AWAKE

Eleven-year-old Simon Theland is exhausted; his family’s been on the run for a year and a half while fleeing his pyrokinetic oldest sister, Rachael, who set fire to their house and school.

Simon’s rest is regularly disturbed by dreams of his house burning down. But one night, the nightmare unfolds differently—hands pull him through the open refrigerator door into a whole new world. There, Rachael isn’t the only one with special powers, and Simon meets and becomes friends with Lena Oneiro, a quiet girl from his history class who’s the target of bullies. Soon Simon, Lena, and Aly, the middle Theland sibling, connect in real life and begin talking about their powers. But when Rachael appears with a dangerous crew of teens in tow, Simon, Aly, and Lena must work to keep the flames at bay. This sequel to Ablaze (2023) is an entertaining and emotional ride told from Simon’s third-person perspective. Readers will sympathize with his plight as the youngest child. Simon struggles to comprehend and use his superpowers responsibly, reflecting middle school kids’ burgeoning emotions and identities, and those navigating social difficulties will relate to his desire to be understood. The sibling dynamics also shine, and Simon’s parents grapple with seeing who their children really are: a relatable feeling, no matter what your superhero status is. Main characters read white.

A satisfying portrayal of budding superheroes who are grappling to do what’s right.