Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 01/01/2026 In oratorical language that rises and falls like a fervent sermon, Duncan takes her subject from teased, stuttering child in the Mississippi cotton fields to renowned “King of the Blues.” Young Riley B. King bought his first guitar at age 12 and learned to play (at first) from a book. Losing his stutter when he opened his mouth to sing, he began as a busker; hitchhiked his way to Memphis, where he bought his electric guitar Lucille; shortened his name; made his first record; and then went on to “freedom, fame, and fortune” in the civil rights era and beyond. “Through rainstorms of grief and glad glimmers of sun, he planted seeds of joyous sounds,” she finishes. “. . . And blues music? It bloomed like a flower.” In Williams’ paint-and-collage scenes—geometric patterns, predominantly in pastel blues and greens—represent musical soundscapes behind the musician and groups of dark-skinned figures with reverently downcast eyes. A closing note and time line fill biographical gaps in the poetic narrative, and the back matter also includes a brief discography. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 01/30/2026 Gr 1–4—Readers can follow along as B.B. King leaves behind small town Mississippi for the Memphis blues scene in this picture book biography. The text captures the feel and rhythm of King's songs. It describes how his life "turned sweet as tupelo honey" when he found a place to play his music and how "he could play his blues and plant seeds of joy." Although it does not omit the challenges in his life, the story also acknowledges "the world became his stage." A combination of oil, acrylics, and collage creates scenes of rural farm life and Beale Street, as well as images of King busking on a street corner or riffing on his electric guitar. Patterns of shapes and colors in the background give images the feeling of quilt patterns or stained glass. Sheet music, record labels, and Jim Crow signs add even more layers to the illustrations, which will inspire children to learn more. Back matter includes a timeline, a brief description of King's humanitarian efforts, a few recommended albums, and a bibliography. There is also a list of blues museums to visit and recommended picture books about other blues artists. VERDICT A thoroughly accessible and enjoyable introduction to a blues legend; highly recommended for elementary school collections.—Suzanne Costner - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.