The Dreamwalker's Child [Hardcover]

Steve Voake (Author), Steven Voake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 2006

Fifteen-year-old Sam Palmer's life is dull--until a bizarre bicycle accident leaves him in a coma. Sam awakens in Aurobon, a world eerily similar to his own, only to discover that his "accident" was part of an elaborate abduction by a ruler with a deadly agenda. Now Sam must team up with a fearless girl pilot to outwit the enemy. Otherwise, dark forces will invade his own world on insects the size of fighter jets. But that's if the terrifying marsh dogs don't kill him first.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8–Sam Palmer, a lonely boy fascinated by insects, is hit by a car while riding his bike and transported to the parallel world of Aurobon. There he discovers a race of people who use insects as war machines and a plan to rid the Earth of humans using a deadly virus transmitted by mosquitoes. With the help of a girl named Skipper, one of the best pilots ever, Sam, the dreamwalker's child, must fulfill his part in an ancient prophecy to restore order to the land. This page-turner has something for everyone. Boys will love the exciting chase scenes and girls will appreciate Skipper's fearlessness when she is sent to rescue Sam. There is a clear environmental message, but it is not heavy-handed. A riveting adventure that offers something a little different.–Michele Capozzella, Chappaqua Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Steve Voake is a former headmaster of a boy's school in Somerset, England, and has been featured in People magazine for his fundraising efforts following the December 2004 tsunami. The Dreamwalker's Child is his first children's book.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (April 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582346615
• ISBN-13: 978-1582346618
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,538,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling and original plot, May 31, 2006

By 

Teenreads.com (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dreamwalker's Child (Hardcover)

Sam Palmer has always been fascinated with insects, but now he's become obsessed. Suddenly insects also appear to be fascinated with Sam. Wherever he goes, a few wasps follow him. One day he finds a horsefly in his room. He gently corrals it in a glass and sets it free, informing it that it isn't very smart. But that fly knows more than Sam could ever imagine.

Meanwhile, an army in the state of Vermia in another world called Aurobon prepares for war against humans on earth. Their weapon: a virus to be spread by mosquitoes. As they refine their technique, word comes that "the Dreamwalker" has been found --- and that she has a son. Odoursin, Vermia's evil emperor, demands the boy be brought to him.

Sam takes a bike ride and notices a peculiar cloud of wasps. He can't resist following them. Pain stabs his neck, and then everything goes black.

He awakens to nighttime in a strange landscape, marshlands lit with blue-green light. Confused and frightened, he walks toward distant city lights. But his travels are disrupted by a horrendous encounter with a slavering pack of creatures like no one has seen on Earth. The crazed beasts are intent on killing him. Sam realizes he will surely die, but then a group of soldiers appears. His relief is short-lived, however, when the soldiers act like he's a criminal, violently hauling him off to prison. What is going on?

Vermia's enemy state is called Vahlzi, and the army is led by Commander Firebrand. Realizing the Dreamwalker's son has been kidnapped by Vermia, Firebrand decides to send a rescuer, Skipper, who is his best pilot despite her young age.

In prison, Sam meets Skipper who gives him hope of escape. Looking through the window of his cell, he sees three moons and realizes he's in a whole new world. When Sam learns the truth behind his plight, he's shocked. He must fight the evil that seeks to destroy Earth's humans. Meanwhile, his damaged body on Earth remains in a coma.

This original book is filled with ideas I found myself discussing repeatedly with family and friends. In the midst of an urgent plot fueled by a dangerous mission, we find humor, a gutsy female role model, friendship, family relationships, questions about the guardianship of Earth and the balance of nature --- plus a subtle, thrilling celebration of life itself. Speaking of celebration, I understand a sequel to THE DREAMWALKER'S CHILD is in the works. Hooray!

PS: Dear Hollywood: What are you waiting for? This book has "movie potential" stamped on it in huge red letters.

--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon ([e-mail])

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Book!!!, July 3, 2006

By 

Skipper (Cardiff, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dreamwalker's Child (Hardcover)

I'm sure you dont need me to tell you what the story is about, there are 3 other posts doing that. so.....
I recieved my copy of this book very early on. about month after it was first released. (my claim to fame, Steve Voake is related to me, his dad is the son of my grandmother's brother.. confusing eh?) And found the book a brillient literary work. tho a little disturbing that one of the main characters had the same nickname as me.. I recently read the book again to find anything i had missed and was again amazed by its brilliance. I just need to get my mits on the sequal, the web of fire..

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Dreamwalkers Child, October 13, 2005

By 

Yeo Aik Khoon "frost900" (Beijing, China) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dreamwalker's Child (Hardcover)

This book is about a child Sam Palmer who goes to a world of giant walking bugs, to fulfill a prophecy he has never even heard of. I think this is a great book. The characters are extremly well developed and hilarious, especially Skipper who I find is one of the best characters I have ever come across.