Confessions of an Imaginary Friend: A Memoir by Jacques Papier

Gr 3-5-Reminiscent of Carlo Collodi's classic The Adventures of Pinocchio, this novel from the author of Beyond the Laughing Sky (Dial, 2014) and The Masterwork of a Painting Elephant (Farrar, 2011) is an offbeat and unique chronicle of the life of an imaginary friend. Constantly ignored by his classmates, teachers, and even his parents, Jacques Papier feels like everyone hates him, except for his sister Fleur. When he learns the devastating truth-that he is actually Fleur's imaginary friend-Jacques goes on a soul-searching journey to discover himself in the hopes to one day become real. Written as a fictional "autobiography," the first-person narration helps readers better understand and sympathize with Jacques and his unusual plight. Despite being imaginary, Jacques is still a fully realized character, with his own fears, hopes, and quirks, and is an engaging protagonist. Cuevas includes several clever and humorous touches to Jacques' story, including "Imaginaries Anonymous," a support group for imaginary friends once they learn that they are imaginary, and "The Office of Reassignment," a bureaucratic agency where imaginary friends go to be reassigned to new children when their old ones outgrow them. Jacques encounters a fun and eccentric cast of imaginaries on his quest to become real and also impacts the lives of several real children whom he meets. Cuevas's line drawings are sprinkled throughout, depicting some of her more inventive imaginaries. While some children might be disappointed that Jacques doesn't get the exact happy ending he originally wants, in the end his story does come full circle, providing a satisfying, albeit bittersweet, conclusion. VERDICT A lovely and unique tale. Recommended.

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

This wise and funny (faux) memoir begins with eight-year-old narrator Jacques Papier admitting that he is baffled by his unpopularity. It isn't that he's picked last for kickball-he isn't picked at all. Teachers ignore him, bus drivers close the door in his face, his own dog growls at him. Luckily Jacques's twin sister, Fleur, loves him unconditionally. A playground encounter with a roller-skating cowgirl only Jacques can see forces a harsh reckoning-he isn't Fleur's brother; he's her imaginary friend. One day he was a boy, the next he is "what? Ethereal? Intangible? Invisible?" In one of many hilarious scenes, he joins a support group, Imaginaries Anonymous, whose leader, Stinky Sock, invites Jacques to tell the group why he is there. "I'm not actually here. That's why I'm... here," says Jacques. In the same way that Toy Story 2 imagined an afterlife for the playthings kids outgrow, Cuevas's novel-brimming with metaphors, gorgeous imagery, and beautiful turns of phrase-considers the fate of devoted but invisible companions. Have tissues on hand for the bittersweet ending. Ages 9-12.

Copyright 2015 Publisher’s Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Alternately amusing and philosophical, this quirky read will get kids thinking about love, loss, and life.