Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 07/12/2024 Gr 2–4—While not quite the memoir of a wanton troublemaker, this is the tale of a real-life lovable scamp along the lines of Sara Pennypacker's Clementine. With the help of Johnston, Wang gives her audience a sense of her family's life in Inner Mongolia in the early 1980s, growing potatoes, awaiting the arrival of the local popcorn vendor, and celebrating the New Year. Young Jin—then known as Haiyan—is depicted in illustrations with a grin and two skyward-pointing pigtails, the kind of exuberant kid anyone would want to follow up a tree or join to see if an icy doorknob is as delicious as it looks. This is an approachable memoir for readers transitioning into chapter books, with episodic storytelling that honors a child's viewpoint and avoids too much explanation. A long recovery from a possible rabies infection is presented with the same matter-of-fact tone as hunting for mushrooms after the rain. Some readers will need coaxing to consider picking up Born Naughty, as high stakes and drama are nearly nonexistent, save one scene in which Haiyan's Ma fights off a thunderstorm. Back matter includes illuminating information on how the authors began their collaboration. VERDICT Part Ramona Quimby, part Little House on the Prairie, this is a charming snapshot of one child's lived experience in Inner Mongolia.—Alexandra Quay - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 04/01/2024 *Starred Review* Bursting with delightful shenanigans, merry adventures, and family love, this memoir follows Jin Wang as an eight-year-old in the village of Nan Ba Zi, in the province of Inner Mongolia, China. It’s 1982 (which is revealed only in the concluding author’s note), and Jin lives in a one-room mud house with her mother and two younger brothers while her father, who works far away producing bamboo steamers, makes rare visits home. Episodic chapters, written in a conversational style and complemented with expressive spot art, charm readers with short narratives about daily living, friendship, cultural traditions, and sometimes being a bit naughty for the sake of fun. From traveling with her father to fill their water tank (as their home has no running water) to watching her mother stab the earth with a knife to quell a powerful thunderstorm, Jin’s stories depict some of the beliefs and customs from her village. Other stories—like enjoying warm treats from the traveling popcorn man during a cold winter and feeling proud for climbing trees better than boys—reveal the collective pleasures of childhood and community. The final chapter, with descriptive scenes of New Year’s preparations and festivities, ends Jin’s year on a high note. The mostly unfamiliar setting combines with common feelings from youth to create a unique story of wonder and joy. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.