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SleepWakers #1
Sam Saves the Night
What would you do if you could stay out all night and not get in trouble?
Thirteen-year-old Sam has no friends, but you can't really blame her. She lives her life in a state of chronic exhaustion thanks to her nightly sleepwalking jaunts, which include trips to the store, treehouse-building projects, and breaking-and-entering escapades-none of which she remembers in the morning. Her condition is taking its toll on her family (and her life), so when her mom takes her to see a wacky strip-mall sleep specialist, Sam is wary, but 100 percent in.
The night after the doc works his mojo, Sam wakes up outside her body, watching herself sleep. FREAKY! But once she gets over the panic attack, she realizes there's a whole world of detached-souls out there, called SleepWakers-cliques of kids like the Achieves, who use their sleep time to learn new things; the Numbs, who eat junk food and play video games all night long, and the OCDeeds who search for missing things and organize other people's stuff. And then there are the Mean Dreams, led by Madalynn Sucret, the nicest girl in Sam's school, who shows Sam that she can use her power to get back at a bully who's been tormenting her. Sam is intrigued-until it becomes clear that Madalynn is the real bully and the "tormentor" is just, well... sad. Now Sam is faced with uniting the various tribes of SleepWakers to fight back against Madalynn and the Mean Dreams in the most epic battle the night has ever seen.
Thirteen-year-old Sam has no friends, but you can't really blame her. She lives her life in a state of chronic exhaustion thanks to her nightly sleepwalking jaunts, which include trips to the store, treehouse-building projects, and breaking-and-entering escapades-none of which she remembers in the morning. Her condition is taking its toll on her family (and her life), so when her mom takes her to see a wacky strip-mall sleep specialist, Sam is wary, but 100 percent in.
The night after the doc works his mojo, Sam wakes up outside her body, watching herself sleep. FREAKY! But once she gets over the panic attack, she realizes there's a whole world of detached-souls out there, called SleepWakers-cliques of kids like the Achieves, who use their sleep time to learn new things; the Numbs, who eat junk food and play video games all night long, and the OCDeeds who search for missing things and organize other people's stuff. And then there are the Mean Dreams, led by Madalynn Sucret, the nicest girl in Sam's school, who shows Sam that she can use her power to get back at a bully who's been tormenting her. Sam is intrigued-until it becomes clear that Madalynn is the real bully and the "tormentor" is just, well... sad. Now Sam is faced with uniting the various tribes of SleepWakers to fight back against Madalynn and the Mean Dreams in the most epic battle the night has ever seen.
- GenresMiddle Grade
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2019
3 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 24, 2020
Just finished reading Sam Saves the Night by Shari Simpson! What a fun and touching read! Sleepwalking Sam and her family are at the end of their ropes when they try a new sleep therapy that ends up detaching Sam’s consciousness from her sleeping body. Sam learns to navigate the sleepwalking world where people's true natures are revealed. But even in the sleepwalking world there are some who are not content to let wakers be their true selves.
I loved being on the journey with Sam as she struggles to decipher what’s happening to her and decide who she’s going to be. Sam’s wry sense of humor and desire to help those around her keeps the darker plot fun and lively. It’s a fun adventure with a compelling premise, witty exchanges, and a hilarious world, but at its heart it’s a moving story about forgiveness and embracing your true self. What could be better?
Definitely recommend this fun read by the talented Shari Simpson!
I loved being on the journey with Sam as she struggles to decipher what’s happening to her and decide who she’s going to be. Sam’s wry sense of humor and desire to help those around her keeps the darker plot fun and lively. It’s a fun adventure with a compelling premise, witty exchanges, and a hilarious world, but at its heart it’s a moving story about forgiveness and embracing your true self. What could be better?
Definitely recommend this fun read by the talented Shari Simpson!
