This is such a sweet, hopeful, and inspiring story! Idalee is a lovable and relatable character. She so wants to join her mother on tour with her country band, but instead finds herself left behind. Her fun group of friends and acquaintances help to carry her story through - including Rochester the parrot, Odell who is stranded with his dad waiting for truck parts, Harold who lives nearby, and Charlie and Wishbone from the companion book Wish. Odell, Harold and Charlie help Idalee search for the treasure that was supposedly hidden by her grandfather somewhere in the house. Sometimes our friends know us even better than we know ourselves, which is true in this story as well. Anyone who has ever had a dream will appreciate and connect with Idalee and her story. I can't wait to share this with students!

In this follow up book to Wish, Idalee wants to enter a songwriting contest and be famous. Her mama and her band are on tour, and Idalee wants to buy this fancy blue guitar to help her sing. When she tells her friend Odell about a treasure (will it have money so she can buy the guitar) hidden in her house, he agrees to help her look while their other friends will distract the renters who live there. When they do find a bag, they look inside only to find songs her Granddaddy had written. Idalee thinks about entering one of his songs because she doesn’t think her songs are good enough. What ends up happening?
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I devoured this story. I loved Barbara's style of writing and the way she built up the characters. It felt like you were right there along with them. I feel like this could also be a stand alone novel for someone who didn't read Wish as well. I think 4th graders and up would like this story.

The fact that I forgot I didn’t finish it until I picked up my Kindle to read something else says a lot. It’s a decent read, but def not as endearing as Wish.

Charlie and her wishes and Howard with his up-down walk.
Mrs. Odom’s love for all and beautiful Jackie making those Odom boys swoon.
And a new friend, Idalee, with her house full of misfits, who all together, fit in just fine.
Dream is the sweetest follow-up to Wish and will definitely get a place on my classroom shelves.

A sweet follow up to the book Wish. Many kids will be excited for this book. It can be tread without reading Wish first. The plot is about an aspiring songwriter. Cute simple story that leaves you with a good feeling.