Books listed in this issue of Talking Book Topics were recently sent to cooperating libraries. The complete collection contains books by many authors on fiction and nonfiction subjects, including animals, geography, nature, mystery, sports, and others. Contact your cooperating library to learn more about the wide range of books available in the collection. Cassette books, labeled with the code RC, play at 15/16 ips. To order books, contact your cooperating library.
Great Lives: American Literature RC 42205
Help! My Teacher Hates Me RC 42351
by Meg F. Schneider
read by Carol Dines
2 cassettes
A guide to taking control of and learning to respect the school
experience. The author describes uncomfortable situations that
can arise between teachers and students and between students and
their classmates and suggests solutions. Topics include grades,
cheating, parental expectations, careless teachers, sports,
romance, and harassment. For grades 5-8. 1994.
Unconditional Surrender: U.S. Grant and the Civil War RC
42401
by Albert Marrin
read by Ed Blake
2 cassettes
This biography of Ulysses S. Grant covers his role in the Civil
War and his time as the president of the United States. But
first the author describes how, as a younger career officer,
Grant was kicked out of the army for drinking and how he
experienced poverty during his "down-and-out years" before the
Civil War. Grant's call for the Confederates' unconditional
surrender became his nickname and this book's title. For grades
6-9. 1994.
Taking Flight: My Story RC 42431
by Vicki Van Meter
read by Pam Ward
1 cassette
Vicki Van Meter began taking flying lessons in 1992 when she was
ten. By twelve she had flown a single-engine plane from Maine to
California in three-and-a-half days, accompanied by her
instructor because of her age. That same year she set her sights
on flying across the Atlantic Ocean on an island-hopping trip.
She discusses both flights in detail with added comments from
her family, instructors, and friends. For grades 4-7. 1995.
Dear Benjamin Banneker RC 42505
by Andrea Davis Pinkney
read by Camille McCurty Ali
1 cassette
Benjamin Banneker studied late into the night to teach himself
science. He decided to use his knowledge of astronomy and
weather to publish an almanac to show that black people could
study and learn if they were free, as he was. He wrote to Thomas
Jefferson about justice and the fact that Jefferson owned
slaves. The title of the book is taken from Jefferson's
response. For grades 2-4. 1994.
The White House Kids RC 42568
by Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette
When this book was written, forty different U.S. presidents had
lived in the White House, many of them with their families,
including children, grandchildren, and other relatives and
friends. The authors talk about what it was like for the "kids"
in these families. The first White House child was Susan Adams,
granddaughter of John Adams. The last child discussed is Chelsea
Clinton. For grades 4-7. 1995.
Sweet Dreams of the Wild: Poems for Bedtime RC 42581
by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
Poems that explain to a sleepy child where different kinds of
animals go to bed. A hummingbird sleeps in a teacup-sized nest,
a turtle rests on a moss-covered log, sheep nap in the open
countryside, and all "cuddle up tight with sweet dreams of the
wild." For preschool-grade 2. 1996.
Diabetes RC 42582
by Alvin Silverstein and others
read by Butch Hoover
1 cassette
Discusses the two types of diabetes--type I, which is found
mostly in children, teens, and young adults, and type II, which
is found mainly in obese middle-aged and older adults. The
authors provide a brief history and discuss causes, diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention of this metabolic disorder. Includes
glossary and bibliography. For grades 6-9 and older readers.
1994.
Circus RC 42593
by Jack Prelutsky
read by David Palmer
1 cassette (Reissue)
The sights and sounds, thrills and fun of the circus are
captured in verse--the tumbling tumblers, the marching monkey
band, the famed sword-swallower, the great fire-eater, and
others. For grades K-3. 1974.
A Boy Named Boomer RC 42594
by Boomer Esiason
read by Brian Conn
1 cassette
Esiason, a National Football League quarterback, tells some of
his childhood memories. He describes learning to catch a
football, going fishing on his birthday, planting a tree for his
father on Father's Day, and building a fort with his friends.
High interest, low vocabulary. For grades K-3. 1995.
Zoos RC 42618
by Diane Yancey
read by Carol Dines
1 cassette
History of the ways animals have been collected and kept
beginning in ancient times. Shows how zoos have changed from
exotic amusements for the rich to natural-habitat parks. For
grades 5-8. 1995.
Good Rhymes, Good Times: Original Poems RC 42639
by Lee Bennett Hopkins
read by Pam Ward
1 cassette
Brief poems describe children's joy in the world around them.
There is the wonder of what hides behind the museum's door, of
being awakened by a puppy tickling your toe, of getting a
valentine. There is thunder that splits the sky; there are
dreams that creep into your head as you fall asleep. For
preschool-grade 2. 1995.
My First Book of Biographies: Great Men and Women Every Child
Should Know RC 42684
by Jean Marzollo
read by Jamie Horton
1 cassette
Forty-five short biographies introducing famous men and women
from around the world. Includes people with various
accomplishments, such as Neil Armstrong, Walt Disney, Helen
Keller, Jesse Owens, and Beatrix Potter. For grades 2-4. 1994.
Blueberry Eyes RC 42735
by Monica Driscoll Beatty
read by Mary Kane
1 cassette
Meaghan, now seven, talks about her eye problems: the glasses
she has been wearing since she was four months old, the visits
to the eye doctor, wearing a patch to correct her lazy eye, and
her trip to the hospital to have her eyes operated on. For
grades K-3 and older readers. 1996.
The New Complete Babysitter's Handbook RC 42750
by Carol Barkin and Elizabeth James
read by Carol Dines
1 cassette
A thorough guide to babysitting issues from finding jobs, to
activities for the kids, to handling emergencies, to taking care
of yourself on the job. Information covers caring for infants,
toddlers, and older children. For grades 5-8. 1995.
Falling Up RC 42824
by Shel Silverstein
read by Pam Ward
1 cassette
A collection of brief and humorous poems featuring silly
situations and a gallery of zany characters. You will see the
world from "a different angle" as you meet the Terrible
Toy-Eating Tookle, attend the "Rotten Convention," and visit
Hungry Kid Island. For grades 2-4 and older readers. Bestseller
1996.
The Nervous System RC 42887
by Alvin Silverstein and others
read by Ralph Lowenstein
1 cassette
Depicts the structure, organization, and functions of the human
nervous system. Maps the sections of the brain and explains
their respective roles and activities. Explains common
brain-related problems and diseases. For grades 5-7. 1994.
The Persian Gulf War: "The Mother of All Battles" RC
42892
by Zachary Kent
read by Ken Kliban
1 cassette
Kent describes the bombing of Baghdad in January 1991, then
gives background information on the war, beginning with the
Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990. Kent then discusses the
U.S. involvement through Desert Shield and Desert Storm and the
war's economic and ecological effects on Kuwait. For grades 6-9.
1994.
Mother Jones: One Woman's Fight for Labor RC 42905
by Betsy Harvey Kraft
read by Kimberly Schraf
1 cassette
Traces the life of Mary Harris Jones from her childhood in
Ireland. Describes her arrival in America, her marriage, the
loss of her husband and children, and her crusade for the rights
of American laborers, especially children, women, and coal
miners. For grades 6-9. 1995.
The Distant Talking Drum: Poems from Nigeria RC
42915
by Isaac Olaleye
read by Robin Miles
1 cassette
Fifteen poems about children that celebrate the sights, sounds,
food, and life of a farming village in the rain forest. "Like a
stream, / The love / For my village / Flows." For grades 2-5.
1995.
It's Kwanzaa Time! RC 42923
by Linda and Clay Goss
read by Gail Nelson
1 cassette
Collection of stories, songs, and poems celebrating the seven
principles of Kwanzaa, an African American observance based on
old African festivals and traditions. Also includes games and
recipes. For grades 4-7 and older readers. 1995.
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