Bergers Book Reviews

Your Natural Medicine Cabinet

March 22, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Burke Lennihan
Publisher: GreenHealing Press
Genre: Health
ISBN: 978-0-9834430-2-5
Pages: 248
Price: $14.95

There are many over-the-counter remedies for common ailments, but how many of these chemicals do you feel safe taking? Have you ever wondered if there is a more natural treatment? In Your Natural Medicine Cabinet, Burke Lennihan provides a wealth of information on how to treat illness in a less toxic manner that may even work faster than the traditional remedies.

In the first section, Lennihan shows us the basics of healthy living. The easiest way to treat illness is to never get sick at all, and these suggestions work toward overall good health. But if you do get sick, the second section covers the most common ailments and how to treat them using homeopathic remedies. The last sections explain how to stock your own natural medicine cabinet. Flower essences, cell salts, herbs and combination remedies are explored, so the reader has a basic understanding of what would be best to try first.

Lennihan reminds us that these natural remedies won’t work on every illness, and there are times it is imperative to see a traditional medical doctor. But it’s possible that homeopathy will work well in conjunction with your doctor’s care. And when the smaller issues pop up, such as a bout with the flu or occasion insomnia, your natural medicine cabinet is the first place to turn. I highly recommend this book for all who want to stay healthy in a more natural way.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Thompson Twins: Las Vegas Adventure

March 21, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Lesa Hammond, PhD
Publisher: Achievement U
Genre: Children
ISBN: 9780615668093
Pages: 140
Price: $6.95

Author’s website
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Letty and Carlos Thompson are heading to Las Vegas to see their father. Their favorite TV star, Phoenix Skye, likes to spend time in Las Vegas, and they hope to catch a glimpse of her while they’re there. They can hardly wait to see all the new sights.

Once they arrive, their father introduces them to their host, Mr. Wilson, Vice President of Human Resources. He gives them a tour of the New York, New York hotel. But when Mr. Wilson and their father aren’t around, Letty and Carlos start exploring, since they have seen Phoenix Skye and want to meet her.

The publisher of this series, Achievement U, was founded to present good role models for at-risk kids. Mr. Wilson spends a lot of time explaining to Letty and Carlos the importance of going to college, so they can get good jobs like his some day. But this becomes the whole focus of the book. There is little action to draw kids in, and the dialogue between Mr. Wilson and the twins goes on for too long.

I appreciate the value of what Achievement U is trying to do in this series, but I think this story would have worked better with more action and less dialogue. Showing rather than telling would make the message even more meaningful.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, holiday

The Bad Easter Bunny

March 19, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Isabel Atherton
Illustrator: Stéphanie Röhr
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Genre: Children / Easter
ISBN: 978-1-62087-500-1
Pages: 32
Price: $12.95

Buy it at Amazon

After hauling his huge sack of candy to town, only to have the children greedily grab at it and knock him down, the Easter Bunny has had enough. Red-hot with anger, he declares himself the Bad Easter Bunny (BEB for short), and destroys his goodies. Then he runs through the town doing bad things. What will it take to transform BEB back into the nice bunny he used to be? Maybe the kindness of one little girl.

Anger and retaliation, repentance and forgiveness, and gratitude are all featured in The Bad Easter Bunny. Color also plays a part as BEB changes shades to match his moods. Ultimately, good overcomes evil, and BEB returns to his former generous self. As he finally realizes, “…being bad will not solve your problems and ‘thank you’ are the nicest words in the world.”

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

All Kinds of People

March 14, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Sheri Safran
Illustrator: Emma Damon
Publisher: Insight Kids
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60887-160-5
Pages: 12
Price: $12.99

Author’s website
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When it comes to people, there is a lot of diversity! From hair styles to skin colors, to body shapes and activity preferences, no two of us are alike. And that’s a very good thing.

In All Kinds of People, kids are introduced to diversity in a fun way. This lift-the-flap book shows lots of different people smiling and having a good time. They accept who they are, and they are happy and enjoying life.

Finally, kids are provided a mirror to take a good look at themselves to discover their unique qualities. As this book says, Everyone is special, including me.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

March 13, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author & Illustrator: Jane Cabrera
Publisher: Holiday House
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2519-8
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. So begins this sweet bedtime story for kids. This classic nursery rhyme is expanded to include five additional verses.

On each page spread, a mother and child pair of animals look up at the sky, seeing a twinkling star above. The story concludes with a human mother and child sharing a message of love.

