tween – Page 4 – Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Beth Vrabel
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Genre: Middle-grade
ISBN: 978-1-63450-157-6
Pages: 264
Price: $16.99

Alice was used to living in Seattle, where her near-blindness didn’t seem to be a real disability. Everyone knew her, and her best friend, Eliza, helped her get around. But now she’s living in Sinkville – or Stinkville, as she calls it, due to the odor the paper mill generates. Without Eliza to help, she needs to rely on her reluctant older brother to escort her around town. She can’t depend on her parents, since her father is too busy at his new job and her mother is suffering from severe depression.

When the Sinkville Success Stories contest is announced, Alice doesn’t think she has much to contribute. She’s only been living in Sinkville for a little while. But as she begins to talk to the residents of the town, she discovers a history she didn’t expect to encounter. Soon, she begins to see Sinkville as home. Winning the contest suddenly becomes important, but can she really find something unique and interesting to write about?

Alice is an endearing character who refuses to see herself defined by her disability. Yet she hasn’t had the opportunity to try to be self-sufficient, since she’s always had someone around to care for her needs. Now she’s forced to look at the direction her life is taking and do things differently. And as she chooses to change, she positively impacts those around her.

A Blind Guide to Stinkville is an uplifting story of personal growth at the middle-grade level. Alice is an inspiring role-model for kids, as she shows compassion for her mother’s suffering, and comes to an acceptance of her father’s decision to uproot the family for a better opportunity. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fantasy, tween

Dr. Critchlore’s School for Minions

November 10, 2015June 7, 2016 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Sheila Grau
Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
Genre: Fantasy / Middle-grade
ISBN: 978-1-4197-1370-5
Pages: 288
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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Runt Higgins is a third-year student at Dr. Critchlore’s school for minions, and the runt of the litter – of werewolves. Trouble is, he hasn’t morphed since he was seven, and he has no memory of the event. Dr. Critchlore’s school is in desperate trouble, and Runt believes someone is attempting sabotage against it. Unfortunately, there are several likely suspects, since quite a few people at the school have a reason to dislike Dr. Critchlore.

Runt is a nice guy who absolutely loves the school, and he will do anything he can to save it. Putting aside his own Junior Henchman aspirations, he risks everything to try to prevent destructive attempts on the school, along with his loyal friends. But Runt’s attempts end up causing him grief, as he gets into trouble over and over again, causing him to believe he must be cursed.

Dr. Critchlore’s School for Minions is similar to Hogwarts, but with monsters training to serve Evil Overlords instead of wizards learning to manage their powers. Ogres, giants, imps, and zombies, as well as other living and undead beings populate this unique university, where being evil is not only good – it’s expected. Runt and his friends are really cool characters with lots of personality, and kids will relate well to them. I absolutely loved this book, and I can’t wait for the sequel.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

fantasy, tween

The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable FIB

October 29, 2015 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Adam Shaughnessy
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Middle-grade / Fantasy
ISBN: 978-1-61620-498-3
Pages: 272
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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Prudence Potts finds a mysterious note in her room one morning. The daughter of a deceased police detective, Prudence loves mysteries, and is curious about the message it contains. That same day, she meets a mysterious man named Mister Fox in the Winterhaven House Norse museum. And as punishment for various misdeeds against her dour teacher, she is assigned to read a Norse legend with her new classmate, ABE.

What could any of these events have to do with each other? Well, as it turns out, plenty! There are strange things happening in town, and Prudence, ABE, and Mister Fox find themselves right in the middle of them. Although Prudence and ABE don’t quite know what they’re dealing with, they will need to save everyone from an outside force that threatens them. But is Mister Fox friend or foe?

It’s impossible to say very much about this fantastical weaving of Norse mythology with the real world, without giving too much away. The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable FIB is reminiscent of classics I enjoyed by Roald Dahl when I was a child. I highly recommend it, and look forward to reading more of this new series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

tween

Mom Made Us Write This in the Summer

July 1, 2015July 1, 2015 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Ali Maier
Publisher: Erie Island Media
Genre: Middle-grade
ISBN: 978-0-9893755-0-4
Pages: 208
Price: $9.95

Author’s website
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Max and Maggie can’t seem to get along. Their mom finally has enough of the constant squabbling, and tells them they need to keep a shared journal during the summer so they can develop better communication. They will alternate picking the topics to write about, but each has to share on the same topic.

Over the course of the summer, they discuss doctor visits, babies, ice cream, sports, and other topics common to ten year olds. They will receive extra points for good spelling, and they aren’t allowed to be be mean to each other. And if all goes according to plan, their mom hopes that they will be getting along better by the end of the summer.

The format of this book is lined notebook paper with “hand-written” font and numerous drawings and side notes. This kid-friendly style is sure to appeal to the younger reader. But I couldn’t really see these discussions happening between two normal middle-grade kids, especially twin siblings. The language was too perfect, they were too well-behaved, and the conversation felt repetitive as each child shared on the same topic. There just wasn’t enough humorous give and take in the dialogue. However adults will like the fact that Max and Maggie are mostly respectful of each other and their parents.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, tween

Catie Conrad: How to Become the Most UNPopular Girl in Middle School (Desperate Diva Diaries Series #2)

May 13, 2015May 23, 2015 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Angie Spady
Publisher: B&H Kids
Genre: Middle grade girls / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-4336-8461-6
Pages: 304
Price: $8.99

Author’s website
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Catie Conrad’s diary continues where Faith, Friendship and Fashion Disasters left off. As she vents to her diary, she gets better perspective on her problems and relieves some of her frustrations.

Catie’s least favorite holiday – Valentine’s Day – is fast approaching. Her little brother, Jeremy, offers to watch his friend’s bearded dragon while he’s away for a few weeks. Her best friend Sophie is competing as part of the academic team, and has new friends and less time for Catie. And her worst enemy – Maranda Maroni – is determined to make Catie’s life miserable. How can she possibly cope?

Middle school is one of the most stressful times in a young girl’s life, and Catie Conrad’s reactions to the turmoil around her are very realistic. But Catie turns to God when things get tough, and that makes all the difference in how she handles things. The Desperate Diva Series sends very positive messages to girls, reminding them that God is in charge, and to just hang on for the ride.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

tween

Louis Beside Himself

February 23, 2015February 23, 2015 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Anna Fienberg
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Genre: Middle grade fiction
ISBN: 978-1-74237-994-4
Pages: 246
Price: $8.99

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Louis loves words more than anything. Unfortunately, his dad thinks he should put down his thesaurus and start building up his body. So when a burglar breaks into his home one evening, and he isn’t able to use any of the wrestling moves he’s supposed to know, he feels like an utter failure.

Things go from bad to worse. His two best friends suddenly find what makes them happiest and pursue their new interests with joy, leaving Louis to ponder his miserable fate alone. Words – and his voice – have let him down, and he doesn’t know what to do. But when he realizes he needs to act quickly to help a new friend, and it will involve speaking up in her defense, he turns to his words once again.

Louis Beside Himself is a quirky and fun coming of age novel. Kids will relate to Louis worrying about meeting his father’s expectations and feeling inadequate when facing difficult situations. And when Louis finally manages to do something very, very right, the reader will cheer for his efforts. I highly recommend this uplifting and enjoyable book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, tween

Catie Conrad: Faith, Friendship and Fashion Disasters (Desperate Diva Diaries Series)

January 4, 2015January 4, 2015 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Angie Spady
Illustrator: Channing Everidge
Publisher: B&H Kids
Genre: Middle-grade girls / Christian
ISBN: 978-1-4336-8460-9
Pages: 304
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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Catie Conrad’s father, a journalist, has given her blank diaries to record her thoughts. Catie would rather have sketch pads for drawing her fashion designs, but she decides to give the diaries a try. Sixth grade has brought its share of challenges, and she discovers it helps to write about them.

Her brother Jeremy, aka the Germ, and his pet skunk are driving her crazy. The school dance has been announced, and both she and her nemesis, the ultra popular Miranda Maroni, seek the attention of the same boy. And the art contest has her stressed and determined to enter her very best fashion design. Her father has the worst timing in deciding to take the family on a mission trip to an Indian reservation just before the dance and the contest deadline. Catie will need a lot of prayer to get through the year!

Catie Conrad: Faith, Friendship and Fashion Disasters is printed as if handwritten in a notebook, with lots of sketches throughout. Middle-grade girls will relate to the drama of Catie’s life, and will be inspired by the way she tackles her problems, as friends, family and faith strengthen her. Although this is a Christian book, it doesn’t come across preachy, and girls will find Catie very real in her thoughts and struggles. I highly recommend this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

boys, tween

Surviving Seventh Grade

June 19, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Glenn K. Currie
Publisher: Snap Screen Press
Genre: Middle-grade
ISBN: 978-0-9779675-7-5
Pages: 92
Price: $19.95

Buy it here

In this sequel to A Boy’s First Diary, we meet our main character again as he attempts to navigate the perils of seventh grade. It’s the 1950s and things are a bit scary at school, but with his best friend, Billy, he struggles to survive.

Problems include the cafeteria, rope climbing, French class, a bully named Arnold, and his sworn enemy, Snobby Donna. Girls are much more complicated now, and he and Billy attempt to figure them out. But as the school year progresses, he is growing up, and his relationships begin to change.

Although today’s kids may not have even heard of Brylcreem, they will understand a boy’s fascination with Kleenex stuffed bras, and the importance of learning how to undo clasps with one hand. And they can certainly relate to avoiding teachers and school administrators, as well as class bullies, whose only intent is to torment seventh graders. Surviving Seventh Grade is a fun read for everyone.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, tween

The Greatest Star on Earth

May 21, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Kate Klise
Illustrator: M. Sarah Klise
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Genre: Middle grade
ISBN: 978-1-61620-245-3
Pages: 144
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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Polly Pumpkinseed of The Circus Times thinks Sir Sidney’s circus is the greatest show on earth, but his circus is never newsworthy. Polly decides to run a contest to find out who is the greatest star on earth, so she will have something new to report.

Sir Sidney immediately develops a bad worrywart as he contemplates what this contest will do to his circus. His doctor orders him to rest, and he turns everything over to Barnabas Brambles. But Sir Sidney’s worries only increase as the performers attempt to outdo each other to earn the coveted trophy.

Barnabas Brambles, the villain in The Show Must Go On! has a few more lessons to learn, and the mice, Gert and Bert, find a clever way to teach him. And everyone in the circus finally realizes that there are much more important things in life than trophies. The Greatest Star on Earth is a fun, light-hearted story with a powerful message of the importance of family and friends. I highly recommend the Three-Ring Rascals series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

history, tween

Anni’s Attic

May 2, 2014 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Anne Loader McGee
Publisher: Vendera Publishing
Genre: Middle-grade / Historical fiction
ISBN: 978-1-936307-24-1
Pages: 256
Price: $10.99

Author’s website
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Jennine has no desire to leave her home in New Orleans to live with her cousin Annise’s family in Georgia. But the Civil War has just begun, her mother recently died, and her father has business up north that he needs to take care of. Jennine hopes she can tolerate Annise for a little while and go home as soon as possible.

The Civil War goes on much longer than anyone anticipates, and soon Jennine and Annise are aware that their family has chosen sides. But those actions are putting everyone in danger, and the girls must step in to help, even though no one wants to tell them what’s going on. Trade in the south comes to a standstill, troops loot anything they can find, and the northern army is intent on burning everything in its path to Atlanta. Will the family survive to see the end of the war?

Anne Loader McGee has written a fascinating portrait of the south during the Civil War, from a unique perspective. She successfully weaves historical elements into the story in a believable way, putting the girls directly into the situations they encounter. And the growing friendship and love between Annise and Jennine adds to the charm of the story. As they deal with terrible circumstances of the war, they pull together and do whatever it takes to keep everyone safe. I highly recommend Anni’s Attic.

Reviewer: Alice Berger