Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/29/2023 Gr 3 Up—The book opens as young Pia runs to the Native American Center because that is the day the first Native American congresswoman is to be inaugurated: Deb Haaland. The community comes together to celebrate, and with that creates "Regalia" skirts, or ribbon skirts, which honor women from generation to generation. Within the story, readers learn what each color means and how the skirts are made. Vivid digital illustrations bring to life the colors on the ribbon skirts. This book could be used in units on Indigenous history or during Women's History Month. It would make a great companion to Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard and Sharice's Big Voice by Sharice Davids. Back matter includes more information on ribbons skirts and Deb Haaland. VERDICT An accessible picture book about an important voice on the U.S. political scene.—Ruth Guerrier-Pierre - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 07/23/2023 *Starred Review* This simple story about a group of Native American children getting ready for a party to celebrate Congresswoman Deb Haaland's swearing-in as Secretary of the Interior artfully folds in all kinds of cultural details about Indigenous ceremonies, customs, and beliefs. Family members arrive with special dishes (dried buffalo, fry bread, rooreh salad), Grandmother offers a prayer to the Creator, and guests are smudged with sage, but the most anticipated activity is the sewing of ribbon skirts. These traditional articles hold significance for Native American communities across the U.S. and Canada and feature bright bands of colors representing ceremonial elements (orange for fire, green for grass, violet for seashells). Haaland wore a ribbon skirt for her swearing-in to celebrate her Laguna Pueblo heritage, and Pia, the young protagonist, is excited to get to work, even though she already has a special powwow ribbon skirt that celebrates her mother's Anishinabe people and a Guala°fon necklace from her dad's Chamorro culture. After the party, Pia gives her freshly made ribbon skirt to a new classmate as a welcome gift. Native American expressions are woven throughout the narrative, and generous back matter covers Haaland's career and responsibilities, additional insights into Native American culture, ways kids can get involved in conservation efforts, and sources. Filled with bright, full-page illustrations, this attractive publication celebrates multiple urban and intertribal Native American traditions. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.