Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 10/31/2025 Gr 4–6—A poignant novel in verse centering the true story of a community who rallied together to protect the right of Mexican children to attend school. Roberto Alvarez is a 12-year-old Mexican American boy, the youngest in his family, and he loves to read and learn. His neighborhood, or colonia, is a loving place that takes care of one another in good times and bad. When Roberto and the other Mexican kids from the colonia are told they are no longer allowed to attend the local school, the adults gather to fight against the segregationist powers to protect the future of their children. Roberto finds himself the face of the movement and hopes that he has what it takes to be a leader for his people and spread change. This well-written story of underexplored history makes a large impact as it follows Roberto's highs and lows in realizing that the cause that he is fighting so hard for deeply impacts not just the people around him, but others struggling minorities around the country as well. The poetic format eloquently describes the emotions that flow through Roberto while still effectively relaying the facts of the Lemon Tree Incident reported in the back matter. Spanish language and phrases are used heavily throughout the novel; there is no glossary. VERDICT A highly recommended purchase for all libraries looking to expand their historical fiction collections with a novel sure to entrance readers.—Lindsey Morrison - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 08/01/2025 Twelve-year-old Roberto fights for the right to go to school for himself and his Mexican American community in this fast-moving, introspective novel in verse based on true events. Inspired by the 1931 Lemon Grove case, this fictionalized story takes readers into the worried mind of Roberto, a good student who is tired of feeling unseen by those around him. When deportation raids terrorize his community and leave him and more than 70 students kicked out of school due to their heritage, his community comes together to legally challenge the school board, making Roberto the poster child and lead plaintiff in the case. Largely driven by Roberto’s internal worries and reactions, this novel makes an old court case feel accessible to middle-grade readers and creates a notable community of care that envelopes the young protagonist. While the verse moves quickly and the Spanish is well integrated, both do ask for a confident reader to follow the story as it arcs Roberto to his ultimate court victory. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.