Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2018 Gr 3–6—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. As Livy gradually eases back into the rekindled friendship, vague memories return to her that could lead to the discovery of Bob's home. Livy's separation anxiety about her mother's upcoming trip with friends and the drought in her grandmother's town round out the story for a full plot line. 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. 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. VERDICT A must-have for libraries serving middle grade readers, this novel delights.—Amy McInerney, Falmouth Elementary School, ME - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/01/2018 *Starred Review* Traveling to her grandmother’s drought-stricken, rural Australian community after an absence of five years, Livy remembers little about her previous visit. But when she opens her bedroom’s closet door, Bob—a short, skinny, green creature in a bedraggled chicken suit—looks up at her and says, “You’re back. Took you long enough.” They rebuild their friendship while Livy helps Bob figure out what kind of creature he is (not a zombie, as five-year-old Livy had supposed) and how he can find his way home. She has questions: Why don’t adults seem to notice Bob? Why does she forget him when they’re apart? Clearly magic plays a part in the story and its climax, bringing reunions, farewells, and rain, rain, rain. The very readable first-person narration alternates between Livy’s voice and Bob’s, and seen within well-realized settings, these endearing characters and their friendship drive the novel. Stead, whose When You Reach Me (2009) won the Newbery Medal, and Mass, author of the beloved Willow Falls series, combine their considerable talents to create an unusual fantasy with simplicity, immediacy, and wit. Illustrations (not seen) will appear throughout the finished volume. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.