Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/01/2020 Gr 5–8—Krull explores the history of immigration in America and strives to offer a comprehensive view of an issue that continues to impact many young people. The text traces the country's complicated relationship with immigration and immigrants up to the current rulings of the Trump administration. Breaking chapters up with "Immigrant Story" and "Pro and Con" subsections, the narrative moves quickly. However, factual errors, misrepresentations, and oversimplifications prevent the book from achieving its full objective. For example, chapter 12 states "America won the (Mexican-American) War and promptly swallowed, or took over, present-day Texas." Texas was annexed by the U.S. in 1845 and became the 28th state before the war started the following year. The admittedly brief section regarding Andrew Jackson's treatment of Native people omits the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Throughout the text, and particularly beginning in chapter eight, the word "Muslim" is used as a term denoting both religious and ethnic identity. The interchanging usage of the word without proper explanation could confuse young readers. The text also lacks a substantive discussion of the role the U.S. played in creating the military and humanitarian crises that have driven and continue to drive waves of immigration from around the world. There is little to no mention of U.S. sanctions, coups, puppet governments, or many other destabilizing interventions. VERDICT An admirable attempt to address complicated and timely issues concerning immigration throughout U.S. history up to the present day, but the text is unfortunately marred by factual errors, misrepresentations, and oversimplifications.—Ted McCoy, Austin Public Library, Austin, TX - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/15/2020 Introducing this very readable history of American immigration, Krull describes the United States as a country united by shared values formed during the Age of Enlightenment and stated in the founding documents. The chapters that follow offer numerous examples of times when specific groups of immigrants were made to feel unwelcome based on criteria such as race, national origin, language, or religion. Particular attention is paid to women as immigrants, both in an early chapter and in later ones. While describing waves of immigrants, the reasons they came, and the difficulties they faced here, the book also includes a great many features introducing noteworthy individuals, pertinent quotes, or relevant ideas, events, or books. Appearing within the main text, yet with a different typeface and narrower margins, these features simultaneously support the main narrative and interrupt its flow. Illustrations include archival documents, prints, paintings, and many photos. In the closing chapters, Krull discusses some of the the issues surrounding immigration today, then looks toward the future. A clearly written, informative, and timely discussion of immigration. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.