Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 04/01/2015 Joey’s destiny takes an unforeseen turn when his uncle gives him a pet rat that is anything but ordinary: he is Gondorff, a “ragician” from the realm of Ravalon, which is in dire need of help. Gondorff, who is dying, magically turns Joey into a rat and saddles him with the task of delivering a message to his kingdom. Upon finding Ravalon, hunger leads Joey to pull a spork from a scone, and he is named the hero who will fulfill a long-told rat prophecy. Teaming up with the princess, a loyal guinea pig, a rat knight, and a herd of cats, Joey sets off on a quest to stop the evil Salaman from taking over Ravalon. Full of clever dialogue and hilarious puns, this is a delightful homage to Brian Jacques’ Redwall series, Lord of the Rings, and Arthurian legend. While the plot holds few surprises, the play on the fantasy trope is well done. Expect more to come from Joey and Ravalon. Perfect for readers who enjoy animal fantasy brushed with humor and charm.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Having worked with many of television’s comedy greats, Lieb has a strong handle on humor and parody. Don’t be surprised if this novel achieves best-seller status like his first, I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President (2009). - Copyright 2015 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 05/01/2015 Gr 4–6—A move to the city has Joey adjusting to new surroundings, but that's nothing compared to the changes to come. His favorite uncle, Patrick, brings him a rat for a pet and, much to Joey's surprise, the sickly rodent introduces himself as Gondorff the Gray and asks for his help. One magical, or rather "ragical," bite on the finger later, Joey is turned into a rat, escaping cats and crows as he attempts to deliver an important message to King Uther of the Low Realm. Once Joey pulls Ratscalibur, the mythical spork in the scone, he finds himself on a dangerous quest to see the powerful squagician Squirrelin who will hopefully help save the kingdom of Ravalon and turn Joey back into a human. Readers will root for Joey and his friends to prevail in this fast-paced and entertaining story about a magical world humans can't see. Short chapters and plenty of action keep the story moving, while Joey's worry and self-doubt make him a well-rounded character. Black-and-white illustrations further illuminate the details in Joey's new and exciting life. Readers will be pleased to see every indication of a sequel. VERDICT A great choice for those who prefer their unlikely heroes in animal form.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Bulletin for the Center... - 07/01/2015 The busy streets of New York are offputting enough for newcomer Joey, but the city becomes especially dangerous when the seventh-grade boy is transformed into a three-inch-tall rat by Gondorff the Gray, a dying Ragician (a wielder of rat magic) who tasks Joey with getting an important message to the king of Ravalon. Hoping to find another Ragician (or Dogician, Squagician, whatever) to transform him back, Joey navigates the trash heaps, back alleys, and dog doo-doo laden sidewalks (which all smell delicious to Joey’s new rat nose) to make it to Ravalon, where he accidentally pulls the Spork from the Scone and becomes the prophesied hero that will save the kingdom from the dark forces of Salaman. Lieb may have his tongue firmly planted in his cheek when it comes to the various references to Arthurian legends, The Lord of the Rings, and The Three Musketeers, but he also creates an absorbing fantasy, rich in its world building, careful in its pacing, and convincing in its characterizations. Joey is immediately likable as the Everykid turned hero, and the ragtag group he accumulates on his quest is equally delightful (particularly amusing is Brutilda, a guinea-pig escapee from a kindergarten class, now a devoted servant to King Uther). The humor is spot on for the age group, and so is the adventure, with Joey going up against one-eyed alley cats, raging sewer rats, and evil crows in epic battles. Readers who enjoyed Jonell’s Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat (BCCB 1/08) will be pleased to go on another under-city journey with Joey. KQG - Copyright 2015 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.