Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
classics, graphic novel, holiday

Graphic Classics Vol. 23: Halloween Classics

Bergers Book Reviews

Publisher: Eureka Productions
ISBN: 978-0-9825630-5-2
Pages: 144
Price: $17.95

Graphic Classics
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In celebration of this timeless holiday, Graphic Classics has produced a compilation of the best in scary fiction. Stories include:

  • Hallowe’en in a Suburb by H.P. Lovecraft, Illustrated by Jeffrey Johannes
  • Halloween by Mort Castle, Illustreated by Kevin Atkinson
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, Illustrated by Shepherd Hendrix
  • A Curious Dream by Mark Twain, Illustrated by Nick Miller
  • Lot No. 249 by Arthur Conan Doyle, Illustrated by Simon Gane
  • Cool Air by H.P. Lovecraft, Illustrated by Craig Wilson
  • The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari by Hans Janowitz & Carl Mayer, Illustrated by Matt Howarth

A unique feature of this collection is a background skit placed between the stories, pulling from Halloween lore and tradition. This newest Graphic Classics book is a treasure-trove of great literature, illustrated in ways that make these gems come alive. I love this series!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Sing at School

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jack O’Leary
Illustrator: Steve Simpson
Publisher:Sing Into Life
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9871510-1-8
Pages: 12 (includes CD)
Price: $9.99

Sing Into Life website
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How may kids get excited about being at school? For those with special needs, it may be even harder to face the day. The Sing Into Life series was developed to reach these children in a new way.

Sing At School is a simple book detailing the steps involved in going about the school day. An accompanying CD introduces the main character, a sock puppet named Bo Jingles. Then the text is sung and also read aloud. The concluding tracks summarize the steps involved in the day, and say goodbye to the listener.

This series of musical social stories was designed in consultation with children, parents, therapists and teachers to respond to specific needs. Music makes everything more fun, and a reluctant child may find himself reminded of the music while happily following the eight steps at school. Responding to ordinary challenges can be difficult, so having the right social skills is important for a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence. I highly recommend this unique series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Rupert’s Tales: The Wheel of the Year Activity Book

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Kyrja
Illustrator: Tonia Bennington Osborn
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children / Wicca
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4020-8
Pages: 40
Price: $9.99

Author’s website
Schiffer Books
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Rupert’s Tales books explain the Wheel of the Year for children. Each of the two books covers four major holidays in the Wiccan calendar. In addition to the main books, this activity book was created for kids to learn more about these important holidays.

Blank coloring pages have accompanying text describing the holidays. A crossword puzzle, maze and circle-a-word puzzle are also included. Answers are provided for those who struggle to complete them. All of the activities are meant to teach children while they play.

If you’ve purchased Rupert’s Tales books for your children, you’ll most likely want to add this activity book to your collection. This book won’t stand alone, since the activities pull from information learned from the other books. This is a nice series introducing Pagan religion to children.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

romance

The Unfinished Garden

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Barbara Claypole White
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Romance
ISBN: 978-0-7783-1412-7
Pages: 384
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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James Nealy suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. One if the things he fears the most is dirt, so he decides he will create a garden and face his demons head-on. When he tries to hire Tilly Silverberg to work with him, she refuses. What James doesn’t realize is that Tilly is still trying to survive widowhood, striving to maintain her balance in a world turned upside down.

A family emergency returns Tilly to her childhood home in England, where she discovers her former sweetheart is now single. James follows her there, trying to coax her into creating his garden. Along with Tilly’s romantic problems, her best friend who always shared everything with her now starts harboring secrets. When life seems more complicated than she bargained for, a health scare and the potential upheaval her mother plans sends Tilly into a downward spiral that only James understands. As they both cope with their own emotional issues, they find themselves growing closer.

The Unfinished Garden is a powerful story of friendship and courage in the midst of frightening circumstances. As these two damaged souls spend time together, healing occurs. The reader won’t find any gratuitous sex scenes in this book. Instead we see a natural relationship growing from a shared bond that only deepens as the story progresses. I highly recommend this wonderful love story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

music

Shakuhachi Meditation Music

Bergers Book Reviews


Artist: Stan Richardson
Label: Sounds True
ISBN: 1-56455-420-1
Running Time: 141:50 (2 CD set)
Price: $13.90

Artist’s website
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The shakuhachi is a Japanese flute that is difficult to play. Because of the intense concentration and focus needed, it is often used in meditation. Shakuhachi Meditation Music is a collection of ancient tunes used in Zen temples.

