Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 11/01/2016 Gr 4–7—Terry's middle grade debut is about one girl's urgent search for true friendship and a sense of home. Constantly on the move after her father's death, Calliope June Snow (Calli) arrives in St. George, UT, with her lovelorn mother, a few suitcases, and an egg carton rock collection. Exhausted by her inability to fit in and tired of always being the new girl, Calli, who has Tourette syndrome (TS), seeks solace in a connection to her neighbor Jinsong, the student body president and an expert pitcher. The novel is a duet, with perspectives from both Calli and Jinsong. Written in a patchwork of prose poetry and free verse, Terry's narrative deftly represents the reality of TS in its fullness. It works to deconstruct common misconceptions, such as that those who have TS have a propensity to swear, and sheds light on the raw confusion and the frightening nature of a physical experience that is utterly unpredictable. However, Jinsong's efforts to defend and protect Calli feel somewhat truncated and predictable. Calli's final act of generosity toward Beatriz, one of her tormentors—offering her the gift of forgiveness, symbolized by a laminated poppy flower—appears both neat and unconvincing. Though the book has some flaws, the tale of a young woman with TS coming of age is an important literary perspective yet untold for a middle grade audience. VERDICT This exploration of Calli's neurological disorder and her struggle to find her place will stay in the hearts and minds of readers for a long time; a good addition for most collections.—Alpha DeLap, St. Thomas School, Medina, WA - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 02/01/2017 In this sweet and sometimes sad story, readers follow middle-schoolers Calliope and Jin. Callie moves often, any time her mom gets out of a relationship and decides to start somewhere new. Jin’s in student council and one of the popular boys at Callie’s new school, as well as her new neighbor. She has Tourette’s syndrome, exacerbating the anxiety and loneliness she feels, which is compounded by the fact that she never stays in one place long enough to make a friend. Jin is torn between maintaining his reputation and getting closer to Callie, whom he’s immediately attracted to. Terry, who herself lives with Tourette’s syndrome, movingly draws from her own experience as she describes Callie’s experiences and behaviors. The narrative alternates between Callie’s and Jin’s perspectives, with Callie’s chapters in affecting, varied poems and Jin’s in plain prose and e-mails. This heartfelt, multivoice story with a meaningful message about friendship and acceptance is perfect for kids who appreciate realistic, character-driven stories, such as Rebecca Stead’s Goodbye Stranger (2015). - Copyright 2017 Booklist.

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