Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Dream Me
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE:
CITY: San Francisco
STATE: CA
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
http://www.kathrynberlabooks.com/–Database error to her website as of 1-2018.
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Female.
EDUCATION:University of California, Berkeley, B.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Kathryn Berla is a writer of novels for young adults. She holds a degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
12 Hours in Paradise and The House at 758
In 12 Hours in Paradise, Dorothy Patmont is vacationing with her family in Waikiki, Hawaii. She is dreading returning to cold, snowy Reno, Nevada, where she and her family live. Also, she is annoyed by her badly-behaved little brother, Chester. However, Chester’s antic call the attention of a handsome boy to whom Dorothy is immediately attracted. The boy is Arash Atkinson, who is smart and talented. The two exchange information and decide to meet up on the last night Dorothy is in town. Guided by an app, the two ask each other thirty-six question that are purported to create romance between two people. Though the answering of those questions, Dorothy and Arash learn fascinating things about one another. As time runs out, they race to answer the questions and lament the fact that they will have to separate soon. They wonder if their magical night together will last when they each go back to their regular lives. A writer on the Romantic Fanatic website commented: “This is perfect for a young reader with romance on the mind. With the exception of the sneaking out in the middle of the night part this is a very innocent romance. This story is all about the emotional connection.”
Krista is the protagonist of The House at 758. Her life has been difficult since her mother died just over a year ago. She is uncomfortable with her father being in a new relationship and is not pleased to be around his girlfriend’s kids. She refuses to sleep in the house, preferring instead to make her bed in a tent outside. Krista’s social life has also suffered. She develops a keen interest in the people in the house at 758. A kind boy begins taking notice of her, but Krista is unable to have a relationship due to the pain she is feeling. Krista’s pain finally begins to abate when her grandfather comes for a visit. She enjoys hearing the stories he has about their family members. “Readers will inevitably become invested in Krista’s healing and will enjoy the novel’s positive message,” asserted Davia Schmidt in School Library Journal. Jane Gov, contributor to Voice of Youth Advocates, suggested: “Krista is a likeable and relatable character with many layers.” Gov also stated: “The portrayal of grief is authentic.”
Dream Me
Dream Me finds a teenage girl in the present time meets a boy from the future in her dreams. The girl, Babe, is struck when she has a clear image of a handsome boy with green eyes and brown hair in her dreams. These dreams begin occurring soon after she and her family make a big move from California to Florida. Her father, a golf pro, has taken a new job in the panhandle region of the state. He gets her a job at the country club where he works. Outside of her work at the tennis shop, Babe explores her new town and interacts with other kids her age. She makes friends. Meanwhile, Babe is still regularly dreaming of the same boy. The dreams cause migraines for her the following day. Eventually, the boy tells her his name is Zat. Over time, Babe learns more about Zat and finds herself developing a crush on him. Zat reveal that he has harnessed the power of time travel to be able to interact with her. He also tells Babe that the Earth is in peril where he lives in the future. In an interview with a contributor to the Hooked to Books website, Berla discussed the inspirations behind the novel. She noted that one of the two inspirations was “my own experience as a California girl moving to the Florida panhandle and what a huge adjustment it was for me. But once I got to know the area and the people, I fell in love with it and love it to this day. Even though I moved back to California, I’ve always wanted to write about that beautiful area that most people outside of the South don’t know much about even though it’s one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen anywhere in the world.” Her other inspiration was a dream she had in which she encountered a boy named Zat. She told the same contributor: “It just felt right to bring those two stories together.”
Kimberly Castle-Alberts, reviewer in School Library Journal, commented: “Though the narrative is concise, which [may] appeal to reluctant readers, this futuristic dystopian novel lacks complex world-building.” “Two-dimensional characters and an abrupt conclusion further undermine the novel’s intriguing premise,” remarked a Publishers Weekly critic. In a more favorable assessment of Dream Me in Kirkus Reviews, a contributor suggested: “Both the story’s rich-kid and queen-bee characters defy convention.” The same contributor added: “The final twist isn’t easy to see coming, and it gives the novel a satisfying, well-earned ending.” The contributor described the book as “a thoughtful, engaging novel that combines genres well.”
