Bound To Stay Bound

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Booklist - 04/01/2017 Since Winnie’s parents’ divorce, they have organized her weeks in an unusual way. She lives with each one for three days, which they turn into competitively elaborate, frantically fun-filled celebrations of pseudo holidays, leaving little time for homework or meaningful conversation. But where does Winnie live on Wednesdays? In an elaborate tree house (Plumbing? Check. Electricity? Check) supported by a sturdy, historic tree between the parents’ two backyards. She treasures those days alone, her only time for doodling, relaxing, and school assignments. When she learns that she’s failing fifth grade, Winnie retreats to her leafy loft, and soon she and nine classmates, the Treehouse Ten, refuse to come down until their demands are met. Represented as Winnie’s last chance to raise her grades, the main narrative is a history project articulately written from her point of view and interspersed with extras such as comments, comics, and craft ideas from the other kids. Their idiosyncrasies and relationships provide subplots as well as humor. Combining over-the-top storytelling with down-home wisdom, this appealing chapter book is easy to booktalk and fun to read. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 04/01/2017 Gr 3–6—Winnie's mom and dad are getting divorced. They are extremely competitive, both in their careers and their parenting styles, and splitting time with Winnie is no exception. They insist that their custody agreement be divided right down the middle, with each parent getting the exact same amount of time. Winnie will spend three days at her dad's house and three days at her mom's. That leaves Wednesdays, and since Winnie's parents can't split their daughter in half, they decide to build an amazing tree house between their properties. On Wednesdays, Winnie will live there alone. As her parents' competitiveness ramps up, Winnie finds that her Wednesdays are sacred. They're her only break from the custody craziness. When her time there is threatened, Winnie goes on the offensive and stages a tree house standoff. She's not coming out until her parents see her way of thinking, and nine of her closest friends join her with demands of their own. It's kids vs. parents in epic fashion, and Graff's not-quite-fantasy world is every kid's dream. All of the frustrations young people feel with their parents during a divorce are hilariously hyperbolized in a way that will make children feel vindicated and less alone. The epistolary format allows readers to get to know all of the characters through creative footnotes, sticky notes, newspaper articles, emails, and tiny drawings. VERDICT Graff's whimsical, original work is a breath of fresh air. A strong addition to any middle grade collection.—Mandy Laferriere, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

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