Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 04/01/2013 K-Gr 2—Hunter gathers a pile of stones on his grandmother's front porch. When she and his father ask him what one does with them, he enigmatically answers, "What everyone does with a pile of stones." The mail carrier takes one to keep letters from blowing away. A child uses some to keep his wagon from rolling down the hill. A Brownie places three of them on the sidewalk to indicate to her friends where they should turn right. When Hunter returns, there are only six stones left. He and Grammy take five to the stonecutter, who drills holes in them; now Grammy has a stone necklace. What to do with the one remaining stone? Skip it across the lake, of course. While the story demonstrates a close relationship between a grandmother and her grandson, it comes across as sentimental and precious. It also seems odd that the whole neighborhood takes the rocks off Grammy's porch, rather than from the yard or elsewhere (and that the modern-day neighborhood has a stonecutter). On the plus side, the text reads aloud well. The collage, acrylic, and pencil illustrations are warm and lovely; the lace pattern that comes through gives the art texture and depth. Libraries are likely to want to own this as it is one of the last books George authored before her recent passing, but it is by no means a must-have.—Laura Lutz, Pratt Institute, New York City - Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.