Dreamsleeves by Paratore - ADVISABLE

Paratore, Coleen Murtagh  Dreamsleeves, 273 pgs.  Scholastic Press, 2012.  $16.99 Content: Language: PG (10 swears); Mature Content: PG (juvenile drinking and smoking; alcoholism); Violence: PG.  

Aislinn is twelve and as the oldest of five children she is in charge of watching the kids while her parents work.  This book takes place during the summer before Aislinn turns thirteen and she wants to do what the other girls her age seem to be doing, such as going swimming, playing at the park and going shopping together.  As much as she loves her siblings, she finds herself at home watching the little kids all day and feels trapped.  That is not Aislinn’s biggest problem though, her father keeps drinking too much and then takes it out on Aislinn and her mom.  And her mom is pregnant again, even though the doctor told her to be careful after she got so sick after the last pregnancy.  The bright spot of Aislinn’s summer is a cute boy that she likes and a new idea that she has to wear a sticky note on her sleeve with her dream on it, so that others can help her.  

This is an interesting story about alcoholism and one young girl’s way of handling her father’s problem and protecting her family.  The main character is smart and has a good heart, she is a good sister and an obedient daughter and a good friend.  Watching the character learn and grow throughout this book might give other young adults hope and ideas about how to handle the problems that they face.  Because of the alcoholism I wouldn’t recommend it in elementary school and because the voice of the main character is younger I wouldn’t put it in a high school.  

MS-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.