The Girl of His Dreams (Flare) [Paperback]

Harry Mazer (Author)

Book Description

Series: Flare | Publication Date: September 1988

Willis is a loner and a dreamer. He dreams of outrunning the champion, and of meeting his fantasy girl, but dreams are one thing and reality is something else. When the eager and unsophisticated Sophie comes into his life, Willis discovers which he'd rather have.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this sequel to The War on Villa Street, Mazer shows how much he cares about his characters. And because he cares, readers will welcome meeting Willis Pierce again. Back in the city, 19-year-old Willis dreams of the perfect girl friend. Sophie Browne is a plain farm girl and also alone when she meets Willis. He isn't interested in Sophie but she sees him as the lover for whom she has always longed. It takes time, but Willis grows close to Sophie, although he's attracted to another girl. Sophie, hurt by the situation, goes home. In her absence, Willis realizes another ambition, running in a champion race without permission and getting into trouble. As a consequence, however, he's offered a college scholarship and goes to tell Sophiewhom he knows he needsabout his triumph. It's an exciting story of conflicts and tenderness, with emphasis on Sophie's strength. She's willing to love but not to settle for less than equality. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up Eighteen-year-old Willis Pierce (from The War on Villa Street Delacorte, 1978; o.p.) is living on his own and working in a city factory. He is a loner with a poor self-image and little expectation of a better future. His real life still centers around running, for which he has a natural talent, and he dreams of a victory in an important race. Another dream is finding the ideal woman. Sophie, also alone, lands a job at a newspaper stand outside the factory. For her, it's love at first sight, but Willis clings to the vision of his perfect woman and finds it hard to consider Sophie seriously. Both are hurt before the two are brought together. No run-of-the-mill boy meets girl story here. The Girl of His Dreams is romantic without being either mushy or explicitly sexual. Willis and Sophie are attractive characters who will interest and involve readers. Friends and lovers, they grow in trust and maturity page by page. They embrace and pull back. The many minor characters in the story are also realistically drawn and motivated. The action is well-paced, deliberate, and will hold readers' attention. Mazer has yet another winner in this satisfying, skillfully-realized title. This book may be enjoyed in its own right; with the previous book, the two together add up to a special treat. Libby K. White, Schenectady County Public Library, N.Y.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Avon Books (Mm) (September 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380705990
• ISBN-13: 978-0380705993
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,069,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Harry Mazer is the author of many books for young readers, including A Boy at War and A Boy No More, which introduced Adam Pelko; The Wild Kid; and Snow Bound. His books have won numerous honors, including the Horn Book Honor List and the ALA Best Books for Young Adults citations. He is the recipient of the ALAN Award. Harry Mazer lives in New York City and Montpelier, Vermont.

Harry Mazer says, "After I finished A Boy at War, I wanted to write about Adam Pelko again, but what was the story to be? It wasn't until after the tragedies of September eleventh that I found the focus I needed to continue his story." Periods of war and national emergency have never been kind to personal liberties. In the aftermath of September eleventh many Arab and Muslim Americans find themselves under suspicion and their rights jeopardized. In some ways this is what happened after Pearl Harbor, when Japanese Americans were demonized and their rights were trampled. I know that history never simply repeats itself, but I hope that through Adam and Davi's story readers will recognize the parallels--and the perils."