Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/01/2020 Gr 9 Up—Aaron and Tillie don't know each other, but on the same day, at the same time, they both find themselves on the edge of the George Washington Bridge, with the same intentions. Aaron, who is white and Jewish, is comfortable being gay, but he struggles with depression and loneliness. Tillie, who is Korean American, doesn't feel like she can ever be good enough, and it doesn't help when people remind her. The day at the bridge has four possible outcomes: Tillie jumps and Aaron doesn't, Aaron jumps but not Tillie, they both jump, or they both decide to get down from that ledge and walk away. An intriguing book that captures not just different possible outcomes of a situation but also how it affects others. Told in the third person, this book moves among multiple character's perspectives, not just Tillie and Aaron's. The book is divided into four parts that explore each of the outcomes and how the characters handle what happened. While three of the sections are done well, the section in which they both jump is lacking—Konigsberg spends just a couple pages directly following their deaths and the narrative makes multiple awkward and confusing time jumps. In the end, though, this book handles mental health and suicide well and offers readers a realistic look at how one's choices impact others. VERDICT While not for every reader, those who need this book will find value in it.—Amanda Borgia, Uniondale P.L., NY - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.