Status
Available
Local notes
Current mystery and historic 1921 Tusla race riots
Collection
Genres
Publication
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (2018), Edition: Reprint, 400 pages
Description
"When Rowan finds a skeleton on her family's property, investigating the brutal, century-old murder leads to painful discoveries about the past. Alternating chapters tell the story of William, another teen grappling with the racial firestorm leading up to the 1921 Tulsa race riot, providing some clues to the mystery"--
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — 2019)
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Nominee — 2021)
Gateway Readers Award (Nominee — 2020)
Colorado Blue Spruce Award (Nominee — 2020)
Heartland Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature (Recommendations — 2019)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — High School — 2020)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2019)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2020)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Selection — 2018)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Teens (Fiction — 2017)
Idaho Battle of the Books (High School — 2023)
New York Public Library Best Books: For Teens (Fiction — 2017)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
400 p.; 8.38 inches
User reviews
LibraryThing member lauralkeet
I don’t know about you, but until I read Dreamland Burning, I’d never heard of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot, in which whites looted and burned the thriving black Greenwood section of town. Yes, I know: most of the time black populations are blamed for looting and burning. I might question that the
Anyway … in the process of busting down stereotypes this well-crafted novel shows how events unfolded through the eyes of Will Tillman, a 17-year-old boy who worksin his father’s Victrola store, and befriends a young black man who buys a phonograph for his family. Will’s story alternates with the current-day story of Rowan Chase, a 17-year-old girl who discovers skeletal remains in a building on her parents’ property. The two stories begin to converge through Rowan’s efforts to identify the body, and naturally there are some surprising twists before the truth is revealed.
Well, I love stories that move back and forth in time and I love learning about little-known history, so this novel was right up my street. And although it’s considered YA, don’t let that deter you. This novel with its themes of race, poverty, and violence is just as much of a page-turner for adults.
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next time I hear of it. Anyway … in the process of busting down stereotypes this well-crafted novel shows how events unfolded through the eyes of Will Tillman, a 17-year-old boy who worksin his father’s Victrola store, and befriends a young black man who buys a phonograph for his family. Will’s story alternates with the current-day story of Rowan Chase, a 17-year-old girl who discovers skeletal remains in a building on her parents’ property. The two stories begin to converge through Rowan’s efforts to identify the body, and naturally there are some surprising twists before the truth is revealed.
Well, I love stories that move back and forth in time and I love learning about little-known history, so this novel was right up my street. And although it’s considered YA, don’t let that deter you. This novel with its themes of race, poverty, and violence is just as much of a page-turner for adults.
Show Less
LibraryThing member arlenadean
Title: Dreamland Burning
Author: Jennifer Latham
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Dreamland Burning" by Jennifer Latham
My Conclusion from reading ...'Dreamland Burning'.....
After I saw a news coverage in my area about this author, her new
When I was in college...many years ago I did a paper on 'Tulsa's Race Riot 1921' so when I saw and heard what this novel was about I knew I had to read it. Even though it is a genre as a historic fiction it is mixed with some mystery and truth that I found in the history of the 'race riot' was fairly right on the mark of what had gone on in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. At that time there was 'extreme racism, discrimination and hate especially toward and against African-Americans'. This 'race riot' resulted in the death of hundreds of black African-Americans and the destruction of the Greenwood area of town of Tulsa was known to be one of 'the worst incidents of racial violence in the U.S. history.' What shocks me even today is that many people know absolutely nothing of this incident. It did happen people!
This author really gives the reader some descriptions of certain areas that I was able to pick up and know the area in which was spoken about. A lots of these locations described in the read are still located in Tulsa today.
My thoughts on how this author presents this story using the past/present version [alternating perspectives in different time periods] was really quite unique in how it was done using two main diverse characters...
Rowan Chase:[as the story is from the present] living in the modern day in Tulsa[2017].... a seventeen year old, bi-racial...her mother was African -American and her father was white...from a wealthy family...went to private school and they even had a servant's quarters. For Rowan lived in a 'post-racial society and a fairly sheltered life.' Rowan's mother was a lawyer and her father was a doctor.
