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“Following Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters (2016), Xander Miyamoto’s second quest takes him to the Land of Dreams, where he encounters more creatures from Japanese folklore…With higher stakes than before, this half-Japanese, half-Irish 12-year-old dives deep into his own personal psychology as he battles demonic oni on his quest to find the baku (a dream-stealing anteater) and restore his Momotaro power…Xander slowly realizes that true things bring power and assistance: true anger, true fear, and true compassion.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Xander and the Dream Thief (Momotaro #2)

Written by Margaret Dilloway
Illustrated by Choong Yoon
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Xander Miyamoto should be feeling great. It’s the beginning of summer vacation, his mother has returned from a long absence, and he has learned that he is a warrior with special powers. Xander never would have guessed that the old Japanese folktale about Momotaro, the hero who sprang from a peach pit, was real, much less part of his own heritage.

But instead of reveling in his recent victory against the oni, monsters bent on creating chaos, Xander is feeling resentful. What took his mother so long to come back? Why does his father insist on ruining the summer with study and training? And why is Xander plagued by nightmares every night? Maybe this whole Momotaro thing is overrated.

Xander’s grandmother gives him a special baku charm to use to chase his nightmares away. He just has to be careful not to rely on it too much. If he does, the baku will not only take his dreams, but those of everyone in the house, forever. Without dreams, there is no hope, no motivation, no imagination, no Momotaro. And then it would be far too easy for Ozuno, king of the oni, to wreak havoc. . . .

On his second quest, Xander explores new surreal landscapes, encounters more strange and dangerous creatures, and faces even higher stakes as he learns whether or not he has what it takes to be Momotaro.

Don’t miss the rest of the series! Explore:

Primary ISBN: 9781484724880
Publication Date: April 2017
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (San Diego CA)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 2nd Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Written with Cultural Advisors

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