Dream On (Dream On #1)

Hale (the Real Friends series) teams up with illustrator Cespedes for this heartfelt graphic novel series opener about friendship, family, and finding where one belongs. With fourth grader Cassie’s hardworking parents overwhelmed by their arduous jobs and caring for Cassie’s many siblings, and her bestie Vali suddenly ignoring her in favor of a new friend, Cassie dreams of improving her social standing and becoming a priority for her loved ones. Upon receiving a notice claiming that she’s apparently the winner of a magazine sweepstakes—the letter’s sparkly medallion reads “You’ve already won!”—Cassie believes that this event will finally make her stand out. But as she awaits her promised prize, and as school and family pressures mount, Cassie struggles to stay true to herself in the face of big changes. Hale skillfully tackles topics including peer pressure, financial disparity, and managing emotional sensitivity via Cassie’s relatable dynamics with her parents, siblings, and schoolmates, each of whom boasts personality in spades. Cespedes’s cheerful illustrations, expressive figures, and fluid line art add bouncy movement and whimsy into every situation, while retro details such as a landline telephone, VCR, and Atari gaming console contextualize the narrative timeline. Characters are depicted with varying skin tones. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. Illustrator’s agent: Alyssa Jennette, Stonesong Literary. (Aug.)