A Little like Waking
by Adam Rex; illus. by the author
Middle School, High School    Roaring Brook    400 pp.
8/23    9781250621917    $20.99
Paper ed.  9781250327963    $12.99
e-book ed.  9781250621924    $11.99

The characters of this surreal novel—teens Zelda and Langston and an absurd ensemble (a wizard, a laundromat clown)—are aware that they’re in a dream. But whose dream? Whose mind is controlling everyone else in the dream town, and what will happen when they wake up? Scenes likely to elicit chuckles of recognition from anyone who’s vividly dreamed (a geography final is about to start, or maybe it’s geometry, or neither) give way to seriousness and introspection as it becomes clear that the dream is lasting more than one night and as difficult memories figure into the dream world. Characters question their roles and the implications of their interactions: “Growing up is realizing you’re not the main character. Or else everyone is, too.” By its nature, the story includes some portions that can feel static as characters wander around the dream town. But revelations toward the end, with some twists and turns, provide a payoff that invites re-readings. Black-and-white digital illustrations are interspersed (final art unseen).

From the November/December 2023 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.