Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 12/15/2009 For many readers, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel A Little Princess remains a perfect story a century after it was first published. But as McKay points out in her introduction to this original sequel, Burnett’s ending leaves the reader right where he (or, most likely, she) started: back at Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary, a grim boarding school in early-twentieth-century London, without Sara, the rags-to-riches star of the novel. McKay’s offering, which begins shortly before Sara leaves, lacks the original novel’s exciting trajectory and focuses instead on creating backstories for Burnett’s characters. Here, snotty Lavinia is actually a young feminist who dreams of attending Oxford; tenderhearted, dull-witted Ermengarde discovers that she is brave and imaginative; and irrepressible young wild child Lottie turns out to be the unlikely voice of reason. Readers new to the story may struggle to make connections between characters and events, but with her trademark blend of sly comedy and emotional insights, McKay captures the enchanting, old-fashioned mood of the original while adding some timeless truths about friendship, female ambition, and children’s resilience. - Copyright 2009 Booklist.

Bulletin for the Center... - 02/01/2010 Though this is labeled a sequel to Burnett’s A Little Princess, it isn’t simply a what-happened-next, it’s also a complementary view of the Edwardian classic. The narrative here follows the left-behind girls, especially Sara’s special friend Ermengarde, little protégé Lottie, and nemesis Lavinia, at Miss Minchin’s Seminary now that Sara has headed off into her glamorous new life and communicates only by letters. McKay doesn’t entirely reject the fairy-tale world Burnett created, but she brings her spirited, humorous contemporary view and unique ebullience (McKay fans will particularly recognize the comic intensity of the group dynamics and the barely controlled chaos of the child clan) to the scene. She also straightforwardly addresses some of the awkward questions contemporary readers may ask about the original work: how do the unhappy girls not included in Sara’s escape feel? What is to be done with the class-limited but beloved kitchen maid Becky (McKay marries her off while Sara privately acknowledges her relief at that solution)? How did they all get there, and doesn’t anybody really care about these girls? The result is a more complex and realistic work than its original, with understanding generated for even unsympathetic characters and a willingness to acknowledge Sara as less than perfect. Mostly it’s about change, as girls and teachers find in Sara’s altered circumstances either a reminder of their own stasis (Miss Minchin secretly drinks, haunted by the memory of Sara) or an impetus to move into a new direction themselves (Miss Amelia resumes a shy flirtation with the vicar, while Lavinia launches herself at the escape presented by a university education). Fans of Burnett, especially those a few years on from their initial read, will find this an interesting comment on as well as companion to the initial story, while McKay followers starting here may find this sends them back to the original work. DS - Copyright 2010 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

School Library Journal - 03/01/2010 Gr 4–7— One hundred years after the publication of Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess , this welcome sequel opens with a quick, smooth retelling of the original story, then launches into the new one as Sara Crewe and erstwhile scullery maid Becky leave the Select Seminary for Young Ladies. Particularly bereft is Ermengarde, who depended on Sara's academic help and moral support and now, in her insecurity, questions whether they were really friends after all. She writes but never sends long newsy letters to Sara, telling of Lottie's mischief; Miss Minchin's mysterious condition; and Miss Amelia's kinder, gentler administration of the school. The big news is that an intriguing boy and his uncle, a university and music tutor, have moved into the vacated quarters next door, bringing stories of Oxford and the intellectual life that have Lavinia fired up for higher learning. It's all a pleasant romp until it turns serious as, late one night, Lottie accidentally sets the Seminary on fire with everyone trapped inside. A dramatic, heart-stopping climax reveals some unexpected heroes and a most satisfying conclusion. McKay has skillfully captured and enhanced the flavor of the original with her droll style and spot-on characterization; despite the insipid title, her lively, absorbing storytelling has left melodrama behind. Her blending of the hilarious with the grave (the fire is truly terrifying) is fast paced and pitch-perfect for the modern reader. With this worthy sequel, McKay has given the classic story new life. Pen-and-ink single- and double-page sketches, reminiscent of the work of Quentin Blake, add a light visual touch to this delightful novel.—Marie Orlando, North Shore Public Library, Shoreham, NY - Copyright 2010 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.