October 22, 2019
(I received a free eARC from the publisher for a voluntary and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
Book review: Sam saves the night (Sleepwakers #1) by Shari Simpson (3.5 stars)
Sam saves the night (Sleepwakers #1) by Shari Simpson
Genre: MG, Fantasy
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
(Synopsis from Goodreads)
What would you do if you could stay out all night and not get in trouble ? Twelve-year-old Sam has no friends, but you can't really blame her. She lives her life in a state of chronic exhaustion thanks to her nightly sleepwalking jaunts, which include trips to the store, treehouse building projects, and breaking-and-entering escapades—none of which she remembers in the morning. Her condition is taking its toll on her family (and her life), so when her mom takes her to see a wacky strip mall sleep specialist, Sam is wary, but 100 percent in. The night after the doc works his mojo, Sam wakes up outside her body, watching herself sleep. FREAKY! But once she gets over the panic attack, she realizes there's a whole world of detached-sleepers out there—cliques of kids like the Achieves,who use their sleep time to learn new things; the Numbs, who eat junk food and play video games all night long, and the OCDeeds who search for missing things and organize other people's stuff. And then there are the Mean Dreams, led by Madalynn Sucret, the nicest girl in school, who shows Sam that she can use her power to get back at her bully. Sam is intrigued—until it becomes clear that Madalynn is the real bully and the "bully" is just, well, sad. Now Sam is faced with uniting the various tribes of Sleepers to fight back against Madalynn and the Mean Dreams in the most epic battle the night has ever seen.
(Review)
(DISCLAIMER: All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
I usually don’t read Middle grade books, but I found this book really interesting. I wasn’t a big fan of the writing style, but really liked the simplistic story with an interesting twist.
This book is a great introduction for those trying to get into MG fantasy or fantasy in general as it eases you into the easy world building with well-executed pacing. Overall, this book was a blast to read and I would definitely recommend this to younger readers who are learning to read in the fantasy genre.
Book review: Sam saves the night (Sleepwakers #1) by Shari Simpson (3.5 stars)
Sam saves the night (Sleepwakers #1) by Shari Simpson
Genre: MG, Fantasy
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
(Synopsis from Goodreads)
What would you do if you could stay out all night and not get in trouble ? Twelve-year-old Sam has no friends, but you can't really blame her. She lives her life in a state of chronic exhaustion thanks to her nightly sleepwalking jaunts, which include trips to the store, treehouse building projects, and breaking-and-entering escapades—none of which she remembers in the morning. Her condition is taking its toll on her family (and her life), so when her mom takes her to see a wacky strip mall sleep specialist, Sam is wary, but 100 percent in. The night after the doc works his mojo, Sam wakes up outside her body, watching herself sleep. FREAKY! But once she gets over the panic attack, she realizes there's a whole world of detached-sleepers out there—cliques of kids like the Achieves,who use their sleep time to learn new things; the Numbs, who eat junk food and play video games all night long, and the OCDeeds who search for missing things and organize other people's stuff. And then there are the Mean Dreams, led by Madalynn Sucret, the nicest girl in school, who shows Sam that she can use her power to get back at her bully. Sam is intrigued—until it becomes clear that Madalynn is the real bully and the "bully" is just, well, sad. Now Sam is faced with uniting the various tribes of Sleepers to fight back against Madalynn and the Mean Dreams in the most epic battle the night has ever seen.
(Review)
(DISCLAIMER: All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
I usually don’t read Middle grade books, but I found this book really interesting. I wasn’t a big fan of the writing style, but really liked the simplistic story with an interesting twist.
This book is a great introduction for those trying to get into MG fantasy or fantasy in general as it eases you into the easy world building with well-executed pacing. Overall, this book was a blast to read and I would definitely recommend this to younger readers who are learning to read in the fantasy genre.
June 12, 2020
Sam Saves the Night (Sleepwakers #1) by Shari Simpson, 298 pages. Disney, 2019. $17.
