Imagine That

by Mark Fins

The World of Mark Leonard
Big-hearted, eight-year-old Mark Leonard lives on the brink of two worlds: one steeped in the hardship of post World War II America, where his father is consumed by financial woes; the other where he s buoyed by his exceptionally vivid imagination. In his imagination, Mark is a heroic soldier, a surgeon, and a daredevil striving to live up to the ideals of the 1950s. When his family uproots from Queens, New York, to start afresh in Massachusetts, Mark finds refuge from loneliness in an unlikely friendship with an eccentric, wealthy, elderly neighbor who has shut out the world following a debilitating accident. Their mutual gift for conjuring up imaginary worlds to cope with reality which for Mark includes the confusing teachings of his Jewish faith leads them to push the boundaries between these two realms, exploring the fine line between love, imagination, and the existence of God.

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Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Ebooks, World War II, Inspirational, 20th Century

328 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2017

Reviews

[Diane]

I started this book with the intention of reading a chapter or two. Six hours later I have become one with 8 year old Mark Leonard. He made me laugh and cry. I wish I could give this book more stars. It will make a great movie.

[Jaksen]

This is not at all what I expected.

I won this book and thank you again, Goodreads, for your wonderful giveaway program, but this book is not for me.

Too simply written, too banal, too boring. (Sorry for that last word.) But I can't get my head into this, or find it even slightly believable. (And believe me, I read everything, including picture books and those written for little children.) When the young narrator started using current slang and words which weren't in use in the 1950s'...

Okay, writers do this! I get it. Make it feel timely and yet contemporary, but the idea that this boy has this FABULOUS imagination? I know dull people who had more exciting childhoods. Seriously, I do.

So I read enough to write this review, give it two sad little stars. Sorry. This is something I wanted to read, wanted to like, but just cannot do. :(

(I originally gave it just one star, felt bad about it, added another star.) :(

[Nancy]

3.5

When I was in 8th Grade my English/Social Studies teacher lamented that people lose their imaginations when they grow up. This struck cold fear into my heart, for make-believe was my favorite world and imagining stories my passion. I was determined it would not happen to me--I would keep my imagination. I would NOT grow up!

Of course, I did grow up, but I hope I kept a healthy amount of imagination mixed in with the necessary evils of practicality and pragmatism.

Later, I was the mother of a boy whose imaginary world was so palpable I could almost see it as he walked through life telling his stories out loud, enacting the scenes running in his head.

Used correctly, one's imagination can enrich life. Without understanding and self-control, it can create problems.

Mark Fins' character Mark in Imagine That is an eight-year-old boy who lives in a world of his imagination, acting out the scenarios in his head. Mark narrates his story, telling us how he is drawn to act out what is in his head, leading to near catastrophes and punishments from his beloved father. Especially when he imagines a lit match as a kamikaze pilot plummeting to earth.

Mark's father is stressed over his business and it makes him short-tempered and impatient, resorting to the belt, so that Mark has learned to fear him.

After a move, a lonely Mark meets an elderly man who values Mark's imagination and befriends Mark and his family, subtly aiding them to personal growth and harmony. Mr. Hawkins struggles with regret and sadness over choices that severed his family.

The novel began to feel didactic at this point, more like an extended example of how to parent a difficult child. (Nothing wrong with that! Many of us are flummoxed over child raising.) But Fins has incorporated themes that elevate the story to something more as he tackles issues of love and redemption, punishment and forgiveness.

"This is the face of war," I heard myself say. The screaming and suffering and dying and the faces of the soldiers in a fight to the death made me realize that even though it was glorious to pretend, war was a terrible thing, just like Mr. Hawkins had once said.
I didn't want to do war anymore, maybe even for a long time. There was too much sadness in war.
Mark in Imagine That

I loved the section where Mr. Hawkins helps Mark and the neighborhood children reenact WWI as a way of teaching them that the glorification of war hides its cruel realities.

My favorite scene, near the end of the book, finds Mark discovering a nascent belief in God, finding meaning to his Jewish heritage. I was choked up reading this section.

Fins' novel is deeply autobiographical and his delving into his early memories creates a rich character.

