Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 11/01/2025 *Starred Review* This coming-of-age novel delivers a profound exploration of grief, resilience, and the enduring bond between siblings. Eleven-year-old Birdy and her younger brother, Mouse, have always relied on each other. When their mother dies of cancer, they’re uprooted from their New York City apartment to spend the summer upstate with distant relatives they’ve never met. At Mitzie and Shadow’s rural home, introverted and anxious Birdy struggles to trust any adult or accept comfort, retreating instead into books and her journal. It isn’t easy to say thank you all the time, share home-cooked meals, and even have the freedom to play outside. Innocent and exuberant Mouse, by contrast, quickly delights in the attention of their warm, if unconventional, hosts—and forms an easy bond with Uncle Clay, their mother’s outdoors-loving younger brother. As they await their social worker’s looming deadline to place them elsewhere, Birdy develops a backup plan that, if discovered, could abruptly upend any new feelings of security. First-time novelist Moss’ nuanced portrayal of mourning, paired with richly drawn characters, creates a deeply affecting read. The narrative's unhurried pace allows space for Birdy’s emotions to unfold, making her gradual emergence from sorrow both believable and deeply moving. This resonant story celebrates the healing power of connection and the hope found in chosen family. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.

Other - 01/19/2026 A grieving tween plans for the worst in this emotionally raw upper middle grade debut by Moss (Flesh & Blood). Following Birdy’s mother’s death from a prolonged illness, the 11-year-old and her seven-year-old brother Mouse leave New York City, moving upstate to live with distant relatives Aunt Mitzie and Uncle Shadow. While Mouse is optimistic about the new experience, Birdy worries over a social worker’s comments that the siblings’ relocation is only a stopgap. Birdy’s wariness prompts her to feel distrustful of Aunt Mitzie and Uncle Shadow’s small kindnesses, such as supplying Birdy with her favorite snack. Suppressing feelings of budding happiness about her new home, Birdy resolves to take care of Mouse by preparing for potential disaster, hiding away food and stealing from Aunt Mitzie’s savings jar. The arrival of another distant family member-soft-spoken naturalist Uncle Clay from Maine-and the youths’ enrollment in summer camp offer additional opportunities for joy and distraction from their mourning. As Birdy’s grief for her late mother and anger over trauma associated with past instability fester amid her good fortune, she writes in her diary, "I need to try and be happier-but I don’t know how." Sensitive language addresses the myriad challenges the protagonist faces, making her efforts to traverse processes of bereavement and change both understandable and heartbreaking. The cast cues as white. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 10-14. Author’s agent: Michael Carr, Veritas Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Hannah Mann, Writers House. (Feb.) - Copyright 2026