Imaginary Heroes

His friends may be IMAGINARY... but the danger is REAL! Twelve-year-old Matthew's life has been incredibly challenging because of his Tourette Syndrome, a disorder which causes uncontrollable movements and sounds. Isolated and tormented by bullies at school, Matthew finds solace in the company of his lifelong imaginary friends, a lovable green monster and a tough-as-nails little girl. On his way home from school one day, as Matthew is pursued by his relentless tormentors, they all crash into a mysterious underground lair. At first, it seems that being trapped with the bullies who make his life miserable is his biggest problem. That is, until he and the others discover that they are not alone. Hunted by a menacing presence lurking in the depths, Matthew and the bullies must confront a threat to their very existence. Their desperate mission becomes clear: put their differences aside and work together to find a way to safety before they are all consumed by the darkness. This Middle Grade book is deeply personal to me. Though fictional, it is inspired by my own childhood experiences with bullying, loneliness, and Tourette's Syndrome. I set out to create an engaging adventure that also explores issues many kids face-told from the perspective of someone who has lived them firsthand.