About the Author

Barry Jonsberg was born in Liverpool in England. At school he was very good at English, but tried to become a doctor by selecting Science subjects in senior school. He was not very good at Science. He re-took exams in English and went on to get two degrees in English from Liverpool University and then became an English college lecturer in the UK before moving to Australia in 1999. Barry now lives in Darwin with his wife Anita, his step-children and two dogs, Jai and Zac.

Reviews

'Dreamrideris demanding, intense and is recommended for secondary students.'MagpiesJuly 2006'This is a confronting book about bullying, coping strategies and mental health. Jonsberg has taken a controversial subject and woven a spell-binding tale where fact and fantasy become inseparable...what a fabulous read.'Observer, 23 September 2006'Part mystery, part study of an introspective boy trapped by his surroundings, Dreamridercertainly commands your attention.'Junior BOOKSELLER + PUBLISHERMay 2006

'Dreamrideris demanding, intense and is recommended for secondary students.'MagpiesJuly 2006'This is a confronting book about bullying, coping strategies and mental health. Jonsberg has taken a controversial subject and woven a spell-binding tale where fact and fantasy become inseparable...what a fabulous read.'Observer, 23 September 2006'Part mystery, part study of an introspective boy trapped by his surroundings, Dreamridercertainly commands your attention.'Junior BOOKSELLER + PUBLISHERMay 2006

Gr 10 Up-Starting at a new school is always hard, but Michael Terny's size makes him a larger and easier target for bullies. His dad constantly pressures him to fight back, but the teen quails at the thought of physical confrontation. In dreams, however, he finds that he is the one in control, and begins to take revenge on his tormentors. Embracing his role as a self-proclaimed dispenser of justice, Michael tempers his vengeance by healing those in need. Ultimately, is he truly in control, or is he trapped between dreaming and waking? His older voice is at odds with the high school setting, and teens will feel as though the narrator is talking down to them. Though the fact that Michael's mother is dead creates some sympathy, the tenuous emotional connection deteriorates, as he stills seems too bland, even when breaking another student's fingers. An underdeveloped Australian setting nags at readers, gradually unraveling the cohesiveness of the plot. The Sixth Sense ending, asking readers to determine what was "all in your head" and what might be real, will leave readers frustrated, especially as the author is not generous with clues. Shooting for an introspective and suspenseful tale, Jonsberg instead creates a muddled Shyamalan imitation.-Joel Shoemaker, Southeast Junior High School, Iowa City, IA Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.