The Imaginary by A.F. Harrold recalls to mind the memory of childhood and the power (danger?) of imagination. The story revolves around Amanda and her best friend named Rudger. They're typical friends that have lots of imaginary play, get into mischief, and share all of their secrets with one another. The only difference is that no one else can see Rudger because he's Amanda's imaginary friend. This book walks a tightrope between fantasy and reality which at times is quite blurred. This is not a fantasy full of giggles and silliness but one fraught with darkness and fear. There is a threat not only to Amanda and Rudger's friendship but to their very lives...and it's getting closer. This is a book about the true meaning of friendship and to what lengths you will go to preserve it. Also, cats. (I genuinely made a note after reading this book that was simply CATS so clearly that's an important aspect of this book.) I must also point out that the narrative was elevated even further by the fantastic illustrations of Emily Gravett. (I liked her work so much that I sought out her picture books.) I've been recommending this to reluctant readers because I think it's a great way to dip your toe into fantasy and the scary element definitely sells it as well. 9/10

Source: books4yourkids.com

What's Up Next: HiLo series books 1-3 by Jeff Winick

What I'm Currently Reading: The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatues by Aaron Mahnke & Haunted Nights: A Horror Writers Association anthology

I didn’t know what to think about this novel, the more that I read it. The story seemed typical until I started to know Nick and his situation. Nick was like an outcast for he was different but he didn’t seem to let that bother him much as he kept to himself. Nick didn’t have to go in and save Frank from the bullies that were bothering her but he did and that confrontation was just the beginning of what was going to occur. Frank was a victim of bullying, an act her father knew nothing about it but I felt it changed her personality. Frank seems scared of these boys, she tries to dodge them whenever she saw them because she knew they would harass her, they always did. It just so happens that Nick is around when Frank is being bullied and he steps in and provides some relief from the bullying. Frank doesn’t know what to think of Nick’s actions because now she feels a connection to him, a connection that will draw attention. It was nice to see these two individuals coming together but I had to wonder which one would walk away from their connection first. Frank didn’t want the added attention and Nick is keeping a secret, something so wild and extreme, I didn’t know what to think of it. Frank and Nick are alike yet they feel they have so much to lose by forming an honest relationship with each other. What is the future of this relationship and does Frank’s bullying go away because of her relationship with Nick or does it escalate? I found that I liked this novel more after I was finished reading it, when I could put everything together than when I was reading it. A novel about bullying, friendship and family, this novel is entertaining and full of surprises.

***This review has also been posted on The Social Potato

This is such a heartfelt book that is bound to make you feel all mushy and warm inside. If you, like me, were an avid watcher for Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, I think this book will be right up your alley and will probably have you flipping through the pages as fast as I was flipping through them. The only real disappointment I had while reading this book was that I read an e-arc so that meant I couldn’t experience the gorgeous drawings in this book in all their glory.

I haz so many feels from reading this book and I am not even sure where to start experessing them. For starters, you should know, this book can be surprisingly dark considering the fact that it’s meant for children.

This book is actually more focused on Rudger, the imaginary friend, than Amanda and I thought that was interesting. It’s about what happens when he gets separated from his human and the evil imaginary friend eating monster he has to deal with. I though Rudger was a fantastic character even if he did make that one incredibly questionable decision (which he owned up to a minute later so I couldn’t help but forgive him) and I just loved him so much. He is so sweet and adorable and you just want to hug him.

Amanda may have become a secondary character in this book but I still adored her. She may have been annoying at times but she was a child and children tend to be self centered. It’s funny because she never really acknowledges that she was wrong but you know that she knows and you know that she has grown by the end of the book and that’s enough. She is a funny, witty character and you can see why she and Rudger are best friends. 

This is the kind of book where there is a chance that the parent will be awful but Amanda’s mom aka Fridge’s Lizzie (you’ll get that reference when you read the book), is a great parent. She knows that Amanda has an imaginary friend but her first instinct isn’t to take her to the psychiatrist. When she was worried, she called her mom and she drew her own conclusions based on the fact that it didn’t seem to be affecting her daughter negatively and decided to play along (although Amanda does know that Rudger isn't real).

This book has it’s villain and boy was the villain a jerk faced jerk.  Mr. Bunting eats imaginary friends because that helps sustain him and now he’s after Rudger.  DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN. It’s not surprising how all of this turns out but at the same time, the author had me worried for a while there!

I absolutely adore this book and if you’re looking for a fun children’s book, I wouldn’t hesitate to push it at you *pushes the book at you* (I am a serial pusher). So go readdd this amazingness, it’s WORTH IT.

‘What is this?’ she said, her back to the wardrobe.
‘Oh,’ said Amanda. ‘That’s my coat.’
‘And what’s it doing in there?’
‘Hanging up?’ Amanda suggested cautiously.
‘But, darling,’ her mum said in a quieter voice. ‘It’s all wet. Look, it’s dripping. Hang it up downstairs by the radiator. I’ve told you before, don’t just stick it in the cupboard. It’ll get mouldy. When are you ever going to learn?’
‘On Monday at school,’ Amanda said.

He stood up. He could do this. What would Amanda have done if she’d been in his shoes? Probably complained her shoes were too big, but after she’d’ve gone through the door and faced whatever was on the other side