Book Review: Dreamrider by Barry Jonsberg

*Galley received from Random House booth. To be released February 12, 2008

I picked this book up at Midwinter. The description was intriguing. The editor said something like: "As I read this book, I thought 'Holy Crap! I can't believe how Jonsberg fooled me.'" I like these kind of books. Have you read Pete Hautman's Invisible or Gail Giles' Shattering Glass? In both of those books, you are on shaky ground because you just weren't sure you could trust what the narrator was divulging.

Michael Terny is a fat kid. He's pushed around at every school he's ever attended. At his newest school, he finds himself once again being the victim of two different bullies: Jamie and Martin. But maybe this school will be different. He's met Leah, a girl who actually listens to him, and Mr. Atkins, a teacher who Michael feels comfortable with.

There's one more difference: Michael has discovered he can make things happen in real life with his dreams. He is powerful. He stands up for himself. And he can make anyone cower.

This was an easy read with the power of a car wreck. Once you see it, it is hard not to stop and gawk for awhile. Michael's tormentors are relentless. Teen that enjoy horror or the macabre will find something to enjoy here.