Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 05/01/2022 *Starred Review* Harvard is a funny guy; he loves wordplay and figuring things out. But after his father loses an infant patient and, unable to forgive himself, discontinues his medical practice, Harvard is stumped as to how to get his old dad back. Then Dad decides to take his two sons to the small hometown in Maine, in hopes that he can come to terms with “The Mistake” and his guilt. While there, Harvard is befriended by the girl next door, Nevaeh, whose mother has recently died, and they become supports for one another. The story’s central adventure revolves around building an ant farm as a family, which Harvard hopes will distract his dad and help him move forward. When the mail-order ant colony arrives dead in the post, ingenuity comes into play with plenty of ups and downs along the way. Harvard is driven to distraction with anxiety about his dad, the ant colony, and Nevaeh’s problems, but the story meaningfully examines how to identify the things in life one can’t control, figure out where control can be regained, and find the ability to forgive. Culley (Down to Earth, 2021) gives readers characters that are natural, fallible individuals, which add credibility and tenderness to the story. Endearingly executed, this gentle tale will see readers applauding as they reach the end. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.