My Ex-Imaginary Friend
Eleven-year-old Jack thought he had outgrown his imaginary friend, George—until his dad also disappears from his life. His mom’s bipolar disorder isn’t being properly treated, so while in the throes of a manic episode, she ditches Jack with his aunt, uncle, and cousins. Jack decides that only George can help him figure out where people go when others stop believing in them—and how Jack can put his family back together.
Meanwhile, the imaginary George—half-walrus, half-human, all magic—has a problem of his own: with nobody to believe in him, he is slowly disappearing. Rejoining Jack is his only hope for survival. Or is it?
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
|
978-1-5415-9699-3
|
$13.49 | |
|
978-1-7284-0484-4
|
$22.99 |
| Interest Level | Grade 4 - Grade 6 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 4 |
| Category | SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning |
| Copyright | 2021 |
| Publisher | Lerner Publishing Group |
| Imprint | Carolrhoda Books ® |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 296 |
| Publication Date | 2021-02-02 |
Author: Jimmy Matejek-Morris
Jimmy Matejek-Morris was born and raised in New Jersey, the middle of five children. He earned undergraduate degrees in Film and English at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. After graduating, Jimmy moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he earned an MA in Children’s Literature and an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons College (now University). He currently lives in Massachusetts with his husband Scott and their very well-dressed poodle-Pomeranian named Rudy. His first novel, My Ex-Imaginary Friend, was named a Best Children’s Book of the Year by the Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College.
Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!
My Ex-Imaginary Friend
Eleven-year-old Jack thought he had outgrown his imaginary friend, George—until his dad also disappears from his life. His mom’s bipolar disorder isn’t being properly treated, so while in the throes of a manic episode, she ditches Jack with his aunt, uncle, and cousins. Jack… View available downloads →
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Awards
- Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
- Cybils Nominee
Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
“Complicated emotions and difficult family conversations are bracketed with kindness in this unusual book.”—Kirkus Reviews
School Library Journal
“A poignant, multilayered story that will appeal to those looking for a heartfelt family drama.”—School Library Journal
Booklist
“Twin themes of abandonment and belief twine through this somewhat mind-bending debut.”—Booklist
Anna Staniszewski
“A delightfully quirky and heartwarming tale of friendship and family that had me wishing for an imaginary friend of my own!”—Anna Staniszewski, author of The Wonder of Wildflowers and the Once Upon a Fairy Tale series
Jo Knowles
“This hard-to-put-it-down gem about friendship, family, and forgiveness made me laugh, cry, and believe in the extraordinary. Jack and George are sure to win readers’ hearts and remind them of the power—and joy—of imagination.”—Jo Knowles, author of See You at Harry’s, Still A Work in Progress, and Where the Heart Is
Melissa Savage
“A poignant story about friendship, growing up, difficult goodbyes, and what it means to be family.”—Melissa D. Savage, author of Lemons and Nessie Quest