Bergers Book Reviews

Cool Creations in 35 Pieces

September 11, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Sean Kenney
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Genre: Children / Art
ISBN: 978-0-8050-9692-7
Pages: 32
Price: $12.99

LEGO pieces can be used to create wonderful objects, using the right combinations. But knowing how to piece them together can be a challenge for kids. In Cool Creations in 35 Pieces, master LEGO artist, Sean Kenney, has documented procedures for building robots, spacecraft, buildings, furniture and household objects, vehicles, animals, and aliens.

Kenney has only used thirty-five pieces for all of these LEGO models. Kids are encouraged to build his sculptures, but also to re-combine these pieces to create new works of art of their own. And if these models inspire you, check out Kenney’s other books on LEGO creations. This would be a perfect book for the creative LEGO builder in your home.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

teen

Somebody Up There Hates You

September 10, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Hollis Seamon
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-1-61620-260-6
Pages: 256
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Richard Casey, seventeen years old, is in the hospice unit of the hospital. But even though they’ve told him he’s got less than a month left, he’s not done living yet. In fact, he’s more than ready to make love to the fifteen year-old girl, also in the ward, who doesn’t want to die a virgin. Richard is determined to be the biggest troublemaker the hospital staff have ever seen.

But Richard is under constant watch by the hospital staff, parents and other family members who hover around the ward 24-7, and the “Br’ers” as he calls them – religious staff there to assist in the transition from life to death. All Richard wants to do is have some fun, but no one wants to let him.

A book about dying teenagers would probably only appeal to the more morbid of us. But Hollis Seamon has done a magnificent job of portraying these teens in such a real light. They’re just teens – not adults – and they’re not willing to give up their spunk and personality, no matter what. Even though there is no doubt from the beginning how the story will ultimately end, this is not a depressing tale. My only disappointment is that no one in the story expresses any concern about the afterlife, and how to make sure one ends up in the right place. Overall, this is a great teen read.

Warnings: sexual situations and language

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, fantasy

The Reluctant Dragon (75th Anniversary Edition)

September 6, 2013September 6, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Kenneth Grahame
Illustrator: Ernest H. Shepard
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2820-5 (hardcover), 978-0-8234-2821-2 (paperback)
Price: $16.95 (hardcover), $6.95 (paperback)

Buy it at Amazon

A Boy discovers a dragon is living in the cave when his father comes home upset by such a notion. Not being afraid (because he has read all about dragons), the Boy makes his acquaintance, and the two become fast friends. The Boy likes to read, and the dragon is a poet and story-teller. But the town folk are not happy to have a dragon – even a mild-tempered one – living in such close proximity, and they bring in St. George to slay him.

The Boy must step in and right the situation before it gets out of control. Acting as mediator and organizer, he brings the dragon and St. George together before the battle to draw up a plan. And in the end, everyone, including the dragon, is happy with the results.

The Reluctant Dragon was first published in 1938. This unusual story is part fantasy and part humor, in the unusual interactions between man and beast. Children will cheer at the Boy’s cleverness in saving a situation that could easily have gone horribly wrong. This 75th anniversary edition brings this timeless classic back into print for all ages to enjoy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education

I Love Reading Phonics: Tick Tock Books – Level 5

September 5, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

A series of educational books by Tick Tock Books featuring level five reading. A brief summary of the books and their word focus are included below. This is a fun series kids will enjoy, while also learning how to read. Please also see posts on level one, level two, level three, and level four information.

Snapped by Sam!
Author: Melanie Hamm
Illustrator: Emmeline Pidgen
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-775-3
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 5-A: Sam likes to take pictures, but he learns that people don’t always appreciate his timing.
Focuses on the t sound made with the letters ed.

Max’s Trip
Author: Melanie Hamm
Illustrator: Kate Daubney
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-776-0
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 5-B: Max travels around the world, and even to the moon. He discovers aliens are friendly.
Focuses on the d sound made with the letters ed.

George the Genius Gerbil
Author: Louise Goodman
Illustrator: Suz Hughes
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-777-7
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 5-C: George the gerbil knows the answer to every question, and puts on a show to prove it.
Focuses on the j sound made with the letters ge, gi, and gy.

Budge Troll, Budge!
Author: Louise Goodman
Illustrator: Nicola Anderson
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-778-4
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 5-D: The troll on the bridge won’t let anyone pass by, until an even bigger troll finally forces him to budge.
Focuses on the j sound made with the letters ge and dge.

education

The Student Life Jacket

September 4, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Susan M. Sparks
Publisher: SMS Promotional Ventures
Genre: Education
ISBN: 978-1467506557
Pages: 80
Price: $32.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

College students on their own for the first time may face hurdles they never anticipated. Managing time, money, health, roommates, cars, and school all at once can be a challenge for the under-prepared. The Student Life Jacket was designed to ease this transition from home to college.

There are five basic topics covered in this guide: Health & Wellness, Housing, Money, Getting Around, and Social Life. Although not exhaustive in the ideas presented, there are helpful tips and motherly wisdom on each topic. Fill-in forms for pertinent information and heavy-duty plastic folders for important papers are also included.

Since I’m an accountant, I would have liked to see a simple budget form to help guide the student in making financial decisions. A breakdown of monthly income and expenses can show how much really is available for those late night pizzas. I also would have liked to see all the forms together in one section, as an easy reference. Having to look inside the section marked “Getting Around” for the networking and reference contacts list makes it more difficult to find.

The Student Life Jacket was the IPPY Best Book of 2013 in the Parenting and Family, Organizers and Planners category. This student organizer would be a great gift for all teens heading to college.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

A Squirrel’s Story

August 29, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Jana Bommersbach
Illustrator: Jeff Yesh
Publisher: Little Five Star
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-1-58985-252-5
Pages: 40
Price: $11.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Mama Squirrel is worried about the big, black cat roaming the neighborhood. He is intent on doing harm to her and her babies, so she needs a safe place for a nest. Normally, squirrels don’t use birdhouses, but a wood duck house suits her purposes just fine. Soon she and her two little ones, Sally and Sammy, are safe inside.

Mama takes good care of her children, and they begin to ask what’s outside their nest. Sally is ready to explore, but Sammy is more timid, and Mama worries he may have trouble adjusting once he’s living on his own. Mama encourages him, and Sammy finally ventures out into the world.

Told from Mama Squirrel’s perspective, A Squirrel’s Story is a cute story based on an actual squirrel family. There is also a curriculum guide and activities provided for classroom use.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

GQ, GQ, Where Are You?

August 28, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Sharon I. Ritt
Illustrator: Nadia Komorova
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-1-85985-223-5
Pages: 40
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Georgy (also known as “GQ”) is a Gambel’s quail living in the Arizona desert. As he explores, he discovers many fascinating plants and animals, and they are mentioned as he visits them. The second section of this book explains in more detail about each plant and animal featured. Lastly, there are activities that can be used to learn more about the Sonoran Desert. An accompanying CD provides some information about the book, plus two versions of the story. One is in song, to the tune of Frère Jacques, and the other is read by the author.

The illustrations in GQ, GQ, Where Are You? are lovely, and Georgy is soft and cute with an inquisitive look. The text is written with the intent of singing, and the rhythm is not quite true, so it doesn’t read easily aloud. There is a lot of good information in the detailed plants and animals section, and children will discover interesting facts about desert life.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fantasy, teen

The Time Fetch

August 27, 2013August 27, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Amy Herrick
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1-61620-220-0
Pages: 320
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Mistaking the Time Fetch as an ordinary rock, Edward picks it up to bring to science class and wakes it from its slumber. Its purpose is to send out foragers to gather those moments that won’t be missed, to be redistributed to others in the Great Web. But now that the Fetch has been roused prematurely, it creates chaos in the foragers’ indiscriminate theft of time.

Only four classmates have touched the Fetch, and now they have knowledge and understanding of what’s going on around them that no one else seems to have. Danton, Edward, Brigit and Feenix have to work together to save the universe from the out-of-control foragers. But first they will need to outwit some witches, the Unraveler, and beasts intent on stopping them.

The Time Fetch is one of the most enjoyable young adult books I’ve read. The story is fast-paced and absorbing, and I had a hard time putting this book down. The magic and fantasy, as well as the unlikely partnership of these four very different classmates, is on par with the Harry Potter series. It was great watching them make the decision to work together, putting aside their differences, and becoming friends in the process. I highly recommend this book for all ages.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, music

Sunny Days

August 26, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Artist: Tammy Trent
Label: September Day Records
Genre: Christian Music
Amazon Price: $12.10 (CD) $8.99 (MP3)

Buy it at Amazon

Christian music doesn’t always have to sound serious – in fact, sometimes it can make you jump up and dance. Sunny Days is a lively compilation of feel-good songs with a great beat and strong Christian lyrics.

“Welcome Home” (my personal favorite track on this CD) has a wonderful message of forgiveness, as it reminds us we’ll always be welcomed back to our Father’s home. “Fall At Your Feet” brings us to our knees in worshiping our creator and offering our broken lives for His mercy. “I’m Running” sends us straight to the arms of the only God who can save us. Other songs are also reminders of our dependence on God for our whole lives, as we worship Him.

If there’s a storm cloud on your horizon, Sunny Days will be sure to chase it away. This uplifting music will brighten your outlook and bring you closer to God.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Inside My Imagination

August 21, 2013August 21, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Marta Arteaga
Illustrator: Zuzanna Celej
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-84-15503-59-0
Pages: 24
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

One day a young girl breathes in the words of her story and finds herself entering the world of her imagination. This wonderful paradise is full of unusual creatures like unicorns, elves and fairies. Clouds take shape, and letters jumble to form words that create more stories. This magical world of imagination is full of new ideas just waiting to be born.

Inside My Imagination is a fanciful journey through a girl’s thoughts, as she explores the many possibilities and opportunities that await her. Unique and interesting illustrations accompany the lyric text. This beautiful book is sure to stimulate a child’s own creativity, and help her to believe that she can be whoever she wants to be.

Reviewer: Alice Berger