Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead illustrated by Nicholas Gannon

When she was just five years old, Livy visited and stayed with her Grandmother in a small town in Victoria, Australia about two hours drive from Melbourne. Livy's mum is from Australia but the family now live in Massachusetts. Livy is now ten and she and her mum have come back to show off the newest member of the family - baby Beth Ann. Strangely Livy has no memories from their previous visit but something niggles at the back of her mind. Then she discovers a surprise in her wardrobe - it is Bob!

But who is Bob? Where did he come from? Why has he been in this wardrobe for five years? How come he can talk? Why is he dressed up like a chicken? How does he know so much about Livvy? Why can't Livy remember her promise to Bob? And why does he love licorice so much?

All of these questions and deeper ones about the devasting drought that is causing great hardship in this country town form the basis of this totally engrossing story which is told by the two alternating voices of Livy and Bob. (Try to find Runt if you want to read another book about this impact of droughts here in Australia). 

Inside the wardrobe Bob has some Lego to play with, comics to read, and a huge dictionary. Some of his favourite words are listed at the back of the book - brunch, eternity, library, solo and serendipity. His definitions are sure to make you smile.

I have resisted reading Bob for nearly six years! I read that it was set in Australia but knowing Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead live in America I feared it would be filled with Aussie cliches - think of Crocodile Dundee which is a movie that makes me cringe. This is absolutely not the case. Rebecca wrote her first part of the story on the plane home from Australia then she and Wendy Mass spent the next seven years creating their story.

The book is imaginative, intriguing and endearing. It is charming and funny in equal measure. It is sweet, in a myriad delightful ways. It truly touches at the same time as it entertains and surprises. It is a story that so beautifully captures aspects of both five and ten-year-old childhood that it chimes with much that is universal too. Magicfictionsincepotter

Mass and Stead’s brilliant collaboration has produced a beautiful tale of friendship, love, and the magic of childhood. Livy and Bob’s points of view alternate chapters, and each character’s personality is wonderfully realized with subtle nuances of emotion and humor. School Library Journal

Watch this video with Colby Sharp (6 minutes) where he shares his delight over reading this terrific book. Here are some teachers notes from the US Publisher Macmillan.

Anyway, I was TOTALLY TOTALLY wrong! Bob is a fabulous book with terrific illustrations and an imaginary friend who you definitely need to meet. Nicholas Gannon also illustrated The Doldrums.

Author blurb: 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.

Awards:

• Michigan Great Lakes Great Books Award
• Mythopoeic Society Book Award
• Golden Cowbell Book Award, Switzerland
• The Cartwheel Book Award for Best Non-human Character
• The Nerdy Bookclub award

If you have read any of my past posts you might know I am a little bit crazy about imaginary friends.  Here are some of my favourite books:

O'Diddy

Tish

Crenshaw

Kaline Klattermaster's Tree House

Leo and Ralph

You also need to hunt out a copy of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble - I won't say why just believe me it is important.

I gave five stars to a previous collaborate between Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead:

The Lost Library

The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

Before I begin to talk about this book I would like to ask a question. Can you think of ANY middle grade books for readers aged 10+ that contain a genuine hug between friends - not a picture book - a novel and I am talking about an actual hug in this case between Evan, the main character in this story, and his best friend Rafe. Evan finds a way to open an old treehouse in their neighborhood. In the process he nearly caused a dreadful accident.

"First Evan realized the rusty hinges were not going to hold the door. Also first, because these two things actually happened simultaneously, the door tilted dramatically, paused for a second, and then fell to the ground. ... 'ARE YOU OKAY?' 'Yeah! ... it missed me!' ... He took a few deep breaths and was getting to his feet when Rafe's head popped up at the doorway. 'That was fast,' Evan said. 'I'm really glad you aren't dead.' Rafe smiled. 'Me too. Pull me in - I need a hug.' He wasn't kidding. When Rafe needed a hug, he asked for a hug. It was one of the things that made Evan understand that Rafe ... was mostly fearless."

Once upon a time the town of Martinville had a library. Ms Scoggin was the librarian. Al worked their too. And there was a library cat named Mortimer and a library customer named Mr Brock. Of course, all of that was years ago. Sadly, the library burned down and yes, some people died. Fast forward twenty years. Evan and his best friend Rafe live in this town. They have no idea they are about to be swept up into an astonishing mystery. 

On the way to school Evan notices someone has installed a little free library outside the Martinville History House. 

"When he pulled, the glass doors swung open easily. A smell floated out. A smell like ... applesauce? And ... cheese? But mostly applesauce. Strange. But it was a good smell. A little handwritten sign was attached to the single shelf inside: TAKE A BOOK; LEAVE A BOOK. OR BOTH. ... Evan decided to take two books. The smallest two, which he figured was the same as taking one."

