Bound To Stay Bound

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School Library Journal - 05/01/2017 Gr 5–8—Ever since she was five years old, Georgie has dreamed of playing Clara in The Nutcracker. Now that she is a sixth grader, she and her best friend Kaitlyn are auditioning for the upcoming ballet, hoping they will each get the lead part in one of the two casts performing the ballet. The first time Georgie holds the antique Nutcracker doll, a 200-year-old Prussian heirloom belonging to her ballet teacher, she finds herself in the giant room of the Nutcracker story. Oddly, when she returns to real life, it turns out that she was dancing the whole time, and she gets the part of Clara in the second cast. Kaitlyn is so bitter, she stops speaking to Georgie. Unsure of what to do, Georgie confides in Noah, a boy from her reading class, and she steals the Nutcracker doll from her teacher's office. When Georgie returns to the magic world, Noah is transported with her, appearing in the costume of a toy soldier. Georgie must figure out how to rescue both Noah and the Nutcracker and in the process save her damaged friendship with Kaitlyn. While there is a lot going on in this middle grade fantasy novel, Adrian manages to make both the magical and real-life challenges of Georgie relatable and compelling as she navigates the everyday struggles of broken and new friendships, annoying siblings, and family stresses. Some of the other characters are not as well developed, but Georgie is a strong and believable character, and her relationship with her parents is endearing. The conclusion is quick but satisfying, although some elements of the fantasy plot are left a little vague. VERDICT This engaging title will appeal to fans of fantasy or ballet.—Ashley Larsen, Pacifica Libraries, CA - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 08/01/2017 Since age five, Georgie has dreamed of being Clara in The Nutcracker. Now in middle school, she gets her chance; but the thrill of landing the part is tainted when her best friend isn’t cast, and their friendship fractures as a result. Nevertheless, Georgie excitedly attends the ballet’s almost daily rehearsals, yet a strange thing occurs whenever she holds the nutcracker doll: she is transported to another time and place, where the Nutcracker needs her help. Georgie learns that for 200 years, the Nutcracker has fought the same fight, but with her help, this year should end his repetitive battle with the mice. Unfolding through gripping action, Georgie risks losing her role to help the Nutcracker. In her first-person account, Georgie relates how she learns to make and restore friendships, endeavors to rescue the Nutcracker, and aspires to perform her dream role. Adrian’s fantasy draws upon her personal experience playing Clara, and the result offers a great new look at the annual family tradition of seeing The Nutcracker ballet. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.

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