Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/01/2022 Gr 4–7—Frank, an avid reader who loves horror stories, is extremely frustrated with the frequent transfers his family makes to accommodate his parents' work as building renovators. When they tell the 11-year-old they acquired a new project, they promise that this move, to Spectacle Key, FL, will be the final one. No sooner does the family begin unpacking boxes in their new lighthouse home than things begin to go awry, from electrical malfunctions to crab infestations to a historical preservation group pressuring the family to leave. As tensions escalate at home, Frank escapes by exploring the island, only to encounter mounting evidence of a supernatural presence on the key. Aided by Connie, a young girl who may be a ghost, Frank realizes he must learn the history of his new home, and his family, to lift the curse before his parents give up and move away. This middle grade—friendly horror story features a Cuban American protagonist who has an extremely positive relationship with his family but is less competent at making friends, even with the not-quite-living. While the history Frank unearths is less than pleasant, he reminds the adults that people should not cover up the past just because it is ugly, and there is importance in remembering. Quirky secondary characters, including a mystic and a circus-acrobat librarian, enhance the narrative, as do Acevedo's spin with horror tropes and sly wordplay. VERDICT A solid purchase to enhance popular middle grade horror collections. The balance of humor and horror should attract readers, and the lessons Frank learns are relevant to all.—Nancy Nadig - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2022 Gr 4–7—Frank, an avid reader who loves horror stories, is extremely frustrated with the frequent transfers his family makes to accommodate his parents' work as building renovators. When they tell the 11-year-old they acquired a new project, they promise that this move, to Spectacle Key, FL, will be the final one. No sooner does the family begin unpacking boxes in their new lighthouse home than things begin to go awry, from electrical malfunctions to crab infestations to a historical preservation group pressuring the family to leave. As tensions escalate at home, Frank escapes by exploring the island, only to encounter mounting evidence of a supernatural presence on the key. Aided by Connie, a young girl who may be a ghost, Frank realizes he must learn the history of his new home, and his family, to lift the curse before his parents give up and move away. This middle grade—friendly horror story features a Cuban American protagonist who has an extremely positive relationship with his family but is less competent at making friends, even with the not-quite-living. While the history Frank unearths is less than pleasant, he reminds the adults that people should not cover up the past just because it is ugly, and there is importance in remembering. Quirky secondary characters, including a mystic and a circus-acrobat librarian, enhance the narrative, as do Acevedo's spin with horror tropes and sly wordplay. VERDICT A solid purchase to enhance popular middle grade horror collections. The balance of humor and horror should attract readers, and the lessons Frank learns are relevant to all.—Nancy Nadig - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2022 Gr 4–7—Frank, an avid reader who loves horror stories, is extremely frustrated with the frequent transfers his family makes to accommodate his parents' work as building renovators. When they tell the 11-year-old they acquired a new project, they promise that this move, to Spectacle Key, FL, will be the final one. No sooner does the family begin unpacking boxes in their new lighthouse home than things begin to go awry, from electrical malfunctions to crab infestations to a historical preservation group pressuring the family to leave. As tensions escalate at home, Frank escapes by exploring the island, only to encounter mounting evidence of a supernatural presence on the key. Aided by Connie, a young girl who may be a ghost, Frank realizes he must learn the history of his new home, and his family, to lift the curse before his parents give up and move away. This middle grade—friendly horror story features a Cuban American protagonist who has an extremely positive relationship with his family but is less competent at making friends, even with the not-quite-living. While the history Frank unearths is less than pleasant, he reminds the adults that people should not cover up the past just because it is ugly, and there is importance in remembering. Quirky secondary characters, including a mystic and a circus-acrobat librarian, enhance the narrative, as do Acevedo's spin with horror tropes and sly wordplay. VERDICT A solid purchase to enhance popular middle grade horror collections. The balance of humor and horror should attract readers, and the lessons Frank learns are relevant to all.—Nancy Nadig - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/15/2022 Acevedo’s charming ghost mystery is a thrilling ride that follows “Friendless” Frank Fernandez, a boy who bonds with a pair of ghosts as they help him try to break a curse on the island he calls home, unearthing a multitude of unexpected secrets in the process. Frank is excited about a lot of things, like being accepted to his hometown’s Junior Librarian program, but he longs for more friends and for acceptance from his peers. When Frank’s family abruptly moves—yet again!—to an eerie lighthouse in Spectacle Key, Florida, he mourns the loss of another chance to fit in, only to discover that his new home is happily haunted. Despite the lush, atmospheric writing and sweet premise, the stakes grow higher and higher, and Frank’s solving of Spectacle Key’s curse may result in him losing the one ghostly friend he’s been able to make and keep. Young horror and mystery fans, and kids who grew up with the sole company of their imaginations, will delight in uncovering the clues and following Frank on his journey to acceptance and belonging. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.