Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/01/2022 Gr 4–8—What do you do when you're angry all the time, and you don't know why? Eleven-year-old Joey Sennet-Cooper doesn't know anyone who gets mad like she does. Not her moms, even though they can be stubborn and stern; not her brothers, even when they get frustrated with Joey's outbursts; and not her best friend Layla, who Joey ghosted after realizing she might have more than just friendship feelings for her. When Joey gets angry, she can't control her words or actions and people around her get hurt, physically and emotionally. A school science project on nature versus nurture makes Joey wonder about tracking down her sperm donor for potential genetic causes to her anger, but the investigation spawns even more problems for brown-haired, light-skinned Joey and her family. How will Joey find the answers she needs before she pushes away the people she loves most? While her actions are often deeply frustrating, Joey has scrappy determination, and readers can't help but be charmed by her and her lovable and well-developed cast of family and friends. Joey's inner thoughts and desperation to better understand her impulses builds empathy for those grappling with similar struggles. VERDICT A strong recommendation for readers who enjoy contemplative, character-driven stories like those by Ashley Herring Blake.—Darla Salva Cruz - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/15/2022 *Starred Review* Joey is the odd triplet out—literally, as the fraternal sibling to her two identical brothers, but also as the ticking time bomb of the family. She’s often gripped by an uncontrollable rage that she can only release by acting out, which usually manifests as hitting, pushing, or yelling. But these actions only provide a temporary reprieve, and her temper has cost her friends and is beginning to hurt her family. That’s when a school project on genetics and genealogy gives her an idea. Joey loves her family, but their makeup is complicated. The triplets have two moms, who conceived them via IVF, so half of the siblings’ DNA is from an anonymous sperm donor. Joey latches onto the hope that her anger issues may have been inherited from the donor, and if she can find him, maybe he can tell her how to fix herself. Melleby digs into the complex emotions Joey feels while also showing—without casting blame—how her actions hurt those around her. Her moms come across as loving, distinct individuals who are at a loss as to how to help Joey but are unwilling to give up on her. Nature versus nurture is a strong theme throughout, as Joey investigates her donor and her confusing, messy feelings. This emotional read shows the power of friendship and family without omitting the work that goes into loving someone. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.