Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 11/01/2015 Gr 4–6—When the earthquake hits in Japan, Kai knows he's supposed to follow the rules, but he also knows that his beloved grandparents need his help evacuating—and he runs away from his teacher. Many thousands of miles away, Kai's American cousin, Jet, knows she must check the tides before sailing—each and every time. But she didn't this time, and her decision has grave consequences. In the aftermath of the tsunami that devastates Kai's island, his parents send him to stay with his American cousins in Oregon. Both kids must come to terms with the consequences of their decisions. Kai feels tremendous guilt that he was unable to save his grandparents, compounded by the shame of disobeying an adult. He already feels like he doesn't fit in because he's half-Japanese. Jet's family business, piloting ships through treacherous channels, is decidedly male-dominated. There has only been one female pilot, and Jet wants to be the second. She keeps this secret, though, and works twice as hard at everything to succeed. Their summer isn't an easy one. Kai's homesick; worried for his parents, who are nuclear engineers in charge of repairing the power plant; and grieving his grandparents. Jet knows her intense competitiveness is off-putting and mourns the loss of her best friend. Parry has created two uniquely flawed main characters that readers will quickly grow to love. She has also crafted a vivid, close-knit community of seafarers who help one another. VERDICT This affecting work of realistic fiction is one to be savored—even by dedicated landlubbers.—Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 11/15/2015 *Starred Review* Two cousins from different countries are brought together by tragedy; burdened with past regrets, they become sailing partners in an attempt to win a boat race and redeem themselves. When a tsunami devastates his home in Japan, Kai, burdened with guilt after failing to save his grandparents, is sent to live in Oregon with his cousin Jet. Jet, who aspires to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a ship’s pilot, had ignored the tsunami warnings in her haste to go sailing and hit wreckage that damaged her boat. As she wrestles with her shame over her irresponsibility, Kai tries to acclimate to a different culture and struggles to master his fear of the water. With the boat race approaching, Kai and Jet will have to overcome their differences and regrets in order to work together to win. Both are well developed: their resilience against trying circumstances is sharply drawn, and Kai’s introspection nicely balances Jet’s impulsiveness. Even readers unfamiliar with the mechanics of sailing will find the race scenes exciting, and a sailing glossary provides extra information. The result is a touching, heartwarming story that reaffirms the idea that, for anyone, second chances are possible. - Copyright 2015 Booklist.