Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 07/29/2022 PreS-Gr 3—This is an openly political book. It's written by a 13-year-old girl who spoke about her mother's deportation at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, and she has been forced to have a clear agenda. It's also a moving personal perspective about living under the constant threat of immigration laws that tear families apart. The Juarez family lives in a vibrant Floridian paradise. The beginning depicts a joyous family. The government officials, here portrayed by literal shadows darkening the walls of the family home, bring uncertainty as they threaten Estela's immigrant mother. The large, expressive eyes of the main characters draw readers in, illuminating the pain of separation. The illustrations, radiant when the loving family is together, become bleak and broken. It ends with moments of bright color seeping in as Estela commits to speaking up until her family can be together again. Admirably, while the book is hopeful, it cannot end on a clear happy note, because everything is not resolved. The closure is a small girl using all she has, her voice, to work towards a better tomorrow. VERDICT A humanizing—and necessarily upsetting—glimpse into immigration policies and the power of speaking out; share judiciously and with supplementary discussion.—Cat McCarrey - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 01/01/2023 This review was written for the Spanish edition of this title, Hasta que alguien me escuche. Accompanied by vibrant and uplifting illustrations from Martinez, this emotional, autobiographical account follows four-year-old Juarez as her mother is unexpectedly deported and the girl consequently takes action, writing to Congress and to the president, and eventually speaking in public forums to bring attention to the injustice of her family’s plight. Throughout the book, Juarez’s love and admiration for her mother shines through, as well as her respect for her mother’s role as a hard-working immigrant who moved to America in search of hope, success, and family. As the author’s note explains, her family’s separation threatened to tear them apart, and now that she has been temporarily reunited with her mother, her family and their support system continue to work tirelessly to bring their loved one home for good. The writing here is direct and unafraid to hold back, while still remaining gentle to young readers, and the illustrations capture the roller coaster of overwhelming emotions that affects families in this type of situation. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.