Easton is a local writer for older children and teens who has really made a name for herself in young adult literature, and we here in the local library community are thrilled.

The protagonist is Lin, who starts off as a five year old girl of mixed heritage (her mother was born in Japan, and her father is proudly Irish American). She has an older sister Sally, who is quite the popular kid. The family lives in Rhode Island, which is honored by a number of local references that are dead on. Lin is a quiet and shy girl, who seems to excel in everything from her schoolwork to her gift of playing the cello.

Everything starts to change when Obaachan, her Japanese grandmother, comes to live with them. Obaachan introduces the family into a lat of tradition Japanese culture including the tasty food, meditation, and the loose philosophy that allows some to focus on the positive things in life. It does not take long for Lin and Obaachan to bond, particularly once the grandmother starts to babysit during her first summer in the United States.

It is at this point that Lin learns about her grandmother's psychic abilities, which she seems to have inherited. This aspect of the story is subtle and adds to the mystique of the grandmother and her strong observations.

The writing of this novel is almost lyrical and the emotions involved are quite moving. Lin is a strong character that finds herself growing largely due to her grandmother's guidance, but also through her experiences as she becomes a teenager and explores her own talents and the world around her in Rhode Island.

The title takes on a whole new meaning as dreams play a major role in the abilities shared between Lin and Obaachan, but also as Lin learns more about her grandmother's past and its effects on her family's more recent history.

I would definitely recommend this one. I am not sure that many teens would be drawn to it, but it will definitely find a comfortable home with some, both adult and teen.