Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
Christian, inspiration, music

Songs of Mary

Bergers Book Reviews

Sung by: Various Artists
Producer: Sounds True
Genre: Christian inspiration

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Mary has been revered and adored for centuries as the mother of Jesus Christ. Songs of her worship and praise date back to the early Catholic church. In this collection, various artists join in honoring the Blessed Mother.

Many of these songs are reminiscent of a medieval Catholic church, with plain chant and a minimum of instrumental accompaniment. But there are also Celtic and Spanish influences, reminding us of how much Mary is honored all over the world. A songbook is included with this CD, giving us the words as they are actually sung, in addition to the English translations.

Listen to this music reverently, in anticipation of receiving Mary’s blessings, healing, and guidance.  These beautiful and powerful vocals will inspire all who hear them.

Reviewer:  Alice Berger

children

Oscar Did It!

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Don Tate
Publisher: Hameray
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60559-368-5
Pages: 16
Price: $5.95

Author’s website
Buy it from Hameray

Poor Oscar always gets blamed for everything. If the older children make a mess or do something they shouldn’t, they tell their mom “Oscar did it!” But Oscar finally gets even with them when lunch is served.

Oscar Did It! is part of the Joy Cowley collection, meant for classroom use. At the end of the text, lesson pointers for teachers are provided for guiding discussions about this story. Features like punctuation marks, repeated sentence patterns, and consequences of actions are summarized.

This fun read will have kids giggling as Oscar gets his revenge. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

history, nature

Right Where You Are Now

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Lisa Montierth
Illustrator: Ashley Burke
Publisher: Craigmore Creations
Genre: Nature / History
ISBN: 978-0-9844422-2-5
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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The landscape of the earth has not always looked as it does now. Buildings, roads, and bridges now cover the land where only forests and water used to be. And today’s animals look very different from those who roamed the planet in the past.

In Right Where You Are Now, kids can see things as they are now, and how they might have looked a long time ago. Colorful illustrations detail the different animals and natural elements that existed then. And a visual dictionary is provided, with more information on these extinct animals and monumental events in earth history.

Travel back in time and visit earth when it was still young. This is sure to be a journey kids will enjoy!

Check out this fun trailer, which can be found at Vimeo and YouTube

Reviewer: Alice Berger

biography, history

Davy Crockett: A True American Hero

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Kaitlyn Nichols
Publisher: Hameray
Genre: Biography / History
ISBN: 978-1-60559-057-8
Pages: 40
Price: $8.95

Buy it from Hameray

Davy Crockett is one of the more fascinating United States historical figures. Whether he was ranching and hunting, serving as a congressman, or battling at the Alamo, Crockett did nothing in half measures. He lived his life to the fullest, always searching for the next adventure.

In this biography, kids in grades 3-8 will share in the adventures of Crockett’s life. Written for reluctant readers, this series is meant to match the social studies curriculum, but at least two levels below their grade.

This easy to read biography of Davy Crockett would be a great addition to school libraries and classrooms studying his heroic actions.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

history

Strange But True, America

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: John Hafnor
Illustrator: Dale Crawford
Publisher: Lone Pine Productions
Genre: History / Trivia
ISBN: 978-0-9648175-5-5
Pages: 160
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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Strange But True, America is not your typical compilation of “weird” or unusual stories. Many books of this ilk are only interesting if there is some direct connection to the reader. Not so with John Hafnor’s entertaining book of strange tales that highlights each of the 50 states.

The reader will quickly discover that after initially reading the story from their favorite state, any one of the others may be of equal or greater interest. The accounts are not only fascinating but based in historical fact. Hafnor uses only one or two pages to weave each individual tale, but that’s all he needs to fulfill his mission of “selecting the most compelling tale from your home state…and every state.” The vignettes are cleverly supplemented with an illustration by Dale Crawford that neatly augments the narratives.

You can read about an underground mine fire in Pennsylvania that caused almost an entire town to uproot their families and flee their homes. How about the legend of Poker Jim in North Dakota where he “literally dropped in on a game after his death!” Or what could be the connection between “Easy Eddie,” a certain pal of Al Capone, and how O’Hare International Airport got its name?

And when you’re through devouring these, you can turn to the section entitled, Thumbing Through America’s Weird Past, for pages of other little known facts of our country’s history.

The book is an easy and lively read that will appeal to folks of all ages and varying interests. Read it cover to cover or when the mood strikes. Regardless, it will not disappoint.

Reviewer: Gene Berger

children

Yogurt the Ogre: The Big Tale of the Not-So-Tidy Whale

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: David Rendimonti
Illustrator: Agnes Garbowska
Publisher: pdo!nk
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-09868013-0-3
Pages: 32
Price: $17.99

Author’s website
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Yogurt the Ogre likes to pretend he’s a big whale. But whales are messy, splashing water on unsuspecting creatures, tracking mud through the house, and sloshing tub water onto the floor while bathing. Yogurt is not a tidy whale, and his parents scold him for his behavior.