The Kitty Committee and Going Places
In The Kitty Committee, Grace and some of her teenage girlfriends start a group called the Kitty Committee. It begins innocently enough, but the group’s leader soon begins tormenting other members. The girls turn against her and do something terrible that they vow to keep secret. Now in her thirties, the guilt still bothers Grace.
A teenaged aspiring graphic novelist named Hudson Wheeler stars in Going Places. After his best friends become unavailable for different reasons, Hudson loses interest in school. His mom agrees to home-school him on certain conditions, including that he get physical activity. At a yoga class, he becomes smitten with Alana, a popular girl. Meanwhile, he runs a dog-walking company and helps senior citizens. Writing in School Library Journal, Susan Harris suggested: “This coming-of-age novel has many threads, but the author satisfactorily attempts to highlight the hidden casualties of war and the devastating effects of dementia.” A contributor to Kirkus Reviews commented: “The charming story is mostly heartwarming … with convincing portrayals of teenagers attempting to distinguish between lust and a desire for companionship.” The same contributor described the book as “a delightful, realistic novel about a lovable high school senior dealing with normal—and not-so-normal—teenage issues.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, January 1, 2016, review of Going Places; July 1, 2017, review of Dream Me.
Publishers Weekly, May 22, 2017, review of Dream Me, p. 94.
School Library Journal, June 1, 2017, Kimberly Castle-Alberts, review of Dream Me, p. 104; October, 2017, Davia Schmidt, review of The House at 758, p. 99; January, 2018, Susan Harris, review of Going Places, p. 84.
Voice of Youth Advocates, October, 2017, Jane Gov, review of The House at 758, p. 53.
ONLINE
Kathryn Berla Website, http://www.kathrynberlabooks.com (March 20, 2018).
Hooked to Books, https://www.hookedtobooks.com/ (July 15, 2016), author interview.
Romantic Fanatic, https://romanticfanaticblog.wordpress.com/ (April 20, 2016), review of 12 Hours in Paradise.
About
Believer in love at first sight and happily ever after.
I like the idea of cats but prefer the reality of dogs.
Sometimes bumper stickers get it right. Mean people really do suck.
I write about whatever interests me or makes me happy.
B.A. in English Literature from University of California, Berkeley
Resident of the practically perfect San Francisco Bay Area
Family + Friends + Writing + Reading = me
QUOTED: "my own experience as a California girl moving to the Florida panhandle and what a huge adjustment it was for me. But once I got to know the area and the people, I fell in love with it and love it to this day. Even though I moved back to California, I’ve always wanted to write about that beautiful area that most people outside of the South don’t know much about even though it’s one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen anywhere in the world."
"It just felt right to bring those two stories together."
Dream Me by Kathryn Berla – Interview & Giveaway!
By RachaelLast updated July 15, 2016In Book ReviewsNo Comments
Dream Me Book Tour
Dream Me by Kathryn Berla
Dream Me by Kathryn BerlaTitle: Dream Me
Author: Kathryn Berla
Published by: Amberjack Publishing
Publication date: July 11th 2017
Genres: Romance, Time-Travel, Young Adult
Synopsis:
Zat is a dreamer from the distant future—a time when humans no longer dream and Earth is a desolate wasteland. He dreams of the beautiful Earth of the past, and a fiery-haired beauty named Babe. Against the wisdom of his peers, Zat decides to risk everything to travel back in time and live in Babe’s dreams…
Babe is the perpetual new girl in town. Her father’s job frequently moves the family around the country, and Babe just longs for a place to call home. As she settles into the sleepy town of Sugar Dunes, Florida, Babe begins to have strange dreams of a green-eyed boy named Zat. Night after night, Babe shows Zat her world. But the dreams come at the cost of nearly crippling migraines every morning. Babe’s life outside of her dreams pales in comparison to her growing love for Zat and their time spent together.
