Review of Bertie's War by Barbara Tifft Blakely

"Where is that book I got in the mail to review?" I asked no one in particular.

No one admitted to taking it, so I began searching through the house. I finally found it next to a cup of hot chocolate and some cookies. It was dog-eared near the end of the book.

I picked the once perfect copy of the book up and examined it closely. There was now a stain on the front cover! The book was worn, that worn look that comes from aggressive reading! What happened to my brand new book? Where was the fresh-off-the-press copy that was neat and clean? What had caused this well-loved look to come over our new book, MY new book!

"Oh, sorry!" Shine admitted sheepishly, walking into the room that I was currently searching, "I borrowed your book and read it!"

My annoyance subsided. After all, how can you get mad at children for reading books?

"Did you like it?" I queried.

"I love it!" she replied with gusto.

Ah, I have a reader to interview for the review. So, here is the opinion of a thirteen year old girl who loves Jesus and reading with all of her heart.

 
Meredith: Shine, you read Bertie's War by Barbara Tifft Blakey. What did you think of the book?

Shine: I really like it!  It was interesting and I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. Sorry I borrowed it without asking

Meredith: I forgive you! Who are the main characters in the book?

Shine: Bertie, Aaron (younger brother), Tamara (older sister), and Bertie's parents. They are a Christian family who really love the Lord.

Meredith: Are they a happy family?

Shine: Yes, they seem to be really happy and her parents had rules and made sure their kids obeyed them. These rules came from the Bible. They lived by the Bible. When her siblings do something bad, they go to the woodshed and Bertie doesn't know what happens there because she always tries to be good.

Meredith: What happens in the story?

Shine: Bertie is afraid of everything, especially her father. She doesn't want to disappoint him or disobey him. So, she tries her hardest to always be good so she doesn't disappoint him. She can never stand up to anyone. She is always trying to earn the "nod of approval" from her dad, but when she does try, she always messes everything up. She is also always playing make-believe. All kinds of things happen in Bertie's life! I won't give you all the details. People will have to read the book and find out!

Meredith: How does Bertie change in the book?

Shine: At the end, she is not fearful anymore and she realizes that the motivation behind her fear was selfishness. She grows and changes through the situations she encounters.

Meredith: What did you like best about this book?

Shine: The ending and how the motivation behind her fear was selfishness. It was so encouraging to watch Bertie change. It motivated me to change and to examine my fears. Funny thing for a book to do, but it did.

Meredith: Shine, you could not stop reading this book. What made it so good?

Shine: It was a novel and I always enjoy reading novels that have a lot of conversation in them! I love listening to characters talk in a book. It makes them come alive to me and feel like I know them. I felt like I knew Bertie and got to watch her grow and change.

Meredith:  Thank you, Shine. Would you recommend this book to others?

Shine: Yes! Tell everyone that they will love this book!

Set during a turbulent time of change, the 1962 Cuban Missilel Crisis, Bertie, the book's heroine begins seventh grade. The world seems to be going crazy and Bertie goes along for the ride. She is likeable and a character that readers can identify with. This is a historical fiction book that you can use in history class (don't tell Shine!). It also is full of funny moments and issues that matter to young people today. This book is written for pre-teens and teens ages 11 -14, but both younger and older children will enjoy the book!

You can purchase Bertie's War by Barbara Tifft Blakely at Kregel Publications for $7.99. Barbara Tifft Blakely is also the author of Total Language Plus, an innovative language arts program focused on critical thinking and communication skills from a Christian/Biblical perspective.

Once again, I make a plug for historical fiction! There is nothing that works better for bringing a time period alive for your students/children than reading a story set in the time period. Reading aloud or personal reading for each student (a different book for each one or the same book!) will both work. In fact, why not do both! So many good books to read and so little time!

Comments

[Debbie]

Great review. I loved hearing your daughter's take on the book. My dd is only 9 and I think she's a bit young to appreciate it just yet.

[Barbara Blakey]

Hi, this is Barbara Blakey, the author of Bertie's War. Thank you so much for reading and commenting on my book. It was my first attempt at juvenile fiction and your words encouraged me. It made my day to know that Shine liked the book and understood the character. Your words lifted my heart and made me smile. Thank you.