Nightmares!

by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Segel, J. & Miller, K. (2014).  Nightmares!  New York, NY: Random House Children's Books.

Ever since 12 year-old Charlie Laird's father married Charlotte, and he and his little brother were uprooted from the home they shared with their now deceased mother and moved into Charlotte's spooky purple mansion, he has been plagued with nightmares night after night.  He tries his best to avoid sleeping, but when it inevitably overcomes him, the nightmares return.  On top of nightly terrors, Charlie is also convinced his new stepmother is a witch.  She dresses really weird, makes some strange and unusual food, and runs Hazel's Herbarium where she sells creepy homemade potions.  Worst of all, Charlie's father and his little brother Jack, absolutely adore Charlotte and are getting fed up with Charlie's stories and attitude.  When the witch from Charlie's nightmares kidnaps Jack and drags him through the portal into the Netherworld threatening to eat him up, Charlie must journey after them and face his fears, along with those of his friends and classmates.  After encountering gorgons, goblins, crazy clowns, deranged bunnies, and an evil principal who's also the president of the Netherworld, Charlie comes to discover that his true fears lie a little closer to home and that by facing them head on he can save himself and finally close the portal to the nightmare world.  This would be a good read for students in 4th grade and up who enjoy a good scary (but not too scary) story.

Activities and Resources for use with Nightmares!

Book Trailer for Nightmares!