Pages That Stay With You
City Dreams: A Tale of Three Friends, resists simple classification.
Released in March 2026, City Dreams was written by local author and school counselor, Dr. Antonius “Tony” Rivera.
On the surface, it’s Young Adult Fiction.
The main characters; Jamal, Lila and Sofia all have experience with foster care. Finding their way to each other, the relationship that bonds them and their unique talents sees the teens through the challenges they face.
Their story is inspiring while remaining grounded in reality. Beneath the surface, City Dreams tackles complex emotions like belonging and sense of self.
Although the novella is a work of fiction, Dr. Rivera leans heavily on personal experience. The founder of Fostering Minds LLC and a foster Youth Alum, his mission is to improve the future of children and young adults with experience in the foster care system. His experience as a school counselor also provides perspective that speaks to younger audiences.
Dr. Rivera’s own journey; from foster youth to scholar, school counselor, founder and author, illustrates the transformative role education can play when combined with resilience and the right support.
“Too often, foster youth are reduced to labels or statistics,” Dr. Rivera writes, “This book flips that script. It’s a coming-of-age story about resilience, friendship and hope that rises above the stereotypes.”
City Dreams is impactful. It offers insight, broadens perspective, and invites conversation. The novella addresses challenges many young people face while finding their place in the world.
At the same time the novella challenges internal narratives, the stories we tell ourselves, about our future. Dr. Rivera introduces a bold idea for many foster youth: that everyone has the power to rewrite the ending - to flip the script.
While the novella draws on experiences from within the foster care system, its themes reach far beyond it.
The characters are compelling, their stories engaging. The language is straightforward, yet far from simplistic. Parts of Dr. Rivera’s story, intertwined with Jamal, Lila and Sofia, remind readers that we all walk different paths in life. While remaining accessible to its intended audience, the book offers an opportunity for readers of all ages to reflect on friendship, resilience, and the importance of seeing the world through another person’s eyes.
Like the lives it reflects, City Dreams is multi-faceted, resisting simple labels while revealing the layers that shape a person’s journey.
Beyond the page, Dr. Rivera continues the conversation through classroom presentations and author visits. Anyone who is interested in learning more about his work or to purchase a copy of City Dreams can visit fosteringminds.com. For inquiries you can reach Dr. Rivera at fosteringmindsco@gmail.com.
Written by Heather E. Ré
Published, April 2026