The Imaginary is a celebration of friendship that defies all odds, time and even phases of existence to exist. The novel celebrates the imagination that makes childhood such a magical time. As the synopsis reveals, Rudger is an imaginary friend who gets separated from the human who dreamed him up. Without her to keep him anchored to his reality (such as it is), he faces the very real danger of fading away. He is led by a mysterious cat through a door in the alley to a library where he finds other imaginary friends, a society of imaginary friends without human counterparts). Rudger is determined to get back to his human friend, Amanda, and risks his life to do so as he and his imaginary brethren are hunted by the odious Mr. Bunting. The novel has all the elements of a successful story. The prose is warm and light, easy enough for kids to read but complex enough that it will challenge them. The pacing is quick and the plot multilayered. It contains that wonderful characteristic of good