Braille Book Review, Vol. 74, No. 4, July-August 2005

Braille Book Review
July-August 2005
Volume 74, Number 4

_Braille Book Review_ is published bimonthly in large-print,
braille, and computer diskette formats and distributed
free to blind and physically handicapped individuals who
participate in the Library of Congress free reading program.
It lists braille magazines and books available through a
network of cooperating libraries.  The braille edition also
lists recorded books, giving abbreviated annotations.  News
about library services is featured in both editions.
     The annotated list in this issue is limited to titles
recently added to the national collection, which contains
thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles, including
classics, biographies, gothics, mysteries, and how-to and
self-help guides.  To learn more about the wide
range of books in the national collection, readers may order
catalogs and subject bibliographies from cooperating
libraries.  Librarians can check other resources for titles
and answer requests for special materials.  Readers can
receive _Braille Book Review_ and other information
through the Internet by accessing the the NLS
home page at http://www.loc.gov/nls.
     To order books or for subscription changes,
contact your local cooperating library.
Correspondence regarding editorial matters should be sent
to Publications and Media Section, National Library Service
for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of
Congress, Washington, DC 20542.

Library of Congress, Washington 2005

Library of Congress
Catalog Card Number 53-31800
ISSN 0006-873X

Contents:

In Brief

Books for Adults
     Nonfiction
     Fiction

Books for Children
     Nonfiction
     Fiction

Braille Magazines

In Brief

NLS Business Plan summary on cassette
Executive Summary: Current Strategic Business Plan for the
Implementation of Digital Systems, March 2004, is now
available on cassette and can be obtained through your
cooperating library or the NLS Reference Section. When
ordering, please refer to stock number MS269C. It is also
available on line at
www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan/executivesummary.html.

Listen to magazines with NFB-NEWSLINE
AARP the Magazine, the Economist and the New Yorker are now
available in audio format from NFB-NEWSLINE.  AARP the
Magazine appears bimonthly and offers information on current
events, travel, arts, and medicine to senior citizens.  The
Economist is a weekly magazine focused on trade, finance,
science, and technology.  People across the country read the
New Yorker for its editorials, cultural news, and acclaimed
fiction pieces.  
     NFB-NEWSLINE is a free service provided by the National
Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the
Library of Congress (NLS).  NFB-NEWSLINE converts printed
content to synthetic speech, which readers may access
twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by using a touch-
tone telephone.  Patrons of NLS can register by calling
their cooperating network library and asking to subscribe to
NFB-NEWSLINE. 
____________________________________________________________

The following material is reprinted from two issues of NLS
Flash, a newsletter created to bring current information on
NLS progress in digital technology to patrons, library
staff, and other interested individuals.

Flash, April 2005, volume 1, issue 5

An accessible design for NLS Patrons
Accessibility is a hot-button issue in the world of consumer
products. Engineers consider the wide range of abilities and
limitations of consumers and incorporate accessible design
into their work--as will the team that creates the new
digital talking-book (DTB) system for the National
Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
(NLS), Library of Congress. 
   Involved from concept to handoff for production, the team
members are HumanWare, formerly VisuAide, a leader in DTB
technology; the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the
largest organization of blind persons in the world, with
more than fifty thousand members; and the Trace Research and
Development Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a
specialist in accessible technology for the disabled. They
will assist Battelle, a leading technology innovation firm,
with the design and development of the digital talking-book
machine (DTBM).

Getting creative
"The creative input of our patrons is essential to designing
a digital talking-book system that best accommodates them,"
says Frank Kurt Cylke, director of NLS. "One of the ways
we'll identify the needs and wants of our patrons will be
through repeatedly testing the player design concepts with
focus groups of blind and physically handicapped users."
Other project highlights include creating multiple models of
the DTBM, observing how users interact with them, and
developing the player's software and hardware. Gilles Pepin
of HumanWare, will manage and coordinate subcontractor
activities. His team will also support Battelle with design
and engineering activities by sharing the results of earlier
tests, developing training materials, and testing the final
DTBM for overall performance. 
   The two-phase project will take thirty months to
complete. "The first phase consists of concept development,
design, and testing," says Pepin. "The collected information
will directly influence the design of the DTB player
prototypes at appropriate stages of development." During the
second phase, the player will be transferred for
manufacturing, and early DTBMs will be examined to make sure
they operate according to design.

Testing . . . one, two, eight
A series of eight usability test cycles will ensure that the
final player is acceptable to NLS patrons. The tests will
employ a combination of focus groups, fieldwork, and site
visits. Individuals will test different versions of the DTBM
in typical settings, be assigned operational tasks, and make
evaluations based on their interactions with the machine.
Testers will also make suggestions on the kinds of things
they want the machine to do.
   Most tests cycles will take two weeks from start to
finish. The results will guide the development process, as
each test is designed to extract specific information.
Initial tests will explore user needs; whereas later ones
will examine how users interact with different player
designs and test sound, navigation, and manipulation of the
DTBM. A few tests will be used to confirm that the player
meets with the regulatory standards for DTBs.
   Recognized for expertise in consumer product testing, NFB
and the Trace Center will administer usability tests to
select groups. The Trace Center will test individuals
selected from residential living centers for the elderly and
senior day centers. 
   "People who are older and those with multiple
disabilities are a large part of the talking-book user
population," says Gregg C. Vanderheiden, director of the
Trace Center. "Our work can help ensure that current users
will continue to be able to use talking books as they age,
and new patrons will also be able to enjoy DTBs."
   NFB will manage tests among blind and low-vision users,
primarily NLS patrons who match certain profiles for visual
ability, age, demographics, and level of exposure to
technology. They will also test the DTBM with library staff
and repair technicians.  "When a user population is
involved, they will come up with many things that engineers
don't even think of," said Dr. Marc Maurer, president of
NFB.  "Because if one believes that the target population
for the machine will have a fuller life because of the
machine; then the machine has to do what it's designed to
do."

Facing a new frontier: 
Talking-book machine transformation
For many years, NLS and the volunteer machine-repair groups
TelecomPioneers and GE Elfuns have partnered to keep
talking-book machines in top shape. With a whole new
technology in development for talking books and machines,
what does the future look like for this relationship?
   As the next generation of playback machines evolves, they
will still have their work cut out for them. Cassette
machines will be in use beyond 2008 when the new DTBMs are
introduced.
   The national organizations of volunteers have repaired
more than 1.8 million NLS machines and dedicated countless
hours in repair workshops around the country. Their efforts
save NLS more than $5 million each year.
   Last year alone, they repaired more than 127,000
machines. And with the promise of nearly one million new
digital machines, the expertise of the repair volunteers
will be needed.
   But this isn't the first time these organizations have
faced a challenge and won. In the past, the repair
volunteers invented special tools and solutions to repair
the specialized players.

Flash, May 2005, volume 1, issue 6

Paving a distribution highway for talking books
Just as cars need highways, books need distribution systems
to facilitate the journey from libraries to patrons. That is
why a distribution system study is a necessary step for the
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, on the road toward
digital transformation. A study has been contracted to
ensure that the digital book
distribution process evolves in tandem with the creation of
the books, giving patrons high-quality service.
   "The digital transformation is an opportunity to enhance
talking-book technology and the reading experience," says
Frank Kurt Cylke, director of NLS. "The distribution study
will help us maximize the potential of the digital talking
book (DTB) to better serve patrons."
   For this project, NLS has contracted with experts in new
technology solutions. ManTech Advanced Systems International
will lead the effort, supported by two subcontractors:
Jerome Ducrest, an independent contractor, and Daniel Kind
of Wesley-Kind Associates. Having worked with NLS in the
past, the two are uniquely familiar with library operations.