But the more time Babe and Zat spend together in her dreams, the more Babe’s pain increases, and Zat begins to question the reality of his existence. How can he live a life with Babe, when all they have is her dreams?
Can a dream become a reality?
Goodreads / Amazon / B&N
Interview
– Hi Kathryn, thank you for joining us at Hooked To Books. Tell us where you found your inspiration to write “Dream Me”. How did it start?
Two things came together for the inspiration for “Dream Me”. First was my own experience as a California girl moving to the Florida panhandle and what a huge adjustment it was for me. But once I got to know the area and the people, I fell in love with it and love it to this day. Even though I moved back to California, I’ve always wanted to write about that beautiful area that most people outside of the South don’t know much about even though it’s one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen anywhere in the world.
My second inspiration came from a dream I had about a boy who came back in time to visit me in my dream. His name was Zat so I didn’t change a thing. Somehow it just felt right to bring those two stories together.
– Do you have any real-life models for the protagonists in Dream Me?
I did have a few real-life models for several of the protagonists but it wasn’t so much capturing the character as the essence of the character. So, none of the characters are based on real people but everyone I meet in life becomes a potential model for some aspect of one of my protagonists.
In Dream Me, Zat and Babe have to make a decision before Babe’s pain becomes unbearable. This is somewhat similar to the setting in your previous book, 12 Hours in Paradise, where the main characters have their good time together running out very quickly. Is this something you constantly feel in real life, the limitation of your time?
This is such a perceptive question and the answer is, yes. So much of what happens to us in life is over before we have time to fully integrate it, whether it’s to appreciate it or at least learn from it. I suppose that simply making sure to always live in the moment is the answer to that conundrum and yet many, if not most, of us find that hard to do. We worry about what’s not happening, about the time we don’t have. But there’s something else—impermanence. It makes what we do have that much sweeter and more precious.
– You have lived in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. That’s quite a lot of places. How does that influence your view of the world, and your writing?
I like to think that it gives me an appreciation for the fact that we (in the US) are a relatively small piece of our Earthly pie. If I pick up a book to read, it’s very often a book about a life, culture or historical period vastly different from my own. But I can only write about what I know personally so I hope somewhere someone is reading my books and learning something they didn’t know about my world.
– Which places are your favorites so far? Why?
I can’t think of a place I’ve visited that didn’t fascinate me in some way. I love to visit places which coexist with their own ancient history. Where I live, there are very few standing reminders of civilizations older than several hundred years.
– Do you plan to visit Antarctica next? What would you bring there?
Haha! I’d love to visit Antarctica but I can’t stand the cold so it probably won’t happen. But one of my favorite books was “The Endurance” which takes place in Antarctica. That’s as close as I’ll get.
– What is something we may not know about you?
Hmmm….For years I worked as a projectionist in a movie theater. And speaking of jobs, my very first job was delivering newspapers. The local newspaper did a story on me because they had never had a papergirl before. But I don’t think it ever made it to print.
– Thank you very much!
Thank you so much for hosting me 😊
About Author
Kathryn BerlaKathryn Berla graduated from the University of California at Berkeley as an English major. She has lived in many different countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.
QUOTED: "Krista is a likeable and relatable character with many layers."
"The portrayal of grief is authentic."
Berla, Kathryn. The House at 758
Jane Gov
Voice of Youth Advocates.
40.4 (Oct. 2017): p53.
COPYRIGHT 2017 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Full Text:
4Q * 3P * J * S
Berla, Kathryn. The House at 758. Amberjack, October 2017. 250p. $9.99 Trade pb. 978-1-944995-24-9.
Krista is still grieving the untimely death of her mother. As she heads into the second summer without her,
her father becomes increasingly worried about how she fills her time. She cannot accept that her father has
moved on, that his new girlfriend has moved into their home, and that she must endure the presence of his
girlfriend's children every couple of weeks. Krista now sleeps in a tent in their backyard and has given up
on making new friends. There is also her obsession with the house at 758 and the people living there. Her
depressing routine starts to change when a boy suddenly takes an interest in her. He is sweet and patient, but
Krista is still so consumed by grief and guilt that she pushes him away. When her grandfather visits for a
few weeks, it is through connecting with his stories about her family history that she starts to heal.
