Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2025 Gr 3–7—Mimi Perez, 12, loves to fix things. Before Papi was deported to the Dominican Republic, he ran a repair shop in their local Brooklyn neighborhood, and Mimi learned to fix gadgets by working with him. But, since her father's deportation, Mimi has dumped her friends and concentrated on earning money to hire a lawyer to get him back. When her three ex-friends—Jada, Benny, and Los—convince her to enter a robotics competition with them, she thinks the grand prize of $50,000 could be the ticket to her dad's return. Then, a mysterious robot crashes to earth and lands in Papi's old store. Mimi rescues the robot from the federal agents after it, fixes it, and makes a new friend—Dot-E. With federal agents searching for Dot-E and the robot needing to find its family to get home, Mimi learns she too needs the help of her friends and community, not only to win the robotics competition but to also save the robot and get her new friend to safety. The focus on immigration, refugees, and asylum seekers makes this book an important and relevant one. The well-developed characters, human and robot alike, will draw in tween readers and keep them invested in this heartwarming, STEM-infused story. VERDICT A timely coming-of-age tale that crafts important connections to current social and political issues while engaging readers.—Rebekah J. Buchanan - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Other - 03/10/2025 It’s been six months since 12-year-old Brooklynite Mimi Perez’s father was deported to the Dominican Republic, forcing her and her mother to move from their family home. Now sharing a single bedroom in a neighbor’s house, Mimi-who used to get straight A’s and spend time with her cousin, Jada, and their friends, Benny and Los-has begun skipping school to earn money by fixing broken electronics, hoping to save up for a lawyer and bring Papi home. When her school is invited to participate in a major robotics competition that promises a cash prize for the winner, Mimi’s friends persuade her to compete with them. The tweens’ plans are derailed by the arrival of Dot-E, a robot from outer space that needs their help reuniting with its family. Then Dot-E attracts the attention of federal agents; their presence unnerves Mimi’s mom, who worries for the family’s safety and future. Reports peppered throughout detailing the federal investigation feel somewhat forced. Even so, using endearing third-person prose, Ortega (the Witchlings series) and debut author Rodriguez grapple with grief, belonging, and contemporary attitudes and policies surrounding immigration through a compassionate sci-fi lens. Characters are described as having varying skin tones. Ages 8-12. Agents: (for Ortega) Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary; (for Rodriguez) Richard Abate, 3Arts Entertainment. (Mar.) - Copyright 2025