These adorable animals are simply and colorfully drawn. And the accompanying rhyme is patterned after the original, with descriptions of the landscape around them. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star would be a great book to read just before tucking little ones in for the night.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

tween

SPI: The Case of the Dark Shadow

March 12, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: T.J. Bonham
Publisher: Schiffer Books
Genre: Tween
ISBN: 978-0-7643-4132-8
Pages: 112
Price: $12.99

Schiffer Books
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After losing her mother to cancer and moving, Ellie Hunter is new in town, and just wants to settle down and fit in. So when her new neighbor asks her to join the Shadow Paranormal Investigators group, Ellie reluctantly agrees. But Ellie has had her own dealings with the paranormal, and they weren’t very nice.

Ellie is a natural, and soon finds herself busy helping the group unravel mysteries. The dark shadow that has haunted her since she was a young child has followed her to California, and now the group also sees it. But Ellie’s biggest challenge will be finding her father in Afghanistan and bringing him home safely, using only her ability to see remotely. Can she find him in time?

These four teenaged investigators don’t have the fancy gadgets TAPS uses in Ghost Hunters but they have the fearlessness and inquisitiveness to search for shadows. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that Ellie finds one of the boys especially nice. The ending of this book implied that there will be follow-up mysteries, in what may turn out to be a series. This is a fun read for any wannabe ghost hunter.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Ambition’s Not an Awful Word

March 11, 2013May 3, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Zack Zage
Illustrator: Adam Watkins
Publisher: Ivy Court Press
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9836078-2-3
Pages: 32
Price: $16.95

Author’s website
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“What I want to be” is the theme in Zack’s class. But where will he start? He has so many ideas, he can’t limit himself to just one!

In rhyming verse, Zack details his plans for becoming an astronaut, a cowboy, and singer, just to name a few. But after he boasts of his talents, another voice chimes in with Zack’s limitations. When he feels down about having such ambitious dreams, he finds out that it really is okay to reach for the stars.

Kids love to think about what they will be when they grow up. Dreaming big now gives them the drive to work hard toward their goals. Ambition’s Not an Awful Word shows them both sides of their career options in a humorous and fun way. After all, there is no need to decide now. They have years to make such an important decision.

Winner of the Mom’s Choice Awards Honoring Excellence.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

finance

The Money Code

March 8, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Joe John Duran, CFA
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
Genre: Finance
ISBN: 978-1-60832-435-4
Pages: 168
Price: $14.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Most people have struggled with money management at some time in their lives. Conflicts arise with a spouse, or maybe we just never feel there’s enough for all our needs. Whatever the problem, Joe John Duran believes it can be solved by finding out our own personal Money Mind, and making our decisions with a checklist.

In The Money Code, a fictitious man named Jack is introduced to the Alchemist by his sister. Using the Alchemist’s computer generated lessons, Jack learns why his past decision making process didn’t work very well. Then, knowing his own Money Mind, he is in a much better position to evaluate the financial decision he is planning to make.

This is not a dry and boring financial book. The interactive design of the lessons draws the reader into the story, making it feel as if he is looking over Jack’s shoulders and answering the questions himself. The quiz was spot on for me, and I easily saw myself in one of the three Money Minds. And the decision-making checklist is logical and helpful, without being overly burdensome.

If your financial life isn’t what you hoped it would be, I highly recommend The Money Code. This easy to read guide may change the way you look at money forever.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, music

Songs For Movin’ & Shakin’

March 7, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Artist: Lisa Loeb
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books
Genre: Music
Price: $14.95

Artist’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Want to get your kids off the couch and moving around? Then give them some good music to dance to! Lisa Loeb’s forthcoming collection of Songs For Movin’ & Shakin’ is just what they need.

I was only given the track of Monster Stomp to review, but based on that one song, I believe this collection will be a hit with kids. The tune is upbeat and fun, and demands movement. The lyrics are playful and clever, and kids will love to sing along. And Loeb’s voice is easy on adults’ ears, since they may have to listen to these songs often.

I highly recommend Songs For Movin’ & Shakin’.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

history

Wax

March 6, 2013 Bergers Book Reviews

Author: Therese Ambrosi Smith
Publisher: Blue Star Books
Genre: Women’s Historical
ISBN: 978-0-9844000-7-2
Pages: 323
Price: $13.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Pearl Harbor changed everything. As men left factory jobs to fight in World War II, women were offered the opportunity to replace them. Former waitresses and store clerks suddenly became welders as ships needed to be built quickly. Rosie the Riveter was born.

In Wax, three young women take on their new responsibilities at the Kaiser shipyard in Richmond, California. Away from their own families, they bond as a new family unit, becoming good friends. After the war, their relationships continue to grow as new opportunities come their way.

This wonderful 1940s historical novel explores topics of women’s roles in society, sexuality, and long-buried family secrets. Wax is a real page-turner, hooking the reader from the very beginning. If you’ve always admired the courage of World War II women who ventured out into the work force, you will enjoy this interesting and enjoyable story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger