Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 07/01/2025 For the young narrator of this book, the anticipation of what Friday holds runs deep. School is closed, so the child’s Friday starts before dawn with a drive with Granny to the pier. A community of people come to fish there, and Granny and the child are among friends. Prayers are offered, equipment is sorted, and then there's the patient work of fishing. It's a lucky day, and by sunup the child and Granny have a bucketful of catfish. The illustrations pay homage to the fish, rendering them in splendid colors, alive with motion. Back home, the child is taught to skin and debone the fish, make batter and hush puppies, and prepare for the evening gathering. Thus far, the day has been an intimate time for child and grandparent alone, and their closeness is not lessened by the arrival of relatives and more food. Fish Fry Friday invites readers into a family tradition that, the author notes, was part of her childhood. A recipe for hush puppies closes out this beautiful and touching story. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.