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Bob
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Middle Grade & Children's (2018)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.
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.
201 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2018
509 people are currently reading
11386 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Mass
83 books3,682 followersWendy Mass is the author of thirty novels for young people, including A Mango-Shaped Space, which was awarded the Schneider Family Book Award, Leap Day, the Twice Upon a Time fairy tale series, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall, the Willow Falls, Space Taxi and Candymakers series. Wendy wrote the storyline for an episode of the television show Monk, entitled "Mr. Monk Goes to the Theatre," which aired during the show's second season. She tells people her hobbies are hiking and photography, but really they're collecting candy bar wrappers and searching for buried treasure with her metal detector. Wendy lives with her family in New Jersey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,072 reviews
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July 23, 2018I was really surprised by this book! I originally picked it up solely because Nicholas Gannon illustrated the story, but I ended up really enjoying the story itself! It's got a very unlikely friendship and a fairy tale element comes into play. Two things I love in a book!
January 2, 2020
I got this book for the beautiful cover and Rebecca Stead is one of my favorite YA authors so I was pretty excited to read this. It turned out to be so-so.
The story goes from Bob's to Olivia's perspective in each chapter.
Livy, now 10, goes to Australia from Michigan, USA to visit her grandmother. The last time she went she was 5 years old. Livy feels her memories coming back to her and something or someone important is in the back of her mind. As she goes upstairs to her mother's old room she sees BOB, a greenish little guy dressed in chicken pajamas.
The memories come back in full force with the help of Bob and a special pawn from the chessboard but what is she supposed to do with these memories?
I know it was supposed to be cute and magical but I still don't know what Bob was supposed to be. The plot felt rushed; quickie read. It wasn't bad but certainly not memorable. I did like their friendship; it was sweet and I was glad they had one another. I will see what my son thinks of it.
The story goes from Bob's to Olivia's perspective in each chapter.
Livy, now 10, goes to Australia from Michigan, USA to visit her grandmother. The last time she went she was 5 years old. Livy feels her memories coming back to her and something or someone important is in the back of her mind. As she goes upstairs to her mother's old room she sees BOB, a greenish little guy dressed in chicken pajamas.
The memories come back in full force with the help of Bob and a special pawn from the chessboard but what is she supposed to do with these memories?
I know it was supposed to be cute and magical but I still don't know what Bob was supposed to be. The plot felt rushed; quickie read. It wasn't bad but certainly not memorable. I did like their friendship; it was sweet and I was glad they had one another. I will see what my son thinks of it.
February 26, 2018
BOB was an incredibly endearing and thought provoking book about childhood friendships, change, growing older and still remembering what it was like to be young. I loved Livy and her experiences with BOB, Gran and her friends. This is a book that will be long cherished by children and adults alike. I could not put this book down and think it is a must read for classrooms and families. Who wouldn't love a not-zombie chicken friendship story?
June 6, 2018
Sweet fantasy about a girl rediscovering the imaginary friend she left behind at her grandmother's house. But is Bob imaginary? What is he? Lovely illustrations and the shift from Bob to Livy's POV makes this extra fun.
January 16, 2024
Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead, in the same book? Bob brings together two of my favorite authors for a story featuring lots of magic, the sort of story Ms. Mass and Ms. Stead both excel at. It's been half a decade since ten-year-old Livy visited her grandmother. Australia is quite a distance from Livy's home in America, but she's happy to make the trip again even if she hardly remembers what it was like as a five-year-old. Gran Nicholas remembers, though. She recalls which toys Livy played with, what she liked to eat, and how Livy loved spending time in her mother's childhood bedroom. Gran Nicholas's prompting brings back vague memories, but the importance of Livy's last stay in this house eludes her until she opens the closet door in her bedroom and sees a little green "zombie" in a chicken suit.
