5th, Middle School ; Paperback, Graphic Novel ; Recommended

The Nightmare Brigade #1: The Case of The Girl from Déjà vu, by Franck Thilliez, Yomgui Dumont, & Drac

Fall into the weird world of dreams and nightmares with this graphic novel. Under the guise of a hospital that helps victims of debilitating nightmares, Estaban and Tristan journey into patient’s bad dreams to help them solve the root cause of the dreaming. There is also more to discover about the hospital and the head doctor, Tristan’s father. Who is the creepy non-sleeper locked away in the basement? Why has the doctor adopted Estaban, a young man who has amnesia? I liked the way the story unfolded. The nightmare worlds the children navigate are weird and metaphoric, giving us a glimpse into our own dreams and fears. The graphic style showing the world both in and and out of the dream is clever and clear for the reader. Characters’ faces are large eyed & expressive with a light Goth style that includes plenty of detail. Students will definitely enjoy this first book of this new series. I can already tell I’ll be looking for future additions!