The ebook includes a Reading Group Guide.

I received a free ebook from the publisher through a Goodreads win.

[Tony Parsons]

1950, PS 205. Ms. Pelman (aka Smelly Pelly) sent Mark to Mr. Washington principles office.
Mr. Leonard (husband/dad), Bea Leonard (wife/mom), & Bonnie Leonard (daughter/sister).
Mark Leonard (8, son/brother, aka Zeendala) Jewish family moves from Queens, NY to Worcester, MA.

Mr. Leonard & Uncle Al are production managers for a company.
While playing around the neighborhood Mark gets introduced to an elderly eccentric/wealthy Mr. John Hawkins (widower, wheelchair bound). Tilden is his butler/servant, Rosa is the cook/housekeeper, & Vincenzo is the gardener.
Because of an age difference they soon bond & have what you would call a very different friendship.
Bea of course was invited over to meet John.
Mason school. Bea later took Mark to see Mr. Adams (headmaster).

What about Mark & Bonnie?
What did Mr. Hawkins reveal?
These are some of the fun times I had growing up.
Another top 25 list for 2017.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written coming-of-age book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great coming-of-age movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Making Connections; Greenleaf Book group Press; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Fred Forbes]

I've always enjoyed "coming of age" stories and while this one features a character who is a bit younger than I normally prefer, it still rings true as a tale of boyhood play and imagination and the role of special adults in the process of growing up. I could certainly identify with the character living in Massachusetts in the 50's and 60's as that was my situation as well. Sometimes the "coincidences" of the story tend to jar, and sometimes the tale seems to wander into an older person's perspective, but overall a good read and well written.

[Erin]

The story is told through the eyes of an 8-year-old Jewish boy, Mark, living in post-WWII US, as he struggles to make friends and live in a stressful household. Fins perfectly captures the imagination and perspective of a young child - it can be so frustrating when writers get this wrong - and I completely fell in love with the characters (especially the wealthy, old man that befriends Mark and encourages his pretend adventures). This is a definite read for people looking for a heartwarming story of childhood innocence.

[Jennm71]

This is a really great read, I was pulled into this young boys life on the first page!
His imagination takes him to areas of getting in trouble that are easy to follow and his patriotism is catching.
I laughed and cried with the story of sibling love, friendship and growing up.

[Joan Bannan]

I'm really glad I read this book. I almost didn't due to reviews that said it was mediocre.

I enjoyed the often humorous perspective of the eight year old Mark who tried to understand parenting, being loved, his father's business, and his Jewish religion. I felt nervous in the first part of the book where Mark's imagination took him into the very dangerous territory of fire.

One of my favorite passages was when his mother was keeping close tabs on him, worried about his fire fascination and how quiet he was. She called upstairs to say, "What are you doing up there, playing?" He found it intrusive and said, "Yeah, what are you doing down there cooking and cleaning?" I still inwardly chuckle.

I normally don't care for characters that are too entirely evil or too entirely perfect, but I was totally on board with the nearly perfect Mr. Hawkins and the predictably perfect Tildon.

I always appreciate a story told without profanity.

I had feelings of sadness though regarding Mark's view of God. What made me sad is that I fear many believe as Mark did that God only exists when He does what we want.

[Amanda Staffieri]

Thank you, Goodreads, for a copy of this book!

Imagine That by Mark Fins is a story about love, family, and forgiveness. Mark Leonard is 8 years old with a very vivid imagination. It is post-World War II America and mark is fascinated with war. He is always pretending to defeat Nazi’s and wage battles with his toy soldiers. He also develops a fascination with fire that lands him in trouble, not just with his parents but also his school. His father is dealing with a lot of stress from work and that stress seeps onto his family. When they move, Mark is devastated. Until he means an elderly man named Mr. Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins understands Mark and cares for him when he truly needs it.

At first, this book is hard to get into. The beginning is quite slow and there are many times when it is slow throughout the book as well. However, I am so glad that I continued on. This family may live in the 1950’s but their experiences can be relatable this day in age. The stress in the workplace overflowing onto the family at home is very real for many people. This book gives a reminder that our kids pick up on these struggles and that the stress affects them as well.

