Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 03/01/2024 Lim’s story follows neighbor-friends Sofia and May as their friendship blossoms and blooms over the shared fence of their backyards. Using a rich pastel palette and closely following the movement of the two energetic children, Maydani’s artwork enhances this sweet tale of two friends sharing their summer adventures and looking for the good in each other. When Sofia and May leave their houses and backyards and find a sea of sourgrass, they vow to be best friends forever, no matter what. But when May moves away and the letters slow down, Sofia struggles through a cold and colorless winter without her friend and learns to trust May’s promise. As spring—and the sourgrass—blooms again for Sofia, Lim’s story reminds us that true friendship endures the harshest season, validating the emotional struggles over friends moving away, even as we root for Sofia and May to be reunited and to rekindle their friendship in the bright, sunlit patch of sourgrass. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.