Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 02/03/2025 This well-crafted novel by Anderson (Shout) opens in March 1776, on the eve of the Loyalists’ forced evacuation of Boston. Thirteen-year-old Patriot supporter Elsbeth Culpepper is new to Boston following relocating with her father from Philadelphia after her mother and siblings’ deaths from smallpox. When her father disappears on Evacuation Day, Elsbeth, passing for 16 due to her height, feels lucky to be hired as a servant by Patriot spy Mister Pike, even after the arrival of his large family, including their headstrong ward Hannah Sparhawk and demanding housekeeper. Quick-thinking Elsbeth conquers the chaos of the Pikes and finds a protector in Hannah but worries about her only friend in Boston, "masterless," orphaned Shube-who is suddenly inspiring a "strange volley of sensations" in her-and strives to find her father. Period details of daily life during the events of the founding of the United States-relayed via Elsbeth’s historically faithful narration-immerse readers in the era, and plot points become compellingly relevant to contemporary times when Boston is hit by the smallpox epidemic and controversies about inoculation abound. Dated chapters open with quotations from primary sources, enhancing the historical ambiance. Includes a map of Boston, source list, and bibliography. Main characters are white. Ages 10-14. (Apr.) - Copyright 2025

School Library Journal - 03/01/2025 Gr 4–7—Another masterly account of colonial life from Anderson. After losing her mother and siblings to smallpox, 13-year-old Elsbeth and her loving but distant father relocate to Boston, currently under British occupation. During a chaotic evacuation of the city in the spring of 1776, Elsbeth's father goes missing. Meanwhile, smallpox once again rears its ugly head, ravaging the war-torn city even further. The plucky Elsbeth starts working as a maid for the rambunctious Pike family, weaving several lies to keep up appearances and avoid the orphanage. But in a town where no one can be trusted, how long can she survive? The plot is action-packed, reflecting the unprecedented times of the era. Each chapter opens with a quote from a contemporary historical figure, cementing the sense of time and place. Colorful dialogue, including period-accurate insults, i.e., "dunderhead" and "numbskull," add authenticity. Depictions of violence and death are handled in an appropriate way for middle grade readers. Interspersed throughout the tension are moments of levity, mostly centered around the little dramas of living with a big family. Readers can draw several parallels between Elsbeth's life and modern times, such as the debate over smallpox inoculation. The page count may be daunting, but the short chapters and urgency conveyed in the writing make for a compelling read. Major characters are assumed white; there are brief allusions to slavery. VERDICT A must-buy for historical fiction collections, especially where Anderson's Chains and Fever 1793 are popular.—Hannah Grasse - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.