Full Product Details
Author: Jesse Byrd ,
Yonson Carbonell
Publisher: Baker & Taylor Books
Imprint: Baker & Taylor Books
Volume: 1
ISBN: 9781223187129
ISBN 10: 1223187128
Pages: 144
Publication Date: 28 October 2025
Recommended Age: From 9 to 12 years
Audience:
Children/juvenile
,
Children / Juvenile
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
""Byrd's imaginative story is superbly realized by the bright, bold, and energetic artwork, which boasts an impressive array of inventive character design and world building... A fantastic romp for kids who like dense storytelling and videogame-like plot structures."" --Jonathan Khan, Booklist (October 2025) ""Byrd establishes an intriguing premise through compelling worldbuilding...Santiago's zany, frenetic illustrations translate the dream realms into battlefield landscapes rich in varied colors."" -Kirkus Reviews In this bustling graphic novel by Byrd (Dancing with Dante), 12-year-old Mekhi Glover, dreaming of sailing in a paper boat along a cosmic river, jumps ship into Cloud 9, the mythical realm of the Dream Warriors (""the Happy Hunting Ground... a strange mix of Fólkvangr, Valhalla, and Hel""), and there becomes the organization's newest recruit. The goal of a Dream Warrior is to protect slumbering individuals from Fears--villains from nightmarish world Pit 6--a task that Khi is reluctantly wrangled into. As Khi undergoes haphazard training and is absorbed into a group of warrior comrades, he yearns to return to the waking world, where he feels responsible for protecting his younger sister Lolo from a local bully. Santiago's saturated colors and thick lines render the vibrant worlds of Cloud 9 and Pit 6, which buzz with high-adrenaline, video game-like action sequences and classic comic superhero machinations such as training montages and prophecies. Though underdeveloped supporting characters occasionally lean into stereotype, brown-skinned Khi, sporting locs and a baggy rainbow ombre shirt, proves a dimensional and determined hero in this exciting series launch. -Publisher's Weekly
Author Information
Jesse Byrd is an international award-winning children's book author and the youngest NPR Board member. At 6'8"", Jesse pivoted from playing basketball at UCSB to pursue his passion for storytelling. After working at Google in Silicon Valley and later EY in Dubai as Director of Communications for Middle East and North Africa, Jesse turned all of his energy toward his deepest love: making stories for youth and families with a focus on supporting diverse creators and #own voices material. He's written six children's books and helped produce over 40 others as an editor, art director, and publishing consultant. Jesse is based in Los Angeles, CA.
