Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 02/15/2020 Izzy is over the moon to be invited to the Genius Guild’s annual invention convention, since the winner will earn a coveted spot in the guild itself. Izzy, along with her grandfather and beloved crow assistant, sails to Technoff Isle for the competition, but her confidence wanes when another competitor seems to be one step ahead at all times. When Izzy fears that all hope of winning is lost, some gentle nudging from her team puts her back on track. The bright, rhyming text keeps a brisk pace and scatters just the right amount of whimsical vocabulary throughout (thingummyjig is particularly fun to read aloud). A diverse cast populates the story—Izzy herself is brown-skinned—and it’s heartening to see so many females confidently taking part in science. Ogilvie’s cheerful illustrations are delightful, packed with detail and movement, and readers will enjoy spotting the adorable and helpful crow in every scene. This ode to imagination, perseverance, and fun just may inspire young readers to do some tinkering of their own. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.