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 short, skinny, green creature in a bedraggled chicken suit oks 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.

While visiting her grandmother in Australia, ten-year-old Livy rediscovers a weird, green, diminutive creature--Bob--and vows to help figure out who Bob is and how she'd forgotten him. Chapters alternate between Livy's and Bob's perspectives. The text is filled with warmth and humor, and occasional interspersed illustrations, monochromatic and golden-brown, provide an old-timey feel. Friendship, family, and ruminations on home--plus some magic--should appeal to creature-fantasy fans.

Ten-year-old Livy, who lives in Massachusetts, hasn-t visited her Gran Nicholas-s house in Australia for five years. When she returns for a visit, Livy is struck by the feeling that something very important is waiting for her. Sure enough, a peek inside her closet reveals -a small zombie wearing a chicken suit,- perched atop a dictionary. -You-re back. Took you long enough,- the creature says to the girl. Once upon a time, it seems, five-year-old Livy discovered this strange being, who goes by the comically understated name of Bob, and the two formed a secret bond. Picking up where they left off, Livy keeps Bob hidden while they hunt for clues about what he is, where he came from, and how to get him home. Authors Mass (the Willow Falls series) and Stead (Goodbye Stranger) team up for this irresistible tale of magic, mystery, and friendship that poses timeless questions about identity and belonging. Ultimately, the answers Livy and Bob seek are waiting in the pages of a cherished book-a tribute to the power of storytelling, which draws readers into the imaginative investigation. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. Authors- agents: (for Stead) Faye Bender, the Book Group; (for Mass) Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown Ltd. Illustrator-s agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (May)