Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 11/02/2024 Gr 4–7—In this wonderfully woven tale, a sister's love is all that stands between the "Stillness" and her brother. Lola and Alex have grown up in a house with a magical tree at its center. With the magical tree comes things that cannot be explained, like flowers that bloom only at certain times of the year and Lola's ability to see the creatures who tend to the tree. One day, Lola and Alex notice a gray patch spreading on the tree and the plants around it. Then the worst happens when Lola sees the same gray patch on Alex. Lola and Cualli, one of the magical creatures called the chaneques, are told they must travel to Floresta, where the magical tree came from, and heal it from there. But with a queen who cannot let go, this is not as easy as it seems. Will Lola be able to save the tree and her brother? With the story set in Mexico City, readers can feel the vibrance of Mexican culture coming off the pages. Between the descriptions of the magical world, as well as the artwork throughout, readers will be taken on the adventure right alongside Lola. Each character is complex and adds their own light to the story. Readers will be lining up to get this book. VERDICT A must-read for all upper elementary and middle school fantasy fans.—Heather Lassley - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 12/01/2024 *Starred Review* Lola loves her magical house in Mexico City, home to her close-knit family, piles of plants, otherworldly inhabitants (visible only to her), and a fantastical tree that blooms with improbable flowers. But something is amiss in her beautiful abode: deathly splotches have appeared on the foliage, and a similar ashy smudge is spreading on her brother’s neck. It seems something is sapping the life out of the tree and her sibling, and she wonders if it all springs from The Thing That Happened not long ago. Her brother was haunted by despair then, but with Lola’s help, Alex seemed to be getting better. Why the sudden shift? With the help of sympathetic chaneques who watch over the property, Lola finds herself in the in the magical realm of Floresta, the source of the tree’s vitality, and she has to quickly solve the mystery of the spreading darkness if there’s any hope of saving Floresta, her beloved brother, and their magnificent home. The terrifically transporting tale is brimming with lush descriptions, intriguing Mexican folklore, creative world building, and compassionate characters. Thoughtful discussions of depression, grief, and the inevitability of change are particularly appreciated, and the tender sibling relationship grounds the fantastical proceedings beautifully. A risky last-minute reveal pays off and adds additional depth to an already stellar story. A truly enchanting adventure that both enthralls and entertains. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.