Dreaming of Flight, by Catherine Ryan Hyde

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25 Stars

 A couple of years ago, I read “Have You Seen Luis Velez?” by Catherine Ryan Hyde. It was refreshing to read a book with sweet intergenerational relationships and the impact of kindness. “Dreaming of Flight” has a similar theme. Stewey Little (like the book that he’s never read) is an “odd yet charming” pre-teen who has experienced multiple loss in his life. He maintains a posture of kindness even as he learns how to navigate and make sense of a world that is not always kind to odd yet charming kids.  It’s not clear what time or place the book takes place (he is concerned about the cost of a toll call but there is also internet shopping). 

The primary story is about Stewey and his relationship with a grandmotherly figure who most people consider less than kind. Stewey befriends her during one of his egg selling walks. His grandmother is recently deceased and he is raising her chickens and selling the eggs. 

One of the ways Stewey tries to navigate the world is by trying to “fix” people and situations. He befriends Marilyn when he realizes that her dementia could cause her to harm herself or others. But through various relationships including one with a therapist, he begins to recognize that feelings are not bad or good and that relationships are not about “fixing” what is hard but mutuality of concern and kindness for one another. It’s a sweet read with some tearful moments. It’s a good book for a plane ride or day at the beach. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Union Publishing for an ARC. 
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