These two books are the impetus for the mystery. One is a book entitled How to Write a Mystery Novel and the other is a beat-up book for little kids held together with tape. The title is now too hard to read. Since these are library books they contain further clues. There is a library stamp - Martinville Library but Even knows there is no library in his town. And there is a card in the pocket.

"The same name had been written there again and again. He flipped the card, checking front and back. One name: Edward McClelland. His dad's name."

Evan and his friend Rafe head back to the little free street library. The discover it contains forty-four books. Almost all of them have the same Martinville Library stamp and ten have his dad's name. Every book has return date stamp (oddly this is not a usual practice for a library) and the boys can see every one of them was returned on the same day - November 5th, 1999. BUT Evan discovers the book How to Write a Mystery Novel was not borrowed by his father - it says H.G. Higgins and Evan knows he is a famous mystery writer. Did he once live in Martinville?

One word of caution - do not read this book too quickly - there are clues which point to the mystery but I will admit I missed most of them because I do tend to read books way too fast. 

There are some sweet touches in this story that help the reader to really understand Evan such as his imaginary cape and hat.

"No one knew about the cape. His dad had 'given' it to Evan way back in kindergarten, when Evan was having trouble saying goodbye at the classroom door ... Evan had kept the imaginary cape all these years. In his mind he knew exactly what it would like like, if it were real: a red felt triangle, with two string to tie it on."

This idea of the cape reminded me of two Australian middle grade books (both long out of print) - The View from the 32nd Floor; and Swashbuckler by James Moloney.

Another delightful aspect of this story is the character of Evan's friend Rafe. Years ago, after a potentially dangerous event in preschool, Rafe's parents started setting rules - tons of rules - to keep Rafe safe. The rules were hard to keep but Rafe made a deal with his parents - He would obey all the rules but the rules would have an expiration date at the end of Grade 5 - the end of elementary school. That day is rapidly approaching. I also loved the way Evan accepted this issue and the way it restricted his friend. 

The Book Club run by Al is also perfect:

"The club members were Great Readers, and we had a wonderful time listening to each other talk about the books we were reading, what the stories were and what we thought might happen next, and how all of it made us feel. These young readers felt things about books, which is why I call them Great Readers. Being a Great Reader has nothing to do with reading great sophisticated books, or reading great long books, or even reading a great many books. Being a Great Reader means feeling something about books."

It also fun to see the way the people in Martinville interact with their new street library. I love discovering these in suburbs near my home. 

The pacing is strong, and the twists and turns are satisfying even if perceptive readers may catch hints of the ultimate truth along the way. A page-turner with striking characters and a satisfying puzzle at its heart. Kirkus

Since this is written from several perspectives, we get an interesting view of what happened at the library from someone who was there, someone who didn't even know the library had existed, and also a cat, which makes this very intriguing. There's a nice mix of mystery, book lore, and philosophical musings on the importance of books. Ms Yingling

Companion books:

The Parker Inheritance

Out of the Wild Night

The Summer we found a baby

When I read The Lost Library I thought of the wonderful librarian and her son in this book:

Leeva at Last

The list of things that will not change by Rebecca Stead

 

This is a heartfelt personal account where Bea (Beatrice) gives us an insight in to her family and the changes she has to navigate during the year she has turned ten.

Mum and Dad have split up and so Bea now spends time in each of their houses. It all seems quite complicated but I am sure many middle grade readers will identify with arrangements like these: 

MONDAY dad; TUESDAY mum; WEDNESDAY dad; THURSDAY mum; FRIDAY is part of the weekend; the weekend is Friday and Saturday. The weekend alternates. SUNDAY also alternates. 

Luckily Bea has a list of things that will not change. Her mum and dad love her; mum and dad love each other "but in a different way."; Bea's two homes will never be far apart; and "we are still a family, but in a different way."

The difference is dad has found true love in a new same sex relationship. Bea really likes his new partner Jesse. She also likes Jesse's sister Sheila. Bea has one very special friend - Angus and over time she has developed a friendly relationship with her counselor who offers good advice and coping strategies. Everything in Bea's life should be okay but she carries some heavy guilt. Now dad and Jesse are getting married which is also fine but Bea discovers Jesse and Shelia have a brother called Mission. The aptly named Mission is on a mission to stop the wedding and it was Bea who sent him the invitation.

Colby Sharp loved this book - he says "it will burrow into your heart."  "An unforgettable novel."

Uplifting without sentimentality, timely not trendy, and utterly engaging. Kirkus Star review

You can read more plot details on these reviews from Book Page, Ms Yingling and Book Trust.  I would pair this book with these:

To Night owl from Dogfish

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead

Final pages - my fifth part of this review. See below for links to the previous posts.