After a good night’s sleep and time to reflect on what they’ve said, Yogurt decides an apology is needed. He makes amends to all those he had unintentionally harmed the day before. Now he knows it’s great to have fun, but only if his fun doesn’t cause problems for others.

Kids don’t mean to be untidy, so they need to learn how their behavior affects others. Yogurt the Ogre shows them how to act, in a gentle and non-preaching manner. This series is a fun read for all children.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Rose and the Lily

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Susan Ross
Illustrator: Megan Stiver
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9810634-6-1
Pages: 36
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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Poor King William is desperate to marry off his spoiled daughter, Rose. Suitors come from near and far, but no one is good enough for her. She finally agrees that Prince Sterling might be a potential husband, but only if he brings her the perfect hairpin.

Prince Sterling is enchanted by Rose’s beauty, and gladly sets off on a quest to find her hairpin. But each time he returns to see her, she rejects him and his gifts. Lily, a plain and simple village girl, helps Prince Sterling by taking care of his horse and chatting with him about his quest. As the Prince gets to know both ladies, he finds Rose gets uglier and Lily prettier every day.

It’s a well-known truism that beauty is only skin-deep. In The Rose and the Lily kids will see this for themselves, as Lily’s beauty shines brightly from the inside. As this story clearly demonstrates, character will always be more important than appearance.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

self improvement

People Are Idiots and I Can Prove It!

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Larry Winget
Publisher: Gotham Books
Genre: Self-improvement
ISBN: 978-1-592-40437-7
Pages: 224
Price: $25.00

Author’s website
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Some people set goals in life with many being lofty, modest, or otherwise. It could mean embarking on a new career, improving a financial mess, or finally sticking to a renewed lifestyle of diet and exercise. While intentions may be good, excuses, bad decisions, lack of action, and other “idiotic” behavior sabotage their efforts.

Larry Winget’s book, PEOPLE ARE IDIOTS AND I CAN PROVE IT! can lead a person out of the doldrums and help them attain their goals. That is, if they’re tough enough for some honest criticism, and can take his “in your face” brand of truthfulness and assessment. Winget believes that a little kick in the pants never hurt anybody, and it could make you realize that what you really want out of life, you truly have to work to get.

A good number of folks never realize their dreams or aspirations and become frustrated in the process. Winget good-naturedly explains why people are idiots and flounder in a sea of frustration. The high point is that he provides clear and precise ways to reverse the idiocy with a series of “fixes.” His methods are motivational and honest, and folks are encouraged to take a clear assessment of themselves and their lives. A chapter of “action lists” can firmly place one on the path to success and a sense of achievement.

If you are ready to do some true and deliberate soul-searching, while being guided by an author who has been there and done that, then this book should help you immensely. It is not, however, for the sensitive or the proud. But the book will help those who wish to cleverly play their cards they’ve been given as they travel on the road to success and personal fulfillment.

Reviewer: Gene Berger

memoir

Before the Last All Clear

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Ray Evans
Publisher: Book Guild Publishing
Genre: Memoir
ISBN: 1-84624-105-7
Pages: 263
Price: $17.95

Author’s website
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It’s hard to imagine living through an era when your country is at war, and there is danger of attack every day. But when you’re six years old, uprooted from your home and family, and left to the care of strangers, the horror is intensified.

In Before the Last All Clear, Ray Evans shares his experiences as an evacuee in England. When Liverpool becomes a target for German bombings, he is sent off to the Welsh town of Llanelli, where it’s expected that he will not be in as much danger. But although homes and caregivers are arranged for the evacuees, not all children are treated as family, and Ray suffers neglect and abuse. Finally, though, he is sent to a home where he receives the care and love he needs.

Although a sad tale, Evans tells his story with a touch of humor, as time seems to have healed some of his wounds. But it’s easy to sense the pain he must have felt as he lived in such miserable conditions. War takes its toll on a nation, and Ray Evans will forever bear the terrible scars of World War II.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

finance

The Skinny on Credit Cards

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jim Randel
Publisher: Rand Media
Genre: Finance
ISBN: 978-0-9818935-4-9
Pages: 176
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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If you’ve managed to run up credit card debt over the years, you’re not alone. Many well-meaning people find themselves in this position, mostly due to a lack of education on how credit cards work. But if you’re now determined to eliminate your credit card debt, The Skinny on Credit Cards can help.

Like the other books in this series, Jim Randel uses stick figures in a hypothetical situation to make his points. As Billy and Beth work on eliminating their debt, Randel offers insights on how they got into this mess, and what their best strategy is for getting out. He also offers advice for young adults as they’re offered their very first credit card. But unlike the other Skinny On books, this one uses less humor and a lot more text.

Credit card debt is a serious problem in the United States. If you’re unsure of how credit cards work, and you’re determined to pay yours off as quickly as possible, this book would be a useful resource.

Reviewer: Alice Berger