May 2014 – Bergers Book Reviews

Counting in the Garden

May 28, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Emily Hruby
Illustrator: Patrick Hruby
Publisher: AMMO Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-162326005-7
Pages: 58
Price: $16.95

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There are so may interesting things in the garden – let’s count them all, up to the number twelve. Onions, tulips, butterflies… all in brightly-colored, geometrically-shaped illustrations. As each new item is added to the garden, a new two-page spread is given with all the previous items in it.

Counting in the Garden resembles an illustrated version of the twelve days of Christmas, using garden vegetables, plants and animals. Kids will have plenty of opportunity to count these items over and over again, leading to number and picture recognition.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns It’s OK to Back Away

May 23, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Howard Binkow
Illustrator: Susan F. Cornelison
Publisher: Thunderbolt Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9826165-0-5
Pages: 32
Price: $15.00

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Howard B. Wigglebottom has a problem with anger. When he gets mad, he acts inappropriately, and then he has to sit in time out. He’s sad that he’s always in trouble, but he doesn’t know how to fix it.

One day his friend Ali explains how she knows she’s getting angry and how she handles her anger. He practices with her techniques and soon knows how to act appropriately, even when he gets upset.

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns It’s OK to Back Away addresses anger management for kids, but I felt it just scratched the surface of this problem. Doing something to feel better, as suggested, doesn’t always work when kids get upset and don’t have time to turn to another outlet. Learning to understand and control their anger when they absolutely must do it right now is also important. Classroom discussions should focus not only on the topics presented, but also on other anger management issues encountered on a regular basis.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, poetry

Mooseclumps

May 22, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Ryan T. Bliss
Publisher: Artsy Bee
Genre: Children / Poetry
ISBN: 978-0-615-75521-2
Pages: 58
Price: $15.99

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Poetry haters should not read this book. If you’re determined to never smile, laugh, or enjoy poetry, Mooseclumps is definitely not right for you. In fact, you can stop reading this review right now.

But if you think you just might enjoy a rhyme or two, you’re sure to giggle over the clever verses in this entertaining work. Poetry mingles with creative illustrations for a perfectly enjoyable kids’ book. I highly recommend Mooseclumps.

2013 Moonbeams Children’s Poetry Gold Medal Winner
2013 Readers’ Favorite Children’s Book Silver Medal Winner

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, tween

The Greatest Star on Earth

May 21, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Kate Klise
Illustrator: M. Sarah Klise
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Middle grade
ISBN: 978-1-61620-245-3
Pages: 144
Price: $15.95

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Polly Pumpkinseed of The Circus Times thinks Sir Sidney’s circus is the greatest show on earth, but his circus is never newsworthy. Polly decides to run a contest to find out who is the greatest star on earth, so she will have something new to report.

Sir Sidney immediately develops a bad worrywart as he contemplates what this contest will do to his circus. His doctor orders him to rest, and he turns everything over to Barnabas Brambles. But Sir Sidney’s worries only increase as the performers attempt to outdo each other to earn the coveted trophy.

Barnabas Brambles, the villain in The Show Must Go On! has a few more lessons to learn, and the mice, Gert and Bert, find a clever way to teach him. And everyone in the circus finally realizes that there are much more important things in life than trophies. The Greatest Star on Earth is a fun, light-hearted story with a powerful message of the importance of family and friends. I highly recommend the Three-Ring Rascals series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, history

A History of the World With Google Earth

May 20, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Penny Worms
Illustrator: William Ings
Publisher: Carlton Books
Genre: History / Children
ISBN: 978-1-78097-113-1
Pages: 32
Price: $9.95

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Google Earth is a useful tool to see various places we’d like to visit. Just plug in the coordinates and zoom in to view the Roman Colosseum, the pyramids of Egypt, and other interesting places. Some locations even include older photos, so we can see what something looked like 50 years ago.

But to imagine the far distant past, illustrations are provided with fun facts to accompany them. Searches in “Where’s Waldo?” style encourage kids to find specific people and objects in the midst of the crowds as they study the scenes.

History can be fun when it’s turned into an interactive experience with puzzles and games. A History of the World with Google Earth would be a great classroom tool to get kids more interested in learning about these fascinating places.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

teen

The Art of Secrets

May 19, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: James Klise
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-1-61620-195-1
Pages: 272
Price: $16.95

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Saba Khan is playing an important tennis match while her family’s apartment burns. Although everyone is safe, they have lost all their possessions, so they are appreciative of the school’s efforts to help them get back on their feet. Then an unusual and potentially valuable piece of artwork is donated to the Khan family auction, and people begin to question who is entitled to the money when it is sold.

The Art of Secrets is told through a series of journal entries, interviews, articles, monologues, and official documents. Teachers, students, and those in the community all have their own motivations and thoughts about the art itself, the Khan family, and whether or not they deserve such a windfall.

As the plot takes unusual and surprising turns, the tangled situation grows more complicated. Finger-pointing and betrayal become the new normal. Fans of mystery, intrigue and psychology will really enjoy this well-written and thought-provoking novel.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

End of the Road

May 16, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Amy M. Bennett
Publisher: Oak Tree Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-61009-071-1
Pages: 258
Price: $15.95

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Corrie Black, owner of Black Horse Campground, is looking forward to the upcoming season and seeing old friends. So when long-time guest Marvin Landy is shot dead in his own RV, Corrie is shaken. Former flame Sheriff Rick Sutton is on the case, and he hopes to have it wrapped up quickly, so things can return to normal.

Where did widowed Betty Landry’s son come from, and what was he doing when Marvin was shot? And how were the Westlakes involved with Marvin? Is the suspicious Harley rider, J.D. Wilder, connected in any way? Rick is watching the biker closely, but sparks soon begin to fly between J.D. and Corrie, making her question his innocence. Ultimately, Corrie just wants to make sure she and the other campers are safe until the killer is caught.

End of the Road is the first in the Black Horse Campground mystery series. The characters are well-developed, as is the plot, and Bennett plays fair with the reader, revealing all clues as they are discovered. I really enjoyed this well-written mystery, and I look forward to more of this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

nature

Nanise’: A Navajo Herbal

May 15, 2014May 15, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Authors: Vernon O. Mayes & Barbara Bayless Lacy
Illustrators: Jack Ahasteen & Jason Chee
Publisher: Five Star Publications
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 978-1-58985-217-4
Pages: 163
Price: $14.99

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A Navajo Reservation set in an approximately 25,000 square mile area covering the northeastern corner of Arizona, the northwestern corner of New Mexico, and a portion of southeastern Utah is home to many plants used by the native population in medicine and ceremony. Many of these grow in elevations above 7,000 feet. Nanise’: A Navajo Herbal catalogs 100 of these plants.

Each plant description includes the common name, the Latin name, and the Navajo name. A description of the plant and its distribution follows. A brief summary of Navajo uses is given, but since these are considered private, they are not detailed. References conclude the entry, and a pen and ink drawing of the plant accompanies the text.

It’s obvious that the authors and illustrators approached this volume with careful research and devotion. Those with a strong interest in botany, with an emphasis on this region and Navajo use and practice, will find this book a valuable resource.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fantasy

The Crystal Scepter

May 7, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: C.S. Lakin
Publisher: Living Ink Books
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-089957-893-4
Pages: 376
Price: $14.99

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Pythius, the wicked young king of Paladya, is looking for immortality. When he hears of the crystal scepter which grants the kings of Elysiel an unusually long life, he makes up his mind that he has to have it. But Pythius has no idea of the terrible consequences of his actions.

In a small fishing village, a boy named Perthin grows up, unaware of the true identity of his parents. Through a prophesy, Perthin’s destiny is inextricably linked to Pythius. Seeking to save his village from a sea monster, he sets off on a hero’s journey.

Pythius is an evil man, and much of the story is told from his perspective. This made it difficult for me to get through the opening chapters, since I find it hard to relate to villains. I was also surprised at how simple Perthin’s quest appeared to be. A journey that took Pythius months was accomplished in moments by Perthin, and with so much support that he was in almost no danger. Perthin and the reader know the outcome is certain.

Good wins out over evil, and all loose ends are tied up nicely, with a “feel-good” ending. But I personally would have enjoyed The Crystal Scepter more if Pythius was a smaller character and Perthin faced more danger.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Who’s In the Tree?

May 5, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Craig Shuttlewood
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4549-1193-7
Pages: 24
Price: $12.95

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Who’s in the tree? A penguin! And an octopus is in the grass, and an elephant in the sky! What’s happening, and how did these animals end up in these unusual situations? In this rhyming lift-the flap book, each scene shows us an out-of-place animal. Kids can try to guess the animal before lifting the flap, based on the description provided.

Life-the-flap books are always great fun, and this one will provide lots of laughs as kids see these animals in all the wrong places. I highly recommend Who’s In the Tree?

Reviewer: Alice Berger