Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 11/01/2022 Brooklyn born with Barbadian roots, Shirley Chisholm was at the vanguard of the fight for more inclusive politics emerging in the U.S. during the 1960s and ’70s. This picture-book biography celebrates her successes, indomitable spirit, and lasting legacy through an effective combination of free-verse poetry and digital collage illustrations. It begins with Chisholm’s childhood, highlighting how even at a young age, Chisholm recognized inequities in the treatment of “Black and brown people . . . / women and poor people. / People like her family.” Brown follows her course from teacher to a hardworking political leader invested in helping marginalized groups be heard, a calling that would take Chisholm to the New York State Assembly, the U.S. Congress, and the 1972 presidential race. With each new achievement, a refrain of “but she wasn’t done yet” echoes through the text, underscoring this remarkable woman’s drive. Crews folds texture, patterns, and wonderful details into her artwork that evoke the time and setting, as well as Chisholm’s sparkling character. A detailed time line and bibliography give this well-researched biography extra clout. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 11/01/2022 Gr 1–4—This picture book biography chronicles pioneer and activist Shirley Chisholm's journey from teacher to congresswoman through verse and striking photo collage illustrations. Chisholm spent her childhood in Barbados and then Brooklyn, NY. From an early age, she possessed a fighting spirit and a laser-focus on fairness and equality. She hated the prejudice she observed and encountered based on skin color, gender, and income level. Having witnessed the power of education in her own life, Chisholm decided to become an educator. Her advocacy work for healthcare, children, and the environment led her to help with political campaigns, and that was when she began to see her own potential, and ran for a place in the New York State Assembly representing Brooklyn. Chisholm eventually became the first Black woman elected to Congress. She felt unwelcome there but persevered, hiring an all-female staff. She also ran for the U.S. presidency, though unsuccessfully. Free-verse style is unified by the refrain "But she wasn't done yet," and peppered with paraphrased quotes from Chisholm. The layered, collage-style digital illustrations are show-stoppers, especially the bold patterns that make the clothing look textured and evoke the many decades of style she lived and worked through. Back matter includes author and illustrator notes and a helpful time line of Chisholm's life. VERDICT Many speak her name but few younger readers know her work; this is recommended for early nonfiction collections.—Lauren Younger - Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 11/01/2022 Brooklyn born with Barbadian roots, Shirley Chisholm was at the vanguard of the fight for more inclusive politics emerging in the U.S. during the 1960s and ’70s. This picture-book biography celebrates her successes, indomitable spirit, and lasting legacy through an effective combination of free-verse poetry and digital collage illustrations. It begins with Chisholm’s childhood, highlighting how even at a young age, Chisholm recognized inequities in the treatment of “Black and brown people . . . / women and poor people. / People like her family.” Brown follows her course from teacher to a hardworking political leader invested in helping marginalized groups be heard, a calling that would take Chisholm to the New York State Assembly, the U.S. Congress, and the 1972 presidential race. With each new achievement, a refrain of “but she wasn’t done yet” echoes through the text, underscoring this remarkable woman’s drive. Crews folds texture, patterns, and wonderful details into her artwork that evoke the time and setting, as well as Chisholm’s sparkling character. A detailed time line and bibliography give this well-researched biography extra clout. - Copyright 2022 Booklist.