Review by Booklist Review
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 powers and the help of a few dream creatures might 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.--Reagan, Maggie Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
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 8-12. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review by School Library Journal Review
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. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Color by Guy Major. In this graphic novel, Ben learns that his ability to jump into people's dreams has strange connections to a group of sleep-clinic patients trapped in a "permanent dream state." Variations in panel size and color palette, and alternation between dreamscapes and the waking world, make this a well-paced adventure despite the series-opening exposition. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
