Bound To Stay Bound

Bulletin for the Center... - 01/01/2017 Ten-year-old Amelia is understandably upset that her family is moving so that her parents can take care of her newly orphaned cousins, but her new house holds fantastical secrets. Initially she’s charmed by the house and by Horatio, the spirit that inhabits it, and soon she’s being encouraged to break human ties and teetering on the edge of becoming a time traveler herself. She eventually realizes what sacrifices would have to be made to live this other existence, but is she too late? Luckily, she’s a strong-minded girl, and she’s got a memory-stealing ghostly ally who is willing to risk himself to help her escape his fate. Trevayne cleverly doles out clues about the sinister nature of these undead judiciously, allowing the reader to become just as enchanted with the spirits’ time-hopping and delicious meals as Amelia is, then revealing the scary truth that they suck away human memories. Fans of spooky novels that don’t cross into horror will appreciate this atmospheric big house and all of the creepy secrets that lie within, and they’ll likely revel in how close Amelia gets to the point of no return. AS - Copyright 2017 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

Booklist - 12/01/2016 The mystery house gets a makeover in Trevayne’s finespun account of a girl finding her feet after being uprooted from her happy life. The unexpected deaths of 10-year-old Amelia’s aunt and uncle result in an unwanted move to her orphaned cousins’ bizarre old house—one with a freezing basement, sweltering bedrooms, and a door that opens onto a brick wall. Angry at having to leave her home and friends behind, and at having to share her parents with three other kids, Amelia retreats into books and the seclusion of her bedroom. One day a lurking shadow reveals itself to be a man named Horatio, who explains that they are living in a Calendar House, which has the power to transport her anywhere in time. Amelia’s spirits are lifted by her time-traveling adventures with Horatio, but eventually it becomes clear that such excursions come at a terrible cost. What could have been a breezy fantasy gains heft from Amelia’s personal struggles. Her dilemmas will resonate with readers, while the house’s Narnialike appeal will capture their imaginations. - Copyright 2016 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 01/01/2017 Gr 4–6—Ten-year-old Amelia Howling's life changes forever when her uncle and aunt are killed in a car accident and her parents take custody of her three cousins. Despite Amelia's protestations, the Howlings move into the cousins' home, and though Amelia doesn't want to be there, she can't help but notice something strange about the house. Horatio, a man who appears from the shadows, tells Amelia the secrets of this special home: it's a Calendar House with 12 rooms, 365 trees, a floor for each season, and many more symbolic elements related to time. The immortal Horatio can travel to any place and time through the door in the attic, and he wants to share this ability with Amelia as his apprentice. At first Amelia is thrilled at the attention, the adventures, and the secret, but she soon learns that all is not as wonderful as it first appears. This engaging, well-written fantasy highlights the importance of memories and relationships. At its heart is Amelia, whose feelings of frustration and loneliness are palpable, and discerning readers will see that it is these very feelings that allow Horatio to convince her to join him. The change in tone when Amelia realizes the truth is stark, and the tension builds to an exciting climax; an epilogue hints that readers may not have seen the last of the Calendar House. VERDICT A solid middle grade fantasy with an intriguing setting and a relatable protagonist.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.