Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 02/24/2025 Ever since she stood up to her mother’s loud, violent boyfriend two years ago, Daisy Jackson has gotten good at "invisibilizing" herself through silence to stay safe from bullying peers. Now a fifth grader, friendless Daisy (nicknamed "Weird Sad and Silent" by her classmates) finds comfort in patterns and routines such as re-reading her beloved copy of Dear Mr. Henshaw, memorizing Roman numerals, and writing secret, cat-centric haiku as she prepares to tame a feral stray feline she dubs Rumble Paws. But the arrival of new student Austin, whom Daisy perceives as being unapologetically himself, challenges her not only to embrace change but enact it. As Daisy gains agency, she uncovers secrets about her classmates and learns that having a voice and choosing to use it are very different things: "There’s power in making people afraid of you... in knowing a secret about someone... in telling everyone else the secret... and in not telling everyone else." Written in compelling, readaloud-ready vignettes that are as compact as they are impactful, McGhee (Telephone of the Tree) delivers a distinctly voiced story of connection and resilience. Daisy’s mother is Mexican American. Ages 9-12. Agent: Sara Crowe, Sara Crowe Literary. (May) - Copyright 2025

School Library Journal - 05/30/2025 Gr 4–6—Daisy Jackson, a 10-year-old mixed-race Mexican girl, can't stop counting. Ever since her mama's abusive boyfriend became an ex-boyfriend, she's counted, all the way to 222 and back down again. Counting helps her feel safe and hidden, but it's also sparked bullying from her classmates who call her "Weird Sad and Silent." So, she tries to keep her head down and find happiness in the small things, like the neighborhood's stray cat and routines; Daisy tries to simply survive. But all that changes when a new boy, unafraid to stand up to the school bullies, joins her class. Maybe Daisy can stop her "invisibilizing" and take her future into her own hands; maybe she can find a real human friend (and an ex-wrestler cat's trust) along the way. McGhee's nuanced portrayal of living in the aftermath of trauma is poignant and vital. Daisy's complex relationship with counting, as well as her compulsions to "pastify" and "futurize" her life provide a medley of sadness and hope for young readers. Her coming-of-age arc from an invisible student to someone who isn't afraid to take up space is powerful and engaging. McGhee's simple diction is complemented by her fierce commentary on the strength of differences and self-acceptance, and readers will finish this novel futurizing an authentic life of their own. VERDICT A brutally beautiful portrayal of the power of finding your own voice, this is a necessary buy for libraries hoping to expand their mental health-centric collections.—Ashton Conley - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.