Maximizing potential
Driven by thorough research, the two-phase study will take
roughly sixteen months to complete. The first phase will
involve evaluating three possible DTB distribution models
followed by the selection of the best overall choice. Once
NLS approves the recommended model, phase two will gear up.
The design of the new system and a multiyear transition plan
will be the focus of the second phase, expected to run
through the summer of 2006.
   "Our goal is to implement a system that maintains high-
quality service and is mutually beneficial to NLS,
libraries, and patrons," says Michael Moodie, NLS deputy
director. "An ideal solution would provide patrons with
personal service, localized librarian knowledge, and timely
book delivery. It would also ensure sufficient inventory to
meet patron requests and would save libraries and NLS
money."
   The three models under consideration include the current
system, which duplicates mass quantities of book titles and
stores them locally for easy access by librarians as they
fill loan requests; on-demand duplication, where a central
facility would copy DTBs as patrons request them; and a
hybrid model which combines mass circulation and on-demand
duplication. To make the right choice, NLS will use
evaluation criteria developed with input from the
contractors and the Digital Long-Term Planning Group, an NLS
committee that includes state, regional, and subregional
librarians as well as patrons.
   "This decision will impact the entire distribution
network--duplication, circulation systems, data management,
and possibly even facilities," says Moodie. "It is important
that we consider the economic, operational, and human impact
of each model."

Seamless transition
Librarians and patrons will aid the process as part of the
Digital Long-Term Planning Group. At the end of the initial
phase, contractors will meet with the group, which includes
members of the National Federation of the Blind and the
American Council of the Blind, to review the recommended
scenario and to collect comments on system design. 
   "Depending on the distribution model selected,
contractors may also visit certain libraries to gather
information to assist the design process," says Jean M.
Moss, NLS digital projects coordinator. "Libraries that
employ special shelving schemes will be of special
interest."
   Development of the new design will underscore cooperation
and integration. The design must consider all aspects of DTB
distribution, including duplication, packaging,
shipping/receiving, shelving, and automated circulation
systems.
   If significant changes from the current system are
recommended, the contractor will develop a comprehensive
transition plan. Some key topics might be establishing
telecommunications systems, phasing out cassette book
circulation, and phasing in DTB systems. Another area to be
examined is the method for educating library patrons and
staff about the new distribution model.
   "A detailed transition plan is being developed to provide
a roadmap to the future," says Moss. "The plan will be
implemented over a period of years to give libraries time to
adapt to any necessary changes."

Spotlight on DTB distribution systems

Mass duplication 
Book titles are copied in large batches
(approximately 1,000 copies) at NLS audiobook production
facilities before being sent to network libraries for
storage and circulation. An allotment system permits the
libraries to determine the number of copies received for a
new title. Each library receives at least one copy of each
new title but may request more to meet reader demand.

Duplication-on-demand 
When needed, DTBs would be produced at
a central duplication center operated by NLS contractors.
Librarians would receive patron requests and submit them to
the centers. Rather than storing physical copies of DTBs on
shelves, titles would be stored on digital servers and then
loaded onto flash-memory cartridges and mailed to patrons.

Hybrid 
This system combines mass duplication and
duplication-on-demand to meet reader demand. High-
circulation titles--which account for about 20 percent of the
collection but perhaps 80 percent of total circulation--would
be mass produced and distributed to libraries for loan to
patrons. Low-circulation titles--comprising the balance of
the collection yet only a small percentage of
circulation--would be duplicated on demand at distribution
centers. The hybrid system is predicated on Pareto's Law,
which indicates that for a given population of entities
associated with a given activity, a distinct minority of the
population accounts for a distinct majority of the activity.


Digital talking-book (DTB) milestones

Completed
- Defined and prioritized digital talking-book (DTB)
features
- Coordinated development and publication of Specifications
for the Digital Talking Book (ANSI/NISO Z39.86)
- Simulated a DTB player using personal computer
- Developed a computer-based, life-cycle cost analysis (LCC)
model for the NLS system and for candidate digital systems
- Developed computer software for DTB production and
presentation
- Developed software to test conformance of players and DTBs
with the ANSI/NISO standard
- User survey
- Player transition study
- Distribution medium study
- Player and medium design contract awarded
- Distribution system design contract awarded

Start 1/12/04--Finish 10/1/08
The following ongoing projects, set to conclude in 2008, are
shown with start dates in parentheses.
- Web-Magazine pilot (1/12/04)
- Digital data management system development (11/1/04)
- Player and medium development (3/1/05)
- Distribution system design and transition planning
(3/15/05)
- Design DTB containers and labels (6/1/05)
- Web-Book pilot (6/1/05)
- Prepare for DTB distribution (10/1/05)
- Circulation systems design (12/1/05)
- Manufacture initial lot of DTB containers and labels
(9/1/06)
- Distribution system implementation (10/1/06)
- Circulation systems implementation (10/1/06)
- Media production (3/1/07)
- Media duplication (5/1/07)
- Full player production (9/1/07)

For information on the NLS digital project contact Jean M.
Moss, 
Digital Projects Coordinator. E-mail: jemo@loc.gov; fax:
(202) 707-1690.
For the Strategic Business Plan online:
www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan2003.html


###
_Books for Adults_
The following books were recently produced for the NLS
program.  To order books, contact your braille-lending
library.
_Note:_  For the infomation of the reader, a notice may
appear immediately following the book description to
indicate occurrences of strong language, explicit
descriptions of sex, or violence. The word "some" before any
of these terms indicates an occasional or infrequent
occurence, as in "some strong language."

_Nonfiction_

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
BR 15121.
by Kathryn Harrison.
2 volumes.
Portrait of a French Carmelite nun sanctified in 1925, only
eighteen years after her death at twenty-four in the
"fastest canonization to date in the history of the Catholic
Church." Discusses her parents, childhood influences,
character and personality, and her religious fervor. 2003.
BR 15121.
##

Organizing from the Inside Out: The Foolproof System for
Organizing Your Home, Your Office, and Your Life.
BR 15230.
by Julie Morgenstern.
3 volumes.
Professional organizer's approach to conquering clutter and
chaos based on individual goals, habits, and psychological
needs. Morgenstern outlines strategies using the "SPACE"
formula for sorting, purging, assigning, containerizing, and
equalizing the target area. She includes case studies,
timelines, and tips on technology and storage products.
1998.
BR 15230.
##

A Flash in the Pan: Fast, Fabulous Recipes in a Single
Skillet.
BR 15255.
by Brooke Dojny and Melanie Barnard.
2 volumes.
_Bon Appétit_ magazine columnists' top one hundred main
course skillet recipes. Instructions for sautés, braises,
stews, and other "one-pot wonders" that can be cooked in
thirty minutes or less specify new, high-quality, shortcut
ingredients. Includes tips on choosing the right skillet,
cooking basics, and serving suggestions. 2003.
BR 15255.
##

The Radical Lives of Helen Keller.
BR 15304.
by Kim E. Nielsen.
2 volumes.
Feminist professor analyzes the political and social views
of Helen Keller. Describes Keller's support of the Socialist
Party of America in 1909, women's suffrage and birth
control, and radical labor unions. But, according to the
author, "the disability politics she adopted were frequently
conservative, consistently patronizing, and occasionally
repugnant." 2004.
BR 15304.
##

