Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/06/2024 PreS-Gr 3—The darkest home in the neighborhood, House is thrilled to welcome its new family; after all, House "longed to be like its neighbors with glowing Christmas trees, stockings hanging over crackling fireplaces, and a mailbox stuffed with cards." Maybe now that Huda and her family have moved in, it would finally be House's turn to shine. House waits patiently, but Huda's family doesn't decorate for the holidays. So focused on its lack of lights, House fails to notice all the light radiating from within: perhaps no Christmas lights hang from its roof, but warm hues emanate from inside as pinks, yellows, and earth tones surround a full, loving family. Lush illustrations beautifully complement the evocative text, as cold snow and ample white space yield to spreads rich with warmth and color. House slowly begins to feel "warm and cozy with its new family." When Eid arrives a few months later, House twinkles: "It was finally House's turn to shine." With an author's note introducing the celebration of Eid, this story educates readers about an important Muslim tradition while also providing a gentle nod to Muslim readers on the dilemma of being the only house on the block not celebrating—at least with lights—Christmas, Hanukkah, or Diwali. VERDICT Lyrical and lovely. Recommended for all collections.—Rebecca Kirshenbaum - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 09/15/2024 An empty house longs to be decorated with holiday lights. While other abodes in the neighborhood are adorned with colorful lamps for Diwali or flickering menorah candles on Hanukkah, House shivers and waits for “its turn to shine.” Huda and her parents move in during December, and House hopes it will finally don festive lights of its own, but when none are put up, “its curtains drooped.” At Christmas, House is warmed by the delicious aroma of cardamom rice and filled with joy by the arrival of Huda’s extended family. The descriptive text conveys the house’s heartfelt emotions and anthropomorphic gestures of affection. When Huda’s parents go to work so others can celebrate the yuletide, House wishes “it could hug them too, so it blew warm air from the heater on them.” A few months later, during Eid, House is aglow inside and out. Alam’s detailed illustrations capture cozy indoor scenes of familial togetherness and twinkling, starry nighttime neighborhood vistas. An illuminating picture book about holidays and what makes a house a home. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.