Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 08/01/2024 *Starred Review* This captivating picture book seamlessly blends family and community connections, cultural heritage, and the universal theme of finding one’s place in the world. Young Angélica spends her summer at her abuelos’ home, full of her tíos, tías, y primos in the Dominican Republic. Upon her departure, her abuelo gifts her a güira, an instrument passed down from his mother, symbolizing their family’s rich musical legacy. Cruz’s narrative is heartwarming and evocative, capturing the essence of Angélica’s journey as she transitions from the warmth of her grandparents’ home to her bustling Washington Heights neighborhood. The güira serves as a tangible connection to her Dominican roots and her abuelo’s stories of her lineage’s musical magic, sparking a desire in her to recreate that enchantment. The illustrations, rendered in a digital watercolor style, are bustling with color and warmth, inviting readers into Angélica’s vibrant world and effectively conveying her imagination and emotions of excitement, frustration, determination, and yearning as she struggles to find a place to play her güira. Cruz beautifully captures the dissonance between Angélica’s memories of her summer and present reality, highlighting her quest to bring the magic of music into her everyday life. This delightful and meaningful read offers young readers a powerful glimpse into cultural identity, family bonds, and the power of music to bring communal joy and connection to one’s heritage. Simultaneously released in Spanish as Angélica y la güira. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.