Content: G (mild danger)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Sam’s sleepwalking is dangerous and seemingly incurable. In a desperate move to get help, Sam’s mom takes her to a rogue sleep doctor, whose methods separates Sam’s soul from her body when she is asleep so that her body can sleep while her soul expends its copious energy. Welcome to the Sleepwakers, Sam. Her tour guide is Byron, a particularly handsome young man, who shows her how to maneuver, introduces her to the different “tribes” (Juvenold, OCDeeds, Achievers, etc), hoping they can find where Sam belongs. And Byron also warns her to stay away from the MeanDreams – a tribe that seems to be bent on revenge. But the leader of the MeanDreams is a girl from Sam’s school – a very persuasive girl who almost convinces Sam that what they do is retribution, not revenge. Sam can either join Madalyn’s crowd or not. But she doesn’t Madalyn is prepared to fight Sam instead– always with a smile on her face.
Whew! The land of sleepwalkers is dangerous – like in a Nightmare on Elm Street way! A good addition to a small list of middle grade books set in the land of dreams (or nightmares).
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
Content: G (mild danger)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Sam’s sleepwalking is dangerous and seemingly incurable. In a desperate move to get help, Sam’s mom takes her to a rogue sleep doctor, whose methods separates Sam’s soul from her body when she is asleep so that her body can sleep while her soul expends its copious energy. Welcome to the Sleepwakers, Sam. Her tour guide is Byron, a particularly handsome young man, who shows her how to maneuver, introduces her to the different “tribes” (Juvenold, OCDeeds, Achievers, etc), hoping they can find where Sam belongs. And Byron also warns her to stay away from the MeanDreams – a tribe that seems to be bent on revenge. But the leader of the MeanDreams is a girl from Sam’s school – a very persuasive girl who almost convinces Sam that what they do is retribution, not revenge. Sam can either join Madalyn’s crowd or not. But she doesn’t Madalyn is prepared to fight Sam instead– always with a smile on her face.
Whew! The land of sleepwalkers is dangerous – like in a Nightmare on Elm Street way! A good addition to a small list of middle grade books set in the land of dreams (or nightmares).
Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
October 28, 2019
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Author: Shari Simpson
Book Series: Sleepwakers Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: October 1, 2019
Recommended Age: 10+ (little violence, some scary moments, and some definate do not attempt at home moments)
Genre: MG Fantasy
Publisher: Disney Press
Synopsis: What would you do if you could stay out all night and not get in trouble?
Thirteen-year-old Sam has no friends, but you can't really blame her. She lives her life in a state of chronic exhaustion thanks to her nightly sleepwalking jaunts, which include trips to the store, treehouse-building projects, and breaking-and-entering escapades-none of which she remembers in the morning. Her condition is taking its toll on her family (and her life), so when her mom takes her to see a wacky strip-mall sleep specialist, Sam is wary, but 100 percent in.
The night after the doc works his mojo, Sam wakes up outside her body, watching herself sleep. FREAKY! But once she gets over the panic attack, she realizes there's a whole world of detached-souls out there, called SleepWakers-cliques of kids like the Achieves, who use their sleep time to learn new things; the Numbs, who eat junk food and play video games all night long, and the OCDeeds who search for missing things and organize other people's stuff. And then there are the Mean Dreams, led by Madalynn Sucret, the nicest girl in Sam's school, who shows Sam that she can use her power to get back at a bully who's been tormenting her. Sam is intrigued-until it becomes clear that Madalynn is the real bully and the "tormentor" is just, well... sad. Now Sam is faced with uniting the various tribes of SleepWakers to fight back against Madalynn and the Mean Dreams in the most epic battle the night has ever seen.
Review: I loved this book and I thought it was a fun book for middle grade fantasy lovers and a great start to a new series. The writing was wonderful and very kid friendly. The plot was interesting from beginning to end and the characters were wonderfully complex but not outside the realm of understanding of younger readers. I also really appreciated the positive message and positive way you can deal with bullies and how you can come to a mutual understanding with anyone. The book really hammers in that everyone is going through something and it stresses that the reader, as well as the main character, look at the underlying reason why bullies and others might be acting out rather than to get revenge on them or paint a villain in such black and white colors.
