Lorey, Dean.
NIGHTMARE ACADEMY : BOOK 1
New York : HarperCollins, 2007
IL 5-8, RL 6.3
ISBN 006134043X

(2 booktalks)

When Charlie Benjamin sleeps, his nightmares become real. You see, Charlie's nightmares open portals to the netherworld where terrible monsters live.  Fortunately, there's a place for people like Charlie, nightmare academy. This is a place that can train Charlie to fight the monsters that come out when the lights go out.   (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2008-2009)

Booktalk #2

Ever wake up in the middle of the night with your nightmare monster staring back at you? Most people would probably answer no, but kids like Charlie Benjamin are not so lucky. Since he was a kid he would often have creatures from the nightmare he just had stand before him. Charlie keeps getting kicked out of schools for "terrorizing" the students with monsters. Many different creatures appear for unexplainable reasons. Whether it is Frankenstein, or a twelve eyed moth, they keep appearing. Even though his parents couldn't be more reluctant, Charlie is quickly escorted be three teachers from a school called Nightmare Academy, found in an underground society. The school, Charlie quickly finds out, is filled with kids like him trying to train their powers, powers that don't have the same outcome. Evil forces find out about his "gift" and attempt to use it to their advantage.  In this book, recommended for 6th through 8th graders is a great fantasy adventure, rating a great 8 out of 10. Will Charlie withstand the pressure of being different, or will he end up at the bottom of the food chain? Find out in Nightmare Academy.  (Christopher B., student)