The House at 758 is a story about grief, coping, and the fragile state of family units affected by tragedies.
Krista is a likeable and relatable character with many layers; she is genuine in her interactions and feelings
of being misunderstood. She feels betrayed, displays denial and guilt, and experiences numbness and
constant anger. She cannot understand her father's audacity to move on. The portrayal of grief is authentic--
grief is ultimately shared, yet often endured in isolation. Still, Krista's journey is one of hope. --Jane Gov.
The House at 758 tells the subtle tale of a girl who is living through the aftermath of her mother's death and
has developed an unhealthy fixation on its cause. The story will ring true with those who have experienced
trust issues, boy troubles, loss, and growing up too soon. Krista is thoughtful, genuine, and well rounded,
allowing a common plot device to result in a story that is both unique and enjoyable. 4Q, 3P. --Hadley
Willman, Teen Reviewer.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Gov, Jane. "Berla, Kathryn. The House at 758." Voice of Youth Advocates, Oct. 2017, p. 53. General
OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A511785001/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=69fe04f9. Accessed 3 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A511785001
QUOTED: "Both the story's rich-kid and queen-bee characters defy convention."
"The final twist isn't easy to see coming, and it gives the novel a satisfying, well-earned ending."
"a thoughtful, engaging novel that combines genres well."
3/3/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
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Berla, Kathryn: DREAM ME
Kirkus Reviews.
(July 1, 2017):
COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Berla, Kathryn DREAM ME Amberjack Publishing (Indie Fiction) $11.99 7, 11 ISBN: 978-1-944995-20-1
In this YA novel, a young man from Earth's far future visits a present-day teen in her dreams, but soon their
connection is threatened. In a future era in which the Earth is dying, Zat plans a dangerous trip, time
traveling to our present by projecting himself into the mind of a teenage girl while she sleeps. That girl,
Babe, who's 17 (roughly Zat's age), is an adaptable, resourceful person thanks to her father's job as golf pro,
which has caused them to move from state to state--most recently, from California to the Florida Panhandle.
Over the summer, Babe learns about another new town, makes some friends, and works in the country
club's tennis shop, and she also begins having recurring dreams of a boy with thick, wavy brown hair and
green eyes, who eventually introduces himself as Zat. He seems strangely familiar, and they share a strong
bond, making Zat a "dream guy" in every way--except for the crushing headaches Babe has the following
day. To herself and on her blog, Babe wonders how Zat can feel "more real and more interesting than
anyone...in real life." But can he achieve corporeality after time travel? And will he have to abandon the
trip--and his life--to save Babe from unbearable pain? Berla (12 Hours in Paradise, 2016, etc.) delivers a
very entertaining romance with well-thought-out sci-fi elements--one that's delightfully free of the cliches
that so often haunt YA fiction. Both the story's rich-kid and queen-bee characters defy convention; Babe's
friends have intriguing back stories, and the country-club setting gives the protagonist a chance to make
perceptive comments about people and society. For example, while touring a palatial yacht, she remarks, "I
knew money didn't buy happiness, but it was unbelievable what it did buy." Babe's blog opens up the story
via the sometimes-silly, sometimes-mysterious comments of her readers: one of them wishes she would
focus on Florida sightseeing; another, called "DreamMe," seems strangely knowledgeable about Babe's
situation. The final twist isn't easy to see coming, and it gives the novel a satisfying, well-earned ending. A
thoughtful, engaging novel that combines genres well.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Berla, Kathryn: DREAM ME." Kirkus Reviews, 1 July 2017. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A497199696/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=1705e622.
Accessed 3 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A497199696
QUOTED: "Two-dimensional characters and an abrupt conclusion further undermine the novel's intriguing premise."