And then we have .... a little connection...with these two main characters....The Chase's home where the skeleton [I know I am getting a little ahead of the story] was found had been commissioned to be built by William's parents in 1921. The money that was used to build this home was however, not from William's father but his Osage mother. Now, why was that?
William Tillman [as the story is from the past] living in Tulsa in 1921 during the Tulsa Race Riot... a bi-racial boy seventeen year old living with ...his mother who was Native American [Osage] and his father is white. William's father was the owner of a Victrola store. This period of time of this [past]story was between May 31 and June 1st, 1921 when Jim Crow was at its height.
I loved how this story will alternate back and forth from Rowan to William to Roman back to William all the way to the end of the read. You get a Part I and even a Part II. So, nothing is left but for you to do but start reading! I took several days because I wanted to absorb all of the well written story even though some of the read had such 'virulent hatred that just leaped off the page' that caused me to really shake my head and wonder how can some human beings be so cruel. But that's the way it was back then or is it still like this for some African-American people in some form or another?
How does this all start....
The present...
Now this author gives the reader quite a story of what happens after Rowan mother gets the 'old servant's quarters' renovated and that is when a century old skeleton is found buried underneath in the backyard on the Chase property. We find Rowan who was a great protagonist setting out to discover who this was and how they died by doing some amateur detective research. Oh, I will say at this point Rowan had some help with all of her investigating and that was her best friend, James who just happened to be a asexual character [Oh Yes!] and just happened to be 'part Kiowa and part Black.'
What happens while Rowan is interning at a local clinic in Tulsa where there will be issues of racism, and social inequality that turned out to be quite a eye opener for her?
The past...
The story comes in where William who goes to a 'Two -Knock'' with his friend Cletus Hayes and gets upset seeing a white girl [that he liked] being touched by a black man named Clarence Banks. There will be a lots of tension built from this situation ...because this was definitely a no no at this time in history. Now, what all will become of this situation when it was known at this time in history that.....even
"Glancing sideways at a white woman was near enough to get Negroes lynched in Tulsa. Shot, even, in the middle of Main Street at noon, and with no more consequence than a wink and a nudge and a slap on the back."
This author gives the reader chapter after chapter of the days leading up to the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 and I will say it wasn't a pretty read at all for me. As the read goes on we find that William worked in his father's shop where he comes involved with two African-Americans...Joseph and Ruby. Now I will stop here and only say you will have to pick up this good read to see who they were and how they played into this very interesting story. I will not say who but their is another character that really I didn't care for and oh ....well I will say just pick this up this enthralling read and see for yourself who this person was that was one creep as you read through the read.
Now if you continue to read 'Dreamland Burning' you will get one twisted story that will go back and forth giving the reader quite a historical fiction read but it doesn't stray away from the truth of just what was going on [DURING THAT TIME PERIOD]. "What will happen as William must decide which side he is on and what to do about his decision?"
The characters in the past/present were all off the chart [but there were a few I didn't care for at all] but for the most part I found some were well developed but also complexed too, well portrayed, defined and even down right believable. The the reader is given this 'incredible as well as a astonishing read that will give one something to think about long after you put this engrossing read down. I will say even though there was some 'profiling, violence racial slur [n-word] may have been used I felt it was used to give a true understand and the effect of that particular situation at that time. I thought it was well done by this author and I liked the note the author left concerning why she used those racial slurs in her read.
What will happen when these two versions from different centuries come out and their stories intertwine as harsh truths from the past and present begin to surface?
Now, I know a lots of people may not be interested in this kind of historical fiction read but it was good read about racism all up front and center even as the past/present racism was showed... due to the color of their skin and the injustice that it causes. This is where I say again you will have to pick up this good read of 'Dreamland Burning' to see how Rowan becomes 'savior of the present day in Tulsa and Williams story of the past that happened in 1921 comes together so smoothly. All of the questions asked and more will be answered as the reader reads on and on to the very end.
