Dream On
Mega-bestselling graphic novel author Shannon Hale (Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever—over 2 million copies sold!) is back with a new middle grade graphic novel about hope, friendship, and heartfelt wishes.
Something is missing from Cassie's life.
Her parents don't have much money, she has to share her bedroom (and bed!) with her sisters, and her family never seem to have time for her. To make matters worse, her best friend Vali is always busy with a new friend.
When Cassie gets a letter from a magazine sweepstakes with the words “YOU’RE THE WINNER” stamped on the front, she thinks it’s the answer to all her problems.
She could buy new furniture to replace their shabby old sofa. Or maybe a car so her family doesn’t have to take two trips to go places. Or maybe she can make Vali her best friend forever by taking her on a fabulous vacation. The possibilities are endless, like an all-you-can-eat buffet!
But will prizes really solve Cassie’s problems?
And what will she lose if she doesn’t win anything at all?
With charming illustrations by Marcela Cespedes and colors by Lark Pien, Dream On is a joyful story filled with imagination, big dreams, and wonder. This book is perfect for readers who want to enjoy a gentle and accessible friendship story, as well as anyone looking for SEL themes about empathy, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.
This story also features children experiencing high sensitivity, big emotions, and feelings of sadness, making it a helpful tool to spark conversations and connections with young readers.
Four starred reviews!
★ "Hale’s gift for capturing middle-grade joys and agonies is once again on full display, and fans of her Best Friends graphic memoir trilogy will find much to love in this series opener. Cespedes’ illustrations and Pien’s colors are vibrant and appealing, capturing the liabilities and, importantly, the gifts to be found in Cassie’s deeply emotional worldview. Heartfelt and accessible: another winner from a beloved author."
-Kirkus
★ "Hale is one of the biggest names in the middle-grade comics space; any new title from her is cause for celebration. Consider multiple copies of this one."
-Booklist
★ “[A] heartfelt graphic novel series opener about friendship, family, and finding where one belongs. Hale skillfully tackles topics including peer pressure, financial disparity, and managing emotional sensitivity.”
-Publisher’s Weekly
★ “A daydreaming girl must figure out what to do when her best friend starts ignoring her in this delightful and reassuring middle-grade graphic novel. Dream On is a luminous reminder that feeling things strongly also means truly enjoying the good parts.”
-Shelf Awareness
