Month: December 2012

teen

Keep Jumping / No Hating

Bergers Book Reviews

Keep Jumping - No Hating
Author: Stephanie Perry Moore & Derrick Moore
Publisher: Saddleback Educational Publishing
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-1-61651-885-1
Pages: 310
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Hallie Ray cheers loudly for the Lockwood Lions. She’s got spunk and spirit, but doesn’t have the tumbling skills she needs to maintain her status as part of the team. But Amir believes in her, and wants to see her succeed. In fact, he’d like to get to know this feisty cheerleader a lot better.

But Hallie has troubles at home, and as she tries to help her mother, she has to deal with her own emotional reactions to what she finds. Amir is also facing troubles at home, and they both attempt to comfort each other.

In this flip book, the reader is shown two sides to the same story. After reading Hallie’s thoughts, we then get a glimpse of Amir’s perspective, which helps clarify some of their interactions. Set in a predominantly African-American community outside of Atlanta, this story offers real-life drama for urban teens.

The Lockwood Lions series pulls no punches. These are kids the reader can relate to, and the situations are not sugar-coated. But overall, this series send a positive message of getting a good education, avoiding trouble, and striving to do the right thing.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

The Great Puppy Rescue

Bergers Book Reviews

The Great Puppy Rescue
Author: Jason Holder
Illustrator: Mike Sofka
Publisher: Kid America LLC
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9856980-2-7
Pages: 32
Price: $12.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Agent Adams has just given Kid America an important mission. He and his friends, TJ and Lexi, must find Casper’s puppy mill and rescue the dogs. When a loud whimper alerts them to Casper’s hideout, they move into action.

Even the best superheros need super-tools, and Kid’s younger sister, Kat, has just what they need. Planning a bold, nighttime maneuver, they know Casper won’t stand a chance of stopping them. But will they be able to complete their mission?

The Great Puppy Rescue is the first volume of the new Kid America adventure series. When Casper is up to no good and Agent Adams needs help, Kid America is there to answer the call.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

All About Boats: A to Z

Bergers Book Reviews

All About Boats A to Z
Author: David & Zora Aiken
Illustrator: David Aiken
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4184-7
Pages: 32
Price: $14.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

A is for anchor, B is for bell. In this rhyming book, the various parts of the boat are pictured, with vivid descriptions of each. Using the letters of the alphabet, it provides kids with a great understanding of boating and its terminology.

Illustrations are colorful, showing happy families in their various crafts. The authors, David and Nora Aiken, live on a sailboat, and are experts on boating. All About Boats: A to Z is designed to inspire young boaters as they gain experience on the water.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, tween

Flickering Hope (From Sadie’s Sketchbook)

Bergers Book Reviews

Flickering Hope
Author: Naomi Kinsman
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Tween / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-310-72664-7
Pages: 208
Price: $7.99

Holiday Read-along
Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Sadie is concerned about Patch, one of the research bears who has just gone into hibernation. When she accidentally finds a girl living in a nearby shack with her family, the girl warns her not to tell anyone, or Patch will be in danger. But her best friend, Ruth, knows about the encounter, and when the youth group wants to find a needy family to provide Christmas for, Sadie knows there will be trouble.

To make matters even more complicated, Frankie, who had always treated Sadie badly, suddenly seems in need of a friend. But can she be trusted, since her father has openly said he wants Patch dead?

In this sequel to Shades of Truth, Sadie is forced to deal with her emotions in how she relates to others. People are not acting predictably, and she needs to sort out her feelings for each, determining who she can trust, and who she can’t.

Combining challenging situations with growing faith lessons, this series shows real life handled from a Christian perspective. Girls will love reading about Sadie and her friends, while also seeing a great role model. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, cats, nature

Fierce Beauty: Preserving the World of Wild Cats

Bergers Book Reviews

Fierce Beauty
Author: Bhagavan “Doc” Antle
Publisher: Earth Aware Editions
Genre: Nature / Cats
ISBN: 978-1-60109-061-4
Pages: 246
Price: $50.00

Author’s website
T.I.G.E.R.S. website
Buy it at Amazon

The world’s big cat populations are dwindling at an alarming rate. Studies have determined that tigers may even be headed for extinction in the very near future. In an attempt to capture their images before they disappear forever, this beautiful book shows us these stunning creatures in all their majestic glory.

For the most part, Fierce Beauty is a photo album of some of the bigs cats currently residing at the TIGERS Institute. These impressive cats are protected from poachers, while also being bred for future posterity. Although many believe that big cats deserve to be wild, the author argues that there are no more wild places for these animals to roam safely, and their future may only be protected in captivity.

