Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2025 Gr 1–3—Poor Gumluck! His crush, The Very Wise Wizard Who Lives in the Moon, has requested that he join a band of adventurers on their quest in her place. Gumluck obediently obeys and sets off with his pal, the mini-ghost Butterscotch. Left behind is a wise first-person narrator, the all-suffering raven Helvetica and her babies. Helvetica observes Gumluck's travels through a crystal ball, all while dealing with the sibling rivalry and growing pains of her offspring. Who are the adventurers and what is their quest? Eventually, all is revealed as Gumluck finds himself in a moral predicament and a sticky situation with a castle full of trolls. Will his magic save the day? Rex delivers a third entry in a hilarious series for emerging chapter book readers. Set within the framework of a familiar noodlehead tale, the comedy runs absurdist and clever, allowing children to get the jokes without relying on low hanging fruit. The black-and-white illustrations are plentiful; these are funny and warm, and help to move the plot along instead of simply serving as window dressing. Though previous knowledge of Gumluck's world is helpful, this title can stand alone and still make sense. Recommended for fans of notable series like "Dragonbreath," "The Princess in Black," and "How to Train Your Dragon." VERDICT A cut above the usual chapter book fare, this series is for clever kids who want a little substance and magic to their laughs.—Kate Nafz - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.