Bob - Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead

Summary: A classic middle-grade tale of magic and friendship, about a girl who helps an old friend find home, by two New York Times–bestselling authors Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead.

It’s been five years since Livy and her family have visited Livy’s grandmother in Australia. Now that she’s back, Livy has the feeling she’s forgotten something really, really important about Gran’s house.

It turns out she’s right.

Bob, a short, greenish creature dressed in a chicken suit, didn’t forget Livy, or her promise. He’s been waiting five years for her to come back, hiding in a closet like she told him to. He can’t remember who—or what—he is, where he came from, or if he even has a family. But five years ago Livy promised she would help him find his way back home. Now it’s time to keep that promise.

Clue by clue, Livy and Bob will unravel the mystery of where Bob comes from, and discover the kind of magic that lasts forever.

Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead, two masterminds of classic, middle-grade fiction come together to craft this magical story about the enduring power of friendship. (Summary and picture from goodreads.com)

My Review: Bob was a really sweet, really quick read.  I loved the way the story unfolded, the pacing worked well and the characters were lovable.  

The crux of the book revolves around figuring out what Bob is and where he belongs.  Is he an imaginary friend?  A zombie?  Something else entirely?  His childlike devotion and sometimes childish reactions make him a lovable, relatable character as he and human Livy attempt to solve the mystery of where he belongs.

Also crucial to the tale is Livy herself, a girl trying to figure things out as she is staying with her grandmother in Australia, after meeting the woman only once before when she was much younger.  In helping Bob, she's trying to remember a foggy past and just how things are supposed to work in her life, especially in her new role of big sister.

I loved how folkloric the atmosphere felt, set in a drought-stricken area of Australia, and how stories themselves played a critical part in Livy and Bob's original and continuing friendship. Their banter and reactions to each other feel genuine, and Bob's hurt feelings that Livy had forgotten him for five years.

Overall this was a quick, fun read that carries nostalgia and friendship in its pages.  A good read for any age.

 

My rating: 4 stars

 

For the sensitive reader: nothing of note.