Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
classics, graphic novel

Graphic Classics: Edgar Allan Poe

Bergers Book Reviews


Illustrators: Carlo Vergara, Dan Dougherty, Rick Geary, Gerry Alanguilan, Milton Knight, Pedro Lopez, Matt Howarth, Joe Ollmann, Lance Tooks, J.B. Bonivert
Publisher: Graphic Classics
Genre: Graphic Novel / Horror
ISBN: 978-0-9825630-0-7
Pages: 144
Price: $12.95

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Edgar Allan Poe’s classic horror stories are brought to life in this eerie graphic novel adaptation. Illustrated in all black and white drawings, these tales take on a new creepiness, as the reader can now see in vivid detail the images he was only able to imagine.

The following stories are contained in this volume:

  • The Pit and the Pendulum
  • The Raven
  • The Black Cat
  • William Wilson
  • The Imp of the Perverse
  • The Premature Burial
  • The Tell-Tale Heart
  • Annabel Lee
  • The Fall of the House of Usher
  • The Cask of Amontillado
  • Never Bet the Devil Your Head

A word of warning must be given – Poe’s writings are not for the faint of heart. But for those who enjoy a touch of the macabre, these graphic stories will be sure to entertain.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

A Dangerous Christmas

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Hedley Griffin
Publisher: DangerSpot Books
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-0-954656506-0
Pages: 32
Price: £5.99

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Harey the rabbit is impatient to get things done, so he doesn’t always think about how dangerous his actions might be. Does the fairy have to be put on top of the tree? No problem – Harey will pile up books on top of a chair to place it there. Have the Christmas lights stopped working? Harey will stop in the middle of washing his hands to see how he can fix them.

Harey doesn’t realize he can get hurt, but his friends know better. They remind him – after he’s already made a mistake – that he needs to think first. But poor Harey will end up at the hospital before Christmas is over.

In the excitement of Christmas Day, kids may not realize they also need to be careful. Reading this funny story about Harey’s accidents will keep them more conscious of safety while enjoying their holiday. Who knew Christmas could be so dangerous?

All DangerSpot books include stickers to place on dangerous items as a reminder for kids to stay safe. These books also include practical tips at the end, so parents can be sure no one gets hurt.

Reviewed by: Alice Berger

children

Whitey On the Ranch

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Stayton Weldon
Illustrator: Susan Anderson-Shorter
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4490-5474-8
Pages: 52
Price: $9.00

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Whitey the truck lives on a ranch with his owner, Brilliant. As a new truck, he has no idea what to expect from ranch life, but he soon finds out! Before long he’s driving over rocky roads with potholes and wearing a heavy coat of manure.

When Whitey first meets Brilliant, he is sure he’s really a very smart man – after all, Brilliant picked him. By the end of this tale, Whitey isn’t quite as convinced about his intelligence anymore, and his names for the man change. But he remains his loyal white truck through it all.

Whitey can laugh about the lifestyle he’s forced to endure, and he tells his story in a humorous way. Anyone who’s ever owned a ranch, thought about ranching, or raised a farm animal will chuckle over some of the predicaments Whitey finds himself in. And if you’ve never been around a ranch, you’re sure to learn about some things you can expect to find. Boys will especially enjoy the descriptions Whitey gives us of some of his modifications.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

tween

Summer Sanctuary

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Laurie Gray
Publisher: Luminis Books
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-1-935462-34-7
Pages: 200
Price: $11.95

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Matthew’s best friend, Kyle, has gone away to spend the summer at a farm. His younger brother has reached a growth spurt and is now bigger than he is. And his mom is pregnant. Again. Since Matthew is being home-schooled, he doesn’t even get the summers off, and he has to write a research paper on Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. It was going to be the worst summer ever – until he met Dinah.

Dinah is on the run from Child Welfare, waiting for her mom to come home and get her. But until then she needs a place to hang out and hide. Matthew takes an instant liking to Dinah, and offers her his friendship and a sanctuary. The two new friends share ideas, laughter, music and companionship over the next few weeks, forging a strong bond in the process.

Matthew never expects to get so close to this homeless girl, and their time spent together is all too brief. Will they stay in touch by email, as Dinah suggests, or will time apart bring inevitable distance? But in the moments they do have together, they touch each other in ways neither could anticipate.

Summer Sanctuary is a warm and tender story of two teens who find true friendship in a world that is often much too harsh. Matthew and Dinah are interesting and deep characters, and I enjoyed getting to know them both. I highly recommend this beautiful story for all who long to still find caring and goodness in humanity.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cats, children

Said the Kitty to the Cat

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Vincent Spada
Illustrator: Steve Whitlow
Publisher: Top That! Publishing
Genre: Children / Cats
ISBN: 978-1-84956-101-3
Pages: 32
Price: £5.99

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An adorable mother cat nestles on the couch with her kitty. They both eye a box full of wonderful treats, and try to find a way to open it. They look for help from the bird, the dog and the fish, but no one is available, and they must wait until their owner arrives to find out what’s inside.

