, imaginative nature is nurtured by her teacher, Mrs. Farmer, and by her best friend, Vali (Latine), who also loves to dream. Lately, though, manipulative classmate Stesha has been driving a wedge between Cassie and Vali and poisoning Cassie’s good opinion of their teacher. Cassie feels terrible when Mrs. Farmer overhears her reluctantly agreeing with Stesha that their teacher is “a weirdo.” It’s Mrs. Farmer, though, who helps Cassie to embrace her own sensitivity. When Cassie apologizes to her, Mrs. Farmer assures her that she learned long ago not to care what others think of her; she’s proud of her unusual and fascinating past and one-of-a-kind personality. Although Cassie finally accepts that the sweepstakes is not going to change her life, support from an older sister, much-needed alone time with her mom, and new, healthier friendship dynamics help. Cassie is a sweet, at times painfully relatable character; even as she and her classmates are starting to grow up, she is learning that her sensitivity and tendency to dream big are not childlike naivete but strengths. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Marcela Cespedes
CCBC Age Recommendation: 8-12
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
20th Century
Bullying and Teasing
Competitions and Contests
Economic Hardship and Poverty
Historical Fiction
Imagination/Imaginary Play
Diversity subject:
Latine
Publisher:
Roaring Brook
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 231
ISBN: 9781250843067
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 741.5 Hale