Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 06/30/2025 As part of a long-term exploration project, 11-year-old Nathan and his family-members of an alien species called Kast-are masquerading as humans in New York City. But when Nathan starts to unexpectedly grow a tail, and he and his family are summoned to their mother ship, the Wagon, he fears he’ll go missing like several other Earth-side Kast children who failed to maintain cover-including his long-distance crush Izzy. Life on the Wagon is even worse than he expected. Upon arrival, he discovers it to be a place of inequity and deprivation, where Izzy and other disappeared children are forced into menial labor, while Nathan and his new tail are inexplicably celebrated as a success story and sent back to Earth. Suspecting the Wagon’s leadership of hiding a dark secret, Nathan enlists his human best friend Victor to uncover the truth behind his people and their lifelong mission. In this twisty, thoughtful tale, Stead (The List of Things That Will Not Change) touches on themes of estrangement, assimilation, exploitation, and agency as Nathan’s seeking independence for himself and his interstellar peers parallels contemporary challenges faced by immigrants in the U.S. The Kast are described as having "assumed all Earthly skin tones." Ages 8-12. Agent: Faye Bender, Book Group. (Sept.) - Copyright 2025

School Library Journal - 09/05/2025 Gr 3–7—Nathan is just your ordinary kid—except for the fact that he's an alien from the planet Kask. He's trying to navigate life both as a sixth grader and as part of an experiment involving his family. Nathan has a beloved cat and "nine good friends," as is customary among the Kask. While he interacts with them over Zoom, he has only met one in person: Izzy. When his friends and fellow experiments begin to disappear, Nathan becomes determined to uncover the truth behind what is really happening and the nature of this experiment. At the same time, Nathan experiences unexpected changes, like growing a tail. With Nathan as the narrator, this coming-of-age story explores the timeless questions of identity and purpose. The fast-paced and engaging narrative is full of humor and warmth, delving into themes of friendship, family, and self-understanding. The diverse characters and story are well developed, ensuring that readers remain captivated from start to finish. Overall, this book is a delightful addition to the genre that will fly off the shelves. Its relatable themes and imaginative elements ensure it will resonate with readers long after they turn the last page. VERDICT A middle grade must-read, this is highly recommended for fans of science fiction and books like A Wrinkle in Time.—Katie Loomis - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.