By the end the reader will be given one amazing read...full of historical fiction, ninety year old mystery, murder with some other complex themes that one will definitely be able to relate to its humanity during this social unrest at that time. The author brings the story all together giving the reader the 'understanding of this history [Tulsa Riot 1921] and its mysterious skeleton.' I felt that this author did a heck of a good job as she was able to give the reader of "Dreamland Burning' that takes place at two different times/ places and in the end bringing it all together before us as we are given definitely a eye opening all front and center of what had truly happened in this whole story.
I will say that this author really did some extensive research work giving the readers quite a story even though it is historical fiction but how she brings in two main characters who were bi-racial...dealing with the issue of racism and hate crimes were truly well done with such humility and tack. It definitely presents the problems that has happened in the past and even addresses the present in the 'prevalence of the same issues we still see every single day whether one wants to admit that the Tulsa Riot of 1921 did happen. Well done to you and thank you for giving the reader one excellent well thought out riveting read. I hope many who may not have heard of the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 will know that this did happen right here in great city of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. "Dreamland Burning" is not only a important novel but one smart one that may not have all the answers but ultimately hopeful ones to pull from. Is there room still for growth as our Tulsa society when it comes to race issues? YES!
Author: Jennifer Latham
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Dreamland Burning" by Jennifer Latham
My Conclusion from reading ...'Dreamland Burning'.....
After I saw a news coverage in my area about this author, her new
Show More
novel "Dreamland Burning" and especially with her being from my area I knew I wanted to read her novel and also met her[and even got her autograph]. I am so glad to say I had that privilege of three things.....meeting this author, reading"Dreamland Burning" and reviewing her excellent read.When I was in college...many years ago I did a paper on 'Tulsa's Race Riot 1921' so when I saw and heard what this novel was about I knew I had to read it. Even though it is a genre as a historic fiction it is mixed with some mystery and truth that I found in the history of the 'race riot' was fairly right on the mark of what had gone on in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. At that time there was 'extreme racism, discrimination and hate especially toward and against African-Americans'. This 'race riot' resulted in the death of hundreds of black African-Americans and the destruction of the Greenwood area of town of Tulsa was known to be one of 'the worst incidents of racial violence in the U.S. history.' What shocks me even today is that many people know absolutely nothing of this incident. It did happen people!
This author really gives the reader some descriptions of certain areas that I was able to pick up and know the area in which was spoken about. A lots of these locations described in the read are still located in Tulsa today.
My thoughts on how this author presents this story using the past/present version [alternating perspectives in different time periods] was really quite unique in how it was done using two main diverse characters...
Rowan Chase:[as the story is from the present] living in the modern day in Tulsa[2017].... a seventeen year old, bi-racial...her mother was African -American and her father was white...from a wealthy family...went to private school and they even had a servant's quarters. For Rowan lived in a 'post-racial society and a fairly sheltered life.' Rowan's mother was a lawyer and her father was a doctor.
And then we have .... a little connection...with these two main characters....The Chase's home where the skeleton [I know I am getting a little ahead of the story] was found had been commissioned to be built by William's parents in 1921. The money that was used to build this home was however, not from William's father but his Osage mother. Now, why was that?
William Tillman [as the story is from the past] living in Tulsa in 1921 during the Tulsa Race Riot... a bi-racial boy seventeen year old living with ...his mother who was Native American [Osage] and his father is white. William's father was the owner of a Victrola store. This period of time of this [past]story was between May 31 and June 1st, 1921 when Jim Crow was at its height.
I loved how this story will alternate back and forth from Rowan to William to Roman back to William all the way to the end of the read. You get a Part I and even a Part II. So, nothing is left but for you to do but start reading! I took several days because I wanted to absorb all of the well written story even though some of the read had such 'virulent hatred that just leaped off the page' that caused me to really shake my head and wonder how can some human beings be so cruel. But that's the way it was back then or is it still like this for some African-American people in some form or another?
