When readers last saw Ben (Nightmare Escape, 2016), he'd just learned about his power to jump into and affect the dreams of others; in this sequel, his skill is growing, and his best friend, Jake, acts as his business partner, operating from the waking world while Ben rescues dreamers from their nightmares.As well as dealing with nightmare creatures created in human minds, Ben's navigating both an organized bunch of villains that want to steal kids into the dream world to feed on them and the long line of guardians—of which Ben is one—poised to stop them. Based on a suggestion from Grunberg's son, the world of Dream Jumpers has expanded greatly, and Grunberg and Turnbloom have hit their stride with pacing. The main characters—the two white boys and an Asian girl named Kaylee—have a stronger presence, and the bad guys, headed by the titular Harvester, are truly horrifying. Readers also meet a mysterious figure who helps Ben out of some tight spots, and the cliffhanger hints at more danger to overcome next time. Major's beautiful coloring polishes off Turnbloom's expressive artwork, with backgrounds brimming with detail. The snappy dialogue suits these clever young heroes, who tease one another without getting cruel or cynical. Book 1 showed promise, and Book 2 fulfills it, elevating tropes to archetypes, with exciting pacing that would make the pages turn faster but for the arresting, immersive artwork on every page. (Graphic adventure. 8-12)

When readers last saw Ben (Nightmare Escape, 2016), he'd just learned about his power to jump into and affect the dreams of others; in this sequel, his skill is growing, and his best friend, Jake, acts as his business partner, operating from the waking world while Ben rescues dreamers from their nightmares.As well as dealing with nightmare creatures created in human minds, Ben's navigating both an organized bunch of villains that want to steal kids into the dream world to feed on them and the long line of guardians—of which Ben is one—poised to stop them. Based on a suggestion from Grunberg's son, the world of Dream Jumpers has expanded greatly, and Grunberg and Turnbloom have hit their stride with pacing. The main characters—the two white boys and an Asian girl named Kaylee—have a stronger presence, and the bad guys, headed by the titular Harvester, are truly horrifying. Readers also meet a mysterious figure who helps Ben out of some tight spots, and the cliffhanger hints at more danger to overcome next time. Major's beautiful coloring polishes off Turnbloom's expressive artwork, with backgrounds brimming with detail. The snappy dialogue suits these clever young heroes, who tease one another without getting cruel or cynical. Book 1 showed promise, and Book 2 fulfills it, elevating tropes to archetypes, with exciting pacing that would make the pages turn faster but for the arresting, immersive artwork on every page. (Graphic adventure. 8-12)

Gr 5-8In this sequel to Nightmare Escape, Ben and Jake continue to operate their Dream Jumper business. Ben spends his nights entering his friends' dreams and intervening when nightmares take over. Each time Ben jumps into a dream, his ability grows stronger. But the first volume's villain, Nightmare Lord, has enlisted the aid of a new and deadly foe known as the Harvester. Will Ben be able to fight back when his own dreams turn frightening? Can he rescue Jake from the clutches of the Harvester? Who is the mysterious new player in Ben's dreams who shows up just in time to lend a helping hand? The fast-paced plot is cinematic and chock-full of heroic saves and superhero landingsappropriate, considering the author's acting background. Featuring sound effects and motion lines, Turnbloom's vivid cartoon art complements the text. At times the story and jokes are predictable (bathroom humor abounds), but the characters are genuine (though Jake is occasionally over-the-top). Like the previous installment, this one ends on a cliff-hanger, and readers will be anxious to see what comes next. VERDICT References to Nightmare Escape make this novel best suited for those familiar with the series. A quick, entertaining read that will have "Dream Jumper" fans awaiting the next book.Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX