The Dream-Maker's Magic (Safe Keepers Series #3)

Children's Literature - Suzanna E. Henshon

Matt Mahurin's beautiful cover illustration will draw readers to this title, and Sharon Shinn's story line will garner new readers in the final book of her trilogy. Kellen's mother has always believed that her child was born a boy, not a female; Kellen is raised as a boy and is forever uncomfortable with her identity until she meets Gryffin, who accepts her just as she is. Gryffin's mind is strong, but his legs are damaged; the two quickly become friends. One day the kingdom loses its Dream-Maker and the search begins for a new Dream-Maker who will make dreams come true and bring good fortune. Who is the new Dream-Maker? How will Kellen's friendship with Gryffin change over time? What will happen to Kellen? Will she ever find her place in the world? Readers who have enjoyed Sharon Shinn's The Safe-Keeper's Secret, winner of the ALA Best Book for Young Adults, will find this story equally enchanting.

VOYA

Anyone who is sick of a dramatic and action-packed plot line will love this book. Even though I found parts of the story to be boring and tedious, I also found it endearing and almost sweet. The book tells a tale of how friendship and love, even if they are from unexpected places, can help you discover your true self. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P M J (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2006, Viking, 272p., Ages 11 to 15.
—Lillian Filliman, Teen Reviewer

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-Shinn returns to the world of The Safe-Keeper's Secret (2004) and The Truth-Teller's Tale (2005, both Viking), creating a stand-alone story with a unique heroine. When Kellen starts school at age 11, she is considered strange by the other children. She meets Gryffin, who is teased because his legs are deformed. As the girl grows and becomes more independent, she begins working at a local inn, which becomes a shelter for her friend when he needs to escape his uncle's abuse. After becoming involved in the lives of many of the travelers who frequent the inn and becoming ever-closer friends, the young people learn that Gryffin is the new Dream-Maker, whose very presence can cause others' dreams to come true. Kellen follows him to the capital, where more adventures follow, leading to a surprising conclusion full of twists and mistaken identities. Kellen's voice is authentic and direct, and her comments add humor and perspective to her adventures. This is a fast-paced and captivating tale, sure to appeal to fantasy fans looking for a touch of romance. Shinn has created a fully realized world full of unusual characters.-Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

How lovely to tumble back into a Shinn fantasy-romance, the final volume in a medieval trilogy consisting of The Safe-Keeper's Secret (2004) and The Truth-Teller's Tale (2005). Like the first two, this stand-alone story maintains an undercurrent of magical possibilities that deliciously intersect with the down-to-earth lives of the characters. The often subtle power of the Dream-Maker, whose mere presence can make wishes come true, is at the heart of this lyrically written tale. Young readers will be swept along as two lives unfold: Kellen, dressed "in shapeless clothing suitable for a boy," because her mother, certain that she originally gave birth to a son, is determined to raise her as one (a premise which allows for an interesting discussion of gender roles); and her best friend, Gryffin, a lame boy, clear-eyed and smart. Shinn has once again deftly mixed magic with human struggles and adolescent foibles, using recurrent themes such as discovering a character's true identity, the triumph of love and the fight for justice, to create an irresistible read. (Fantasy. 12-14)