However, I do think that there were some situations that would need to be explained but nothing that they shouldn't begin knowing about at the target age. I also thought the pacing was a bit slow in a few areas but it was still interesting enough to carry the reader through the story. I also thought the final battle was a bit flat and too complex and it left me with many questions and a possible plot hole?
Verdict: Definitely recommend this book for beginning fantasy readers!
Author: Shari Simpson
Book Series: Sleepwakers Book 1
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: October 1, 2019
Recommended Age: 10+ (little violence, some scary moments, and some definate do not attempt at home moments)
Genre: MG Fantasy
Publisher: Disney Press
Synopsis: What would you do if you could stay out all night and not get in trouble?
Thirteen-year-old Sam has no friends, but you can't really blame her. She lives her life in a state of chronic exhaustion thanks to her nightly sleepwalking jaunts, which include trips to the store, treehouse-building projects, and breaking-and-entering escapades-none of which she remembers in the morning. Her condition is taking its toll on her family (and her life), so when her mom takes her to see a wacky strip-mall sleep specialist, Sam is wary, but 100 percent in.
The night after the doc works his mojo, Sam wakes up outside her body, watching herself sleep. FREAKY! But once she gets over the panic attack, she realizes there's a whole world of detached-souls out there, called SleepWakers-cliques of kids like the Achieves, who use their sleep time to learn new things; the Numbs, who eat junk food and play video games all night long, and the OCDeeds who search for missing things and organize other people's stuff. And then there are the Mean Dreams, led by Madalynn Sucret, the nicest girl in Sam's school, who shows Sam that she can use her power to get back at a bully who's been tormenting her. Sam is intrigued-until it becomes clear that Madalynn is the real bully and the "tormentor" is just, well... sad. Now Sam is faced with uniting the various tribes of SleepWakers to fight back against Madalynn and the Mean Dreams in the most epic battle the night has ever seen.
Review: I loved this book and I thought it was a fun book for middle grade fantasy lovers and a great start to a new series. The writing was wonderful and very kid friendly. The plot was interesting from beginning to end and the characters were wonderfully complex but not outside the realm of understanding of younger readers. I also really appreciated the positive message and positive way you can deal with bullies and how you can come to a mutual understanding with anyone. The book really hammers in that everyone is going through something and it stresses that the reader, as well as the main character, look at the underlying reason why bullies and others might be acting out rather than to get revenge on them or paint a villain in such black and white colors.
However, I do think that there were some situations that would need to be explained but nothing that they shouldn't begin knowing about at the target age. I also thought the pacing was a bit slow in a few areas but it was still interesting enough to carry the reader through the story. I also thought the final battle was a bit flat and too complex and it left me with many questions and a possible plot hole?
Verdict: Definitely recommend this book for beginning fantasy readers!
December 29, 2019
This was SUCH a FUN read!
Okay, so sleepwalking is nothing to joke about. I mean, I'm sure most of you have heard some crazy stories involving things that people have done while extraordinarily sleep deprived, and they say waking a person the is caught in this state should be done ever so delicately or even avoided (if possible) at all costs. It sends a shock to the system as the brain tries to catch up to what's going on...well then riddle me this. How much of a shock do you think our little leading lady had to deal with when she was found building a tree house, complete with the use of a chainsaw and other various tools, in a GIANT tree in the dead of night...ALL...WHILE...SLEEPWALKING. Exactly. An EXTREMELY RIDICULOUS amount of shock at the very least...or not. Why? Well, it was an unfortunate normal for Sam, but it didn't make it any less dangerous, any less something to be concerned with, or any less a thing about herself that she would change in a heartbeat. Well, at least until one sclera challenged scientist (only slightly mad...for the most part) gets involved and things start to...change...
Honestly, I was fascinated enough with her nighttime adventures that when this new level of curiosity inducing drama was introduced, I was so in the zone that I couldn't stop turning pages! I mean, what WOULD Sam do next? Would the "doctor" save her? Were the unusual side effects of the study something to worry about? What would Sam do with her new curious "powers"? Who would her delightful pug-gy friend cuddle next? Oh yeah, and just who was this Madalynn Sucret and what hold did she have on everyone? There were SO MANY questions, and only so many answers, but hey...that leaves room for more exploration in future installments, which I for one CAN'T WAIT FOR!
