Dreamer Author: Aliu, Akim | ||
Price: $12.29 |
Summary:
This memoir tells the story of professional athlete and activist Akim Aliu's incredible life as a hockey prodigy in Canada. In graphic novel format.
Added Entry - Personal Name: | Anderson-Elysee, Greg |
Illustrator: | Vega, Karen De La |
Williams, Marcus |
Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.30 Points: 1.0 Quiz: 522185 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (03/15/23)
School Library Journal (01/01/23)
Booklist (02/15/23)
The Hornbook (00/03/23)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 02/15/2023 Targeted toward middle-grade readers, this powerful graphic memoir captures Akim Aliu’s challenging, complex, and harrowing journey to achieve his dream of playing professional hockey. Gut-wrenching and vividly detailed (with, for instance, frank inclusions of some of the racist language he endured), the story begins with the challenges that Aliu’s parents endured as an interracial couple in the 1980s, then moves to the struggles that he and his family faced living in Nigeria, Russia, and Canada, and concludes with his battles with bigotry and racism as he worked toward being drafted into the NHL. While it may be difficult for some young readers to witness the microaggressions, bullying, hazing, harassment, and vicious assaults that Aliu faced as a young hockey player, it will certainly be appreciated by those who believe in the importance of unmasking the ugly face of and negative impact of racism, particularly in the world of sports. With well-drawn artwork and an important story, this will educate and inspire many preteen readers. Contains racist language. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.