Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/01/2017 Gr 3–5—Adkins presents a whimsical episode from automobile history. Bertha Benz, business partner and wife of Karl Benz, was the first person to embark on a long-distance car trip. It's 1888 and Karl Benz's Motorwagen is forbidden by the then–German emperor and the church. However, Bertha is not deterred, and she, along with her two teenage sons, sets out on a journey that will change the world, proving once and for all that the Motorwagen should be celebrated and not banned. But faced with bumpy roads, mechanical problems, and skeptics, Bertha and the boys will have to do some ingenious thinking in order to pull the stunt off. Adkin's narrative is engaging and complimented by the richly detailed illustrations. Although a lot of subject-specific vocabulary is used regarding the vehicle, most of it is explained within the text. There is no date mentioned in the story; however, there is a time line marking Bertha's drive and several other momentous occasions in the evolution of cars. There are also diagrams of the Motorwagen and its engine, an author's note, and a map showing where Bertha traveled. The author's note is written in a kid-friendly language, but the time line is wordy and difficult to follow. A few period-specific terms such as apothecary and garters are used without explanation, but overall this adventure from a vastly different time period is well told for contemporary readers. VERDICT Not a must buy, but an intriguing story for readers interested in the history of cars or joyful true-life escapades.—Emily Beasley, Omaha Public Schools - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.