Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 02/01/2025 Jojo's first day of middle school is comically terrible: oversleeping, perfect first-day outfit ruined by cat puke, twisted ankle, phone confiscated, hole-y pants displaying her kitten-themed underwear. When facing the cafeteria is unimaginable, she sneaks to the forbidden wing of the school, housing the old gym and locker rooms. When three other awkward sixth graders find their way there, too, a friendship takes root. Unfortunately, a bobcat-induced school lockdown—while they're in the forbidden locker room on day two—complicates matters. Jojo's first-person narration nails the middle-school voice, capturing all the uncertainty that comes with big change as well as the roller coaster of emotions. The foursome's new, tenuous friendship is supported by realistic dialogue from well-developed characters. The lack of consequences from some bolder stunts may read as loose plot threads to some, though this could be addressed in book two. From a confiscated-phone heist to dealing with her mom's boyfriend being a famous cat-influencer, Jojo faces big changes via a series of hilarious high jinks with her new friends. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.