Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/02/2025 K-Gr 3—In this charming tale of sibling camaraderie and imaginative adventure, the youngest members of the Woodson family—Oliver, Lucy, and Bruce—take center stage. As the littlest three of seven animal siblings, they're often sidelined from the escapades of their older brothers and sisters. But in order to combat boredom, they form the delightfully mischievous Sib Squad and take matters into their own paws by cooking up their own adventures, such as upgrading their treehouse headquarters and befriending a UFO. Structured in six brisk chapters, this book is a celebration of the joys and challenges of being the youngest siblings, with the rest of the family making only a brief appearance in the opening and closing chapters, underscoring the theme. Youngest siblings and young readers from big families will find plenty of emotional resonance, along with a sense of validation. The charm of the book is in the humor Breen weaves into every page—adults will find themselves chuckling along, too. The artwork evokes a classic feel, akin to Bill Watterson's "Calvin and Hobbes," with simply rendered settings against white backgrounds. The colors are vibrant, and most pages feature large panels with easy-to-follow character actions and expressions that double as context clues for emerging readers. An author bio at the end reveals that Breen, the oldest of seven siblings himself, draws inspiration from both his childhood and his own large family. VERDICT Featuring a nostalgic comic art style and plenty of laughs, this graphic novel is a standout option for young readers, offering a relatable look at sibling dynamics.—Jasmine Amiri - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.