Bergers Book Reviews

Night Terrors

December 14, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Dennis Palumbo
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-4642-0131-8
Pages: 250
Price: $14.95

Daniel Rinaldi has settled back into his psychotherapy practice after his last case with the Pittsburgh police department (Fever Dream). So he’s surprised when the FBI suddenly pulls him into a new case, this time involving a serial killer.

After a serial killer of prostitutes is killed in prison, those who had been directly associated with his arrest and murder are now being targeted by someone who calls himself “Your Biggest Fan.” But even though those suspected to be on his hit list are being held in protective custody by the FBI, someone seems to have immediate access to their wherabouts. A retired FBI profiling agent, Lyle Barnes, is high on the hit list, and Rinaldi is asked to help him deal with his night terrors. But Barnes isn’t interested in FBI protection, and quickly escapes.

Meanwhile, Rinaldi is also involved in another case involving the killing and brutal dismemberment of a businessman. A young man comes forth and confesses to the crime, but his mother insists he’s innocent. Something about the case bothers Rinaldi. Is it possible this murder is somehow linked to the serial killer?

Night Terrors is a fast-paced thriller with great action and drama, pulling the reader in from the first page. As I’ve gotten to know Daniel Rinaldi, I like him more and more. Great characters, a well-constructed mystery, and a little romance make this a really satisfying and enjoyable read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian

Cross Roads

December 11, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Wm. Paul Young
Publisher: FaithWords
Genre: Christian Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-4555-1604-9
Pages: 304
Price: $24.99

Author’s website
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We meet Anthony Spencer on his final day before becoming critically ill. He is an intensely dislikable man – paranoid, mean, and vindictive. But things are about to change when he wakes up in a very unusual place.

Now in a coma, Tony is living an alternate existence. Somewhere “in-between,” he converses with Jesus, the Holy Spirit (disguised as a native American woman), and the Father (who appears as a little girl). He visits earth by inhabiting the bodies of people who are fully conscious of his presence. And he’s given the chance to perform one miracle while there.

Tony’s personality is so abrasive early on that it makes it hard for the reader to even care about his well-being. But as the story progresses, he changes dramatically for the better. Tony’s journey reminded me of a pre-death purgatory, as he makes amends for the mistakes he made in his life, preparing for an eternity in heaven.

Cross Roads is Christian fiction, and shouldn’t be treated as a theological discussion of the afterlife. But it does provide a good opportunity for reflection on what might happen to us if we were suddenly called to account for the way we’ve lived our lives. Book clubs will find that this story leads to some interesting discussions.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

On the Move: Mass Migrations

December 9, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Scotti Cohn
Illustrator: Susan Detwiler
Publisher: Sylvan Dell
Genre: Animals / Nature
ISBN: 978-1-60718-6281
Pages: 32
Price: $9.95

Author’s website
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Birds flock together to travel south. Salmon swim upstream to spawn. Seals group together on land to mate and give birth. Some animals seek warmer climates, others a place to lay eggs. Whatever their purpose, they migrate in large quantities to get there.

On the Move: Mass Migrations explores some of the animal populations who migrate. In addition to short segments about these individual species, there are supplemental classroom materials provided in the appendix. Anyone who plans to cover this topic in class would find this book helpful.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Catholic, Christian

Chosen to Heal

December 5, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Laura Wright
Publisher: Immaculate Heart Press
Genre: Christian / Catholic
ISBN: 9780991086405
Pages: 130
Price: $11.99

Author’s website
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Many incredible stories of healing are recorded in the Bible, but one may wonder if God is still working miracles among us now. In Chosen to Heal: Gifted Catholics Share Stories of God’s Miraculous Healing Power, Laura Wright presents six healers who are active in the world today.

These six individuals – Domingo Setien, Tom Naemi, Father Jose Maniyangat, Stella Davis, Father Richard McAlear, and Father Dan Leary – did not ask to be given the gift of healing. In fact, they were all surprised when they discovered that they had received this gift. But after the miracles started to occur, they opened themselves to being a channel for God’s healing work. Just as Jesus used healing miracles to draw people closer to him, these individuals also use their healing ministry to the glory of God and the opportunity for evangelization.

Chosen to Heal offers a glimpse into the life and ministry of each of these gifted people. Each chapter focuses on one healer’s story, with numerous examples of people healed at their touch or command. Information on how to reach them is also provided, for those in search of their own miracle.

It’s easy to look around at our broken and hurting society and doubt that God is still active among his people, but seeing miracles such as the ones presented in this book reminds us he’s still very involved in our lives. Not only is he with us, but he cares enough about us to continue to provide us with many much-needed miracles. I highly recommend Chosen to Heal as a source of inspiration for God’s people today.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian, holiday

Little Star

December 3, 2013December 11, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Anthony DeStefano
Illustrator: Mark Elliott
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-0736958592
Pages: 36
Price: $14.99

Author’s website
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An announcement is made in the heavens that a king will soon be born. The stars anticipate this wondrous event, preparing to shine brightly in celebration. But only the littlest star realizes this baby boy born in such humble and poor circumstances is the long-awaited king.

Shining with all the love Little Star can muster, he bathes the baby Jesus in warmth and light. But showing such love and devotion has consequences, and he fades from existence, never to be seen again.

Little Star is a great Christmas story with multiple layers of meaning. It provides a fairy-tale explanation of why the Christmas star was shining so brightly at the time Jesus was born, and is now no longer visible. But it also shows us how important Jesus is in our lives, and that we should never be afraid to give ourselves up in love for him. This littlest star knew who Jesus was, and was determined to let the whole world know. I highly recommend adding Little Star to your annual Christmas reading list.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education

I Love Reading Phonics: Tick Tock Books – Level 6

November 29, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

A series of educational books by Tick Tock Books featuring level six reading. A brief summary of the books and their word focus are included below. This is a fun series kids will enjoy, while also learning how to read. Please also see posts on level one, level two, level three, level four and level five information.

What Wally Wanted
Author: Louise Goodman
Illustrator: Kate Daubney
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-779-1
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 6-A: Wally wants gold, so he makes trades to get it. Will Wally trade his black cat in exchange for a spell?
Focuses on two sounds made with the letter a – as in hat and what.

Superhero Ed!
Author: Louise Goodman
Illustrator: Kimberley Scott
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-780-7
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99
Buy it at Amazon

Level 6-B: Deb is upset. Wicked Ted has taken Emu Meg. Superhero Ed must act quickly to save her!
Focuses on two sounds made with the letter e – as in bed and he.

Adine’s Igloo
Author: Lucy George
Illustrator: Monica Armino
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-781-4
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 6-C: Adine is an Inuit and lives in an igloo. This book shares a bit of her daily life.
Focuses on two sounds made with the letter i – as in fin and find.

The Robot Bop
Author: Lucy George
Illustrator: Caroline Romanet
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-782-1
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 6-D: Ro the Robot loves to bop. She invents a new dance, but will the other robots like it?
Focuses on two sounds made with the letter o – as in hot and cold.

children, Christian

A Travel Guide to Heaven for Kids

November 23, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Anthony DeStefano
Illustrator: Erwin Madrid
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Genre: Children / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-7369-5509-6
Pages: 32
Price: $14.99

Author’s website
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Joey is curious what happens to people when they die, and his mom explains that they go to heaven. As he lays in bed thinking about it, his guardian angel appears and offers him the opportunity to visit heaven. He jumps at the chance, and off they go. Heaven is a beautiful place, with gorgeous colors, cities paved with gold, and every animal that ever lived on earth. The best part is where God lives, but Joey isn’t allowed to visit God until he’s ready to be there forever.

The Bible presents many metaphors for what heaven will be like, but is lacking in any definite picture. But Jesus makes it clear that heaven is a wonderful place, and is where we want to go after we die. A Travel Guide to Heaven for Kids presents the concept of heaven in a simplified way kids can relate to. Although amusement parks might not exist in heaven, Joey is excited by the thought that he will enjoy his time there. No mention is made of hell, and a prayer for children to invite Jesus as their personal savior is offered at the end.

If you’re looking for a true Biblical picture of heaven, you’re best resource would be your family Bible. But if you’re looking for a gentle way of introducing the subject to your kids, with the goal of inspiring them to want to live there forever, this book would be a great addition to your library.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, nature

Nature Recycles – How About You?

November 22, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Michelle Lord
Illustrator: Cathy Morrison
Publisher: Sylvan Dell
Genre: Children / Nature
ISBN: 978-1-60718-6274
Pages: 32
Price: $9.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

A hermit crab borrows discarded shells to make his home. A caddisfly larva gathers small rocks and pebbles as camouflage against predators at the bottom of a stream. Termites munch on old wood, creating crevices for small animals to use as shelter.

In Nature Recycles – How About You? examples are presented of how these and other animals are using things they find in nature in a new and practical way. The final scene shows kids collecting plastic bottles and aluminum cans while cleaning up their environment, and recycling old clothes by using them as rags. Additional information on the animals in this book and the importance of recycling are included in the appendix.

Recycling is a necessity in today’s world, and this book presents the concept in fun way. Seeing how even the animals recycle provides a great example for kids. I highly recommend this book for classroom use.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Wisteria’s Show and Tell Spectacular

November 16, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Susan Grigsby
Illustrator: Alexandra Miller
Publisher: Shenanigan Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-934860-12-0
Pages: 32
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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Wisteria likes to think of herself as the Queen of Show and Tell, but lately she’s been known as the Queen of Disasters. Bees’ nests and snakes don’t make good show and tell objects, and the school has had to develop some new rules as a result. But now she needs to find something really old for show and tell, and she has no idea what to bring.

A neighbor helps her out with her quest, and Wisteria brings a covered wagon to school, eager to show off her find. But will this attempt also end in disaster?

Wisteria’s Show and Tell Spectacular is not nearly as spectatular as I would have liked it to be. The objects Wisteria brings to school end up being pretty ordinary, and the “disaster” created is minor in comparison to the ones mentioned in passing. I would have enjoyed this story more if it had only focused on one very large, full-blown disaster. The bee hive or snake incidents might have made for a more interesting read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Young Henry and the Dragon

November 14, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Jeanne Kaufman
Illustrator: Daria Tessler
Publisher: Shenanigan Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-934860-11-3
Pages: 32
Price: $15.95

Author’s website
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Young Henry, the squire, is traveling through the forest late at night. When he stops to rest, he wants to warm himself and cook some of his favorite dinner. Since he has no fire, he decides to locate a nearby dragon and borrow a flame from him.

The dragon is uncooperative, so Henry decides to try to make him laugh. A good snorting bellow would blast flames and Henry would have his fire. But Henry couldn’t possibly foresee the humorous results of his attempts.

Told in rhyming verse, Young Henry and the Dragon is a delightful tale of ingenuity and boldness. I loved the way Henry stood up to the dragon, asking for what he needed. And the surprise ending makes it a really fun read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger