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Matthew Dicks
Matthew Dicks writes novels like Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend and Something Missing. His stories often feature memorable characters and a distinctive voice.
Memoirs of an imaginary friend
Budo is lucky as imaginary friends go. He's been alive for more than five years, which is positively ancient in the world of imaginary friends. But Budo feels his age, and thinks about the day when eight-year-old Max Delaney will stop believing in him. Some say Max has Asperger's Syndrome, but most just say he's "on the spectrum." None of this matters to Budo, who loves Max and is charged with protecting him from the class bully, from awkward situations in the cafeteria, and even in the bathroom stalls. But he can't protect Max from Mrs. Patterson, the woman who works with Max in the Learning Center and who believes that she alone is qualified to care for this young boy. When Mrs. Patterson does the unthinkable and kidnaps Max, it is up to Budo and a team of imaginary friends to save him -- and Budo must ultimately decide which is more important: Max's happiness or Budo's very existence.
This book tells a complete story within its pages and does not require reading any other books by Matthew Dicks to understand or appreciate it.
The story is narrated by an imaginary friend, Budo, offering a distinct and often poignant perspective on the human world and the children who create him.
While Matthew Dicks often explores themes of empathy and unique perspectives, this novel stands out for its direct and sustained focus on a non-human narrator's view of childhood and belonging.