I am only going to say the last section of this book is like a huge punch in the stomach.  I can't tell you what happens I can only say - read this book!  READ THIS BOOK!

I had read so many book lists that included Liar and Spy and now I can see why.  I did enjoy When you reach me but this one is so much better.

Here is the author web site.

Liar and Spy is very short, very American and very enjoyable. It's also very funny in places, such as the extraordinarily personal fortunes in the fortune cookies at Yum Li's. ("Why don't you look up once in a while? Is something wrong with your neck?") Rebecca Stead makes writing this well look easy. She is, of course, playing games.

Here is an interview with the author.

Here is an extract from the book.

Have I convinced you to read Liar and Spy - ten out of ten!

Here are my earlier posts:

• Post Number one Pages 1-10
• Post Number two Pages 11-39
• Post Number three Pages 40-127
• Post Number four Pages 128-183
• Post Number five - final pages

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead

Review Part 4 now I am up to page 183 - next post will be the last...

Rebecca Stead has been giving little hints about Safer.  The biggest hint has just come when Georges and his dad are heading off to their favourite Chinese restaurant Yum Li's.  Candy is happy to go but Safer is adamant that they cannot.  Notice he only exercises the dogs in the basement courtyard, he sends Georges to check out the parrot nest outside in the street and he never answers the door.  Then there is the continuing issue of his name - Safer?

On Saturday their mum is photographing a wedding, their father is a driving instructor so Saturday is his busy day.  Only Safer and Candy are home and so Safer decides to break into Mr X's apartment again to solve the mystery of the key and the suitcases and the bodies.  Georges says this is the last time he will be a look out.  Safer takes Pigeon's mobile phone and Georges watches the screen on the intercom in his apartment.

Georges sees a man in black with a suitcase arrive home.  He has to stall him so he stops the lift and joins him on the pretext of feeding indoor plants for another resident on the fourth floor.  Georges becomes desperate.  Mr X walks into his apartment - it seems Safer will be caught!

On with the final pages.

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead

Part 3 of this review - a work in progress!

Well at page 127 I actually laughed out loud - something I rarely do.  This book is making me smile, smile, smile.

Georges is now good friends with Safer and his sister Candy.  Safer and Georges are working together to solve the mystery of Mr X. In the basement laundry Safer has seen a dryer filled with black clothes.  Mr X only wears black, even in May, so while Georges stands as a lookout Safer rifles through the clothes and he finds a tiny key. Safer is teaching Georges how to be a spy and especially how to hone his skills of observation.

Along side these events Georges goes to school each day where he suffers regular taunting by the school bullies and eats different lunches in the cafeteria.  In Science the class are studying the sense of taste and experimenting with the five tastes - salty, sweet, sour, bitter and Umami.

Another disparate piece of information is that Candy does not like orange - as a flavor or a food.  She has a theory about who she will marry one day  - a person who loves orange. "Mr Orange. That's who I'm going to marry. Someone who likes orange.' ... That way he and I can always share the pack.' 'Pack of what?' 'Starbursts, Lifesavers, Jolly Ranchers, Whatever."

Have you been wondering about these kid's names.  The parents of Candy, Safer and their older brother Pigeon let them choose their own names when they were about two years old.  Candy loves candy, Pigeon loves birds and since there are lots of pigeons around Brooklyn where they live he especially loves or loved pigeons but we don't yet know about Safer.

Mum is working hard night and day at the hospital and she and Georges communicate using scrabble letters. I really like this idea. Georges has made one friend at school - Bob English - who is, by coincidence or perhaps design,  interested in English and in particular in the odd way we spell words.  I think Rebecca Stead herself loves words.  What do you think of when you hear the word stool?

On with the reading!  Wait what about the part that made me laugh.  Safer decides to 'break into' Mr X's apartment.  He shows Georges an American Express card and Georges says "You're going to pay someone to open the door?"

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead

Part 2 of this review

I am now up to page thirty-nine and things just get better and better.

Georges and his dad spend the day moving into their new apartment. Georges sees a boy with two dogs heading down a door to the basement. He will meet this same boy in a few pages.

I am enjoying the small observations Rebecca Stead makes such as when Georges is standing by the main door to the apartment building supposedly to hold it open but actually it is being held open by a door wedge "a scratched up wooden triangle that reminds me of the blocks in pre-K."

When Georges and his dad take the recycling down to the basement after unpacking all the kitchen bits and pieces they see a sign : "Spy Club Meeting - Today!"  Georges' dad takes a pencil and writes "What time?"  When Georges goes back to the basement a few minutes later the sign says "1.30?" and when Georges goes to the meeting at 1.30 he meets the boy with the dogs - who is called Safer and a girl called Candy - who oddly enough loves to eat Candy.  He also finds out about Mr X.

