Wake

Wake by Lisa McMann

2008. Simon & Schuster. 210 pgs.

Janie Hannagan’s math book slips from her fingers. She grips the edge of the table in the school library. Everything goes black and silent. She sighs and rests her head on the table. Tries to pull herself out of it, but fails miserably. She’s too tired today. Too hungry. She really doesn’t have time for this.

Janie is a girl who enters people’s dreams. If anyone is dreaming near her she falls asleep too and watches the dream. She is a casual observer and cannot interfere with the dreams. Carrie Brandt is her next door neighbor and best friend. Carrie is carrying a dark secret around with her that Jamie catches glimpses of in Carrie’s nightmares. When Janie is driving down a street she falls into someone’s terrifying nightmare. Then along comes Cabel. How does Janie have a normal relationship when she lives with this terrible curse? Can she even trust this guy? Janie also meets another person who is dream traveler. This friend will try and teach Janie how to help the people whose dreams she enters. Janie strives to understand and control her gift.

I love this book. I sat down to begin it and three hours later I closed the book with a satisfied thump. I couldn’t put it down. The love story was great and at times frustrating and confusing. An emotional roller coaster for Janie and me. I’ve already requested the next book from the library. I can’t wait!