Dreamland
Sarah Dessen
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Sarah Dessen is one of the most popular authors writing for
young adults. Five of her books have been chosen as ALA
Best Books for Young Adults, and the Truth About Forever
was voted a YALSA Teen Top Ten Book. Sarah Dessen lives
in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.
Sarah Dessen
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Dreamland
Just Listen
Keeping the Moon
Someone Like You
That Summer
The Truth About Forever
This Lullaby
Lock and Key
Along for the Ride
Dessen, Sarah. “Sarah Land.” Ning 2010
<http://www.sarah-land.ning.com
Caitlin O’Koren
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Caitlin is the main character. The book starts off
with her waking up on her sixteenth birthday and
finds that her sister, Cass has run away. Then she
meets Rogerson Biscoe who changes her life. The
book switches off from her old life, her
neighbors’ house, her own home—and her new
life she has chosen, her new friends, and her
thoughts and dreams.
Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.
Favorite Character
My favorite character would be Caitlin. When she
starts dating Rogerson, she realizes that he is
dangerous. Rogerson introduces her to drugs and
drinking. Then Rogerson starts yelling at Caitlin.
Then hitting her to the point where Caitlin becomes
unconscious. By the end of the book Caitlin’s mom
finds out about the abuse and Caitlin is forced to a
rehab center to help her overcome Rogerson and to
help her realize that what had happened to her wasn’t
her fault. Throughout all the pain and suffering
Caitlin goes through, she still has a positive attitude
and look on life.
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Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.
Least Favorite Character
Rogerson Biscoe is definitely my
least favorite character. In the
beginning Rogerson is charming
and the type of guy that every girl
wants, but then he slowly
changes. Rogerson lives in a big
home with a well to do family, but
his dad will often beat him up.
You would think that Rogerson
would never want to do this to
anyone, but he eventually starts
beating up Caitlin.
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Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin
Group, 2000.
Rising Action
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The rising action would be
when Caitlin first meets
Rogerson. Her and her friends
are at the car wash
vacuuming their car when
Caitlin walks over to the
garbage and see Rogerson
standing by his car. She later
sees him at a party where
they leave together.
Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.
Exposition
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CAITLIN- She’s always been compared to her
older sister, Cass. When Cass runs away, Caitlin
realizes that she will never be able to live up to
the expectations that her parents have for her.
Caitlin is somewhat self conscious of herself and
definitely not sure of herself which makes her
vulnerable to a guy like Rogerson.
Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.
Exposition Cont.
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ROGERSON- He comes from a wealthy family where
reputation means a lot. When Rogerson does
something that his dad doesn’t agree with, he punches
or kicks Rogerson. Caitlin witnesses his dad doing this
to Rogerson and is furious with this. She never would
have thought that Rogerson would do that to her. But he
does and it get to the point where Caitlin fears Rogerson
like how Rogerson fears his dad.
Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.
Climax
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The turning point is
when Rogerson sees
Caitlin “flirting” with
her photographer
instructor, Rogerson
doesn’t like it. So when
Caitlin gets in the car
he tries to talk to her,
but she jokes around
and he doesn’t like it.
That’s when he first
punches Caitlin, hard.
Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.
Falling Action
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I would say the falling action would be rogerson’s last hit to caitlin. Caitlin’s
parents are throwing their yearly party at their house. And caitlin’s friend invites
her to come to her beach house for the day, but caitlin knows that rogerson will
be really mad if she goes, so she tries to get out of it but can’t. so she goes.
Rogerson didn’t answer any of her calls so he didn’t know where she was. when
she gets back from the beach house, rogerson is waiting outside of her house.
Caitlin could tell that he was furious so she was terrified. Then the beating began.
He beat her until she was unconscious.
Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.
Resolution
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During Caitlin’s beating, her neighbor could hear
her screaming so she called the police. Then Caitlin’s
mom came running out and was terrified to see
Rogerson standing over Caitlin’s limp body.
Rogerson was arrested that night and Caitlin was
first sent to the hospital and then to Evergreen Care
Center to begin the healing process from what had
happened to her.
Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.
Setting
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The setting is in the small town called
Lakeview. This is where Caitlin and Cass grew
up so there are a lot of memories everywhere
Caitlin goes. The book will switch from the
past and then back to the present.
