Tag Archives: Imaginary Friend

Elem. – Mira and Baku

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Truuvert, Sara. Mira and Baku. Illustrated by Michelle Theodore. Annick Press, 2023. 978-1-773-21756-7. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades K-3.

Mira’s Papa has been absent for quite awhile, but he has never missed her birthday before. However, when her birthday is only five days away, her mother tells her that Papa won’t be back for it. Mira is extremely upset by this news, so she asks Baku, her imaginary friend (and a creature from Japanese folklore), to help her find Papa. Together, they fly over mountains, fields, oceans, and villages. Throughout their travels, they discover clues as to Papa’s whereabouts, such as their abandoned house and his abandoned shop. As they search for Papa, Mira relives many fond memories of collecting stones with her father. Finally, her birthday arrives, along with a surprise. Although Papa is unable to be there in person, he has found a way to let Mira know she is loved. Colorful illustrations of the Canadian countryside are interspersed with more neutral, washed out spreads that reflect Mira’s somber mood. Back matter includes an author’s note describing Japanese Canadian internment in more detail, as well as a list of websites where readers can find more information on the topic.

THOUGHTS: Young children will probably need some background information and guidance to fully understand why Mira’s Papa is absent (he is being held in an internment camp). However, this book will resonate with any child experiencing family separation, whether their family member is in the military, incarcerated, or deceased. Mira’s way of coping with her father’s absence (turning to Baku and reminiscing about the happy times) could potentially provide comfort to other children who are experiencing a similar separation.

Picture Book

Elem. – Real to Me

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Le, Minh. Real to Me. Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa. Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. 978-0-593-37749-9. $18.99. Unpaged. Grades PreK-2.

A young girl and a furry, green creature share a special friendship. Everyone tells the creature that the girl is imaginary, but this doesn’t stop the two from making many wonderful memories together. Then, one day, the girl vanishes unexpectedly, and the creature is devastated. Eventually, the creature makes new friends, but it still thinks about its old friend and wonders what she is up to. Rich digital illustrations complement this magical, dramatic tale of friendship.

THOUGHTS: This delightful story about the evolution of friendships over time will resonate with any child who has struggled with a changing relationship. The message that friendships – old or new, real or imagined – are always impactful is extremely positive and encouraging. Pair this with other titles about imaginary friends, such as Patricia Polacco’s Emma Kate (2005) or Dan Santat’s Beekle (2014).

Picture Book      

MG – Chunky Goes to Camp

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Mercado, Yehudi. Chunky Goes to Camp. Katherine Tegen Books, 2022. 978-1-668-83618-7. 188 p. $19.99. Grades 3-7.

It’s not easy being the class clown, but Hudi is up to the challenge. During the school year, he combines his love of comedy and art to make everyone laugh, but unfortunately, his antics land him in detention more often than not. When summer starts, Hudi’s parents decide he needs a change of scenery. When Hudi arrives at Camp Green, a Jewish sleepaway camp, he makes sure to bring Chunky, his personal mascot who is invisible to everyone except him. Hudi is nervous that he won’t make any friends, but when he meets Pepe, everything changes. For starters, Pepe is also a Jewish-Mexican comedian like Hudi. But what’s even more fantastic is that Pepe can actually SEE Chunky! Their friendship blossoms quickly, and the trio decide to prank some of the snobby kids at the camp. However, when some of the pranks go too far, Hudi realizes that Pepe is not just trying to make people laugh. In fact, he has a different, darker motive, and Hudi isn’t sure he wants any part of that. Hudi has to decide whether his friendship with Pepe is worth being labeled a troublemaker for the rest of his life.

THOUGHTS: In the sequel to his autobiographical graphic novel, Yehudi Mercado once again delivers. It is both heartwarming yet hysterical with jokes peppered throughout the story, proving that the real-life Hudi is as funny as he is a talented storyteller. Mercado’s books could be a great option for reluctant male readers in middle school.

Graphic Novel          Danielle Corrao, Manheim Central SD

Elem. – Chunky

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Mercado, Yehudi. Chunky. Katherine Tegan Books, 2021. 978-1-713-75878-5. 199 p. $21.99. Grades 3-6. 

