The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls by Judith Rossell

Magdalena "Maggie" Fishbone is being moved from one orphanage to another. She knocked a boy (who, to be fair, was bullying some younger children) off a dock into the water. And for that, she's being sent to the Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls. Luckily, all is not as it seems. Though the atmosphere is initially dreary, Maggie is somewhat heartened to meet two other new girls, Nell and Sofie. She is even more heartned to meet the director, Miss Mandelay. She has an eye patch and an aluminum leg and is more concerned that the girls learn useful skills than that they are "good."

I read about this on NPR's Best Books and it did not disappoint. 

Four stars

This book came out January 1, 2024

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own