For a younger kid like Cassie, emotions are a lot to deal with, but, when you're as empathetic and sensitive as she is, they can also sometimes be debilitating. This graphic novel does a great job exploring kids being exposed to deep emotions for the first time and not knowing how to handle them. This is also the age where their brains shift to being more self conscious and putting in more of an effort to fit in. How, if you're not one who puts in the effort, then you're the odd, weird one out. Cassie's social life is suddenly something far more complicated than she's dealt with before and twisting all of that confusing drama with her chaotic family and fluctuating friendship dynamics, it all becomes too much. I am so excited to see more of these characters in the next installment. The art is so colorful, expressive, and stunning.

Shannon Hale already has the hearts of millions of kids with her graphic novel trilogy of "Real Friends," but I think this book just might cement that. Cassie as a character is just trying to figure out how to be a kid. She's not old enough t cross the street alone but she's too old to be playing fairy games, and she loves fairy games! Throughout the story Cassie realizes her magic; her sensitive heart that can find wonder in anything. I think kids are going to really feel seen with Dream On. Between wanting to be seen by her mom when she has so many siblings around, to not understanding why her best friend is friends with someone who is so mean, Hale has really touched on what Fourth Grade feels like.

This story touches on some of the same themes found in Shannon Hale’s Real Friends series but is aimed at a younger audience. It may have resonated more with me if I hadn’t already read the Real Friends books, as I found myself less invested in this one. That said, I would still recommend it to younger readers.

This book was read and reviewed by my 12-year-old for her writing/reading assignment. The following are her words:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved “Dream On.” I loved the artwork. It was very fitting to the story line. I most assuredly “did not” stay up late 🤣 reading. It was perfect how the beginning, middle and end just fit together! There was no wait, who was that again? There were no forgetful parts. And who could forget Mrs. Farmer, their super cool teacher!!! It's amazing for her to show everybody how she doesn't care what they think. She does whatever she wants without care; she can sing her heart out if she wants. And I love how the main character is her (maybe) favorite student and she is her favorite teacher!

Anyway go read it, come on you can do it! Just click that read button!



Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this book!

3.25 stars

I enjoy a good middle grade graphic novel, especially one that promises imaginative elements. The color palette and the cover added to my piqued interest.

Overall, I enjoyed Cassie, related to her sensitivity, and found the nostalgia to be cozy.
I did wonder if it would be helpful, especially for younger readers, to have a signifier of the year in one of the first pages. I also wished that more of the story leaned into positive feelings as I felt it was a bit heavy on anxiety.
While I appreciate that the story addresses very common issues in friendships and the importance of inclusion, I didn’t entirely agree with the “taking turns to be best friends” strategy or the fact that the manipulation and meanness of Stesha was not entirely addressed. Also, Cassie never really addressed how she treated Trinh and I think it’s important for young readers to see examples of owning our mistakes and being vulnerable, even when we’re embarrassed.

I know lots of kids will see themselves in these pages - from kids with many siblings to imaginative and sensitive souls.

I loved the ending and hope to see more of Trinh in the future!

Thank you to Shannon Hale, Marcela Cespedes, Lark Pien, and Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan Kids) for granting me an ARC through NetGalley.

Cassie lives in a house filled with people, but she somehow manages to feel alone much of the time. Everyone tells her she is sensitive, and her emotions become bigger with each unexpected event that takes place around her. One day, a sweepstakes mailer arrives in her mailbox, and Cassie believes she has won one of the grand prizes. But as she realizes the fault in her understanding and situations continue to arise that test her emotions to the limit, Cassie must find an outlet for her feelings before they consume her. This early middle grade graphic novel appears at first glance to be similar to the illustrative style of newspaper comics from the 1990s. Cassie is often surrounded by other people, whether in her boisterous home or at school, and amidst the word bubbles are asides that are taking place inside of Cassie’s head. As a sensitive child, Cassie’s emotions erupt on her face, depicted in various colors and details that showcase the hurt and embarrassment that occur throughout Cassie’s days. The visuals are a critical component of the storytelling, and they help readers to better understand the life Cassie lives. Alongside the images are short, clear sentences that make the story accessible to young readers. Additionally, the fact that the book is separated into chapters gives readers the opportunity to set the story down and return to it as desired. As the characters interact with one another, the reader feels increased empathy for Cassie as many of her experiences are shared among youth in many communities. Filled with emotion and angst, this graphic novel will resonate with newer middle grade readers and may inspire them to think differently about what it truly means to be sensitive in the wider world.

