Reviews written by Melissa A. Craven, Indie Manager

The Confidence Code for Girls is an empowering read every girl should have in their arsenal. So many girls struggle with confidence, learning to cope with being a woman in a world hell bent on making them feel like they are never good enough, pretty enough or smart enough. ...

I was drawn to this book because of the musical theme and it wasn’t disappointing. Who’s that girl is a perfect, light summer read for contemporary fiction fans. I loved Nattie’s quirky goofball personality because I can really identify with her awkwardness. The idea of having...

Like many adults, I have a deep, abiding love for classic literature—a love that did not begin during my childhood. Perhaps if I had access to books like this gem, I would have discovered authors like Dickens much earlier in life. What’s so Special about Dickens...

Hartfield begins her in depth look at the history of the Chicago race riots recounting the events of a simple day at the beach, which turned ugly as blood was spilled when a white man killed a young black boy for venturing where he “didn’t belong.” ...

Sandler brings history to life through the myths and legends of the Whydah, an 18th century pirate ship which sank just off the coast of Cape Cod in 1717. The narrative is easy to follow, plain English that keeps the reader engaged with tales of pirate...

Where was this book when I was a girl? Ibrahim talks about every embarrassing subject tween girls face each day and often don’t feel like they can ask questions about. Her matter of fact tone, funny and honest approach to these subjects gives young readers a chance to...

From the stories to the wonderfully creepy illustrations, Norse Myths offers a comprehensive look at all the tales of the gods and goddesses of the often confusing Norse pantheon. I particularly enjoyed the sections on the gods and goddesses, and the dwarves and giants as well...

Sivan has spent years bouncing around the foster care system, experiencing one traumatic emotional trial after another until she can no longer function or even trust anyone. Enter Betty—exactly the kind of foster mom Sivan needs even though she can’t really see it at first. Jax...

This is our Constitution is an entertaining and educational text every student—and some adults—should read. The passion and profound respect the author has for this great country bleeds from the page. Khan explains the history of the American Constitution in easy to understand English for young...

Readers are swept across the desert to the sultanate of Janardan, filled with the deadly beauty of King’s imaginative world. Kalinda finds herself surrounded by dangerous jungles, refugee camps, and Bhutas living openly and proudly, serving Sultan Kuval. Yet Kali cannot reveal she is also a Bhuta for her people...

The Hundredth Queen is a vibrant tale of a reluctant heroine cast into a fascinating world of danger and palace intrigue. I could not put it down! Kalinda is an orphaned young woman chosen by the indomitable Raja Tarek for his one-hundredth and final wife. She...

This book had me at the tagline: “Once I decided to kill her, the rest was surprisingly easy.” It Should Have Been You is a gripping tale of Clara Seibert’s journey to prove herself innocent of her twin sister’s brutal murder. In the midst of...

The Last Thing You Said by Sara Biren is a story about love and loss. Ben and Lucy are trying to put the pieces of themselves back together after the tragic death of Ben’s sister and Lucy’s best friend, Trixie. The story begins when Ben takes his grief...

At first I was thinking, no not another Beauty and the Beast reimagining. But Jensen’s interpretation of the classic beloved fairy tale is not expected nor is it for the faint of heart. A darker, much more twisted story unfolds as the reader begins to explore the somewhat familiar world...

I am a huge fan of the Wings of Fire series and I was eager to return to Tui T. Sutherland’s Dragon fantasy world. What I loved: The artwork by Mike Holmes is phenomenal. Fans of the series will love getting a look at...