Bergers Book Reviews

Author: C. James Jensen
Publisher: Waterside Publications
Genre: Self-improvement
ISBN: 978-1-937503-94-9
Pages: 216
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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The subconscious mind is very powerful, if it is accessed properly. But not all of us intuitively know how to do this. To help us in working with our subconscious, in 1963 Dr. Joseph Murphy wrote a book called The Power of Your Subconscious Mind. C. James Jensen credits this classic book with changing his life, and he wanted to update and expand it in this new version.

The first sections approach the subconscious mind from a psychological perspective. But if you’re not in that field, you may have trouble following along at times. Explanations of how the mind works can be a bit confusing. But once you reach the latter sections, topics like affirmations, health, happiness and emotional mastery are a bit easier to grasp. Explanations of each are included, along with several practical examples of how to use these principles in your own life.

Many books have been written about using our minds to change our lives. This one shares quite a bit of the same material, but without a lot of the enthusiasm and hype. It also touches less on the spiritual dimension of this process. But if you’re looking for a no-nonsense, intellectual approach, Beyond the Power of Your Subconscious Mind is the right book for you.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Daylight Moonlight

June 25, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Matt Patterson
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Children / Nature
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4282-0
Pages: 32
Price: $16.99

Schiffer Books
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Some animals come out in the daylight, and some only at night. Different animals live in nature’s various habitats. In Daylight Moonlight, author and illustrator Matt Patterson, shows us these animals in their natural environments. The accompanying text describes some of the sights and sounds.

In a pond, you might see red-winged blackbirds by day, and hear spring peepers by night. But on the prairie, buffalo graze by day, while a wolf howls by night. The final pages of this book show black and white renditions of the color drawings, with each animal identified, as a reference section for a child who wants to have fun figuring out which animals he sees.

The illustrations are nicely done, and kids will have fun identifying the animals. But the text could have been enhanced by focusing more on the sounds of the environment, to go along with the pictures. Overall, though, this is a nice nature book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

thriller

Godsent

June 24, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Richard Burton
Publisher: Arcade Publishing
Genre: Thriller
ISBN: 978-1-61145-706-3
Pages: 464
Price; $24.95

Author’s website
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When Kate finds herself pregnant, her immediate thought is, “How can that be? I’ve had no relations with a man.” Confirmation from the angel, Gabriel, lets her know she’s carrying God’s son – the second son. Based on Mark 8:38, which states that the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with the holy angels, this is interpreted to mean that her son, Ethan, is the second son of God.

It’s a lot harder to announce yourself as the son of God in today’s technologically advanced society, especially when there are those who would like to see you perish quickly. Caught in the crossfire between the Congregation – a modern version of the Inquisition by the Catholic Church, and Conversatio – a group eagerly awaiting the second son, Ethan is forced to rely on his great-grandfather, Papa Jim, for protection. But Papa Jim is not the man he pretends to be, and he is more concerned about himself than Ethan. Using a whirlwind tour around the country and podcasts from his website, Ethan proclaims his message to the world. But what really is his message? Filled with compassion for the hurting people he encounters, he struggles with his desire to help, while also allowing them free will.

As a devout Catholic, I was really disappointed with this book. First, I don’t interpret this Bible verse in the way the author did. But more importantly, I felt that there was a wonderful opportunity to reinforce and uphold traditional Christian values through Ethan, but instead he chose to lean toward a much more liberal interpretation of morality. Ethan actually has the audacity to say that God was wrong, and that he had made mistakes! And he rejected, for all of humanity, the ultimate gift Jesus gave us, in offering Himself as the sacrifice for our sins.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, dogs

Daniel the Miracle Beagle

June 20, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Authors: Joe Dwyer & Douglas Levison
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 978-1-4575-1381-7
Pages: 34
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Daniel survived the gas chamber, and soon became known as the miracle beagle. Adopted into the Dwyer’s loving home, he has been living the good life. But not all dogs are so fortunate, and many find themselves in shelters, eventually succumbing to the fate Daniel miraculously lived through.

Daniel the Miracle Beagle brings a message of hope and peace to everyone. Encouraging us to live each day to the fullest, love each other unconditionally, and believe in ourselves, he hopes to spread joy to the world. And his deepest wish is for no dogs anywhere to have to suffer the horrors of the gas chamber ever again.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, education

I Love Reading Phonics: Tick-Tock Books – Level 3

June 19, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

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

Snail Trail
Author: Sally Grindley
Illustrator: Mike Phillips
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-763-0
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level 3-A: The snail leaves a trail of paint, and Gail, the maid is not happy.
Focuses on ai words.

Queen Ella’s Feet
Author: Sally Grindley
Illustrator: Sandra Aguilar
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898764-7
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level 3-B: Queen Ella’s feet are cold. When she asks for a sheet, she ends up with a sheep!
Focuses on ee words.

Puff Flies
Author: Sally Grindley
Illustrator: Valentina Mendicino
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-765-4
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

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Level 3-C: Puff, the dragon, wants to fly. A magic spell works for a while. Then he learns the secret.
Focuses on ie words.

Goat in a Boat
Author: Sally Grindley
Illustrator: Mike Phillips
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-766-1
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 3-D: Goat wants to cross the moat to catch the coach, so he gets into a boat. Toad joins him and makes a mess.
Focuses on oa words.