This simple text is written in repetitive rhyme, so children can join in as their mom or dad reads aloud. The illustrations are soft and bright, and kids will want to reach out and touch these sweet, fluffy cats. My one small concern with this story is that the cats are trying to get into a box of candy. Rather than using “sweets,” I would have preferred to see “treats,” to be sure no kids start giving their cats chocolate after reading it.

Said the Kitty to the Cat is a cute, easy to read story that kids will enjoy. And cat lovers will find these darling felines irresistible.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

How Bunnies Got Their Cottontails

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Barbara Prignano
Illustrator: Jennifer K. Okubo
Publisher: Eloquent Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60860-675-4
Pages: 20
Price $11.95

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Ever wondered how bunnies got their cottontails? Well, according to Barbara Prignano, they didn’t start out that way. When a little boy decides to cut down the time on his chores, he accidentally gives the bunnies their cotton tails. In How Bunnies Got Their Cottontails, we find out the story behind those tails.

The idea behind this book is cute, since kids love bunnies and especially their tails. But this story lacked substance, and the illustrations were too simplistic. I would have preferred if the way the bunnies had gotten their tails had been a little more involved, with some interesting and fun plot twists. Kids would find it more engaging, and could then read it more than once.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

graphic novel

Zoey Zeta and the Sisters of Power

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Robert Simon
Illustrator: Tomomi Sarafov
Publisher: Zeta Comics
Genre: Comics
ISBN: 978-0-9865392-0-6
Pages: 50
Price: $10.99

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The Sisters of Power have a secret. Each of the three sisters has a super power, but they’ve promised not to tell anyone about them. Zoey is a genius who likes to invent things. Ella is pretty much indestructible. And Lexi can travel at supersonic speeds.

When an evil villain threatens to hold the city hostage by not allowing kids to enjoy summer vacation, Zoey Zeta and the Sisters of Power spring into action. How can they defeat the monster sent to destroy their playground, so kids can have fun again?

This graphic action novel brings these cool superheroes to life. Author Robert Simon created this new series so girls would have fun science fiction books to read. As he says, “Fairies are great but they’re not cool. Not unless they’re packing molecular disintegrators.” So if you’re looking for imaginative, science and engineering-based fiction and fun, Zoey Zeta and her sisters are the right choice for you.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Miss Mandy Manners

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Michelle Berg
Illustrator: Karl Struss
Publisher: Little Nipper Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9840768-0-2
Pages: 16
Price: $16.95

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Miss Mandy is liked by all. She’s polite to her mom when she’s on the phone, lends an ear when a friend is sad, and she knows how to clean up her mess when she’s finished playing. Miss Mandy has excellent manners, and that makes her a very popular girl.

Miss Mandy Manners is told in rhyme with bright and cheerful illustrations.This very cute little girl shares her secrets of having good manners and behaving in a way that people will appreciate. Although the rhyme is a little forced at times, the message is a good one, and is told in a positive way that most kids won’t find preachy.  If your little one is starting to learn her manners, she would do well to emulate Miss Mandy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fantasy, tween

Brigitta of the White Forest

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Danika Dinsmore
Publisher: en theos press
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-9754042-5-6
Pages: 210
Price $12.95

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A terrible spell has been placed on the fairies of the White Forest. All except Brigitta and her little sister, Himalette, have been turned to stone. The ceremony of resetting the Hourglass of Protection must take place as scheduled or the White Forest will be in danger. But the High Priestess will be unable to perform it as a stone statue.

Brigitta knows there is one fairy who might be able to help. Hrathgar hasn’t been affected by this stone spell, since she lives outside the White Forest. Brigitta and Himalette head out to find her in the hopes that she can offer assistance. But the area they need to travel through is treacherous, and Hrathgar has been banished from the White Forest for something evil she did a long time ago. Even though they know they are in great danger, the two young fairies are determined to save the White Forest and restore everyone back to normal.

Brigitta of the White Forest is fantasy and adventure in a delightful combination. Readers will love Brigitta’s bravery in facing Hrathgar, while trying to protect her little sister. She is also clever in determining if their unusual companions, Minq and Gola, are allies or enemies in their quest. The story is fast-paced, with lots of imaginative elements to keep the reader interested until the very end. I highly recommend this enjoyable novel.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

spirituality

Awakening to the Spirit World

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Sandra Ingerman & Hank Wesselman
Publisher: Sounds True
Genre: Spirituality
ISBN: 978-1-59179-750-0
Pages: 360
Price: $19.95

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Shamanic journeys have been taken for thousands of years, but many people are still relatively unaware of their power. In Awakening to the Spirit World, Sandra Ingerman and Hank Wesselman explore what shamanic journeys are, and how we can incorporate them into our lives.

Shamans have the ability to see and hear things on their journeys that can help themselves and their community. By visiting the Lower, Middle, and Upper Worlds through meditation, men and women can share in this enlightening experience. Several different types of journeys are discussed in this book, including the use of dream work, art, sound and light, and facing the ultimate death of the body.

There is no religious belief necessary, and members of all faiths are able to participate. If you have an interest in shamanic journeying, you’ll find Awakening to the Spirit World a useful resource for your own practice. Musical sounds of drumming and other rhythmic melodies are provided on the accompanying CDs.

Reviewer: Alice Berger