Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 03/01/2021 Inviting young audiences to join her in exploring nature—from birds to flowers to stars—Grandin offers a mix of autobiographical notes about her own early interest in science and her autism, info drops on topics ranging from animal emotions to dendrochronology (the study of tree rings) and space-suit design, and directions for dozens of hands-on activities. These activities range from practicing such basic skills as building a cairn and choosing good stones for skipping to creating various craft projects or charting animal observations via ethograms. Along with inserting URLs for relevant websites throughout as well as a modest but helpful assortment of line drawings and photos, she also adds quick tributes to scientists and inventors, from paleontologists Mary Anning and Stephen Jay Gould to Martin Frederick Christensen (who patented the first machine for making glass marbles), then closes with abundant lists of resources for further study. Readers should have no trouble getting past her slightly stilted prose to see the impish humor and wide mind beneath. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 03/01/2021 Gr 3–7—Grandin (b. 1947) is a renowned American scientist and one of the most well-known public figures with autism. Her assured narrative voice is clear as she shares her childhood stories. She connects with her audience in a personal and fascinating style while detailing her early scientific observations about the natural world. Grandin says what she observed sparked questions and investigation, which is at the heart of all science. She encourages readers to explore the outdoors, just as other well-known (Carl Sagan, Jacques Cousteau, and Stephen Hawking) and lesser-known scientists did when they were children. The book combines memoir, biography, informational text, and engaging projects. This text will especially appeal to those who are deeply interested in nature, but it will also motivate children to explore outside their homes and observe. Following the introduction, the chapters cover "Rocks," "The Beach," "The Woods," "Birds," "The Night Skies," and "Animal Behavior." Back matter includes an extensive bibliography, articles by the author, citizen science sources for science teachers, and acknowledgments. An index is not included. VERDICT Grandin's words are a rallying cry for budding scientists and she serves as a role model for young readers with autism. This is an important STEM and STREAM resource for every collection.—Helen Foster James, Univ. of California at San Diego - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.