Nightmares!

It will be evident to listeners that Jason Segel is having fun narrating his first book. The story features 11-year-old Charlie and his friends, all of whom have terrible nightmares--ones that seem to drag the children bodily into their scary world. Segel takes Charlie's concerns seriously, honestly conveying the character's worry, fear, anxiety, and anger. But he lightens the scariness with humorous touches, like giving over-the-top accents to various monsters. A French Bigfoot, anyone? The human characters are varied and realistic, except for the ones Charlie suspects of being monsters, who have sharp edges to their voices. This fun middle-grade story would make a good listening on a car trip. Segel's performance is lively enough for those of all ages to enjoy. G.D. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

September 8, 2014
Coraline meets Monsters, Inc. in this delightfully entertaining offering from actor Segel and co-author Miller (How to Lead a Life of Crime), first in a trilogy. Twelve-year-old Charlie Laird believes his new stepmother is a witch, in part due to his horrible nightmares about being held captive by witches. Charlie soon learns that the witches' Netherworld is real, and his fear has opened a portal allowing creatures to travel between realms. When Charlie ventures into the Netherworld to rescue his kidnapped younger brother, he becomes embroiled in an epic struggle to prevent the terrifying President Fear from turning the mortal world into a place of eternal nightmares. In a story that's both whimsical and disturbing, Charlie works to rescue his friends, help them overcome their fears, and find his courage. Segel and Miller make for a solid team; their Netherworld is populated by everything from talking bugs to killer clowns, and the underlying messageâsometimes you have to admit to and confront your fearsâis important. Kwasny's illustrations provide a fitting mixture of realism and absurdity. Ages 8â12. Agent: Erin Malone, William Morris Endeavor and Abrams Entertainment.