The Dreamer

The Dreamer
By Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Peter Sis

This is a beautifully told story about the childhood of Pablo Neruda, the Nobel-prize-winning Chilean poet.  Neftalí Reyes--Pablo Neruda's original name--grew up in the rainy south of Chile.  His father worked in the woods cutting trees, and treated young Neftalí harshly because he was so quiet, and different.  Surviving a rough childhood, Neftalí goes on to become one of the world's greatest poets.  The story is similar to Billy Elliot in many ways (see previous blog entry);  these two boys both know they have something inside of them they must not only respect, but share with the world.  Anyone who loves poetry or feels poetry inside of them should read Muñoz Ryan's lovely book.  And the illustrations are wonderful, too.
(ISBN: 978-0-439-26970-4)