Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 02/15/2020 *Starred Review* There’s something creepy about Jacks, the odd, gangly, one-eyed old white woman living in Snapdragon’s town, but Snap’s not afraid, especially after Jacks shows her how to take care of a litter of orphaned possums and what she’s up to early in the morning with a wheelbarrow full of roadkill (it involves a very lucrative internet business for skeleton enthusiasts). Beyond their shared obsession with animals, though, Snap and Jacks have a much deeper connection based on family secrets, ghosts, and a touch of magic. The slow reveal of those connections makes up the dense but heartening plot of Leyh’s graphic novel, which is bolstered by some affirming, character-revealing side-plots, such as Snap’s growing friendship with transgender, dark-skinned Lulu; her fantastic relationship with her tough yet deeply compassionate Black mother; and her impatience to become more powerful herself. Leyh’s dynamic artwork, full of active motion, shifting perspectives, and varying panel shapes and sizes, matches the complexity of the plot, and her figure designs, which show a wide variety of gender presentations, body shapes, skin tones, and hair types, nicely complement her characters’ personalities. Beyond the magic, creepy undertones, and captivating artwork, themes of acceptance, particularly regarding gender and sexuality, permeate the story and are handled in a refreshing, matter-of-fact manner. This endearingly offbeat story emphasizes found community, the importance of love and friendship, and a fierce commitment to individuality—all powerful themes for middle-grade readers. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.