Bob

Remembering and Forgetting is a key theme in the novel. Both Livy and Bob strive to remember important details and facts at various points in the story. Are there occasions, however, where forgetting may be preferable to remembering? Why or why not? What are these instances?

Not only does Livy forget Bob when she is away from him unless she is holding the black pawn, but Bob also forgets his family, where he is from, and who he is once he has traveled away from the well. Livy hypothesizes that this forgetting may be “part of how [Bob’s] magic protects [him]” (175). What might she mean by this? Hypothesize as to the reason both Livy and Bob forget one another when they are apart.

While the final chapter provides an explanation of Bob’s background, several details in the novel are not fully explained to the reader. Examine these or other gaps in the text. Why might the authors have left these unexplained? To what extent can readers supply explanations based on other clues in the book?

Early in the novel, Livy speculates that Bob may have a magical power. The two hypothesize what that power might be, but it is not until the end of the novel when Livy learns Bob is a well dweller that his magic power becomes known. What magical power would you like to have and why? How might you use this power to impact other people, as Bob does with his rain-giving power?

The quest to discover who Bob is and where he came from drives the book’s plot. In retrospect, several details provide hints at this. Examine these hints to explain the book’s use of foreshadowing.

The plot of the novel is situated during Livy’s second visit to Gran’s house and her reunion with Bob. Consider why the authors chose this visit as the focus of the story instead of the first visit in which Livy meets Bob for the first time. If the authors were to write a sequel to Bob, what might happen in it?

Livy and Danny learn that Bob is a well dweller after reading Fairy and Folk Tales From A to Z. Indeed, many countries and cultures have folklore or myths about such non-human creatures. Research one of these to compare the folklore to that of the well dwellers.

Throughout the novel, both family connection and ties to friends are important. Yet, when Bob returns to his family, his mother takes the black pawn away from Livy, preventing Livy from remembering Bob. In this way, Bob opts for his family over his friends. Consider instances when you have had to choose between people or loyalties. What criteria did you use to make your decision? What was sacrificed or gained? Would you make the same decision if you could make it again?