Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 07/01/2018 Gr 3–6—Ten-year-old Louie does not have a good track record for taking care of animals. Worms, goldfish, a hamster, a snake, and a lizard are only a few of the pets that died or escaped on his watch. When his father brings home a weak, orphaned newborn mini-donkey from his Uncle Pete's farm, Louie decides to do everything in his power to save him. Taking care of the donkey, which he names Winslow, helps Louie feel closer to his older brother Gus who is serving in the army. Interwoven stories of family and friendship include the girl troubles of his older friend Mack, his quirky new neighbor Nora who has experienced her own losses and is afraid to form attachments, and the hole left behind in his own family as Louie and his parents miss Gus. With short chapters, a timeless setting, and simple prose, this uplifting tale will have readers rooting for the donkey and the boy who nurses him back to health. VERDICT This heartwarming story is sure to be a hit with fans of E.B. White's Charlotte's Web and Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie.—Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/01/2018 With older brother Gus now away in the army, 10-year-old Louie feels lonely and somewhat insecure about his own abilities. Then Dad brings home a sickly, newborn mini-donkey, and Louie is determined that the jack survive. Dubbing him Winslow, Louie teaches the creature to suckle, administers antibiotic injections when he gets sick, takes him for walks through town, and allows the diapered foal free rein of the house. But as Winslow matures, Louie’s neighbors fail to appreciate his perfectly normal behaviors (i.e., braying), and it becomes clear that something must be done. Creech has created a winning protagonist in Louie: a child who is sensitive yet resilient, unfailingly kind, and determinedly optimistic despite his past experiences. Equally strong is Nora, a younger girl who has experienced her own losses: a younger brother and a dog. And while the story’s outcome (a return to the farm) may be obvious, Creech’s route to that conclusion is particularly skillful and satisfying. Short chapters and accessible prose make this an ideal choice for reading aloud or alone. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.