Cassie is a middle child in a large, financially distressed family. Her best friend is growing more and more distant. She's dealing with a mean girl at school. And everyone says she's way too sensitive! Cassie feels like there's just "not enough" (space, attention, time, etc.) for her... and she longs to be someone special. So when a magazine sweepstakes letter arrives with the proclamation "You're the Winner!" it's easy for Cassie to dream of the ways the fabulous prizes listed in the letter could solve all of her problems. But the prizes never materialize, and Cassie is left feeling more lost than ever.
This is a good story for anyone navigating those tricky childhood moments of growing up and growing apart from best friends, or feeling lost within a busy family dynamic. The illustrations are warm and inviting, with coloring choices that easily convey the swiftly-shifting moods in Cassie's day-to-day, to easily bring the readers into her world. I don't quite understand the author's choice to set the story in the late '80s/early '90s (the story in a lot of ways felt more relevant to my childhood experiences than those of my children/grandchildren today). But perhaps it's because Shannon Hale has previously written 3 autobiographical graphic novels, and she didn't know how to step out of that memoir voice in this space, even though this one is a work of fiction?

ARC Review

Sharron Hale’s "Dream On" is a delightful graphic novel that immediately captures the eye with its eyecatching illustrations and colors. The visuals perfectly complement the heartfelt story of Cassie, a middle schooler navigating the often-turbulent waters of family, friendships, and self-discovery.

Cassie’s relatable struggles will resonate with many young readers. Lost and feeling unimportant amidst her big family, she grapples with the worry of being "too sensitive" and the anxieties of peer judgment. The added complexity of her best friend being drawn in by a manipulative mean girl leaves Cassie feeling even more adrift and unsure of how to manage her overwhelming emotions.

When Cassie enters a sweepstakes, she allows herself to dream big, imagining how winning could magically resolve all her problems. However, the narrative beautifully unfolds to show Cassie that true solutions come not from external fixes, but from within. She learns valuable lessons about self-acceptance and finding her own strength.

"Dream On" is a cute story about the complexities of middle school friendships and learning about oneself. Hale masterfully portrays the nuances of early adolescent relationships and the internal battles of finding one's place. This graphic novel will undoubtedly be a great addition to your intermediate school library and will certainly appeal to readers of Hale’s other graphic novels with its engaging characters and thoughtful storytelling.

This book captures so acutely the weirdness of tween girl friendships. The push and pull where it feels like the rules are always changing and never in your favor. I think a lot of kids are going to feel extremely seen in these pages.

I was the Cassie in my family. I had big feelings, I was sensitive, I wanted to be seen and heard. And I’m happy today’s youth will have access to books like “Dream On”. It will spark those conversations that would have helped little ol’ me in the 90’s.
Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced copy.


Goodreads: Brenda (Jadore_2Read)

I can already seeing this being a hit in my middle school library! It is so relatable!!! This story follows Cassie as she is learning how to handle friendships and life growing up in a large family. This is a story that many teenage girls can relate to!

I thought it was a fun enjoyable read that hit on issues that young readers could reflect on and learn from. I will definitely add this one to my library!

Thank you to MacMillan Children's, Roaring Book Press, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Cassie is part of a large family. The house is too small and her parents can’t give attention to every child when they need it. Cassie is old enough to take care of the younger kids, but not old enough for the things that her teenage sister and brother get to do. She desperately wants to be paid attention to.

Then, one day, she gets a piece of mail that says she may be a winner. There are so many cool prizes she could win, so she sends in her entry and dreams of what she could do with all the prizes.

And, as is typical in middle grade books, there is tension in her friendship with her best friend. She is torn with wanting to be cool like the other kids, and being herself, with an imagination. It is a hard spot to be in. Real friends, of course, wouldn’t care, but that is not something you can tell a middle schooler.

Great story. You feel Cassie’s pain. Great, quick read. Lot of feelings.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published on the 26th of August 2025.

Another great title will encourage readers to dive in and enjoy their favorite author. Definitely one to spotlight once it is available for purchase.

