Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
fantasy, tween

The Crystal Navigator

Bergers Book Reviews

>The Crystal Navigator
Author: Nancy Kunhardt Lodge
Publisher: Wilwahren Press
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-9960885-3-4
Pages: 200
Price: $21.99

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Lucy Nightingale has had an awful experience giving an oral report, and now she’s facing an even more difficult assignment. She needs to study five paintings and discover something unique about the personalities of the artists. After consulting with her best friend, Sam, she decides to contact her Wise One for help. She’s surprised to find out his name is Wilbur, and he’s a Corgi dog.

Wilbur has a magical adventure in store for Lucy, and they set out for a trip back in time. Wilbur wants Lucy to meet the artists themselves and talk with them about their paintings. Soon they’re visiting Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Jacopo Pontormo, and Vincent van Gogh. But their trip through time is fraught with danger when the crystal navigator develops a virus, and they end up in some unexpected places. As Wilbur’s strength fades along with the navigator, Lucy has to rely on her own wits and resourcefulness to get home safely.

The Crystal Navigator is a sweet fantasy about a girl who calls on her own imagination to take her to new places. Lucy doesn’t know that she has the power to control her own destiny until she returns and realizes what she’s been able to accomplish. Kids will cheer for her efforts and wish her well on her journey.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

acting, teen

Scenes for Teens

Bergers Book Reviews

Scenes for Teens
Author: Mike Kimmel
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: Acting / Teen
ISBN: 9781497557031
Pages: 142
Price: $14.99

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Teenage actors don’t always have good drama and comedy scenes to practice on, while attempting to hone their skills. Much of the material out there is offensive or simply not appropriate for teens. Mike Kimmel saw the need for clean scenes, and that was why he developed Scenes for Teens: 50 Original Comedy and Drama Scenes for Teenage Actors.

These two or three page scenes are designed to be played by two actors. Roles are identified as A or B, and there is no gender indicated, so anyone can play either part. Although a few of the scenes handle moral issues, most are simply casual conversations between two friends, but they don’t include foul language, inappropriate topics, or any kind of mischief. Teens are encouraged to act the part the way they feel inspired, with no stage directions given.

Scenes for Teens is appropriate for aspiring actors of any age – even the younger set. Teens who want to improve their acting skills would be wise to pick up a copy. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fiction

Home to the Mountains: A Fawn for Christmas

Bergers Book Reviews

Home to the Mountains - A Fawn for Christmas
Author: William Delia
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: Christmas
Pages: 211
ISBN: 9781515068945
Price: $11.58

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Being a lover of the outdoors, I wanted to read a book this past Christmas that reflected the spirit of the season, but yet was set in the mountains or countrysides of rural America. With a little research, I found HOME TO THE MOUNTAINS: A Fawn for Christmas by William Delia. The book pleasantly exceeded my expectations.

After a terrible personal tragedy, Rafford Brown is a man seeking to piece his life back together in his native Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. His journey affords him a chance meeting with Abigail Sherwood, a widow living alone while trying to maintain the upkeep on her extensive mountain home.

His friendship with Abigail and her grandson brings him a sense of family he thought he had lost forever. In the meantime, Rafford has to come to grips with the past, the pain that sent him out into the wilderness away from his former life in the first place. Abigail’s strong-willed daughter, Carolyn, looking for her own answers, doesn’t make life any easier.

The book is compelling with the beauty of wintertime in the Adirondack Mountains ever present. Nature plays a key role in the growth of the characters, but a touch of God’s wisdom adds to the warmth and gentleness of the story.

This is not a Christmas story per se, but one that will light up your holiday season as would a warm blanket enjoyed with a cup hot chocolate on a cold, snowy night. You won’t regret delving into this wonderful book, and it may even become for you, a traditional read.

Reviewer: Gene Berger

cartoon, cats, humor

Simon’s Cat in Kitten Chaos

Bergers Book Reviews

Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos
Author & Illustrator: Simon Tofield
Publisher: Akashic Books
Genre: Cats / Humor
ISBN: 978-1-61775-158-5
Pages: 240
Price: $15.95

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Simon’s cat is living the good life – until a new kitten joins the household. Although initially disliking the newcomer, the older cat finally decides to give it some pointers on how to behave – and how best to get into trouble. Two cats are much more destructive than one, as Simon soon finds out.

In this series of cartoons, Simon’s cat alternately torments and schemes with his new kitten companion. Taking on the backyard woodchucks and bunnies, as well as the neighborhood dog, these two feline companions find themselves in some amusing situations.

Simon’s Cat Youtube videos have generated over 350 million views, and these books make perfect gifts for the cat lover in your life. Just don’t let their kitties see them!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

The Charlemagne Connection

Bergers Book Reviews

The Charlemagne Connection
Author: R.M. Cartmel
Publisher: Crime Scene Books
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-0-9929486-2-7
Pages: 328
Price: $13.99

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Commander Truchaud has been called back home to Nuits-Saint-Georges to help his sister-in-law, Michelle, handle his father, who is suffering from dementia and getting worse each day. He soon learns that a German tourist disappeared a while back, when his sister and her friend arrive, attempting to locate him. Fearing foul play, they try to determine when he was last seen, and with whom.

Inheritance laws in France are strict, and Truchaud soon learns that this German man might have been a threat to someone whose family owns one of the local vineyards. He also suspects that his disappearance may have something to do with the mysterious circumstances in The Richebourg Affair.

