Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/01/2022 K-Gr 3—This picture book biography chronicles the life of Tammy Duckworth, beginning with her childhood in Thailand and leading to her groundbreaking election as a U.S. Senator. During her childhood, Duckworth spent time traveling all over Southeast Asia, and she knew at an early age she wanted to give back to her community. When her father lost his job, the family moved to Hawaii where they struggled to afford to eat each day, and Duckworth helped provide for her family by selling flowers by the side of the road. After attending college and graduate school, Duckworth joined the ROTC, successfully completed flight school, rose through the ranks of the National Guard, and met and married her husband. When the U.S. invaded Iraq, Duckworth disagreed with the decision, but she continued to serve, leading and planning helicopter missions in Balad, Iraq. In 2004, her helicopter was attacked, and Duckworth was pulled from the wreckage, presumed dead. As she recovered slowly in the hospital, Duckworth relearned how to eat and how to walk using prosthetics. Powerful details about Duckworth's childhood and her experiences in the National Guard impart a sense of the senator's resilient spirit; the book concludes on a hope-filled call to action of more work to be done. Back matter includes a time line of major life events, short summaries of political issues most important to Senator Duckworth, and resources for further reading. VERDICT A worthwhile and empowering biography recommended for large nonfiction collections.—Lauren Younger - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2022 - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2022 - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 06/01/2022 Soontornvat recounts the life of Illinois senator Tammy Duckworth, emphasizing her devotion to the service of her country. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Duckworth grew up traveling all over Southeast Asia, where her father worked for the United Nations. After moving to Hawaii, Duckworth studied hard, excelled at sports, and joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in college. An accomplished helicopter pilot, she served in Iraq, where she was injured and lost both legs. After her recovery, she turned her attention to politics, becoming a senator in 2016. Soontornvat’s prose is succinct yet clear and excels when she relates personal anecdotes, such as Duckworth selling flowers by the side of the road to help the family finances. Details of her 2004 helicopter accident and her painful recovery are also well handled. Phumiruk’s pencil-and-digital-collage illustrations are rendered in full color, although khaki tones predominate. Realistic in style, the illustrations are varied, some including multiple images of Duckworth in assorted activities. An excellent addition to the biography shelf and women’s history units. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.