Dreamland

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Dreamland
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Sarah Dessen

• Sarah Dessen is one of the most popular authors
  writing for young adults. Five of her books have
  been chosen as ALA Best Books for Young Adults,
  and the Truth About Forever was voted a YALSA
  Teen Top Ten Book. Sarah Dessen lives in Chapel
  Hill, North Carolina.
• Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.

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Sarah Dessen

• Dreamland
• Just Listen
• Keeping the Moon
• Someone Like You
• That Summer
• The Truth About Forever
• This Lullaby
• Lock and Key
• Along for the Ride
• Dessen, Sarah. Sarah Land. Ning 2010
• lthttp//www.sarah-land.ning.com

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Caitlin OKoren

• Caitlin is the main character. The book starts
  off with her waking up on her sixteenth birthday
  and finds that her sister, Cass has run away.
  Then she meets Rogerson Biscoe who changes her
  life. The book switches off from her old life,
  her neighbors house, her own homeand her new
  life she has chosen, her new friends, and her
  thoughts and dreams.
• Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.

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Favorite Character

• My favorite character would be Caitlin. When she
  starts dating Rogerson, she realizes that he is
  dangerous. Rogerson introduces her to drugs and
  drinking. Then Rogerson starts yelling at
  Caitlin. Then hitting her to the point where
  Caitlin becomes unconscious. By the end of the
  book Caitlins mom finds out about the abuse and
  Caitlin is forced to a rehab center to help her
  overcome Rogerson and to help her realize that
  what had happened to her wasnt her fault.
  Throughout all the pain and suffering Caitlin
  goes through, she still has a positive attitude
  and look on life.
• Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.

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Least Favorite Character

• Rogerson Biscoe is definitely my least favorite
  character. In the beginning Rogerson is charming
  and the type of guy that every girl wants, but
  then he slowly changes. Rogerson lives in a big
  home with a well to do family, but his dad will
  often beat him up. You would think that Rogerson
  would never want to do this to anyone, but he
  eventually starts beating up Caitlin.
• Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.

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Rising Action

• The rising action would be when Caitlin first
  meets Rogerson. Her and her friends are at the
  car wash vacuuming their car when Caitlin walks
  over to the garbage and see Rogerson standing by
  his car. She later sees him at a party where they
  leave together.
• Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.

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Exposition

• CAITLIN- Shes always been compared to her older
  sister, Cass. When Cass runs away, Caitlin
  realizes that she will never be able to live up
  to the expectations that her parents have for
  her. Caitlin is somewhat self conscious of
  herself and definitely not sure of herself which
  makes her vulnerable to a guy like Rogerson.
• Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.

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Exposition Cont.

• ROGERSON- He comes from a wealthy family where
  reputation means a lot. When Rogerson does
  something that his dad doesnt agree with, he
  punches or kicks Rogerson. Caitlin witnesses his
  dad doing this to Rogerson and is furious with
  this. She never would have thought that Rogerson
  would do that to her. But he does and it get to
  the point where Caitlin fears Rogerson like how
  Rogerson fears his dad.
• Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.

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Climax

• The turning point is when Rogerson sees Caitlin
  flirting with her photographer instructor,
  Rogerson doesnt like it. So when Caitlin gets in
  the car he tries to talk to her, but she jokes
  around and he doesnt like it. Thats when he
  first punches Caitlin, hard.
• Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.

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Falling Action

• I would say the falling action would be
  rogersons last hit to caitlin. Caitlins parents
  are throwing their yearly party at their house.
  And caitlins friend invites her to come to her
  beach house for the day, but caitlin knows that
  rogerson will be really mad if she goes, so she
  tries to get out of it but cant. so she goes.
  Rogerson didnt answer any of her calls so he
  didnt know where she was. when she gets back
  from the beach house, rogerson is waiting outside
  of her house. Caitlin could tell that he was
  furious so she was terrified. Then the beating
  began. He beat her until she was unconscious.
• Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.

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Resolution

• During Caitlins beating, her neighbor could hear
  her screaming so she called the police. Then
  Caitlins mom came running out and was terrified
  to see Rogerson standing over Caitlins limp
  body. Rogerson was arrested that night and
  Caitlin was first sent to the hospital and then
  to Evergreen Care Center to begin the healing
  process from what had happened to her.
• Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.

