Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) - by Lisa Yee (Paperback)

About the Book

Bobby Ellis-Chan has a secret: his best friend is a girl. Holly Harper has always liked to do the same things Bobby does, but now that they're in the fourth grade, things are changing. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

With the hilarious adventures of Bobby Ellis-Chan, Lisa Yee and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat bring their gifts for finding the funny (and the truth) in everyday situations to chapter-book readers.

All of Bobby Ellis-Chan's problems in life can be summed up in one word: GIRLS.There's his sister Casey, who has a weird obsession with Bobby's goldfish, Rover.There's Jillian Zarr, who gets mad every time a boy even looks at her.Most of all, there's Holly Harper, Bobby's ex-best friend. Who is now, for some reason, Jillian's best friend. She used to like frogs and rolling down the hill; now she wears dresses and straightens her hair. Holly's running against Bobby for Student Council representative. She knows all his secrets -- and she just might spill.It's Bobby vs. Holly, boys vs. girls, in the biggest battle ever to rock Rancho Rosetta!

Review Quotes

Praise for Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally)"Those clamoring for fiction with nonwhite or biracial characters in which race is not the focus will welcome nine-year-old Bobby Ellis-Chan.... While Yee remains loyal to the boy point of view for a large portion of the story, both boys and girls will find much to relate to here." -- Horn Book, starred review"Yee really understands children's thought processes and presents them with tact and good humor. Bobby's dilemmas and adventures, however wild and out of control, remain totally believable. Santat's drawings manage the fine line between cartoon and realism and add dimension to the events. Readers will recognize themselves and learn some gentle lessons about relationships while they are laughing at the antics." -- Kirkus Reviews"Using humor and relatable situations, Yee shows how the two friends manage to support each other, despite peer pressure. . . . Santat's expressive black and white illustrations evoke the energy of Saturday morning cartoons. . . . The bright prose, concise chapters and gratifying resolutions are likely to please even reluctant readers." -- Publishers Weekly"Funny and smart dialogue describes perfectly the interaction that makes the battle of the sexes ring true. . . . Kids will identify with much of this interplay since Yee's situations and clever text are so accurate." -- School Library Journal"Yee, author of Millicent Min, Girl Genius, deftly navigates the dynamics of a late elementary boy/girl friendship; Bobby and Holly are both fully developed characters, and the details of their friendship (and its failures) are both thoughtful and believable. . . . A solid ending and a strong male point of view . . . make this a good selection for the middle-grade set." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

About the Author

Lisa Yee's novels include Millicent Min, Girl Genius; Stanford Wong Flunks Big-Time (an ALA Notable Book); the Bobby chapter book series, and most recently, Warp Speed. She is also the author of the American Girl books Good Luck, Ivy!, Aloha, Kanani and Good Job, Kanani. Please visit her website at www.lisayee.com.
Dan Santat is the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, which won the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal in 2015. He is also the creator of the acclaimed graphic novel The Aquanaut, and his graphic memoir, A First Time for Everything, was the 2023 National Book Award Winner for Young People's Literature. His art is featured in numerous children's books, including Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta series as well as picture books by Henry Winkler and Jake Gyllenhaal. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and pets. Visit him online at dansantatbooks.com.