Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 02/01/2021 *Starred Review* An hour before dawn, a Black child and her grandmother quietly leave the house and walk toward the woods, where blackberries grow. As they pass other homes, Grandma’s friends join them, following in a silent line. The woods are cool and dark. When they reach the blackberries, Dovey Mae takes the first bite, savoring the sweet juice while her grandmother laughs. They pick berries together quickly, tossing them into a tin pail, until suddenly Grandma tells the child to look over yonder. The pink horizon turns red and then golden as the sun rises, lighting their faces. They head for home. Recalling a memorable moment of natural beauty, the tale is told simply and directly, underscoring the authenticity of the narrative and the warmth of the main characters’ mutual affection. In the engaging, lyrical illustrations, Figueroa makes good use of deep, soft, subtle colors in the night scenes and startlingly bright hues at dawn. The back matter offers older readers a biographical account of Dovey Johnson Roundtree, “who shattered barriers in the law, the military, and the ministry.” McCabe, who worked with Roundtree as cowriter of her autobiography, Mighty Justice (2009), comments on the pivotal relationship between young Dovey and her grandmother, retold in this beautiful picture book. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 03/12/2021 K-Gr 2—This luminous picture book introduces young readers to civil rights pioneer Dovey Johnson Roundtree through a pivotal moment in her childhood. Adapted from Roundtree's autobiography, young Dovey narrates the experience of accompanying her grandmother and other neighborhood ladies on a pre-dawn berry-picking expedition. The spellbinding text evokes a strong sense of place and mood, drawing the reader in with a quiet sense of wonder. Roundtree's telling conveys the sense of a sacred tradition being passed from generation to generation, and lovingly illuminates the precious bond between a grandparent and grandchild. The illustrations match the enthralling quality of the narrative. The darkness of the forest setting is painted in rich, velvety shades of blue and purple that melt into soft lavender tones as dawn approaches, ultimately leading to a breathtaking moment when the sun finally rises and the scene is bathed in gold. While the story itself offers only a brief glimpse at Roundtree's formative years, an extensive author's note and timeline fills in the details of her life and accomplishments. Fittingly, the back matter also highlights Rachel Bryant Graham, the grandmother who was such an influential figure in Roundtree's life. VERDICT Absolutely captivating; a first purchase for picture book collections. This peek into the childhood of a groundbreaking civil rights activist is an excellent choice for Black History Month, Women's History Month, Grandparents Day, or any time of the year.—Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Lib., CA - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.