How does this all start....
The present...
Now this author gives the reader quite a story of what happens after Rowan mother gets the 'old servant's quarters' renovated and that is when a century old skeleton is found buried underneath in the backyard on the Chase property. We find Rowan who was a great protagonist setting out to discover who this was and how they died by doing some amateur detective research. Oh, I will say at this point Rowan had some help with all of her investigating and that was her best friend, James who just happened to be a asexual character [Oh Yes!] and just happened to be 'part Kiowa and part Black.'
What happens while Rowan is interning at a local clinic in Tulsa where there will be issues of racism, and social inequality that turned out to be quite a eye opener for her?
The past...
The story comes in where William who goes to a 'Two -Knock'' with his friend Cletus Hayes and gets upset seeing a white girl [that he liked] being touched by a black man named Clarence Banks. There will be a lots of tension built from this situation ...because this was definitely a no no at this time in history. Now, what all will become of this situation when it was known at this time in history that.....even
"Glancing sideways at a white woman was near enough to get Negroes lynched in Tulsa. Shot, even, in the middle of Main Street at noon, and with no more consequence than a wink and a nudge and a slap on the back."
This author gives the reader chapter after chapter of the days leading up to the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 and I will say it wasn't a pretty read at all for me. As the read goes on we find that William worked in his father's shop where he comes involved with two African-Americans...Joseph and Ruby. Now I will stop here and only say you will have to pick up this good read to see who they were and how they played into this very interesting story. I will not say who but their is another character that really I didn't care for and oh ....well I will say just pick this up this enthralling read and see for yourself who this person was that was one creep as you read through the read.
Now if you continue to read 'Dreamland Burning' you will get one twisted story that will go back and forth giving the reader quite a historical fiction read but it doesn't stray away from the truth of just what was going on [DURING THAT TIME PERIOD]. "What will happen as William must decide which side he is on and what to do about his decision?"
The characters in the past/present were all off the chart [but there were a few I didn't care for at all] but for the most part I found some were well developed but also complexed too, well portrayed, defined and even down right believable. The the reader is given this 'incredible as well as a astonishing read that will give one something to think about long after you put this engrossing read down. I will say even though there was some 'profiling, violence racial slur [n-word] may have been used I felt it was used to give a true understand and the effect of that particular situation at that time. I thought it was well done by this author and I liked the note the author left concerning why she used those racial slurs in her read.
What will happen when these two versions from different centuries come out and their stories intertwine as harsh truths from the past and present begin to surface?
Now, I know a lots of people may not be interested in this kind of historical fiction read but it was good read about racism all up front and center even as the past/present racism was showed... due to the color of their skin and the injustice that it causes. This is where I say again you will have to pick up this good read of 'Dreamland Burning' to see how Rowan becomes 'savior of the present day in Tulsa and Williams story of the past that happened in 1921 comes together so smoothly. All of the questions asked and more will be answered as the reader reads on and on to the very end.
By the end the reader will be given one amazing read...full of historical fiction, ninety year old mystery, murder with some other complex themes that one will definitely be able to relate to its humanity during this social unrest at that time. The author brings the story all together giving the reader the 'understanding of this history [Tulsa Riot 1921] and its mysterious skeleton.' I felt that this author did a heck of a good job as she was able to give the reader of "Dreamland Burning' that takes place at two different times/ places and in the end bringing it all together before us as we are given definitely a eye opening all front and center of what had truly happened in this whole story.
I will say that this author really did some extensive research work giving the readers quite a story even though it is historical fiction but how she brings in two main characters who were bi-racial...dealing with the issue of racism and hate crimes were truly well done with such humility and tack. It definitely presents the problems that has happened in the past and even addresses the present in the 'prevalence of the same issues we still see every single day whether one wants to admit that the Tulsa Riot of 1921 did happen. Well done to you and thank you for giving the reader one excellent well thought out riveting read. I hope many who may not have heard of the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 will know that this did happen right here in great city of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. "Dreamland Burning" is not only a important novel but one smart one that may not have all the answers but ultimately hopeful ones to pull from. Is there room still for growth as our Tulsa society when it comes to race issues? YES!
