Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 01/01/2026 Gr 3–6—Living in the shadow of a volcano, young demon Dante Nimrod Inferno is not living the life that he imagines. Despite his parents' best effort to support and encourage him, Dante dwells in the dumps pestered by his siblings and humiliated by school bullies. This year, however, as he moves from elementary school to middle school, he is determined to reinvent himself. He cycles through various new looks and identities, but the first day of middle school is filled with mishaps and miscues until a new student asks if he can sit next to him. Virgil is from the other side of town living above the clouds and doesn't know anyone from Dante's part of town. The guys strike up a friendship. Visiting each other's homes and trying new foods is eye-opening for both. Despite not being into studying, Dante recognizes that with Virgil's smarts, they could win the upcoming academic tournament and gain popularity and acceptance. An abundance of bold linework illustrations enhance the story's humor and make it more accessible. Many readers won't understand the references to Dante's Inferno, but they will identify with Dante and Virgil as outsiders trying to fit in and will cheer them on while having a good laugh along the way. VERDICT Recommended for fans of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Dogman" series.—Laura Eason - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.