Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 12/23/2022 Gr 3–7—Beginning with a roast beef sandwich and ending with the hopeful words of Martin Luther King, Jr., Brown takes readers on a journey through history to tell the story of democracy. Narrated by Abigail Adams, this work of graphic nonfiction lays down the bedrock of American democracy and how it became the government we know and protect today. The narrator is not shy to point out the white male dominance of American democracy and includes examples of democracy and big ideas from all over the world. Beginning with early civilizations and the need to organize and establish leadership, then moving through the American Revolution, voting rights, the Civil Rights Movement (with more in between), the book introduces readers to a wide range of events and ideas that built our modern-day democracy. Watercolor-like illustrations draw the reader's eye without creating sensory overload. Readers will easily be able to follow the flow of the panels with clear cues from the text. A variety of source materials are provided, including a selected bibliography and time line. VERDICT Those who have read other books in the series will love this new installment. This is a must-buy for any public or school library.—Maryjean Riou - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 01/01/2023 *Starred Review* Brown has proven to be the graphic novel gold standard in fact-driven, deeply humane middle-grade history. Here, he's managed to hit upon a yet more urgent and relevant topic than the vaccine-centered previous volume (Shot in the Arm, 2021). Abigail Adams (John’s wife) knowledgeably guides readers from the dawn of leadership itself—violence-born and violence-perpetuated—through the burgeoning concept of Greek demokratia (“people power”) and non-European republics into the birth of American democracy. The arc of history will be familiar to most readers, but Brown never skimps on crucial, lesser-considered nuances. His history may move at a breakneck pace, but he preserves details for our fascination, personified by such unsung figures as tidy Jacob Shallus, vile Roger Taney, pioneering Hiram Revels, and righteous Virginia Minor. And never in the face of the Big Idea’s greatness does he let slip away the struggle of women and Black, Asian, or Indigenous people. Indeed, the final third of the book is almost exclusively devoted to the nation’s struggle for equality. There’s a lot here, but the dense, typed-font chunks of explanation are considerably leavened by Brown’s loose, jaunty Schoolhouse Rock–style art, punctuated by the occasional dramatic double-splash page. Addressing the subject’s urgency, Brown reminds readers that the “grand tower” of our perfect union is perpetually being torn down and—hopefully—rebuilt. Includes ample illuminating back matter. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.