How could Livy forget Bob? Now that she sees him again it seems impossible he escaped her mind entirely, but he did. In chapters alternating between Livy and Bob's perspectives, we learn that Bob has waited in this closet since Livy's last visit. He passed the years by constructing Lego sets and reading books, including a dictionary that taught Bob to express himself eloquently in English. Bob heard Gran Nicholas's voice distantly in the house, but no one has interacted with him since Livy left for America. Livy is filled with guilt that she abandoned her friend in a closet and completely forgot him, but Bob never doubted her return. Now she can help him locate his family. Drought has gripped the region Gran Nicholas lives in for years, bad enough that crops won't grow and she's on the brink of having to sell her property; Livy may not be able to ease those troubles, but she can do her best to reunite Bob with his kin. All over her room she finds clues to the enigma of Bob's arrival five years ago and the odd blank spots in her memory regarding him. Is Bob's origin the key to solving all these problems?
I love Wendy Mass's books. The same is true for Rebecca Stead's, but I'm not sure I'm fond of them as a writing team. At times I sensed Bob was about to overwhelm me and reveal a design more complex and powerful than I imagined, but it never happened, and many questions are left dangling. This is an entertaining story with a memorable title character, but illustrator Nicholas Gannon arguably adds more value than either author. The drawings that follow page two hundred one are the most poignant part of the book. Nevertheless, I rate Bob one and a half stars and I almost rounded up. I believe in Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead, and if Bob isn't the book for you, I suggest A Mango-Shaped Space (by Ms. Mass) or Liar & Spy (by Ms. Stead). When these two authors are on their game, they are brilliant.
How could Livy forget Bob? Now that she sees him again it seems impossible he escaped her mind entirely, but he did. In chapters alternating between Livy and Bob's perspectives, we learn that Bob has waited in this closet since Livy's last visit. He passed the years by constructing Lego sets and reading books, including a dictionary that taught Bob to express himself eloquently in English. Bob heard Gran Nicholas's voice distantly in the house, but no one has interacted with him since Livy left for America. Livy is filled with guilt that she abandoned her friend in a closet and completely forgot him, but Bob never doubted her return. Now she can help him locate his family. Drought has gripped the region Gran Nicholas lives in for years, bad enough that crops won't grow and she's on the brink of having to sell her property; Livy may not be able to ease those troubles, but she can do her best to reunite Bob with his kin. All over her room she finds clues to the enigma of Bob's arrival five years ago and the odd blank spots in her memory regarding him. Is Bob's origin the key to solving all these problems?
I love Wendy Mass's books. The same is true for Rebecca Stead's, but I'm not sure I'm fond of them as a writing team. At times I sensed Bob was about to overwhelm me and reveal a design more complex and powerful than I imagined, but it never happened, and many questions are left dangling. This is an entertaining story with a memorable title character, but illustrator Nicholas Gannon arguably adds more value than either author. The drawings that follow page two hundred one are the most poignant part of the book. Nevertheless, I rate Bob one and a half stars and I almost rounded up. I believe in Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead, and if Bob isn't the book for you, I suggest A Mango-Shaped Space (by Ms. Mass) or Liar & Spy (by Ms. Stead). When these two authors are on their game, they are brilliant.
May 14, 2018
I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since I saw the powerhouse team of Mass and Stead up in lights (so to speak). I mean these two are middle grade fiction super stars!!! Together in one book. Color me excited and ecstatic! I was counting the days until release day.
BUT it didn’t quite live up to all my hopes and dreams. Bob is cute and original for sure, but overall it lacked the emotional kick I was hoping for. Come meet Bob though. He’s unforgettable! :D He’s…well that’s the mystery isn’t it? What and who is Bob?
After five years, Livy is back for a visit to her grandmother’s house in Australia. The last time Livy stayed with her grandmother she was 5 years old. She’s changed a lot and forgotten a lot since then. Livy can’t seem to remember much about her last visit actually. But she soon learns that she left someone behind. Someone who has been waiting in the closet for 5 long years. Bob!
Bob, a cute green creature also known as our “small green mystery wearing a chicken suit”, has been waiting for Livy to return so she can help him find his way home and hopefully discover who or what he is along the way. She promised to help! They have a mystery to solve! But Livy isn’t the same Livy anymore. Can Bob help this new Livy remember the old Livy and the promise she made to him?
I loved Bob! He’s a little green cutie with vocabulary skills and the best chicken walk in town—even though he’s not a chicken…or is he? You can’t help but love him! There are a lot of questions surrounding Bob though. Like why is he wearing a chicken suit? Or how did he end up in Livy’s closet? You have to read to find out. Bob will surprise and delight at every new twist and turn.
The bump in the road for me was the unfinished feel to the story. We are told that Livy is nervous about staying away from home without her Mom, but I never felt like that issue and fear was resolved. The end along with an out-of-the-blue message about moving toward someone or something that makes you feel the most alive all felt rushed and almost forced to me. I could have used some more time at the end to wrap things up and say goodbye.
Friendship shined the brightest here for sure though. Helping a friend find his way home is a big responsibility. A responsibility that takes Bob out of the closet and out in the world on an adventure to end all adventures. Does Bob find his home? I’m not telling! :D
Read Bob and find out. You’ll find yourself rooting for this “not-zombie fake chicken” all the way through!
Check it out from your local Library.
January 5, 2022
Słodka, urocza, typowo dziecięca historyjka. Co prawda do końca nie wyłapałam, czym właściwie był Bob, ale hej - nie jestem w grupie docelowej czytelników, pewnie dziecięca wyobraźnia wypełni tę lukę 😉
September 4, 2020
This one was much more enjoyabke the second time reading. It's been 5 years since Livy visited Gran in Australia. She doesn't remember much from her first visit. Then she finds Bob, a little green creature wearing a chicken costume and who thinks he is a zombie. Bob remembers her but nothing about his life before he met her. Told in alternating chapters by Lucy and Bob, they put together the pieces of what happened during that last visit. Readers will enjoy piecing it all together too. With a touch of magic, this is the perfect fantasy story for younger readers.
4/26/19 3 stars, who or what is Bob? Find out in this story about Livy who rediscovers him after five years and Bob himself who cannot remember.
4/26/19 3 stars, who or what is Bob? Find out in this story about Livy who rediscovers him after five years and Bob himself who cannot remember.
February 26, 2018
Visiting her grandmother on a drought-stricken Australia farm, 10-year-old Livy reconnects with an endearing green creature she left 5 years earlier whom most people cannot see and she had forgotten.
Very engaging, with connections with mythological beings (and fairy tales) and the natural world. There's a particularly nice scene where the relatively grown-up 10-year-olds discard their reservations and play with dolls as they used to. Gives permission to the child reader to hold on to their child side.
Very engaging, with connections with mythological beings (and fairy tales) and the natural world. There's a particularly nice scene where the relatively grown-up 10-year-olds discard their reservations and play with dolls as they used to. Gives permission to the child reader to hold on to their child side.
January 16, 2024
Dacă va spun ca aceasta carte m-a scos din lipsa acuta de chef de citit, o sa râdeți și totuși, a facut-o.
Am început inițial sa o citesc împreună cu fiul meu, dar a ajuns la final sa ma captiveze și sa îmi placa.
Este o poveste a unei fetite tare simpatice, și a unui "ne-zombie" verde, tare haios, care ne arata ce înseamnă o prietenie și cât de prețioasă este ea.
Copilului i-a plăcut, mie mi-a plăcut, misiune îndeplinită.
Se citește ușor, fraze scurte, scris măricel, carte cartonata... o carte draguta pentru copii, mai pe scurt.
Ii dau 4 stele.🤩
Am început inițial sa o citesc împreună cu fiul meu, dar a ajuns la final sa ma captiveze și sa îmi placa.
Este o poveste a unei fetite tare simpatice, și a unui "ne-zombie" verde, tare haios, care ne arata ce înseamnă o prietenie și cât de prețioasă este ea.
Copilului i-a plăcut, mie mi-a plăcut, misiune îndeplinită.
Se citește ușor, fraze scurte, scris măricel, carte cartonata... o carte draguta pentru copii, mai pe scurt.
Ii dau 4 stele.🤩
March 6, 2018
Sweet story with a surprising ending!
Looking forward to seeing the completed book with the illustrations!
Looking forward to seeing the completed book with the illustrations!
February 16, 2018
Absolutely delightful. Just the right length for reluctant readers. Easy to booktalk, just start with this: "Actually,maybe I do remember one thing. I think I remember a wrong chicken."
