Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2022 Gr 4–7—Fawn Creek, LA, isn't the kind of town where much changes, so the seventh grade students are instantly intrigued when Orchid arrives. There's Greyson, whose interest in style makes him feel misplaced in his own family; Dorothy, who has taken to hiding behind her hair; and Janie, clinging to her ringleader best friend, Renni. Not only does Orchid have stories of living all over the world, she barely notices the small, divisive cliques that make up her new class. Her classmates begin to see possibilities that they never dreamed of, but not everyone is happy about the change. As secrets unravel and the community dance gets closer, the students start to see that maybe a shake-up is just what they need. This story features an ensemble cast, with each character's backstory revealed slowly. Fawn Creek itself also feels alive; readers will feel like they're breathing in the humid air and traipsing down familiar trails with the characters. Kelly shakes up the idealized small-town story trope by showing the realities of life in a small, poor town, and the limitations the characters face as they worry that they might never see what else the world has to offer. The premise of this novel has similarities to Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl, but Orchid and Fawn Creek may feel more authentic to readers. VERDICT While the plot itself is nothing flashy, this is a well-told, relatable novel about misfits and outsiders that will ring true with middle grade readers.—Kristin Brynsvold - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 03/15/2022 *Starred Review* Fawn Creek, aka Yawn Creek, is a tiny, tight-knit company town in Louisiana. The seventh-graders at the local school have been together since they toddled around; they all have their cliques and are used to living within those confines. Recently, however, they lost one of their leading voices, Renni, who moved away. Then, in floats Orchid Mason—most recently from Paris, France—who is unconventional and unpredictable. Which group will she slide into—jock? God squad? But Orchid doesn’t meet anyone’s expectations. She voices unasked questions, offers different perspectives, and refuses to be pigeonholed. People want to get close to her, perhaps hoping to glean some of her individualism, as they come to appreciate being your own person. Newbery medalist Kelly has captured the middle-school mindset, with its attendant anxieties, dreams, and hopes. Her accessible prose and relatable situations lead readers to question assumptions while gaining insights into the characters and themselves. Reminiscent of Eleanor Estes’ The Hundred Dresses, this modern tale carries a tremendous amount of feeling and impact as well as a dash of mystery. This is another gem in the crown of Erin Entrada Kelly—BRAVO! - Copyright 2022 Booklist.