The Pop Duet
Author: Deborah Chancellor
Illustrator: Alex Paterson
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-767-8
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 3-E: Jess asks Zack to join her in a pop duet at a big venue. The bus breaks down and they sing to the passengers.
Focuses on ue words.

Bart’s Go-Cart
Author: Deborah Chancellor
Illustrator: Garyfalia Leftheri
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-768-5
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 3-F: Mark likes Bart’s new go-cart. He takes it for a spin and drives until dark, only stopping when he crashes.
Focuses on ar words.

Ernie and Hermie Visit Earth
Author: Lucy George
Illustrator: Claudia Venturini
Publisher: Tick Tock Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-769-2
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 3-G: Space creatures Ernie and Hermie spend the day on earth. Hermie gets a perm. Ernie enjoys the opera.
Focuses on the er sound.

Dina the Rapper
Author: Lucy George
Illustrator: Andrew Geeson
Publisher: Tick Tocks Books
ISBN: 978-1-84898-770-8
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99

Buy it at Amazon

Level 3-H: Dina works in the diner, but wants to be a rapper. When T-Rex comes in, Dina finally gets her lucky break.
Focuses on the er sound.

children, dogs

Noah and the Search Dogs

June 18, 2013June 18, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Patricia Abrams
Publisher: The Peppertree Press
Genre: Children / Dogs
ISBN: 978-1-61493-031-0
Pages: 20
Price: $12.95

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Noah was adopted by the Abrams family on Valentine’s Day. He knew he wanted to be a search dog, so his new family encouraged him to go to school and learn all about his new job. In his training, Noah learned important skills in safety, obedience, and service.

Noah and the Search Dogs doesn’t actually show Noah at work. Instead, it takes the life skills Noah learns in school and encourages kids through his actions. Great pictures of Noah in his training are included.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

Footprints in the Sand

June 17, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Mary Jane Clark
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-0-06-213544-5
Pages: 384
Price: $25.99

Author’s website
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Piper Donovan is happy to be joining her beloved cousin in Florida to celebrate her upcoming wedding. But a shadow lingers over the joyous event when one of the bridesmaids mysteriously disappears, and her body later turns up, buried in the sand. After it is revealed that she had been involved in some shady business regarding a large real estate transaction, many suspects emerge.

Piper is naturally curious, and soon immerses herself in the investigation, making some questionable moves along the way. Her propensity to blurt out information regarding the murder, and her desire to post her thoughts on Facebook, make her an easy target for the murderer.

Footprints in the Sand is a fun cozy mystery, with an interesting cast of characters and intriguing motives. But Piper’s extraordinarily dangerous behavior is over the top at the times, and made me question her intelligence. Overall, though, I enjoyed this mystery.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

All Kinds of Festivals

June 13, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Sheri Safran
Illustrator: Rachel Fuller
Publisher: Insight Editions
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60887-162-9
Pages: 12
Price: $12.99

Buy it at Amazon

Different countries celebrate different holidays. In Mexico, November 2nd is the Day of the Dead. The Japanese Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival is in May. And the Bikaner Camel Festival is held in India in January. In this book, these and many other festivals are explained, using colorful illustrations and pop-up images.

In this multi-cultural world we inhabit, there are so many interesting and unique festivals being celebrated each month. All Kinds of Festivals is a fun introduction for kids to learn about other countries and their special holidays.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

animals, children

Hickory

June 11, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Palmer Brown
Publisher: The New York Review Children’s Collection
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-59017-627-6
Pages: 56
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
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Hickory lives with his siblings, Dickory and Dock, in the foot of clock. Living in the farm house is warm and safe, especially once he discovers how to disable mousetraps. But as he grows up, he becomes curious about the outside world, and one day he makes the choice to move to the field.

His family is supportive of his decision to strike out into the world, but once he arrives there, Hickory discovers he’s lonely. A grasshopper named Hope saves him from a cat, and the two become best friends. But, although mice can survive through winter, grasshoppers can’t, and the days soon grow colder.

Hickory is a delightful tale of friendship, in the tradition of Charlotte’s Web. Illustrations are in the old style of colorized pen and ink. The sad ending is a reminder to not take our loved ones for granted, and to enjoy every moment we have with them. I highly recommend this charming book.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, nature, science

Balloon Trees

June 10, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Danna Smith
Illustrator: Laurie Allen Klein
Publisher: Sylvan Dell
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60718-6243
Pages: 32
Price: $9.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Do you know where balloons come from? You may be surprised to find out that they come from trees – rubber trees. A spout is used to collect the milky liquid inside the rubber trees. Then it is processed to become the substance we see in balloons, tires, and other products we use every day.

Balloon Trees tells the story of this process in rhyme. Beginning with the harvest up to the end of the assembly line, this book shows how a balloon is created. Colorful illustrations bring this process to life, with a native bird guiding us through the narrative.

In addition to the descriptions of how balloons are made, this book also discusses rubber in general. It describes the plantations and tells us a little bit about the workers who harvest the rubber. Interesting and informative, Balloon Trees is perfect for classroom use and is a fun read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger