Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 07/01/2025 Gr 1–5—Poems by authors ranging from Langston Hughes to Nikki Grimes focus on Black experiences. From the loving comfort of a grandma braiding a child's hair to the terror of being a 13-year-old stopped by a cop on the street, the poems cover African gods, historical figures, the environment, and everyday activities, with an emphasis on Black joy. Each spread incorporates one to three poems into full-color, watercolor illustrations. The drawings explode with exuberance, showing people in varying shades of black and brown: children dressed for Carnival dancing on a rainbow; a stunning negative space drawing with the silhouette of a girl filled with nature scenes, flanked by poems on either side; and a few drawings showing only nature or animals. The afterword is divided into two sections; one on culture and connection discusses the African diaspora, while the other focuses on civil rights movements in the United States and United Kingdom. Both sections provide insight and details on some of the poems selected. Indexes by author, title, and first lines of the poems make it easy to locate a specific poem or poet. VERDICT A strong first buy. This stellar combination of poetry and art draws readers into the wide experiences of being Black.—Tamara Saarinen - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 10/01/2025 *Starred Review* One hundred poems, compiled by Todd, showcase the culture and joy of Blackness. Poets of the past, such as Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou, and more contemporary voices, such as Renée Watson and Amanda Gorman, highlight the Black experience through verse and rich watercolor illustrations. From a mermaid who is as beautiful as she is dangerous to constellations that form famous Black people in history, the artwork is as memorable as the poems. The poems spotlight several facets of the Black experience, including the African diaspora, segregation, the importance of the Black family, and even Black hair care. Some poems focus on the real struggles of Black youth—for instance, the adultification of Black youth by police—while others focus on the realm of myth with the story of Anancy. People are illustrated in all shades of brown and black and with hair of various types and textures. Poetry forms range from haiku to free verse, with many styles in between. An introduction sets the scene for the anthology, while an afterword explains the cultural significance of several of the poems. This collection of poems can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.