Happiness on Seven Dollars a Week: A Formula for Living.
BR 15324.
by Harley B. Bernstein.
1 volume.
Author traces his father Al's adjustment to the illness and
death of his wife of fifty years. In conversations about
fear, appreciation, acceptance, and spirituality occurring
during a series of walks through the Maine countryside, Al--
a writer--shares a lifetime of memories and the secret to
happiness with his son. 2003.
BR 15324.
##

Scout's Honor: A Father's Unlikely Foray into the Woods.
BR 15329.
by Peter Applebome.
3 volumes.
_New York Times_ writer and editor recounts three years of
countless hikes, canoe trips, and campouts with his son
Ben's Boy Scout troop. A "committed indoorsman," Applebome
blends amusing descriptions of latrines and gourmet fireside
meals with commentary on the history and cultural legacy of
this conservative institution. 2003.
BR 15329.
##

Soul on Ice.
BR 15355.
by Eldridge Cleaver.
2 volumes.
Memoirs by African American activist who was an influential
leader of the Black Panthers in the 1960s. Includes
Cleaver's letters from Folsom prison--in which he describes
his legal troubles--and essays on politics, race, and sex.
1992 preface by Ishmael Reed. Explicit descriptions of sex
and strong language. 1968.
BR 15355.
##

Multiple Sclerosis Q & A: Reassuring Answers to Frequently
Asked Questions.
BR 15358.
by Beth Ann Hill.
2 volumes.
Introduction to multiple sclerosis (MS) by a patient,
addressing the most common concerns. Topics include
symptoms, tests, diagnosis, and treatments. Covers family
issues and lifestyle changes and offers positive assurances
and available resources. 2003.
BR 15358.
##

Sanity and Grace: A Journey of Suicide, Survival, and
Strength.
BR 15368.
by Judy Collins.
2 volumes.
Grammy-nominated recording artist reflects on the loss of
her thirty-three-year-old son, Clark, who committed suicide
in 1992. Supplementing her account with journal entries and
song lyrics, Collins describes events surrounding his death
and shares her personal struggle to cope with and understand
his decision. Some strong language. 2003.
BR 15368.
##

Microchip: An Idea, Its Genesis, and the Revolution It
Created.
BR 15372.
by Jeffrey Zygmont.
3 volumes.
Chronicles the major developments in the evolution of the
integrated circuit from 1958 to the digital age. Zygmont
presents the people and businesses behind the technology
that has defined a culture, beginning with Jack Kilby's work
with Texas Instruments. 2003.
BR 15372.
##

Natalie Wood: A Life.
BR 15373.
by Gavin Lambert.
4 volumes.
Biography of movie actress Natalie Wood (1938-1981) by a
screenwriter friend. Relying on accounts of her two husbands
and others, Lambert portrays Wood's manipulative mother,
childhood stardom, family secrets and lasting emotional
trauma, film career struggles and successes, love affairs
and marriages, and tragic drowning at forty-three. Some
strong language. 2004.
BR 15373.
##

The Big House: A Century in the Life of an American Summer
Home.
BR 15378.
by George Howe Colt.
3 volumes.
The author returns one final time to the family's hundred-
year-old vacation home in Cape Cod to reminisce about forty-
two years of history there. He provides an account of his
Boston Brahmin lineage and recalls milestone events that
shaped the attachment of five generations to the large and
rambling house. 2003.
BR 15378.
##

In Defense of Liberty: The Story of America's Bill of
Rights.
BR 15386.
by Russell Freedman.
2 volumes.
Describes the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution
and explains how they are applied as well as tested.
Examples of challenges include a suit brought on behalf of
schoolchildren who were required to recite the Pledge of
Allegiance and rap musicians sued for obscenity. For junior
and senior high readers. 2003.
BR 15386.
##

The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National
Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States.
BR 15396.
by  9/11 Commission.
9 volumes.
Independent, nonpartisan commission analyzes facts and
circumstances surrounding the fatal September 11, 2001, Al
Qaeda attacks on the United States homeland. Summarizes
failures of intelligence and other U.S. agencies before and
after that date. Recommends government reorganization to
provide a safer, more prepared nation. 2004.
BR 15396.
##

Occidentalism: The West in the Eyes of Its Enemies.
BR 15412.
by Ian Buruma and Avishai Margalit.
2 volumes.
Notable scholars Buruma and Margalit discuss the development
of anti-Western sentiments and their perpetuation into
contemporary times, especially by Islamic countries.
Examines some aspects of fascism, socialism, globalization,
and religious extremism throughout history. 2004.
BR 15412.
##

Plan of Attack.
BR 15423.
by Bob Woodward.
4 volumes.
Follows Pulitzer Prize-winning author's _Bush at War (BR
14429)_ with a behind-the-scenes account of President George
W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq. Draws on interviews with
Bush and others to chronicle crucial operations from
November 2001 to March 2003. Some strong language.
Bestseller 2004.
BR 15423.
##

Ten Rings: My Championship Seasons.
BR 15426.
by Yogi Berra.
1 volume.
Autobiography by baseball Hall of Fame catcher highlighting
his ten championship seasons with the New York Yankees
between 1947 and 1962. Recalls the "golden years" of
baseball, his famous contemporaries, and rival teams and
relates how the game has changed since the 1950s. 2003.
BR 15426.
##

God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time.
BR 15491.
by Desmond Tutu.
1 volume.
Calling his book "a cumulative expression of my life's
work," Tutu, Nobel Laureate and retired Archbishop of Cape
Town, South Africa, shares his belief that God, through
humanity, transforms the world. Citing his speeches and
writings, Tutu shows how people everywhere can turn
suffering into joy and redemption. 2004.
BR 15491.
##

The Radioactive Boy Scout: The True Story of a Boy and His
Backyard Nuclear Reactor.
BR 15502.
by Ken Silverstein.
2 volumes.
_Los Angeles Times_ investigative reporter recounts
scientific experiments Detroit teenager David Hahn undertook
to earn a Boy Scout merit badge in 1995. Describes how
David, with textbook knowledge and information from the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, built a nuclear reactor in
his family shed--and sparked an environmental catastrophe.
Some strong language. 2004.
BR 15502.
##

My Invented Country: A Nostalgic Journey through Chile.
BR 15508.
by Isabel Allende.
2 volumes.
The famous author remembers her childhood home, Chile, which
she left after the death of her uncle in a 1973 military
coup. She talks about Chile's history, nostalgic memories of
her family, and her life as an exile in her new home, the
United States. 2003.
BR 15508.
##

###
_Fiction_

Absolute Friends.
BR 15110.
by John Le Carré.
3 volumes.
Unassuming Bavarian tour guide Ted Mundy is actually a
retired British double agent. After September 11, 2001, old
friend and former colleague Sasha contacts him with a new
mission: to stop an impending war in Iraq and become very
rich in the process. Strong language and some violence.
Bestseller 2003.
BR 15110.
##

Hell at the Breech.
BR 15119.
by Tom Franklin.
3 volumes.
Alabama, 1890s. Fifteen-year-old Mack Burke keeps it a
secret when he accidentally shoots storekeeper and aspiring
politician Arch Bedsole. The unsolved murder spurs Bedsole's
cousin with his vigilantes to seek their own justice--
targeting innocent and guilty alike in a year of terror.
Violence, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some strong
language. 2003.
BR 15119.
##

