Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/01/2022 Gr 2–5—Merging history and magic, this is a tale like no other. When Rootilla Redgums and her grandson, Julius Jefferson, arrive in Walkerton, GA, in 1875, the Black townsfolk have no idea what's to come. Using Rootilla's magic, the town flourishes. This upset and angers their neighbors, who are white. Dressed in white sheets, the neighbors attempt to scare off the good people of Walkerton. Rootilla sends them off, but passes away that same night, after asking Julius to carry her back to where she was born. Making good on his promise to her, and with the threat of the fearful white folks on their heels, Julius carves a sign engraved with "Carrimebac." With a rope tied around his magical pet duck, they pull the entire town across the ground, into the water, never to be seen again, leaving a lake where Walkerton once was. Although the ending leaves room for more of the story, it still closes in a satisfying way. Despite some strong and frightening scenes (yes, that is the KKK), this tale is full of whimsy and wordplay, and is an excellent read-aloud. The illustrations, done with paint on canvas, beautifully complement the storytelling voice. Using the angle of the light, magic becomes visible to the reader. VERDICT These heroics read like a classic folktale. With delightful text, and beautiful artwork, it is one not be skipped.—Sarah West - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 04/01/2022 In a folksy original yarn with distinct echoes of The People Could Fly, John Steptoe New Talent Award winner Moore describes how Walkerton, a post–Civil War Georgia town of Black folk escaped an attack of white, hooded “Fearful Folk,” thanks to a surprisingly capable duck. That duck, named Woody, belongs to young Julius, the “peculiar grandson” of magic worker Rootilla Redgums. When a white neighbor claims Woody was stolen and gathers a torch-bearing mob, Julius makes a carved pole engraved with the legend “Carrimebac,” ties Woody to it, and commands him to “Walk!” So off Woody waddles, dragging the entire small town of Walkerton behind, across Liberty County to the sea. Holyfield’s warm, richly detailed country settings give way to aerial views of the town gliding grandly through grassy woodlands and salt marshes. Today, writes the author, only a lake marks the original site. If readers beguiled by the arresting premise wonder what happened to the town after it sailed across the ocean, well: “Some other time, perhaps . . .” - Copyright 2022 Booklist.