Ben has a problem. When he sleeps he dreams, and when he dreams, they're all nightmares! But he can also jump into other people's dreams. So when his friends start falling victim to an evil dream-monster that prevents them from waking, Ben knows he has to help them. Easier said than done when dreams can shift and the monster knows his way around the ever-changing landscape of the mind! With help from a talking rabbit-companion who has a mysterious past, Ben might just be able to defeat the monster and save his friends . . . if he can figure out how to use the power within him against his enemies.---from the publisher
208 pages 978-0545826044 Ages 8-12
Keywords: fantasy, magic, dreams, nightmares, monster, rabbit, friends, action/adventure, 8 year old, 9 year old, 10, year old, 11 year old, graphic novel
*******
Ben can travel into other people's dreams and help them. When his crush goes into a coma, he travels into her dreams and realizes she is trapped there, along with some other people. With the help of a white rabbit and a magic stone necklace, he manages to save the day and also meets his grandfather. There is still the mystery of what has happened to his father to be solved, setting up the series.
I'm not a fan of graphic novels, but then I am not a visual person. I like to read words, and preferably ones in 14-16 point font. I don't understand why my struggling readers are drawn to them, since the print is often so small, and it's hard for ME to integrate the text with the pictures to get the whole story. Also, I can't stand the smell of these, and it never seems to dissipate.
That said, this had some good points. The text was clearer and easier to read, and the pictures were simpler as well. The story is easy enough to follow, although not fabulous. Much of the book was spent just setting up the series. Still, for my struggling readers, this is a step up from some the prefab graphic titles, but not as good as Hilo or Sunny Side Up.
Recommended by: Karen Yingling, Library Media Specialist, Ohio USA
See more of her recommendations: msyinglingreads.blogspot.com