Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
children, education

Sing Into School

Bergers Book Reviews


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

Sing Into Life Website
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How may kids get excited about going off to 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 Into School is a simple book detailing the steps involved in getting ready for school. 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 to get ready 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 singing along to the music while happily following the eight steps to get ready for 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

classics, graphic novel

Graphic Classics Vol. 22: African-American Classics

Bergers Book Reviews


Editor: Tom Pomplun
Publisher: Eureka Productions
Genre: Literary
ISBN: 978-0-9825630-4-5
Pages: 144
Price: $17.95

Graphic Classics
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African-American Classics presents comic adaptations of great stories and poems by America’s earliest black authors, illustrated by contemporary black artists. These adaptations are designed to utilize as much of the author’s original language as possible, while also being visually appealing for an enjoyable read.

Volume 22 includes the following:

  • The Reward by James Weldon Johnson / Illustrated by Mac McGill
  • Two Americans by Florence Lewis Bentley / Illustrated by Trevor Von Eeden
  • On Being Crazy by W.E.B. DuBois / Illustrated by Kyle Baker
  • The Negro by Langston Hughes / Illustrated by Stan Shaw
  • Danse Africaine by Langston Hughes / Illustrated by Afua Richardson
  • A Carnival Jungle by Alice Dunbar Nelson / Illustrated by Lance Tooks
  • The Castaways by Claude McKay / Illustrated by Glenn Brewer
  • America by Claude McKay / Illustrated by John Jennings
  • Lawing and Jawing by Zora Neale Hurston / Illustrated by Arie Monroe
  • Lex Talionis by Robert W. Bagnall / Illustrated by Jim Webb
  • Becky by Jean Toomer / Illustrated by Randy DuBurke
  • In the Matter of Two Men by James D. Corrothers / Illustrated by Kenjji
  • Sympathy by Paul Laurence Dunbar / Illustrated by Lance Tooks
  • We Wear the Mask by Paul Laurence Dunbar / Illustrated by Larry Poncho Brown
  • Buyers of Dreams by Ethel M. Caution / Illustrated by Leilani Hickerson
  • The Bronze Legacy by Effie Lee Newsome / Illustrated by Keith Mallett
  • The Goophered Grapevine by Charles W. Chestnutt / Illustrated by Shepherd Hendrix
  • Sanctum 777 N.S.D.C.O.U Meets Cleopatra by Leila Amos Pendleton  / Illustrated by Kevin J. Taylor
  • De Cunjah Man by James Edwin Campbell / Illustrated by Masheka Wood
  • Filling Station by Zora Neale Hurston / Illustrated by Milton Knight
  • The Ghost of Deacon Brown by James Weldon Johnson / Illustrated by Jeremy Love
  • Aunt Chloe’s Politics by Frances E.W. Harper / Illustrated by Titus V. Thomas
  • Shalmanezer by Frances E.W. Harper / Illustrated by Lance Tooks

Once again, Graphic Classics has created a wonderful collection of stories and illustrations to introduce the modern reader to great African-American literature.  I highly recommend it.

Reviewer:  Alice Berger

teen

The Girl in the Mirror

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Meg Kearney
Publisher: Persea Books
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-0-89255-385-3
Pages: 176
Price: $15.00

Author’s website
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Lizzie has always known she was adopted. Now that she’s old enough, she decides it’s time to find out more about her birth mother, so her parents write to the adoption agency. But on the day she receives a reply, her adoptive father dies, sending Lizzie into emotional upheaval.

Through her journal entries and poems, we see how Lizzie is consumed with grief over the loss of her father. Acting out, she starts to party with the wrong people, and lets alcohol soothe her pain. But underneath, she’s still a nice girl who just wants to be happy and doesn’t know how to handle her feelings. Lost in her struggles, she is unable to move forward in her search for her birth mother.

The Girl in the Mirror is the sequel to The Secret of Me, and gives us an intimate and honest look at a teenager trying to survive the worst possible thing that could happen to her. I highly recommend this well-written and absorbing novel.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Blue Lobster

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Robin Taylor-Chiarello
Illustrator: Lisa Bohart
Publisher: The Peppertree Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-936343-84-3
Pages: 36
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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They say one in a million lobsters is blue, and Mr. Homarus Americanus is a rare one indeed. But because he’s blue, none of the other sea creatures will speak to him. Lonely and sad, he wanders into a lobster trap, where his life will change unexpectedly for the better.

The Blue Lobster is written in fun rhyming verse, with bright and simple illustrations. Kids will learn an important lesson in not judging others by their appearance. This cute picture book is nicely done and not preachy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fantasy

The Land of Darkness

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: C.S. Lakin
Publisher: Living Ink Books
Genre: Fantasy
ISBN: 978-0-89957-891-0
Pages: 272
Price: $14.99

Author’s website
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Callen, a woodworking apprentice, comes across an old drawing of a bridge with magnificent scroll work. He becomes obsessed with finding this bridge. Jadiel, a twelve year-old girl, needs to find a special tree for her wicked stepmother, or else her father will die. While they both set out on their own individual journeys, fortune unites them, and they hunt for the tree together.

As they search, they meet interesting people who help them on their quest. But not all who cross their paths have good intentions, and they discover great evil on their journey. Is the land of darkness a place to be feared, or is it true that the darkness lies only in their hearts?

In this marvelous fantasy, both Callen and Jadiel must challenge their existing beliefs and decide who and what to trust. As the quest turns more dangerous, they must forge on, putting all thoughts of personal safety aside. But, ultimately, good triumphs over evil for a satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend The Land of Darkness.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Double-talk: Word Sense & Nonsense

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Zora & David Aiken
Illustrator: David Aiken
Publisher: Schiffer Books
ISBN: 978-0-7643-3962-2
Pages: 32
Price: $14.99

Schiffer Books
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Is a cat tail a fluffy feline appendage, or a tall plant with a rounded top? Is a bookworm a slithering creature, or just someone who loves to read? These and many more words with double meanings are playfully demonstrated through rhyme and pictures in Double-Talk.

Kids love word play, and they will appreciate the light-hearted touch of whimsey featured in this delightful book. And once they’ve read through the author’s word choices, they’re encouraged to discover some of their own. This would be an enjoyable read for any child with an active imagination.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

meditation, music

Tibetan Dream Journey

Bergers Book Reviews


Composer: Nawang Khechog
Label: Sounds True
Genre: Meditation
Length: 60 minutes
Price: $14.99

Website
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After a rough period of recovery and grief from an auto accident, Nawang Khechog made the decision to take his hardships and tragedies into his spiritual path. Using his own pain as the catalyst, he has tried to alleviate the suffering of others through prayer. As a result of his spiritual growth in this area, Tibetan Dream Journey was created.

The gentle flute music is healing and soothing, bringing the listener to a meditative state. In addition to the music, one track shares chanting of the beautiful message “May all be kind to each other.” The Dalai Lama’s inspirational “Chant of Universal Compassion” is included in another track.

Khechog’s peaceful and compassionate nature is revealed to us through this beautiful music that leads us on a journey to our own spiritual center. May all who listen find happiness and harmony in their own lives.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

humor

Kids Say the Cutest Things When They’re Drunk

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Dan McQuinn
Publisher: Fauldhouse Publishing
Genre: Humor
ISBN: 978-0-9832553-0-7
Pages: 220
Price: $12.95

Author’s website
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The title to this book may be an immediate turn-off for some readers. I thought it impossible for someone to go so far as to actually write about such an outrageous topic. Thankfully, the title is not indicative of the book’s contents, at least not to that extent. As the cover indicates, it is “a book of pointless satire and vulgar humor.” This is McQuinn’s first published work, and he does indeed hit that mark with perfect accuracy.

McQuinn covers a myriad of topics in a variety of ways. Subjects such as Christmas, parenting, and celebrities, are touched upon through letters, conversations, daily schedules and short paragraphs among others. The consistent item throughout is, of course, the low-brow, sophomoric humor.

With that, I suppose those who enjoy this type of thing may find it amusing.

Reviewer: Gene Berger

children

Cows Can’t Quack

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Dave Reisman
Illustrator: Jason A. Maas
Publisher: Jumping Cow Press
ISBN: 978-0-9801433-4-8
Pages: 46
Price: $7.99

Author’s website
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“Cows can’t quack… but they can moo.” In this delightful sequel to Cows Can’t Jump, Reisman presents a sound version of what animals can – and can’t – do.

Once again, the illustrations are simple drawings that kids will relate to. And the expressions on the animals’ faces are priceless. Kids will see that the animals can’t make certain sounds, but they can make another one that suits them better. Reading about the specific talents animals have, and how they also have limitations, frees kids to stop worrying so much about the things they’re not good at, and gives them permission to excel with their natural abilities.

Many kids struggle with striving to be good at something that doesn’t come naturally. It’s great to see books that touch on this topic, done in a fun and light-hearted way. I highly recommend Cows Can’t Quack.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Kaptain Vamp

Bergers Book Reviews


Author:  Joanne Lécuyer
Illustrator: Amy Rottinger
Publisher: Topsy Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9869517-4-9
Pages: 64
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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Allistaire Arturius Doppelganger Varning the IV is a 12 year-old vampire, living amongst humans. He knows humans are afraid of vampires, and he wants to prove that he and his family are harmless.

One day he comes up with the idea to be a superhero – Kaptain Vamp. His purpose will be to help humans whenever he can. He immediately puts his plan into action, performing super-hero rescues and a daring attempt against evil.

Kaptain Vamp is a likeable character with a heart of gold. He believes in his mission of doing good in the world, and he’s serious about doing it well. I enjoyed reading about how and why Allistaire wants to be a superhero, but I found the ending a bit confusing. Overall, Kaptain Vamp is an entertaining and positive read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Check out what Joanne Lécuyer has to say about her books and writing.