SLEEPLESS

Mickey Prima looks like any other average 12-year-old in suburban Shagbark, but he’s got a secret: He doesn’t sleep.

A chance encounter while walking his dog at 3 a.m. leads Mickey to discover he’s not alone. He, self-proclaimed overachiever Skye Berenger, inventor Cyrus Teitelbaum, social media content creator Levi Mackenzie, and singer Thea Davidson become fast friends when they discover they’re all sleepless. They set out to solve the mystery of why this is, and along the way, they learn that there’s something else they all have in common. The story unfolds through the rotating first-person perspectives of Mickey and his friends, each offering their own glimpse into the pros and cons of their wakeful nighttime state, which allows them extra time to pursue their passions. Korman keeps the narrators’ concerns grounded in the sensibilities of middle-grade audiences, from wondering if they’d want to go back to being ordinary and worrying about what would happen if their parents discover they’ve been covering up their nocturnal activities, to deeper questions, like: Does success really count if you have an unfair advantage over everyone else? Short chapters keep the story moving quickly, and readers will find themselves wrestling with the same questions regarding the ethics surrounding staying sleepless that the cast members do. This accessible story will appeal to Korman’s many existing fans as well as readers looking for a quick, thought-provoking read. Most central characters read white, and Skye has dark skin.

Creative and appealing, with plenty to ponder.