When Hudi was younger he had some health issues which caused him to have his one lung removed. As he gets older, his parents are worried about his health and want him to lose weight and stay healthy, so they set him up with a variety of different sports. These end in Hudi getting injured most of the time. Hudi has a great imagination along with an awesome sense of humor, which help him through most of his sports injuries and endear him to his doctors. Hudi has an imaginary friend that he names Chunky who is his cheerleader throughout the book as Hudi goes through all of these activities.

THOUGHTS: The illustrations are bright and colorful, and the addition of the Spanish is a wonderful addition. There is an author’s note that delves more into the book and explains how some of this book is based on the author’s experiences growing up as a Mexican Jewish child. This is a lovely addition to any middle school collection.

Graphic Novel            Mary McEndree, Lehigh Valley Regional Charter Academy

Hudi Mercado doesn’t quite know where he fits in. He is the only Mexican Jewish kid in his neighborhood and, since Hudi suffered a serious medical condition as a child, his parents are always concerned about his health. Or more specifically, his weight. Hudi’s parents push him to try a variety of sports like tennis, soccer, and swimming. Somehow, most of these endeavors end with a trip to the hospital. To help cope, Hudi invents Chunky, an imaginary mascot who is Hudi’s biggest fan. Together, the two of them love drawing and making jokes. With Chunky, Hudi is able to deal with all the demands coming his way from his parents. However, when his dad loses his job and things at home become even more tense, Hudi starts to forget himself and his imaginary cheerleader.

THOUGHTS: Inspired by the author’s childhood, this graphic novel is perfect for middle grade readers who are fans of Jerry Craft. Readers will relate to Hudi’s struggles and laugh alongside him as he finds his place in his world. Expect book 2 two early this summer.

Graphic Novel          Danielle Corrao, Manheim Central SD

MG – Kaleidoscope

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Selznick, Brian. Kaleidoscope. Scholastic Press, 2021. 978-1-338-77724-6. 208 p. $19.99. Grades 5-8.

Have you ever woken up from a dream and only remembered bits and pieces, like a blur in the back of your memory? Have you ever felt that stories are all loosely connected but not sure exactly how the thread begins or ends? Have you spun a kaleidoscope and wondered about the tiny pieces that get reflected and refracted and turned again and again into patterns of endless combinations? Brian Selznick brings some of those ideas to print in his latest genre twisting novel. Using his classic black and white illustrations, he offers one picture that is in kaleidoscope vision, then a focused image accompanying a short vignette depicting mainly scenes from a narrator’s first person view. Often a character named James shows up for comfort or reminiscing or the narrator is grieving his passing; however, there is not a linear narrative or consistent plot. Instead, the reader is invited to take in each snapshot and interpret for themselves. Themes and objects repeat through the book, much like gems in a kaleidoscope tumble and change focus. The view at the end may surprise and delight some readers and will certainly encourage repeated readings for further meaning.

THOUGHTS: The short stories stand well on their own, but may not help younger readers to keep focused on the arching story. However, classes could easily study literary examples such as setting, narrative, theme, allegory, and allusion throughout. Recommended.

Fantasy          Dustin Brackbill, State College Area SD

A thirteen-year-old narrator wants to find out more about the world around him, so he sets sail with his friend James. The journey takes them to the moon. They find that the moon is at war with the sun because the sun believes no one needs the darkness the moon brings. But James defends the moon’s side, arguing that people need to have the dreams that come about when the moon is high. James is crowned king, and he defends the moon’s honor for years and years to come. In the subsequent chapters, the narrator and James have a bunch of different adventures that transcend time and space. Although the stories are different, there are common threads running throughout, including references to biblical and mythological items that tie the stories together. Much like a kaleidoscope itself, each scene (or in this case, story) is unique but made up of a different combination of the same bits and pieces.

THOUGHTS: Brian Selznick has once again written a fascinating book that children will enjoy. Each chapter is accompanied by his signature black and white drawings, this time of kaleidoscope scenes. This would be a great pick for a book club or class novel as it might be a bit confusing for readers to understand how the stories connect. Overall, Selznick’s story collection should definitely be included in middle grade libraries.

Fantasy/Short Story Collection           Danielle Corrao, Manheim Central SD