Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 08/01/2018 *Starred Review* In his foreword, Senator Corey Booker likens “the power to make change” to “the story of humanity.” Chambers calls this resistance and offers 35 profiles of people who resisted injustice during their lifetime. Arranged chronologically, the diverse profiles range from the expected Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez, and Malala Yousafzai to the equally compelling Lozen the Apache Warrior, Hawaii’s Queen Liliuokalani, actress (and inventor!) Hedy Lamarr, and Harvey Milk. They begin with the year of resistance and a defining quote from the individual, before describing a social injustice and how resistance opened minds and hearts, strove to better society, and sometimes even saved lives. A concluding “#resist lesson” recognizes the impact of social media and reinforces that anyone can make a difference. In telling the stories of these seemingly larger-than-life protesters, Chambers highlights everyday traits and actions that all can exemplify. For instance, quiet Sojourner Truth did not have to be loud to be powerful. And through conversation and social media, three friends—Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi—formed the Black Lives Matter movement. The final profile pays tribute to the million participants in the Women’s March of 2017. Collectively, the profiles show common themes and connections among the protesters. Young activists will find these stories irresistible. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 08/01/2018 Gr 6 Up—Thirty-five short stories about people who fought to make a difference locally and globally. The individuals profiled represent an inclusive mix of genders, races, nationalities, sexualities, and abilities. They span nearly 600 years, from Joan of Arc to the millions who marched in 2017 in the worldwide Women's March. The goal of the book, as expressed in the inspirational introduction by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, is to encourage young people to learn from history and continue to struggle against injustice, and the text emphasizes that small actions can have a lasting future impact. Chambers and her clear, direct writing are most successful when highlighting specific actions, such as Chiune Sugihara issuing thousands of travel visas to Jewish people fleeing Europe during World War II. Some of the stories are told successfully in two to four pages; but for others, the brevity is limiting, and the result is confusing and often lacking key background information. Chambers paints a false and rosy picture in some cases, either not including the violent ending of a life (Harvey Milk and Sitting Bull) or failing to mention well-documented issues of racism (Susan B. Anthony). Additionally, the recommended reading list is very sparse and includes texts that are inappropriate for the age group. VERDICT While the informal tone and inspiring message may appeal to readers, they would be better served elsewhere with more complete and accurate portrayals of the lives of these important individuals.—Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.