Bound To Stay Bound

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School Library Journal - 03/01/2017 Gr 3–5—On June 11, 1963, President John F. Kennedy gave an eloquent speech in which he made a plea for civil rights for African Americans. He was lauded for his blunt but sincere appeal to ensure equality for all Americans. Corey begins with biographical information on Kennedy, including his wealthy upbringing in an influential family, his illnesses as a child, his run for Congress, and his eventual election to the presidency. The text then segues into the struggle of African Americans to achieve civil rights, detailing the arduous work of sit-ins, marches, and Freedom Rides. Finally, the story returns to Kennedy's 1963 speech to Congress. Though mostly adulatory in tone, the book points out that Kennedy was, for political reasons, hesitant to take action, thus providing a contrast between the man who wrote Profiles in Courage and the politician in the White House. Christie's impressionistic illustrations are poignant and enhance the straightforward narrative. Back matter includes a section that identifies notable figures featured in the artwork and offers additional background on them. VERDICT Though there are numerous biographies on Kennedy for this audience, few focus solely on his role in civil rights, making this work a dynamic addition for U.S. history collections.—Margaret Nunes, Gwinnett County Public Library, GA - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 04/01/2017 *Starred Review* This picture-book biography of John Kennedy’s life, which celebrates his one hundredth birthday, focuses on his hesitations and then help with the civil rights movement. The story moves chronologically, introducing the second in a wealthy family of nine; the kid who liked to read; the slacker (and often ill) brother of the family’s shining star, Joe. The staccato text, moving quickly through Jack’s childhood, adolescence, and war years, sometimes misses out on nuances (young Jack didn’t merely write a letter to his father about his allowance; it was brash, funny, and pointed), but offers a fine overall sense of the early Kennedy. The book gets meatier—and uses slightly longer sentences—as it explains the impact of the civil rights movement on the country, Kennedy’s presidency, and the man himself. Corey does an excellent job of subtly showing the contradictions between some of Kennedy’s words; for instance, quoting him as a candidate saying, “We must act in the image of Abraham Lincoln,” and then, as president, moving cautiously on voting rights to avoid disturbing Southern Democrats. Though the “big speech” of the book’s subtitle refers to his civil rights address of 1963, there are other important quotes here for readers to ponder. The dramatic and innovative illustrations beautifully capture a place in time and the people who inhabited it. The back matter is a powerful addition to a most thoughtful book. - Copyright 2017 Booklist.

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