Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/01/2025 Gr 3–7—Missing a loved one who has passed away is a familiar experience. Raveena misses her beloved grandmother and can see that her mother is struggling to process her grief as well. Grappling with questions about spirits, ghosts, and the afterlife, Raveena and her friends, the Fierce Four, tackle tough topics with a business plan—helping people who seek to connect with their loved ones who have died but have not yet managed to cross over. With help from the town psychic, a trip to the graveyard, and lots of time in the library, the team works through a host of challenges. Raveena's own longing to reconnect with her dead grandmother and the group's desire to save their failing business keep their motivation at a fever pitch. With spine tingles and bone chills, this title pairs perfectly with scary movies and sleepovers. There are plenty of friendship squabbles and a bit of romance mixed in as well. The plot is thick and readers less dedicated to detail may lose their way, but those devoted to the Fierce Four dynamics and drama will appreciate every twist and turn. VERDICT Fans of mystical mysteries, ghosts, and the supernatural will enjoy this series starter. - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 03/01/2025 In the quirky, historic town of Hollows’ Peak, 12-year-old Raveena and her best friends are looking for ways to raise funds for their school’s business competition, so they can save their middle school’s arts program. When an antique rotary phone comes into their possession, they discover it has a ghostly connection! The girls utilize the retro device to start a paranormal spirit service where the living connect with their loved ones. As their clientele expands, a grieving Raveena decides to hog the phone to contact her grandmama. This causes her to act strangely, do poorly in school, and push away her mom and friends. The “Fierce Four” will need to work on trusting one another as a support system and work things out before the anticipated 100 Years of Hollows’ Peak Festival. Authors of Sisters of the Snake (2021), the Nanua sisters do a stellar job depicting how their varied characters handle grief differently. This middle-grade read is a perfect fit for fans of the Baby-Sitters Club series craving a haunted vibe. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.