3/3/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1520131126997 3/7
Dream Me
Publishers Weekly.
264.21 (May 22, 2017): p94+.
COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Dream Me
Kathryn Berla. Amberjack, $11.99 trade paper
(270p) ISBN 978-1-944995-20-1
In this underwhelming SF romance from Berla (12 Hours in Paradise), high school senior Babe Fremont
moves to Sugar Dunes, Fla., and starts having vivid dreams of a boy named Zat. Babe quickly falls for the
handsome stranger, but their nightly visits come at a price: each morning, Babe wakes with a debilitating
headache, and the pain is worsening. Babe fears she might have a brain tumor, but then Zat reveals the
truth: he is from the far future, where the Earth is about to be consumed by the sun. When Babe and her
family arrived in Sugar Dunes, scientists sent Zat's consciousness back in time to live inside Babe's dreams.
Zat can't exist independently of Babe, but as her symptoms increase, the two must consider whether his
continued presence will kill them both. Berla spends too much time detailing Babe's everyday activities and
not enough exploring the mechanics of Zat's existence or developing the couple's relationship. Twodimensional
characters and an abrupt conclusion further undermine the novel's intriguing premise. Ages 13-
up. (July)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Dream Me." Publishers Weekly, 22 May 2017, p. 94+. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A494099134/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=6e3c03ed.
Accessed 3 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A494099134
QUOTED: "The charming story is mostly heartwarming ... with convincing portrayals of teenagers attempting to distinguish between lust and a desire for companionship."
"a delightful, realistic novel about a lovable high school senior dealing with normal—and not-so-normal—teenage issues."
3/3/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
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Berla, Kathryn: Going Places
Kirkus Reviews.
(Jan. 1, 2016):
COPYRIGHT 2016 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Berla, Kathryn GOING PLACES Manuscript (Indie)
A multifaceted coming-of-age story about a teenage boy's forays into love, lust, and entrepreneurship. At
the start of Berla's (The House at 758, 2014, etc.) book, 17-year-old aspiring graphic novelist Hudson
Wheeler, facing his senior year in high school, formulates a plan. He writes an email to his mother asking if
she can home-school him for his final year. Not only has he lost the company of his two best friends (to a
school transfer and a new girlfriend), but he has also decided that traditional education is no longer relevant
to him. Hudson wants to spend his life writing graphic novels and traveling the world, and he has already
started two businesses: a dog-walking enterprise and a company called "Distress Dial," which handles non911
emergencies for seniors. His mom agrees to his proposal with three stipulations: he must attend school
to take physical education and art classes; pay rent; and "apply to two (2) colleges for which he has a
reasonable chance of being accepted." Happy with his newfound freedom, Hudson chooses a yoga class to
fulfill the physical education requirement, and there he meets a beautiful girl named Alana Love, with
whom he becomes smitten. The novel follows Hudson as he attempts to navigate the world of an
independent-minded, business-owning student who thinks he is in love. The story tracks Hudson's
relationships with Alana (who is dating the quarterback of the school's football team), his friends Fritzy and
Gus, and several of his Distress Dial clients--particularly Mr. Pirkle, a 90-year-old World War II veteran
showing signs of dementia. The book's varied structure--which includes Hudson's emails, to-do lists, and
prose narrated in first person--often feels more like a journal than a novel, but this ultimately makes for a
more intimate and revealing account of the day-to-day life of a teenager. Berla's lively dialogue also
enriches the story's authenticity, and she peppers it with contemporary buzzwords like "selfie" and "texts"
throughout to make characters' conversations feel truer and more relevant. The charming story is mostly
heartwarming and light, with convincing portrayals of teenagers attempting to distinguish between lust and
a desire for companionship. But the book also deals with more serious topics like grief, aging, illness, and
heartbreak--making it both entertaining and poignant. A delightful, realistic novel about a lovable high
school senior dealing with normal--and not-so-normal--teenage issues.
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Berla, Kathryn: Going Places." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2016. General OneFile,
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A438646606/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=c8bc3430.
