Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/01/2021 Gr 1–2—Civil rights history comes alive through these historically laden and visually arresting illustrations. The text of the beloved song that has been encouraging activists for over 100 years appears across page after page; gray-toned illustrations with the look of old photographs represent true events while the protagonist, a young Black girl, makes her way to school. Walking, taking a bus, joining up with a young group of interethnic friends to the school on a street with Black Lives Matter printed across it—all these demonstrate to onlookers that the journey is not over and the need to overcome racial injustice continues today. In the back matter are "Did you notice?" questions posed by Collier to engage the audience with the images captured throughout the book, almost creating a conversation artist and reader. "Did you notice the church on pages 12 and 13?" is followed by details of the significance of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL, and the statue of Dr. King that the protagonist walks past. VERDICT Powerful scenes, outstanding for all that they capture and urgently convey, will challenge all readers to find their place in the march to a more racially just future.—John Scott, Baltimore County P.S. - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 11/01/2021 *Starred Review* Using the lyrics to this gospel anthem and protest song as narrative, Collier offers readers a visual perspective of several significant events in U.S. civil rights history. Clad in a bright yellow T-shirt, a young girl sets off for school walking through her neighborhood. Along the way, she passes Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church, the bus where Rosa Parks sat, and Little Rock Central High School; after school, she attends a Black Lives Matter gathering. Collier’s watercolor-and-collage illustrations employ full color for the contemporary scenes and black and white for the historical settings, which often share space on a spread. Earth tones predominate, accented in yellows, pinks, and greens, making the bright-yellow shirt easy to follow throughout the changing scenes. He skillfully inserts historical details into the art: MLK’s statue in front of the church, Rosa Parks sitting on the bus, soldiers escorting students to the high school, and faces of civil rights icons inscribed in the footprints of the contemporary kids at the BLM event. An appended note provides background about the origins of this song and the historical settings depicted, and while Collier concedes that more work remains, he feels hopeful at what has been accomplished so far. Uplifting and inspiring, with plenty of history for those who are ready, this makes a welcome addition to civil rights picture-book collections. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.