SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 4
I love, love, love this book! I wasn't sure in the first couple of chapters, I thought it might be a little too over the top silly, but before long, I was hooked. It is clever and wonderful! Told from Budo's perspective as he observes his human friend, Max, and his family. Also some of the other people he visits when Max is sleeping (because he never sleeps) and the other imaginary friends he encounters along the way. There is suspense, intrigue, heartwarming moments, and excitement in Budo's many adventures. I found some parts to be hilarious with all the different types of imaginary friends as they are always only what their humans imagine them to be! Such a fun read!
Helpful Score: 2
Readers of Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend slot it into the following categories: Fiction, Fantasy, Contemporary, Young Adult, Adult, Adult Fiction, and Magical Realism. The uncertainty of what this book is might be one of the reasons why I struggled to love this book, its narrator, its plot, and its characters. I questioned several times whether I was truly the intended audience for this book. With that said, I read the book quickly. As I finished, though, I imagined that the only folks I would likely recommend this book to would be middle school readers or parents looking for a book to read to their elementary school child. When I discovered that the author was, in fact, a fifth grade teacher, it made perfect sense to me. Although I know many adults have read this book, even as part of a book club, the book is written (intentionally) in short, choppy sentences from the unique view point of an imaginary friend of a third grader. Kudos to Matthew Dicks for the creation of the creative narrator! But the straddling between reality and fantasy was a tough sell for me - I would have been a much happier reader if Oswald had not intervened in the plot line. I wanted to see just Budo and Max figure this problem out by themselves. In the end, this book left me in the middle of the road.
Helpful Score: 2
This my second read of this incredible book. The author's talent and imagination bring a child named Max right into our hearts. Told by his imaginary friend, Budo, we step inside Max's life, see his parents frustration about their unusual child, view how teachers work with him, and observe how other children react to someone so different from them.
Some readers say Max is autistic and I think that may be so. Certainly, he dislikes being touched, prefers being alone, and becomes deeply involved in whatever interests him. He has acquaintances but no real friends. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Gosk, who revels in teaching, reads wonderful stories and provides a firm, structured environment. He tolerates others in the school.
When Max has troubles it is Budo who helps him rise above them and deal with the consequences. However, one day Max disappears from school, No one can find him. Once again it is Budo who discovers who took Max away but since he can communicate only with other imaginary friends and Max, he has no idea how to help. The story spins on to an interesting conclusion.
The author based Budo on a childhood imaginary friend of his own. The tale no doubt reflects some of his own experiences. It's an outstanding read and I'm glad I read it again. This book is well worth reading.
Some readers say Max is autistic and I think that may be so. Certainly, he dislikes being touched, prefers being alone, and becomes deeply involved in whatever interests him. He has acquaintances but no real friends. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Gosk, who revels in teaching, reads wonderful stories and provides a firm, structured environment. He tolerates others in the school.
When Max has troubles it is Budo who helps him rise above them and deal with the consequences. However, one day Max disappears from school, No one can find him. Once again it is Budo who discovers who took Max away but since he can communicate only with other imaginary friends and Max, he has no idea how to help. The story spins on to an interesting conclusion.
The author based Budo on a childhood imaginary friend of his own. The tale no doubt reflects some of his own experiences. It's an outstanding read and I'm glad I read it again. This book is well worth reading.
