Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/12/2025 Gr 4–8—A diverse group of sixth graders battle the challenges of fitting in at junior high. Best friends, Jackie, who presents Black, and Milo, who is Asian American, are both excited and worried. Jackie is not into "girlie stuff," such as clothes and boys. Her nonbinary college bound sibling is very supportive as they understand what being different can mean. As the school year progresses, Jackie hatches a plan to make herself more popular. Using her sibling's typewriter, she writes herself secret admirer notes, leaving them near her locker. The group, including frenemy Adelle, pay more attention to her, but the plans to improve her social standing ramp up. The notes continue, stoking the kids' quest to uncover the writer, which eventually culminates at the May dance with the group pressuring Jackie to attend in hopes that the writer will reveal themselves. Readers will relate to Jackie and how, even though her parents give her sound advice, she has to level with them about their outdated norms of appearance and behavior. Jackie truly grows once her sibling returns home for the summer and provides perspective on her friendships. Realistic drawings assembled in a nice flow accurately bring this well-paced story to life. Some key features are the close-ups of the typewritten notes and the kids' expressions. The dialogue of all the characters is pitch perfect. VERDICT A realistic read that will make readers want to know what happens next. Give this to fans of Terri Libenson's "Emmie & Friends" series and Maria Scrivan's "Nat Enough" books. Highly recommended.—Elisabeth LeBris - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 09/12/2025 Gr 4–8—A diverse group of sixth graders battle the challenges of fitting in at junior high. Best friends, Jackie, who presents Black, and Milo, who is Asian American, are both excited and worried. Jackie is not into "girlie stuff," such as clothes and boys. Her nonbinary college bound sibling is very supportive as they understand what being different can mean. As the school year progresses, Jackie hatches a plan to make herself more popular. Using her sibling's typewriter, she writes herself secret admirer notes, leaving them near her locker. The group, including frenemy Adelle, pay more attention to her, but the plans to improve her social standing ramp up. The notes continue, stoking the kids' quest to uncover the writer, which eventually culminates at the May dance with the group pressuring Jackie to attend in hopes that the writer will reveal themselves. Readers will relate to Jackie and how, even though her parents give her sound advice, she has to level with them about their outdated norms of appearance and behavior. Jackie truly grows once her sibling returns home for the summer and provides perspective on her friendships. Realistic drawings assembled in a nice flow accurately bring this well-paced story to life. Some key features are the close-ups of the typewritten notes and the kids' expressions. The dialogue of all the characters is pitch perfect. VERDICT A realistic read that will make readers want to know what happens next. Give this to fans of Terri Libenson's "Emmie & Friends" series and Maria Scrivan's "Nat Enough" books. Highly recommended.—Elisabeth LeBris - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/01/2025 Jackie and Milo were born on the same day in the same hospital and have been best friends ever since. But now that they're in middle school, Milo suddenly has friends on the soccer team who think Jackie's a weirdo for dressing like a boy and not wearing makeup. Jackie’s mom wants her to hang out with Adelle, a popular girl and the daughter of a friend, but Adelle’s friends don't get Jackie, either. In an impulsive effort to fit in, Jackie starts to write secret-admirer notes to herself on a typewriter, and suddenly she has a mystery everyone wants to solve. While Jackie tries to figure out how to be herself when it seems like everyone is trying to change her, she's also trying to keep her secret from getting out of hand. Jessixa and Aaron Bagley's relateable middle-school graphic novel pairs approachable, expressive cartoon artwork with a story that will resonate with kids who feel different, particularly when it comes to gender expression. A solid pick for elementary- and middle-schoolers who love Raina Telgemeier, Jerry Craft, and Shannon Hale. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.