Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2024 Gr 3–6—Meet Simon Hyde—he's on a mission to put down permanent roots in Rigby. Simon's usual rules for new towns? "Blend In and Don't Be Weird." But after moving 27 times, as a part of his parents' Hyde Go Seek travel blog, he's tired of always being the new kid. This time, he wants a real home and genuine friends. Trouble is, some jewel thefts at his new apartment complex, Tangerine Pines, are getting in the way of Simon's "Operation Rigby." He has already made friends with local petsitter Amaya and her "arch-nemesis" Calvin Morris, making Rigby feel like the home he has always wanted. But can Simon and his new friends solve the missing jewelry mystery before his parents get spooked, and he finds himself on the move again? Blending elements of mystery and realistic fiction, this title mixes a tight whodunit plot with common middle grade themes, such as growing up, fitting in, and developing friendships. The narrative centers around Simon's quest for a permanent home, but a secondary conflict, the jewel heist, injects intrigue into the plot with each proceeding chapter. With chapters averaging between six-to-nine pages in length and maintaining a balanced level of suspense throughout, this would be an excellent choice for either a beginning of the year read-aloud or as an independent read for young mystery buffs seeking a longer text. VERDICT An excellent purchase for middle grade mystery collections that will be an easy sell for kids and teachers alike.—Louie Lauer - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 02/15/2024 Once again, 11-year-old Simon and his parents are moving to an apartment in a new town, one where, he fervently hopes, they will stay forever. But before they have had time to settle in, a fire alarm sends all the residents streaming from their building, Tangerine Pines (aka the Tangerine). When they return to their homes, one resident reports the theft of her heirloom necklace, valued at one million dollars. Soon a neighbor named Amaya, a lively girl who befriended Simon soon after his arrival in town, proposes that they investigate the crime together and identify the thief. To that end, they interview the building’s residents, consider possible suspects, and consult with Mrs. Kobayashi (a retired detective) about the case. McDunn, whose novels include Honestly Elliott (2022) and When Sea Becomes Sky (2023), constructs a story that even readers new to mystery novels can understand, and she fills it with quirky, interesting characters of all ages. Writing a whodunit without an obvious villain until the end, she creates a narrative with broad appeal for middle-grade readers. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.