Month: July 2010

children, science-fiction

Terratorva

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Laura Rotter
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Genre: Children / Science Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-4490-3092-6
Pages: 30
Price: $12.99

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Wix, the cat, can talk, and he’s from another planet. Terratorva needs help, and Dan, Sarah, and Sean have to save it. When Wix leads them through the portal to another world, they have no idea what awaits them.

Evil dragons threaten to take over the whole planet, but the Rimoras are in hiding, hoping for someone to come and rescue them. The three kids come up with an idea, and set off with Wix to put the plan in action. But if they’re not successful, they may perish along with the Rimoras.

This novel shows some imagination in some of the beings the kids encounter. But there are several things that didn’t work for me. The story isn’t told from any one character’s point of view, and the three kids never develop distinct personalities. The book is short and the plot isn’t very well developed, either. The scenes progress quickly, with no sense of the impending danger or relief at escape. And the typeface may look cool, but it’s a little hard on the eyes – especially for children who may have difficulty reading.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, nature

The Greenzys

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Danielle Mentzer
Illustrator: Cris De Lara
Publisher: DK Publishing
Genre: Children / Nature
ISBN: 978-0-7566-6911-9
Pages: 44
Price: $17.99

Author’s website
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An old pine tree named Orinda is suffering from the pollution of the nearby river. Her only hope of a legacy is her last pine cone. But Grimy has stolen it. In a last tearful effort, Orinda reaches out her branches to the animals of the planet for help.

Coming from all over the world, the animals rush in to save her. And as they commit to stopping Grimy and his dirty habits, their fur becomes green. They’ve become the Greenzys. Grimy is the symbol of all those who choose to pollute the environment, through negligent trash disposal and failure to recycle. And the Greenzys are the hope for Earth’s future.

In The Greenzys, kids will see why it’s important to protect our environment from those who want to do it harm. This cute story shows us how to be environmentally conscious in a way kids can relate, and the beautiful illustrations by Cris De Lara enhance this green message.

The book is printed in an eco-friendly manner, and a portion of the proceeds from book sales benefits the Environmental Media Association. And in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, for every Greenzys book purchase made between April 5 and December 31, 2010, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant one tree in our nation’s forests.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

humor, men

Bigger Damner Book of Sheer Manliness

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: von Hoffmann Brothers
Publisher: QNY
Genre: Men / Humor
ISBN: 978-0843-717846
Pages: 256
Price: $29.99

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Men’s tastes are different from women’s, and the von Hoffmann brothers know it. So to celebrate men and the things men like, they created a compilation just for men.

This wonderful coffee table book covers a century of men’s interests, grouped into categories. These include sports like boxing, racing, football, and the world’s strongest man contest. Movies feature strong male characters and heroes, as well as their sexy leading ladies. Hobbies like gambling, fishing, smoking cigars, and drinking – and even pumpkin launching trebuchets – are all in this volume.

Check out some of these classic movies. Try a cocktail or chili recipe. Laugh at the Darwin Award winner, or offer tribute to man’s best friend, the dog. Whatever your taste, if you’re looking for a real man’s book, Bigger Damner Book of Sheer Manliness is the perfect addition to your collection.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

literary

Fragile

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Chris Katsaropoulos
Publisher: Luminis Books
Genre: Literary Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-935462-27-9
Pages: 212
Price: $14.95

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Amelia Geist fell in love as a teenager, and has chosen to remain a virgin in honor of that love. Now an old woman, she pines for the man who left her so many years ago.

Tris Holloway, the man Amelia loved, is caught in an unhappy marriage and is nearing retirement. As he contemplates the years of his life, he can’t help but reflect on the innocent beauty of his time with Amelia.

Holly Schenck, a single mom and hairdresser, meets Amelia just before the older woman’s 50-year high school reunion. As she fixes Amelia’s hair for the event, she schemes to let this stranger babysit her girls so she can have another late night tryst with her bartender lover.

In Fragile, Katsaropolous weaves together these three lives. Using broken sentence fragments to lead the reader from one point of view to another, we see all three fragile beings trying to survive. As each is caught up in his or her own pain, the pain is somehow shared by the others, through the web of humanity.

In reading Fragile, it’s hard not to identify with the broken parts of our own lives. We see deeply into the lives of these three characters, through their thoughts and words. But somehow this web becomes twisted, as strange decisions are made and lives go in unexpected directions. Many unanswered questions remain at the end, as in life and death. But through it all, hope remains for a brighter future.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

health, nature, spirituality

How to Thrive in Changing Times

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Sandra Ingerman
Publisher: Weiser Books
Genre: Spirituality / Nature / Health
ISBN: 978-1-57863-466-8
Pages: 176
Price: $12.95

Author’s website
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As our world changes at an ever more rapid pace, thriving sometimes feels like an insurmountable challenge. Sandra Ingerman believes it’s a lot easier than we think, but first we need to know what to do, both as individuals and as a community.

Spiritual masters over the years have taught that our thoughts determine our lives. Now we also know that these thoughts can even affect the environment around us. And if we can get together as a group, these healing thoughts are even more powerful.

How do we do this? Ingerman provides rituals and exercises designed to bring about positive changes in our lives and in the world. These can be done alone or in a group setting.

How to Thrive in Changing Times reminds us that we have the ability to do so much more than we believe. We may be the limiting force in our lives, but we can change our thoughts and the outcomes of those thoughts. And in changing ourselves, we can help to change the world.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

Black Dog, Brown Dog

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Nina & Derek Zaragoza
Illustrator: Tominda Adkins
Publisher: Creative Curriculum Connections Publications
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 978-0-98432-408-8
Pages: 24
Price: $11.99

Author’s website
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Tasha and Lady are Labrador retrievers. Tasha is black, Lady is brown, and both dogs have their own distinct personalities.

Tasha is neat. She has nice manners and comes when called. But Lady likes the mud and wants to do as she pleases. Both dogs are loved by their owners, even though their temperaments are so different.

Black Dog, Brown Dog shares the differences between these two Labs in contrasting pages. But even though children love dogs and will readily pick this book up, it doesn’t have enough of a plot to hold their attention for long. The illustrations are very simple in neutral colors, and don’t add any additional dimension to the story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

atlas, travel

The World

Bergers Book Reviews


Publisher: Hammond
Genre: Atlas
ISBN: 978-0843-709094
Pages: 288
Price: $19.99

Author’s website
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If you wanted to explore the world, you’d pull out your trusty atlas for guidance. And there is none better to reach for than one created by Hammond, the leader in maps.

The World is up-to-date as of 2009. This imitation leather travel guide is broken down into sections by continent. Within these sections, each country is shown with major cities labeled. The United States, Canada and Mexico are also shown at the state and province levels. In addition to these maps, the reader will find suggestions of places to explore, and a little history is also included.

Discover, explore and experience the world with Hammond. Maybe you’re only traveling in your armchair, or you’re planning to see some of these recommended sights in person. Either way, you can’t go wrong with this quality atlas.

Reviewer: Alice Berger