Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 01/01/2018 Gr 1–3—Seven-year-old Benjamin, who proudly goes by the nickname Bug, launches this first-person early chapter book from the "quiet chair" where he spends a lot of time "thinking about his choices." This time, he is composing a list of "Don'ts to help me remember what not to do." Each rule gets its own short chapter and there are 21 rules in all, beginning with "#1 DON'T spray whipped cream into your mouth for breakfast" and ending with "#21 DON'T tell Mom what's going on." Each chapter starts with the phrase "Because if you do," and goes on to explain why doing this specific thing causes trouble. The incidents are cumulative, one leading to the next, bringing the situation full circle as the events of the day land Bug in the quiet chair writing his list. Large font combined with detailed cartoon-style illustrations on every page will keep newer chapter book readers confident and engaged. The full-color artwork capitalizes on and exaggerates the jokes in the text to make them extra silly. VERDICT Using slapstick humor in both its words and art, this early chapter book will appeal to new readers who enjoy a little trouble and irreverence in their stories.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.