The Cat Who Wasn't a Dog.
BR 15123.
by Marian Babson.
2 volumes.
Aging British actresses Trixie Dolan and Evangeline Sinclair
accompany Dame Cecile Savoy to the taxidermist to have her
beloved dead Pekinese stuffed. They discover the owner
murdered and rescue a rare cat. Meanwhile, the housekeeper
where they are staying as guests disappears, their hostess's
antagonistic stepmother arrives, and Trixie's daughter
panics while writing a cookbook. 2003.
BR 15123.
##

Once upon a Pillow.
BR 15124.
by Christina Dodd and Connie Brockway.
2 volumes.
Four stories featuring an 800-year-old bed in an English
manor house, now a museum, and the love affairs of selected
couples who slept in it. Crusader Sir Nicholas first brings
his reluctant bride in medieval times, while museum curator
Laura Whitney wants a last fling before an upcoming auction.
Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.
BR 15124.
##

The Cat Who Talked Turkey.
BR 15183.
by Lilian Jackson Braun.
1 volume.
A dead body found on his property slightly dims Moose County
columnist Jim "Qwill" Qwilleran's excitement over a new
bookstore and a neighboring town's upcoming bicentennial.
After wild turkeys, rare for the area, suddenly appear,
Qwill looks to his clairvoyant cat, Koko, for answers.
Bestseller 2004.
BR 15183.
##

Mr. Paradise.
BR 15236.
by Elmore Leonard.
2 volumes.
Model Kelly has accompanied roommate Chloe on her job as
escort to elderly Mr. Paradiso when two gunmen kill Chloe
and her client. Wanting Paradiso's fortune, the crooks
coerce Kelly into impersonating Chloe. While an
investigating Detroit detective falls for "Chloe," she tries
to dodge the murderers. Violence and strong language.
Bestseller 2004.
BR 15236.
##

Legends II: New Short Novels by the Masters of Modern
Fantasy.
BR 15271.
edited by Robert Silverberg.
6 volumes.
Eleven authors, including six contributors to _Legends (BR
11950)_, return to the fantasy worlds of their popular
series. Anne McCaffrey revisits planet Pern, Raymond E.
Feist writes of the Riftwar, and Tad Williams further
explores Otherland network. Also features Terry Brooks,
George R.R. Martin, and others. Some strong language. 2004.
BR 15271.
##

When the Elephants Dance.
BR 15274.
by Tess Uriza Holthe.
4 volumes.
World War II, 1945. Through the eyes of young Alejandro, his
headstrong sister Isabelle, and guerilla commander Domingo,
the Japanese occupation of a Filipino community unfolds. As
invading soldiers terrorize the islanders and the U.S.
forces fight for control, families and neighbors struggle to
keep hope alive. Violence and some explicit descriptions of
sex. 2002.
BR 15274.
##

Saul and Patsy.
BR 15275.
by Charles Baxter.
3 volumes.
Newlyweds Saul Bernstein and his wife, Patsy, settle in a
Michigan town where Saul works as a high school teacher.
While Patsy is distracted by motherhood, Saul struggles with
chronic disappointment and a student's ill-fated obsession.
Descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong
language. 2003.
BR 15275.
##

Out of Order.
BR 15295.
by A.M. Jenkins.
2 volumes.
Sophomore "Colt" Trammel hides his learning disabilities
until his brainy girlfriend leaves him and his grades
jeopardize his baseball-team eligibility. He turns to a new
girl to tutor him while trying to keep up appearances with
the other jocks. Strong language. For senior high readers.
2003.
BR 15295.
##

The Wedding.
BR 15299.
by Nicholas Sparks.
2 volumes.
Jane and Wilson Lewis have been married for thirty years.
Wilson realized a year ago that the love was gone from his
marriage. With the help of Jane's father, Noah Calhoun, from
_The Notebook (BR 15245)_, Wilson sets out to make his wife
fall in love with him again. Bestseller 2003.
BR 15299.
##

The Rescuer: The O'Malley Series, Book 6.
BR 15318.
by Dee Henderson.
3 volumes.
Following _The Healer (BR 14407)_, paramedic Stephen
O'Malley leaves his job due to burnout, grief from losing
his sister, and loss of faith. But when his blind friend,
Meghan, is threatened by a gang of jewel thieves, he rescues
her and rediscovers his roots. 2003.
BR 15318.
##

Something's Down There.
BR 15322.
by Mickey Spillane.
3 volumes.
Former government agent Mako Hooker, spending his retirement
fishing, is recalled to action when a sea creature nicknamed
the "eater" attacks boats and old war mines resurface. A
film company headed by a former mobster arrives to film the
investigation. Some strong language. 2003.
BR 15322.
##

Our Lady of the Forest.
BR 15323.
by David Guterson.
3 volumes.
A sickly sixteen-year-old runaway living in a Washington
state rain forest sees visions of the Virgin Mary. As the
news spreads, Ann Holmes becomes a disciple of sorts while
young priest Father Collins, unemployed logger Tom Cross and
his paralyzed son, and others seek redemption. Strong
language and some descriptions of sex. 2003.
BR 15323.
##

The Songs of the Kings.
BR 15325.
by Barry Unsworth.
2 volumes.
A retelling of events preceding the expedition of Greek
warriors to conquer Troy, delayed by adverse winds that keep
the fleet trapped at home. Recounts the betrayal and
sacrifice of Iphigeneia, King Agamemnon's daughter, to
appease the gods and obtain favorable sailing conditions.
Some violence and some strong language. 2003.
BR 15325.
##

H.M.S. _Surprise_.
BR 15328.
by Patrick O'Brian.
3 volumes (Reissue).
Captain Jack Aubrey and Dr. Stephen Maturin escort an
English envoy to India aboard the H.M.S. _Surprise_.
Meanwhile, one of Napoleon's ships plies the Indian Ocean,
intent on attacking the China fleet. Aubrey plots to capture
the French vessel and alleviate his financial troubles with
the prize money. 1973.
BR 15328.
##

H Is for Homicide.
BR 15331.
by Sue Grafton.
2 volumes (Reissue).
Kinsey Millhone learns that claims adjuster Parnell Perkins,
a California Fidelity coworker, has been murdered and she's
assigned one of his cases: a possibly bogus insurance claim
made by Bibianna Diaz. Millhone's investigation lands both
Diaz and herself in jail. Some strong language. 1991.
BR 15331.
##

Fahrenheit 451.
BR 15332.
by Ray Bradbury.
2 volumes (Reissue).
Fiftieth anniversary edition of this social satire set in a
future when owning or reading a book is a crime. Guy Montag,
a fireman charged with destroying books, becomes a fugitive
when he succumbs to temptation. Includes a 2003 introduction
by the author. Some strong language. 1951.
BR 15332.
##

The Last Juror.
BR 15333.
by John Grisham.
3 volumes.
Clanton, Mississippi; 1970. Twenty-three-year-old Willie
Traynor buys the bankrupt county paper and begins building
circulation. He inflames readers with his reporting of a
young widow's rape and murder by Danny Padgitt, who
threatens his jury with revenge if they convict him. Years
later Padgitt returns for retribution. Some strong language.
Bestseller 2004.
BR 15333.
##

Love's Proof.
BR 15361.
by Catherine Palmer.
2 volumes.
London, 1819. Jane Fellowes, descendant of Sir Isaac Newton,
discovers a mysterious box of papers that may establish
scientific proof of the existence of God. When the box
disappears, Jane and scientist Thomas Norcross investigate.
Bizarre events ensue as the pair realize the true puzzle is
a matter of the heart. 2003.
BR 15361.
##

The Spinning Man.
BR 15362.
by George Harrar.
2 volumes.
Philosophy professor Evan Birch's life is thrown in turmoil
after he becomes the main suspect in the kidnapping of a
teenage cheerleader. Even his wife and one of his ten-year-
old twins begin to question his innocence. Meanwhile, rumors
fly around campus. Some strong language. 2003.
BR 15362.
##

Rumpole and the Primrose Path.
BR 15364.
by John Mortimer.
2 volumes.
Six stories featuring British barrister Rumpole, now
recovering from his near-fatal heart attack in _Rumpole
Rests His Case (BR 14645)_. In the title piece, Rumpole
investigates a fellow patient's mysterious death at the
Primrose Path convalescent home in Sussex. Back in London he
takes on five other cases. 2002.
BR 15364.
##

Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope.
BR 15366.
by Beverley Naidoo.
1 volume.
South Africa, 1948-2000. Seven stories show young South
Africans of different eras, races, and ethnic groups as they
cope with apartheid. In "The Playground," Rosa is the first
girl to integrate the local school. Foreword by Desmond
Tutu. For junior and senior high readers. 2001.
BR 15366.
##

Necessary Noise: Stories about Our Families as They Really
Are.
BR 15367.
edited by Michael Cart.
2 volumes.
Ten short stories portraying different kinds of family
scenes. "Visit" by Walter Dean Myers describes a father's
awkward meeting with his long-abandoned son, a death row
convict. In "Snowbound," by Lois Lowry, a college girl
returns home and introduces her unwashed, obnoxious
boyfriend. Strong language. For senior high readers. 2003.
BR 15367.
##

Paranoia.
BR 15370.
by Joseph Finder.
3 volumes.
When Adam Cassidy, a low-level employee of Wyatt
Telecommunications, is caught rerouting funds, he receives
two options--face embezzlement charges or become a spy at
Trion Systems, Wyatt's largest competitor. Risking exposure,
Adam infiltrates Trion but ultimately finds his loyalties
tested. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex,
and some violence. 2004.
BR 15370.
##

The Burglar on the Prowl.
BR 15371.
by Lawrence Block.
3 volumes.
Bernie Rhodenbarr, New York bookseller and intrepid thief
from _The Burglar in the Rye (BR 12534)_, is asked by a
friend to rob a surgeon who stole the friend's mistress.
Bernie's attempted heists implicate him in a triple
homicide. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some
strong language. 2004.
BR 15371.
##

Zipped.
BR 15374.
by Laura McNeal and Tom McNeal.
2 volumes.
Fifteen-year-old Mick is upset to discover that his beloved
stepmother is having an affair. He also loves Lisa despite
her crush on a missionary from her Mormon church. Lisa's
friend Janice dates her own low-life boss. Somehow things
work out. Some strong language. For senior high readers.
2003.
BR 15374.
##

Making Things Better.
BR 15375.
by Anita Brookner.
2 volumes.
Young Julius Herz fled from Nazi Germany to England with his
relatives and began a self-effacing life of familial
obligation. Now retired, the reclusive Herz faces each day
with anxious regret, longing for fulfillment. He dreams of a
cousin he once loved, turns to his ex-wife for
companionship, and obsesses over a young neighbor. 2002.
BR 15375.
##

Laelia.
BR 15376.
by Ruth-Miriam Garnett.
2 volumes.
Three wealthy African American sisters conspire to free
themselves from lackluster marriages by placing their
chronically ill husbands in care facilities. To preserve
their good names and simultaneously win community support,
Rebecca, Gracelyn, and Claudia must first oust their
church's pastor. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.
BR 15376.
##

A Greater Glory: The Trials of Kit Shannon, Book 1.
BR 15380.
by James Scott Bell.
2 volumes.
Los Angeles, 1905. Criminal lawyer Kit Shannon tries the
case of Celia Harcourt, who is being blackmailed for past
events that threaten her family's happiness. A murder
intensifies Kit's involvement, forcing her to face a
ruthless female prosecutor. Undaunted and aided by her
strong religious beliefs, Kit exposes the truth. 2003.
BR 15380.
##

Miranda's Vines.
BR 15381.
by Kimberly Kafka.
2 volumes.
Miranda and Bridie are lifelong, crisis-surviving friends.
Miranda is riding the crest of her culinary career, and
Bridie is a champion dogsled racer. Then disaster strikes
both their lives, forcing them into drastic decisions and
testing the bonds of their friendship. Strong language.
2004.
BR 15381.
##

The Mauritius Command.
BR 15383.
by Patrick O'Brian.
3 volumes (Reissue).
As the Napoleonic Wars rage in Europe, Captain "Lucky" Jack
Aubrey takes command of a British squadron in the Indian
Ocean on a mission to capture the French-held islands of
Mauritius and La Réunion. Problems arise, not from the
hazards of warship living but from the other captains. Some
strong language. 1977.
BR 15383.
##

The Da Vinci Code.
BR 15406.
by Dan Brown.
4 volumes.
Professor Robert Langdon investigates the scene of the
Louvre's curator's murder. Joining him is French
cryptologist Sophie Neveu. The clues left behind pit two
Catholic societies against each other in a search for the
Holy Grail. Some violence and some strong language.
Bestseller 2003.
BR 15406.
##

Time's Eye: A Time Odyssey, Book 1.
BR 15420.
by Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter.
3 volumes.
Eurasia, 2037. United Nations peacekeepers crash land only
to discover civilization has been reassembled into a
patchwork of eras dating from prehistory. Alexander the
Great's army and nineteenth-century British troops join
forces as Genghis Khan's horde approaches Babylon and a lone
radio signal. Violence, some descriptions of sex, and some
strong language. 2004.
BR 15420.
##

A Loving Scoundrel.
BR 15422.
by Johanna Lindsey.
3 volumes.
Danny, a street-living London lass dressed as a lad, helps
gentleman rake Jeremy Malory steal back jewels lost in a
card game. Intrigued by her spunk, Jeremy hires her as a
maid. When Danny poses as his new love, someone recognizes
her, endangering her future. Some explicit descriptions of
sex. 2004.
BR 15422.
##

Guardian of the Horizon.
BR 15424.
by Elizabeth Peters.
4 volumes.
Egypt, 1907. Archaeologist family headed by Amelia Peabody
and husband Emerson accepts a hazardous mission to Lost
Oasis to save their friend Prince Tarek, who is suffering
from a strange sickness. They encounter constant deceptions
and dangers on the desert trek, ultimately finding
themselves victims of a ruse to dethrone the prince. 2004.
BR 15424.
##

For the Love of Mike.
BR 15427.
by Rhys Bowen.
3 volumes.
New York, 1901. In this sequel to _Death of Riley (BR
14657)_, Molly Murphy inherits her boss's detective
business. Two cases, one to uncover industrial espionage and
the other to locate a runaway, intertwine. Molly tries to
ease the plight of an immigrant family and finds a new love.
2003.
BR 15427.
##

A Test of Wills.
BR 15431.
by Charles Todd.
3 volumes.
To investigate a colonel's murder in 1919, Scotland Yard
needs an experienced, but expendable, detective. Inspector
Ian Rutledge, tormented mentally since returning from WWI,
is assigned the politically sensitive case. His reputation
at stake, Rutledge questions the victim's beautiful ward,
her war-hero fiancé, and a shell-shocked witness. Some
violence. 1996.
BR 15431.
##

Storm Warning.
BR 15432.
by Jack Higgins.
2 volumes.
1944. During World War II, some loyal German expatriates
trapped in Brazil plot to return to their homeland on the
three-masted sailing ship _Deutschland_. With five nuns also
aboard as passengers, captain Eric Berger and his crew
attempt an impossible voyage across an ocean dominated by
British and American navies. 1976.
BR 15432.
##

