Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/01/2021 Gr 3–6—The town of Redhart has a special citizen: the most adorable, polite pooch you've ever met. He's a canine who does his owner's shopping, without a leash or a human in tow. And when a lonely girl named Jo befriends this lovable hound, everyone assumes she's his owner. Not that Jo minds this mistake, but soon, one small fib has spun into a web of lies, and she even gives the dog a name: Pawcasso (the first name that springs to mind when he winds up a model for a children's art class). With Pawcasso's help, Jo learns to make friends, discover new hobbies, and even address the wound left by her father's frequent work trips. But what happens when Pawcasso's real owners discover what Jo's been up to? And what does all this have to do with irritable Mr. Iccc, the neighborhood's resident dog-hating crank? The story line is reminiscent of Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie, while the artwork recalls the goofy expressions of James Kochalka's comics. The culmination is a tale with bright, cheerful illustrations and an abundance of heart to match, as Jo grapples with resentment, forgiveness, and the power of community. This book might not be for every kid, though; its loftier themes might fly over the heads of some readers, while those more invested in Jo's journey may be put off by the occasional toilet humor. Jo is pale-skinned with short black hair, and her town is racially diverse. VERDICT A page-turning delight, and a must for dog lovers.—Matisse Mozer, Los Angeles P.L. - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 06/01/2021 *Starred Review* Jo is bored and lonely at home, and she has spent most of her time looking outside as other kids enjoy their summers. One day she sees a dog walking along and carrying a basket, and she's intrigued—she has to find out where this dog came from and where it’s going! While she's trailing the dog, she runs into her classmates, and the dog is a hit. But when everyone assumes the dog belongs to Jo, she doesn't correct them, since she's finally making some friends—Pawcasso isn't even the dog's real name. Soon her lie spirals out of control, especially when Pawcasso becomes the center of town-wide tensions over a leash law. Meanwhile, Jo is struggling with her dad being away for work. Lai nicely handles the complexity of Jo's internal conflict about her snowballing lie, particularly when the actions of the pro- and anti-leash law groups escalate to mean-spirited levels, and Jo feels responsible. Lai's brightly colored, inviting artwork has easy-to-follow panels and speech balloons, and the facial expressions and body language add depth to the emotional stakes. This cute and charming story of missing family, making friends, and figuring out how to make amends is a fun treat, and the subplot about learning how to mend strife in a community adds meaningful depth. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.