Dream On - by Shannon Hale

About the Book

"Something is missing from Cassie's life. Her parents don't have much money, she has to share her bedroom (and bed!) with her sisters, and her family never seem to have time for her. To make matters worse, her best friend Vali is always busy with a new friend. When Cassie gets a letter from a magazine sweepstakes with the words "YOU'RE THE WINNER" stamped on the front, she thinks it's the answer to all her problems. She could buy new furniture to replace their shabby old sofa. Or maybe a car so her family doesn't have to take two trips to go places. Or maybe she can make Vali her best friend forever by taking her on a fabulous vacation. The possibilities are endless, like an all-you-can-eat buffet! But will prizes really solve Cassie's problems? And what will she lose if she doesn't win anything at all?"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Dream On is the perfect gift for young readers, especially fans of graphic novels, friendship stories, and hopeful, inspiring reads.

Shannon Hale, author of the bestselling Real Friends, returns with her first book in her latest graphic novel series, the bestselling Dream On (Good Housekeeping's Best Book of the Year). It's a wholesome and sensitive story of hope, friendship, and heartfelt wishes, perfect for fans of Allergic and Click.

Something is missing from Cassie's life.

Her parents don't have much money, she has to share her bedroom (and bed!) with her sisters, and her family never seem to have time for her. To make matters worse, her best friend Vali is always busy with a new friend.

When Cassie gets a letter from a magazine sweepstakes with the words "YOU'RE THE WINNER" stamped on the front, she thinks it's the answer to all her problems.

She could buy new furniture to replace their shabby old sofa. Or maybe a car so her family doesn't have to take two trips to go places. Or maybe she can make Vali her best friend forever by taking her on a fabulous vacation. The possibilities are endless, like an all-you-can-eat buffet!

But will prizes really solve Cassie's problems?

And what will she lose if she doesn't win anything at all?

With bright and charming illustrations by Marcela Cespedes and coloring by Lark Pien, Dream On is a joyful story filled with imagination, big dreams, and wonder. This book is perfect for readers who want to enjoy a gentle and accessible story, as well as anyone looking for SEL themes about empathy, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.

This story also features children experiencing high sensitivity, big emotions, and feelings of sadness, making it a helpful tool to spark conversations and connections with young readers.

Review Quotes

*An Indie Bestseller*
*A Good Housekeeping Kids' Book Award Winner*
NPR Best of 2025

★ "Heartfelt and accessible: another winner from a beloved author." - Kirkus, starred review

★ "Delightful and reassuring... Dream On is a luminous reminder that feeling things strongly also means truly enjoying the good parts." - Shelf Awareness, starred review

★ " [A] heartfelt graphic novel series opener about friendship, family, and finding where one belongs." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ "Hale is one of the biggest names in the middle-grade comics space; any new title from her is cause for celebration." -- Booklist, starred review

"This heartfelt graphic novel tackles family and friendship hardships with compassion and is recommended for fans of Raina Telgemeier." -School Library Journal

"Busy and colorful panel art reflects Cassie's shifting emotions and aptly captures the hustle and bustle of a home with six children and two harried parents; a supportive school environment; the protagonist's flights of fancy; and the abundance of a restaurant buffet." - Horn Book

About the Author

Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of over 40 books, which have sold 15 million copies in North America and been translated into dozens of languages worldwide. Her novels for young readers include The Goose Girl, Book of a Thousand Days, and Newbery Honor recipient Princess Academy. With LeUyen Pham, she created her best-selling graphic novel memoirs Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever, and the Kitty-Corn picture book series. Shannon co-writes graphic novels with her husband Dean Hale, like the Eisner-nominee Rapunzel's Revenge (with Nathan Hale) and Diana, Princess of the Amazons (with Victoria Ying) as well as the best-selling chapter book series The Princess in Black (with LeUyen Pham). She lives in Utah with their four children and two ridiculous cats.

Marcela Cespedes, or Mace, as her friends call her, began stapling together sheets of paper to draw stories on them, from a very early age. Growing up, her love for comics never ceased to exist even when reading on road trips with her family would make her carsick. Her degree in Graphic Design and a subsequent Masters in Illustration have taken her to work in many creative industries such as advertising, animation, film, and publishing, where she finally brought together all her professional experiences with her love for books and graphic novels. Originally from Cali, Colombia, she currently resides between California and Wellington, New Zealand, getting the best of both hemispheres.

Lark Pien is the author-illustrator of picture books Mr. Elephanter, and Long Tail Kitty, and is a comics contributor to Illustoria children's magazine. She's colored for Boxers & Saints, Dragon Hoops, Stargazing, Turtle in Paradise, The Sunny Series, Invisibles, and Diana Princess of the Amazons. Lark was nominated for the Eisner and is the recipient of the Harvey award, for her colors in American Born Chinese. She loves pie (baking/eating), tidepool discoveries (chitons! nudibranches!), and tai chi.