Module 10: Historical Fiction

The Dreamer, by Pam Munoz Ryan, is the story of a young Chilean boy named Neftali who eventually grows up to be the poet Pablo Neruda. As a young boy, however, Neftali is a dreamer, his imagination and creativity is deemed unacceptable by his father who wants him to grow up to be strong, not a "weakling". Despite his father's wishes, Neftali wants nothing more than to go into the forest and observe the beauty of the world. As he gets older, Neftali begins to write and before he knows it, his writing is published in his uncle's paper. In a time of civil unrest and war, Neftali must find it within him to be his own kind of strength.

Munoz-Ryan, P. (2010) The dreamer. New York: Scholastic.

Picture Credit: http://yalitfan.blogspot.com/2010/07/books-in-verse.html

Impressions:
As a fan of Pablo Neruda, I was very excited about reading this book. The prose is absolutely beautiful and the illustrations by Peter Sis help to create an otherworldly atmosphere, even through the pages of a book. Although the style of writing is odd at first, the reader becomes absorbed and soon the story is as entrancing as any fairy tale. Students who are also "dreamers" will find solace in Neftali's oddball ways and be encouraged by the eventual strength he finds.

Reviews:

“Neftali Reyes is indeed a dreamer, a young boy easily distracted by an old discarded boot, a wayward umbrella, an oddly shaped stone, or even a pinecone. Items like these he proudly displays, while other treasures containing words he has written on small scraps of paper remain hidden away-words that even a stuttering boy finds beautiful and manageable, especially when applied to stories or poetry. Neftali's father has no tolerance for such idle thought and considers his writing a meaningless distraction. He demands his son knuckle down and become something sensible, like a businessman, doctor, or dentist. Over time, Neftali matures from a somewhat frail boy into a thin but confident young man and begins to question and resent the limited nature of his father's belief system. Ultimately, and in an effort to remain true to his own convictions, Neftali develops a few ideas of his own. Fictionally based on the childhood of Pablo Neruda (1904¤1973), this book artfully weaves known facts into a tale that depicts the early years of this internationally renowned poet. Infused and alive with nature, drama, mysticism, and grace, this story easily captures the imagination that transports the reader in a way many books aspire to but few attain. Each notable in their own right, the award-winning dream-team collaboration of Munoz-Ryan and Sis has resulted in a marvelous montage of story telling, poetry, and illustration. The Dreamer should readily appeal to both genders, as well as young and old alike.”—Brink, J. (2010). No title. [Review of the book The Dreamer by P. Munoz-Ryan]. Voice of Youth Advocates. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

“Readers enter the creative, sensitive mind of Pablo Neruda, the Nobel Prize-winning poet, in this beautifully written fictional biography. Ryan artfully meshes factual details with an absorbing story of a shy Chilean boy whose spirit develops and thrives despite his father's relentless negativity. Neruda, who was born Neftali Reyes, sees, hears, and feels poetry all around him from an early age. Luckily he finds understanding and encouragement from his stepmother and his uncle, whose humanitarian and liberal attitudes toward nature and the rights of the indigenous Mapuche people greatly influence his developing opinions. In early adulthood, Reyes starts using the pseudonym by which he becomes known, taking his last name from that of a famous Czechoslovakian poet. Ryan suggests that this was how he hid his activities from his father. Her poetic prose style totally dovetails with the subject. Interspersed with the text are poems that mimic Neruda's style and push readers to think imaginatively and visually. Sis's whimsical pen-and-ink pointillist illustrations enliven the presentation. Each chapter is preceded by three small drawings that hint at something to come. The perfect marriage of text and art offers an excellent introduction to one of the world's most famous poets. An appended author's note gives further insight into Neruda's beliefs and accomplishments. In addition there are excerpts from several of his poems and odes. This unusual selection would be a fine companion to Deborah Kogan Ray's To Go Singing Through the World (Farrar, 2006).”—Steinberg, R. (2010). No title. [Review of the book The Dreamer by P. Munoz Ryan]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:
This book would be a great addition to a display about poets and poetry. Librarians (and/or teachers) could use this book in conjunction with some of Neruda's poetry to help students create their own works of poetry. Accompanied by Sis' drawings, they could also illustrate their own poems and present them to a group. Perhaps a poetry night could be held for younger patrons to show of their work!