Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 12/16/2024 Driving across the U.S. may be doable now, but in 1903, horseless carriages traveled slowly and lacked roofs, seat belts, and windshields. And neither cross-country maps nor reliable infrastructure yet existed ("Cities and towns had streets, but highways? Nope!"). So when Horatio Nelson Jackson (1872-1955) accepts a wager of $50 to drive to Vermont from San Francisco in less than three months, the journey takes on epic dimensions. McAnulty (the Our Universe series) follows with verve the progress of Jackson, bicycle racer and mechanic Sewall Crocker (1883-1913), and dog Bud as they journey east in a Winton touring car they call "Vermont." Jackson doesn’t initially know how to drive, the vehicle bounces so roughly that supplies are lost overboard, and better-prepared competitors try to steal their thunder. But Jackson, who has "money and... a stubborn, nothing-will-stop-me spirit," remains undaunted. Comical, digitally drafted artwork by Baddeley (Splash!) supplies period details, extensive landscapes, and plenty of exaggerated action-pelting rain, flying objects, clouds of dust, and cheering fans. Even inventions have awkward early years, the creators reveal in this can-do telling. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4-8. Author’s agent: Lori Kilkelly, LK Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Alexandra Penfold, Upstart Crow Literary. (Mar.) - Copyright 2024

School Library Journal - 06/20/2025 Gr 3–5—McAnulty takes readers on a cross-country road trip at the dawn of the automotive age. The narrative follows Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson, who in 1903 wagers he can drive from California to New York in a "horseless carriage," a term for a car, which was considered cutting-edge technology. This feat is especially challenging due to the absence of GPS, road maps, and paved roads. But with the help of his mechanic, Sewall Crocker, and the moral support of an adorable dog they pick up along the way, Jackson manages the nationwide trek and wins the bet. McAnulty's detailed prose is punctuated by key dates and onomatopoeic flourishes that evoke the era's bumpy rides. The journey is complemented by vibrant digital illustrations characterized by clean lines and crisp colors. Back matter includes a map, time line, fun facts, and a list of sources. There isn't a natural and obvious classroom fit although the book can be worked into studies on inventions. VERDICT Recommended as a purchase for history-minded students or those interested in the auto industry in its early days.—Chance Lee Joyner - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 02/01/2025 *Starred Review* In 1903, Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson bet $50 that he could drive his automobile, named the Vermont, from San Francisco to New York within three months. Accompanied by a mechanic and (later) a trusty dog, Jackson drove eastward. To paraphrase Murphy’s Law, everything that could go wrong, did go wrong, sometimes repeatedly. Traveling down a dirt road during a rainstorm, the Vermont got stuck in the mud 17 times in one day. Tires went flat, batteries went dead, and spare auto parts were seldom available in rural America. Unknown to the travelers, two other teams were now competing against them, racing to the East Coast. Despite mishaps along the way, Jackson won his bet, but his expenses exceeded $8,000. While kids today might have a hard time imagining their world without automobiles, children in the early twentieth century were fascinated by the sight of a “horseless carriage.” Baddeley’s digital illustrations reflect the droll, easygoing tone of the narrative, which suggests a bygone era. The back matter offers a map of Jackson’s journey and a number of fun facts, such as “Outside Caldwell, Idaho, the Vermont ran over a skunk.” Well researched and full of gentle wit, this picture book is fun for reading aloud. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.