My favorite character is Mr. Hawkins. He is a wealthy, elderly man who takes Mark under his wing when he takes notice of Mark’s vivid imagination. While at home, his imagination is seen as a problem, Mr. Hawkins just sees him as a child. He nurtures him and cares for him. In the process, he also helps the family.

“Just when you think she dislikes you the most, shock her with an act of kindness or do a good deed. Then see what happens. Oh my, it can be such fun!”-Mr. Hawkins, page 200

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. I love the messages that this story brings. I loved how it challenges readers to look into the mind of a child. However, the pacing is slow. If you can get past the pacing, it is so worth the read!

[Renee]

I DNF’d this title at 50%. Sadly, the story was mostly telling instead of showing, and often the attempt to narrate from an 8-y.o.’s perspective read as just that: an adult’s fumbling attempt.

The repeated use of fire-starting as a conflict point chafed at me, as I wondered if the kid had something more that was wrong with him (though this did not seem to be the case). The story dragged, dialogue was weak, & I really just didn’t care what happened next, so I threw in the towel.

[Jill Rey]

A heartwarming story set in the imagination of an eight-year-old, gifted child. I picked up this book as I felt a loose relation to my own brother, based on the book’s description. My brother grew up gifted and skilled in the art of entertaining himself, not unlike Mark Lenard, the main character of this book. I vividly remember how easy it was to bring my younger brother out shopping with my mother and me, as we knew he would be easily entertained with something as simple as a clothes hanger, playing for hours on end in his own mind. I was so unlike him in this respect it always entranced me to watch him play, wonder what exactly was really happening in the world he’d created for himself. The similarities ended there however, as Mark struggled to find friends, finding them in unusual places and wondering into trouble as he acts out his imaginations.

Imagine That teaches us all a little more about love and the important things in life, uniting us emotionally and humbly to the characters created within. I loved the inclusion of Jewish culture and religion throughout this book, it combined in teaching me above and beyond the obvious themes of the book.

For the full review, visit: https://fortheloveofthepageblog.wordp...

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review.

[Lori]

I was a goodreads giveaway winner of a kindle edition of this book. I would give this a 4.5. A very good story about friendship. The story is told by Mark in the first person. Mark is eight years old. It is 1957. Mark has a vivid imagination. He gets in trouble with his imagination when he starts a fire. His family moves to get a new start. They move to another state. Mark cannot attend a new school until he gets an evaluation. Mark meets a neighbor who is very rich and lives in a mansion. Mr. Hawkins is in his 80s he has shut himself out from the world. Mark and Mr. Hawkins starts up an unlikely friendship they play games together where Mr. Hawkins encourages Mark to use his vivid imagination. Slowly they find a way to help each other. A very sweet book about friends can be all ages. I very much liked this book. Was sad to see it end.

[Karen]

Another good read. A young mischievous lad finally finding a dear older man to become his best friend and enjoying their imaginations together, and learning as they spend time together. Happy times in his life has its ups and downs this young man has learned a lot about forgiveness and love. The story was a bit slow in the beginning and I wasn't sure if I was going to complete the book but I stayed with it and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Karen]

What a beautifully crafted, redeeming story, the kind that makes you believe in reading fiction. Real, flawed, struggling and touching people grow and learn through the experiences of a lonely 8 year old boy with a very strong imagination. Get ready to not stop until you finish, and keep some tissues handy for the end.

[Donna]

A heartwarming good read from 8 yr. old Mark’s perspective. Artfully well done. Thanks to Greenleaf Book Group Press for the copy and opportunity to win through Goodreads giveaways.

[Brooke]

I loved this book. I love the mischief that the main character Mark gets into. I also love the relationship that he stumbles upon with the neighbor, Mr. Hawkins. This relationship helps shape Mark into a better young boy and also Mark's father.

