Imaginary

Zach was six when his father died. His mother couldn’t stand to be in their house, so they moved. There were too many memories for Zach, too. He went through the house, putting things that reminded him of his dad into a box and buried it in the back yard, except for one little knight his father had painted. Shovel, Zach’s imaginary friend, was with him all the way, and now, five years later, Zach and Shovel are still together, ready to start middle school. But Zach is eleven, long past the time imaginary friends should be forgotten. Zach’s former best friend and two other guys bully Zach about Shovel, and things get pretty rough. It’s hard to know how much Zach can give up to get his life back on track.

Author Lee Bacon chose to tell this story from the point of view of Shovel, the imaginary friend. It’s an interesting choice, especially as Zach becomes more mature and independent. The writing is terrific, the story is very compelling, and the characters are all well-developed and believable, even Shovel. Middle graders will be completely engaged by this book and the occasional fun illustrations by Katy Wu. Don’t miss it.