Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 08/11/2025 Chaotic mad-scientist energy abounds in this unwieldy time-and-space-bending tale about changing friendships and yearning to belong by Baskin (Consider the Octopus) and Mass (The Lost Library). Though Piper’s renowned clockmaker parents rarely leave their Rockdale basement lab, and Piper’s only friend is the family pet-a talking robot dog named Roody-the math-loving 12-year-old’s biggest concern is winning the school robotics competition. That is, until she stumbles across a book filled with puzzling equations that only she can see, and her parents at the same time become trapped in a force field surrounding their house. Meanwhile, sixth grade BFFs Raisa and Lev live undisturbed in an alternate, sci-fi-infused Rockdale until Raisa transports herself and Lev into Piper’s world using a strange rectangular device from Raisa’s mother’s lab. Upon losing the transporter, the besties embark on a frantic search for the object; simultaneously, Piper struggles to free her parents and unravel the mystery of the strange book. Bustling alternating third-person perspectives follow the freewheeling antics and near misses along the white-cued tweens’ parallel journeys until converging mysteries force them to cross paths in a somewhat befuddling yet gratifying climax. Ages 8-12. Agents: (for Baskin) Katelyn Detweiler, Jill Grinberg Literary; (for Mass) Holly Frederick, Curtis Brown. (Oct.) - Copyright 2025

School Library Journal - 10/03/2025 Gr 5 Up—In parallel storylines, Piper, Raisa, and Lev inhabit separate universes but are set on an inevitable intersecting trajectory. Piper accepts that her life is unusual: her parents' basement experiments frequently end in small explosions, and her robotic dog, Roody, is sentient. But one morning, when even Piper thinks things are strange, she finds herself on a path involving a cryptic book and a mysterious invisible dome. Meanwhile, Raisa is determined to help her mother, who is on the verge of abandoning her research. With the support of her best friend Lev, she uses her mother's research to successfully travel through a portal into another universe. When the book she used to travel vanishes, Raisa and Lev are left stranded, desperate to find a way back. As the two storylines unfold, readers will discover keys that connect Piper's story to Raisa's and Lev's. Themes of similarity and difference resonate throughout, underscoring the idea that while people and worlds may vary, shared experiences and values create common ground. Although moments of scientific detail may challenge readers less inclined toward STEM, these passages are integral to understanding the story's logic and enhance its sense of wonder. Main characters are cued white. VERDICT Time-traveling fans will devour this humorous tale that shows how humans are all connected.—Jennifer Seebauer - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.