A great reading recommendation for this Middle Grade Fiction fans this reading season or any for that matter!
Okay, so sleepwalking is nothing to joke about. I mean, I'm sure most of you have heard some crazy stories involving things that people have done while extraordinarily sleep deprived, and they say waking a person the is caught in this state should be done ever so delicately or even avoided (if possible) at all costs. It sends a shock to the system as the brain tries to catch up to what's going on...well then riddle me this. How much of a shock do you think our little leading lady had to deal with when she was found building a tree house, complete with the use of a chainsaw and other various tools, in a GIANT tree in the dead of night...ALL...WHILE...SLEEPWALKING. Exactly. An EXTREMELY RIDICULOUS amount of shock at the very least...or not. Why? Well, it was an unfortunate normal for Sam, but it didn't make it any less dangerous, any less something to be concerned with, or any less a thing about herself that she would change in a heartbeat. Well, at least until one sclera challenged scientist (only slightly mad...for the most part) gets involved and things start to...change...
Honestly, I was fascinated enough with her nighttime adventures that when this new level of curiosity inducing drama was introduced, I was so in the zone that I couldn't stop turning pages! I mean, what WOULD Sam do next? Would the "doctor" save her? Were the unusual side effects of the study something to worry about? What would Sam do with her new curious "powers"? Who would her delightful pug-gy friend cuddle next? Oh yeah, and just who was this Madalynn Sucret and what hold did she have on everyone? There were SO MANY questions, and only so many answers, but hey...that leaves room for more exploration in future installments, which I for one CAN'T WAIT FOR!
A great reading recommendation for this Middle Grade Fiction fans this reading season or any for that matter!
October 18, 2019
Thirteen-year-old Samantha has no friends because she is constantly exhausted. She is constantly in a state of chronic exhaustion because she sleepwalks every night. She has broken into stores, stolen walkers, and build tree houses in her sleep. And she, unfortunately, remembers none of it in the morning. After her latest sleepwalking stunt, her mother takes her to see a sleep specialist who happens to run a sleep clinic out of the creepy strip mall store.
Sam is hesitant that the doctor would be able to help. However, the night after her procedure, she wakes up outside of her body and is watching herself sleep. After her panic subsides, she realizes there's a world of detached souls called SleepWakers. Each child is a member of their own clique including the Achieves, the Roamers, and the OCDeeds.
Madalynn Sucret is the nicest girl in Sam's school and is the leader of the Mean Dreams. She shows Sam how to use her power to get back at bullies who are tormenting her. After hanging out with Madalynn, it becomes clear that Madalynn is the bully and Sam needs to put a stop to her. Sam is faced with uniting the various tribes to fight back against the Mean Dreams before it's too late.
The novel was a fun read and had an interesting premise. I like that each person had their own community that allowed them to be themselves. I thought the premise of "people show who they really are in the darkness" was going to be involving monsters and demons but, it didn't. However, the book does offer nuances of friendship, loss, family, and dealing with pain and emotion. The book reminds readers that things are not always as they appear. Overall, the novel is a good read for both adults and young adults.
Sam is hesitant that the doctor would be able to help. However, the night after her procedure, she wakes up outside of her body and is watching herself sleep. After her panic subsides, she realizes there's a world of detached souls called SleepWakers. Each child is a member of their own clique including the Achieves, the Roamers, and the OCDeeds.
Madalynn Sucret is the nicest girl in Sam's school and is the leader of the Mean Dreams. She shows Sam how to use her power to get back at bullies who are tormenting her. After hanging out with Madalynn, it becomes clear that Madalynn is the bully and Sam needs to put a stop to her. Sam is faced with uniting the various tribes to fight back against the Mean Dreams before it's too late.
