Imaginary Enemy

Starred review from March 24, 2008
Gonzalez's (Wings
) ne'er-do-well heroine, Jane, isn't as plain or boringly normal as she perceives herself to be. On the contrary, her quick wit and quirky personality win over readers almost immediately. As this entrancing novel follows her from elementary school into high school, Jane slowly but surely transforms from an apathetic slacker into an artistic free-thinker with a style all her own. If some of her growing pains seem familiar—her not-so-secret unrequited crush on a middle school heart-throb; being dumped by her high school boyfriend for a blonde über-sophisticate—Gonzalez has a gift for infusing them with clever details. That Jane pens short missives to her imaginary enemy, Bubba (short for Beelzebub), about what's wrong in her life is funny; that “Bubba” actually writes back, in hopes of meeting face to face, is even funnier, especially with the revelation of Bubba's true identity. Gonzalez brings the same wit to Jane's competitive yet affectionate relationships with her siblings and her eccentric neighbors, and to her burgeoning romance with the shy but steadfast boy next door. Readers will get a genuine kick out of Jane's fumblings and successes, both imaginary and real. Ages 12-up.

October 1, 2008
Gr 6-9-Instead of an imaginary friend, Jane White has an imaginary enemy to whom she writes letters whenever she needs to vent her frustrations, revealing her most vulnerable thoughts and insecurities. The story begins when Jane pens her first missive in second grade, wends through the complexities of middle school, and ends when she is an 11th grader wrestling with relationships and rediscovering the boy next door. Throughout, Jane's narration remains static, resulting in a jaded-sounding middle schooler and a naive 16-year-old. Her neighbors, a family of eccentric musicians, color Jane's existence and make for quirky companions and romantic interests. Jane gradually matures, slowly learning to take responsibility for her actions, but the other characters do not undergo much growth. Several plot threads are not fully developed or seem rushed or contrived. Pacing is somewhat uneven, especially when the focus moves away from action and dialogue to quick descriptive sections that serve to advance time, and the narration is sometimes choppy. With an ambitious and interesting premise and a mystery at the book's conclusion, this is ultimately an additional story with some fun, unexpected moments."Amy J. Chow, The Brearley School, New York City"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2008
Its all Bubbas fault has been Jane Whites mantra since the second grade, when she first wrote a letter to her imaginary enemy, blaming him for the spilled milk on the lunchroom floor. From that point forward, she has found it easier to blame her missteps and slips of her tongue on Bubba, rather than assume responsibility for her actions. Jane is stopped short, though, in high school, when Bubba writes back! Gonzalez has written a witty, realistic novel about growing up surrounded by a close community and families that work. Grounded in a true understanding of how friends of the opposite sex grow up together, and peppered with funny, authentic dialogue, this will resonate with every teen who has ever failed to take responsibility for his or her actions. A sophisticated, warmhearted read for those who enjoyed Barbara Parks Junie B. Jones books in their early years.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)