Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

Review:

I had a feeling I was going to love this one. How could I not a love book written by two of my favorite middle grade authors? I love when two people you love come together and work on something magical. And Bob was magical.

I loved Livy and Bob. Livy felt like such a real person. I love that she was flawed, but also so good. She kept her promise to Bob, even though she didn’t remember making it. I loved how it made me nostalgic for my childhood. It really made me remember things I thought were long forgotten. I remember placing outside, playing with dolls, and having so much freedom to do what I wanted. I remember walking like a chicken, and bumping down the stairs, too.

Besides just putting me in a nostalgic, happy mood, this book was also a fun mystery. I had to know where Bob came from. I needed answers. I love how everything in the story is connected. The water, Bob, the farms, the chickens, the neighbors, the books, and the community. Everything is connected.

This is a short book, but for some reason I didn’t think I’d read it this quickly. I read it in one sitting. And it was hard to put down. I stayed up past my bedtime finishing this and I’m glad I did. It gave me happy dreams. This is a fast-paced endearing read. It was charming, mysterious, magical, and real all at the same time. I loved the characters, the setting, and the story. I can’t really come up with anything negative to say. This gets a 10/10.