I have a little better insight in to why they have moved.  Dad has lost his job and is now working for himself as a freelance architect. The family have downsized. Dad sounds like he has great ideas.  Georges' old bedroom had a real fire escape built in with his bed right at the top.

I mentioned those tiny details.  Here is another one as they unpack their books and place them onto the shelves in the living room : "Dad is looking at the bookshelves, deep in thought, deciding exactly where book should go where.  Once, Mum came home from work and discovered that he had turned all the books around so the bindings were against the wall and the pages faced out.  He said it was calming not to have all those words floating around and 'creating static."

One more thing I know how Georges got his name.  The family own a print of a famous painting by Georges Seurat.  I have included it on this post.  On with the reading!

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead

Here is a new idea for me I am going to talk about this book in a series of posts. (See below for a link to the full set).  Each time I have something to say I am going to post it here.  This will be a dialogue as I read this book.  Right now I am up to page ten and in reading heaven!  I love this writing.  Here is an example :

"In the morning the cafeteria smells fried and sweet, like fish sticks and cookie.  But after lunch, it's different. There's more sweat and garbage mixed in, I guess. Or maybe, it's just that, after lunch, the cafeteria doesn't have the smell of things to come.  It's the smell of what has been."

Perhaps I am drawn to books like this because I am a teacher and when you combine my own school life and my time as a teacher more than forty years of my life is accounted for.  Oddly though I am often drawn to books about boys and especially boys in American schools and with facilities like cafeterias which we don't have in Australia.  This setting is so far removed from my actual life.

So far, in just ten pages, I have met some kids in the class like Bob English Who Draws and Dallas Llewellyn the class bully along with the narrator Georges.  I have also met two teachers Mr Landau and the PE teacher Ms Warner.  I think I like Ms Warner even though, like George, PE would be my worst subject. Along with this I know Georges is moving house on the weekend and he is not happy and this but his mum, who is an intensive care nurse, is working hard to make him happy.  "Mom's always telling me to smile and hoping I'll turn into a smiley person."  His mum has a theory that if you smile for no reason you will actually start to feel happy. People used to tell me this when I was a child.

That's all for now I will get back to my reading.

It is now a few years since I posted this entry on my blog.
I have linked all my posts about Liar and Spy on the final post.

When you reach me by Rebecca Stead

I think this book, When you Reach Me, needs a large sticker in the middle of the front cover as a warning. Before reading this book make sure you have already read A Wrinkle in time by Madeline L’Engle.

People always talk with great fondness when they mention the book A Wrinkle in time and it is one of those books, I was quite sure I had read as a young child but now I am not so sure. When you reach me by Rebecca Stead (A Wrinkle in time is her all-time favourite book or so it says in the acknowledgements) is interlaced with a recount of the plot from A Wrinkle in time so now I find I need to read that book in order to make some sense of this new one. All of that to one side this is certainly a book that I just gobbled up in one reading, I read the first 75 pages without drawing breath and it is a book that I know will linger with me for a long time. I also find, after reading it, that it is the 2010 winner of the Newbery Medal!

Miranda lives in New York, a city filled with decaying apartment buildings, dangerous gangs of youth and seriously ill homeless people who inhabit the streets.

Miranda begins to find small cryptic notes in unexpected places – inside an unread library book about squirrels, deep inside a huge bag of bread rolls which Miranda counts each day as part of her job at Jimmy’s and in her winter coat pocket. As the months move on Miranda learns some hard lessons about friendship and about herself. Sal, her best friend from early childhood appears to shun her but she finds a new friends in Colin and Annemarie. All these kids along with Julia - her arch enemy - have special things to show Miranda about life.

The key to this story is the idea that time is just a construct. “Time isn’t a line stretching out in front of us, going in one direction. It’s – well, time is just a construct actually.” These wise words come from Marcus a boy with the most serious life lessons to share.

On a happy note, I really enjoyed the characters in this book especially the school secretary fondly called Wheelie. Also, Rebecca Stead gives you a great sense of place with her descriptions of Miranda’s apartment with the peeling paint, water stains and cigarette burns on the lounge. To understand more about this book read the review in School Library Journal by Elizabeth Bird. On only one point I disagree - I love the cover although ours is slightly different from the American one I have put here in my blog. If you look closely all the clues from the story are there – the key, the coat, letter box and shoe.


This book reminded me of Looking for X by Deborah Ellis. I highly recommend When you reach me for thoughtful readers who like realism, or Science Fiction or perhaps just readers who are looking for a book that makes you think about life and more.