Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 09/20/2024 Gr 4–8—A comprehensive and revelatory volume on Mexican American history. Dorado Romo adeptly manages to fit in the vast and complex history of Mexican Americans, from their Indigenous roots to current-day issues, in this volume for middle graders. Along the way, he dispels long-held and racist beliefs, like the Clovis theory, which posits that the first peoples appeared in North America not more than 12,000 years ago. Native archeology has concluded that the number is most likely 23,000 or more. The work also cuts through white supremacist perspectives of major events, such as the Alamo and the Mexican Revolution. The narrative is peppered with photos, reproductions, and sidebars. Every chapter concludes with thought-provoking discussion questions. Major topics like the Chicano Movement and immigration are covered with nuance. Profiles on important figures, such as writer Gloria Anzaldúa, muralist Judith Baca, and the students at Bowie High School, are seamlessly integrated into the sections. The writing is impassioned and accessible and will certainly inspire young people to further research not only Mexican American history but also what they've learned about other marginalized peoples in the United States. Back matter includes resources for young readers and a bibliography. VERDICT This fills in gaps and turns history on its head. An absolute must for nonfiction collections.—Shelley M. Diaz - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 06/01/2024 Mexican Americans, Romo contends, “originally didn’t cross the border—rather, the border crossed them.” In this insightful overview of Mexican American history, part of the Race to the Truth series, the author focuses on the Native peoples of the borderlands and the migration between what is now Mexico and the U.S. for thousands of years. In the process, he explains how both Spanish and Anglo-American colonizers tried to stamp out Native identity and how U.S. history has reframed events rather than acknowledge that the creation of Texas was a violent land grab, as well as other painful truths. Readers will also discover equally agonizing facts, such as U.S. eugenic policies that targeted Mexican Americans and inspired Nazi Germany, which have been forgotten by many over time. Later chapters follow more recent history, from the Chicano Movement to the El Paso border as “ground zero” in a current war against immigration. Concluding chapter questions and interspersed archival photos and personal stories (many of young people) with direct quotes encourage thoughtful comprehension and analysis of the complex issues. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.