Tough Trails.
BR 15435.
by Irene Morck.
1 volume.
Seventeen-year-old Ambrose takes tourists on trail rides
while working for his uncle in the Rocky Mountains of
Alberta. He buys an older mare out of compassion but faces
disaster when the animal can't make it up a pass.
Uncontracted braille. For senior high and older readers.
2003.
BR 15435.
##

Second Chance.
BR 15489.
by Danielle Steel.
2 volumes.
At the Paris couture shows, forty-two-year-old Fiona
Monaghan, editor-in-chief of a chic New York fashion
magazine, falls for conservative advertising executive John
Anderson, a widowed father. Their whirlwind romance leads to
marriage, divorce, then a passionate rekindling--and a
decision to try again. Descriptions of sex and some strong
language. Bestseller 2004.
BR 15489.
##

Leap Day.
BR 15493.
by Wendy Mass.
2 volumes.
Chronicles one full day in the life of sixteen-year-old
Josie as she takes her driving test, discovers where her
father works, participates in a scavenger hunt, and
celebrates her fourth leap-year birthday. In alternating
chapters, family and friends shed different perspectives on
the day's events. For senior high readers. 2004.
BR 15493.
##

The Clock Winder.
BR 15494.
by Anne Tyler.
2 volumes.
Baltimore, 1960. Eccentric elderly widow Pamela Emerson
hires college-age drifter Elizabeth Abbott as a live-in
helper. Pamela's unstable family, including her grown sons,
rely increasingly on Elizabeth and absorb her into their
bizarre and deadly personal dramas. Some violence. 1972.
BR 15494.
##

The Return of the Black Widowers.
BR 15495.
by Isaac Asimov.
3 volumes.
Sixteen stories, some previously unpublished in any
collection, involving the Black Widowers club members who
gather monthly to dine and solve a brainteasing puzzle. The
men ponder mysteries ranging from murder and theft to an
umbrella's seemingly inexplicable disappearance into a space
warp. Foreword by Harlan Ellison. Some strong language.
2003.
BR 15495.
##

Deception.
BR 15496.
by John Altman.
2 volumes.
Hannah Gray takes a Mediterranean cruise despite her fears
of being accused of insurance fraud. She befriends Renee
Epstein, who unknowingly loans her a paperback containing a
formula for a powerful weapon. When the Epsteins are
murdered, Hannah flees with the book--not knowing why or
from whom. Violence and strong language. 2003.
BR 15496.
##

Sweet Land Stories.
BR 15497.
by E.L. Doctorow.
1 volume.
Five short stories about faith, love, and abuse of power. In
"A House on the Plain," a son abets his mother's murderous
greed; in "Jolene: A Life," a young woman navigating some
bad relationships reaches a bruised but resolute
independence. Strong language and some explicit descriptions
of sex. 2004.
BR 15497.
##

Leaving Protection.
BR 15505.
by Will Hobbs.
1 volume.
Port Protection, Alaska. Sixteen-year-old Robbie signs on
with captain Tor Torsen to fish for salmon. Robbie realizes
he's in danger when he discovers Torsen secretly searching
for valuable metal plaques laid by early Russian explorers
to claim Alaska. Then a storm hits, imperiling them both.
For senior high readers. 2004.
BR 15505.
##

My Fine Lady.
BR 15533.
by Yolanda Joe.
2 volumes.
Imani and Taz, her lover and lyric writer, dream of her
becoming a hip-hop star. Hearing her street performance,
music professor Orenthal Hopson accepts a bet to turn Imani
into a traditional jazz singer. Through him, she achieves
success--in an unlikely way. Some descriptions of sex and
some strong language. 2004.
BR 15533.
##

Max Brand's Best Western Stories.
BR 15534.
by Max Brand.
2 volumes.
Five stories and a short novel pitting man against both
nature and human enemies, written in the 1920s and 1930s.
Includes the classic "Wine on the Desert," "Partners," and
"Dust across the Range." Edited, with a biographical
introduction, by William F. Nolan. 1923.
BR 15534.
##

Scenarios: A "Nameless Detective" Casebook.
BR 15539.
by Bill Pronzini.
2 volumes.
Fourteen short mysteries spanning thirty-five years of
"nameless" San Francisco PI stories. In "It's a Lousy
World," Nameless vindicates a friend suspected of--and shot
for--robbing a liquor store. Also includes "Wrong Place,
Wrong Time" and "Incident in a Neighborhood Tavern."
Violence and some strong language. 2003.
BR 15539.
##

###
_Books for Children_
The following books were recently produced for the NLS
program.  To order books, contact your braille-lending
library.

_Nonfiction_

The Song within My Heart.
BR 15050.
by David Bouchard.
1 volume.
A Native American grandmother's explanation to her young
grandson of the meaning of the pow-wow. In poetic form.
PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades 2-4. 2002.
BR 15050.
##

Shark! The Truth behind the Terror.
BR 15297.
by Mike Strong.
1 volume.
Briefly describes some shark attacks on humans. Then focuses
on facts about sharks--their special features, how and what
they eat. Discusses safety issues at the ocean beach,
reminding readers that shark attacks are rare occurrences.
Beginning chapter book. For grades 3-6. 2003.
BR 15297.
##

Why I Sneeze, Shiver, Hiccup, and Yawn.
BR 15357.
by Melvin Berger.
1 volume.
This simple introduction to automatic reflexes of the human
body uses familiar examples to explain why we cough, sneeze,
shiver, hiccup, yawn, and blink. For grades 2-4. 1983.
BR 15357.
##

The Sun: Our Nearest Star.
BR 15360.
by Franklyn M. Branley.
1 volume.
Describes the Sun as the star closest to the planet Earth.
Talks about the Sun's size and explains how it provides the
light and energy needed to support plant and animal life.
For grades 2-4. 1961.
BR 15360.
##

You Must Be Joking! Lots of Cool Jokes.
BR 15363.
compiled by Paul Brewer.
1 volume.
Not only a collection of over two hundred jokes and riddles
but also tips on writing, memorizing, and telling them. For
grades 3-6. 2003.
BR 15363.
##

Remember: The Journey to School Integration.
BR 15549.
by Toni Morrison.
1 volume.
An account of the thoughts and feelings of children involved
in school desegregation. Provides background to the 1954
groundbreaking _Brown v. Board of Education _Supreme Court
decision and the movement to eliminate racist laws. For
grades 3-6. 2004.
BR 15549.
##

Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines.
BR 15554.
by Caroline Arnold.
1 volume.
Introduces the science of avian flight. Describes the flight
anatomy of a wide variety of birds--their skeletons, wings,
and feathers. Explains the mechanics of taking off,
flapping, gliding, hovering, steering, and landing.
Considers birds that cannot fly and some other animals that
can. For grades 3-6. 2003.
BR 15554.
##

The Racecar Alphabet.
BR 16007.
by Brian Floca.
1 volume.
An exciting day at the races highlights the letters of the
alphabet as a variety of automobiles speed around the curves
of the track. PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2. 2003.
BR 16007.
##

In the Land of Words: New and Selected Poems.
BR 16011.
compiled by Eloise Greenfield.
1 volume.
Introduction to poetry for preschoolers and beginning
readers. Among twenty-one poems are "New Baby Poem," "Making
Friends," and "Nathaniel's Rap." PRINT/BRAILLE. For
preschool-grade 2 and older readers. 2004.
BR 16011.
##

