Author: Bergers Book Reviews

Author and book reviewer.
children, poetry

Mister Lemur’s Train of Thought

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Mister Lemur
Publisher: Ringtail Learning
Genre: Children / Poetry
ISBN: 978-0-9828866-0-1
Pages: 151
Price: $17.95

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Have you ever been to a petting zoo? Ah, but sometimes the animals have other ideas about what that concept could be. And what might happen if General Jack stepped on a tack? A tack you say? Well, that’s not quite what Hard of Hearing Harry heard.

In these clever rhymes, Mister Lemur takes somewhat ordinary situations and turns them around with a neat twist. Surprise endings keep the reader interested to see how things finally turn out. Dogs don’t normally play baseball, mice aren’t encouraged to hang out as house guests, and genies don’t grant unusual wishes without problems following soon after.

Mister Lemur’s quirky sense of humor and ability to see beyond the obvious keep kids guessing, while stretching their imaginations in a fun way. And the cute line-drawing illustrations artfully enhance these mind-bending poems. Kids of all ages (as well as adults) will love Mister Lemur and his amazing creativity.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

self improvement

Street Smarts: Beyond the Diploma

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jim Randel
Publisher: Rand Media
Genre: Personal growth
ISBN: 978-0-9844418-7-8
Pages: 288
Price: $19.95

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Let’s face it – the diploma will get you off to a great start, but college most likely hasn’t provided you with all the information you’ll need to succeed in life. That’s why there have been so many good books written over the years on this subject. So if you don’t have the time to read them all, Jim Randel has summarized their main points in Street Smarts, a Skinny book on the rest of the important stuff they left out in college.

This unique summary provides snippets of information on the following topics: Seeing yourself as a marketable company, Communication skills, Career advancement and networking, Time management and productivity, Sales and persuasion techniques, Financial literacy, Savvy, Investing, and Personal development.

As with all the Skinny books, a comprehensive bibliography is provided on the topics covered. If a particular idea strikes you and you want to learn more, you’ll know exactly what books to check out. Old-school masters like Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill and Brian Tracy are featured, as well as new and hip author, Ramit Sethi.

You’ve spent four years mastering your subject matter and you’re ready to face the real world. Now you have the rest of your life to develop yourself. Read through these 125 suggestions and explore the bibliography. Your life is waiting for you, and you want to be prepared. Now go out there and be successful!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

Fatal February

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Barbara Levenson
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-933515-52-6
Pages: 253
Price: $22.95

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Mary Magruder Katz, a half Jewish, half Southern Baptist Miami lawyer, has just taken on the case of the year. While defending Lillian Yarmouth on murder charges, she makes a stop at a car wash and proceeds to turn her life upside down. Suddenly she’s involved with Carlos, a new and very exciting man, left her old law firm, and finds herself being sued by her former fiance on ethics charges.

While everyone seems to adore Lillian and can’t imagine that she’d ever kill her husband, it doesn’t appear that her family is anxious to clear her name. And the evidence Mary uncovers makes things look even more dire for Lillian. It will take quick thinking and legal savvy to outwit the prosecutors and get Lillian off the hook.

Carlos is a distraction all his own, and their new relationship sizzles. A powerful man with friends on call whenever he needs them, he is determined to woo Mary. But sometimes duty calls, and she reluctantly concedes that work must come first.

Fatal February is the first in the Mary Magruder Katz series by Barbara Levenson. A humorous, light-hearted, and romantic mystery, it’s just the right combination for an enjoyable read. I’m adding this new series to my list of favorites.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

paranormal

Touched By the Light

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Linn B. Halton
Publisher: Book Guild Publishing
Genre: Paranormal fiction
ISBN: 978-1-84624-531-2
Pages: 248
Price: £16.99

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Mya isn’t quite sure where she is, when she suddenly realizes she’s no longer in her body. She remembers a hospital and workers scurrying around her, but then she makes her way toward the light and reaches what she thinks is the other side. But where is everyone else? Why isn’t anyone around to help her adjust?

Laurel is able to communicate with spirits, and she and Mya become friends. Drawn to Laurel’s relationship with Dan, Mya is convinced she’s in this purgatory of sorts in order to help them. But then she loses touch with Laurel and begins a new friendship with Dan – this time without the benefit of speaking.

It’s impossible for me to tell much more about this story without giving away all the intricate plot twists that make it such a fun read. Romance, good friendships, and the paranormal blend together so nicely, with a cast of believable and well-developed characters. Everyone grows as a result of their experiences, and the reader is rewarded with a happy ending.

Touched By the Light is Linn B. Halton’s first work of fiction, and it’s a dandy. I look forward to reading more from this talented new author.

Linn B. Halton shared her thoughts with us in an interview.  Please be sure to read what she has to say!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

I’m Having Twins!

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Paris Morris
Publisher: New Year Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9760095-4-2
Pages: 24
Price: $12.95

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Paris is three years old, and her mother is expecting twins. Being an inquisitive little girl, she wonders what it will be like once her baby siblings arrive. But Paris is determined to be the best big sister ever.

Over the course of a couple of months, we see the family adjusting to Mommy carrying the twins. Daddy and Paris sometimes have to go out alone while she rests. Paris handles this well, enjoying the time she has with her father.

