Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 07/22/2022 PreS-Gr 2—When their community is no longer safe and with more of their friends leaving, Noemi and her mother begin the journey to the border. Alone at first, they are soon joined by others hoping to cross into the United States. Noemi and her mother are worried to find that they must wait until their number is called before they can try to receive permission to cross—a number that is recorded in a notebook by the notebook keeper, Belinda. As days turn to weeks and Noemi sees the difficulties people around her are also facing, she is inspired by Belinda's kindness and begins to spread that kindness with her actions. When Belinda's own number is called, she chooses Noemi and her mother to continue the work as notebook keepers. The color pencil and gouache illustrations depict the many families that have made the journey for a better life and their life in the camp, while also showing readers the worry and fears etched into the faces of Noemi, her mother, and those around them. The short sentences and soft narration, from Noemi's point of view, are sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases and convey her worries as well as her determination to be a source of encouragement for others as they wait their turns. VERDICT A unique perspective on the difficulties facing families who wait at the border that makes abstract occurrences relatable and realistic, this picture book's young narrator spreads a message of hope and kindness.—Selenia Paz - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/15/2022 *Starred Review* Noemi's home is unsafe, so she and her mamá must flee towards the San Ysidro border in Mexico. Papá has already crossed, and now it's their turn. At the border, they meet the notebook keeper, Belinda, who inspires hope in Noemi's heart. They find a new sense of home as they camp with other refugees awaiting their numbers to get called. Some get called, others don't. Noemi wonders how refugees can keep hope and looks up to Belinda for a thread of light. Belinda shares the importance of appointing “someone with generosity in their heart and kindness in their soul” to be the notebook keeper; Belinda is a refugee, too, and once her number gets called and she can cross the border, Noemi and her mamá take over the job. Based on real accounts of notebook keepers in refugee camps, especially those on the Mexico border, where asylum-seekers await permission to cross, this moving story about kindness, hope, and grassroots community offers a moving glimpse into the realities facing many people fleeing dangerous situations. Mora's warm illustrations beautifully depict the desert setting and the individual faces and belongings of the refugees in the camp. Words in Spanish are sprinkled throughout, and back matter provides further information on real notebook keepers. A heartening story emphasizing the real ways generous people step up in a crisis. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.