Show Less
LibraryThing member DrApple
Dreamland Burning tells the story of the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 through the experiences of a white teenager in the 20's and a mixed race teenager in current times. Latham does an excellent job of capturing the unique setting of Tulsa. She creates realistic and sympathetic characters in both the
I would highly recommend this work for young adults. It makes the horrible events of the riots something that students can relate to and understand. It is also a great read for adults.
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historic and the modern times. A mystery is the center of the story, concerning a skeleton unearthed in a home built in the 1920s.I would highly recommend this work for young adults. It makes the horrible events of the riots something that students can relate to and understand. It is also a great read for adults.
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LibraryThing member Heather_Brock
Powerful and thought-provoking.
LibraryThing member sensitivemuse
I noticed a large trend in these kinds of books where it’s half in the present, and half in the past. It’s not a trend I particularly like as I adore historical fiction and mixing it with things happening in present day takes away the historical aspect, but I gave this book a chance. This one
The switch between Rowan and William is seamless and flows throughout the novel. Rowan attempts to figure out the mystery behind the skeleton while William’s story not only gives you the background information but also gives you the sense and the climate on how it was for African Americans back in those times. The historical aspects of the book is well written and gives you a good general idea.
At first, William doesn’t seem that all a likable character. As the plot progresses though, you change your mind as his behavior and outlook changes to something much more favorable. Rowan’s side of the story is interesting too. She’s been pretty much sheltered in a good, privileged life who is also suddenly awakened by recent events affecting herself and others around her. She’s a well written character as well, but I’d have to say I prefer reading William’s side of the story more as I found Rowan’s point of view dragged in a few areas of the story.
The plot overall is well done and interesting. The mystery and historical elements of the story also keeps the plot engaging and it’s a good educational read. Definitely something to read more into and a good subject to write about.
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grabbed my attention because of the subject which interests me. I have not heard of the Tulsa Race Riot until I grabbed this book. It was an eye opener, and definitely something that can’t be ignored or forgotten.The switch between Rowan and William is seamless and flows throughout the novel. Rowan attempts to figure out the mystery behind the skeleton while William’s story not only gives you the background information but also gives you the sense and the climate on how it was for African Americans back in those times. The historical aspects of the book is well written and gives you a good general idea.
At first, William doesn’t seem that all a likable character. As the plot progresses though, you change your mind as his behavior and outlook changes to something much more favorable. Rowan’s side of the story is interesting too. She’s been pretty much sheltered in a good, privileged life who is also suddenly awakened by recent events affecting herself and others around her. She’s a well written character as well, but I’d have to say I prefer reading William’s side of the story more as I found Rowan’s point of view dragged in a few areas of the story.
The plot overall is well done and interesting. The mystery and historical elements of the story also keeps the plot engaging and it’s a good educational read. Definitely something to read more into and a good subject to write about.
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LibraryThing member Pmaurer
This book describes the 1920's race riot in Tulsa, Ok. The book flips back and forth between a native american boy of the time period, and a young black woman in contemporary times (whose family owns the house involved in the incidents of the 1920's. Good book for book club discussion.
LibraryThing member kimpiddington
Loved how both voices were distinct, but the plot melded together seamlessly. Beautifully written work about an ugly event in US History-with plenty of commentary on the state of affairs in the here and now.
LibraryThing member bookworm12
The Tulsa race massacre was horrifying and this novel explores a fictionalized version of those events. It flashes back and forth from the 1921 timeline to the present day. The story is good, but the writing is filled with clichés and hard to swallow at times. The modern-day plot was much less
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compelling and the characters were very one-dimensional. Still worth reading, but probably better for a younger audience. Show Less
LibraryThing member maryreinert
Told from two story lines: the first set in contemporary times when a young girl finds a skeleton in their back yard during some construction; the second set in the Jim Crow 1920's when racial relations were tense in rigidly divided Tulsa. The first plot line follows the biracial daughter having to
William's father owns a record and Victrola store. He has had a previous encounter with a black man touching a white girl of whom William is fond and a fight ensues. After the fight, the police beat the black man to death. Racial tensions are at their height and on a horrible night, white rioters burned much of the area. The skeleton in the back yard has ties to that terrible night.
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deal with her own prejudices. The second is the story of two young men, one white and the other black. William's father owns a record and Victrola store. He has had a previous encounter with a black man touching a white girl of whom William is fond and a fight ensues. After the fight, the police beat the black man to death. Racial tensions are at their height and on a horrible night, white rioters burned much of the area. The skeleton in the back yard has ties to that terrible night.
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LibraryThing member SJGirl
There were moments where I thought that person doesn’t seem the type to talk rather than immediately shoot or wouldn’t those people accept what you offered then kill you anyway, but stuff like that didn’t stretch credibility so far that I couldn’t get past it, that section of the novel was
Similarly, I had to suspend a bit of disbelief at the beginning when Rowen and her best friend felt inclined to touch a corpse and also fish out the body’s wallet, withholding it from investigators. There wasn’t much of an explanation for that beyond curiosity. It is hard to imagine many people being that kind of curious rather than, you know, vomiting at the sight of the body and/or worrying about repercussions from the police for interfering with an investigation but again, like those instances where homicidal characters seemed momentarily (and conveniently) less homicidal, it wasn’t that hard to just let it go because Rowen’s story did become compelling and believable during a crime/injustice she witnesses as well as the way her timeline dovetails with Will’s 1921 timeline, the impressively paced mystery of the body unfolding across both timelines.
While I pretty much instantly loved Joseph and his sister Ruby (I especially loved her) and wouldn’t at all have minded if their POVs had been included, the character of Will is trickier to embrace, he did have more of an arc than anyone else in the book though, and I imagine it was a challenge to take him from Point A to Point B but the author successfully got him there.
The author’s note concedes that she dialed down the language and the horror of what likely occurred during the Tulsa Riot/Massacre, which makes sense as that likely would have been too much to digest in full, and fortunately the book isn’t any lesser for those omissions anyway, it still convincingly conveyed the ugliness, as well as the intensity and the urgency at that time for the black residents to reach safety. Overall, Dreamland Burning proved to be an emotionally engaging history lesson.
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too much of a page-turner and I was too eager to see how it would all play out to quibble too much. Similarly, I had to suspend a bit of disbelief at the beginning when Rowen and her best friend felt inclined to touch a corpse and also fish out the body’s wallet, withholding it from investigators. There wasn’t much of an explanation for that beyond curiosity. It is hard to imagine many people being that kind of curious rather than, you know, vomiting at the sight of the body and/or worrying about repercussions from the police for interfering with an investigation but again, like those instances where homicidal characters seemed momentarily (and conveniently) less homicidal, it wasn’t that hard to just let it go because Rowen’s story did become compelling and believable during a crime/injustice she witnesses as well as the way her timeline dovetails with Will’s 1921 timeline, the impressively paced mystery of the body unfolding across both timelines.
While I pretty much instantly loved Joseph and his sister Ruby (I especially loved her) and wouldn’t at all have minded if their POVs had been included, the character of Will is trickier to embrace, he did have more of an arc than anyone else in the book though, and I imagine it was a challenge to take him from Point A to Point B but the author successfully got him there.
The author’s note concedes that she dialed down the language and the horror of what likely occurred during the Tulsa Riot/Massacre, which makes sense as that likely would have been too much to digest in full, and fortunately the book isn’t any lesser for those omissions anyway, it still convincingly conveyed the ugliness, as well as the intensity and the urgency at that time for the black residents to reach safety. Overall, Dreamland Burning proved to be an emotionally engaging history lesson.
Show Less
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