Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/01/2021 Gr 3–7—Crushes, overnight field trips, makeovers, sea monsters, and paintball! Best friends Ruthie, Drew, and Fonda, better known as the "nesties," or next-door besties, attempt to navigate seventh grade. After asking Principal Bell to change the class field trip location, Fonda finds herself making promises she can't necessarily keep in order to get the student body to vote on her idea: going to Catalina Island. Drew is crushing on Will, who has Keelie as a "bender": a boy friend who is blocking all of Drew's attempts to get him to notice her. Ruthie is living in the figurative dark ages without a cell phone, a job, or money to buy one, until she starts tutoring her neighbor Owen, who is wealthy and actually doesn't even need academic help. The plot will keep readers on their toes to see what adventures or mishaps will occur next. The nesties also have different personality types, so readers will find themselves relating to at least one of the characters. VERDICT An easy read following enjoyable yet mischievous middle school girls and their friends. A solid addition to any collection.—Amanda Austin, Iberville STEM Academy, Rosedale, LA - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.