• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 7 to 12

This honest, engrossing graphic memoir tells the story of professional athlete and activist Akim Aliu’s incredible life as a hockey prodigy in Canada.

Akim Aliu — also known as “Dreamer” — is a Ukrainian-Nigerian-Canadian professional hockey player whose career took him all around the world and who experienced systemic racism at every turn. Dreamer tells Akim’s incredible story, from being the only Black child in his Ukrainian community, to his family struggling to make ends meet while living in Toronto, to confronting the racist violence he often experienced both on and off the ice. This is a gut-wrenching and riveting graphic novel memoir that reminds us to never stop dreaming, and is sure to inspire young readers everywhere.

“With honesty and courage, Akim Aliu’s Dreamer will inspire readers of all ages to move confidently in the direction of their future.” — Colin Kaepernick

Akim Aliu is the son of a Nigerian father and a Ukrainian mother. Born in Nigeria, he spent years of his youth in Africa and Ukraine before moving to Toronto. A hockey prodigy, Akim was drafted into the NHL as a teenager and played for the Calgary Flames. He experienced systemic racism, hazing, and abuse at every level of competitive hockey he played in — from Pee Wee hockey to the NHL — but has never stopped dreaming of a world where every kid, regardless of background, can be accepted for who he or she is (and play hockey, of course).

In May 2020, Akim wrote an article for the Players’ Tribune entitled “Hockey is Not for Everyone,” where he identifies the racism and violence he endured as a Black athlete within the sport of hockey. He has since partnered with the Time to Dream Foundation and the Hockey Diversity Alliance to help their mission to eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey, and continues to play hockey professionally in Europe.

Akim Aliu's profile page

Greg Anderson Elysée is a Brooklyn born, Haitian-American writer, educator, filmmaker, and model. He has been teaching various forms of filmmaking, including narrative and documentary, from elementary level to the elderly since 2012. A former journalist for theOuthousers.com, he also ran his own column, (Heard It Thru) The Griotvine, where he showcased independent creators of color and LGBTQ creators. He also wrote for the independent pop culture news website Bleeding Cool.

Greg's original comic series "Is'nana: The Were-Spider" is a five-time Glyph Award Winner. His other work includes "The Gentleman: Darkness of the Void" and "Marassa," both published by Evoluzione Publishing, “OneNation: Stronghold” published by 133art Publishing, and work in the Lion Forge graphic novel collection "Puerto Rico Strong." He lives in Brooklyn.

Greg Anderson Elysée's profile page

Karen De la Vega was born and raised in the northern mountainous city of Monterrey, Nuevo León, México. After spending her childhood being grounded for drawing in class, she entered a bachelor's degree in psychology to better understand her creative mind and human consciousness. Upon graduating in 2021, Karen decided to accept her madness and dedicate herself to illustration and comic art. She is always seeking to convey meaningful messages and aesthetics through her art, applying her knowledge in child and adolescent psychology to develop concepts that visually align with the exciting characters, environments, and stories of middle grade and young adult projects. Dreamer, her first published work, was a 2023 YALSA nominee for Great Graphic Novels.

Karen De la Vega's profile page

Marcus Williams' profile page

• Commended, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book Centre, Starred Selection

2024 YALSA Great Graphic Novel Novel for Teens Selection

Top 10 Selection of the 2024 In the Margins Book Award List

2024 TLA Texas Maverick Reading List Selection

2024 CBC Building a Home Library Book List Selection

“With honesty and courage, Akim Aliu’s Dreamer will inspire readers of all ages to move confidently in the direction of their future.” ⁠— Colin Kaepernick, athlete, activist, and New York Times bestselling author

2024 Children's Book Council Children’s and Young Adult Favorites Award – Book List: Grades 6-8

“Gut-wrenching and vividly detailed… With well-drawn artwork and an important story, this will educate and inspire many preteen readers.” —Booklist

“(A) powerful graphic memoir . . . Blunt, simple language, a brisk pace, and realistic illustrations work harmoniously to keep readers engaged.” —Kirkus

“This gripping graphic memoir chronicling a boy’s hockey dream coupled with systemic racism is a must-purchase.” —School Library Journal

“Clear, crisp artwork and richly saturated colors by De la Vega and Williams, paired with Aliu and Elysee’s conversational dialogue, result in a riveting, animated account.” —Publishers Weekly

“The narrative is notable for its emotional clarity and the strength with which the concise text carries both Aliu’s pain and his resolve. Dynamic comic-panel art serves the story with expressiveness of motion and feeling. Grabbing readers at the intersection of sports and social justice, this is a welcome addition to the graphic-memoir genre.” —Horn Book Magazine