Bob - by Wendy Mass & Rebecca Stead

About the Book

"New York Times"-bestselling authors Mass and Stead, two masterminds of classic, middle-grade fiction, come together to craft this magical story about the enduring power of friendship and a girl who helps an old friend find home. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

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.

This title has Common Core connections.

Review Quotes

Pure enchantment --The New York Times

MAGICAL. --The Wall Street Journal

Perfect for reading aloud or independent reading, this comfortably old-fashioned tale refreshes age-old themes of belonging, friendship, family and the power of story.--San Francisco Chronicle

A delightfully whimsical tale that begs to be read with a friend. Don't miss Bob. --The Christian Science Monitor

This is a welcome addition to the middle-grade canon and will likely become a classic. Bob deserves readership beyond middle grade.--San Francisco Book Review

A Chicago Tribute Best Children's Book of the Year

2018 Booklist Youth Editors' Choice

New York City Public Library Notable 100 Best Books for Kids

Authors Mass and Stead team up for this irresistible tale of magic, mystery, and friendship that poses timeless questions about identity and belonging...a tribute to the power of storytelling..--Publishers Weekly, starred review

An unusual fantasy with simplicity, immediacy, and wit.--Booklist, starred review

Five years ago, Livy left her friend Bob, who she describes as a zombielike creature, in the closet of her grandmother's house in Australia without saying goodbye. Bob has loyally awaited Livy's return, dressed in the chicken suit she made to disguise him, and hopeful about the promise she made to help him find his way home, wherever that may be. ... A perfectly paced plot, supported by secondary characters to whom readers will relate and luminous artwork by Gannon, fill out a story that readers will eagerly embrace.--School Library Journal, starred review

Offer[s] just the right blend of mystery and cozy magic in a rewarding story about how friendships--and people--evolve over time.--Bookpage

Perfect for a family read-aloud, this has short chapters, occasional illustrations and a heartwarming conclusion.--Providence Journal

About The Author

Wendy Mass is the New York Times-bestselling author of The Candymakers series and many other novels for young readers, including the Schneider Family Book Award-winner A Mango-Shaped Space, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life (which was made into a feature film), Every Soul a Star, Pi in the Sky, the Twice Upon a Time series, and the Willow Falls series that began with 11 Birthdays. She and her family live in New Jersey.

Rebecca Stead is the New York Times-bestselling author of When You Reach Me, winner of the Newbery Medal; Liar & Spy; FirstLight; and Goodbye Stranger. Her work has been also been awarded the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Fiction and the Guardian Children's Fiction Award. She lives in New York City with her family and their lazy but beautiful cat.

Nicholas Gannon is the illustrator of Bob, a picture book by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stea.