Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
classics, graphic novel, science-fiction

Science Fiction Classics: Graphic Classics Vol. 17

Bergers Book Reviews

scifi classics
Illustrators: Hunt Emerson, Micah Farritor, Johnny Ryan, George Sellas, Roger Langridge, Brad Teare, Ellen L. Lindner
Publisher: Eureka Productions
Genre: Science Fiction
ISBN:978-0-9787919-7-1
Pages: 144
Price: $17.95

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If you’ve ever wanted to read some of the classics in science fiction, but just can’t seem to find the time, Graphic Classics has the solution for you. In these graphic novels, the classics come alive, and each story can be read in a relatively short time.

Stories included:
In a Thousand Years by Hans Christian Andersen
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
In the Year 2889 by Jules Verne
A Martian Odyssey by Stanley G. Weinbaum
The Disintegration Machine by Arthur Conan Doyle
The Bureau d’Echange de Maux by Lord Dunsany
The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster

I had never read any of these classics, and I enjoyed these tales told through pictures and dialogue between the major characters. Of course some of the original story is lost in these abbreviated versions, but the main point is retained in an easy to read format.

If you’re a die-hard literary type, by all means read the originals. But if you enjoy action, good illustrations, and a quick read, these science fiction classics are just what you need to converse intelligently about stories you may never have had the chance to read otherwise.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Cape Cod Witch and the Legend of the Pirate

Bergers Book Reviews

witch
Author: J. Bean Palmer
Illustrator: Melanie Therrien
Publisher: Holly Hill Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-578-01217-9
Pages: 176
Price: $9.95

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ElsBeth Amelia Thistle, the youngest witch on Cape Cod, is excited that her second-grade class is going to Boston. But her grandmother, Hannah Goodspell doesn’t share her enthusiasm. In fact, she doesn’t like the idea at all. Witches don’t seem to do well in Boston–they may even go insane.

So when confusion over permission slips allows her the opportunity to join her class for the trip, ElsBeth can’t let it slip by. But she doesn’t realize she won’t be alone, as other magical beings join her to keep her safe.

And oh, what adventure awaits her in Boston! A kidnapping, a pirate (or privateer, as he chooses to be called), lots of ghosts, and a wild ride on a “borrowed” sailboat.

ElsBeth is a sweet girl, who really wants to do the right thing, and her classmates provide additional charm to this fun Cape Cod story. I especially liked Sylvanas the cat. Lots of action, intrigue, and a nice tidy ending will provide an enjoyable read for kids. I highly recommend The Cape Cod Witch and the Legend of the Pirate.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, finance

Where Is My Money?

Bergers Book Reviews

whereismymoney
Author: Twyla Prindle
Illustrator: Randy Jennings
Publisher: Prindle House Publishing Company
Genre: Children / Personal Finance
ISBN: 978-0-9819372-8-1
Pages: 32
Price: $14.95

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Where is her money? Is it under the chair? Or the bed? Or did she leave it in the car? Oh, no, there’s no money left! But where did it go?

Money management is a learned skill. Kids today need to know where their money is going before they learn it the hard way – when it’s no longer there! In Where Is My Money? this little girl learns about budgeting and saving, so she will always know where her money is – safe in her piggy bank.

Simple math and accounting lessons are included, to encourage kids to make their own savings plan. This is a wonderful resource in teaching children the value of money, and how not to spend it as soon as they get it. I highly recommend this personal finance book for kids.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Good Night Grandma

Bergers Book Reviews

grandma
Author: Sandi Washburn
Illustrator: Yvonne Fetig Roehler
Publisher: Growing Art Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-934367-09-4
Pages: 16
Price: $17.95

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Grandma used to sing the elephant song whenever she wanted to help her grand-kids feel better. But as she suffered from cancer, the children started to sing it to her instead. Grandma is gone now, and the triplet girls need to be comforted after her death. They turn to her favorite song and sing it again–both for themselves and for Grandma.

Children find it hard to understand death, and when they want to talk about their missing loved one, adults aren’t always receptive. When they’re confused or hurting, they may want to sing the elephant song, or maybe find another reassuring ritual that brings them closer to the one they’ve lost. Or a good cry might be what they need to make them feel better.

The illustrations by Yvonne Fetig Roehler portray a warm and loving family environment, as Mother shares stories about Grandma with her kids. Good Night Grandma provides a compassionate and necessary emotional outlet for kids to handle the death of their own loved one.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

literary

Maria’s Tango

Bergers Book Reviews

tango
Author: Anna Barcos
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Genre: Women’s Fiction
ISBN: 142510828-8
Pages: 325
Price: $21.97

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Maria has always wanted to be a famous tango dancer, so when Uncle Ruben offers to bring her to Hollywood, she jumps at the chance. She’s just turned 15, but she knows what she wants, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes.

What Maria doesn’t know is that Ruben has other plans for Maria – plans that include dancing in his brothel and turning tricks on the side. And when Maria meets the dashing Dario, her life is turned completely upside down.

Life seldom goes as we plan, and Maria learns this the hard way. Turning to alcohol, sex and drugs, she numbs her feelings and copes as best she can.

It’s hard not to feel for a girl who wants to follow her dreams, but at times Maria comes across as a selfish woman who always puts her own needs ahead of everyone else. Her careless actions hurt those she loves, and puts them very much at risk.

