Bergers Book Reviews

The Bad Easter Bunny

March 19, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Isabel Atherton
Illustrator: Stéphanie Röhr
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Genre: Children / Easter
ISBN: 978-1-62087-500-1
Pages: 32
Price: $12.95

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After hauling his huge sack of candy to town, only to have the children greedily grab at it and knock him down, the Easter Bunny has had enough. Red-hot with anger, he declares himself the Bad Easter Bunny (BEB for short), and destroys his goodies. Then he runs through the town doing bad things. What will it take to transform BEB back into the nice bunny he used to be? Maybe the kindness of one little girl.

Anger and retaliation, repentance and forgiveness, and gratitude are all featured in The Bad Easter Bunny. Color also plays a part as BEB changes shades to match his moods. Ultimately, good overcomes evil, and BEB returns to his former generous self. As he finally realizes, “…being bad will not solve your problems and ‘thank you’ are the nicest words in the world.”

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

All Kinds of People

March 14, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Sheri Safran
Illustrator: Emma Damon
Publisher: Insight Kids
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60887-160-5
Pages: 12
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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When it comes to people, there is a lot of diversity! From hair styles to skin colors, to body shapes and activity preferences, no two of us are alike. And that’s a very good thing.

In All Kinds of People, kids are introduced to diversity in a fun way. This lift-the-flap book shows lots of different people smiling and having a good time. They accept who they are, and they are happy and enjoying life.

Finally, kids are provided a mirror to take a good look at themselves to discover their unique qualities. As this book says, Everyone is special, including me.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

March 13, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Jane Cabrera
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2519-8
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. So begins this sweet bedtime story for kids. This classic nursery rhyme is expanded to include five additional verses.

On each page spread, a mother and child pair of animals look up at the sky, seeing a twinkling star above. The story concludes with a human mother and child sharing a message of love.

These adorable animals are simply and colorfully drawn. And the accompanying rhyme is patterned after the original, with descriptions of the landscape around them. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star would be a great book to read just before tucking little ones in for the night.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

tween

SPI: The Case of the Dark Shadow

March 12, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: T.J. Bonham
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Tween
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4132-8
Pages: 112
Price: $12.99

Schiffer Books
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After losing her mother to cancer and moving, Ellie Hunter is new in town, and just wants to settle down and fit in. So when her new neighbor asks her to join the Shadow Paranormal Investigators group, Ellie reluctantly agrees. But Ellie has had her own dealings with the paranormal, and they weren’t very nice.

Ellie is a natural, and soon finds herself busy helping the group unravel mysteries. The dark shadow that has haunted her since she was a young child has followed her to California, and now the group also sees it. But Ellie’s biggest challenge will be finding her father in Afghanistan and bringing him home safely, using only her ability to see remotely. Can she find him in time?

These four teenaged investigators don’t have the fancy gadgets TAPS uses in Ghost Hunters but they have the fearlessness and inquisitiveness to search for shadows. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that Ellie finds one of the boys especially nice. The ending of this book implied that there will be follow-up mysteries, in what may turn out to be a series. This is a fun read for any wannabe ghost hunter.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Ambition’s Not an Awful Word

March 11, 2013May 3, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Zack Zage
Illustrator: Adam Watkins
Publisher: Ivy Court Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9836078-2-3
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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“What I want to be” is the theme in Zack’s class. But where will he start? He has so many ideas, he can’t limit himself to just one!

In rhyming verse, Zack details his plans for becoming an astronaut, a cowboy, and singer, just to name a few. But after he boasts of his talents, another voice chimes in with Zack’s limitations. When he feels down about having such ambitious dreams, he finds out that it really is okay to reach for the stars.

Kids love to think about what they will be when they grow up. Dreaming big now gives them the drive to work hard toward their goals. Ambition’s Not an Awful Word shows them both sides of their career options in a humorous and fun way. After all, there is no need to decide now. They have years to make such an important decision.

Winner of the Mom’s Choice Awards Honoring Excellence.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

finance

The Money Code

March 8, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Joe John Duran, CFA
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
Genre: Finance
ISBN: 978-1-60832-435-4
Pages: 168
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Most people have struggled with money management at some time in their lives. Conflicts arise with a spouse, or maybe we just never feel there’s enough for all our needs. Whatever the problem, Joe John Duran believes it can be solved by finding out our own personal Money Mind, and making our decisions with a checklist.

