Indie book reviews

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IndieReader’s reviewers are tough, but fair

Our Reviewers won’t judge your book as compared to other self-published titles, but against other books, period. Our ratings are based on the following criteria, although reviewers are able to award partial stars (i.e. a 1.3 or a 4.7), rather than rounding up or down to a whole or half number.

1/5

Really bad 
Work on it.

2/5

​Mediocre
1-2 bright spots.

3/5

Good
Worth reading.

4/5

Very Good
1-2 spots that need work

5/5

Excellent!
Must-read.

* IndieReader receives compensation for most of the books it reviews, along with copies of those books.

IR Approved
August 7, 2023

GOODBYE KISSES

By Georgia Trussart
Children's (Early to intermediate readers)
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

GOODBYE KISSES by Georgia Trussart is an enjoyable children’s picture book with simple rhymes, cute illustrations and a strong, positive message that parents and caregivers...

IR Approved
July 21, 2023

MOMMA WOULD YOU EVER?

By Rebecca Marklund
Children's (Early to intermediate readers)
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

Rebecca Marklund's MOMMA WOULD YOU EVER? is a simple, yet subtle, children’s picture book that touches on serious life events such as aging and dying...

IR Approved
July 19, 2023

WEEKEND WITH A FASHIONISTA

By David and Emberli Pridham
Children's (Early to intermediate readers)
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

With an assist by illustrator Nadia Ronquillo, David and Emberli Pridham's WEEKEND WITH A FASHIONISTA combines the educational with the aspirational with the aim of...

IR Approved
June 2, 2023

CHUG AND THUG’S SCARY MOVIE

By Gemal Seede
Children's (Early to intermediate readers)
Rating:
4.5 / 5.0

Author Gemal Seede's and illustrator David Macedo's CHUG AND THUG'S SCARY MOVIE offers children, parents and caregivers a clever and empowering approach to managing irrational...

IR Approved
April 28, 2023

THE UNUSUAL PENGUIN

By Madeleine MacRae
Children's (Early to intermediate readers)
Rating:
4.4 / 5.0

Beautifully written by Madelaine MacRae with illustrations by Anna Fernandez, THE UNUSUAL PENGUIN is a beautiful picture book with an important and always timely message....

April 5, 2023

SNOODLES IN SPACE: A Snoodle, the Zoodle Kidoodles, and One Happy Schmoodle

By Steven Joseph
Children's (Early to intermediate readers)
Rating:
3.5 / 5.0

Replete with wacky inventions and glorious illustrations (with some important lessons thrown in for good measure), Steven Joseph's SNOODLES IN SPACE offers a diverting introduction...

IR Approved
March 29, 2023

SANTA CAMP

By Michael Strobl
Children's (Early to intermediate readers)
Rating:
4.8 / 5.0

With a truly unique premise, Michael Strobl's SANTA CAMP is a laugh-out-loud funny middle grade novel that can be enjoyed at any time of the...

IR Approved
March 15, 2023

MY EXPANSION

By Nancy Manet
Children's (Early to intermediate readers)
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

Nancy Manet's book MY EXPANSION, beautifully illustrated by Michelle Buvala, is an original, creative and compassionate story to encourage and offer guidance to a child...

IR Approved
February 6, 2023

THE YEAR OF THE CAT

By Phuong Chi Nguyen, Daniel Rettig, Mae Linh Rettig
Children's (Early to intermediate readers)
Rating:
4.7 / 5.0

THE YEAR OF THE CAT by Phuong Chi Nguyen, Daniel Rettig and Mae Linh Rettig is a visually-appealing, lively story told in two languages, with...

January 30, 2023

MY MAGICAL GNOME STORY BOOK

By Monika Anna Blichar
Children's (Early to intermediate readers)
Rating:
3.0 / 5.0

A brightly-illustrated fantasy story aimed at young children, Monika Anna Blichar's MY MAGICAL GNOME STORY BOOK is charming, but hampered by a focus on a...

IR Approved
December 16, 2022

RIVER AND THE AMAZING YELLOW WELLIE ADVENTURE

By Emily Dreeling
Children's (Early to intermediate readers)
Rating:
4.0 / 5.0

Emily Dreeling's RIVER AND THE AMAZING YELLOW WELLIE ADVENTURE is a cheerful, brightly-colored adventure that gives personality and charm to kids' rain gear.

IR Approved
November 28, 2022

THE ADVENTURES OF MILO CHOW

By Caroline Rayfield
Children's (Early to intermediate readers)
Rating:
5.0 / 5.0

A heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and overcoming the odds, Caroline Rayfield's THE ADVENTURES OF MILO CHOW is a sweet and touching story that will...

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