IMAGINARY

Narrator Ramon de Ocampo draws listeners into this bittersweet story with his gentle handling of adolescent fears and the challenges of growing up and letting go. Shovel has been Zack's large, purple, furry imaginary friend since he was 5. Shovel was there to help Zack escape the grief of losing his father and the loneliness that followed. Now, six years later, Shovel helps him with the anxiety of middle school, including coping with bullies and making new friends. But their fantasy world of knights and magic is fading away, as is Shovel's dwindling connection with this boy too old for make-believe. De Ocampo captures the humor that lightens this narrative and creates relatable voices for each of the characters. His portrayal of Shovel--whose very existence depends on believability--is particularly engaging. S.A.A. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2021]