Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 03/01/2025 Gr 3–7—Pearl, 10, is at the beginning of her fifth grade school year in Florida and trying to get a grip on the anxiety and dark feelings that have been washing over her. She's like an octopus, with touch receptors all over its body and feeling everything. In years past, Pearl has been able to settle into the routines of a new school year, but this year is different. Despite having two best friends and a supportive family, Pearl finds her emotions continuing to crash like waves on the shore. She struggles to eat, sleep, smile, or enjoy the daily activities she once did. Even her beagle, Tuck, can't seem to pull her up for air. Finally, Pearl's parents take her to a therapist, where she learns some useful coping skills to navigate the ups and downs of depression. Pearl's struggles will resonate with readers who grapple with feelings of not being enough. Secondary characters are fleshed out in her two best friends, who are also having personal challenges. Pearl adopts good management skills in the form of setting goals, using beads on a string to document the things she's able to do each day, as well as repeating some mantras—"My family will always love me. The ocean will always be there. The moon is always full"—to assist her in moving forward in life. All characters read as white. VERDICT This is an important purchase for all children's and teens' library shelves.—Tracy Cronce - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 01/01/2025 Pearl used to like skateboarding, spending time with friends, and running track. But fifth grade brings many changes: Pearl notices shifts in her friendships, her family, and how she feels—especially when that voice in her head is cruel to her. This novel in verse details Pearl's depression, from initial struggles to accepting help. Pearl's therapy journey opens her eyes to her grandfather's headaches and the stigma around mental illness, and helps her forge a path onward. She learns to apply what she's learning in therapy to multiple areas of her life, from setting boundaries to advocating for herself. Pyron's author's note offers informative details on depression as well as resources for finding help. The narrative itself offers excellent coping strategies, though not as a focal point; the emphasis is on how using these skills affects her character. Pearl's love for sea turtles and her understanding of her world through ocean-life metaphors weave together with additional plot threads of fundraising for sea-turtle rehabilitation and healing her relationship with her grandfather. Pearl's resilience, hope, and bravery shine like her namesake. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.