Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 02/01/2020 Gr 9 Up–Overachieving, Ivy League–bound Marin grudgingly accepts the sexism around her, from an English curriculum dominated by male writers to a principal who publicly humiliates female students for dress code violations. Then her teacher Mr. Beckett tries to kiss her. Shaken and ashamed, she worries that she unwittingly sent him romantic signals. But soon she gets enraged at the idea that women are supposed to behave according to some unspoken code of conduct. In an incendiary editorial ("The Rules for Being a Girl") for the school paper, she censures the traditional rules and excuses: "Don't let things go too far. Don't give him the wrong idea. Don't blame him for trying." The response is disappointing; her best friend Chloe finds the piece shrill, and her boyfriend Jacob dubs Marin a "crazy feminist." But Marin comes to embrace that label, starting a feminist book club and finding the strength to speak out against Mr. Beckett. While the characters are thinly developed stock types and the ending wraps up too neatly, Marin's transformation into a clear-eyed young activist will inspire teens. Rife with references to pop culture, this fast-paced narrative introduces the complexities of intersectionality, identifies the insidious impact of rape culture, and encourages readers to take a stand against everyday injustices. VERDICT Young people starting to explore social justice will find this engaging work a stepping stone on the way to heavier fare such as Roxane Gay's Bad Feminist or Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 04/15/2020 Marin knows exactly how her senior year is going to go. She'll crush it as editor of the school paper, impress her passionate young English teacher, and score an acceptance to Brown, her dream school. Everything seems to be going according to plan, too—that English teacher, Mr. Beckett, or Bex, is especially encouraging. He tells Marin her writing is mature, gives her rides, and offers to write her a recommendation to Brown. But when he completely crosses a physical line, a horrified Marin reports it, only to find herself with no support. The administration is reluctant to take action, her boyfriend is hostile, and her best friend thinks she's looking for attention. As Bex retaliates, Marin searches for allies and takes matters into her own hands. Like Jennifer Mathieu's Moxie (2017), this is a blistering look at a girl who, when her eyes are opened by an injustice, reacts by taking action. The ground it covers is well-trod in YA, but it's still needed, and readers will be glad for this take from two powerhouse creators.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Bushnell is the columnist behind the megahit-HBO-show-spawning Sex and the City anthology; Cotugno is a NYT best-selling force. Both know a thing or two about girls on the brink of self-discovery. Together, they'll bring out the crowds. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.

Booklist - 04/15/2020 Marin knows exactly how her senior year is going to go. She'll crush it as editor of the school paper, impress her passionate young English teacher, and score an acceptance to Brown, her dream school. Everything seems to be going according to plan, too—that English teacher, Mr. Beckett, or Bex, is especially encouraging. He tells Marin her writing is mature, gives her rides, and offers to write her a recommendation to Brown. But when he completely crosses a physical line, a horrified Marin reports it, only to find herself with no support. The administration is reluctant to take action, her boyfriend is hostile, and her best friend thinks she's looking for attention. As Bex retaliates, Marin searches for allies and takes matters into her own hands. Like Jennifer Mathieu's Moxie (2017), this is a blistering look at a girl who, when her eyes are opened by an injustice, reacts by taking action. The ground it covers is well-trod in YA, but it's still needed, and readers will be glad for this take from two powerhouse creators.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Bushnell is the columnist behind the megahit-HBO-show-spawning Sex and the City anthology; Cotugno is a NYT best-selling force. Both know a thing or two about girls on the brink of self-discovery. Together, they'll bring out the crowds. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.