Quest for the Spark, Book One — Thomas Sniegoski; Jeff Smith

Something evil has poisoned the Dreaming and is now invading the Waking World. As the darkness spreads, the people of the Valley -- even Queen Thorn -- are caught in the grip of nightmares, and it's up to one boy to save them all.

Twelve-year-old Tom Elm has spent his life turnip farming, but he's always felt destined for something greater. When his family falls into a dangerous sleep, Tom, along with Roderick the raccoon, teams up with three lost explorers from Boneville, Percival Bone and his nephew and niece. Together with a Veni Yan warrior, a mysterious shape-shifting woman, and two stupid Rat Creatures, this mismatched group sets out on a quest to find the lost pieces of the Spark. Without its vanquishing light, Tom's family -- and the entire Valley -- might never wake up again.