Bound To Stay Bound

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School Library Journal - 08/01/2017 Gr 2–5—A boy tries to create a machine that will prevent exactly what the title says in this quick read. Zack and his dad spend weekends helping his grandparents on their farm. While Zack enjoys these visits, one thing mars his otherwise pleasant experience: the farm's resident turkey, Tailpipe, who likes to run at Zack and peck his legs. Zack decides he needs to create a portable machine to scare the beast into leaving him alone. He's assisted by a neighbor, Josie, who also fancies herself a sleuth and is concerned with a rash of recent petty thefts on the farms, and his best friend Matthew. Together they plot, experiment, and, using random items found in grandpa's machine shed, create a Rube Goldberg—esque contraption meant to startle Tailpipe away. Zack makes it clear that he simply wants to frighten the bird; he and Michael do talk about the difference between frightening it and killing it. They also become unwittingly embroiled in the farm theft mystery, but all is explained and happily resolved by the last page. Naylor's story is highly plot-driven, with only quick strokes of character development. VERDICT A light and humorous story ideal for readers looking for a fast, easy read.—Mary Kuehner, Arapahoe Library District, CO - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/01/2017 Zack goes to his grandparents’ farm with his father every weekend, and he loves working with them on farm chores. The only thing he doesn’t love is Grandma and Grandpa’s huge turkey, Old Tom, who chases and attacks Zack at every opportunity. Tired of being pecked on all the time, Zack decides to build a device to scare Old Tom once and for all. Using scraps he finds in the machine shed and the barn, Zack starts to build a Rube Goldberg–­like machine. A neighbor his age, Josie, joins him, hoping that the machine might help catch a local burglar who is stealing mostly small, valuable objects. As they cobble together their device, they uncover more clues in the mystery, including a few red herrings, and when they finally test their contraption, they manage to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. This funny, engrossing mystery from kidlit stalwart Naylor serves up an intriguing puzzle, a vivid setting, well-rounded characters, and a cheer-worthy conclusion, all nicely complemented by To’s detailed illustrations. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.

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