Bound To Stay Bound

View MARC Record
 Missing magic of Sparrow Xia (Sparrow Xia)
 Author: Ham, Leia

 Publisher:  Scholastic Press (2026)

 Classification: Fiction
 Physical Description: 305 p., ill., 21 cm

 BTSB No: 415542 ISBN: 9781546150923
 Ages: 9-12 Grades: 4-7

 Subjects:
 Magic -- Fiction
 Siblings -- Fiction
 School stories
 Betrayal -- Fiction

Price: $21.88

Summary:
Twelve-year old Sparrow Xia attends the Zenith Academy for Magical Development where she discovers a strange illness draining the students of their magic and must work together with her friends to find out who is responsible.


Reviews:
   Kirkus Reviews (03/15/26)

Full Text Reviews:

Booklist - 06/01/2026 Sparrow Xia will be starting her first year as a rare fire mage at the Zenith Academy for Magical Development, where she’ll be in the shadow of her antagonistic older brother, Ainsley. Mages are given pendants symbolic of their magical abilities (fire, water, air, and nature), which they must learn to harness before their powers disappear in adulthood. From the start, Sparrow is an empathetic character who quickly makes friends with other outsider students. When the group learns someone is stealing magic from the most powerful students and and depleting their pendants, the friends waste no time in trying to uncover the thief. Ham brings a high-stakes energy to the story’s classic magic-school setting, which is further enhanced by her black-and-white digital artwork. The illustrations are varied and balanced, from full-page art to small supporting graphics, and have a polished, inky feel. Ham’s compelling writing and dynamic illustrations make this debut feel truly alive. A great transition for avid graphic-novel readers. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.

View MARC Record
Loading...