The Charlemagne Connection is more of a novel than a whodunit, and mystery buffs won’t find much to solve. But those who enjoy exotic settings and good character development will enjoy this book. I’m looking forward to the conclusion of this intriguing mystery.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

computers, mathematics

Doing Math With Python

Bergers Book Reviews

Doing Math With Python
Author: Amit Saha
Publisher: No Starch Press
Genre: Computer programming / Mathematics
ISBN: 978-1-59327-640-9
Pages: 264
Price: $29.95

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Mathematics comes alive when seen visually, and computer programming makes it easy to turn formulas into graphs. Doing Math With Python shows the budding math whiz how to do this, step by step.

Prior knowledge of Python is not assumed, and the author shows the reader exactly how and why he’s using each line of code. Building on basic logic, the reader is then guided into programming more and more sophisticated graphs. Simple data mapping leads to graphic illustrations of algebra and physics equations. Statistical analysis, calculus, and even fractals are covered.

Serious math students who also enjoy working with computers will find Doing Math With Python a valuable resource. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

history, memoir

This Victorian Life

Bergers Book Reviews

This Victorian Life
Author: Sarah A. Chrisman
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Genre: History / Memoir
ISBN: 978-1-63450-237-5
Pages: 332
Price: $24.99

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Sarah and Gabriel Chrisman love history, and especially the Victorian era of the 1880’s and 1890’s. In an effort to truly experience what this period in history was like, they have engaged in a long-term experiment of actually living a Victorian lifestyle, as much as possible in this modern world. This Victorian Life chronicles their journey.

Sarah is a wonderful story-teller, as she blends actual historical facts and anecdotes with her own experiences. Beginning with the purchase of their new/old Victorian house, she describes how they furnished it with antique Victorian pieces. She also explains how actual antique pieces are often more beautiful and functional than their modern copy-cat versions, as well as why certain antique items are still available while others have long since disappeared. Personal care, along with cooking, sewing, and writing are explained from a Victorian perspective, along with the joys and hazards of bicycling. Ghost stories, historical figures, and her experiences in portrait sitting are also featured. Interesting primary source documents and photos from the time period are scattered throughout the text, bringing the history to life.

While some people may not consider themselves up-to-date in modern technology, the Chrismans are a bit more out of step with the rest of society, in this lifestyle they have come to love. Their home is heated with a kerosene stove, they use oil lamps rather than light bulbs, and they make their own clothes, copying them from antiques they have acquired over the years. This Victorian Life gives a glimpse of the Victorian era from the perspective of truly living in it. I highly recommend this fascinating and engaging book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Nostromo the Dwarf

Bergers Book Reviews

Nostromo the Dwarf
Author & Illustrator: Sam Carr
Publisher: Bliss Group Books
Genre: Children / Fairy Tale
ISBN: 978-1-940021-16-4
Pages: 120
Price: $6.99

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A young man unexpectedly discovers Nostromo the dwarf’s hideaway in the woods. After spending the night, he returns home. But a week later, Nostromo sends his dog with a dinner invitation, and a friendship soon develops.

Nostromo tells the tales of his adventures to the young man, who shares them with his child. In a series of bedtime stories, the child hears of Nostromo’s time at sea, meeting a ghost, building his house, surviving a flood, and meeting his animal friends.

Nostromo has lived a long and full life, and has suddenly disappeared. But the young man is convinced of his eventual return, hoping he may have even more stories to tell.

Nostromo the Dwarf reads more like a fairy tale than a novel. The story structure lends itself to read-aloud bedtime stories, just as the father shares Nostromo’s tales with his own child. And although Nostromo’s disappearance is some cause for concern, there is hope he will soon be back, possibly in a sequel. Kids will enjoy hearing of Nostromo’s adventures.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, humor

Night of the Living Worms

Bergers Book Reviews

Night of the Living Worms
Author & Illustrator: Dave Coverly
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Genre: Children / Humor
ISBN: 978-0-8050-8886-1
Pages: 128
Pages: $13.99

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It’s rough being the little brother of Early Bird – the one who always gets the worm. But Speed Bump is determined to get a worm of his own, one of these days. Along with his buddy, Slingshot, he happily gobbles nuts and berries, and waits for the day he will earn his prize.

One evening, Speed Bump can’t sleep, so he convinces Slingshot to take a journey into the forest. All smart birds know not to go out at night, and soon they are spooked and lost. But when they find the Night Crawlers plotting against Early Bird, they need to act quickly.

Cute wordplay, humorous situations, cartoon-style line drawings, and great characters make Night of the Living Worms a fun read for kids. I can’t wait to see the sequel.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, history, science

Smithsonian Everything You Need to Know: Grades 4-5

Bergers Book Reviews

Everything You Need to Know
Author: Ruth Strother
Publisher: Silver Dolphin Books
Genre: Science / History / Children
ISBN: 978-1-62686-312-5
Pages: 275
Price: $19.95

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Kids have a natural curiosity about history and the natural world around them. While picking up an encyclopedia might be the best way to look up information about a subject that interests them, reading one of the 275 cards in this box set might also do the trick. Although there is only a snippet of facts, enough is presented on each topic to give kids a chance to research in more depth.

Subjects in this box include: Outer Space, Science, Inner Space, Weather, Earth in Motion, Biomes and Ecosystems, Human Body, Animal Relationships, All About Plants, Insects, Endangered Animals, Lay of the Land, Natural Wonders of the World, Man-made Wonders of the World, Ancient Times, U.S. Presidents, History Makers, and American History.

Although the title Everything You Need to Know might be a bit overly ambitious, there is a wealth of interesting material here that can generate hours of research and exploration. Teachers might also be able to use these cards as idea starters for projects and papers.

Reviewer: Alice Berger