Emily Swan and the Dream Pillow is a whimsical and heartfelt journey that follows eleven-year-old Emily as she’s uprooted from her tech-filled suburban life and dropped into a quiet, unplugged farmhouse in rural Kansas. What starts as a family’s quest for simplicity quickly unfolds into a magical exploration of dreams, self-discovery, and imagination. Emily, struggling with loneliness and loss of connection, receives an enchanted “Dream Pillow” from a cosmic being known as the Star Lady, launching her into a series of dream-fueled adventures that blur the lines between the waking world and the unseen mysteries of the soul.

I found myself genuinely touched by how Peers captures the inner life of a child grappling with change. The writing is gentle, sometimes whimsical, and peppered with charm, without ever feeling overly sweet. The way Emily’s discontent gradually gives way to wonder felt real. Her skepticism, frustration, and loneliness are treated with such honesty that I couldn’t help but root for her. The dream sequences are vivid and strange in the best way—like stepping into a lucid dream you didn’t know you needed. Some of the metaphors are beautifully subtle (a barn full of memories, a bird bearing secrets, a pillow woven from stars).

There were moments where descriptions or exposition went a little long, and the plot risked getting lost in its own stardust. Still, the emotional core is strong. I appreciated that the magic wasn’t flashy—it was internal, quiet, the kind of magic that speaks to kids (and adults) who lie awake at night wondering if they matter. The messages about screen time, listening to your spirit, and reconnecting with nature and imagination are powerful, though at times delivered a bit too directly.

Emily Swan and the Dream Pillow made me feel a kind of nostalgic hope. It reminded me of being a kid and wondering if the stars were looking back at me. This book would be perfect for middle-grade readers who love a touch of the surreal, dreamers who feel a little out of place, or anyone wanting to unplug and remember what it feels like to sit in silence and really listen.

Pages: 190 | ASIN : B0DTX956MX