Multitalented actor, writer, and musician Segel ("How I Met Your Mother") teams up with "New York Times"-bestselling author Miller for the first volume in a hilariously frightening trilogy about a boy named Charlie and a group of kids who must face their fears to save their town.

1. Copyright © 2014 The Jason Segel Company
Hello?
Is anyone else awake?
A few months ago, my dad married the weirdest
lady in town. Now we live in her creepy purple
mansion with my little brother, Jack. I’m telling
you—something is really wrong with this place.
Every night my stepmonster disappears into a
room at the top of the tower. And as soon as I fall
asleep . . . well, let’s just say I’ve been doing my
best to stay awake.
I wish I could convince my friends that my
stepmother’s up to no good. But Paige thinks
I’m losing it. And Rocco and Alfie are too busy
with their own problems to pay much attention
to mine. They’ve caught the eye of our school’s
sinister new principal. And now they say they’re
having nightmares too.
Strange things are happening, and I’m too tired
to face them. If you’re out there, send help!
And coffee!
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2. HC: 978-0-385-74425-6
GLB: 978-0375-99157-8
EL/EPUB: 978-0-385-38403-2
CD LIBRARY: 978-0-8041-6812-0
DN RETAIL: 978-0-8041-6811-3
DN LIBRARY: 978-0-8041-6813-7
ABOUT NIGHTMARES! CHARLIE 1. His dad married a woman he is sure MOONLIGHTS AS A WITCH.
2. He had to move into her purple mansion, which is
NOT A PLACE YOU WANT TO FIND YOURSELF AFTER DARK.
3. He can’t remember the last time sleeping wasn’t a
NIGHTMARISH PROSPECT. Like even a nap.
What Charlie doesn’t know is that his problems are about to get a whole
lot more real. Nightmares can ruin a good night’s sleep, but when they start
slipping out of your dreams and into the waking world—that’s a line that
should never be crossed.
And when your worst nightmares start to come true . . . well, that’s
something only Charlie can face. And he’s going to need all the help he can
get, or it might just be lights-out for Charlie Laird.
FOR GOOD.
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Copyright © 2014 The Jason Segel Company
ABOUT JASON SEGEL & KIRSTEN MILLER
JASON SEGEL used to have nightmares just like Charlie, and just
like Charlie, he’s learned that the things we’re most afraid of are the things
that can make us strong...if we’re brave enough to face them. Jason likes
acting, writing, making music, and hanging out with his friends. Sometimes
he writes movies. Sometimes he writes songs for movies. Sometimes he
stars in those movies and sings those songs. You might know him from The
Muppets and Despicable Me. Your parents might know him from other stuff.
Nightmares! is his first novel.
KIRSTEN MILLER grew up in a small town just like Cypress
Creek, minus the purple mansion. She lives and writes in New York
City. She’s the author of the acclaimed Kiki Strike books and the
Eternal Ones series and How to Lead a Life of Crime. You can visit
her at kirstenmillerbooks.com.
MICHAEL MULLER
LAIRD HAS SEVERAL PROBLEMS
KIRSTEN MILLER

3. NIGHTMARES! EVENT ACTIVITIES
Animal sound
Name of person
Repeat name of person
Repeat scary creature
Repeat name of person
Object
Repeat scary creature
Repeat scary creature
Food
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Copyright © 2014 The Jason Segel Company
Your worst Nightmare!
An exclusive sneak peek at Chapter 4 of Nightmares! starring YOU.
INSTRUCTIONS: Pick a child to lead the game. The leader will ask for the words to fill in the blanks.
When the blanks are all filled in, the game leader reads the story to the group. Make a few copies
of this page and play the game again using new words. Alternatively, have the children split into
groups to fill in the blanks and have each group share their worst nightmares with everyone.
CHAPTER 4: THE ________________________
“Look who’s here,” something ________________________ed.“ And just in time for dinner!”
“Splendid!” said a second voice. The words were followed by a familiar cackle.
“So glad you could join us,__________________. Aren’t you looking just__________________tonight?”
A jolt of fear made __________________’s eyes snap open. He/She was no longer in his/her room.
His/her bed was shoved up against a crumbling stone wall that was splattered with patches of moss
and mold. He’d/She’d been to the __________________’s __________________before, but this time
he/she could see the cavernous space even more clearly. A roaring fire had been built in the center
of the room.
A cloud of smoke rolled above him/her. __________________struggled to sit up, only to discover
that he’d/she’d been tied down as usual. __________________s chafed his/her wrists and ankles.
He/She could lift his/her head just high enough to see the __________________seated
beside a__________________ cauldron, chopping a __________________. The contents of the
Adjective
pot__________________ed every time it dropped a hunk in. As the__________________rose from
its seat, it tossed a handful of scraps onto a rubbish heap in the corner. Bones of all shapes stuck out
from the pile. __________________ spotted a__________________skull and a broken bat wing or two.
Silly Adjective
Scary place
Adjective
Scary creature
Noise
Repeat name of person

4. NIGHTMARES! EVENT ACTIVITIES NightmaresNovels.com #NightmaresNovels
Copyright © 2014 The Jason Segel Company
Night Watch!
THE SETTING
Night Watch is a group role-playing game of strategy, survival, and the ability to spot a fraud. The concerned citizens of
Cypress Creek need to work with Charlie to send the spine-tingling nightmares back to the Netherworld so dreams and
restful slumber can return!
There are numerous variations of the game. The version described here requires a deck of cards and works best
with at least 8 players. We suggest an adult taking on the role of narrator.
SET UP:
1. Take a deck of ordinary cards and pull out two black queens, a red king, and a joker.
2. Add to this as many non-face cards as are needed to equal the number of people playing.
3. Set the remaining cards aside.
4. Shuffle the cards carefully, then deal them out.
5. Each person should receive one card.
a. The players with the queens are the nightmares
b. The player with the king is Charlie
c. The player with the joker is the narrator
d. Everyone else is a citizen of Cypress Creek
HOW TO PLAY
1. Game play revolves around rounds of “night” and “day”
2. Every “night” the narrator calls out the nightmares and selects a townsperson to scare. Charlie has the opportunity
to guess who the nightmares are.
3. Every “day” the narrator will announce who was “spooked” by the nightmares, and the whole group (including the
nightmares and Charlie, since no one knows who they are) selects one member of Cypress Creek to go to the
Netherworld for good. Charlie can help steer the direction of the conversation based on his knowledge.
4. It’s important that no one reveal his or her cards, unless: He/She is Charlie and revealing will help the townspeople
of Cypress Creek beat the nightmares. He/she is sent to the netherworld for good.
5. The narrator coordinates the “night” round, which is silent. Everyone participates in the “day” round with
eyes open, while the narrator guides play.
SAMPLE DESCRIPTIONS/ROUNDS:
NARRATOR: “Night has fallen on Cypress Creek. Everyone close your eyes.” (Check all eyes are closed.)
NARRATOR: “Nightmares, open your eyes. Who will you spook tonight?” Only the two people holding the
queens open their eyes. Without speaking, the nightmares choose the townsperson who will
be scared, point to him/her, and confirm with a nod.
NARRATOR: “Interesting choice, nightmares! Good luck & close your eyes! (Check all eyes are closed.)
NARRATOR: “Charlie, awaken from your slumber.” (The player holding the king opens his or her eyes.)
NARRATOR: “Charlie, take your guess.” (Charlie accuses player. Narrator nods yes/no.)
NARRATOR: “Charlie, with this new knowledge, close your eyes. Let’s hope you can save
Cypress Creek when dawn arrives.” (Verify that he/she has complied.)
NARRATOR: “Sunlight is revealing dust on windowpanes and birds are chirping, A new day has arrived.
Everyone open your eyes. ___________ [Name of person nightmares chose to spook] had
an unfriendly encounter with his/her nightmares last night. Who is the nightmare hiding amongst us?”
All players (except narrator) start to guess who the nightmares are. Encourage the children
to use their deductive reasoning skills and creativity!

