Bergers Book Reviews

Songs For Movin’ & Shakin’

March 7, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

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

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
Buy it at Amazon

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
Buy it at Amazon

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
Buy it at Amazon

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

spirituality

Unifying Truths of the World’s Religions

February 28, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: C. David Lundberg
Publisher: Heavenlight Press
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 978-0-9796308-2-8
Pages: 448
Price: $18.95

Author’s website
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Religion has long been a divisive force between people and nations, often leading to violence and death. Looking closely at their practices leads to the thought that there is no harmony in the major religions of the world. But author C. David Lundberg shows us his vision of the underlying beliefs they all hold dear.

Broken into sections, Unifying Truths of the World’s Religions covers topics such as the meaning and purpose of life, who we really are, who and what God is, and the various love relationships we share with God, ourselves, and others. Within each subsection, a description of the topic is presented, along with several texts from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism in support of this topic.

When provided with such overwhelming evidence of these overlapping beliefs, it’s impossible not to see how alike we are. At its best, religion brings us closer to God and each other, and reinforces morality as a standard of living. It is the author’s hope that he has shown us how much we have in common, so we can begin to break down the walls that separate us. He has done a marvelous job.

AWARDS RECEIVED:

Winner, National Indie Excellence Book Award
Winner, USA Book News National Best Book Award
Winner, Nautilus Silver Award
Winner, New England Book Festival
Finalist, ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year

Reviewer: Alice Berger

health

Make Weight Loss Last

February 27, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Deborah Kesten, M.P.H and Larry Scherwitz, Ph. D.
Publisher: White River Press
Genre: Health / Weight Loss
ISBN: 978-1-935052-61-6
Pages: 256
Price: $20.00

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight this year? How is it going? If you’re like many people, you have probably struggled with your diet and maybe even given up. But have you ever explored the reasons why you’ve been unsuccessful?

In Making Weight Loss Last, authors Deborah Kesten and Larry Scherwitz explain some of the ways you might be sabotaging your weight loss efforts through the unconscious habits you follow. Do you eat alone or with others? Do you eat while also doing other things? How much satisfaction do you get from those fast food meals? Looking carefully at these and other patterns of eating can show the real reasons you’re not losing weight.

If you’re looking the latest diet or plan of eating, this book isn’t for you. But if you want to know WHY you’re continuing to struggle with your weight, Making Weight Loss Last can help. Make the decision today to change your eating patterns, and you may finally be successful at your weight loss efforts.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, tween

Waves of Light (From Sadie’s Sketchbook)

February 26, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Naomi Kinsman
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Tween / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-310-72666-1
Pages: 224
Price: $7.99

Author’s website
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Sadie finally feels comfortable living in Michigan. Although she has made peace with the girl who was once determined to make her life miserable, she still has issues of her own to deal with. Her mom’s illness isn’t getting any better, and her dad’s job may soon end, forcing them to leave the town she’s come to call home. But when her art teacher’s house is destroyed by a flood, Sadie falls apart.

When Sadie can’t take much more of what life throws at her, she is forced to turn to her art and her fledgling faith for comfort. At times she acts poorly toward others, and she has to face up to her own actions. But she tries her best to do the right thing.

Waves of Light is the third book in the From Sadie’s Sketchbook series. [See also Flickering Hope and Shades of Truth.] As in the first two books, Sadie is a very emotional girl, and often responds in tears when her happiness feels threatened. Combining challenging situations with growing faith lessons, this series shows real life handled from a Christian perspective. Girls will love reading about Sadie and her friends, while also seeing a great role model. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Squirrel Rescue

February 21, 2013February 21, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Jennifer Keats Curtis
Illustrator: Laura Jacques
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4246-2
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Two boys are tossing around a football when a baby squirrel suddenly appears. After looking around, they discover his sibling, as well as their damaged nest – and a very worried mother! Acting quickly, they safeguard the babies and wait for mom to rescue them. All is well when the three are snug in their nest once again.

Baby animals are adorable, and it’s natural to want to cuddle them and take them home as pets, but wildlife really does need to stay wild. Safe handling techniques are presented, as well as the smart decision to return these babies to their mother.

Christina Clark, a wildlife rehabilitator, assisted to ensure the accuracy of information presented, and the author is donating a portion of the royalties from the sale of this book to Chris’ Squirrels and More. The story is beautifully illustrated with a great message. I highly recommend Squirrel Rescue.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

spirituality

The Fifth Disciple

February 20, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Cynthia Bové
Publisher: O Books
Genre: Spirituality
ISBN: 978-1-84694-420-8
Pages: 199
Price: $19.95

Buy it at Amazon

A Course in Miracles offers spiritual direction for many in their quest to better themselves and their lives. But is it possible that someone else suggested these ideas at a much earlier date? In The Fifth Disciple, author Cynthia Bové proposes that the Gospel of Thomas presents some of these very same teachings from Jesus, himself.

In the first sections of this book, the two source documents are introduced. Insights from A Course in Miracles are presented and analyzed. Then we are provided with the text of Pursah’s Gospel of Thomas. The last half of the book compares this gospel to the writings in the course, looking for similarities in meaning.

Familiarity with A Course in Miracles is of great benefit in reading this book. Many of the ideas presented are abstract, and can easily elude the casual reader who has no knowledge of these teachings. Those who follow mainstream religions may not relate to this New Age message, despite the possibility that it could have come directly from Jesus. But whatever your belief system may be, The Fifth Disciple is an interesting read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

memoir

Charles Dickens: A Portrait in Letters

February 19, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Read by Simon Callow
Produced by Naxos AudioBooks
Genre: Memoirs
ISBN: 978-1843796886
Length: 4 CDs (Total time 4:10:00)
Price: $28.98

Buy it at Amazon

Charles Dickens hoped that none of the many letters he wrote would ever surface after he was gone. In fact, he implored his friends and relatives to destroy them. But, luckily, many of these letters have survived, and they paint a fascinating picture of him as a man.

Always the actor and novelist, Dickens loved to assume a character in his writing, seeking to entertain his audience as much as convey information. Letter writing seems to have been as much a joy to him as working on his novels.

In this audio presentation of Charles Dickens: A Portrait in Letters, Simon Callow shares some of his more interesting letters. Focusing on themes like friendship, work, travel, the theater, and love, the letters are arranged to dig deeper into his personality. And the letters themselves are read with the sense that Dickens is reading them aloud as he is writing them. Interspersed between the letters, some general information about Dickens or the intended recipient are provided.

The novels of Dickens have enchanted readers, and his fans will enjoy a more intimate look at this very interesting man. I highly recommend Charles Dickens: A Portrait in Letters.

Reviewer: Alice Berger