Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
children, music

My Name Is Chicken Joe

Bergers Book Reviews

chicken
Author: Trout Fishing in America
Illustrator: Stephanie Jorisch
Publisher: Secret Mountain
Genre: Children / Music
ISBN: 978-2-923163-49-9
Pages: 36
Price: $16.95

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When you think of kids’ music, you may think of girls’ high-pitched voices and sappy sweet songs. But Trout Fishing in America, a four-time Grammy-nominated male duo, has other ideas.

The clever and imaginative lyrics in My Name Is Chicken Joe are a delight to hear. “Chunky milk, eyebrow soup, refried snakeskin, fresh baked boot” let us know Why I Pack My Lunch. Songs like Fill It up and It’s a Puzzle are fun twists on the use of words. And all kids can relate to idea of My Best Day.

The musical accompaniment to these wonderful lyrics is just as good. These tunes can be listened to over and over again with pleasure–even by adults.

This package includes the music CD plus lyrics for all songs, along with delightful illustrations by Stephanie Jorisch. If you’re looking for clever and fun music for your kids, I highly recommend Trout Fishing in America’s My Name Is Chicken Joe.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

romance

Celtic Sacrifice

Bergers Book Reviews

celtic
Author: Sheryl Brennan
Publisher: Underdog Press
Genre: Historical Romance
ISBN: 978-0-615-25561-3
Pages: 264
Price: $15.99

Author’s website

Ireland, early 1600’s ~ Ceana knows she comes from a lineage that includes the powerful druid priestess, Una. Prophesy states that Una’s power will return through Ceana, and she is humbled by this duty to her family and clan.

But the goddess speaks in mysterious ways, and Ceana doesn’t know how this prophesy will be fulfilled. Will she marry her clansman Cian, who believes he is the other half of her destiny? Or will the mysterious stranger she meets at the faire play a part? Following the goddess and her duty, Ceana makes the best decisions she can, not knowing what the results of her actions will be.

Ceana is a shining example of one who believes in her higher purpose and is willing to walk by faith alone. Celtic Sacrifice is a magical and beautiful story of a strong woman who is driven by her calling to do what is right, never wavering from that call – even when it requires a sacrifice that goes against her very being.

Book one in a three-book series, Celtic Sacrifice is one of the best novels I’ve read in a long time. I highly recommend this wonderful book, and I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

health, inspiration

The Confidence of Feeling Good

Bergers Book Reviews

Feeling Good
Author: Jeanie Marshall
Publisher: Marshall House
Genre: Guided meditation
ISBN: 1-885893-06-X
Price: $19.95

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Do you want to be sure you’ll have a great day before it begins? Do you need a boost when you’re feeling a little tired in the afternoon? The Confidence of Feeling Good was created to enhance your energy and vitality.

Focusing on your higher self, this meditation guides you to receive this energy and send it to all parts of your body. As it fills you, it brings you feelings of goodness and pleasure. Soft background music accompanies Jeanie Marshall’s voice for a soothing experience.

This gentle & relaxing meditation will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to go back to your day, full of joyful, exhilarating energy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

health, self improvement

The Power of Soul

Bergers Book Reviews

soul
Author: Dr. Zhi Gang Sha
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1-4165-8910-4
Pages: 352
Price: $26.00

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In 2003, Dr. Zhi Gang Sha began offering Divine Soul Downloads to humanity through the direct instruction of the Divine. In The Power of Soul, he continues his Soul Power Series of books, and provides new insights into how we can use this soul power in our lives.

Dr. Sha has included eleven new Divine Soul Downloads in this book. If we read his words and follow the instructions as written, we will receive these new divine souls for ourselves. Knowing we might doubt his words, he answers, “If you want to know if the pear is sweet, taste it.” Only by experiencing it for ourselves will we know the truth.

Heal the soul first, and all else will heal. Sickness will be prevented, the mind and body will be rejuvenated, and relationships, finances and business will be transformed.

Dr. Sha’s message is a positive one. He encourages us to receive his Divine Soul Downloads, chant powerful words, and sing uplifting soul songs to promote transformation and healing in our lives. But skeptical folks who rely solely on conventional healing may find his teachings to be too “new age” for their tastes.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Ryan & Robbie’s Bike Ride Adventure

Bergers Book Reviews

ryan & robbie
Author: Roger Hackett
Illustrator: Jared Beckstrand
Publisher: Ryan and Robbie
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9820254-6-8
Pages: 64
Price: $15.99

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Ryan and Robbie have new bikes, and can hardly wait to have some adventures. But before they leave, their mother has a special gift for them. She is Chinese, and she gives them each a pendant with a symbol on it, and shares a bit of secret wisdom. As they bike around the neighborhood with their dad, they discover situations that require this wisdom, and they use it to solve problems together.

I liked the fact that this is a multi-cultural family, and that their Chinese mom wants to share her traditions with her children. The message of teamwork and being a good older sibling is also presented in a non-preachy manner. But I had a hard time seeing this bike ride as an adventure. Nothing particularly adventurous happens and their dad is with them the whole time.

Ryan & Robbie’s Bike Ride Adventure also comes with a read-along CD, so kids can listen as they read. Jared Beckstrand’s illustrations are bright and crisp, and complement the text well. Overall, this story is a good read for kids.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

parenting, teen

The Lake That Stole Children

Bergers Book Reviews

lake
Author: Douglas Glenn Clark
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: Fable
ISBN: 978-1438243580
Pages: 50
Price: $6.25

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The fisherman knows only discipline and strict obedience in raising his two children. Although his son also wants to fish in the river, he is repeatedly denied his heart’s desire. Until one night he goes against his father’s wishes and faces the river by himself.

The lake claims the son, who joins other children inside a large glass fish. Their common bond is sadness, and the adults on the shore don’t want to face their part in the children’s disappearances. But the fisherman wants his son back, and he’s brave enough to face the glass fish.

Written in fable style, The Lake That Stole Children shows us many facets of our emotions and personalities. In this tale, the father recognizes his own limitations, and makes positive changes as a result of losing his son. And in seeing his father change, the boy grows up learning how to be a better father.

While the author intended this story to be a harrowing thriller for young adults, I didn’t feel there was enough action to grab the teen audience. But as a short story for adults, it packed a powerful message. Parents always need to be aware of their kids’ emotions before they disappear into their sadness, lost to us forever.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

journal, travel

CruiseMinder Journal

Bergers Book Reviews

cruiseminder
Author: F.E. Wilkins
Publisher: MemoryMinder Journals
Genre: Journal
ISBN: 978-0-9637968-5-1
Pages: 144
Price: $16.95

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You’ve just booked the cruise of a lifetime, and although it may be months in the future, you know you’ve got a lot of planning to do before your big trip. The CruiseMinder Journal was created with all your needs in mind.

Divided into four sections, this journal is designed to make sure you stay organized. The first part is the anticipation section, which includes information on packing, planning your agenda, a mini address book for postcards you’ll send, and anything you’ll need to do once you get home again. The next section is your daily diary, where you can record any activities you participated in, along with general thoughts about the day. The third section allows you to record information about the ship, the crew, expenses incurred, and any new friends you’ve made while on the cruise. And the reference section has helpful nautical terms and maps.

The journal pages are of high-quality paper, with a spiral binding and sturdy cover. An introductory section explains how to use this journal for maximum effectiveness. This pretty and useful little book will record the details of your cruise for a lifetime of memories.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

humor

Roastbeef’s Promise

Bergers Book Reviews

roastbeef
Author: David Jerome
Publisher: Smack Books
Genre: Fiction / Humor
ISBN: 978-0-9815459-1-2
Pages: 312
Price: $23.95

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What do you do when your father’s last dying wish is to have his ashes sprinkled in all forty-eight contiguous states? If you’re Jim “Roastbeef” Hume, you do your best to fulfill it, no matter what it will take.

Roastbeef’s Promise chronicles Roastbeef’s fifteen month journey around the country in his quest to carry out his mission. Along the way, he runs into car troubles, theft of nearly all his possessions, and even manages to get arrested. But that doesn’t deter him from having as much fun as he can possibly get away with.

If you’re a college student thinking of taking a cross-country trip, or if you secretly longed to make one before entering the “real world,” you’ll find Roastbeef’s adventures hilarious. Join him vicariously as he travels the US, meeting interesting new people and seeing the sights, before ultimately finding his life purpose.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, health, parenting

Peeper Has a Fever

Bergers Book Reviews

peeper
Author: Charlotte Cowan, M.D.
Illustrator: Susan Banta
Publisher: Hippocratic Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 0-9753516-2-1
Pages: 32
Price: $17.95

Author’s website
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Peeper really wants to go with his family to the big picnic, but he’s woken up with a 104F fever. After a call to Dr. Hippo, his mom says he needs to stay home, so his dad stays with him to keep him company. Keeping cool will make him feel better, so Peeper takes a bath and eats ice cream and popsicles. And since the diving contest is postponed, he recovers in time to participate.

Peeper Has a Fever is part of the Dr. Hippo series, designed to explain illnesses to children so they understand what’s happening to their bodies. This book shows us the stages of Peeper’s illness and how he gets better by taking his medicine, resting and cooling off.

In addition to the story, a guide for parents is included, which explains what to look for when a child has a fever, and how to handle it. I highly recommend this cute and informative story for all families with young children.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Gretchen Asks, “How Do Cars Work?”

Bergers Book Reviews

gretchen
Author: Angel Neuschwander
Illustrator: Becky Johnston
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4389-2886-9
Pages: 24
Price: $12.99

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Have you ever wondered how your car operated? Seven year-old Gretchen isn’t shy, so she asks her mother – an engineer. What follows is mom’s explanation of the internal workings of an automobile.

Using simple illustrations, she shows Gretchen how a car operates similarly to her bike. But unlike the bike, which uses pedals to move it forward, the car has an engine. She then explains how pistons move, acting like bike pedals.

More of an educational tool than a story, this unique book explains cars in an age-appropriate manner. Since I know very little about the inner workings of an engine, I found myself reading as a child might, and found the information easy to comprehend. The illustrations and diagrams provide additional understanding.

I was also pleased to see a little girl asking her mom, rather than the more traditional boy and father. Gretchen Asks, “How Do Cars Work?” would be a terrific resource both in the classroom and the library.

Reviewer: Alice Berger