Bound To Stay Bound

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School Library Journal - 05/01/2014 Gr 1–4—It's 1927 in the Bronx, and George Henry Alexander loves baseball, the Yankees, and, most of all, The Bambino a.k.a. Babe Ruth. For his birthday, he will be going to see a Yankees/Red Sox game with his father, but to his horror, his mother insists that he wear a Red Sox jersey that was a birthday gift. How will George survive wearing the jersey of the enemy? What if The Babe sees him? This story is beautifully written and full of nostalgia, and the book's illustrations expertly depict the main characters. Jason Alexander's narration is the icing on the cake, adding fun character voices and New York accents to this tale of Americana. Students and adults of all ages will enjoy listening, especially anyone with ties to the Red Sox/Yankees century-old rivalry. This work is a true gem.—Jessica Gilcreast, Bedford High School, Bedford, New Hampshire - Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Bulletin for the Center... - 06/01/2014 Summer, 1927. George’s best birthday present ever: tickets to see Babe Ruth wallop the Red Sox. His worst birthday present ever: a Red Sox jersey and cap from a well-meaning but clueless uncle. Ma insists that George wear the humiliating get-up to the game and the experience is as bad as he expects, with his bright red cap amid a sea of Yankee blue a magnet for catcalls and ridicule. It also catches the eye of the Babe just before he belts one out of the park, however, and George’s surrounding enthusiasts realize from the boy’s cheering just whose side he’s really on. There’s still some anxiety when two “big palookas” escort George and his father into the bowels of the stadium, where they meet the great one himself, who rightly guesses, “You’re not really a Red Sox fan, are you, kid?” The Bambino then promptly signs George’s baseball card, gears him up with proper Yankee garb, and offers a few parting words of wisdom. Pullen joins a league of other illustrators who have a ton of fun caricaturing the Babe, but he does full comic justice to the rest of the cast as well, exaggerating George’s drama-prince reactions to the whirlwind events. The illustrations also incorporate in a monumental double-page spread an unmistakable eyelock and finger-point to outfield (which may or may not be directed at George), in a slyly prophetic reference to Ruth’s much-debated gesture in the 1932 World Series. Hyman offers some closing thoughts on George Herman Ruth in a closing note, commenting on his 1927 season and on his renowned geniality toward kids. And since every fan appreciates a ballpark giveaway, an audio CD of the text is included. EB - Copyright 2014 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 06/01/2014 Gr 2–4—In 1927, 10-year-old George follows his beloved Yankees and their star, Babe Ruth, on the radio. With no money for tickets, he can only dream of seeing a game. Then his parents surprise him with a pair of tickets for his birthday. Alas, Uncle Alvin in Boston has also sent a present: a Red Sox jersey and cap, which his mother insists that he wear to the game. When George angrily protests, she washes his mouth out with soap. Crestfallen, he trudges to the game with his dad, with the catcalls of Yankee fans ringing in his ears, noting, "I would've rather kissed a girl—that's how bad it was!" A delightful surprise awaits him at the ballpark. Pullen's oversize oil paintings memorably capture the farcically exaggerated emotions. George and the other characters have rubbery faces with prominent noses and knobby chins and ears. Falling between caricature and cartoon, they're an inspired complement to the wry humor. Mixing just the right amount of nostalgia, pitch-perfect storytelling, and baseball fantasy, Pullen and Hyman have crafted a winning tale for readers, young and old—even Red Sox fans will find it irresistible—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA - Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

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