Using flute and bells, this soulful music relaxes the listener into a quiet meditative state. It can be used in formal meditation practice or simply to unwind and relax at the end of a long, hard day. While listening, one can feel tension melting away. I highly recommend this soothing meditation music.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

sports, teen

Always Upbeat / All That

Bergers Book Reviews


Authors: Stephanie Perry Moore & Derrick Moore
Publisher: Saddleback Educational Publishing
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-1-61651-884-4
Pages: 314
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Charli Black is on top of the world. She’s only a junior in high school, and she’s just been named cheer captain. She’s dating Blake Strong, the quarterback and captain of the football team. Life seems almost perfect. But suddenly things change, and she no longer knows where she stands – with her cheer team and also with Blake.

Blake Strong loves football, but he also loves his family. And when devastating news about his mom nearly crushes him, he turns to Charli to lean on. But Charli is too busy with her girls to have any time for him. Is it time to end things with Charli, and move on to someone who seems to care?

In Always Upbeat / All That, the reader is given both sides of the same story. After reading Charli’s thoughts, we then get a glimpse of Blake’s perspective, which helps us better understand his actions. Set in a predominantly African-American community outside of Atlanta, this story offers real-life drama for urban teens.

The Lockwood Lions series pulls no punches. These are kids the reader can relate to, and the situations are not sugar-coated. But overall, this series send a positive message of getting a good education, avoiding trouble, and striving to do the right thing.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

history, memoir

The Night Sky

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Maria Sutton
Publisher: Johnson Books
Genre: Memoir
ISBN: 978-1555664466
Pages: 240
Price: $24.95

Author’s website
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In a chance conversation at the age of thirteen, Maria Sutton overhears something that changes her life. In that moment, she discovers that the man she always called father is actually her step-father, and that her real father is someone else. But when she questions her mother, answers come reluctantly.

Over the next forty-three years, Sutton goes on a quest to find this mysterious man who once captured her mother’s affections. Digging back through World War II, displaced persons camps and agency records, she endeavors to locate her father. Over the years, she builds up his image in her mind, hoping to find a dashing Polish soldier she can be proud of, but as she digs deeper, she discovers things about him she’d rather not know. Her quest ends in Germany, when she finally locates him.

The Night Sky is a fascinating look at the history of Polish citizens forced into concentration camps and slave labor by Hitler. As a backdrop to the author’s search, we learn about how these people tried to survive the horrors of World War II, and what happened to them after the war. The author’s musings on her father’s whereabouts and character are heartfelt, and the reader will feel moved by her search. This is an enjoyable read for all those who love history and genealogy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

inspiration

Tasting Rain

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Kim Malchuk
Publisher: Five Star Publications
Genre: Inspiration
ISBN: 978-1589850781
Pages: 196
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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Kim is existing in an unsatisfying marriage when Mel enters her life. As they grow closer, she learns he has terminal cancer. Taking a huge risk, she decides to leave her marriage and enter a relationship with Mel, knowing that their time together may be short.

Mel is given only months to live, but they have six wonderful years together. In this time, they refuse to acknowledge the beast always hovering around them. And when Mel leaves this earth, Kim has no regrets about the time they spent together.

Tasting Rain is billed as an inspirational memoir, and someone who knows of a loved one with cancer may find Kim’s message helpful in dealing with the diagnosis. But to me, something felt lacking in this book. Kim relies on the Law of Attraction to get her through this rough time, rather than faith in God, which gives the book a new-agey feel. Although well written, this book just didn’t speak to me.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Bugs in Shoes

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Beth Wilder
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-3967-7
Pages: 64
Price: $14.99

Schiffer Books
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Bugs wearing shoes? Or sneakers, or heels? They wear all of these and more in Bugs in Shoes.

In this cute rhyming book, the simple phrase “Bugs in [item of clothing]” is repeated. Each phrase has its own illustration showing adorable anthropomorphic bugs modeling the appropriate attire. The easy to read format is perfect for young children, and the illustrations help with word recognition.

A sweet before-bed read, the story closes with “Bugs in pajamas, bugs in bed.” And when tired eyes are finished reading, it’s time to head off to sleep.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Isabella Propeller and the Magic Beanie

Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Jonathan Graves
Illustrator: Gail Haley
Publisher: Parkway Publishers
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-933251-74-5
Pages: 36
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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One day Isabella goes up to her grandmother’s attic in Blowing Rock, NC. As she plays dress-up with her dog, Mullaby, a gust of wind blows a beanie with a propeller to her. Enchanted, she decides to keep it.

When the Wind Lady adds a red feather to the propeller, Isabella discovers she can fly. But this magic beanie can only be used for good. When Mullaby gets into trouble, only Isabella and Red Tail, the hawk, can save her.

This magical story is inspired by the unusual wind patterns at Blowing Rock, and a legend about an Indian brave who fell off a cliff and was blown back up by the winds. Isabella Propeller and the Magic Beanie has won the Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval, and illustrator Gail Haley is a Caldecott Medal winner.

Reviewer: Alice Berger