Review: Wild Dreamers - Margarita Engle

Review: Wild Dreamers - Margarita Engle - April 2024

Some books arrive in your life like a whisper on the wind—and Wild Dreamers was one of those for me. I received this beautiful hardback as a birthday Bookstagram gift (thank you to my lovely bookish friends—you know who you are!), and while it wasn’t the easiest read, it left me with a quiet sense of wonder.

Written in verse by the ever-poetic Margarita Engle, Wild Dreamers tells the story of Ana and Leandro—two teens with heavy pasts and hopeful hearts. Ana lives out of a car with her mother after her father’s militant actions land him on the FBI’s most wanted list. Leandro battles anxiety after fleeing Cuba on a raft. Their paths cross one moonlit night in a California wilderness park, and from that moment, their connection blooms—both scientific and magical.

I’ll admit, the verse format took me a while to settle into. It’s not my usual cup of tea, and I found myself rereading lines to catch the rhythm and meaning. But once I let go and allowed the words to flow like poetry, I began to appreciate the gentle cadence and emotional depth that Margarita Engle brings to each page.

One of the most fascinating elements of the story was rewilding—a concept I hadn’t encountered before. Through Ana and Leandro’s efforts to protect mountain lions and build wildlife crossings, I learned about the importance of restoring natural habitats and helping animals reconnect with their environment.

The romance is tender, the activism inspiring, and the setting—wild and moonlit—feels like a character in its own right.

While Wild Dreamers didn’t sweep me off my feet, it nudged me gently toward a new way of seeing the world. And sometimes, that’s the kind of magic we need most. If you’re in the mood for something lyrical, introspective, and quietly powerful, this hardback gem might just be your next thoughtful read.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/464l2ps