Chbosky’s best known work is the novel, screenplay, and movie (Director and Executive Producer) The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Knowing that doesn’t prepare you for Imaginary Friend at all. Knowing he was a co-writer of the movie adaptation of Beauty and the Beast tells you even less.

But if you realize he was also the creator of the post-apocalyptic TV series Jericho and his favorite author is Stephen King, you’ll be better prepared.

Seven-year-old Christopher settles into a new town and a new school because his mother is running from an abusive relationship. He disappears for six days, reminding the town of a similar disappearance years ago, and reappears with his reading disability cured and his academic prowess soaring. He also begins construction of an elaborate treehouse with the help of a group of new (real) friends).

The harder he works on the treehouse, the worse his nightmares and headaches become. All he knows is that he has to finish by Christmas or something awful will happen. This point is hammered home by a patient at the nursing home his mother works at who repeatedly shouts, “Death is coming! Death is here! We’ll die on Christmas Day!”

Once the treehouse is completed, evil is released on the town and an epic (and lengthy) battle breaks out between the dream world and the real world.