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Setting

• The setting is in the small town called Lakeview.
  This is where Caitlin and Cass grew up so there
  are a lot of memories everywhere Caitlin goes.
  The book will switch from the past and then back
  to the present.
• The time period is present which is important
  because girls can realize that abusive
  relationships are happening now.
• Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.

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Themes

• Domestic Violence- Rogerson is abused in his own
  home by his father. Caitlin is physically and
  emotionally abused by Rogerson
• Alcohol- When Rogersons father starts to be
  abusive, he has usually had a few drinks.
• Drugs- Caitlin is exposed to pot and other drugs
  once she starts dating Rogerson.

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Rating the book

• I would rate this book a 10. It was very
  different from any other book by Sarah Dessen,
  but it explained why women stay in abusive
  relationships and showed that Domestic Violence
  is a serious issue in todays society.

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What is Domestic Violence

• Domestic Violence-abuse in a family or household
  that includes woman abuse, partner abuse, child
  abuse, incest, sibling abuse, or elder abuse.
• Coha, Amy. Defining Domestic Violence. 1993.
  http//www.strengthenoursisters.org

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Domestic Violence

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vChg1vz3ABY0feature
  related

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Statistics

• Across the United States, up to 3 million girls
  and women will be physically abused this year.
• Around the world, at least 1 in 3 women will be
  physically or sexually abused during her
  lifetime.
• Sclnmakenberg, Heidi. Dangerous Trends,
  Innovative Responses. WeNews commentator. 15
  October, 2008 http//www.womensenews.org

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Breaking News

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?ve9QQpnf1cqo

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A Few Signs of Abuse

• Jealous and Possessive- he becomes jealous over
  your family, friends, and co-workers.
• Controlling- he is overly demanding of your time
• Superiority-he is always right
• Manipulates-tells you your crazy or stupid so the
  blame is turned on you.
• Mood Swings-mood switches from aggressive and
  abusive to apologetic and loving
• Smith, Melinda. Domestic Violence and Abuse.
  Emotional Intelligence Central. September 2009
  http//www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic.

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Cycle of Domestic Violence

• Abuse-Its a power play designed to show you who
  is boss.
• Guilt-Feels guilt, but not over what hes done.
  Hes scared to get caught.
• Excuses
• Normal Behavior-Acts as if nothing has happened,
  turns on the charm.
• Fantasy/planning-Abuser fantasizes about abusing
  you again. Spends time thinking about what youve
  done wrong.
• Set-up-Your abuser sets you up and puts his plan
  in motion, creating a situation where he can
  justify abusing you.
• Smith, Melinda. Domestic Violence and Abuse.
  Emotional Intelligence Central. September 2009
  http//www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic.

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Music Video

• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vjb5g_lMI4f0feature
  fvsr

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Forgiven, not forgotten.

• I deserve this do I...For what, having a
  mind?There's one place that you'll never
  control,You know the place, yes... that's
  correct, my mind.
• My eye now black, my throat red raw,Will you
  keep this in your mind?By your actions, you
  betray!Your wicked rage ruins my only wish,to
  have love and be loved.
• I'll keep my mouth shut,let my fate
  decide...I'll be your little domestic violence
  statistic,but know this forever my
  love...You'll destroy what you can't subsume!
• By Shalmainia

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Speak Up

• If you suspect someone you know is being abused
  speak up.

Do Ask. Express concern. Listen and validate. Offer help. Support her decisions. Dont Wait for her to come to you. Judge or blame. Pressure her. Give advice. Place conditions on your support. Smith, Melinda. Domestic Violence and Abuse. Emotional Intelligence Central. September 2009 http//www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic
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Bibliograpy

• Burnett, Lynn. "Domestic Violence." eMedicine
  Specialist. 18, August 2008 http//emedicine.medsc
  ape.com/article/805546-print.html
• Coha, Amy. Defining Domestic Violence. 1993.
  http//www.strengthenoursisters.org
• Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin Group, 2000.
• Dessen, Sarah. Sarah Land. Ning 2010
• http//www.sarah-land.ning.com
• Sclnmakenberg, Heidi. Dangerous Trends,
  Innovative Responses. WeNews commentator. 15
  October, 2008 http//www.womensenews.org
• Sclnmakenberg, Heidi. Help for Abused and
  Battered Women. WeNews commentator. September
  2009 http//www.womensenews.org.html
• Smith, Melinda. Domestic Violence and Abuse.
  Emotional Intelligence Central. September 2009
  http//www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic