Dream

Reach for this book when your child feels like they are fading into the background of a busy or struggling family, or when they feel like they do not quite fit in with their peers. Fern is a young girl living in a cramped, noisy trailer where she often feels invisible. When she discovers a scruffy, abandoned dog named Dream, she finds a companion who truly sees her. Through their bond, Fern learns that finding her voice and advocating for someone else can help her find her own place in the world. It is a gentle, realistic story that validates the feelings of children who carry a lot of responsibility or emotional weight. Barbara O'Connor writes with a warmth that makes heavy themes like financial hardship and social isolation feel manageable and hopeful. It is an ideal choice for middle grade readers who appreciate animal stories and emotionally resonant narratives about finding where you belong.