The Book of Stolen Dreams (The Stolen Dreams Adventures): 1

Product Information

A mysterious book with an intriguing story; a ruthless dictator who will stop at nothing to continue his rule; two children who will do everything in their power to save Krasnia.... The Book of Stolen Dreams is an absorbing, tense adventure set in a timeless city, where two siblings risk everything to try to bring to an end a ruthless dictatorship. Inspired by author David Farr's family and their escape from Nazi German, the story explores leadership, imagination and the power of stories and our dreams.

Rachel and Robert live in a dictatorship in Brava that makes life very drab and humdrum – as well as very dangerous. Their father is a librarian – and on Rachel’s birthday he involves them in the theft of an important and forbidden book from the precious books room in the city library. For that theft he is captured – leaving the siblings with their ailing mother. When she dies it is planned that they will be separated into different parts of the grim orphanage that exists. David Farr has squirreled inspiration from his real-life German Jewish ancestors into the fictional realm of Krasnia, ruled by a cruel, child-hating autocrat.’ – The Observer Despite following both characters, it is clear that the book is setting Rachel up to be the star. I feel having a limited third person point of view would have worked better. I think getting completely swept up in Rachel throughout the story and discovering what happened to her brother instead of knowing what is going on before her would have jammed up the suspense and engagement.David is known for his work on Spooks and his 2016 BBC adaptation of The Night Manager, starring Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston. As if sensing what she was thinking, the little man stood beside her at the rail and spoke quietly. Farr is a master storyteller as evidenced by his phenomenally successful screenwriting and directing for the stage. This is evident in the confidence with which he controls all the elements in this complex, engrossing fantasy thriller – his first novel for a child audience. Rachel shivered and took the rather grubby piece of old rug that he had unwrapped from around the violin case.

This is writer David Farr’s debut novel and I cannot wait for the sequel which is due to be released this year. It is no surprise that it has been shortlisted for Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2023 Younger Readers award. I have already been recommending it to pupils (age 10+) in my school. I’d give it 4 stars - close to 5.

Author Luke Palmer introduces his new book, Play (Firefly Press) about four boys growing up together, the challenges, the friendships, and what hap... Some children may skim over the deeper messages of this book, but they provide crucial opportunities for discussions, both at home and in the classroom. Brief synopsis: Siblings Rachel and Robert Klein will stop at nothing to protect their world and all they hold dear from the tyrannical rule of Charles Malstain, and the secret to that might just be in a very special book 📕 No. I suspect you come from the poorer north of the city, from a family of artists. Your eyes are musical, and your nose gives me the strongest impression that you have a piano in your living room.”

Can they escape that fate, find out the secret of the book they keep hidden and keep it out of evil dictator Malstain’s hands? Meeting a wonderful cast of characters along the way – some good, some bad – they set off on individual journeys across the land to escape Malstain’s reach. The book is beautifully written, very moving in parts but also with a great deal of humour. I can see it being turned into a very successful family movie in the right hands! There is a hint at the end of the book that we will be hearing more from Robert and Rachel, and I await this with great anticipation. Unfortunately I cannot comment on the illustrations (by Kristina Kister) as my proof copy did not include them, but I am sure that they will only add to what is a really lovely first novel which I will be heartily recommending to all my school librarian colleagues.The Book of Stolen Dreams is a powerful story that puts the heroes in danger almost constantly, yet still delivers a highly emotional and satisfying ending.