Imaginary Enemy
by Julie Gonzalez
by Julie Gonzalez
IMAGINARY ENEMY by Julie Gonzalez
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 3/11/08
Publisher: Delacorte
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
Rating: 5 Stars
Looking for a fun book? This one is for you. Many people grow up having had at least one imaginary friend. Jane White
has an imaginary enemy.
It all started in second grade when Jane began writing to Bubba. Whenever life would throw her a curve ball to upset
her or embarrass her, she would sit down and write Bubba a letter to complain. Bubba was always there to collect the
blame or abuse Jane tossed in his direction. Imagine her surprise when one day she received a letter addressed to her
from Bubba.
Named after an eccentric aunt, Jane hates her name, and finds herself constantly battling her strange family and friends.
There is the half-brother who suddenly decides to leave his mother’s house and move in with Jane’s family. There are
younger siblings who constantly annoy Jane. The family’s father figure suffers a mid-life meltdown only to quit his job
and begin a new career. Add to all that a bunch of odd neighbors who home-school their children and “collect” sounds.
Jane’s problems are actually quite typical, but her creative way of dealing with them makes her story well worth reading.
Author Julie Gonzalez expertly combines all this in a fast-paced story that will hold the attention of middle grade and
teen readers, as well as any grownup who remembers their own roller-coaster ride to adulthood. This comic novel is a
fine addition to any individual or library collection.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 3/11/08
Publisher: Delacorte
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
Rating: 5 Stars
Looking for a fun book? This one is for you. Many people grow up having had at least one imaginary friend. Jane White
has an imaginary enemy.
It all started in second grade when Jane began writing to Bubba. Whenever life would throw her a curve ball to upset
her or embarrass her, she would sit down and write Bubba a letter to complain. Bubba was always there to collect the
blame or abuse Jane tossed in his direction. Imagine her surprise when one day she received a letter addressed to her
from Bubba.
Named after an eccentric aunt, Jane hates her name, and finds herself constantly battling her strange family and friends.
There is the half-brother who suddenly decides to leave his mother’s house and move in with Jane’s family. There are
younger siblings who constantly annoy Jane. The family’s father figure suffers a mid-life meltdown only to quit his job
and begin a new career. Add to all that a bunch of odd neighbors who home-school their children and “collect” sounds.
Jane’s problems are actually quite typical, but her creative way of dealing with them makes her story well worth reading.
Author Julie Gonzalez expertly combines all this in a fast-paced story that will hold the attention of middle grade and
teen readers, as well as any grownup who remembers their own roller-coaster ride to adulthood. This comic novel is a
fine addition to any individual or library collection.