Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams

Award-winning YA and children's author Shari Green's latest novel, Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams, is one that will appeal to adults as well. Her protagonist, Helena, a young music student, lets us know from the beginning what occupies her mind: “I've not been raised to speak of dreams–nor to dream at all.” And shortly after, she says “I'm not the only dreamer.” Her community is full of them.

It's 1989, in Leipsig, in the German Democratic Republic, before the wall separating East Germany from West Germany comes down. Green captures the times beautifully, both the heartache and the tension of those dreaming of the freedom to travel outside their borders. The title, Song of Freedom, Song of Dreams, speaks to the prayer meetings the citizens attend, a place of warmth, hope, and song, a place where they can share their frustrations and hopes for a better future.

Having been to the Ukrainian Socialist Republic in 1988, when Gorbachev was the Russian leader, I witnessed the fear people had about speaking openly against the government. Green, in her elegant and dynamic verse, shows the challenges Helena, her family and friends face living in a system where anyone can be an informant. Highly recommended.