If you love big cats, you’ll enjoy these amazingly detailed, up-close photos taken against plain white or black backdrops. Fierce Beauty would make a wonderful gift for the cat lover in your life.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

Christmas Magic

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Kirsten Hall
Illustrator: Simon Mendez
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1-4027-7075-3
Pages: 20
Price: $14.95

Buy it at Amazon

As Christmas approaches, the family is busy getting ready. The outside is decorated with lights and wreath, the children are eagerly baking goodies, a snowman adorns the lawn, and the Nutcracker is performed. And off in the North Pole, Santa and his elves are busy building toys and loading the sleigh for delivery.

In Christmas Magic, the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations is presented in rhyming verse. Each beautiful illustration is a changing picture – with the pull of the tab, it transforms from “before” to “after.” Excited children will experience their own joys of the anticipation of Christmas as they read this book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

The Peaceable Forest: India’s Tale of Kindness to Animals

Bergers Book Reviews

The Peaceable Forest
Author: Kosa Ely
Illustrator: Anna Johansson
Publisher: Insight Kids / Mandala Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60887-115-5
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

A hunter once stalked the forests of India. This man not only hunted for food, but also for the joy of killing. One day, the kind Sage discovered an injured fawn. After hearing its sad story, he journeyed on to find other injured animals, all shot with the hunter’s bow. Finally, he tracked down the hunter for an explanation of his actions.

A deep and meaningful conversation ensues, and the hunter repents of his evil deeds. Peace is restored to the forest, and the animals can roam safely once again.

The Peaceable Forest is a beautifully illustrated fairy tale that teaches the value of all creation. Written for children, it inspires them to be kind to animals. And in learning kindness to our animal companions, they may also learn kindness to each other and the whole human race.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

Stable In Bethlehem

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Joy N. Hulme
Illustrator: Dan Andreasen
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-14027-9764-4
Pages: 22
Price: $6.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

A stable in Bethlehem is the location of the very first Christmas, as the holy family receives the baby, Jesus, into the world. Children can experience this gift through Stable in Bethlehem. In this board book, the author counts down those present at the birth, from twelve doves down to two parents and one baby. All of these animals, people and angels come to worship Jesus, born to Mary and Joseph.

Christmas is a magical time of year for children, but they often forget the meaning of the season behind the glitter and gift-giving. This sweet and simple story reminds them of the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, holiday

Christmas Lights

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Christine Pisera Naman
Publisher: Doubleday
Genre: Christmas
ISBN: 978-0-385-52245-8
Pages: 122
Price: $14.95

Buy it at Amazon

The holidays can be a magical time, or they can bring intense sadness if life has been especially hard. But it’s nearly impossible not to have a strong emotional reaction at Christmas. In Christmas Lights, we meet seven women, all at different stages of their lives, experiencing their own feelings during the holiday season.

Each chapter in this story introduces one of the women. Dealing with illness, mourning the loss of a child, looking for a new love, or making peace with a current one, these women face choices and challenges in their lives. But the strong forces that unite them all are family and faith.

Happy endings are a must at Christmas, and this story doesn’t disappoint. It might even evoke a tear or two, as each story unfolds to a satisfying conclusion. If you’re looking for a book that focuses on the real meaning of the season, Christmas Lights would make a great addition to your holiday reading list.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

The Silly Looking Thing

Bergers Book Reviews

The Silly Looking Thing
Author & Illustrator: Eva M. Sakmar-Sullivan
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4144-1
Pages: 40
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Itsy-Bitsy Boy Frog wants to find a friend. He goes to the lake, but he doesn’t find any frogs. Instead, a strange looking creature offers to be his friend. Itsy-Bitsy Boy Frog decides he won’t be friends with any “silly looking things” and walks away. Each day this same thing happens – Itsy-Bitsy Boy Frog goes to the lake, and the silly looking thing offers to play with him.

Finally Itsy-Bitsy Bog Frog stops going to the lake, and his parents ask why. When he shares the reason, they explain that he is not being kind. When he realizes how hurtful his actions have been, he goes to the lake to apologize, but he can’t find the silly looking thing. Instead, he finds a young frog.

Itsy-Bitsy Boy Frog has just discovered the life cycle of frogs, from tadpole to adult, as will children reading this story. Along with a science lesson, it also provides a reminder to treat everyone with respect, no matter how different they look. Told in a non-preaching manner with great illustrations, The Silly Looking Thing will appeal to young readers. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger