Reviews written by Melissa A. Craven, Indie Manager

Total package girl was exactly what my fourteen-year-old self needed (way back when). Written for pre-teens and teens, this book teaches some very important lessons that every girl needs to learn about knowing and understanding her unique self. This book focuses on helping young girls realize how amazing they are...

The gorgeous cover caught my eye months ago and I’ve been anxious to read Curse of the Sphinx ever since. (And I was delighted to see the interior of the book is just as beautiful.) I wasn’t sure what to expect from this author, but I adore Greek mythology and...

The first thing I noticed was the clever use of family names in the portraits of Cleonardo’s home. Neandernardo, Sapphonardo, Magellanardo and of course, Leonardo, Cleo’s grandfather. Such a cute little detail in these beautiful illustrations inspired by the sketches and inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci. ...

Awesome 8 was entertaining and education but not in an obvious way. If you have a reluctant reader, this book is perfect for a curious mind with a short attention span. From geological phenomenon to the world’s most perilous roller coasters, each list of eight captures a quick look at...

As an artist myself, I was thrilled to find such a wonderful book geared toward young girls. This is not a frilly little book meant to entertain for a few hours and then discarded when the fun is over. Watercolor Crush actually teaches real artistic techniques that will help a...

This beautiful book immediately put me in the mood to color over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday—perfect for a family activity. I particularly enjoyed the quotes from the likes of William Shakespeare, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, L. M. Montgomery and Henry David Thoreau. The fall...

I must say this is one of the most beautifully designed books I’ve seen in a long time. The illustrations are #creepy! But in all the right ways. The interactive Shadow House, choose your own destiny, app is an exciting companion that really expands the reading experience, provides even more...

This was my first time reviewing for National Geographic for Kids and I have to say, I’m truly a fan. This was such a vividly illustrated and interesting book! I read it from cover to cover in one sitting and I learned so much about the ocean that I never...

If you’re looking for a fun, quick, guilty pleasure read, look no further than the Hive Trilogy. Charlie is full of delightful snark and a drive to overcome the odds stacked against her in a world where she is the only female of her kind. The concept of the...

Avenging the Owl is a delightful story with an even more beautiful lesson for young readers. My first thought after reading a few chapters was, “this is a wonderfully weird book.” The characters as well as the setting captured my interest right away, but I still...

This is such a great activity book for children just beginning to show an interest in drawing. Part of being an artist is learning the techniques behind the different drawing methods. This book is full of fun and easy exercises that will teach kids basic lessons in perspective drawing, 3D...

After suffering the emotional and sexual abuse of her stepfather for six long years, Ashley has escaped and is learning to deal with the aftermath as she picks up the pieces of her life. With the unconditional love of her father, stepmother and her wonderful therapist, she is traveling the...

This is a great read for anyone who enjoys mythology. Fans of the ancient Greeks will often hear the same stories told a million times. The Song of Orpheus is a wonderful collection of refreshingly unknown tales readers will be eager to discover. I would particularly recommend this for young...

Ashley has suffered in silence for six years. Terrorized by her stepfather and living with the knowledge that her mother doesn’t believe her, Ashley succumbs her breaking point when the abuse reaches an all time high. When child protective services places her with her biological father, whom she’s never even...

This beautiful book caught my eye right away. A wonderful gift for any Jane Austen fan, the pages are filled with amusing and iconic quotes from the book as well as many familiar scenes from the beloved story. I particularly enjoyed the intricate motifs throughout the book, especially the beautiful...