Never have I related more to a character in a children's book/graphic novel! This story follows Cassie, who is trying to navigate life, friendship, and growing up in a large family, all while thinking she has won a grand prize sweepstakes. Cassie also feels things very deeply. That can be great, when she wants to daydream a problem away, but she's often called "too sensitive." Being so sensitive makes friendships hard, and Cassie has a hard time not taking things to personally or "not caring" like others appear to be able to do.

I still relate to these traits so much. As a child, I was also called too sensitive and had a hard time with friends, much like Cassie. Even as an adult, I've carried some of those traits with me (day dreaming, feeling things very deeply, etc.) and that is why I relate to Cassie and her story so much. I am sure there are other adults who feel the same way!

The illustrations were so cute too, I think they captured the heart of the story well! I would definitely recommend this book to young readers. For any librarians out there wondering if they should get it for their collection, it is a definite yes! I remember seeing a lot of Shannon Hale's books when I worked as a librarian and how popular they were getting. I think her newest title will be popular as well!

Reading Dream On felt like looking into a mirror held up to all the tender, confusing, and often overwhelming parts of being a sensitive, thoughtful kid. Cassie, caught in the middle of six siblings and the messy realities of a working-class family in the '80s, carries so much emotional weight without always being noticed for it. That quiet invisibility—at home, in friendships, even in how she views herself—felt incredibly real and relatable.

What Shannon Hale does so beautifully is let us live inside Cassie's head. We feel her doubts, her longing to be special to someone, her love for imagination and magic, and her constant, almost painful, self-awareness. The book doesn't rush past those feelings; it honors them. As someone who often reassessed their own behavior in response to how others reacted, I found Cassie’s inner monologue achingly relatable.

A standout element is the way the book handles emotional growth. We watch Cassie move from quietly internalizing criticism to learning how to listen to her own feelings—learning that being sensitive isn’t something to fix, but something to understand. Her strained friendship with Vali, her discomfort with Stesha’s manipulation, and her bond with her eccentric teacher Mrs. Farmer all offer rich opportunities for reflection—both for Cassie and for the reader.

Dream On truly shines in how it wraps the messy, magical chaos of growing up in warmth, wonder, and honesty. Cassie’s story is full of humor and heartache, small victories and real hurt—and it’s told in a way that feels both comforting and electric. Shannon Hale reminds us that being sensitive isn’t a flaw—it’s a superpower. That wanting to be seen, to matter, to hold onto joy isn’t childish—it’s human. This book doesn’t just understand its readers, it makes them feel understood. And that, to me, is its quiet, beautiful brilliance.

pretty good. not awesome, but enjoyable. i would have liked a little more depth, but it was a fine read. i would read again. it would be better with a little more backstory or school life, and why she likes the teacher so much.

thanks to netgalley for letting me read this in advance!

What a fantastic graphic novel.
Our protagonist, Cassie, has big emotions. When things are good and full of wonder she's floating. But when things aren't good she can't stop ruminating on it. So, when her best friends new friend says things to Cassie that feel mean, Cassie starts to struggle to find the wonder in her days.
Reading Cassie's story brought me right back to elementary and middle school, in good ways and bad. I could intimately relate to her struggles with friendship and constantly feeling like she was doing something wrong. The way Cassie's emotions are illustrated really drew me in. I could fully immerse myself in those feelings she was experiencing and understand her journey.
This graphic novel deals with emotions both big and small in such relatable ways. It's a perfect read for any kid struggling to deal with growing up and ever changing friendships.
I grew up on Shannon Hale's books, and I'm so glad to see her work continuing to resonate with kids and adults everywhere. I can't wait to read the next installment.

Thank you to MacMillan Children's, Roaring Book Press, and Netgalley for the ARC.

this brings back so much nostalgia of the same struggles i dealt with as a kid with learning friendships and trying to fit in while still being yourself.

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC!

I wanted to like this so much more than I did, but it was just missing something. I found that it didn't quite hold the same emotional weight that I had come to expect from Shannon Hale after reading the Real Friends series. If you're looking for something similar to that series, you won't find it in this book, as this one is aimed much more at younger readers. All in all, I thought it was cute and sweet and would ultimately buy it for my school library, even if I didn't like it very much personally.

LOVE Shannon Hale and was so excited to receive this graphic novel. It's vibrant, fun and upbeat while still dealing with important issues. It's a great reflection on friendship and one I will definitely add to my classroom library.