###
_Fiction_

While You Are Away.
BR 15048.
by Eileen Spinelli.
1 volume.
Three children from different families remember and miss
their parents who are away on military duty. All have happy
reunions when the soldiers return safely home.
PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2. 2004.
BR 15048.
##

Up in Heaven.
BR 15049.
by Emma Chichester Clark.
1 volume.
Daisy, Arthur's old dog, dies and goes to heaven. When Daisy
sees the boy grieving for her, she sends him dreams to show
how happy she is in the afterlife. Arthur accepts his loss
and, while still missing Daisy, gets a new puppy.
PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2. 2003.
BR 15049.
##

A Dangerous Plan: Left Behind--The Kids, Book 20.
BR 15185.
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.
1 volume.
In this sequel to _Attack of Apollyon (BR 15184)_, the Young
Trib Force continues to battle the locusts. Sam tries once
more to convert his father, and Vicki is offered an exciting
opportunity. The entire force continues to risk their lives
to encourage more believers. For grades 5-8. 2002.
BR 15185.
##

Death at the Gala: Left Behind--The Kids, Book 25.
BR 15190.
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.
1 volume.
A Global Community raid forces the kids to abandon their
Illinois schoolhouse hideout, but Vicki makes one more
broadcast to her satellite community. In Israel, Judd and
Lionel watch as Eli and Moishe are executed. Then a miracle
occurs. Sequel to _Uplink from the Underground (BR 15189)_.
For grades 5-8. 2003.
BR 15190.
##

The Beast Arises: Left Behind--The Kids, Book 26.
BR 15191.
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.
1 volume.
After rescuing singer Z-Van, Judd and Lionel are promised a
ride home. But Z-Van, a follower of Nicolae Carpathia,
detours to Israel where Carpathia rises from the dead. In
another hiding place Vicki continues her warnings of events
ahead. Sequel to _Death at the Gala (BR 15190)_. For grades
5-8. 2003.
BR 15191.
##

Wildfire! Left Behind--The Kids, Book 27.
BR 15192.
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.
1 volume.
Vicki and the kids in Wisconsin seek a new hiding place. In
Illinois, Natalie Bishop, a Morale Monitor, works to free
prisoners of the Global Community. In New Babylon, Lionel
and Judd hope singer Z-Van will see behind the Antichrist.
Sequel to _The Beast Arises (BR 15191)_. For grades 5-8.
2003.
BR 15192.
##

The Mark of the Beast: Left Behind--The Kids, Book 28.
BR 15193.
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.
1 volume.
Thanks to Natalie's quick thinking, Vicki and others escape
the Global Community's latest capture attempt but remain in
danger. In New Babylon, Judd and Lionel find a new believer.
The time has come for prisoners to receive Carpathia's mark
of the beast. Sequel to _Wildfire! (BR 15192)_. For grades
5-8. 2003.
BR 15193.
##

Breakout! Left Behind--The Kids, Book 29.
BR 15194.
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.
1 volume.
Vicki and other Trib members risk their lives to save
believers held by the Global Community. Z-Van receives
Carpathia's loyalty mark. But the entire Trib Force faces
extreme danger by refusing to accept that mark. Sequel to
_The Mark of the Beast (BR 15193)_. For grades 5-8. 2003.
BR 15194.
##

Murder in the Holy Place: Left Behind--The Kids, Book 30.
BR 15195.
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.
1 volume.
After getting kicked off Z-Van's plane, Judd and Lionel find
a ride to Jerusalem where Carpathia is preparing another
deadly power display. Back in the States, Vicki decides to
help a new believer, thrusting the kids into an unexpected
adventure. Sequel to _Breakout! (BR 15194)_. For grades 5-8.
2003.
BR 15195.
##

Escape to Masada: Left Behind--The Kids, Book 31.
BR 15196.
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.
1 volume.
As horrified thousands watch, Nicolae Carpathia commits
murder in the temple. Vicki and her friends try to rescue a
Morale Monitor from the Global Community. Around the world
Carpathia's followers are developing sores on their bodies.
Sequel to _Murder in the Holy Place (BR 15195)_. For grades
5-8. 2003.
BR 15196.
##

War of the Dragon: Left Behind--The Kids, Book 32.
BR 15197.
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye.
1 volume.
Lionel's and Judd's hopes for heading home are delayed when
Z-Van's plane is destroyed. They face further danger after
Z-Van writes songs about them. In Wisconsin, Vicki embarks
on another dangerous mission. The grace period for getting
Carpathia's mark expires. Sequel to _Escape to Masada (BR
15196)_. For grades 5-8. 2003.
BR 15197.
##

The Whale Rider.
BR 15238.
by Witi Ihimaera.
1 volume.
Kahu, whose great-grandfather is the chief of their Maori
tribe in New Zealand, develops a mystical relationship with
whales. Although her potential as a future leader is
discounted because she is not male, Kahu and her talents
save her people. For grades 5-8. 1987.
BR 15238.
##

Brian's Hunt.
BR 15296.
by Gary Paulsen.
1 volume.
When sixteen-year-old Brian, from _Hatchet (BR 11525)_,
returns to the wilderness two years after his plane crash,
he finds a wounded dog and the bodies of a Cree couple
killed by a rogue bear. Tracking the animal, Brian is
pursued as its prey. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2003.
BR 15296.
##

The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a
Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread.
BR 15300.
by Kate DiCamillo.
1 volume.
Despereaux, a small mouse, is condemned to the dungeon for
falling in love with human Princess Pea. Despereaux meets
the rat, Roscuro, while Mig, an upstairs serving girl,
wishes to be a princess, too. All four meet with near
disastrous results. For grades 3-6. 2003.
BR 15300.
##

The Young Man and the Sea.
BR 15305.
by Rodman Philbrick.
1 volume.
Maine. Twelve-year-old Skiff is determined to earn enough
money to fix his father's fishing boat but sets out to sea
with only a harpoon. He catches a giant bluefin tuna that
tries to kill him as the boat, lost in the fog, runs out of
gas. For grades 5-8. 2004.
BR 15305.
##

Henry and Mudge and the Wild Goose Chase: The Twenty-Third
Book of Their Adventures.
BR 15359.
by Cynthia Rylant.
1 volume.
Henry and his dog Mudge tangle with a grumpy goose when they
visit a farm to buy fresh eggs and vegetables. Beginning
chapter book. For grades K-3. 2003.
BR 15359.
##

Varjak Paw.
BR 15369.
by S.F. Said.
1 volume.
Varjak, a Mesopotamian Blue cat, lives with his family on
the Contessa's estate. But trouble comes when a new owner
arrives with a pair of evil black cats. Varjak, who knows
the martial arts of his ancestors, goes out into the world
for help. For grades 4-7. 2003.
BR 15369.
##

The Tombs of Atuan.
BR 15379.
by Ursula K. Le Guin.
1 volume.
Arha is taken from her parents to be trained as high
priestess to the Old Ones in the Atuan tombs. She endures
her bleak captivity until a trespasser violates her domain
in his search for the tombs' greatest treasure. Sequel to _A
Wizard of Earthsea (BR 7742)_. For grades 6-9. 1970.
BR 15379.
##

Summer of the Sea Serpent: Magic Tree House, Book 31.
BR 15397.
by Mary Pope Osborne.
1 volume.
The magician Merlin sends Jack and Annie back into time
where they are reunited with boy sorcerer Teddy. The
children are transformed into selkies, or seal people, then
dive into a cave and discover an old sword. For grades 2-4.
2004.
BR 15397.
##

