Dreamcatcher

Darleen R. Golke is a high-school teacher-librarian in Winnipeg,
Manitoba.

Thirteen-year-old Fran Starling, transplanted from Toronto to dreary
Newcastle after his father’s death two years ago, dreads the upcoming
summer holidays. Fran misses his father and resents his mother’s new
life, which includes her boyfriend, Alan. A near-accident delivers an
orphaned racoon, which demands both his and little brother Teddy’s
attention. He chances to meet Jo, a Native girl suffering her own brand
of loneliness and unhappiness, and the two find comfort in exploring and
sharing as the summer proceeds.

Maynard weaves the dreamcatcher motif throughout the story, providing a
link between Jo and Fran, and opening a door to the past and the future
for Fran as he comes to terms with his father’s absence from his life
and the impending changes in the family. Jo explores her Native heritage
isolated from her mother and culture, and explains bits of Native
spirituality, culture, and tradition to Fran. Fran experiences nature
through Jo and the racoon.

The friendship between Fran and Jo helps both deal with their
fatherless state. Maynard develops the character of Fran clearly and
sensitively, allowing young readers to feel his uncertainty and
appreciate his actions. Jo is not drawn as clearly and remains rather
mysterious and incomplete. Maynard’s affection for the Lake Ontario
area shows clearly in her carefully drawn and detailed description.
Young readers will laugh at the antics of the racoon, will be charmed by
Teddy, will wonder about Jo, and will agonize with Fran. Recommended.