Accessed 3 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A438646606
QUOTED: "Readers will inevitably become invested in Krista's healing and will enjoy the novel's positive message."
3/3/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
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Berla, Kathryn. The House at 758
Davia Schmidt
School Library Journal.
63.10 (Oct. 2017): p99.
COPYRIGHT 2017 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No
redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
BERLA, Kathryn. The House at 758. 216p. Amberjack. Oct. 2017. pap. $9.99. ISBN 9781944995249.
Gr 6 Up--Krista lives with her father who has recently let his new girlfriend move into their home. Krista's
mother died two years ago, and she is stuck in a debilitating funk from which she cannot find her way out.
The only way she feels control is through her constant surveillance of the house at 758. Her self-destruction
leads her to an unexpected friendship with the local football celebrity Jake, but she still obsesses over what
she can never get back. It is only when her Venezuelan maternal grandfather visits that she is pulled back to
reality and can truly find a way toward forgiveness and acceptance. This was a wonderful story about life's
struggles and not only forgiving others for unfortunate mistakes, but forgiving one's self. The slim novel
starts off slow but Berla finds a rhythm toward the middle of the story, and it unfolds beautifully into a tale
that teens and tweens will enjoy. VERDICT Despite the story's slow beginning, readers will inevitably
become invested in Krista's healing and will enjoy the novel's positive message. A strong purchase.--Davia
Schmidt, Queens Public Library, NY
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Schmidt, Davia. "Berla, Kathryn. The House at 758." School Library Journal, Oct. 2017, p. 99. General
OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A507950789/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=5f2d8898. Accessed 3 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A507950789
QUOTED: "This coming-of-age novel has many threads, but the author satisfactorily attempts to highlight the hidden casualties of war and the devastating effects of dementia."
3/3/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
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BERLA, Kathryn. Going Places
Susan Harris
School Library Journal.
64.1 (Jan. 2018): p84.
COPYRIGHT 2018 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No
redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
BERLA, Kathryn. Going Places. 275p. Amberjack. Mar. 2018. Tr $10.99. ISBN 9781944995539.
Gr 9 Up-Eighteen-year-old virgin Hudson lost his father to the war in Iraq in fifth grade. Now a senior in
high school, he attempts to disappear by homeschooling. College just isn't for him; he dreams of becoming
a graphic novelist. Eighteen-year-old worldly classmate Alana is the object of Hudson's desire; if only her
feelings were the same. Hudson takes a backseat to Alana's boyfriend and school quarterback, Bryce. When
not playing best friend to self-centered, manipulative Alana, Hudson operates a dog-walking service and
"Distress Dial" service. Through this service, he meets 90-year-old veteran, Mr. Pirkle, whose neighbor is
high school star athlete, Lauren Fritz. As Hudson's relationship with Mr. Pirkle builds, his relationship with
Fritzy develops into a strong friendship. Mr. Pirkle has "incidents" during the night that involve seeing his
little girl and Hudson is forced to tell Fritzy and his mom about them. Meanwhile, Alana is getting along
with no one, and Hudson isn't getting what he wants out of the relationship. Hudson and Fritzy go to great
lengths to prove to Mr. Pirkle that he is not seeing his little girl, but the discovery they do make holds
surprises of its own. This coming-of-age novel has many threads, but the author satisfactorily attempts to
highlight the hidden casualties of war and the devastating effects of dementia. The first-person narrative
provides deeper understanding of the male teen mind-set. Due to language, sex, underage drinking, it is
more suited to mature readers. VERDICT Recommended as an additional purchase.--Susan Harris,
Ridgeway High School, TN
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Harris, Susan. "BERLA, Kathryn. Going Places." School Library Journal, Jan. 2018, p. 84. General
OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A521876221/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=929b817d. Accessed 3 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A521876221
QUOTED: "Though the narrative is concise, which [may] appeal to reluctant readers, this futuristic dystopian novel lacks complex world-building."
