Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Jenny Torres Sanchez
Publisher: Running Press
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-0-7624-4680-3
Pages: 272
Price: $9.95

Frenchie Garcia is having a rough time. Although she tries to be upbeat while hanging out with her friends, her mood is morbid and she’s easily ruffled. Her dark secret won’t let her go. Frenchie was the last person to see Andy Cooper alive, before he committed suicide, and now she wonders why he chose to spent his last night with her.

Frenchie had a crush on Andy, and when he suggested a grand adventure, she happily went along for the ride. Now, months have passed, and she wonders what really happened that night. When Colin suddenly appears in her life and offers his friendship and maybe more, Frenchie decides the best way to find out what Andy was doing is to relive the whole night with Colin.

Colin is a wonderful support for Frenchie, going along with her scheme with no complaints. As she revisits the places Andy took her that night, she finally finds peace with her inability to see what he was planning and stop him from committing suicide.

Frenchie is a compassionate and caring girl who feels Andy’s loss deeply. As she works through her own grieving process, she comes to understand Andy and herself better, finally freeing herself from the unconscious burdens she placed on herself as his protector. And once she frees herself from the past, she’s finally able to move forward into her own future. I really enjoyed Death, Dickenson, and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia, and I highly recommend it for teenagers and young adults.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

teen

Camp

July 30, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Elaine Wolf
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Genre: Teen
ISBN: 978-1-61608-657-2
Pages: 256
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Amy Becker is living in a dysfunctional household with a dominant mother, a father who won’t stand up to her, and a disabled brother. She is overly protective of her brother, Charlie, and has no desire to go to camp for the summer. Who would take care of Charlie while she’s gone? But her worst fears can’t begin to live up to what she faces once she gets there.

A bully named Rory has decided to punish Amy, and some of the other girls go along with her, including Amy’s own cousin Robin. Robin’s father, Uncle Ed, owns the camp, and Amy has to watch her actions, or Robin could cause trouble for her at home. Luckily, one of the other girls, Erin, has decided to be befriend Amy, and the two spend time together away from Rory. But soon Robin starts hinting about Amy’s mother’s past, and Amy starts remembering things from her childhood.

This story takes place first at camp, but then spans several years after the summer is over. In the latter portion, Amy’s mother finally opens up to Amy about her difficult past in Germany, and Amy comes to forgive her.

Camp is a fast-paced novel that hooks the reader from the beginning, but loses its momentum once camp ends. Although most of the secrets are then revealed, the ending felt somewhat anti-climactic, and some of her mother’s actions are never explained.

WARNING: There are graphic sexual references in this book that may be inappropriate for younger readers.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

art, computers

Draw Your Own Alphabets

July 29, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Tony Seddon
Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
Genre: Graphic Design
ISBN: 978-1-61689-126-8
Pages: 160
Price: $19.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Using hand-lettering in computer graphics can make your work uniquely your own. But how do you go about creating an alphabet? If you’ve ever wanted to know more about this art, Draw Your Own Alphabets can help.

Using thirty sample fonts, author Tony Seddon guides you as you determine what characteristics your personal font will have. Proper sizing matters, and tips and tricks are given to be sure your new font scans properly to your computer. Then Seddon provides information on uploading your font to TypeTool so it is properly matched to your keyboard.

If you’ve ever wanted to create a hand-lettered look in your own graphic design, Draw Your Own Alphabets would be a valuable resource.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

A Real Prince Is Hard to Find

July 26, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Joanna Rivard
Illustrator: Adam Larkum
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-61963-215-8
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Buy it at Amazon

The wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton was the talk of the world in 2011. And their new baby sparked even more excitement, as the world waited to greet the royal heir. Now kids can enjoy their love story through A Real Prince Is Hard to Find.

Girls have dreamed of marrying princes for a very long time, and Kate was no exception. But she had the chance to meet her prince, who became her best friend and fell in love with her. This cute story of how Prince William and Kate met and courted provides girls an opportunity to experience the thrill of finding and marrying a prince, even if they may never have the chance in real life. After all, real princes are hard to find.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, teen

Perfectly Unique

July 25, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Annie F. Downs
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Genre: Teen / Christian
ISBN: 978-0-310-72434-6
Pages: 224
Price: $9.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Do you love your body? Do you use it to express your love for God? If you answered no to either or both of these questions, you’re not alone. As a teen girl, you probably have a love-hate relationship with your body. While you may love some parts, others make you inwardly cringe.

Annie F. Downs knows what you’re feeling, and in Perfectly Unique, she provides lots of reasons to love all of you. From your mind to your mouth, your shoulders to your feet, she covers the whole body. For each body part, she shares a story from her own past and then shares how God sees that part, providing Bible verses that focus on it. She also works to dismiss the lies you may believe that you’re not good enough exactly as you are.

The Bible reminds us to love others as we love ourselves. Learning how to use our bodies to the glory of God helps us love ourselves, so we can then learn to love others more. We were created in God’s image – perfectly unique. Now it’s time to start believing it!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

history

My Enemy’s Tears: The Witch of Northampton

July 24, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Karen Vorbeck Williams
Publisher: Wheatmark
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 978-1-60494-628-4
Pages: 450
Price: $20.95

Author’s website
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Growing up, author Karen Vorbeck Williams learned about the history of witches in her native New England. As a child, her grandmother told tales of witchcraft and lore from colonial Massachusetts. Totally captivated by the fact that some of her ancestors were associated with witchcraft, Williams felt compelled to write a book based on her family history and her grandmother’s recollections. She created a fascinating novel based on Mary Bliss Parsons, her 11th great-grandmother, who was accused of witchery.

The story focuses on early colonial life in 17th century New England, where people of that era struggled daily to survive. They faced numerous obstacles settling a new land: weather conditions, disease, farming, and the sometimes contentious native populations. Williams’ great-grandmother was no different in this respect, but her nemesis, Sarah Lyman Bridgeman had a way of complicating life in the settlement. The two developed a lifetime of unease between them that led to hard trouble for both families and false accusations of murder and witchcraft. The result is an engrossing tale of colonial hardship and American history.

Williams’ 20 years of research brings an interesting and enlightening story of colonial America in the Connecticut River Valley to vivid life. While action is at a minimum, the narrative and numerous characters move the tale along quite nicely keeping the reader entertained to the end.

Reviewer: Gene Berger

children

Camp ABC

July 23, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Zora and David Aiken
Illustrator: David Aiken
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4423-7
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Camping is fun, and Camp ABC explores some of the ways to make it even more enjoyable. Using the letters of the alphabet as a guide, and told in poetic format, it shares some things you can do while camping.

Admire the animals, use your binoculars to find the birds, camp by canoe, and dive from a dock. These are just the first few ideas to make your camping experience memorable. Vibrant watercolor illustrations accompany the rhymes.

If you’re planning a camping trip, Camp ABC would be a nice book to read before you go, so you don’t miss any of the adventures.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Viku to the Rescue

July 22, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Debu Majumdar
Illustrator: Lynn Wolfe
Publisher: Bo-Tree House
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9832227-2-9
Pages: 54
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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In this sequel to Viku and the Elephant, Haatee is in trouble. Elephant hunters have captured him in a deep hole, and Viku needs to save his friend. After having no success in freeing him, Viku goes home with a heavy heart, trying to come up with a new plan.

But the following day, Haatee is no longer there, and now Viku needs to outsmart the elephant hunters. He tries to go to the local authorities, but no one wants to help him, so Viku is on his own. But one smart boy, desperate to save his friend, is more than capable of handling these treacherous men.

Viku to the Rescue is a heart-warming story about a boy and his dear friend. Viku exhibits loyalty, bravery, ingenuity, and cleverness in saving Haatee, and provides a wonderful role model for kids. Even in his frustrating encounter with the police, Viku remains calm and respectful. I highly recommend this series for the positive values demonstrated.

Debu Majumdar shared his thoughts with us in an interview. Please be sure to read what he has to say!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Little Chipmunk’s Wiggly, Wobbly Tooth

July 18, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Mary Packard
Illustrator: Lisa McCue
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4027-7231-3
Pages: 24
Price: $7.95

Buy it at Amazon

Little Chipmunk is proud of his two front teeth, but one day he notices a tooth is very loose. Concerned that something is wrong, he avoids eating any foods that might make his problem worse. The dentist reassures him that this is perfectly normal, and soon he’ll have two grown-up teeth where his baby teeth used to be.

Losing a first tooth can be a bit scary for children who don’t realize what’s happening. But as Little Chipmunk experiences this himself, he guides kids through the process they will soon face. Lisa McCue’s darling animal illustrations add to the charm of this cute story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Lollipop Monster Meets Clem the Klutz

July 17, 2013July 18, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Eric T. Krackow
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4287-5
Pages: 64
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Larry the Lollipop Monster has made a special lollipop for his friend, Sanford. He and Zabby head to Sanford’s house, when they find a monster hanging from a tree, upside-down. They free him and find out his name is Clem, and that he’s a klutz when he gets excited.

The three monsters arrive at Sanford’s house, and Larry gives Sanford his birthday gift. But Clem becomes too excited, with disastrous results. Sanford is angry that Clem has ruined his birthday, and says hurtful things. Clem leaves, feeling sad. But Larry and Zabby talk to Sanford, and he decides to make amends with Clem.

The Lollipop Monster Meets Clem the Klutz is beautifully illustrated in bright, cheerful colors. The message tries to encourage kids to be kind and learn to say they’re sorry, but the story itself lacks substance. Additional conflict or a surprising resolution would have made this a more exciting read for kids.

Reviewer: Alice Berger