5. NIGHTMARES! EVENT ACTIVITIES
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Copyright © 2014 The Jason Segel Company
Fighting fear of The Dark with your fingers!
Charlie and his friends are dealing with scary nightmares and learning to face their fears. On their
adventures they pick up creative skills to fight their fears. Fight your fear of The Dark and turn it into something
fabulous with these shadow puppets, using your hands and a flashlight. (This is called shadowography.)
INSTRUCTIONS: You only need one light source, like a candle or a single bulb, and a wall to cast shadows upon.
The vintage illustrations shown below include both easy and challenging examples.
Take pictures of your puppets and share them with @RandomHouseKids and tag #NightmaresNovels.
THE WORLD’S BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE AND UNIVERSAL EDUCATOR (BOSTON: J.R. SPAULDING & CO., 1901) 518

6. NIGHTMARES! EVENT ACTIVITIES
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Copyright © 2014 The Jason Segel Company
Readers’ Theater Activity!
Charlie’s recurring nightmare about the witch and her spooky cat have played an integral part of his new life with
his stepmom. Using the following directions, have the children demonstrate an understanding of text structure by
retelling and sequencing a scene from Nightmares!
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Read the Nightmares! excerpt with the group. After reading, have the children complete a “Somebody wanted but so”
chart as a way to make observations about the characters, setting, conflict, and plot.
2. To enhance understanding, take a well-known story (perhaps a fairy tale) write a Readers’
Theater script as a whole group activity. After discussing dialogue and performance, divide the group
into smaller groups that will each create an original script using a chapter from Nightmares! as inspiration.
SCENE SUGGESTIONS
• When Alfie, Rocco, or Paige faces his or her nightmares
• Charlie’s first encounter with the witch
• Dabney rescuing Charlie when he first enters the Netherworld
• Charlie’s late-night conversation with his stepmonster
3. Allow the groups ample time to assign roles and practice. Be sure to confer with each group to answer or
clarify any questions they may have.
4. Finally, it’s show time! Allow the children to create costumes, props, and sets for the final Readers’ Theater
performance. Groups will perform for one another. For additional fun, consider filming each performance
to share with the whole class.
GOOD NIGHT, CHARLIE.
SLEEP TIGHT, JACK.
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS
AND WATCH
Y O U R
BACK.
With lively dialogue, quirky characters, and lots of action,
Nightmares! provides excellent opportunities for young reader—created theater experiences.

7. NightmaresNovels.com #NightmaresNovels
Copyright © 2014 The Jason Segel Company
SOMEBODY (Character)
WANTED (Goal)
BUT . . . (Problem)
SO . . . (Solution)

8. NIGHTMARES! EVENT ACTIVITIES
• Seasonal candy: Candy Corn (Halloween),
Candy hearts (Valentine’s Day), Chocolate Eggs,
Jelly Beans (Spring holidays), etc.
• Frosting tubes in various colors
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Copyright © 2014 The Jason Segel Company
Host a Nightmares! Event or Party
Here are some seriously sinister, spine-chilling ways to bring NIGHTMARES!
to life, and celebrate all year-long.
SPOOKY SNACKS: Make or bake cupcakes, cookies, or other snacks and provide edible accessories
to decorate with, such as:
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate sprinkles
• M&Ms
• Black licorice (3 inches long)
• Mini ice cream cones
DECORATING IDEAS:
1. Cut marshmallows in half crosswise; place a half on each cupcake or cookie. Frost the marshmallows
and the top of the cupcake. Dip the cupcakes in chocolate sprinkles. Place a dab of frosting on each
M&M and press on the cupcakes for eyes.
2. For spider legs, use a metal or wooden skewer to poke four holes in opposite sides of cupcakes; insert
a piece of licorice into each hole.
3. Place a circle of frosting in the center of the cupcake or cookie and affix a mini ice-cream cone upside
down to serve as a witch’s hat.
4. Pipe three concentric circles of frosting on each cupcake or cookie. Starting at the center, draw a
toothpick 5 or 6 times through frosting to the outside edge of cupcake to make a frosting spiderweb
design. Let stand till frosting is dry.
NIGHTMARES! NAME TAGS: Have every child and/or parent write their name and draw
a spooky creature next to it.
NAME THAT NIGHTMARE:
1. Prepare several labels with various nightmares, such as:
a. The Boogie Man
b. Zombie
c. Vampire Bunnies
d. Your teeth falling out
e. Clowns
f. Spiders
g. Aliens
2. Stick a label on the back of each person in attendance
3. Announce that it’s time for the game to begin. Everybody must mingle and introduce
themselves and each person asks yes-or-no questions to gain clues about the name
of the creature on their own back.
4. When a person correctly guesses his/her identity, he/she has someone remove
the label and continues to mingle until a set amount of time.