Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend

by Matthew Dicks

Genre: Fiction

Synopsis: I am not imaginary...  Budo is lucky as imaginary friends go.  He's been alive for more than five years, which is positively ancient in the world of imaginary friends.  But Budo feels his age and things constantly of the day when eight-year-old Max Delaney will stop believing in him.  When that happens, Budo will disappear.

Max is different from other children.  Some people say he has Asperger's, but most just say he's "on the spectrum."  None of this matters to Budo, who loves Max unconditionally and is charged with protecting him: from the class bully, from awkward situations in the cafeteria, and even in bathroom stalls.  But he can't protect Max from Mrs. Patterson, a teacher in the Learning Center who believes that she alone is qualified to care for this young boy.

When Mrs. Patterson does the unthinkable, it is up to Budo and a tea of imaginary friends to save Max-and Budo must ultimately decide which is more important: Max's happiness or his own existence.

Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend is a triumph of courage and imagination that touches on the truths of life, love, and friendship as it races to a heartwarming...and heartbreaking conclusion.

From the book jacket

Review:  At first I wasn't sure of what to think about this book because the beginning is just about Budo introducing himself and Max and telling us all about the quirkiness of Max.  I was wondering where the book was going to go.  But then once Mrs. Patterson does the unthinkable, the book really picks up.  Budo has the mentality of an eight year old (or maybe a little older) and has to figure out how to save Max.  It's interesting to see what he decides to do and who he gets to help him.  You have to keep remembering while you are reading that you are not reading the perspective of an adult-its a young child.  It is also quite a unique point of view from an imaginary friend because he can't communicate with very many people except Max and other imaginary friends.  It was quite an interesting read!

Rating: 4 stars