Becker Drane has the best job in the world: he is a Fixer in The Seems, a behind-the-scenes society where all the things that happen in The World are orchestrated.  He jumps full-force into his first mission: fixing the glitch in sleep.  No one in The World can get any sleep, and it has kept several important things from happening.  If Becker can’t fix it, the Chain of Events will disassemble and life as we know it will be destroyed.

 The greatest strength of The Seems is the complex world its authors have created.  Everything in life is carefully orchestrated by the workers of The Seems, and Hulme and Wexler seem to have thought of everything.  If you were to find something they hadn’t, the world is so well-developed they could come up with an answer in a mere matter of seconds.  Becker is a relatable character, with ordinary problems in spite of his extraordinary job.  His supporting cast is charming or scary, as is appropriate.

I would recommend The Seems primarily to younger readers.  It is suggested for readers ages 10 and up, but I think readers as young as 6 or 7 would enjoy it.  Anyone who has the attention span to finish a novel is old enough to enjoy The Seems.  Older readers may find it a bit immature, but can still enjoy it as a quick, light read.

Book: The Seems: The Glitch in Sleep [affiliate link]
Author: John Hulme and Michael Wexler
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Original Publication Date: September 18, 2007
Pages: 288
Age Range: Middle Grade
Source of Book: Advance Reading Copy Requested From Publisher