[Jerrie]

Thank you Goodreads! Had I not seen the opportunity to win this wonderful book on Goodreads I probably would never have found this gem. You will fall in love with every character in this fine book. I cannot say enough good things about it.
I think the imagination gene passed me by. My childhood was pretty much full time reality. The fantasy of other little girls of dressing in satin and sequins, wearing makeup, and performing in radio, recitals, entertaining at hospitals, rest homes. veterans' clubs, and war plants such as Spartan Aircraft in WWII during employees' lunch hour and break times was my reality.
I admire the imagination of writers and pay tribute by being an avid reader. This delightful story is that of an eight-year-old Jewish boy and his family who move from New York to Massachusetts for "economic" reasons. But was it a God Thing all along?
This lonely child lived in his world of fantasy, sometimes resulting in dire consequences. He meets the non-Jewish wealthy neighbor Mr. Hawkins, 70, who doesn't know whether he believes in God. Both need healing and both need a friend. I loved the instant and magnificent rapport between lonely and troubled Mr. Hawkins and poor little Mark and his troubled family. This is a must read and great for book clubs.

[Amanda]

I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

I went into this book expecting a lighthearted tale about childhood, since the main character is so young, but the book definitely does not come across that way. This is a beautiful story about an unlikely friendship and what both characters gain from that friendship, and it's incredibly well written. I found myself picking it up to read every time I had a few spare minutes, and I was sad to see it end.

[Kim Bakos]

Part One of the book dragged for me - thought more than once about not finishing the book. I had no interest in Mark, the main character, and his imagination that to me was more like delusional. I've had a psychotic child in my care once, and this book started off like being a repeat of that nightmare, and one I sure didn't want to relive through this story.
The story got much better once Mr. Hawkins entered the story and the story shifts to the development of their relationship. He was the type of person I'd love to know in real life :)
The ending is sad, but at the same time, really is a great chance to learn some of the big things that some people go their whole lives without figuring out.

[Kerry Pickens]

There aren't enough good books about Jewish kids, so I was happy when I received this book as an ARC Kindle version. I was more than a bit concerned about the child's fire starting behavior because that is what gets children labeled as emotionally disturbed. He did seem to turn around though after getting expelled from school and causing a major breakdown in his family structure. His mother took his side in the issue, and his father wanted to beat it out of him. Typical 1950s family drama with violence and financial problems in those nice suburban row houses.

[Lindsey]

DNF at 25%. There's not really a good way to say it. This book was just poorly written. The voice of the narrator was incredibly difficult to engage with, and I struggled to get through the portion I was able to finish. The story was not compelling enough to encourage me to slog through the rest of the book. I gave it two stars instead of one because I don't like to give first-time authors one-star reviews.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle Arredondo]

Imagine That by Mark Fins....the story of the life of Mark Leonard. In this story we get two very different tales. The real life tale of an 8 year old boy, post World War II, dealing with his family's financial strife, and really all of America's strife. Then there's the other part of this story...an 8 year old and his vibrant imagination.

The feels of a coming of age story....at a time of hardship....in a time when America struggled...but overall the era was a good one. When we say "old school" now we are speaking of this time that we are reading in this story. Housewives were not chastised for not working outside of the home, Fathers were the "head of household" with pride, people had little but made due with what little they had, baseball, soda shops, all that good stuff even through hardships of the times. Mark's story is within these times. It's interesting to see his perspective. Heartwarming. And then that imagination. Charming. Mark sometimes got into trouble....I have three boys....I laughed at how relatable it was in that sense. The way boys play....the way their thoughts ran away with them. How easily they get into hot water for their wild little ideas. It was interesting to see how he grew from his childlike troubles, what he lost, what he learned.

The book was slow moving. Nothing that set me off though. It's just one of those heart warmer books...you're not going to get suspense, you're not going to get over-the-top tales, you're not going to get a whole lot of drama. It reads like the time it speaks of and that's lovely and most likely true to what was intended.

I enjoyed the read. Oh and that cover....kinda adorable.


Thanks as always to the great peeps at goodreads, to Mark Fins, and to GreenLeaf Book Group Press for my free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review to which I gladly and voluntarily gave.

