Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/31/2024 K-Gr 4—In a second-person narrative of short, lyrical sentences, Kelkar relates the journey of the magnificent Kohinoor Diamond from the sediment in South Asia to a place of pride in the Peacock Throne, and then into a saga of theft on theft and literal degradation at the demands of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, going from over 190 carats to 93 because it is "not enough." In an author's note, readers learn of the shocking aftermath of the gem's journey: to this day, it is part of England's jewel stash in the Tower of London and it was said that Camilla, queen consort, planned to wear it at Charles's coronation before media attention pointed out its status as stolen goods. Exquisite illustrations of doe-eyed children and adults with brown skin were created from cut paper and materials such as metals, beads, gems, fabrics, and more, all assembled into collage by hand or digitally. Whether moodily atmospheric, haunted by the actions of colonizers, or melancholy with loss, the scenes convey the emotions of Kelkar's text, which returns to "And yet you shine" as both mantra and mandate—the diamond is still here, and history is no longer on the side of the thieves. Back matter, beyond the long and worthwhile author's note, includes further reading, bibliography, and study questions (for example, the complications of returning stolen artifacts even though keeping them is also abhorrent). VERDICT Share the book by inverting it; the author's note will settle children into a wicked and relevant history lesson. As lyrical as the light verse telling is, children need this context urgently to appreciate the beauty of the message.—Ginnie Abbott - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 02/01/2024 *Starred Review* A large diamond emerges from a riverbed in what is now India. It becomes a part of the Peacock Throne until it is looted by warriors who cart it and countless other treasures off to Iran. Many years later, it returns to India (now under British colonial rule), where it remains until its young keeper is tricked out of ownership, sending it to Britain, where it resides today as part of the crown jewels. Kelkar's lyrical telling makes clear the dire results of colonial oppression. Unspeakable things happen to this jewel (Britain's Prince Albert has it recut and shaped to adhere to Western standards of beauty, reducing its size by half), but, throughout, the diamond shines. Digitally enhanced cut-paper collage artwork dazzles the eye, from the teal-and-blue endpapers containing remnants of the gem's history, to the gleaming treasure whose light shines brightly, to depictions of other jewels with which it has shared company. Particularly impressive is an image of the sparkling marvel centered atop symbolic representations of its history. The back matter (containing a concise history, a definition of colonization, suggestions for decolonizing, and a discussion of stolen museum treasures) will be extremely helpful to adults sharing this story and those wishing to delve deeper. A gem not to be missed. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.