Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 07/14/2023 Gr 4–7—This action-driven read with a steampunk twist finds a boy grappling with the consequences of his parent's creations (creatures like the spideratus and octochines). Noah, 11, has lived his life in isolation in a house that mysteriously continues to grow nightly with a robot caretaker and his distant mother, whom he refers to as Marie. A tinkerer and an inventor, his projects are taken to a local factory to go into production for some project in Liberty. When his curiosity brings him face-to-face with a hidden test left by his eccentric, exiled father, a series of events is set up that brings him into contact with the crew of The Abbreviated. With them he embarks on a journey to the island of Singe to see the deluded mechanical world his father built during his exile. When Noah and his traveling companions return to Liberty, the danger of the robot creatures follows, and Noah has to use all his wits to devise a solution to save the town and its people. The book introduces a main character who grapples with the choices his parents made in their work while defining his own values and willingness to make sacrifices. Illustrations intermittently appear in the text. VERDICT A rollicking adventure featuring a lonely, clever boy choosing to take great risks, face family struggles, and forge found family in the face of tremendous obstacles. Recommended for middle grade adventure shelves.—Erin Wyatt - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 07/14/2023 Gr 4–7—This action-driven read with a steampunk twist finds a boy grappling with the consequences of his parent's creations (creatures like the spideratus and octochines). Noah, 11, has lived his life in isolation in a house that mysteriously continues to grow nightly with a robot caretaker and his distant mother, whom he refers to as Marie. A tinkerer and an inventor, his projects are taken to a local factory to go into production for some project in Liberty. When his curiosity brings him face-to-face with a hidden test left by his eccentric, exiled father, a series of events is set up that brings him into contact with the crew of The Abbreviated. With them he embarks on a journey to the island of Singe to see the deluded mechanical world his father built during his exile. When Noah and his traveling companions return to Liberty, the danger of the robot creatures follows, and Noah has to use all his wits to devise a solution to save the town and its people. The book introduces a main character who grapples with the choices his parents made in their work while defining his own values and willingness to make sacrifices. Illustrations intermittently appear in the text. VERDICT A rollicking adventure featuring a lonely, clever boy choosing to take great risks, face family struggles, and forge found family in the face of tremendous obstacles. Recommended for middle grade adventure shelves.—Erin Wyatt - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/15/2023 Ferrell opens this exciting new middle-grade adventure series with a bang, with 11-year-old inventor Noah unraveling the mysteries of his ever-growing house, the secrets of his family history, and the true capabilities of his robot companion. Noah, who runs away to find his father, as well as answers to his many questions, soon discovers that his own bloodline may hold darker truths than any outside challenges. Working with robots and unexpectedly teaming up with smugglers, Noah and his allies overcome daunting obstacles to reach his father—and then must pivot to save their own city from a dangerous villain. Lush world building and an action-packed story line will prove perfect for fans of book franchises such as A Series of Unfortunate Events. With a plot that never fails to lose steam, accompanied by Carter’s eerie illustrations, Noah’s origin story is one that fans of adventure and mystery ought not to miss. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.