Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 01/01/2022 Gr 2–4—On the last day of third grade, Harriet's pregnant mother is put on strict bed rest until the baby comes—which isn't supposed to happen until August. This, coupled with her father's busy work schedule, is the reason why Harriet is shipped off to her grandmother's bed-and-breakfast on Marble Island for the entire summer. As much as Harriet loves the island and her Nanu, she is understandably angry at the situation and struggles to adapt. Her first-person narration showcases her conflicting actions as she tries to understand her complex and deep emotions. She also searches for a treasure her father mentioned, discovering facts about his childhood and realizing that there is more to him than she thought. Frequent black-and-white illustrations depict characters as white. Harriet is cued as Jewish. The slow, leisurely pace of Harriet's adventures, as well as her significant emotional growth in making peace with her situation and father, will have readers thinking a whole summer has passed, but the book spans less than two weeks. VERDICT A gentle, slow-moving summer adventure that's big on character growth; a sweet additional purchase.—Jennifer Rothschild - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 01/01/2022 Soon after completing third grade, Harriet learns that she will be staying with Dad’s mother, Nanu, for a while because her pregnant mother must remain in bed until the baby arrives. Though Harriet normally loves visiting her grandmother on Marble Island, she resents the sudden change of plans. Still, after finding an old-fashioned key, she's determined to find a lock that it will open and, perhaps, a treasure. Early in her involving first-person narrative, Harriet confesses that she often lies. Actually, those lies are so blatantly untrue that she initially seems younger than her years. But after learning that even the adults she loves most may have struggled as children to overcome bad habits, she begins to take more responsibility for her words. Kids moving up to chapter books will particularly appreciate Ho’s many grayscale illustrations, which offer lively, perceptive views of the story’s characters, settings, and props, including the “really, really old key” that motivates Harriet to discover more about her beloved father and his childhood home. An appealing chapter book for young readers. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.