Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 04/15/2023 In Eliopulos’ (The Fascinators, 2020) latest, there are few things middle-schooler Will loves more than soccer. But his time on the field is threatened when he discovers he has Crohn’s disease, like the book’s author. On top of being incurable, Will’s condition comes with painful, sometimes embarrassing symptoms and forces him to find new ways to connect with his peers, which leads him to begin questioning his autonomy, his place in his family, his sexuality, and his community’s attitude toward gay people. Character-driven with a much-conflicted narrator, this brings a conversational tone and a gentle approach to difficult topics while still clearly depicting the conflict of Will’s frustration and discomfort. Readers will appreciate the variety of perspectives from the people in Will’s life and the empathetic narrator at the helm; the reality the story reflects will reach a broad swath of readers, from jocks to gaming nerds to those exploring religion. Hand to fans of Maulik Pancholy’s The Best at It (2019) and Rob Harrell’s Wink (2020). - Copyright 2023 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 06/01/2023 Gr 4–7—Seventh grader Will McKeachie is a mid-field soccer player who has a tight-knit group of friends from the team. Despite having an acorn for a mascot, the team has made it to the championship tournament. After his doctor ordered a colonoscopy, Will is diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Crohn's has had Will visiting the bathroom more often than he'd care to admit. Along with the diagnosis, comes the bad news that he may need to sit on the sidelines while his body is healing and adjusting to new medications. Modifying his schedule allows Will the opportunity to take a step back and reevaluate his friend group and find other activities that he enjoys. Mirror Realms, a fantasy video game, is exactly the diversion Will was looking for and, along with it, comes a new friend named Griffin Miller. Admitting that he's made a friend of Griffin is not something Will is sure he wants to share with his friends, as they are abuzz because Griffin asked Will's best friend, Henry, to the spring dance. Additionally, Will is confused about some things he's heard from his church group, the Weekend Warriors. Relatable, real, and utterly engrossing, Eliopulos's writing will have readers hooked from the get-go. Life in a middle school, a new disease diagnosis, and sexual identity are the common themes of this coming-of-age novel. VERDICT A first purchase for all libraries where unforgettable reads are sought.—Tracy Cronce - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.