In The Money Code, a fictitious man named Jack is introduced to the Alchemist by his sister. Using the Alchemist’s computer generated lessons, Jack learns why his past decision making process didn’t work very well. Then, knowing his own Money Mind, he is in a much better position to evaluate the financial decision he is planning to make.

This is not a dry and boring financial book. The interactive design of the lessons draws the reader into the story, making it feel as if he is looking over Jack’s shoulders and answering the questions himself. The quiz was spot on for me, and I easily saw myself in one of the three Money Minds. And the decision-making checklist is logical and helpful, without being overly burdensome.

If your financial life isn’t what you hoped it would be, I highly recommend The Money Code. This easy to read guide may change the way you look at money forever.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, music

Songs For Movin’ & Shakin’

March 7, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Artist: Lisa Loeb
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Music
Price: $14.95

Artist’s website
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Want to get your kids off the couch and moving around? Then give them some good music to dance to! Lisa Loeb’s forthcoming collection of Songs For Movin’ & Shakin’ is just what they need.

I was only given the track of Monster Stomp to review, but based on that one song, I believe this collection will be a hit with kids. The tune is upbeat and fun, and demands movement. The lyrics are playful and clever, and kids will love to sing along. And Loeb’s voice is easy on adults’ ears, since they may have to listen to these songs often.

I highly recommend Songs For Movin’ & Shakin’.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

history

Wax

March 6, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Therese Ambrosi Smith
Publisher: Blue Star Books
Genre: Women’s Historical
ISBN: 978-0-9844000-7-2
Pages: 323
Price: $13.95

Author’s website
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Pearl Harbor changed everything. As men left factory jobs to fight in World War II, women were offered the opportunity to replace them. Former waitresses and store clerks suddenly became welders as ships needed to be built quickly. Rosie the Riveter was born.

In Wax, three young women take on their new responsibilities at the Kaiser shipyard in Richmond, California. Away from their own families, they bond as a new family unit, becoming good friends. After the war, their relationships continue to grow as new opportunities come their way.

This wonderful 1940s historical novel explores topics of women’s roles in society, sexuality, and long-buried family secrets. Wax is a real page-turner, hooking the reader from the very beginning. If you’ve always admired the courage of World War II women who ventured out into the work force, you will enjoy this interesting and enjoyable story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, history

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise

March 5, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Jan Pinborough
Illustrator: Debby Atwell
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Genre: Children / History
ISBN: 978-0-547-47105-1
Pages: 40
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
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It’s hard to imagine a world where children had very little access to books. In the early 1900s, libraries were for adults, and children were not welcome to enter, let alone touch or check out a book. But Anne Carroll Moore thought otherwise, and set about creating a special place where children could experience the joys of reading.

The New York Public Library was open to new ideas, and Miss Moore had a wonderful vision. After designing a bright and cheery room with kid-sized tables and chairs, she welcomed children inside with story hours and book borrowing privileges. The collection was reviewed carefully, and Miss Moore chose only the best and most interesting books for her children’s library.

Miss Moore Thought Otherwise shows us an extraordinary librarian who encouraged children to read. Although she may have faced obstacles, she created a model of children’s libraries that has lived on. This fascinating story will inspire kids to reach for their own dreams and dare to do something special to change the world.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

spirituality

The Master of Evolution

March 1, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Gregory Hatton
Publisher: Universal Wisdom Publications
Genre: Spirituality
ISBN: 978-0-9880275-2-7
Pages: 256
Price: $34.95

Author’s website
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The last prophet lived over 2000 years ago, but what if God decided to send a messenger to his people on earth right now? With all the technological advances we’ve made since then, would He share information about the science behind creation? The Master of Evolution explores this question through a fictional account of a new prophet God is sending to humanity.

John Cavendish is on a special mission to the moon to investigate the Peak of Eternal Light. While there, he suddenly comes face to face with the angel, Gabriel. Through conversations with Gabriel and scientists such as Einstein and Darwin, the history of earth is revealed. God is light, as the Bible suggests, and author Gregory Hatton proceeds to prove this through a series of mathematical calculations. He also shows how this light is involved in all of creation, and man’s purpose and future are explored.

An abundance of interesting theory is presented in this unique fictional work. As with all religious speculation, I err on the side of caution, yet nothing feels dangerous or in conflict with scripture or mainstream teaching. This story is an enjoyable read that will give you a lot to think about.

Reviewer: Alice Berger