The first half of Maria’s Tango is well-written, but the second half seems jumpy and disjointed, much like Maria’s life has become. Though this story couldn’t have ended any differently, the last chapters felt somewhat out of place. Overall, it’s an interesting and disturbing read, but I felt it could have used a little more polishing before being published.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

health

The Liberation Diet

Bergers Book Reviews

liberation
Author: Kevin Brown CPT, NC & Annette Presley RD, LD, CPT
Publisher: BookSurge
Genre: Health / Diet / Fitness
ISBN: 978-1439207390
Pages: 260
Price: $24.95

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There are so many diet books on the market, that one can’t help but be frustrated by all the conflicting information. The experts can’t seem to agree on what’s best for us, so how can we choose? But one voice of reason has emerged in The Liberation Diet.

Intuitively, we all know nature didn’t intend for us to eat processed foods full of chemicals that come in a box. But in the last 100 years, more and more food options have become available to us, and most of those new choices have not been in our best interest.

Eating low-fat and high-carb has been touted as the healthiest choice we can make, but the results have shown otherwise. As we continue to eat “healthfully,” we also gain weight at alarming rates. Authors Kevin Brown and Annette Presley suggest this is not the healthy diet it claims to be, and they show us another option, backing this up with studies that support their ideas.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what to put in your body. But with The Liberation Diet you’ll be eating foods that are all-natural, and not full of toxic chemicals. I think that’s always a wise choice.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Tomato Turtle: A Trip to the Park

Bergers Book Reviews

turtle
Author: Thomas Strock
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60696-371-5
Pages: 20
Price: $6.99

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Tomato Turtle has always done what turtles do, until one day he sees some children playing in the park. He thinks it looks like fun, and decides to play in the park every day, too.

But, as most folks find out, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and Tomato Turtle misses his old life of turtle games. Will he be willing to give up the fun he’s having at the park?

As an eLIVE story, access to an audio download of this book is available through the publisher’s website. The illustrations are bright and well-crafted, but the plot is very simplistic. Author Thomas Strock is twelve years old, and Tomato Turtle is his first book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, spirituality

Nine Ways God Always Speaks

Bergers Book Reviews

9 ways
Author: Mark Herringshaw & Jennifer Schuchmann
Publisher: Tyndale House
Genre: Religion / Christian Life / Prayer
ISBN: 978-1-4143-2226-1
Pages: 352
Price: $14.99

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Has God spoken to you? Would you know it was Him, if He did? Or could it be coincidence, random encounters, or even just indigestion? Authors Mark Herringshaw and Jennifer Schuchmann believe God can and does speak to us. Nine Ways God Always Speaks shows us how He does this, and shares stories of those who have heard Him speak.

At one time God spoke through His prophets, and His people got clear directions in making decisions. If God told them to go to war against a neighboring country, they could be certain of victory. But today He guides us in more subtle ways.

We may hear from Him through our dreams, a little voice in our heads, our conscience, or a Bible verse. Chance meetings and a comment we feel is meant only for us could also be God speaking. And some of us have heard God speak through nature.

Our infinite God is capable of communicating with us in many ways, but we don’t always hear Him. In sharing other people’s experiences in hearing from God, Nine Ways God Always Speaks inspires us to be on the lookout for our own messages from God. Some of these stories may seem far-fetched to you, and you may question if He really did speak to them. But you’ll probably also find yourself wondering if maybe they could be true, and if He may even be trying to speak to you right now.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

tween

Slob

Bergers Book Reviews

slob
Author: Ellen Potter
Publisher: Philomel Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-399-2705-7
Pages: 208
Price: $16.99

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Owen Birnbaum is 57 percent fatter than the average twelve-year-old. But this isn’t self-pity speaking. It’s just the facts. When Owen introduces himself in the first pages of this novel, the reader immediately knows we’re also meeting a boy with better than average intelligence and a wry sense of humor.

Along with battling his weight, Owen has some other problems. One is the puzzle of who keeps stealing his Oreo cookies from his lunch sack. Another is the bullying gym teacher who revels in humiliating the fat kid. And the most important is building Nemesis, which will help him solve a mystery that took place two years ago.

At times Slob touches on serious matters no twelve-year-old should have to deal with. But Ellen Potter handles them in a sensitive manner, and Owen’s pain rings believable and true. I really enjoyed this well-written story, and I hope we get to see a lot more of Owen Birnbaum, who’s truly a delightful character.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

teen

The Lost Sister

Bergers Book Reviews

sister
Author: Megan Kelley Hall
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-0-7582-2680-8
Pages: 272
Price: $9.95

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At the conclusion of Sisters of Misery we learn that Cordelia is still alive, and she plans to come back to find Maddie. In this sequel, The Lost Sister, we find out what led to Cordelia’s disappearance, and where she’s been hiding for the past year.

All the major players in this drama have received a tarot card, which seems to convey an eerie warning. Death is in the air, and the evil won’t stop until certain people are finally removed from Hawthorne, once and for all. Is this story taking place in our modern century, or have they returned to the witch trials of Massachusetts? Magic and mystery surrounds them, blending both eras until almost indistinguishable from each other.

But why is all this death necessary? For what end? Maddie will find out when she faces her enemy in the final showdown.

Once again, author Megan Kelley Hall has created a haunting novel of madness in a small, affluent New England town. In this sequel, she ties together the loose ends left open when Cordelia vanished. Although it’s not quite as well written as Sisters of Misery, readers will still enjoy this conclusion to a chilling story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger