Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 10/15/2016 *Starred Review* Now that they’re 10 years old, hot-tempered Avalon and even-keeled Atticus believe that, as longtime best friends entering their “Infinity Year,” each will be granted a special power for a time. Avalon, whose father was incarcerated last year, is hoping for a skill that will help her deal with Elena, a dagger-tongued bully at school. Fifth grade doesn’t start well, but for every negative (enduring a messy, upsetting Halloween prank), there’s a positive (earning a place at the regional spelling bee), and Avalon can always count on Atticus, who helps maintain a delicate emotional balance. When she inadvertently hurts him and he withdraws, though, Avalon feels wretched and knows that she can’t count on magic to put things right. Revealing her negative traits as well as more admirable qualities, Avalon’s first-person narrative is forthright and engaging. Easy for readers to forget but always a background factor, her thoughts about her father and their relationship resurface to the fore from time to time. This offers a number of realistically drawn characters, both kids and adults, portrayed as complex people who interact and cope with their troubles in individual ways. A well-knit first novel with an involving, affecting story. - Copyright 2016 Booklist.