Overview

In the city that never sleeps, three lives collide, each searching for belonging, identity, and hope. City Dreams: A Tale of Three Friends follows Jamal, Lila, and Sofia, three foster youth navigating the challenges of growing up in New York City while holding on to big dreams. Jamal's love of literature becomes his way forward. Lila's stories help her make sense of a life shaped by uncertainty. Sofia's art turns struggle into something powerful and visible. When the three meet at Columbia University, their friendship transforms not only their futures but their sense of home. Together, they create a mural that captures the stories of students from every walk of life, and in doing so, they learn that healing, purpose, and leadership often begin with sharing your truth. This powerful young adult novella by Tony Rivera, a former foster youth and educator, explores the beauty of resilience, the strength of chosen family, and the courage it takes to dream beyond your circumstances. City Dreams is both a love letter to New York and a story of hope for anyone who has ever felt unseen. Themes: Foster care - Resilience - Friendship - Identity - Belonging - Art & storytelling - Youth empowerment - Social change

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Reviews

As someone who grew up in foster care, this book really struck me in a few places. I see myself in Sofia & Jamal... but I also see myself in the support network that Tony is so strategically pulling in. That ONE support can change your trajectory, and I loved reading the pickets of hope through the support that Sofie and Jamal and the others were able to get during certain chapters. Just an AMAZING and HEART-FILLED read!! Cheyanne Matulewich Despite going through the foster care system, despite the lack of resources, these three young adults step outside of their comfort zones and beat the odds. I appreciated the development of each character's story. Most people can't begin to fathom the pressures kids in the urban cities are faced with. Thank you for telling their stories of self development. (T Tyrell Hughes I found the quiet, enduring strength in human connection and resilience exactly reflected in City Dreams: A Tale of Three Friends by Tony Rivera. The book is a collection of reflective vignettes centered on the bond between the three friends. What resonated with me most deeply was the book's portrayal of how different personalities navigate life's challenges by leaning on each other. This mirrored my experience of building and supporting a family through non-traditional paths, and powerfully echoes our family's belief that your circumstances don't define you. The narrative beautifully explores resilience, not as a solitary act of survival, but as a shared journey. This highlights something my brother-in-law said: ""Life is a journey, not a guided tour."" This quote captures the essence of the friends' agreement in the book-that perhaps it is not about beating the odds, but that ""maybe we are supposed to find each other"" on our collective journey here on earth. Seeing the reflection in City Dreams on how the Riveras played an important role, and how each one of us can open doors for others-and learning so much about ourselves in doing so-was incredibly humbling, reminding us of the unexpected beauty of how connections can impact and alter a life's journey. Perhaps we are all just waiting for the opportunity to tell our story, as Jamal, Lila, and Sofia did when they built the bridge to connect people through their stories, using their idea of Crossing Paths. If you are looking for an insightful, warm read that celebrates the strength of friendship and family, the power of shifting perspective, and the quiet beauty of growth, this book is an excellent, encouraging find. Thank you, Tony, for bringing this story to life! (Kismet Farm) "" Tyrell Hughes 5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase Divine Intervention Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2025 Format: Kindle Despite going through the foster care system, despite the lack of resources, these three young adults step outside of their comfort zones and beat the odds. I appreciated the development of each character's story. Most people can't begin to fathom the pressures kids in the urban cities are faced with. Thank you for telling their stories of self development.

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