Dreamland Burning

By: Jennifer Latham

Narrated by: Luke Slattery, Pyeng Threadgill

Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

A compelling dual-narrated tale from Jennifer Latham that questions how far we've come with race relations.

Some bodies won't stay buried.

Some stories need to be told.

When 17-year-old Rowan Chase finds a skeleton on her family's property, she has no idea that investigating the brutal century-old murder will lead to a summer of painful discoveries about the present and the past. Nearly 100 years earlier, a misguided violent encounter propels 17-year-old Will Tillman into a racial firestorm.

In a country rife with violence against blacks and a hometown segregated by Jim Crow, Will must make hard choices on a painful journey towards self discovery and face his inner demons in order to do what's right the night Tulsa burns. Through intricately interwoven alternating perspectives, Jennifer Latham's lightning-paced pause-resister brings the Tulsa race riot of 1921 to blazing life and raises important questions about the complex state of US race relations - both yesterday and today.

©2018 Jennifer Latham (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Latham presents a fast-paced historical novel brimming with unsparing detail and unshakeable truths about a shameful chapter in American history.... An unflinching, superbly written story about family, friendship, and integrity, set during one of America's deadliest race riots." (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

"Wrapped in a detective tale, this is a thoughtful look at racial issues, an exciting whodunit, and a fascinating glimpse into Tulsa history." (School Library Connection)

"Latham masterfully weaves together the story of two well-off, mixed-race teenagers - Rowan, in the present, and Will, who lived in Tulsa in 1921 - in this fast-paced, tension-filled look at race, privilege, and violence in America.... This timely story gives readers an unflinching look at the problem of racism, both past and present, while simultaneously offering the hope of overcoming that hatred." (Booklist, starred review)

A must read!!!

The narrative of William in the 1920’s & Rowen’s present day narrative are so compelling, suspenseful & moving. Please listen to this first & when you finish stay tuned to hear what the author tells you!!

Oklahoma Riots

I loved the narration and sound effects. I couldn't turn it off. The narrator's really brought the characters to life. Thank you, Latham for enlightening us about a part of history that you will not find in any school book.

Really good read

I really liked this book. I don’t remember learning about this in school in the 90’s. The storyline is good too and goes back and forth between past and present. I would definitely recommend :)

Amazing!

I had no idea this had happened in the 1920s and although it didn’t surprise me that it did happen, the way the author told the story through two timelines was fabulous and engaging!

A story that must be read.

I grew up in Oklahoma. Never was I told or taught about this terrible event or the racism that caused the murder and destruction of innocent people.

Awesome book!

I love the story that this book tells, or should I say the untold story.

Very good book

I recommend this book it gives a great feeling for what life was like in the 1920's in the prohibition era. This book gives the reader the feeling behind the race wars and cultural differences in our history. Book started off slow but picked up and I didn't want to pause it. I even cried a little in the end.

Moving historical novel of 1921 Tulsa,OK events

Moving historical novel of the 1921 events in Tulsa,OK touching on racial events that occurred.
Moving and well done “account” of these events portrayed in such a way that you know what happened but didn’t have to have your heart torn out
while being “educated”
If you have any interest in what happened, I encourage you to listen or to read this well done novel

This Was An Intriguing Story!

Definitely not for the sheltered, or maybe it is. The account of a bleak time in history was riveting and raw. It brought life to an event that had previously been whitewashed and/or forgotten. This book makes you think about what has happened, what is happening now, and what can happen.

Such a great story!

I listened to the audio book of Dreamland Burning, and I couldn't stop listening. Great story line mixed with history. The readers' voices were great. 10/10 recommend.