Bergers Book Reviews

Hidden Mercies

July 16, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Serena B. Miller
Publisher: Howard Books
Genre: Amish fiction / Romance
ISBN: 978-1-4516-6035-7
Pages: 368
Price: $15.00

Author’s website
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Claire Shetler thinks about the man she nearly married with fond regret. Killed the night before the wedding, Matthew never got to meet the son they had conceived only a few days prior. But Tobias, the man responsible for Matthew’s death, runs from home and joins the Marines, hoping to permanently block this tragic reminder of his past.

Now, twenty years later, Claire is widowed with a household full of children and a busy Amish midwife practice. Tobias has returned to Ohio to make peace with Claire and his father, but finds it difficult to reveal his true identity. Will he only make the situation worse by letting them both know who he is?

Hidden Mercies is a wonderful tale of family, love and redemption. The characters are warm and real, and their emotions are so true to life. As the story unfolds, the reader can’t help but wish for their happiness together. I highly recommend this well-written and engaging Amish romance.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Hank Finds an Egg

July 15, 2013July 15, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Illustrator: Rebecca Dudley
Publisher: Peter Pauper Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-4413-1158-0
Pages: 40
Price: $16.99

Author’s website
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Hank is strolling through the forest one day, when he spots an egg on the ground. Looking up, he sees a nest, high in the tree. He tries a few methods of climbing the tree to return it, with no success. Finally, he lights a camp fire for the evening, and holds the egg while he sleeps.

The following day, mother bird arrives on the scene. Between the two of them, the egg is restored to the nest. And soon afterwards, the baby birds hatch, making Hank very happy.

Hank Finds an Egg is told with no words. Instead, the author/illustrator has taken photos of Hank’s actions, and pieced them together to tell the story. Hank is hand-made from fabric, and his environment is also hand-created to set the stage. This sweet tale is perfect for beginning readers and all those who enjoy artfully illustrated books.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

The Story of Boo

July 11, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Patricia Abrams
Publisher: The Peppertree Press
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 978-1-61493-104-1
Pages: 28
Price: $12.95

Buy it at Amazon

Boo, a black lab beagle mix, has been treated cruelly by his former owner. He is taken to the shelter, where Tami spends time with this lonely, sweet dog who just wants to be loved. Finally, Tami takes Boo home to his forever home with her.

Tami asks Boo if he would like to be a search and rescue dog, and Boo is happy to do this. So Tami brings Boo to school so he can be trained in his important work. They even get to travel by plane for their training.

Many shelter dogs come from abusive homes and require extensive socialization before they can fully trust again. The Story of Boo reminds us that these special dogs can make great pets and even make a contribution to society.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

graphic novel, history, teen

Terra Tempo: The Four Corners of Time

July 10, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: David Shapiro
Illustrators: Christopher Herndon & Erica Melville
Publisher: Craigmore Creations
Genre: History / Graphic novel / Teen
ISBN: 978-0-9844422-6-3
Pages: 272
Price: $17.99

Buy it at Amazon

Jenna, Caleb and Ari have found a new map which will let them time travel 550 million years into the past. In this sequel to Ice Age Cataclysm!, they travel back in time, anticipating a great adventure, but this time they’re not alone.

Their new map was created a century before, and those involved in its creation are traveling through time to find it. These men carry guns and will do anything to get it back. The kids now not only need to watch for angry beasts, but also dangerous humans.

The prehistoric past is a fascinating time for budding paleontologists, and Terra Tempo: The Four Corners of Time touches on some of the interesting eras in earth’s history. Told as an adventure graphic novel, rather than a history lesson, it will inspire kids to learn more about these time periods. And they can look forward to more from Jenna, Caleb and Ari, as the conclusion promises even more adventures ahead.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

cooking

Ella’s Kitchen: The Cook Book

July 9, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Publisher: Hamlyn
Genre: Cooking
ISBN: 978-0-600-62675-6
Pages: 192
Price: $19.99

Website
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Healthy eating habits are best acquired when we’re young. Letting kids help in the kitchen is a fun way to get them interested in the meals they eat. Ella’s Kitchen: The Cook Book encourages parents to let their kids touch, taste and smell foods as they get their hands dirty preparing meals.

Not only is this a cookbook, but it’s also filled with photos of kids enjoying their food, as well as images of the interesting dishes presented. Drawings and food facts accompany these photos, and the color palate is as varied as the flavors. Simple, healthy meal ideas use all-natural ingredients and a minimum of processed foods, and the unique combinations create a tasty dish. Fruit is used liberally as a natural sweetener kids will enjoy.

Ella’s Kitchen is known for its healthy organic baby foods. But food preparation done at home can be easy and delicious if you have the right recipes. Encourage your kids to experience the all-natural foods they eat, and be sure to pick up a copy of Ella’s Kitchen: The Cook Book for your own kitchen. I highly recommend it!

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

Death in the 12th House

July 8, 2013July 9, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Mitchell Scott Lewis
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-4642-0060-1
Pages: 250
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Freddie Finger is the third rock star in New York City who’s been murdered. Vivian Younger, Freddie’s daughter, wants answers to her father’s death, and the police need to catch the perpetrator before any more rockers are killed. David Lowell has had some success solving crimes like this, using his skill in astrology, and Vivian hires him to investigate.

Hunting down birth charts the way most detectives find clues, Lowell tries to piece the puzzle together. Who wanted Freddie dead? And how is he connected to the other two rockers who have been killed? Vivian offers her support, and soon becomes a pleasant distraction from the case.

Those of us who can remember the earlier days of rock and roll will find Death in the 12th House to be a fun trip down memory lane. But at times Lowell himself seems more of an aloof superhero than a man, as everything comes too easily to him. Overall, though, this is an intriguing mystery with a surprising and satisfying conclusion.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, teen

The Bare Naked Truth

July 4, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Bekah Hamrick Martin
Publisher: Zondervan
Genre: Christian / Teen / Relationships
ISBN: 978-0-310-73402-4
Pages: 192
Price: $9.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

If you haven’t started dating yet, this is a great time to make the decision to stay pure until marriage. But even if you have been dating, and you’ve haven’t made this choice, there is still time to think about what you’re doing and change. Reading The Bare Naked Truth is a wake-up call to remind you of all you stand to lose by giving up your body, even if you don’t go all the way.

Peppered with true stories of girls who did – and didn’t – remain pure, this is a true-life book on the facts of life. Not only do girls risk STDs, pregnancy, and the loss of their reputations, they also may jeopardize a great relationship and the trust of their future husband. Purity isn’t just defined by the actual act – it also covers doing “everything else” up to, but not actually having sex. And this can be just as damaging.

Bekah doesn’t preach. She gives us all the reasons why she decided to remain pure, even including not kissing anyone until she was engaged to her husband. And she encourages us to make the same choices. But she also reminds us that it’s never too late to decide to remain pure from now until marriage, even if we’ve not made that choice in the past. I highly recommend The Bare Naked Truth for all girls entering their teen and dating years.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education

I Love Reading Phonics: Tick Tock Books – Level 4

July 1, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

A series of educational books by Tick Tock Books featuring level four 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 and level three information.

The Maze
Author: Deborah Chancellor
Illustrator: Monica Armino
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-771-5
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 4-A: Jake challenges Jane to enter the maze, with the promise of cake. When they get lost, they have a picnic.
Focuses on the ā sound, as in game.

Fairy Fay’s Bad Day
Author: Deborah Chancellor
Illustrator: Kimberley Scott
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-772-2
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 4-B: Fay is a naughty fairy and casts bad spells. But when no one will talk to her, she learns to play nice.
Focuses on the ā sound, as in play and they.

Eve the Knight
Author: Melanie Hamm
Illustrator: Bill Bolton
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-773-9
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 4-C: Eve wants to be a knight, but the King and Queen are not sure she can handle it. They test her and she succeeds.
Focuses on the ē sound, as in leaf and these.

Pirate School
Author: Melanie Hamm
Illustrator: Stefano Tamberlini
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-774-6
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 4-D: Captain Ego is retired from the seas and decides to run a pirate school. His class does not cooperate.
Focuses on the ē sound, as in he and bee.

animals, children, dogs

Mosey’s Field

June 30, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Barbara Lockhart
Illustrator: Heather Crow
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4388-9
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
Buy it at Amazon

Mosey the dog has his special napping place in the field. But in the spring, plowing and planting machinery come along and disturb his rest. Soon tall stalks of corn are growing where he used to sleep.

Rabbits dart between the stalks. Following them, Mosey chases down tunnels between the rows of corn, becoming lost in the process. But when he figures out how to get home, he returns to his old napping place, now nicely shaded by corn plants. The corn turns from green to golden, as it dries in the late summer sun. And when it’s harvested, Mosey must once again leave his napping place.

Mosey’s Field shows us a dog on a mission to take his naps. But as part of this tale, the harvest cycle of field corn is explored. Kids not only enjoy reading of Mosey’s antics, but they also get a glimpse of farm life. Beautiful watercolor illustrations accompany this cute story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

history

Noah’s Ark: Ancient Accounts and New Discoveries

June 28, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Henri Nissen
Publisher: Scandinavia Publishing House
Genre: History / Documentary
ISBN: 9788771320886
Pages: 330
Price: $34.95

Buy it at Amazon

Adventurers have searched for centuries, trying to locate the remains of Noah’s ark. The Bible states that the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat. But which mountain? Many cultures have legends of an ancient flood that corresponds to the Bible, but none are any more specific, as to where one might find the ark. Most search on the highest peak – Mt. Ararat. And many have claimed to have found it, far up in the icy heights. Some have even brought down wood they claimed to have found, with dubious results. But one team claims to have really found it this time.

Noah’s Ark Ministries International (NAMI) has recently determined that they have found the actual structure used to house Noah and his family, plus the animals of the earth. Although they claim the ark is buried in thick ice, they have posted photos of the areas inside that they were able to enter. But is this a true find, or just another hoax? Many do not trust their findings and have publicly refuted their claims.

Noah’s Ark: Ancient Accounts and New Discoveries provides a broad overview of the search for Noah’s ark over the centuries. It also covers the history and interesting features of the area being searched, as well as the additional source materials that coincide with the Bible’s account of the flood. This interesting volume reads like a television documentary at times, moving fluidly from topic to topic. It appears that English is not the first language of the author, and there are some typos throughout the book, as well as the occasional wrong word usage. However, these do not detract from this fascinating look at one of the most interesting legends in the Bible.

Reviewer: Alice Berger