Bound To Stay Bound

Publishers Weekly - 02/09/2026 Preus (Windswept) channels animal sleuth classics such as The Great Mouse Detective in a radiant series opener. Pygmy shrew Minerva usually reserves her investigative prowess for cases close to her woodland abode, until her cousin Tenacity summons her to a human house, hopeful that the detective can help prevent potential animal murder: the homeowner believes that mice have stolen her pearl necklace, and if it’s not recovered, she’ll hire an exterminator to fumigate the building. Donning her spectacles and deerstalker hat, and tapping into her vast vocabulary-learned from reading the dictionary definitions that wallpaper her quaint den-"shrewd shrew" Minerva interviews acrobatic squirrels, a bumbling dog, and other denizens in and around the house as she seeks out suspects and evidence to find the pearls before it’s too late. The unique biology of the novel’s adorable sprawling animalian cast proves vital to plot momentum, as when Minerva uses echolocation to explore too-dark surroundings and a chipmunk’s large mouth offers the key to reclaiming the pearls. Shaded graphite illustrations by Wu (The Girl Who Tested the Waters), reminiscent of Syd Hoff’s, are sprinkled with clues, allowing readers to join in as Minerva’s investigation encounters household perils, punctuated by her many meals (shrews will die if they don’t eat every hour). Human characters present as white. Animal facts conclude. Ages 8-12. Author’s agent: Stephen Fraser, Jennifer De Chiara Literary. (May) - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly used with permission.

School Library Journal - 04/03/2026 Gr 3–5—As a pygmy shrew, Minerva must eat every 15 minutes in order to live through the day. She's enjoying her fourth lunch of the day in her den under a tree when her cousin Tenacity arrives seeking her help. It seems that the critters living in the house across the yard will be exterminated if a certain missing pearl necklace isn't found. As a detective, Minerva only works to solve "big" mysteries involving life and the universe. Tenacity manages to talk her into helping, and they head to the house where they must navigate several dangerous situations involving humans and their traps, along with a cat and a dog. Minerva must discover what happened to the pearl necklace while instructing those she meets in the meaning of some important words. The definitions blend quite well with the story, as does the factual information about the animals included. Additional details about pygmy shrews, chipmunks, and flying squirrels is appended. Wu's black-and-white illustrations, both full-page and spot images, complement the text nicely and give readers a glimpse into just how small pygmy shrews are compared to the worlds they inhabit. This fun mystery offers young readers a glimpse into the mystery-solving process as well as a chance to learn more about animals and increase their vocabulary. VERDICT A delightfully entertaining series opener that blends an intriguing and educational mystery with the often-amusing antics of the various animal characters.—Heidi Grange - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/01/2026 *Starred Review* Detective Minerva Shrew tackles “Big Mysteries of Life and the Universe,” but when her panicked cousin Tenacity implores Minerva to solve a mystery (that of a missing pearl necklace) and prevent murder (that of Tenacity and her friends), Minerva eschews her policy of “Woodland Cases Only” and ventures from the forest to the “human house” to help. Frustrated with pilfered food and nicked baubles, the persnickety homeowner has enlisted exterminators to eliminate the critters she’s convinced are responsible. Minerva is indeed “shrewd” and meticulously tracks clues laid before her to the satisfying end of this delightful series starter. Newbery honoree Preus’ writing hums with playful erudition thanks to liberally sprinkled and defined SAT words, such as epiphany and canapé throughout the text. Dynamic gerunds (“snapping, crunching, splintering”) and spirited action verbs suit the clever protagonist, with rampant witticisms and repartee throughout 17 action-packed chapters. Wu’s elaborately shaded grayscale illustrations, created with colored pencil, play up the noir aspects of the story perfectly, and Minerva’s jaunty whiskers and plush fur coat evince her confident characterization. Sprinkled with pygmy shrew facts bolstered by back matter, this pick will thrill advanced early readers and seems ready-made for family read-togethers. A pint-size and plucky delight! - Copyright 2026 Booklist.