Dreamover

Gr 7 Up–Childhood best friends Amber and Nico recently traded their friendship for an exciting new relationship at the end of eighth grade. Unfortunately, they get so wrapped up in each other that they don’t realize they have shut out all their other friends. With the added difficulty of navigating high school, Amber wishes she could escape with Nico to a place where no one else can interfere. And that wish comes true when they are sucked into a video game. They have a great time at first, but when they try to escape, they can’t, and Nico realizes it is because Amber secretly does not want to leave. Diaz perfectly depicts the infatuation of new love through Amber and Nico’s relationship. Creative use of paneling layered over spreads capture the emotions, uncertainty, and isolation that are so easy to fall into. The art, which alternates between muted tones and crisp, bright hues, fits the story perfectly. Realistic images and colors are used for everyday life, while beautifully drawn landscapes, puffy surreal clouds, and wavy underwater scenes fill the dream world. Full color is used throughout, with darker shades to illustrate sadness and the fear the characters feel at the start of the dream world.