Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 02/01/2017 Gr 4–6—In this sequel to Look Out for the Fitzgerald-Trouts, Kim, Kimo, Pippa, Toby, and new baby sister Penny, along with their patient goldfish, are kicked out of the house when Kimo's wayward father, Johnny Trout, returns from years at sea and reclaims the home for himself and his unpleasant pet pig. Once again, "find a house" tops Kim's daily list. In the search for a home, the children gain, lose, and then regain a boat that Johnny and a mysterious friend are using for nefarious purposes. The siblings help their laundromat owner friend, Mr. Knuckles, find love, and they discover the reason their beloved island suffers from "knockabouts" (earthquakes). Much like the Boxcar Children or the Baudelaire orphans, the Fitzgerald-Trouts carry on, regardless of the horrible, indifferent, or horribly indifferent adults they encounter. Spunk, spirit, and ingenuity only begin to describe these fascinating children. Upper elementary and lower middle school readers will connect with determined Kim, strong Kimo, and stubborn Pippa. Toby has just started to come into his own, and who can resist sweet baby Penny? VERDICT Libraries that purchased the first in the series should add on to the collection, and those new to the series should catch on to these engaging youngsters and purchase both titles.—Sarah Knutson, American Canyon Middle School, CA - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 03/15/2017 Siblings Kim, Kimo, Toby, Pippa, and baby Penny are once again looking for a home after Kimo’s father, Johnny Trout, returns and heartlessly takes back the cabin where they had been living. Meanwhile, a series of strange phenomena are shaking up the island: animals are acting strangely; “knockabouts,” or tremors, are occurring more frequently; and a major flood almost takes the car the children live in. In this follow-up to Look Out for the Fitzgerald-Trouts (2016), the hopeful, optimistic siblings simultaneously search for a place to call home and try to help their friend Mr. Knuckles find love, and in the midst of both missions, they discover that Johnny Trout, along with mysterious Professor Mumby, may have something to do with the occurrences on the island. Spalding offers enough background that it will be easy for kids to start with this volume, even if they haven’t read the first installment. With quick chapters, a compelling mystery, clever kid characters, and humorous antics galore, this lighthearted, cheer-worthy adventure should find an easy audience among middle-grade readers. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.