3/3/2018 General OneFile - Saved Articles
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Berla, Kathryn. Dream Me
Kimberly Castle-Alberts
School Library Journal.
63.6 (June 1, 2017): p104.
COPYRIGHT 2017 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No
redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Full Text:
BERLA, Kathryn. Dream Me. 268p. Amberjack. Jul. 2017. pap. $11.99. ISBN 9781944995201.
Gr 8 Up--Seventeen-year-old Babe is used to the unexpected. After all, this is just one of many times that
her father has uprooted the family for a new job--this time in Sugar Dunes, FL. Zat is a dreamer from the
future whose desire to travel to the distant past causes him to end up living in Babe's dreams. Babe and Zat
immediately fall for each other, but Babe experiences paralyzing migraines when she wakes up. She longs
for nighttime, when she can sleep and see Zat again. Stuck in Babe's dreams, Zat wonders if he'll be able to
find a way to be with Babe in the real world. While the basic premise is appealing, the story falls short
compared with other sci-fi romance titles. Though the narrative is concise, which tnay appeal to reluctant
readers, this futuristic dystopian novel lacks complex world-building. The science fiction element feels like
an afterthought, and readers won't relate to the thinly developed characters. Interspersed chapters titled
"Babe's Blog" are inauthentic and out of place. VERDICT A supplemental purchase for collections in need
of more sci-fi romance.--Kimberly Castle-Alberts, Akron-Summit County Public Library, OH
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Castle-Alberts, Kimberly. "Berla, Kathryn. Dream Me." School Library Journal, 1 June 2017, p. 104.
General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A493916112/ITOF?
u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=c153a88c. Accessed 3 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A493916112
QUOTED: "This is perfect for a young reader with romance on the mind. With the exception of the sneaking out in the middle of the night part this is a very innocent romance. This story is all about the emotional connection."
April 20, 2016
Review: 12 Hours in Paradise, by Kathryn Berla 4
by fanaticalreaderblog • New Adult, Romance, Uncategorized • Tags: 12 Hours in Paradise, Giveaway, Kathryn Berla, Review
12HoursFront
4 out of 5 Stars
Available for Purchase on:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/12-Hours-Paradise-Kathryn-Berla-ebook/dp/B01DMRAOIA
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29155081-12-hours-in-Paradise
Review:
This is perfect for a young reader with romance on the mind. With the exception of the sneaking out in the middle of the night part this is a very innocent romance. This story is all about the emotional connection. It was fun to see two strangers completely open up with each other when most books take you though the dance of getting to know each other before you tell your deepest darkest secrets. This is a cute, sweet, lighthearted romance. But I would only be interested in reading it the one time as an adult. I think a young reader might enjoy it multiple times though.
Reviewed by Fawnzy
Our Blog was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
Description:
Twelve hours, thirty-six questions, and a chance to fall in love…
It’s the last day of Dorothy Patmont’s family vacation. Soon, she must head back to Reno, where all that waits for her is the cold and the snow. To top it all off, her brother, Chester, acted like a little jerk and ate one too many cookies from the sample jar in the cookie store. But his antics have an unexpected benefit—attracting the attention of an intriguing boy who could change her life forever.
Treats can be sweet, but love is sweeter still…
Arash Atkinson, fluent in four languages and an adventurous soul, is in Waikiki for a high school band competition. When he meets Dorothy, he realizes their time together is limited. “Come out and play,” he texts her. A night of romantic adventure ensues, and Arash discovers an app that claims it can make people fall in love after answering thirty-six questions in each other’s presence.
With each question asked, their stories and feelings continue to unfold. But with every hour that passes they’re more at risk of being found out—Dorothy, by her parents; Arash by his school chaperone. And then Arash gets the dreaded phone call—he has been discovered missing from his room, and must return immediately. Can they finish the questions before facing their consequences?
When time is running out, true love cannot wait. What Arash and Dorothy have is beyond special, something that comes along once in a lifetime, and begins with Twelve Hours In Paradise…but can it survive the trials of the real world?