In Sleepless, published by Scholastic Press, prolific middle-grade author Gordon Korman delivers an inventive, high-concept sci-fi mystery designed for young readers aged 9 to 12. The narrative centers on five distinct seventh-graders—Mickey, Skye, Levi, Cyrus, and Thea—who unexpectedly discover that they no longer require sleep. Initially, each protagonist treats this mysterious nocturnal wakefulness as the ultimate secret superpower. Free from fatigue, they utilize the extra night hours to push their limits, training harder for sports, mastering academic subjects, building social media followings, and inventing new projects. However, their solitary routines take a dramatic turn when the group realizes their shared condition is far from a coincidence. Uniting as unlikely allies, they launch a suspenseful investigation to uncover the true cause behind their sleepless state, triggering a journey that challenges their ethics, loyalty, and perceptions of success.

The novel’s standout strength lies in Korman’s signature multi-POV narrative style, which grants each protagonist an authentic voice and relatable middle-school motivations. Beyond the fast-paced plot, Sleepless offers a surprisingly nuanced critique of modern productivity culture and youth burnout, gently pushing readers to question whether constant efficiency is worth sacrificing rest, health, and personal connection. Korman deftly grounds the speculative science-fiction element in recognizable suburban dynamics, keeping the stakes feeling immediate and believable. Supported by snappy dialogue and swift chapter transitions, the book maintains a compelling rhythm that will effortlessly pull in both reluctant readers and seasoned bookworms alike.

On the flip side, the story does suffer from a few minor limitations. Readers familiar with middle-grade mysteries may predict the underlying plot twist surrounding their medical anomaly long before the characters do. Additionally, juggling five central narrators within a tight page count means a couple of the cast members receive slightly less character development than others, while the final confrontation feels a bit rushed in comparison to the steady build-up of the opening acts.

Ultimately, Sleepless remains a sharp, entertaining, and morally resonant mystery that highlights Gordon Korman’s ability to transform everyday adolescent pressure into engaging fiction, earning a rating of 4 out of 5 stars (★★★★☆).

– The Moving Words Review