Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 05/01/2025 Gr 3–7—An absurd, sincere, and whimsical series about a highly inventive orphan. Bridget Baxter has lived at Miss Acrid's Orphanage for Errant Childs for the past nine years and has always been shut away during the one time a year when Families visit the orphanage to adopt a child. However, when Bridget overhears Ernest Vanderpuff, Belle-on-Sea's famous baker, asking specifically for her, she takes it upon herself to escape Miss Acrid once and for all. In book one, Bridget finds a home in the bake shop with Mr. Vanderpuff and Pascal, the bakery's elf. In book two, Bridget uses her extraordinary inventions to solve the mystery of the town-destroying Ghost Train. Bridget is a delightful protagonist and her relationships with friends and new family members are sweet and supportive. Stewart does an excellent job of introducing extravagant vocabulary without intimidating new readers. The books also include silly footnotes that add to the series' fanciful nature. VERDICT A charming readalike for fans of Roald Dahl's Matilda. - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.