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jennietee93's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
zacochsner's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
booknerdesm's review
4.0
Though this book was written for kids ages 8 - 12 (according to Amazon), I still enjoyed this book. I'll be honest, it actually made me cry in the end, I got so invested in the story that I imagined myself in it (I guess I fit the title of the book, "Imaginary".) This book is an easy read and very enjoyable. It has themes of grief and acceptance.
(This section of my review might count as a spoiler) I want to mention two things that I didn't like, or disagreed with. First is a line found in the last chapter, it goes like this:
"Nothing lasts forever. People die. Imaginary friends fade. But that doesn't mean they're gone. Even after someone or something goes away, a part of them still remains. In the memories you keep. In the stories you tell around the dinner table and slip through locker doors. In this way, I'm still a part of you. And so is your dad. We were there BEFORE. And our light shines on AFTER. All you have to do is remember."
The quote sounds so good and in the context of reading the story, it sounds true. But I don't think this is accurate. I'm not saying that Lee Bacon intentionally lied or tried to deceive anyone, but I don't believe that memories are where people are kept alive, so to speak. Because think about it, at some point, the memories will fade away, and the person will be forgotten in history. I think that we should rather be thinking about these questions: Why are we here? Why do we exist? Is there someone out there who made us? Is there something after death? What is the truth about reality?
If we go and search out these questions, I'm certain we'll discover that we live in a world, made by God, his creation fell by our transgression, and He has made a plan to restore us to Himself.
There was also a second thing that I didn't like. At the end of the story, there apparently are two dads who are raising a girl named Rose. It's not important to the plot (Rose is important, but the fact that she has two dads is not), it's just thrown in there, written as if nothing is out of the ordinary. I didn't like that this was written in a kids' book, to make it seem normal to them. Again, this doesn't affect the plot, at all, I'm just mentioning this because it was just weird to me.
(This section of my review might count as a spoiler) I want to mention two things that I didn't like, or disagreed with. First is a line found in the last chapter, it goes like this:
"Nothing lasts forever. People die. Imaginary friends fade. But that doesn't mean they're gone. Even after someone or something goes away, a part of them still remains. In the memories you keep. In the stories you tell around the dinner table and slip through locker doors. In this way, I'm still a part of you. And so is your dad. We were there BEFORE. And our light shines on AFTER. All you have to do is remember."
The quote sounds so good and in the context of reading the story, it sounds true. But I don't think this is accurate. I'm not saying that Lee Bacon intentionally lied or tried to deceive anyone, but I don't believe that memories are where people are kept alive, so to speak. Because think about it, at some point, the memories will fade away, and the person will be forgotten in history. I think that we should rather be thinking about these questions: Why are we here? Why do we exist? Is there someone out there who made us? Is there something after death? What is the truth about reality?
If we go and search out these questions, I'm certain we'll discover that we live in a world, made by God, his creation fell by our transgression, and He has made a plan to restore us to Himself.
There was also a second thing that I didn't like. At the end of the story, there apparently are two dads who are raising a girl named Rose. It's not important to the plot (Rose is important, but the fact that she has two dads is not), it's just thrown in there, written as if nothing is out of the ordinary. I didn't like that this was written in a kids' book, to make it seem normal to them. Again, this doesn't affect the plot, at all, I'm just mentioning this because it was just weird to me.
suchiszoe's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
librarypatronus's review
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Amulet Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was a super cute middle grade story about loss, growing up, bullying, friendship and imagination from the viewpoint of an imaginary friend. Zach is 11, and his imaginary friend, Shovel should be a thing he’s outgrown, and he knows that. Shovel knows he’s lasted well past his expiration date, he’d started to fade once before, but after Zach’s Dad died he’d returned to his former opaque self. Zach is having a rough time at school after being caught laughing at nothing by a group of bullies, one of whom is his former best-friend. I think literature is a great way for kids to grapple with hard topics in a safe manner, and this book was no exception.
Only some of the final art was included in this ARC, and it was cute! I can’t wait to see the final product when the book is released.
This was a super cute middle grade story about loss, growing up, bullying, friendship and imagination from the viewpoint of an imaginary friend. Zach is 11, and his imaginary friend, Shovel should be a thing he’s outgrown, and he knows that. Shovel knows he’s lasted well past his expiration date, he’d started to fade once before, but after Zach’s Dad died he’d returned to his former opaque self. Zach is having a rough time at school after being caught laughing at nothing by a group of bullies, one of whom is his former best-friend. I think literature is a great way for kids to grapple with hard topics in a safe manner, and this book was no exception.
Only some of the final art was included in this ARC, and it was cute! I can’t wait to see the final product when the book is released.
catra121's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this one. A great story about coping with grief and about friendship. I thought it being told from the Imaginary friend POV was really interesting and refreshing. A great middle grade book that I enjoyed as an adult.
rosem_'s review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lorienbird32's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
britterization's review
4.0
This a tale of grief narrated by the imaginary friend of an 11 year old who lost his dad to an illness when he was very young. It's a story of love, friendship, family and growing up. I think kids will love it - especially those that have lost a parent to COVID in the last year or so. I cried my face off. It's like reading a really good Pixar movie. For ages 8-12 and reluctant readers.
Thanks to Amulet Books and Netgalley for the eARC, which I received in exchange for an unbiased review.
Thanks to Amulet Books and Netgalley for the eARC, which I received in exchange for an unbiased review.