Tuesday, June 28, 2011

BOOKS THAT FEATURE IMAGINARY FRIENDS

I've read two books in recent days that feature protagonists with imaginary friends. These characters are not young children, as you might expect. One is 14, the other 31. Both girls.

Okay. The best book first: THE WHITE DARKNESS by Geraldine McCaughrean.
When I heard my friend/fellow writer/former clown/current brilliant person Ashley rave about this one, my interest was piqued. Ashley don't play; she likes GOOD books. And oh boy, THIS ONE IS GOOD.

It's Sym's story. Sym who's 14 and has an imaginary friend she calls Titus.

Titus is also Oates, one of the explorers in Scott's expedition to the South Pole. He died. But in Sym's mind, he is very much alive. He is both anchor and guide for Sym. He's funny, and he gets her. In short, Titus is her very best friend.

THE WHITE DARKNESS is a book for language lovers. And it's for those of us who crave that sense of transportation in a reading experience. You will feel the fierce beauty of the ice, you will hear see taste touch it.

This book is also for those who love adventure, history, obsession. Because doesn't discovery take all three? Ultimately it asks the question, how far should one go for their obsessions? Is discovery worth death?

READ THIS BOOK. You can view a more complete review at TeenReads.com It's no wonder it won the Printz. Totally deserving.

And now for book two that features an imaginary friend: SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY'S by James Patterson & Garbrielle Charbonnet.
It's a great premise: girl in love with her imaginary friend from childhood. It's told in both the girl's and the imaginary friend's voice.

Do yourself a favor and just watch the Lifetime movie instead. Link to trailer found here.

Any other books you can think of that feature imaginary friends? I'd love to hear about them in comments.

For more book talks,visit the Lemme Library!

1 comment:

  1. I remember reading David and the Phoenix when I was little....I don't remember if other people can see the phoenix or not, but David hides him and cares from him until he burns himself up (as phoenixes tend to do) and is all shiny and new (it was a really touching book).

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