Janelle Meraz Hooper has hit a homerun with her second book, AS BROWN AS I WANT, The Indianhead Diaries." Even better than her much acclaimed first book, A THREE-TURTLE SUMMER, Janelle's new book propels the reader through a series of unique situations as experienced by eight-year-old Glory, who always seems just a few steps ahead of her scheming father.

Sometimes hilarious, sometimes gut wrenching, AS BROWN AS I WANT takes the reader into the heart and mind of young Glory, a perspective of innocence and unwitting cleverness that confounds the best laid plans of her father, who has taken out a $50,000 life insurance policy on her with every intention of collecting.

Glory is a master spider and scorpion collector, fast with a jar, faster with
the lid. Teamed up with her cousin Carlos, age ten, the question becomes, "Is anyone in the neighborhood really safe?"

Toss in a few snakes, a snapping turtle, a little bit of poison and a stepmother
from Hell and before you know it, you've got a book almost impossible to put
down. AS BROWN AS I WANT is a roller coaster, each twist and turn better than the one before.

How does young Glory survive? Just when you're ready to shed a few tears, you'll find yourself chuckling at another unanticipated turn of events, silently
cheering Glory along.

Glory's tale doesn't play by any recognizable formula, it sets its own rules as
it goes. It creates a storyline that captivates and entertains with a flare that
is uniquely 'Hooper-ian.'

My hat is off to Janelle Meraz Hooper. AS BROWN AS I WANT is a marvelous read. It’s no surprise that it was a finalist in the 2004 Oklahoma Book Awards!"

Review by Kelly Creso
Managing Editor
Bold Media Corporation