[Joy Treacy]

I’m over halfway through this book, & loving it. Set in the late 1950’s, when fathers were the “boss of the house” & mothers were “happy homemakers”, this story explores the family dynamics existing at that time in America. In the center of it all is the 8 year old son of one such family, Mark Leonard. Mark’s imagination & it’s outcomes sets the story in motion. At times, Mark’s behavior is subject to repercussions, including disciplinary measures taken by his father, the ultimate “decision maker” whose role involves carrying out such tasks in this bygone era. Mark’s father, who runs his own factory, started from borrowed funds, experiences money problems, worker productivity issues, dealing with union rules, etc. The family members want his father to be the way he was prior to purchasing the factory, especially Mark & his mother. This stressful situation results in Mark no longer receiving the same amount of attention from his father, causing Mark to feel that his father no longer loves him in the manner he used to, thus further spurring Mark’s imaginative behavior. One particular event culminates in the entire family picking up & moving from their New York home to Massachusetts. Mark becomes lonely, as there are no children in his new neighborhood to play with. Mark also misses his New York friends, & uses his imagination to entertain himself. However, Mark meets a wealthy elderly gentleman residing in a large home down the block, who also has a vivid imagination. A bond forms between the two of them, & Mark begins to enjoy his new world. A wonderful story of friendship & affection ensues, one that is poignant & touches the heart.

[Jonathan]

Among the best books I've read so far this year. Imagine that deals with 8-year old Mark Leonard, his imagination, and the trouble his imagination often gets him into. After 1/4 of the book, it also deals with Mr. Hawkins, a wealthy, long-term shut-in after an automobile accident. The two become friends when Mark sneaks into his backyard, and Mr. Hawkins notices him using his imagination, something that helped Hawkins, himself, make his fortune in his younger years.

This isn't always a "pretty" book, it deals with a few overarching themes: Love, between friends, or between families, and all the complexities that go along with it, forgiveness, or lack of it, and the cost of giving or witholding it. This is played out between: Mark and his sister, Mark and his father, Mr. Hawkins and his own children/grandchildren, and a few other characters. The book also deals with War (Among Mark's regular imaginings is "The glory of war", which is precisely how Mr. Hawkins made much of his money, during The Great War/World War I), and, last: Death, the echoes of it, and the cause and effect and how it spools and threads itself throughout our lives.

It's more or less written in a more "Classical" style (A bit crisper and more in-depth, but semi-similar to the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and other such authors from the 20's to the 60's), one of the books I'd definitely recommend investing the time in reading.

[AC (toknowthyshelf)]

Thank you to Goodreads' giveaway for a chance to read and review this book!

I genuinely found the read enjoyable, as a Jewish person I enjoyed seeing my culture woven through a novel that would be read by anyone. I felt the Jewish culture was represented in our complicated beauty, and I loved that. The main character, Mark, was believable in his youth but also in his precocious nature. I enjoyed reading his perspective on events as only a kid could describe. However, Fins at times relies on stereotypes for his secondary characters. Rosa, in particular, is described as having "cocoa" skin which is unimaginative and disappointing as women of color are far too often compared to food in writings. Her Spanish/English speech was equally stereotyped and not particularly close to the way she would likely speak as an English learner or Spanish speaker. She at no point was developed into much more than the Latina cook, which made her a stereotype for the sake of a secondary character. The same was true of Tilden, who fit all the stereotypes of Barman's butler Alfred. Besides those issues, the book was a fun read, but I would advise Fins to either avoid writing characters he doesn't know well enough to get past stereotypes, or to do more to write them truthfully.

[Marie]

