Desert of Dreams Series · Book 1 · Kiara’s story
Dare to Dream
Some stories don’t just entertain—they remind you who you were.
Book one in the Desert of Dreams Series—standalone stories of friends in a small desert town (1980s–’90s) discovering resilience, courage, and hope.
About the Book
Two facts about Lake Los Angeles: one, there’s no lake, and, two, it’s nowhere near Los Angeles.
That’s where Kiara ends up after her parents’ divorce—in the middle of nowhere—a land of Joshua trees, dust devils, and tumbleweeds. Her mom calls it affordable housing; Kiara calls it hell.
Growing up in the 1980s and 90s, she drifts through life trying to please everyone—her mother who struggles to show affection, her brother who barely hides his contempt, and friends who aren’t what they seem.
When she meets green-eyed Cole, she discovers the spark to seek out more from life. Escaping the town that’s suffocating her is her only option. But leaving means trusting herself and letting go of things she’s terrified of losing.
There is a life beyond the desert. Can she dare to dream a way out?
Praise for Dare to Dream
“a wonderful coming-of-age story… a powerful and very worthy read.”
— Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite (5-Star Review)
“exceptional… a treasure trove of thought-provoking insights”
— D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“deeply compelling, moments of warmth and humor… a heartfelt tale of resilience and hope.”
— Publishers Weekly BookLife
Buy / Borrow / Request
Find Dare to Dream
Use the Books2Read link to find available retailer options.
Buy / Find RetailersPrefer to borrow from your library?
Ask your local library to order Dare to Dream by Amanda LaPera. You can provide the ISBNs and publisher information below when making your request.
Book Details
Publisher: Adamo Press
BISAC Codes
- YAF011000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Coming of Age
- YAF022000 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Girls & Women
- YAF058220 YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
Content Note
Books in the Desert of Dreams Series address sensitive but important topics, including bullying and peer pressure; homophobia; troubled family, friendship, and romantic relationships; divorce; religion; racism and classism; historical events of the late 1980s and 1990s; death; neglect and abuse; trauma; drugs, alcohol, and sex; teen pregnancy; abortion; and mental illness, including depression, suicidal ideation, PTSD, and anxiety.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or is in crisis, please reach out for help. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Reader Resources
Discussion Questions
Discussion questions are available for book clubs, classrooms, and reading groups.
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