Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 10/01/2021 Gr 3–7—After more moves than he can count, Austin has learned how to blend in at a new school. Get someone to read the back cover of the book to you, so you can pretend you've read it. Write your name neat and tiny, because that's what all the smart kids do. Fake a coughing fit if you're called on to read aloud, because the teacher isn't going to deny you a drink of water. Austin doesn't want to cause any problems, and he doesn't want his teachers to cause him any problems. But things are pretty different when Austin moves to his newest school shortly before summer vacation. For one thing, his teacher seems much cooler than what he's used to. For another, he meets Bertie—an energetic and enthusiastic classmate who is determined to help Austin navigate this new environment, whether he needs help or not. Bertie is super excited to join the school's Safety Squad next year as a fifth grader, and Austin thinks that sounds cool, too. But you have to take a test on the rules to become a Safety Squad member, and that's something Austin can't fake. This middle grade novel provides an insider's perspective on what it's like to be a student with learning difficulties. Austin's coping mechanisms for getting through school work, and other activities that require reading, will be something struggling learners and reluctant readers can relate to. Additionally, Austin's frequent descriptions of the colors in his everyday life provide vivid imagery for readers. VERDICT A great addition to middle grade realistic fiction collections; hand this book to readers who have enjoyed Gary D. Schmidt's Okay for Now or Jacqueline Woodson's Harbor Me.—Alison Glass, Dwight School Lib., New York, NY - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 12/01/2021 Austin is used to being the new kid at school. Whenever his mom feels overwhelmed by life, they pull up stakes and resettle. He knows the drill—how he’ll be introduced, the curious stares from teachers and classmates, even how lunch will taste. More important, he knows what he must do to protect his secret, because, though already at the end of fourth grade, he struggles with reading. This time, however, his new school is different. His teacher doesn’t treat him like an extra burden, he is welcomed enthusiastically by talkative Bertie, and even unpredictable Dee turns out to be more friend than foe. Panic arises when Austin decides he wants to apply for a coveted spot on the fifth-grade Safety Squad, which includes taking a written test. How will he manage it? Throughout this short but spot-on story, readers will discover Austin’s toolbox of methods to get through each day, illustrating just how clever he is. This tale tugs heartstrings and brings a deeper understanding of differently abled students. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.