Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 01/01/2026 No one rocks harder at Héctor P. Garcia Elementary than first-grade drummer Lupe Lopez, and she wants to prove it by winning the upcoming talent show with her all-girl band. Enter Radiant Reynosa, a new girl with mad musical and dancing skills. Lupe immediately sees her as competition, but her friends ask Radiant to join their band. As the girls rehearse, Radiant tunes Ruby’s guitar, helps Ana sing on pitch, and points out that Lupe is slightly off tempo—which Lupe does not appreciate. Her bandmates, however, are grateful for the help, leading Lupe to feel “her star dimming in Radiant’s shadow.” In response, Lupe quits the band, but her teacher encourages her to think about how much brighter a cluster of stars is than a single star. Cepeda’s bright, energetic illustrations accompany text that blends Spanish phrases and musical sounds into the unfolding narrative. A follow-up to Lupe Lopez: Rock Star Rules (2022), this enjoyable picture book speaks to how being competitive can lead one astray or to overlook the awesome potential of teamwork. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 01/30/2026 Gr 1–4—This picture book about an all-girl rock band and rival band members is a fun and entertaining read. Lupe, who has light brown skin, is a first grader who is in a band and considers herself to be the only rock star at her school, until a new girl joins the band and takes the spotlight away from Lupe. Radiant, who has dark brown skin, can do everything that Lupe can do, possibly better. A school talent show is coming up, but Radiant soon joins Lupe's band and seems to take over Lupe's role. The story is well thought out and easy to follow. The English version has a sprinkling of Spanish that flows with the story. The Spanish-language version is completely in Spanish. Younger children may need help with the vocabulary. All characters seem to be Latine but with different skin colors, varying shades of white, brown, and black. Painterly illustrations were created digitally. The artwork is colorful with a similar palette throughout—fuchsia, purple, and green. The colors are pleasing to the eye and match Lupe's personality. VERDICT These relatable picture books can be enjoyed by early primary school readers, even if they are older than the first-grade protagonist. The resonant themes of rivalry and friendship and the title character's energy make them definite buys for every children's collection.—Margaret Puentes - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.