
Summary
An eleven-year-old boy copes with the challenges of his city life by weaving his reality into a magical realm of dragons, foxes, and trolls—until he must use the power of his creativity to save both of his worlds from destructive forces. This stunning debut is a profound exploration of imagination, community, and how the stories we tell both comfort us and challenge us to grow.
Charles’ life is split between two worlds—one real and one fantasy. In the real world, he is a lonely, bulli…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780593572481 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 0593572483 |
| Author: | Rob Cameron |
| Publisher: | Random House USA Inc |
| Imprint: | Random House Inc |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 400 |
| Release Date: | 18 June 2025 |
| Weight: | 113g |
| Dimensions: | 194mm x 132mm |
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What They're Saying
Critics Review
“An achingly well written story about the blurry line between reality and magic in childhood—and the heartbreaking ways it can be shattered.”
—Shannon Chakraborty, New York Times best-selling author.
“Cameron’s sentences are laden with magic, stuffed to spilling with the stuff of dreams. Through them, he takes us on a journey that’s personal, poignant, phantasmagoric, and profound.”
—Carlos Hernandez, Pura Belpré Award winning author of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
“Charming truths melt into harsh lessons about danger, bravery, persistence, and Charles’ growing strength in this fast-paced coming-of-power delight.”
—Nisi Shawl, multiple award-winning author of Speculation, Everfair, and Kinning
“There’s magic on every page of [this] mesmerizing, unpredictable story….Daydreamer is a tale that will capture the imagination of adults and children alike.’
-Milton J. Davis, author of Amber and the Hidden City
”A daring, monumentally lyrical achievement, if not an outright fantasy classic.”
-Zig Zag Claybourne, author of Afro Puffs Are the Antennae of the Universe
“This creative debut features strong character development in its exploration of the ways Charles copes with multiple challenges that will resonate with many readers. Captivating and cathartic.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Employing compassionate prose, Cameron illustrates the transformative power of storytelling to deliver a kindhearted tale.”
—Publishers Weekly
About The Author
Rob Cameron
Cameron Roberson, who writes under the pen name Rob Cameron, is a teacher, linguist, and writer. He has poetry, stories, and essays in Star*Line, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Foreign Policy Magazine, Tor.com, New Modality, Solarpunk Magazine, Clockwork Phoenix Five, and others. Daydreamer is his debut middle grade novel. Rob is also lead organizer for the Brooklyn Speculative Fiction Writers and executive producer of Kaleidocast.nyc.
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