The novel was a fun read and had an interesting premise. I like that each person had their own community that allowed them to be themselves. I thought the premise of "people show who they really are in the darkness" was going to be involving monsters and demons but, it didn't. However, the book does offer nuances of friendship, loss, family, and dealing with pain and emotion. The book reminds readers that things are not always as they appear. Overall, the novel is a good read for both adults and young adults.
December 4, 2019
I loved the premise of this book. A sleepwalking teen who can walk around at night without her body and finds a whole community of teens like her. However, I found the theme of bullying to be a bit preachy at times and the character development to be flat rather than fluid. With that said, it was still the start to a fun new middle grade series that fans of Katherine Marsh's Night Tourist series may enjoy.
I was fortunate to receive a free ARC of this book from Netgalley. The above thoughts, insights, or recommendations are my own meek musings.
I was fortunate to receive a free ARC of this book from Netgalley. The above thoughts, insights, or recommendations are my own meek musings.
May 11, 2020
I really enjoyed this story! The only critique I have is something that is not necessarily in the author's control: the cover: The cover is not necessarily an accurate representation of all of the characters and the roles they play. Let's just say there are two characters in the cover that has their roles switched, if I am correct.
With that said, this was a very original concept to explain why some people sleepwalk and why they do the things they do in their sleep. I am a little uncomfortable by the concept of souls here, but I did thought the ideas in here were very interesting.
The plot will definitely pull you into the story. My favorite part is near the end.
Verdict: A good story that will leave people guessing until the end.
With that said, this was a very original concept to explain why some people sleepwalk and why they do the things they do in their sleep. I am a little uncomfortable by the concept of souls here, but I did thought the ideas in here were very interesting.
The plot will definitely pull you into the story. My favorite part is near the end.
Verdict: A good story that will leave people guessing until the end.
January 5, 2020
What a refreshing book for readers of all ages!
It was a great read for young teens/tweens, with no adult themes, language or sexual innuendo, while simultaneously offering complex enough characters and plot to be very “relevant” and engaging.
Sam’s journey into the sleepwaker world made me wonder - what I would be like in the dark? Simpson’s writing is witty, poignant and familiar.
It was a great read for young teens/tweens, with no adult themes, language or sexual innuendo, while simultaneously offering complex enough characters and plot to be very “relevant” and engaging.
Sam’s journey into the sleepwaker world made me wonder - what I would be like in the dark? Simpson’s writing is witty, poignant and familiar.
October 27, 2020
Mostly I wanted to read this because Shari was my roommate in college and sang at my wedding. But... WOW! Shari, you floored me with this book! I knew you were talented but I had no idea how talented.
At the beginning of the pandemic, I was reading books to kids daily in a "story time" hour. I would read a few chapters of Sam Saves the Night every day and I know several people returned to story time just to see what happened with Sam. I'm super anxious for part two which comes out next month! (November 2020) Maybe I'll even start up story time again online so the fans you made with the first one can see what happens. :)
At the beginning of the pandemic, I was reading books to kids daily in a "story time" hour. I would read a few chapters of Sam Saves the Night every day and I know several people returned to story time just to see what happened with Sam. I'm super anxious for part two which comes out next month! (November 2020) Maybe I'll even start up story time again online so the fans you made with the first one can see what happens. :)
October 13, 2019
*I got this book for review from the publisher*
I thought this book was such a fun and fast pace adventure story. This book has percy jackson vibes that i actually really wound up enjoying. I really did like the world building as well and liked how "sleepwalking" was given elements of powers. I also thought this book tackled issues that so often come up in middle school like friendship and bullying. I though the end was a tad rushed, but I really hope we get more books in this series in the future.
I thought this book was such a fun and fast pace adventure story. This book has percy jackson vibes that i actually really wound up enjoying. I really did like the world building as well and liked how "sleepwalking" was given elements of powers. I also thought this book tackled issues that so often come up in middle school like friendship and bullying. I though the end was a tad rushed, but I really hope we get more books in this series in the future.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews