memoir

Before the Last All Clear

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Ray Evans
Publisher: Book Guild Publishing
Genre: Memoir
ISBN: 1-84624-105-7
Pages: 263
Price: $17.95

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It’s hard to imagine living through an era when your country is at war, and there is danger of attack every day. But when you’re six years old, uprooted from your home and family, and left to the care of strangers, the horror is intensified.

In Before the Last All Clear, Ray Evans shares his experiences as an evacuee in England. When Liverpool becomes a target for German bombings, he is sent off to the Welsh town of Llanelli, where it’s expected that he will not be in as much danger. But although homes and caregivers are arranged for the evacuees, not all children are treated as family, and Ray suffers neglect and abuse. Finally, though, he is sent to a home where he receives the care and love he needs.

Although a sad tale, Evans tells his story with a touch of humor, as time seems to have healed some of his wounds. But it’s easy to sense the pain he must have felt as he lived in such miserable conditions. War takes its toll on a nation, and Ray Evans will forever bear the terrible scars of World War II.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

finance

The Skinny on Credit Cards

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jim Randel
Publisher: Rand Media
Genre: Finance
ISBN: 978-0-9818935-4-9
Pages: 176
Price: $14.95

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If you’ve managed to run up credit card debt over the years, you’re not alone. Many well-meaning people find themselves in this position, mostly due to a lack of education on how credit cards work. But if you’re now determined to eliminate your credit card debt, The Skinny on Credit Cards can help.

Like the other books in this series, Jim Randel uses stick figures in a hypothetical situation to make his points. As Billy and Beth work on eliminating their debt, Randel offers insights on how they got into this mess, and what their best strategy is for getting out. He also offers advice for young adults as they’re offered their very first credit card. But unlike the other Skinny On books, this one uses less humor and a lot more text.

Credit card debt is a serious problem in the United States. If you’re unsure of how credit cards work, and you’re determined to pay yours off as quickly as possible, this book would be a useful resource.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Good Food

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jean Elliott Junis
Publisher: Hameray
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60559-343-2
Pages: 8
Price: $3.95

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Kids seem to gravitate toward cookies and salty snacks. They may not realize that fruits and vegetables taste good, and they’re healthier, too. In Good Food, kids are photographed eating these healthy snacks, while saying “I like to eat…” the items pictured.

This simple book is easy to read while also conveying helpful information. And by showing kids smiling while eating, it also shares the message that this food is really tasty. Good Food would be a great addition to classroom discussions on nutrition.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Puppet Master

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Paul Blum
Publisher: Hameray
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60559-024-0
Pages: 48
Price: $9.95

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Something strange is going on at Greenock School. Is it just coincidence, of does it have anything to do with the school’s unusually high test scores? The FBI wants to know, so they send in two of their best agents to find out. But what they discover shocks them both.

Puppets appear to be running the school, but what kind of control do they have? How are they able to ensure that everyone complies with their demands?

The Complete Set of The Extraordinary Files includes 16 titles in this high interest, low vocabulary book series, suitable for ages 10-14, but reading at a grade 2-3 level. Each has its own story and stand alone plot and a clear resolution. The stories are linked by subplots or themes which gather momentum as the series progresses. These tales of danger and intrigue will keep the reader hooked until the final page.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

Yogurt the Ogre: A Magical Tale in Mudd Hollow

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: David Rendimonti
Illustrator: Agnes Garbowska
Publisher: pdo!nk
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9868013-5-8
Pages: 32
Price: $17.99

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Yogurt the Ogre and his friends are excited to put on a magic show at Poplar Peak. They bring props, costumes, and snacks for all to enjoy. And when the day is over, they leave their things behind for a future magic show. But the wind blows everything around that night, creating a big mess.

Poplar Peak is a public park, and Yogurt realizes that what they left behind was litter. So he and his friends start a new magic show – this time making the litter disappear.

Yogurt is a whimsical creature who just wants to have fun. Unfortunately, he doesn’t always realize how his actions impact others. In A Magical Tale in Mudd Hollow, he learns an important lesson in keeping public places clean for everyone to enjoy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

history

The Tears of the Prophet

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Frederick Tiemann
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing
Genre: History / Islam
ISBN: 978-1-4349-0939-8
Pages: 90
Price: $16.00

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Many of us in the United States were raised Christian or Jewish, and have no real understanding of the Muslim faith. Since the 9-11-01 terrorist attacks, we may even look at Muslims as the enemy, despite knowing that these were the acts of radical extremists. In The Tears of the Prophet, Frederick Tiemann provides a concise reference showing how Islam began, and how it spread throughout the Middle East and beyond, with the goal of educating us about this great world religion.

In the first section, the author introduces Mohammad, who is focused on founding a new faith based on the belief in one god. As this new religion gains momentum, Mohammad’s words are recorded in the Koran, which becomes the basis for belief. Then we see the growth of Islam as followers go out to spread the word in an attempt to convert the surrounding pagan people. The last chapters focus on today’s Islam, and how it continues to evolve.

Islam and politics have historically been meshed, and now it seems they could hardly be separated. Having a better understanding of this great religion can only benefit us as the world continues to change around us. The Tears of the Prophet provides a quick and interesting read to help in this understanding.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

adventure, animals, children, mystery, nature, tween

Monkey Magic: The Great Wall Mystery

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Grant S. Clark
Publisher: Monsoon Books
Genre: Children / Animals
ISBN: 978-981-08-6132-2
Pages: 160
Price: $9.95

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The mysterious appearance of a group of monkeys at the Great Wall of China has scientists baffled. These monkeys are not native to China, so where did they come from? And why are they there?

Monkey Magic worked before for 11-year old Romy, allowing her to communicate with orangutans in The Curse of Mukada. Now she uses it to discover the monkeys’ story, but what they tell her isn’t pleasant. She will need all her wits to help them, while also keeping herself out of danger. Her new friend, Pei, shares part of her adventure, as well as some intercultural humor. And when she learns of the possibility of using Monkey Magic whenever she wants, Romy is determined to know more.

Monkey Magic: The Great Wall Mystery shows us how human greed hurts wild animals, and why we need to take immediate action to try to protect them. I highly recommend this delightful, magical tale with a great environmental message.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

health

The Self-Compassion Diet

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Jean Fain, LICSW, MSW
Publisher: Sounds True
Genre: Health / Diet
ISBN: 978-1-60407-075-0
Pages: 240
Price: $16.95

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Have you had enough of fad diets? Do you want to get off the weight loss and regain merry-go-round that has held you captive for years? How would it feel to finally make peace with food? If you’re ready to try something different, The Self-Compassion Diet was written for you.

Rather than strict discipline, author Jean Fain suggests using loving-kindness. You don’t have to follow any specific diet to use this program. Instead, Fain offers advice on using hypnosis, mindfulness, social support, and self-compassion to facilitate weight loss. Each of these is explained, and exercises and quizzes are provided to put them into action.

Fighting food with rigid diets is a setup for failure. But by using these suggested techniques, you may find that you look at food in a different way. And by being kinder and gentler with yourself, you probably won’t have as many food binges, since you’re not beating yourself up over each tiny slip.

The New Year is just around the corner. This year, don’t reach for the latest fad diet. Instead, pick up The Self-Compassion Diet and learn how to be good to yourself and your body. It may be the best New Year’s Resolution you’ll ever make.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children

The Huggles’ Hug

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Richard Hoit
Publisher: Hameray Publishing Group
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-1-60559-303-6
Pages: 16
Price: $5.95

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Huggles loves to hug. He gives a hug to the dog, and another to the cat. But where does Huggles’ hug go? In this adorable picture book, the reader watches as the hug is passed around from one person to the next, finally ending up back at Huggles.

Since this book is meant for classroom use, lesson pointers for teachers are provided for guiding discussions about this story. Features like punctuation, alliteration, circular story, and text written in the present tense are summarized at the end of the book.

Kids know how nice it is to receive a hug. But in this story, they learn that hugging someone else can have far-reaching consequences of goodwill. I highly recommend this fun teaching tool for kids.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

mystery

The Herring in the Library

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: L.C. Tyler
Publisher: Felony & Mayhem Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-934609-76-7
Pages: 240
Price: $14.95

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Ethelred’s friend “Shagger” Muntham is dead. The formal verdict is suicide, but Shagger’s wife, Annabelle, is unconvinced. When Annabelle pleads with Ethelred to investigate, he can’t help but give in to her wishes.

In this farcical murder investigation, Ethelred and his literary agent, Elsie, attempt to determine what really happened the night of Shagger’s death. As they question the guests present at Shagger’s final dinner party, fabricated tales begin to accumulate, creating some unusual scenarios. But if these folks are lying, what are they attempting to cover up and why?

In this third installment of the Ethelred and Elsie series, the reader is treated to a comic British mystery. The banter between these two “sleuths” is delightful, generating occasional mirthful chuckles. And Annabelle is every man’s worst nightmare. I highly recommend this series for all who love a good cozy British mystery.

Reviewer: Alice Berger