Darya Nandkarni moves to Chapel Road in Bandra, Mumbai because, according to her, the place has a lot going on. It is true for both good and bad reasons. The good one is that it is a prime spot in the area; the bad one...

In ABC D is Ability, we are introduced to some kids that have disabilities and are a bit different from you and me. We first meet Austin who has Autism and sees the world differently than others. Then we meet Brandon who is blind, Coral...

Playing with #Fire by Micky O'Brady is a YA coming of age novel with something different. The unique premise of this story focuses on bullying, teenage life, and the dark side of social media, but uses a fresh vehicle--pro wrestling--to drive the story. Meet Everly,...

Taaraa loved to make Raakhi for her elder brother, Chundoo, and it was a ritual every year that she followed a day before Raksha Bandhan. She picked up an orange silk thread from the bundle, knowing orange was her Bhaiya's (brother's) favorite color. She then...

Amir of Guelph by Albert Marsolais is about a group of eccentric characters who come together over a common cause. It’s set in the future which makes it technically a science fiction novel, but this book is more about the people than the science or...

Keeping Secrets by McGee Mathews is an intriguing novel of historical fiction set during the Civil War era. The story has Elizabeth Hepscott escaping the traditional role expected of her--wife and mother--when she enlists in the war as a young man (EJ) alongside her brother,...

My Blank Page: The Power Of Imagination by Tracy Weldon is a colorful, beautifully illustrated adventure about a bored boy who uses his imagination and a blank piece of paper to transport himself to exciting new worlds full of lively characters and surprises. He soon...

Children who love poems will be fascinated with this teaching collection. How Many Lines in a Limerick?, written by Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan and illustrated by Jennifer Gibson, begins with a section of poems that teach many different types of poetry, not just limericks. This book...

The Mom Prom Murder: A Berger & Fryze Mystery is a murder mystery novel written by Trish Evans. Someone killed Vickie Mack, and her belated appearance at the Calivista Heights Elementary School Auction was bizarre and terrifying. The steamer trunk, which was brought out for...

The Art of Creating Story by William H. Coles is a writing help masterpiece. The massive work is loaded with priceless nuggets of literary knowledge. Get on your brain’s wetsuit and be ready to plunge into the invaluable treasures offered within. Coles leaves readers wanting...

I stood in awe of the amazing writing skills of William H. Coles in Illustrated Short Fiction of William H. Coles: 2000-2016. This collection of short stories will not leave you with that fuzzy feeling of happy endings, but you will view humanity in times...

Rowan has been drinking himself into a haze for the past few years. He knows he hasn't always been this way. He knows something happened that made him this way, but, for some reason, he can't remember what it is. Then there are the strange...

Emma (aka Emily) is the heroine but also the victim of False Front by Debbie Baldwin. Nathan is the hero and romantic interest. The two were close childhood friends that haven’t seen each other for many years. When they do meet again the magic is...

There is so much one can do on the computer, from surfing the net to chatting with friends you’ve never met, and so much more. It’s scary, really. And then there’s the growing unease around cyberbullying. Bullies have existed since the beginning of time, but...

Stay Safe and Kiss the Babies: Delightful COVID-19 Reflections from 100 Days on a Great-Grandmother’s Back Porch by Bonnie Huber is the author’s account of her life during the pandemic and lockdown of 2020. Huber navigates the challenges of being in lockdown with humor and...

Jocki MacTavish by Albert Marsolais is an intriguing tale set in a fishing village in Scotland in 1705. Jocki is a humble, hardworking 11-year-old boy who cleans his family’s tavern, assists the town’s doctor, and cares for homeless cats. Jocki becomes very concerned when the...

Set in early 18th-century Scotland, Jocki MacTavish and the Refugees by Albert Marsolais gives a comprehensive glimpse into country life in a coastal village. Jocki is the young son of the village tavern owners. He works as an assistant to the town’s doctor and as...

The Convenient is a work of fiction in the historical, drama, and medical mystery sub-genres, and was penned by author duo Albert Marsolais and Bettyanne Twigg. The book is intended for adult reading audiences owing to some graphic medical content, moderate gore, and sexual references....

Something In The Middle (Small Stories from the Far Side of Consciousness) by A. I. Wand is an ingenious and unique book. Containing a selection of stories that can be read in succession for a new experience or reading one whenever the mood hits, the...

The Proud Sunflower, a short story by Ngozi Edema, narrates the tale of Princess Sanzu, the most gorgeous sunflower on earth. All the other flowers adore her for her beauty and her loveable nature. As a kind-hearted flower, she shares her gifts with the birds....