Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/16/2022 Gr 2–4—The soft palette of the gouache and digital illustrations give the story of Judith Heumann, one of the key activists to end discrimination against people with disabilities, the patina of a historical work. At a young age, Heumann contracted polio and began using a wheelchair. A wheelchair in the 1950s meant she was barred from participating in many activities, including school, which she was unable to attend until she was nine. The discrimination that she faced became unbearable when she was denied a teaching license, again, because she used a wheelchair. After winning her case against the New York State Board of Education, Heumann continued her activism and began to work for the passage of Section 504 of the proposed Rehabilitation Act. In it, any organization that received federal funds would be required to provide equal access to people with disabilities. The text is lengthy, but simple enough for younger readers to follow and appreciate. A call to action from Heumann is included at the end, while an author's note gives further details. Sources and notes are included as well as the actual script for the current Section 504. VERDICT A solid addition for the activism section of biography collections, or any shelf on women who made a difference in the realm of accessibility and equity.—V. Lynn Christiansen - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 08/01/2022 This starts with all the times young Judith Heumann heard “NO!” because of her physical disability and use of a wheelchair. No to attending school until she was in fourth grade. No to accessing places that only had stairs and not ramps. No to becoming a teacher (at least until Heumann sued the New York City Board of Education). These experiences led Heumann to a career of fighting to increase accessibility and guarantee equal treatment for Americans with disabilities. A large portion of the book is dedicated to Heumann’s activism on behalf of Rule 504, a precursor to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibited groups receiving federal funds from discriminating against people with disabilities. Illustrations combine gouache painting and digital art to bring Heumann and her allies to life. Although the author clearly cares about the topic, the book doesn’t quite capture Heumann’s obvious warmth and passion, which, fortunately, do shine through in her note to the reader following the main text. Nevertheless, this is an informative portrait of an under-recognized activist. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.