Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/01/2021 Gr 4–6—When 12-year-old Joy Taylor's dad loses his job and the family has to give up their house, Joy's dreams of learning to play the piano and someday becoming a film score composer are put on hold. Their new apartment is too small, her mom and dad are fighting, and there is no money for piano lessons. A secret room in the apartment complex, known as the Hideout, provides a place where Joy and the other kids in the building can temporarily escape. Soon Joy makes new friends, starts a dog-walking business, and even begins writing to someone who is leaving heartrending messages on the wall of the Hideout. One weekend things go terribly wrong, and Joy must face uncomfortable realities about loyalty and responsibility. This relatable story touches on topics such as divorce (Joy's parents briefly separate, then reconcile), the ups and downs of having a job at a young age, and the difficulties that arise from keeping secrets from family and friends. Joy is Black, and there is a diverse cast of characters with different experiences including her new best friend Nora, who is Latinx, and a boy named Miles, who is one of only a few Black students at a private school. VERDICT An engaging coming-of-age story that will appeal to a wide range of readers.—Sue Morgan, Hillsborough City School Dist., CA - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/01/2021 *Starred Review* Having one’s life uprooted is always unsettling, but it can be especially difficult for a child. After her dad loses his job, 12-year-old Joy Taylor finds herself out of their single-family home and living in a cramped apartment, as well as going to a new school. To make matters worse, Joy’s parents are fighting more and more, and they can no longer afford the piano lessons Joy loves. Luckily, Joy finds a friend in neighbor Nora, who introduces her to a hidden storage area in the apartment building, called “the Hideout.” There kids can take a break from their families and hang out. Joy finds some writing on the wall that makes her think that another kid is also struggling. As Joy continues to try to figure out who is behind these messages, she and Nora start a dog-walking business to raise money for their hobbies. But as things start to look up, Joy and Nora have a falling out, and Joy’s parents reach the brink of divorce. Readers will find themselves yearning along with Joy and rooting for her to find a way to make connections and a home once again. Blending mystery with realistic fiction, Joy’s story of how complicated life is for a kid will resonate with readers in tender and poignant ways. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.