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His mother has died. His father is going crazy. For fifteen-year-old Jason, the only relief as he tries to hold things together is the group of imaginary friends who offer guidance as he tries not to draw attention to his father’s deteriorating condition—or to himself.
But between the traumas of his childhood and the squalor and stress he’s dealing with right now, Jason’s attempts to remain invisible may not be enough. To find a solution to this very real problem, he just might have to reach out to some very real people . . .
In this compelling story by the author of Dancing on the Edge, Han Nolan “balances weighty subject matter with humor, offering an intelligent portrayal of a boy’s slow release of burdens too heavy to carry alone” (Publishers Weekly).
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Creators
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Publisher
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Awards
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Release date
September 13, 2010 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9780547505473
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9780547505473
- File size: 640 KB
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- ATOS Level: 4.2
- Lexile® Measure: 660
- Interest Level: 6-12(MG+)
- Text Difficulty: 2-3
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Reviews
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September 13, 2010
"Ever since the fifth grade, I've had this imaginary audience in my head who follow me around and watch me like I'm the star in a movie," explains 15-year-old Jason, who narrates this intense novel from National Book Award Medalist Nolan (Dancing on the Edge). But imagined friends can't help Jason with the problem he inherited after his mother's death: taking care of a mentally ill father, whose condition is worsening. Structured as a conversation between Jason and his outspoken internal chorus (which includes sympathetic Aunt Bee from the Andy Griffith Show, the antagonistic Crazy Glue, and even a laugh track), the novel draws readers inside the psyche of a troubled teenager to experience the chaos, panic, and isolation he feels each day. When his father disappears, Jason risks soliciting help from a group of newfound friends from school. Some readers may feel overwhelmed by the constant interruptions from Jason's internal voices, yet the cacophony underscores Jason's frustration and helplessness. Nolan balances weighty subject matter with humor, offering an intelligent portrayal of a boy's slow release of burdens too heavy to carry alone. Ages 12–up.
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