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September 22, 2019Ugh, why do both audio narrators seem to think Aussies sound like a cross between British and Irish? I mean, it's probably worsened for me since I've listened to a few audios lately with authentic Aussie narrators, but still...
Also, I get why the girl (who lives in America) might "recount" what people are saying in a really bad accent, but what about the Not-Zombie who has lived the last five years in Australia, listening to Aussies talk?
Also, I get why the girl (who lives in America) might "recount" what people are saying in a really bad accent, but what about the Not-Zombie who has lived the last five years in Australia, listening to Aussies talk?
August 2, 2018
I picked this up randomly at the library after the cover caught my eye. It was a cute and surprisingly good story.
February 9, 2019
Amusing story of 11-year old Livy returning for a visit to her grandmother’s in Australia, and then encountering the odd, little, somewhat sarcastic, green creature she had met the last time she visited. Livy and Bob must figure out what Bob is and where he came from so he can return.
There’s plenty of gentle humour in this story which gives us both Livy’s and Bob’s POVs.
There’s plenty of gentle humour in this story which gives us both Livy’s and Bob’s POVs.
August 10, 2021
Not sure if I should rate this or not. It wasn't bad by any means. Quite a cute middle grade with few but beautiful pictures in it. But I don't know if it was because I wasn't in the right head frame for it or just wasn't for me.
April 27, 2018
So charming and lovely and weird. Would put in the hands of both reluctant readers and kids who gobble up beginning fantasy series (like the Spiderwick Chronicles).
May 25, 2018
A truly beautiful story of friendship. Perfect for all ages. Children will laugh at Bob as a Not-Zombie chicken in a tutu, while parents will remember the magic of childhood. And yes, I did cry.
October 20, 2022
4.25 Stars.
OMG, this story!
OMG, this story!
April 22, 2018
“Bob” by Wendy Mass is a strange little tale about a girl who visits her grandmother in Australia and finds a green creature dressed in a chicken suit in her closet named Bob...I know it sounds so strange!
I often feel nostalgic as an adult reading middle grade books and the themes that are so universal in them no matter your age. I certainly can name many other books that are better than “Bob”, but I have to say this one had it in sections and I could totally see it becoming a very cute and successful animated film. It would be adorable! I appreciated Mass’ unique take on the theme of friendship (that is so popular in middle grade) and her setting being in Australia.
Overall, I would think that many kids would enjoy this story and adults too will find Bob to be a very funny and a genuine friend.
Thanks to Macmillan’s Children’s Publishing for sending me an advanced copy! Get your copy May 1st!
I often feel nostalgic as an adult reading middle grade books and the themes that are so universal in them no matter your age. I certainly can name many other books that are better than “Bob”, but I have to say this one had it in sections and I could totally see it becoming a very cute and successful animated film. It would be adorable! I appreciated Mass’ unique take on the theme of friendship (that is so popular in middle grade) and her setting being in Australia.
Overall, I would think that many kids would enjoy this story and adults too will find Bob to be a very funny and a genuine friend.
Thanks to Macmillan’s Children’s Publishing for sending me an advanced copy! Get your copy May 1st!
May 23, 2018
Ridiculously sweet and tender story about a young girl and the power of her not-so-imaginary friend.
As an adult reader, I thought a lot about the imaginary friends of my childhood while reading this book, which tackles the liquidity of memory -- how easily certain experiences can slip through our fingers and into the cracks of the earth -- but also provides children with a fun fantasy story, one that doesn't rely on tired tropes like faeries, elves, unicorns, etc., but instead the character of "Bob," who feels wholly original and fresh.
I read this book because Rebecca Stead is one of my favorite authors. Going into this book, I didn't know what her contribution was. It appears that Stead wrote the Livy chapters and Mass wrote the Bob chapters, with some overlap. I feel like Stead's influence shines strongly in this collaboration, and I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. I haven't read Wendy Mass before, but maybe I will now.
As an adult reader, I thought a lot about the imaginary friends of my childhood while reading this book, which tackles the liquidity of memory -- how easily certain experiences can slip through our fingers and into the cracks of the earth -- but also provides children with a fun fantasy story, one that doesn't rely on tired tropes like faeries, elves, unicorns, etc., but instead the character of "Bob," who feels wholly original and fresh.
I read this book because Rebecca Stead is one of my favorite authors. Going into this book, I didn't know what her contribution was. It appears that Stead wrote the Livy chapters and Mass wrote the Bob chapters, with some overlap. I feel like Stead's influence shines strongly in this collaboration, and I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter. I haven't read Wendy Mass before, but maybe I will now.
April 3, 2018
3.5 Stars. Sweet little story. It would be perfect for family sharing. Found myself laughing out loud at Bob who is a very endearing non-zombie. Honestly, I could have used a little more adventure between Livy and Bob and maybe a little more backstory on Livy and her family but it was a cute, well written story that I would definitely recommend to kids and families.
April 25, 2018
Loved it. Going to choose it for our final book club selection for 17/18. Perfect story to end the year with. Bob and Livy will be with me for a long time. Must read!!!
December 17, 2019
What a beautiful story!! It’s a children’s book, but I still highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read that will make you say “awww!” at least 15 times per chapter.
January 11, 2023
Bob stole my heart in this delightful fantasy about friendship, family, and finding home. Now I'm going to go practice walking like a chicken!
November 28, 2024
another great fourth grade read if you are in fourth grade read this! live laugh love
May 29, 2018
Livy is visiting her grandmother in Australia for the first time in five years. When she arrives, she finds Bob in the closet, but has little to no memory of him. What unfolds is Livy and Bob trying to figure out his origins, while also becoming reacquainted with one another.
This is a fun book that leaves you wondering about Bob's home until we finally realize what is happening. A modern fairytale that I loved.
This is a fun book that leaves you wondering about Bob's home until we finally realize what is happening. A modern fairytale that I loved.
April 8, 2018
Each of Rebecca Stead’s books differ from the other in all but their surprises she embeds in them. Bob, Stead’s latest, oozes charm — not in a cloying way, but in a way sure to enthrall children and their parents alike.
Bob has been waiting a long, long time — five long years, in fact — in Olivia’s grandmother’s closet. Livvy visited her grandmother’s Australian ranch five years ago, and she had completely forgotten the green and big-hearted creature she’d left, promising she’d be back soon. Now Livy is back, and she determines to make it up to Bob and keep her promise to reunite him with his family. But how can she do this when she doesn’t know where he came from — or even what Bob is. I won’t spoil this slender gem by giving away any more except to say that readers will love every minute.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley. Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Feiwel & Friends in exchange for an honest review.
Bob has been waiting a long, long time — five long years, in fact — in Olivia’s grandmother’s closet. Livvy visited her grandmother’s Australian ranch five years ago, and she had completely forgotten the green and big-hearted creature she’d left, promising she’d be back soon. Now Livy is back, and she determines to make it up to Bob and keep her promise to reunite him with his family. But how can she do this when she doesn’t know where he came from — or even what Bob is. I won’t spoil this slender gem by giving away any more except to say that readers will love every minute.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley. Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Feiwel & Friends in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2018
I hate to give this such a low rating. It was very cute, and had a lot of lovable moments, characters, and heart. I felt for little Bob, and I wanted to know what he was, and where he was headed, but when we got the end it all just felt like "shrug, ok . . ."
The payoff wasn't there. Is everything in Livy's book real? Should this really be a terrifying warning tale about mermaids that will drown people, or trolls that will kill over a bridge.
In the end, even with all the heart I was underwhelmed. The book was OK.
The payoff wasn't there. Is everything in Livy's book real? Should this really be a terrifying warning tale about mermaids that will drown people, or trolls that will kill over a bridge.
In the end, even with all the heart I was underwhelmed. The book was OK.
August 13, 2025
Povestea este simpatica, o prietenie i tre o fetita si o creatura care pana la sfarsit nu se stie ce este. Ma asteptam la mai multe ilustratii care sa explice povestea, ar fi fost mai usor. In ceea ce priveste stilul povestii e foarte greu de urmarit -ba vb fetita ba creatura. Mi-a placut cum se explica cat de greu si obositor este sa ajungi de pe un continent pe altul, in special impreuna cu copii mici.
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