A New World (Dream Warriors #1)

In this bustling graphic novel by Byrd (Dancing with Dante), 12-year-old Mekhi Glover, dreaming of sailing in a paper boat along a cosmic river, jumps ship into Cloud 9, the mythical realm of the Dream Warriors (“the Happy Hunting Ground... a strange mix of Fólkvangr, Valhalla, and Hel”), and there becomes the organization’s newest recruit. The goal of a Dream Warrior is to protect slumbering individuals from Fears—villains from nightmarish world Pit 6—a task that Khi is reluctantly wrangled into. As Khi undergoes haphazard training and is absorbed into a group of warrior comrades, he yearns to return to the waking world, where he feels responsible for protecting his younger sister Lolo from a local bully. Santiago’s saturated colors and thick lines render the vibrant worlds of Cloud 9 and Pit 6, which buzz with high-adrenaline, video game–like action sequences and classic comic superhero machinations such as training montages and prophecies. Though underdeveloped supporting characters occasionally lean into stereotype, brown-skinned Khi, sporting locs and a baggy rainbow ombre shirt, proves a dimensional and determined hero in this exciting series launch. Ages 9–12. Author’s agent: Regina Brooks, Serendipity Literary. (Oct.)