Bee, orphaned and starving, impulsively steals a bun from a bakery, which sets off a life-changing sequence of events. Unexpectedly, the baker makes her his apprentice, and Bee discovers that not only does she have a talent for baking but that she can magically include her feelings as ingredients. When summoned to deliver pastries to the castle, Bee comes in contact with Annika, the hidden princess, who is herself an orphan and under the control of her father's mage, Master Joris. The two girls then journey away from their homes as they seek help to remove Master Joris from the power he has usurped and is abusing at the expense of the people he is supposed to be helping. Long-lost relatives, a band of pirates led by a salty female captain, and floating islands of lost trees are thrown into the mix. But, like a good recipe, it all comes together. Standout secondary characters, a creative environmental twist, and just enough intrigue make this a pleasing adventure story for middle-grade readers.

Gr 3-6 A cozy fantasy adventure featuring strong female characters. In the Holland-esque kingdom of Aradyn, hungry orphan Bee's theft of a pastry leads to a job and temporary home in a bakery. Bee's newfound happiness magically infuses her baked goods with positive feelings, and the business's increasing popularity attracts the attention of the palace. Powerful mage and pastry lover Master Joris has become guardian to the orphan princess, is holding her captive, and has converted all arable land into valuable tulip fields at the expense of trees. Using magic from the village blacksmith's assistant, Bee helps the lonesome Princess Anika escape a forced marriage. As their shoddy vessel sinks, the group is saved by a crew of tulip-hijacking pirates led by the fierce Zafira Zay. A high seas adventure leads to surprising discoveries about assumed-dead relatives and long-lost trees. The plucky orphan finding magic and friendship is not a new theme, but ample action and charming characters like Bee, Princess Anika, and Captain Zafira Zay make this an entertaining read with an empowering message for girls, while still maintaining cross-gender appeal. Fans of Lisa Graff's A Tangle of Knots (Philomel, 2013) or Ingrid Law's Savvy (Dial, 2008) will find a satisfying analogue in this volume. A recipe for the prominently featured delicacy "Bouts Buns" is included. VERDICT Text complexity and a wholesome plot make this a good choice for higher-level readers in lower grades. A solid addition to larger middle grade collections. Deidre Winterhalter, Niles Public Library, Niles, Illinois