Nightmare Escape

August 22, 2016
In this first book in the Dream Jumper series, Ben's nightmares are taking a toll on his life. When his mother takes him to a sleep doctor, he slips into a sleep-coma, where he discovers a dream world and learns that only he, as a "dream jumper," can help others escape the monsters preying upon resting minds. The story reads like Nightmare on Elm Street for kids, combined with a classic adventure motif that includes the geeky and verbose sidekick, romantic interest, and insightful sage (who happens to be a bunny) to guide the hero. Actor Grunberg, in his print debut, and Imagine This cartoonist Turnbloom turn out a brisk adventure with just enough grotesquerie (syringe-wielding nightmare doctors, vampiric pursuers in suits) to intrigue but not outright terrify readers; the panels and wording are spacious, allowing readers to focus on the key aspects of any given panel. Guy Major keenly works the colors so that even during the plot's direst moments, one still gets a sense of light. This tactic aligns with the story's theme and keeps the mood from descending too far into the darkness. Ages 8â12.

April 15, 2016
When the people Ben sees in his frequent nightmares turn out to be real people lulled from the waking world by a dream monster, he has to learn to navigate his dream world and save them.As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Ben's friend Jake knows all about his sleep troubles--and his ability to jump into other people's nightmares to help. Jake wants to turn it into a business, but Ben's only really concerned about his crush, Kaylee Wu, fellow student and English tutor. Kaylee misses their first tutoring session, then several days of school. Ben's mother takes him to a sleep clinic where he spots two of the kids from his dream and Kaylee, all in the same mysterious deep sleep. Ben hurries to the sleep study room to get to sleep and save her, thus beginning a series of tough battles to fulfill his destiny as a Dream Jumper. This fast-paced adventure gains a lot from Turnbloom's expressive art, and though the story hits a lot of tropes--the Chosen One with heretofore unseen power, the chubby-and-nerdy-but-lovable best friend, the powerful talisman, an evil villain and an even more evil villain, the damsel in distress who gets some kicks in to help the hero--it's charming enough to engage young readers. Ben and Jake are white, Kaylee is Asian, and the two kids from Ben's dream are black.A fine series kickoff, with the potential to tread some fresher ground in coming installments. (Graphic adventure. 8-12)

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March 1, 2016

Gr 5-8-Ben has a gift, or maybe it's a curse-he hasn't decided yet. He can jump into other people's dreams. Unfortunately, more often than not, he ends up jumping into someone's nightmare instead. When some of Ben's classmates, including the girl of his own dreams, fall prey to a sleeping sickness, he knows he may be the only one who can save them. It won't be easy, though; someone or something in the dream world wants Ben's abilities for his own and will stop at nothing to get them. Ben will have to work with some strange new companions and learn to navigate the dream world before it's too late. Being the first in a series, the story is a little heavy on exposition, but it does do a good job of making the information enjoyable and creating a believable dream world as well as setting the stage for volumes to come. Turnbloom's art is reminiscent of Jeff Smith's and suits the tone and the characters nicely. Though there are a few inconsistencies, Grunberg's characters are all interesting and enjoyable. This is a quick, entertaining tale that will find a middle school audience. VERDICT A fun ride for middle schoolers looking for their next series.-Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2016
Grades 3-7 By day, Ben seems like a pretty normal kid. He lives with his single mom, crushes on classmate Kaylee, and hangs with best friend Jake. By night, though, he finds himself in other people's dreams. All this nighttime wandering takes its toll, and his worried mother drags the exhausted kid to a sleep clinic. But all is not well here, either. People have been falling into a permanent dream-state, unable to be woken, and the doctors are flummoxed. Unbeknownst to them, the victims are being held hostage by a nightmare monster. But Ben, with his powersand the help of a few dream creaturesmight just be able to face down the monster. The art, especially in the dream world, is action-packed. Very little space is wasted, and close-ups focus on Ben who, in true superhero fashion, bursts between panels on his quest to save his classmates. Fun and exciting, this will appeal to middle-graders looking for an adventure, and Ben has all the hallmarks of a hero worth rooting for.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)