Reviews written by Melissa A. Craven, Indie Manager

The gorgeous cover pulled me in at a glance. The premise sold me on the story and the 80s setting made me a Hocking fan. There was a lot to love about Freeks and there were some misses as well. The 80s setting was extremely well done. Sometimes it’s easy...

Full of insider information and behind the scenes details about the making of the movie, this beautiful book makes the perfect gift for fans of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. If you’re into movie props, this book is full of fun and interactive things to explore...

About Marine Mammals is a beautifully illustrated and educational book, perfect for school libraries. Or if you have a curious child who enjoys learning about the ocean, About Marine Mammals is a great learning experience you and your child can enjoy together. Each page is filled with colorful images and...

A wonderful gift for any child at any age. The Book of Heroines is full of tales of the heroines we know and the ones we’ve never even heard of. Political leaders, familiar faces from the sports arena, historical legends, women of the ancient world, peacemakers, and leaders in their...

A wonderful gift for any child at any age. The Book of Heroes is full of tales of the heroes we’ve all admired, plus the ones we’ve never even heard of. Political leaders, stars of the sports arena, historical legends, the great men of the ancient world, peacemakers, and leaders...

I have always been a fan of Greek Mythology, especially retellings like Argos. Telling the story of Odysseus through the eyes of his dog is such a brilliant way to introduce children to the stories and myths that have had such a profound impact on literature. Hardy manages...

I have anxiously waited this book to come up in my TBR. Not because I am a fan of the series, but because I am a huge fan of high fantasy and this series is one I haven’t had the opportunity to read yet. However, before I committed to reviewing...

Perfect for fantasy fans of all ages, Wings of Fire is a series adults can enjoy just as much as the young audience the story is intended for. The journey of Darkstalker, Clearsight and their friends is an epic coming of age tale wrought with danger and uncertainty. These young,...

About Habitats is such a beautifully illustrated and interesting book. If you have a curious child who enjoys learning about the ocean, this is a must read. And if you’re looking for a great learning experience you and your child can enjoy together, even better. Each page is filled with...

My Clay Critters is the perfect activity for a rainy day when you have an antsy kid(s) on your hands. You’ll find everything you need to move through the activity book with your child, or a quick tutorial to help them get started on a solitary or group activity with...

I have mixed reactions to this book. On the whole, I truly enjoyed Ani’s story. The characters really made this standalone fantasy worth reading. The dynamic between Ani and her best friend Weevil tells a story of what friendship is all about, and Ani’s humorous replies and quick wit made...

I knew at the first glance of the Art Deco title font that I would love this book. The Deco/film-nior vibe of this retelling perfectly captures the mood and nostalgia of the roaring twenties in pre-Depression New York. The story is easy to follow with emphasis placed...

Book two of the Sphinx series continues with Demigods and Monsters. I was so excited to follow on with Hope’s journey––and I was so ready for more Athan. But I wasn’t anticipating Xan. I was disappointed with Athan’s absence, and I didn’t like Xan at all...

In present-day Afghanistan, after a season of misfortune, Obayda and her family must move to a small town to live under the care of her uncle and his family. In a bid for good luck, her mother decides her daughter Obayda will become her son, Obayd—a bacha posh. In the...

Nessa Kurland struggles with her day-to-day, typical teen life. She worries about how she will pay for college and if the boy she likes will ever like her back. And then, she’s bitten by a strange wolf and her struggles reach an all time high when she begins to transform...