As so many of his books do, Sleepless by Gordon Korman explores a moral/ethical dilemma. If you could choose never to sleep again, would you?
Recommended for: Grades 3-8
Themes: sleep, insomnia, coming of age, secrets, friendship, medical experimentation, gift or curse, consequences of scientific discovery, ethical dilemmas
Great for: Battle of the Books, Back to School, 6th and 7th graders adjusting to busier middle school schedules, book clubs, state reading lists, thought-provoking class discussions
What if you never had to sleep again?
At first, it sounds like the ultimate superpower. Imagine having eight extra hours every day to read, play sports, create art, practice an instrument, or master your favorite hobby. I think most adults would sign up immediately!
But would you?
That’s the intriguing premise behind Sleepless, the newest middle grade novel from bestselling author Gordon Korman, released on July 7, 2026.
The story follows five seventh graders who believe they’re receiving routine allergy shots at the doctor’s office. Instead, they’re secretly injected with an experimental serum that eliminates the need for sleep. At first, each student thinks they’re the only one experiencing this strange change. Eventually, they find one another and discover the truth behind the mysterious experiment.
As the group tracks down the doctor responsible, they demand answers – and face a difficult decision. Should they reverse the effects of the serum? After all, life without sleep has some incredible advantages! Each student has been able to devote countless extra hours to the activities they love most, allowing them to improve in ways they never imagined.
Like many of Gordon Korman’s novels, Sleepless combines fast-paced storytelling with an ethical dilemma that encourages readers to think beyond the obvious. Is giving up sleep really worth everything you gain? Or is there something important about sleep that can’t be replaced?
The story is told through alternating viewpoints from five diverse seventh-grade characters, giving readers multiple perspectives and making it easy to connect with different personalities.
Sleepless received a starred review from School Library Journal and is recommended for Grades 4–8. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking, high-interest read for upper elementary or middle school readers, this one deserves a spot on your list.
Sleepless makes a fantastic booktalk for middle school students, especially during back to school. Students are adjusting to early wake-ups again, and many kids complain about getting enough sleep. But if they had the chance to eliminate it forever, would they actually want to? It’s a fun question that sparks great classroom and library discussions.
Pair it with the news! Check out this article from CNBC about teens and sleep. It also includes a 5-minute “listen to the article” option at the top. Students can then write about their own sleep habits, research why sleep is so important, and discuss how they can ensure they get the recommended amount of sleep.
This Back to School Digital Booktalk is a scrolling slideshow of ~25 books I recommend for back to school in elementary, middle school, and high schools.
It’s 100% free and editable in Canva.
