Bound To Stay Bound

Publishers Weekly - 03/23/2026 The exploits of a beloved family surfboard propel this earnest story from Feagan. Hanging on Lana’s mother’s surf-shop wall, the board, "aged by weather, use, and love," is venerated as the vessel upon which generations of women in the family learned to ride waves. After going out solo and losing the board in a big swell, Lana expects familial ire but instead finds "love for all of the memories the board had given them./ Love for the generations of surfers it carried." Meanwhile, the board floats along, becoming "a pirate ship, a storm-tossed toy, a lifesaver, and a bit of flotsam" before it’s discovered by a new child who furthers the cycle by using it to learn to surf. Watercolor-like effects appropriately appear throughout informal, loose-edged digital renderings, with vignettes in hues of seafoam, algae, and parchment capturing the board’s prehistory. It’s a personal-feeling tribute to surfing that spotlights the sport as one driven by chance, love, and resilience. Protagonists are portrayed with brown skin; background characters have various skin tones. Ages 4-8. (June) - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly used with permission.

Booklist - 06/01/2026 Lana, a young girl, helps her family run a surfboard shop. Hanging above the counter is a cherished family surfboard, “aged by weather, use, and love.” This surfboard has a long history, having “carried many people” and “journeyed many miles.” For generations, the women in Lana’s family have learned to surf on it: Lana’s great-grandmother taught herself first, then taught Lana’s grandmother, who taught Lana’s mother, who later taught Lana. Though Lana knows she isn’t supposed to take the special board out into the ocean alone, she can’t resist chasing the perfect wave. When a crash causes her to lose the board, she returns home expecting anger. Instead, she finds love and fond memories. The board continues its journey and is eventually found by another child who learns to surf with it. Vibrant digital illustrations heavily featuring various hues of blue and watercolor-like effects enhance the nautical atmosphere. This gentle story of Lana and her family, portrayed with brown skin, is a touching celebration of surfing, family memories, and learning to let go. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.