The first child has no idea how life will change once a new baby shows up, so kids will relate to Paris and all her questions. Colorful and fun illustrations bring this cute and very real dilemma to life, as Paris figures out how she’ll need to adjust to the twins’ birth.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Phobiatopia

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Tami Su
Illustrator: Jan Dolby
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-160844-713-8
Pages: 28
Price: $16.99

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Every day at school, Mallory teases and bullies Vicky. She won’t let anyone talk to or play with Vicky, which makes her very lonely. But complaining to the teacher only gets them both sent to the principal’s office and detention.

But as Mallory and Vicky enter the detention room, they’re suddenly transported to a land called Phobiatopia. Here everyone has a fear, and no one is allowed to make fun of it. Offenders are sent to the Golden Rule Room, and Mallory won’t let her bullying rest until she finds herself there, facing her punishment alone.

Anyone who has ever been bullied will relate to Vicky’s dilemma, and cheer as Mallory is taught a lesson that her behavior simply won’t be tolerated. In a fun and non-preachy way, kids learn that bullying is not okay, and there are consequences to their actions.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

science-fiction

Spaceship Earth

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Tom Schwartz
Publisher: Reagent Press
Genre: Science Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-57545-143-5
Pages: 172
Price: $19.99

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How will the human race handle the eventual demise of the sun? Or react to a shrinking universe after it expands to its capacity? Making preparations for something that will happen millions of years in the future is a huge challenge, and the Sylvia Wexler Earth Foundation (SWEF) plans to address this problem in a unique manner.

To the SWEF, the only realistic option is to turn earth into a spaceship, but a solution this radical is not a popular one. Opposition forces try to change the course of action, but SWEF carries on with determination.

Will their mission succeed? Can humans actually create engines that could power earth travel through space? Is it possible for humankind to sustain the momentum necessary for such a huge endeavor over an incredibly long period of time? Although this work of science fiction makes several assumptions, discussion questions explore these very ideas and others.

An enlightening and thought-provoking read, Spaceship Earth is a startling look at our future which should spark some interesting conversations.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

CinderElla

Bergers Book Reviews


Author & Illustrator: Susan Meredith
Publisher: Rocking Chair Publications
Genre: Children / Fairy Tale
ISBN: 978-0984286614
Pages: 38
Price: $7.99

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When Ella’s mother dies, she wishes for her dad to remarry, so she can have a mother’s influence in her life. She doesn’t consider the fact her stepmother might have daughters of her own. These two greedy girls take over Ella’s room, forcing her to sleep by the hearth, and she often ends up sooty. Before long, she’s known as CinderElla.

When the Prince holds a ball, the stepsisters can’t wait to meet him. Being married to a Prince would ensure that their needs for lots of clothes and jewels would be satisfied. CinderElla just longs to be her mother’s daughter for the evening, and her wish is granted by the stars. But all good things come to an end, and she rushes from the ball, leaving one shoe behind.

Gram’s Fairy Tales are a kinder, gentler retelling of the original stories. Although the stepmother in this new version isn’t mean, it’s hard to see much good in these materialistic stepsisters. But in light of their behavior, CinderElla’s goodness shines through, capturing the heart of her Prince.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery, tween

Montooth and the Canfield Witch

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Robert Jay
Publisher: Montooth Press
Genre: Mystery / Suspense
ISBN: 978-0-615-29645-6
Pages: 441
Price: $27.99

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Carty Andersson grew up as a tomboy in the Florida swamps, learning how to safely navigate through the dangers lurking there. When she finds out that one of the residents in their swampy neighborhood, Sally Canfield, is believed to be a witch, she is curious but unafraid.

One night, taking a detour past the witch’s house, she encounters some men obviously plotting with evil intent. A few days later Carty and her partners in The Crew head out on a school project collecting plant specimens. When their search leads them to Sally’s house, they find themselves caught in a snare they didn’t anticipate. Only quick action and sharp shooting save Carty and her friends from perishing.

Although this book feels like it should be geared towards the middle-grade audience, due to the age of the protagonists, it presents some truly evil “bad guys” with a violent streak that I found surprising. While none of the murders were graphic, the methods used in committing them gave me chills, and I’m not sure how an 8th grader would feel reading them.

But aside from the amount of violence in these criminal actions, Montooth and the Canfield Witch is a well-written novel that’s full of suspense, with some really great characters. Carty shows a lot of courage and spunk, and her male classmates are unique individuals with well-developed personalities. Even Sally Canfield turns out to be something quite unexpected, in a great twist at the end.

Warning: Rated mature due to violence.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Enchanted Rope

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: David D. Bernstein
Illustrator: Sally Taylor
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4327-5175-3
Pages: 28
Price: $13.95

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Jack’s mom has passed away, and he misses her terribly. So he starts to weave a magic rope from the wildflowers she loved so much. Then he climbs the rope that leads him to the afterlife, where he sees his mom has become a golden dragon.

Jack’s mother reassures him that she still loves him, and shows him around her world. Then she lets him know he can come back any time he chooses, and she’ll be there for him. When he returns to earth, he notices a missing flower, and knows she has kept it as a reminder of his visit.

Although we can’t really be with those who have left us, it’s comforting for kids to be able to at least visit in their imaginations. Jack’s magical journey lets them know they can still be close even though they’re so far away. Bright and cheerful illustrations, rather than the dark and dreary colors of death, show us the light and hope this sweet story shares.

Reviewer: Alice Berger