
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the 'missing pieces' of their identity, whether that is a father who is no longer in the picture or the feeling of being caught between two different cultural worlds. Dream On, Amber follows a creative, half-Italian and half-Japanese girl named Amber who is tired of being the 'little' one with the big holes in her life. To cope with her father's absence and protect her younger sister, she begins to imagine him back into their lives through letters and art. This story beautifully balances the heavy reality of a single-parent household with a quirky, humorous voice that keeps the tone accessible for middle-grade readers. It is a powerful choice for normalizing the complicated feelings of abandonment while celebrating the resilience of the family that remains. It offers a gentle but honest look at how children use imagination to process grief and find their own strength.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals directly with parental abandonment and the resulting feelings of inadequacy or being 'unwanted.' The approach is secular and deeply realistic, though mediated through Amber's artistic imagination. The resolution is hopeful but grounded: there is no magical reunion, but there is emotional closure.
An 8 to 11 year old who feels 'different' due to their family structure or experiences with parental absence. Specifically, a child who uses art or writing to process their internal world and needs to see that their worth isn't defined by a parent's choice to stay or leave.
Parents should be prepared to discuss the ethics of Amber's 'fake' letters to her sister. It is a great jumping-off point for discussing why people lie to protect those they love. A parent might notice their child asking difficult questions about an absent relative or expressing feelings of being 'not enough' compared to peers with traditional families.
Younger readers will focus on the humor and the relatable school drama. Older readers will resonate more with the nuanced emotional complexities and the bittersweet reality of the ending.
Unlike many 'absent father' stories that focus on the search, this book focuses on the internal construction of identity and the power of the sisterly bond. ```
Amber Alessandra Leamy is a pre-teen whose father, who is Japanese, left when she was tiny. She lives with her Italian mother and sister Bella. Living in a tight-knit but struggling household with her mom and sister Bella, Amber faces bullying at school for her height and because she's different. To soothe her sister and herself, Amber begins creating a fictional version of her father, eventually sending herself 'replies' to her own letters. The story follows her journey toward accepting the truth of her father's absence while finding pride in her unique cultural blend.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.