Bound To Stay Bound

Bulletin for the Center... - 07/01/2016 Caitlin is a lonely kid, so when she finds an alien alone on the beach, she promptly declares him her best friend and lavishes love and attention on him. The alien, Perijee, thrives on the affection, growing until he no longer comfortably fits on the small island where she lives. A misunderstanding results in Perijee’s feeling threatened and then all heck breaks loose, because there’s a vicious monster waiting in the alien body that’s ready to grow massive and destroy the world. Perijee, the sweet little alien, is still at the top of this giant monster body, though; Caitlin just has to find him and remind the tiny version about love so he can control the giant version. It’s a slightly confusing plot, but the message of kindness trumping aggression is clearly conveyed. Caitlin’s desperation for friendship is palpable, and the book powerfully conveys the longing for connection that drives her to risky actions. This British import is earnest, often quietly thoughtful, and quirky; offer it to fans of Brown’s The Wild Robot (BCCB 4/16) for another look at an outsider who forms deep bonds in spite of the odds against it. AS - Copyright 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 07/01/2016 Gr 3–6—Caitlin lives on Middle Island with only her mother for company. Her father's book tours and speaking engagements keep him away for months at a time. After an invitation to her classmates to visit her home for a summer party turns into a disaster, Caitlin sees a very lonely summer ahead. But everything changes when she finds an unusual creature on the beach that seems to be able to mimic whatever it sees and grows at an incredibly rapid pace. She desperately hopes the creature, whom she names Perijee, will help her reconnect with her father. Unfortunately, her father seems more interested in Perijee than in his daughter. Things go from bad to worse when Caitlin's mother calls the police. Perijee grows into a monster that starts rampaging across the country as Caitlin desperately searches for a way to save her friend. Things take a turn for the really strange when Caitlin goes to a government camp to find Perijee. Along the way she runs into a girl who has stolen a cow, and finds a castle sacked by a cult that worships the monster. Through it all, Caitlin maintains her loyalty to Perijee. While the story starts out rather serious in tone, it quickly morphs, going from one oddball occurrence to the next. While the nonsensical nature of the tale won't appeal to everyone, the bond between Caitlin and Perijee carries the day. VERDICT A cute read for kids who like a strong dose of absurdity.—Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 07/01/2016 Lonely Caitlin dreads the end of school. But when it comes, she discovers a strange, ­shrimplike creature on the shore near her home. Quickly growing and morphing its form to mimic what it sees, the small stranger bonds with Caitlin, who calls him Perijee and protects him as she would a little brother. A crisis comes when authorities learn of his presence. Frightened by attacking soldiers, Perigee becomes enormous and leaves. When rumors of alien invasion spread panic throughout the country, Caitlin begins a quest to save Perigee, now a small figure protruding from the head of an ever-growing monster and unable to escape. Readers interested in alien creatures will find Perijee intriguing, particularly in the early chapters. The rescue and adventure scenes, set against a broad, sketchy background of societal turmoil, seem a bit unreal. More involving and convincing are the more tightly focused scenes featuring plucky Caitlin and the few characters she counts as friends. Elements of humor and an attractive jacket add to this chapter book’s undeniable appeal. - Copyright 2016 Booklist.