Insomnia

Gr 8 Up—Parker Chipp is dying. Dr. Brown confirmed Parker's suspicions that lack of sleep would drive him mad before killing him, but Parker cannot confide in anyone, because who would believe him? Johansson's adult personas are limited by their inability to accept the supernatural and understand the teen experience, both in the form of a ridiculous principal and a concerned yet oblivious mother. Before Mia moved to town, Parker was counting down the days he had left because he's a Watcher: a dream-walker. He is tortured by the dreams of the last person to make eye contact with him, but Mia's dreams offer unexpected respite from his condition; Parker can rest and dream his own dreams while inhabiting Mia's. Unfortunately, his triumph quickly turns sour when she feels violated by his attention, especially when she receives sinister emails, seemingly from Parker. This thriller embraces every conflict imaginable with horrifying results, whether Parker is battling his own good and evil halves, his friends and reputation, or an unseen foe. Insomnia is a suspenseful mystery not entirely resolved at the end, leaving readers biting their nails while waiting for the sequel.—Jamie-Lee Schombs, Loyola School, New York City