Showing Posts From
Dream big dream on 2
Author: Shannon HalePage Count: UnknownPublication Date: Expected publication 2026-09-01 APL Dream On series fans, don't expect another saccharine treatise on overcoming "fears" and "doubts" from Shannon Hale. Dream Big appears to be more formulaic than innovative, rehashing tried, yet tired tropes of "following your dreams" and "perseverance." And please, a graphic novel set in a neighborhood where a horror movie is being filmed – it reeks of contrived nostalgia for the 80s and 90s. And what's this? Another coming-of-age tale about a timid protagonist? Dream Big reads like a mashup of uninspired teen comedies with a few obligatory lessons thrown in. When did "courage to face fears" become a trope worthy of repetition? In our world of instant gratification, where's the real substance? Compare this to the deft hand of Raina Telgemeier in Smile, now that's a coming-of-age story. The synopsis promises bright and charming illustrations from Marcela Cespedes, which only further highlights Hale's uninspired writing style. Will Dream Big be the graphic novel equivalent of a bland, overpriced cappuccino – visually appealing but utterly forgettable? A movie is being filmed in Cassie's neighborhood: how trite. The idea that she and her best friend would get hired as extras and Cassie would end up in a horror movie? Predictable. —The notion of a mean kid actor, however, is mildly intriguing. Perhaps Dream Big will surprise us with genuine character depth. I highly doubt it. I must admit, the SEL themes mentioned in the synopsis have a faint, hollow ring to them. Empathy, kindness, compassion, forgiveness – Dream Big will have to do a lot more than just mention these words for them to feel genuine. When was the last time a children's book genuinely explored complex issues without resorting to simplistic moralizing? Give me a Children of Men-esque gritty exploration of adolescence, not some Pollyanna-esque fable about chasing your dreams. But let's talk about the real elephant in the room: what kind of message are we sending to children when we romanticize the film industry as a "dream come true"? Do we forget the countless hours spent on set, the crushing disappointment, and the constant rejection? Dream Big seems to gloss over the darker aspects of fame, reducing it to a feel-good story about following one's passion. Compare this to the raw, unfiltered portrayal of fame in Go Ask Alice – now that's an unsettling tale about the darker side of chasing your dreams.