The Black Crow Conspiracy is a fun read aimed at readers in middle school, but still very much able to be enjoyed by older readers as well. It tells the tale of Penelope Tredwell, who is secretly the writer behind the immensely popular Montgomery Flinch stories in her family's magazine, the Penny Dreadful.

But Penelope has writer's block, until an anonymous letter provides inspiration for a thrilling new story about the theft of the Crown Jewels. All seems well, until the police arrive, insisting that Penelope's story is truth rather than fiction. Desperate to clear her magazine's name, Penelope begins her own investigation, but soon encounters a mysterious science society that seems to have ties to the recent sightings of "radiant boys", glowing green men who can walk through walls.

The Black Crow Conspiracy takes the thrilling penny dreadful stories of the past, and makes them family friendly, weaving together a strong and smart female protagonist, some history, and a supernatural flair. This is the kind of book I would recommend for a school library to not only get kids interested in reading, but to give girls a heroine they can look up to. ( )