Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 04/01/2021 Twin brothers Julián and Joaquin Castro are political dynamos. Julián was mayor of San Antonio when he became Barack Obama's Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Joaquin currently represents Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. Adults may even remember when Joaquin introduced Julián at the Democratic National Convention in 2012. Though most kids won't remember any of this, they'll find the story engaging. It recounts how the boys were raised by Rosie, their single mother, a social worker and La Raza activist, and their grandmother, Mamo, who dropped out of school in the third grade to work for rich families; the tight-knit family lived in a San Antonio barrio. The twins were always competitive, and the text emphasizes how they learned that they got better results working together. Also emphasized is the strong and continuing support the boys got from their families and community. The busy, bright illustrations propel the action, and a glossary, author's note, and list of sources make this useful for projects. A solid addition to the growing shelf of political picture-book biographies. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 06/01/2021 Gr 3–6—From humble beginnings, Julián and Joaquin Castro have succeed in many areas of their life. With strong female role models, their Grandma Mamo and mom Rosie, it is no wonder the twins were led to a life of political service with emphasis on the challenges and inequalities facing Mexican Americans. From a young age, the boys assisted their mother as she fought for the rights of those in her community. The twins excelled in every aspect of their lives, from athletics to academics, ultimately becoming lawyers. Soon after, they made it a mission to serve their communities with positions as councilman and mayor (Julián) and in the U.S. House of Representatives (Joaquin). In 2019, Julián made a bid for president and though he was not successful, he and his brother are clearly not ready to give up their political aspirations. Vibrant, colorful illustrations with precise detail carry the biography along in an invigorating way. VERDICT A brilliant example of how family ties can lead to great accomplishments as one embraces their cultural heritage.—Martha Rico, Yselta I.S.D., TX - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.