Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/15/2026 K-Gr 3—Santoyo delivers a high-energy introduction to the world's most popular sport, providing a well-rounded summary for young enthusiasts while successfully balancing technical basics with the visceral excitement of the game. The narrative moves from the simple mechanics of kicking a ball to more detailed explanations of teamwork and the specific layout of the pitch, including diagrams of the penalty area and center mark. The information is accessible but surprisingly comprehensive for the age group. Santoyo covers the sport's global popularity and its deep history, tracing the game from its 1800s English roots back to ancient versions like Cuju. A highlight for many young readers will be the "Soccer Superstars" section, which profiles legendary athletes such as Pelé, noting his record of over 1,000 goals and three World Cup titles. The photography is essential to the book's success, featuring vibrant, high-action shots that allow readers to see and feel the intensity of a goalie's midair dive or the joy of a team huddle. The digital layout is clean, using colorful callouts to define rules and facts. Robust extra content includes a "Quiz Whiz" section to test comprehension and an illustrated glossary with terms like referee and versatile. VERDICT An easy, well-written entry for sports-loving early readers. Its combination of historical context and modern star power makes this a good addition to any elementary library soccer collection.—Richard Winters - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.