Mindy Baker Books (HOME)
Thanks so much for stopping by… I’m Mindy Baker and I write character driven picture books with read-aloud potential, middle grade novels, devotional material for all ages and book connection activities for families. I reside in Indiana where I am a high school Spanish teacher. I have been involved in full time ministry with my husband for twenty years. I am passionate about my faith, family, people, travel, books, and living life to the full. And…I will never turn down a cup of coffee, especially if it is shared with an old or new friend.
Welcome to my website!
My new book, Soledad and the Curse of the Phoenix, released November 4, 2025! It was published by Chicken Scratch Books. Check it out here! Don’t you love the cover?
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers’ Favorite:
Soledad and the Curse of the Phoenix by Mindy Baker is a middlegrade novel about a journey of bravery, hope, and redemption. Set in a village haunted by mysterious curses, the story follows thirteen-year-old Soledad as she faces her past choices and embarks on a quest to heal her community.
The story begins with Soledad running away from her village, clutching her mother’s wooden flute, determined to escape the dark forces linked to her family. Her journey takes her to Mount Gocta, where she discovers healing waters and a hidden path that holds the key to breaking the Phoenix’s curse.
Along the way, Soledad meets a loyal llama named Suri, a kind stranger, and her estranged sister Rosalia, who has been turned to stone by the second plague. The tension builds as Soledad faces the Phoenix, a menacing figure who seeks to control her through her mother’s cursed flute.
The pacing is engaging, and Mindy Baker maintains high tension throughout the story. The chapters are perfectly sized for middle grade readers, making it an excellent choice for classroom reading.
The characters are well-developed, and the settings are descriptive without being overpowering, allowing the story to focus on Soledad and her journey.
The themes of hope and redemption are woven throughout the narrative, offering a sense of optimism and the
belief that even in the darkest times, light can prevail.
Soledad and the Curse of the Phoenix is a beautifully crafted tale with an engaging plot, memorable characters, and a meaningful message.
Baker has penned a story that inspires courage and reminds readers of the importance of forgiveness and hope in the face of challenges.
Please subscribe to my mini-magazine and blog updates. If you subscribe today, you will immediately receive a sample edition and this teaching guide that accompanies my picture book Mouse’s Christmas Gift.
Are you an 4th-6th grade elementary teacher?
Contact me for an opportunity to have me do a virtual/in person visit this fall. I also have a few “free” teacher codes left for an Explorer Course you could use in your classroom with Soledad and the Curse of the Phoenix. Don’t delay…scoop yours up before I run out!
(If I run out, the Explorer Courses are available for purchase on the Chicken Scratch website.)
