Bob
Bob by Wendy Mass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I picked this one up for a challenge to read a palindrome but was pleasantly surprised by this middle grade story. First off, the illustrations were lovely. It's a sweet story set in Australia. Livy has returned to her grandmother's home after five years with her mother and baby sister Beth Ann. Her father remained in the States. Livy hasn't been here in those five years and a) fears she's forgotten something important b) saddened by the run down state of her grandmother's farm.
In the five years that's gone by this part of Australia is in a serious drought and this is the one part of the story that might go past the younger readers but it's hinted strongly that Grandma and most of her neighbors are in danger of losing their homes because there's no water for farming (which speaks to a larger problem in this world).
Ten year old Livy learns that she did in fact forget something very important to five year old Livy :Bob. He's a green creature who has spent the last five years in a makeshift chicken suit inside the closet of her bedroom (it gets explained later how Granny hasn't noticed this). Bob adores Livy even if he is angry she forgot him. He believes she saved her life.
For her part Livy can't imagine how she forgot him until she sees she forgets him whenever he's out of sight. Realizing Bob must be magic, Livy tries to make good on the promise her five year old self made. She will find out what Bob is and get him home.
The story does a good job in doling out the hints a little at a time. It does end well for Livy and Bob and they are an adorable duo. I really enjoyed this book.
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