Bound To Stay Bound

Publishers Weekly - 02/16/2026 Debut author Morris mixes tongue-in-cheek humor, subtle social commentary, and beguiling fantasy adventure vibes to present a thoughtful series opener. For his 11th birthday, Olly receives a hand-me-down jacket, a kite, pressed flowers, and a request from his parents that he get a job to support the family. Following instructions from a mysterious listing calling for someone "unafraid to die," Olly finds himself at Dragon House, a refuge hidden from Oakridge denizens, who believe dragons imaginary. Eager to avoid employment at Oakridge’s silverware factory, which is notorious for its unsafe working conditions, Olly accepts a job offer from Dragon House’s wise proprietor Dr. Lady, who teaches him about polishing death wyrm scales and bonding with kitchen-dwelling fairy-dragons. The work proves peaceful until Dr. Lady is poisoned by an unknown rival. Her only hope for an antidote requires that Olly-accompanied by his new draconic friends-embark on a journey that will test his courage and compassion. Even as he contends with wealth inequality, the negative effects of societal progress, and other physical and moral dangers, Olly emanates unwavering kindness and empathy, imparting a positive energy to pulse-pounding plotting, which juxtaposes the coziness of Dragon House against the gritty realism of Oakridge’s industrial revolution. Olly cues as white; Dr. Lady has brown skin. Ages 8-12. Agent: Sarah Fisk, Tobias Literary. (May) - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly used with permission.

School Library Journal - 03/27/2026 Gr 4–7—Turning 11 in Aldea means leaving school to work in the factories, but Olly is not ready to give up his dreams. While searching for employment, he answers a mysterious advertisement and instead finds himself at a boardinghouse for dragons. Inside the TARDIS-like home lives a lively assortment of creatures, including fairy-, bat-, and rock-type dragons, along with a poetry-loving death wyrm who would rather eat Olly than befriend him. When Olly and his companions set out to retrieve a rare ingredient, the story unfolds into a quest filled with rough terrain, sharp humor, and steadily developing lore. Morris builds a whimsical fantasy world rich with playful names and layered mythos while grounding the adventure in Olly's struggle to define his own path. As the journey progresses, he must also navigate Aldea's political machinations and the secrets kept by those closest to him. The book's ending leaves room for future installments featuring this eccentric cast of dragons and wizards. Olly is cued white. VERDICT A must-purchase fantasy for middle grade collections. This imaginative dragon adventure with humor and heart is best suited to readers who enjoy immersive worldbuilding and quest-driven stories.—Rachel Joiner - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 05/01/2026 Olly Atwood has just turned 11 and needs a job. In his town of Oakridge, a factory-filled corner of the magical world of Aldea, kids are expected to work to help their families. When a mysterious job posting brings Olly to the house of Dr. Lady Abernathy, he learns that dragons aren’t only in Aldea’s distant past; rather, they’re still alive—and in danger. When Dr. Lady inexplicably falls ill, it’s up to Olly and his new dragon friends to search for an antidote. This ragtag group of hellhounds, fairy dragons, and even a wyrm encounter ferocious Dracorgis (yes, a corgi-dragon mix), thieves, and a bumbling alchemist on their quest. In this series starter, debut author Morris weaves a heartfelt story that is equal parts earnest and silly. T he subtle social commentary on economic hierarchy and the healing power of memories adds some depth to an otherwise purely fantastical story. Readers can find themselves reflected in the characters who, at times, can feel underestimated but prove that accomplishing what seems impossible can be done with the help of friends. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.