Imagine That appears to be a Young Adult novel that has the ability to hold an adult reader’s interest. It held mine from page 1 until the end. (For reference, I remember the 60’s). My taste for historical fiction spans wide within the genre. I usually don't gravitate toward child main characters in any genre. However, I do enjoy a good Young Adult book now and then (because authors have to write descriptively yet sparingly, and to the point, to keep a teen’s interest. Think: Hemingway-ish) I read Imagine That because of the WW I element and the Jewish perspective though I am not Jewish (but I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood in New Jersey). I was delighted with Imagine That, which builds the plot around a young Jewish boy, his orthodox parents, and his older sister. Key to the story line is the new neighbor who lives in the ornate mansion down the street. The neighbor served the allied cause during World War I as a business man who worked for the military but not in it. Played out imaginings add depth and complexity to an unusual plot.
Author Mark Fins creates vivid word pictures of places and captures probable nuances of emotions which make each character real. This happens especially when he describes 8- year-old Mark Leonard’s imaginings; fun to read. Realistic emotions and reactions to events move the plot with no dead moments. (Occasionally something seems in error chronologically or historically but I’m not sure of my assessment on this issue.)
All this and that said, Imagine That feels like a mashup of Schindler’s List and The Secret Garden as if written by Jerry Spinelli (one of my YA favorites). I mean this as a genuine complement to the author. This book is well written.

[Katie B]

Growing up in 1957, eight-year-old Mark Leonard has a vivid imagination. He loves to pretend he is a soldier fighting in World War II. However, sometimes his lack of attention and judgement get him into trouble. After his family moves to Massachusetts, Mark strikes up an unusual friendship with his elderly, eccentric neighbor who seems to appreciate Mark's wild imagination.

This was such a charming book and I'm not ashamed to admit I shed a few tears in the final chapters. I think part of the reason I got emotional is because you got to witness a young boy thrive when given the tools for success. It's a bit of a slow mover especially the first part of the book but I highly recommend sticking it out. I had no idea when I started this book that it would take me on such an incredible journey. It touches on so many themes including love, forgiveness, imagination, religion, and parental discipline. Highly recommend to those who can still remember what it was like to be a kid.

I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

[Jennifer S]

I received this as a Goodreads kindle giveaway.

Imagine That is narrated by 8-year-old Mark Leonard growing up in a typical Bayside neighborhood in 1957. He has an older sister who torments him (and vice-versa), a dad who goes off to work and comes home grumpy with the labor union problems in his factory, and a mom who stays home doing 1950's mom things. Mark is obsessed with WWII re-enactments with his toy soldiers and his vivid imagination (which no one quite knows what to do with).

Suddenly his life is uprooted as the family relocates to Worcester MA and he has no friends. Acting out a war scene in his imagination, he ends up in the huge backyard of the local eccentric rich man - who is not distressed at all by Mark's imagination. A friendship quickly forms between them.

Although I don't know whether the voice of 8-year-old Mark is authentic, it certainly felt so to me. I loved this story of friendship and a boy's struggle to find his place.

My favorite quote:
I put on my sneakers, slithered out the front door, and raced down the street to get closer to the place where all the fun in my life was coming from.

[Klr]

The story of an imaginative little boy growing up in a household that is puzzled by him and afraid for their strange reckless son. He, in turn, is terrified except when he lives in worlds of his own invention. I believed this and at times felt so anxious for him that I couldn't stand it. I had to take breaks in my reading. Excellent descriptions of childhood terror.
Things change dramatically when the family leaves NY for Massachussetts. This part is wonderful but amazing too and a little harder to believe. To have a rich neighbor who is perfectly able to solve every problem this boy and his family face is, once I thought about it, not so realistic but enjoyable all the same. I wish we all had the same good fortune. I actually loved this part but it changed the book into a bit more of a fable from the terribly painful but realistic beginning.
I received a free copy of this book to give my honest review.

[Jesse]

I won this book in the Goodreads Giveaway program.

I loved this book. When I originally read the synopsis, I figured I'd like it. It sounded interesting enough; the way Mark Fins writes the book from the perspective of his main character, Mark Leonard, I just found myself getting more and more emotionally invested in Mark and his family, and how they grow through the book.

Mark is an imaginative 8-year old in the late '40 or early '50s dealing with some major life changes - a sudden move from his beloved Bayside, Queens, to Massachusetts and a changing and increasing strained relationship with his father. After the move, Mark makes the acquaintance of Mr. Hawkins, an elderly rich man who appreciates Mark's vivid imagination. The relationship that develops between the two is rich and beautiful, and has such a profound impact on Mark and his family.

The story is timeless, the characters are all human and believable. Mark is a sweet boy and you want to root for him even at his lowest moments. I can't recommend this book enough.