Bergers Book Reviews

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

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

history, tween

Anni’s Attic

May 2, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Anne Loader McGee
Publisher: Vendera Publishing
Genre: Middle-grade / Historical fiction
ISBN: 978-1-936307-24-1
Pages: 256
Price: $10.99

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Jennine has no desire to leave her home in New Orleans to live with her cousin Annise’s family in Georgia. But the Civil War has just begun, her mother recently died, and her father has business up north that he needs to take care of. Jennine hopes she can tolerate Annise for a little while and go home as soon as possible.

The Civil War goes on much longer than anyone anticipates, and soon Jennine and Annise are aware that their family has chosen sides. But those actions are putting everyone in danger, and the girls must step in to help, even though no one wants to tell them what’s going on. Trade in the south comes to a standstill, troops loot anything they can find, and the northern army is intent on burning everything in its path to Atlanta. Will the family survive to see the end of the war?

Anne Loader McGee has written a fascinating portrait of the south during the Civil War, from a unique perspective. She successfully weaves historical elements into the story in a believable way, putting the girls directly into the situations they encounter. And the growing friendship and love between Annise and Jennine adds to the charm of the story. As they deal with terrible circumstances of the war, they pull together and do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe. I highly recommend Anni’s Attic.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Dinosaur Roar!

April 22, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Title: Dinosaur Colors
Author & Illustrator: Paul Stickland
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4027-9237-3
Pages: 24
Price: $4.95

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Dinosaurs and the color names are all shaded in their specific hues on two-page spreads. The final page is a group of dinosaurs in all colors for kids to identify.

Title: Dinosaur Numbers
Author & Illustrator: Paul Stickland
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4549-1028-2
Pages: 24
Price: $4.95

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Count the dinosaurs, all the way up to ten. Simple rhyming verse accompanies the numbers, each on its own two-page spread.

Title: Dinosaur Shapes
Author & Illustrator: Paul Stickland
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4549-1027-5
Pages: 24
Price: $4.95

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Dinosaurs accompany various shapes along with questions about each. Brightly colored shapes are accompanied by the same ones in the dinosaur bodies.

Title: Dinosaur Opposites
Author & Illustrator: Paul Stickland
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4549-1029-9
Pages: 24
Price: $4.95

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Dinosaurs depict the various words in this book of “opposites.”

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Viku and the Ivory Thieves

April 16, 2014April 16, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Debu Majumdar
Illustrator: Lynn Wolfe
Publisher: Bo-Tree House
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9832227-3-6
Pages: 52
Price: $12.99

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In this sequel to Viku and the Elephant and Viku to the Rescue, Viku and his elephant friend, Haatee, are back again to protect the forest. Although two of the ivory thieves have been stranded on an island surrounded by crocodiles, some are still on the loose. With the help of the police, all of the poachers are rounded up and sent to prison.

But the dangers to the elephants and the forest continue, and Viku and the police must step up their efforts to protect them. When an evil scheme is uncovered, Viku and Haatee help to thwart it. One of the ivory thieves has now completely reformed and assists them in their efforts.

The forces of good and evil are portrayed very strongly in this series, with good always triumphing over evil. And in Viku and the Ivory Thieves, evil is even transformed to goodness. Kids will cheer for Viku and Haatee, wanting to see them succeed in stopping the thieves once again. I highly recommend this series for the positive values demonstrated.

Debu Majumdar shared his thoughts with us in an interview. Please be sure to read what he has to say!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Blue and Other Stories

April 15, 2014April 22, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Suniti Namjoshi
Illustrator: Nilima Sheikh
Publisher: Spinifex
Genre: Children / Fables
ISBN: 174219839-2
Pages: 36
Price: $24.95

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Suniti Namjoshi is internationally acclaimed as a poet, and Nilima Sheikh’s paintings hang in galleries all over the world. These two talented artists combine their skills to bring us Blue and Other Stories, a collection of myths and fables.

Five short stories are included in this book. “The Unloved Queen” tells the tale of a girl named Suniti questioning how she received her name. “Blue” shares her love of the color blue and the reactions of those around her to this obsession. “Kingfisher” is a tale of a smart bird and his quirky answers to those seeking his wisdom. “Frog Life” shows us vanity at its highest. And “Bird Woman” presents a girl’s unusual problem and her parents’ creative solution.

These interesting and unique stories are colorfully illustrated to complement the text. Blue and Other Stories is a beautiful work of art, both in words and pictures.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Mud and Rainbows

April 8, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Howard Binkow
Illustrator: Susan F. Cornelison
Publisher: Thunderbolt Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9715390-5-1
Pages: 32
Price: $15.00

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Howard B. Wigglebottom likes to fix things. So when his friend, Ali, is sad, he wants to fix her problems. But he learns from his mom that some things simply can’t be fixed.

Ali’s problem is that her parents are fighting and she is upset. But in this book, Ali never actually says this. We learn it from Howard’s mom when she explains why he can’t do anything about it. And when Howard finally does try to talk to Ali, he immediately falls in the mud and starts splashing around.

Kids certainly are not at fault when their parents are fighting, but that message doesn’t come across very clearly in Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Mud and Rainbows. I would have preferred to see Ali actually tell Howard some of the specifics about her problems, and Howard to respond with careful consideration, rather than simply talking to his mom and declaring, “It’s not your fault.” The discussion section at the end of the book might be helpful to fully explain the concepts in this story, and adult explanations will most likely be necessary.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

art, nature

Birds & Words

April 4, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Charles Harper
Publisher: AMMO Books
Genre: Art / Nature
ISBN: 978-162326016-3
Pages: 152
Price: $34.95

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Charley Harper liked to say, “I could never get close enough to count the feathers in the wings, so I just count the wings.” His colorful bird illustrations are shown in minimal realism that hints more than it shows in this reprint of the 1974 classic.

Long feather tendrils grace a snowy egret’s head and back. Barn swallows are long and elegant, with sharply pointed wings. The cardinal is a study in bright red with a sharply pronounced black bib. A flock of starlings is a blur of black, green and purple with white spots.

Along with these and other bird illustrations, Harper provides his own unique commentary about each species. Although this is no carefully detailed Audubon book, Birds & Words will make any bird lover smile at these lovely creations.

Reviewer: Alice Berger