REM World

Arthur Woodbury, an overweight 11-year-old struggling with the loss of his father, orders a mysterious weight-loss device from a comic book advertisement. When he tests the device without reading all the instructions, he becomes trapped in REM World - a strange dimension accessed during sleep. In REM World, Arthur must embark on a quest to find his lost device and save this dream dimension from an encroaching darkness. Accompanied by Morf, a shape-shifting creature guide, he traverses fantastical landscapes populated by cloud people, giants, and dangerous creatures while facing physical challenges that test his limits. Through his journey in REM World, Arthur confronts both external obstacles and internal struggles as he learns to process his grief and discover his own strength. The story combines elements of fantasy and science fiction while exploring themes of self-acceptance, personal growth, and the power of imagination.

Readers describe this book as a fast-paced adventure that keeps middle-grade students engaged. The story draws comparisons to Alice in Wonderland and The Phantom Tollbooth due to its dream-world premise. Readers appreciated: - Main character Arthur's relatable struggles with weight and self-confidence - Creative dream creatures and environments - Clear message about personal growth without being preachy - Short length that works well for reluctant readers Common criticisms: - Plot feels rushed in final chapters - Some dream sequences confuse younger readers - Limited character development beyond Arthur Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (286 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) "Perfect for kids who think they don't like reading" - Grade 5 teacher review on Amazon "The ending wraps up too quickly and leaves questions unanswered" - Goodreads reviewer "My students couldn't put it down" - Multiple teacher reviews note high engagement among 4th-6th graders

The Neverending Story by Michael Ende A boy discovers he can enter the world of a mysterious book and must save both that realm and his own reality from destruction.

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster A bored boy travels through a magical tollbooth to a world where he must restore sense and reason to the divided kingdoms of Wisdom.

The House of Power by Patrick Carman A young man discovers secrets about his floating world and embarks on a journey that connects him to other realms and hidden truths.

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards Three children learn to access a parallel world where they search for a mythical creature while developing their imagination and perception.

The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop A boy shrinks to miniature size and enters a medieval world contained within a toy castle, where he must complete a quest to save a kingdom.

🌟 The concept of REM sleep, which inspired the book's title, was first discovered in 1953 by scientists Eugene Aserinsky and Nathaniel Kleitman. 🌟 Rodman Philbrick began his writing career as a novelist for adults, publishing mysteries under various pen names before transitioning to young adult literature in the 1990s. 🌟 Weight-loss device advertisements in comic books were extremely popular during the 1950s-1970s, often making outlandish promises that led to Federal Trade Commission investigations. 🌟 The book's themes of self-acceptance and body image remain particularly relevant today, with studies showing that about 40-50% of children aged 6-12 experience body dissatisfaction. 🌟 Philbrick's most celebrated work, "Freak the Mighty," was adapted into a major motion picture titled "The Mighty" starring Sharon Stone and Gillian Anderson.