Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 06/01/2021 *Starred Review* In this collection of interlinked shorts, the YA-author supergroup of Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Ashley Woodfolk, Angie Thomas, and Nicola Yoon takes the concept of a New York City–wide blackout and lights it up with six sweet, Black-teen summer romances. The conceit begins with “A Long Walk,” Jackson’s story of a recently split couple whose flame reignites over the course of an epic walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Crucially, this is broken up into five interstitial acts, anchoring readers and giving the book a solid through line. In between those segments, Stone’s “Mask Off” explores the history of two young men whose long-simmering attraction comes to a head after they’re trapped underground on a subway car; Woodfolk’s “Made to Fit” sees two lesbians falling for each other while caring for retirement-home residents; Clayton’s “All the Great Love Stories . . . and Dust” draws out the agonizing confession of love between two lifelong best friends; in “No Sleep ’til Brooklyn,” Thomas’ love triangle (turned quadrangle) becomes a journey toward self-love; and Yoon brings it home with a meet-cute between a girl and her “Ryde” driver. Rich with intersectional queer representation and light with banter, humor, and even philosophy, this beautiful collaboration hits different from your typical romance novel, ultimately evoking the warmth of greater connection, community, and belonging. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Each of these six powerhouse authors would draw a crowd on her own; together, watch out. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 07/01/2021 Gr 9 Up—A New York City blackout sets the stage for romance and self-realization in this compilation of intertwining stories by well-known Black YA authors: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon. Various friends and couples are on their way to a block party in Brooklyn when a blackout hits the city. Tammi is struggling as she and her ex-boyfriend Kareem arrive at an internship that they have each accepted, but there is only one spot. As they walk from Harlem to the party in Brooklyn, tales of their family and friends are interspersed as new relationships begin and others come to an end. Each story is told by a different writer, with Tammi and Kareem's story as the thread that binds them together. Hetero and queer couples are represented without "coming out" being the overall theme; the collection is ultimately about love and the journey to find it. Each of the authors is strong on their own, but together they are incredible. All characters are BIPOC. VERDICT A celebration of love in all its forms. A must-have for all young adult collections.—Ashley Leffel, Griffin M.S., Frisco, TX - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.