The time period is present which is important
because girls can realize that abusive
relationships are happening now.
Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.
Themes
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Domestic ViolenceRogerson is abused in his
own home by his father.
Caitlin is physically and
emotionally abused by
Rogerson
Alcohol- When Rogerson’s
father starts to be abusive,
he has usually had a few
drinks.
Drugs- Caitlin is exposed
to pot and other drugs
once she starts dating
Rogerson.
Rating the book
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I would rate this book a 10.
It was very different from
any other book by Sarah
Dessen, but it explained
why women stay in abusive
relationships and showed
that Domestic Violence is a
serious issue in today’s
society.
What is Domestic Violence
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Domestic Violence-abuse
in a family or household
that includes woman
abuse, partner abuse,
child abuse, incest,
sibling abuse, or elder
abuse.
Coha, Amy. “Defining Domestic Violence.” 1993.
http://www.strengthenoursisters.org
Domestic Violence
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Chg1vz3
ABY0&feature=related
Statistics
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Across the United States,
up to 3 million girls and
women will be physically
abused this year.
Around the world, at least
1 in 3 women will be
physically or sexually
abused during her lifetime.
Sclnmakenberg, Heidi. “Dangerous Trends, Innovative
Responses.” WeNews commentator. 15 October, 2008
http://www.womensenews.org
Breaking News
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9QQpnf
1cqo
A Few Signs of Abuse
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Jealous and Possessive- he becomes
jealous over your family, friends, and coworkers.
Controlling- he is overly demanding of
your time
Superiority-he is always right
Manipulates-tells you your crazy or stupid
so the blame is turned on you.
Mood Swings-mood switches from
aggressive and abusive to apologetic and
loving
Smith, Melinda. “Domestic Violence and Abuse.” Emotional Intelligence
Central. September 2009 http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic.
Cycle of Domestic Violence
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Abuse-It’s a power play designed to
show you “who is boss.”
Guilt-Feels guilt, but not over what
he’s done. He’s scared to get caught.
Excuses
Normal Behavior-Acts as if nothing
has happened, turns on the charm.
Fantasy/planning-Abuser fantasizes
about abusing you again. Spends
time thinking about what you’ve
done wrong.
Set-up-Your abuser sets you up and
puts his plan in motion, creating a
situation where he can justify
abusing you.
Smith, Melinda. “Domestic Violence and Abuse.” Emotional Intelligence Central.
September 2009 http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic.
Music Video
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb5g_lMI
4f0&feature=fvsr
Forgiven, not forgotten.
I deserve this do I...
For what, having a mind?
There's one place that you'll never control,
You know the place, yes... that's correct, my mind.
My eye now black, my throat red raw,
Will you keep this in your mind?
By your actions, you betray!
Your wicked rage ruins my only wish,
to have love and be loved.
I'll keep my mouth shut,
let my fate decide...
I'll be your little domestic violence statistic,
but know this forever my love...
You'll destroy what you can't subsume!
By: Shalmainia
Speak Up
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If you suspect someone you know is
being abused speak up.
Do:
Ask.
Express concern.
Listen and
validate.
Offer help.
Support her
decisions.
Don’t:
Wait for her to come to you.
Judge or blame.
Pressure her.
Give advice.
Place conditions on your
support.
Smith, Melinda. “Domestic Violence and
Abuse.” Emotional Intelligence Central.
September 2009
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic
Bibliograpy
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Burnett, Lynn. "Domestic Violence." eMedicine Specialist. 18, August 2008
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/805546-print.html
Coha, Amy. “Defining Domestic Violence.” 1993.
http://www.strengthenoursisters.org

Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.

Dessen, Sarah. “Sarah Land.” Ning 2010
http://www.sarah-land.ning.com
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Sclnmakenberg, Heidi. “Dangerous Trends, Innovative Responses.” WeNews
commentator. 15 October, 2008 http://www.womensenews.org
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Sclnmakenberg, Heidi. “Help for Abused and Battered Women.” WeNews
commentator. September 2009 http://www.womensenews.org.html
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Smith, Melinda. “Domestic Violence and Abuse.” Emotional Intelligence Central.
September 2009 http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic