Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 02/24/2025 While her mother attends rehabilitation for her drug dependency, 12-year-old Nadine goes to stay with her grandmother in Centralia, Ill., a small community best known as being devastated by the Great Tornado of the New Millennium, an F4 twister that occurred the year Nadine was born. She reluctantly befriends classmate Francis Pepper, whose mother’s death in the event led to frequent bullying surrounding his family history as well as a cruel nickname, Tornado Boy. Tasked with working together on a history project to commemorate the town’s bicentennial, Nadine and Francis choose to focus on the GTNM despite the egocentric mayor sponsoring the celebration’s inexplicably pressuring them to drop the subject. But as they investigate that tragic day, they uncover a bizarre secret about Centralia’s history, and their own seemingly destined friendship. Foley (Breda’s Island) elevates this quiet exploration of healing after trauma and finding one’s place to belong by gradually incorporating magical twists and sinister undertones. Each new variable is unveiled with a thoughtfulness that ensures the grounded themes surrounding grief and bullying remain the focus of this feel-good adventure. Main characters read as white. Ages 8-12. (May) - Copyright 2025

Booklist - 05/01/2025 *Starred Review* Leaving no doubt about which characters to cheer and which to boo, Foley pairs two sixth-graders with very different temperaments but much common ground against a small-town big shot with an ugly secret. Hardly has tough Nadine arrived to stay with her grandma (while her mom goes through rehab back in Chicago) than she’s paired up with meek, much-bullied classmate Francis for a special local-history project. They decide to do it on the strange and infamous tornado that hit without warning a dozen years ago, killing Francis’ mom and several other residents and leaving him an infant survivor. This does not sit well with blustering Mayor Trevor Ray, who ruthlessly pressures them to pick another topic—for good reason, it turns out, as the young researchers soon uncover hints that the devastating storm might not have been entirely natural in origin. Notwithstanding Nadine’s typically hard-nosed claim that no grown-ups have ever done her any favors, the author allows several members of the strong adult supporting cast to brave Ray’s wrath with under-the-radar support—most winningly, town librarian Katie-Kate, an ex-marine with PTSD—on the way to a triumphant, thoroughly satisfying denouement, complete with heroic rescues, tearful reunions, and just deserts all round. A breezy, feel-good tale with whiffs of fantasy and wish fulfillment. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.