Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 06/21/2024 Gr 1–4—In illustrations with a finish that resembles craquelure, a crackled effect like that in ceramics, the story of Annie Londonderry, the first woman to ride a bicycle around the world, unfolds. Her real name was Annie Cohen Kopchovsky; with experience in advertising, she adopted the name Londonderry in exchange for $100 from the Londonderry Lithia Spring Water Company, and added a sign to her bike. The adventure began in 1894, when Londonderry, originally from Latvia, heard of the contest that would pay $10,000 upon the completion of the global journey. Two bike lessons later, pedal, balance, steer, she commenced. An author's note, time line of important historical moments in women's suffrage, and bibliography will help children who want to know more. The main narrative is a clipped third-person perspective, but speech bubbles convey Londonderry's own words, sourced in the back. What an industrious person! On the journey, she switched corset for bloomers, a heavy bike for a lightweight men's frame, and earned money as a speaker; after, she used the money to move her three children to New York where she worked for a newspaper. The scenes have a lovely, old-fashioned sensibility, but the elongated, Giacometti-like forms of the people dashing about in settings all over the world are dynamic and full of fun. VERDICT Bike trip, roller-coaster ride, feminist voyage—this story has it all, and it's true. For the biography shelves, this is full of heart, humor, and can-do spirit.—Kimberly Olson Fakih - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 01/17/2024 On June 25, 1894, young wife and mother Annie Kopchovsky (later known as Annie Londonderry) set off from her Boston home in an effort to become the first woman to cycle around the world. Buoyed by the promise of $10,000 if she completed the journey within 15 months, she pedaled first to Chicago, before backtracking to New York and sailing for France. Throughout her journey, she took full advantage of the rules, enabling her to travel by train and boat when necessary. She also supported her trek by accepting sponsorships from cycling companies, changing her name to reflect Londonderry bicycles, and giving public lectures where she frequently exaggerated her exploits. Jay’s varnished alkyd oil illustrations, rendered in sepia tones and greens with navy accents, capture the feel of the 1890s, when women in pants were a novelty. She also depicts maps that give a sense of Annie's adventures around the world and incorporates printed documents and text into the artwork. With generous back matter, this is a good addition to history and sports units. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.