Bound To Stay Bound

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 Catalyst
 Author: Durst, Sarah Beth

 Publisher:  Clarion (2020)

 Classification: Fiction
 Physical Description: 280 p.,  21 cm

 BTSB No: 297698 ISBN: 9780358065029
 Ages: 10-12 Grades: 5-7

 Subjects:
 Cats -- Fiction
 Magic -- Fiction
 Family life -- Fiction
 Friendship -- Fiction
 Size -- Fiction

Price: $21.88

Summary:
Twelve-year-old Zoe's rescue kitten quickly becomes a giant, talking cat that Zoe and her friend Harrison must keep hidden, especially since there are rumors of other strange creatures in their town.

Accelerated Reader Information:
   Interest Level: MG
   Reading Level: 4.40
   Points: 9.0   Quiz: 510729
Reading Counts Information:
   Interest Level: 3-5
   Reading Level: 4.50
   Points: 15.0   Quiz: 77679

Reviews:
   Kirkus Reviews (05/01/20)
   School Library Journal (07/01/20)
   Booklist (+) (04/15/20)

Full Text Reviews:

Booklist - 04/15/2020 *Starred Review* On the eve of her twelfth birthday, Zoe finds a tiny kitten outside her house. She successfully convinces her parents she responsible enough to care for it, but when she awakens the next morning, she has some concerns upon observing that the kitten has grown to full size. Zoe and her best friend, Harrison, take Pipsqueak to the vet, who sees no evident problems for an adult-sized cat. As Pipsqueak continues to grow exponentially, Zoe wonders how to hide her, but once the cat begins to talk and read, the situation requires drastic action. Concocting a multilayered, dangerous plan to walk from Massachusetts to Zoe’s aunt’s in New Hampshire, the kids and Pipsqueak embark on a perilous trek. Durst (Spark, 2019) gradually introduces magic via other animals with anomalies, adding sparkle to the narrative through her vivid descriptions and spunky protagonists. It’s impossible not to be delighted by the thought of two tweens traveling in the company of an elephant-sized cat, a flying hamster, and a green dog. The realistic settings—both urban and rural—are convincing; and Durst masterfully interjects humor into a suspense-filled plot that twists and thickens as the group reaches its destination. A surprising but satisfying resolution brings this charming fantasy to a close. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.

Booklist - 04/15/2020 - Copyright 2020 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 07/01/2020 Gr 4–7—Pipsqueak is a tiny little kitten that Zoe has promised to take care of. Zoe found the kitten out by her family's garage right before her 12th birthday. She has always loved animals and brought home quite a few strays in the past. Zoe takes Pipsqueak in and introduces him to her best friend, Harrison. Zoe's parents reluctantly agree to let Zoe keep Pipsqueak since Zoe's older brother left for college in France. Everything is going great until the kitten begins growing. He gets bigger and bigger until Pipsqueak is no longer a pipsqueak. Knowing that this is not normal, Zoe takes him to the vet, who doesn't see a problem. But as Pipsqueak continues to grow to the size of a horse, Zoe knows she needs to make a plan. She contacts her Aunt Alecia, who lives in the mountains of New Hampshire. Along with Harrison's cousin, Surita, Zoe convinces her parents to let her go away to the summer camp where Surita is a counselor, and she uses this time to travel to her aunt's house instead, via Pipsqueak. When Zoe finds out that there are local reports of a green flying poodle who looks a lot like a dog Zoe saw at the vet, she knows that she has made the right choice. She needs to figure out what is going on and fast. Zoe's family obviously cares for her, and their interactions are amusing. It would have helped, though, to know more about Aunt Alecia before the adventure continues at her house. VERDICT A fast-paced, engaging fantasy novel that cat lovers will adore and fans of the author will read vigorously. A solid purchase for fantasy lovers.—Amy Caldera, Dripping Springs M.S., TX - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 07/01/2020 Gr 4–7—Pipsqueak is a tiny little kitten that Zoe has promised to take care of. Zoe found the kitten out by her family's garage right before her 12th birthday. She has always loved animals and brought home quite a few strays in the past. Zoe takes Pipsqueak in and introduces him to her best friend, Harrison. Zoe's parents reluctantly agree to let Zoe keep Pipsqueak since Zoe's older brother left for college in France. Everything is going great until the kitten begins growing. He gets bigger and bigger until Pipsqueak is no longer a pipsqueak. Knowing that this is not normal, Zoe takes him to the vet, who doesn't see a problem. But as Pipsqueak continues to grow to the size of a horse, Zoe knows she needs to make a plan. She contacts her Aunt Alecia, who lives in the mountains of New Hampshire. Along with Harrison's cousin, Surita, Zoe convinces her parents to let her go away to the summer camp where Surita is a counselor, and she uses this time to travel to her aunt's house instead, via Pipsqueak. When Zoe finds out that there are local reports of a green flying poodle who looks a lot like a dog Zoe saw at the vet, she knows that she has made the right choice. She needs to figure out what is going on and fast. Zoe's family obviously cares for her, and their interactions are amusing. It would have helped, though, to know more about Aunt Alecia before the adventure continues at her house. VERDICT A fast-paced, engaging fantasy novel that cat lovers will adore and fans of the author will read vigorously. A solid purchase for fantasy lovers.—Amy Caldera, Dripping Springs M.S., TX - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

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