Marvin One Too Many.
BR 15401.
by Katherine Paterson.
1 volume.
Marvin starts first grade in a new school but has trouble
learning to read. His family gives him some extra help when
he finally tells his father about the problem. For grades K-
3. 2001.
BR 15401.
##

Gus and Grandpa Go Fishing.
BR 15402.
by Claudia Mills.
1 volume.
Gus goes fishing for the first time and receives expert
guidance from his grandfather. Beginning chapter book. For
grades K-3. 2003.
BR 15402.
##

The Farthest Shore.
BR 15408.
by Ursula K. Le Guin.
2 volumes.
Ged, archmage of Roke, and Arren, young prince of Enlad, set
out to find and challenge the evil that threatens to destroy
Earthsea itself. Sequel to _The Tombs of Atuan (BR 15379)_.
For grades 6-9. National Book Award. 1972.
BR 15408.
##

Brainboy and the Deathmaster.
BR 15414.
by Tor Seidler.
2 volumes.
Twelve-year-old video game whiz Darryl Kirby feels guilty
that he's the only family member to survive a fire. Adopted
from an orphanage by computer software guru Keith Masterly,
Darryl finds himself a captive in Masterly's secret
laboratory with other child geniuses working on a compound
to stop aging. For grades 5-8. 2003.
BR 15414.
##

Storybook Treasury of Dick and Jane and Friends.
BR 15417.
  .
1 volume.
Reissue of three Dick and Jane books, originally published
in the 1940s and 1950s, that were widely used in schools to
teach reading to children. The stories include _We Look and
See_, _We Come and Go_, and _The New We Work and Play_. For
grades K-3. 2003.
BR 15417.
##

Dare to Be Scared: Thirteen Stories to Chill and Thrill.
BR 15429.
by Robert D. San Souci.
1 volume.
Thirteen horror stories involve ghosts, a boogey woman, and
creatures from outer space. In "The Caller," ungrateful
Lindsay is haunted by phone calls from her dead aunt. In
"Space Is the Place," Mark and his mother board a bus to
escape an alien invasion. For grades 4-7. 2003.
BR 15429.
##

Pirates! The True and Remarkable Adventures of Minerva
Sharpe and Nancy Kington, Female Pirates.
BR 15430.
by Celia Rees.
3 volumes.
In 1722, sixteen-year-old Nancy Kington arrives at her
family's Jamaican plantation to be married off to
Bartholome. To escape her fate she runs away with her slave
friend, Minerva Sharpe, and together they become pirates
searching for adventure and true love. For grades 6-9 and
older readers. 2003.
BR 15430.
##

_The_ _Foundling_ and Other Tales of Prydain.
BR 15433.
by Lloyd Alexander.
1 volume.
Eight tales dealing with happenings before the birth of
Taran, assistant pig keeper, whose adventures in the Prydain
Chronicles begin with _The Book of Three (BR 8829)_ and end
with the Newbery Medal-winning _The High King (BR 8891)_.
For grades 5-8. 1973.
BR 15433.
##

Lucinda's Secret: The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 3.
BR 15436.
by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black.
1 volume.
Following their adventures in _The Seeing Stone (BR 14984)_,
Jared, Simon, and Mallory Grace are now being harassed by a
house boggart. Mallory wants to get rid of the Field Guide,
but hospitalized great-aunt Lucinda comes to the rescue. For
grades 2-4. 2003.
BR 15436.
##

The Cat Who Went to Heaven.
BR 15444.
by Elizabeth Coatsworth.
1 volume.
Soon after adopting a lucky three-colored cat, a poor
Japanese artist is hired to paint a masterpiece. The devoted
pet watches patiently as the man draws the animals Buddha
has blessed. At last he draws a cat and earns a special
miracle. For grades 4-7. Newbery Medal. 1930.
BR 15444.
##

The View from Saturday.
BR 15490.
by E.L. Konigsburg.
1 volume.
Paraplegic teacher Mrs. Olinski is hard-pressed to explain
her selection of the sixth grade representatives in the
Academic Bowl, but her choices were excellent. As the four
students calling themselves "The Souls" prepare and compete,
each reveals a reason for joining the team. For grades 4-7.
Newbery Award. 1996.
BR 15490.
##

Shakespeare Bats Cleanup.
BR 15507.
by Ron Koertge.
1 volume.
Fourteen-year-old baseball star Kevin catches mono and is
forced to stay home for a few months. To pass time, he
creates these journal entries in different poetic styles.
Dealing with Shakespeare, sports, and personal issues like
girls and grief, his writing becomes as "cool" for him as
baseball. For grades 6-9. 2003.
BR 15507.
##

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
BR 15513.
by Ian Fleming.
1 volume.
Relates the adventures of the Pott family--twins Jeremy and
Jemima, their inventor father, and their mother, Mimsie--in
their magical car that not only drives but flies and sails.
They set out for a quiet picnic by the English Channel but
end up in Paris pursuing a gang of criminals. For grades 4-
7. 1964.
BR 15513.
##

Anna Casey's Place in the World.
BR 15517.
by Adrian Fogelin.
2 volumes.
Twelve-year-old orphan Anna runs out of relatives and is
placed in Miss Dupree's foster home with another neglected
child, ten-year-old asthmatic Eb. After they spend the
summer in Tallahassee making friends with the neighbors and
finding adventure, Anna hopes to stay. For grades 5-8. 2001.
BR 15517.
##

Regular Guy.
BR 15523.
by Sarah Weeks.
1 volume.
Because he is so different from his eccentric parents,
twelve-year-old Guy is convinced he was switched at birth
with a classmate whose parents seem more normal. The boys
switch back one weekend, with hilarious results. For grades
4-7. 1999.
BR 15523.
##

Fourth of July Mice!.
BR 16009.
by Bethany Roberts.
1 volume.
Four energetic mice enjoy a parade, swimming, fireworks, and
other festive activities on Independence Day. PRINT/BRAILLE.
For preschool-grade 2. 2004.
BR 16009.
##

The Easter Bunny That Overslept.
BR 16010.
by Priscilla Friedrich and Otto Friedrich.
1 volume.
After sleeping through the holiday, the Easter bunny tries
to give away his beautifully painted eggs on Mother's Day,
the Fourth of July, and Halloween but no one wants them.
Finally, at Christmastime, Santa gets him back on track. For
preschool-grade 2. 2002.
BR 16010.
##


###
Braille Magazines

The following is a list of braille magazines in the Library
of Congress program.  Readers may obtain free personal
subscriptions to these magazines.  For information
on the availability of specific magazines, consult the
library that send you braille materials.
                                                          
Boys' Life (for children and teens, monthly)
Braille Book Review (bimonthly)
Braille Chess Magazine (British quarterly)
Braille Music Magazine (British monthly)
Conundrum (British monthly)
Cooking Light (10 issues) 
ESPN: The Magazine (biweekly)
Harper's (literary; monthly)
Health Newsletters (includes Harvard Health Letter, Mayo 
     Clinic Health Letter, and University of California at
     Berkeley Wellness Letter, monthly) 
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine (monthly)
Ladies' Home Journal (monthly)
Martha Stewart Living (home and entertaining; 10 issues)
Muse (for children; 10 issues) 
The Musical Mainstream (quarterly)
National Geographic (monthly)
The New York Times Large Type Weekly (weekly)
News (NLS quarterly)
Parenting (monthly except January and July)
PC World (personal computing; monthly) 
Playboy (monthly)
Poetry (11 issues)
Popular Communications (monthly)
Popular Mechanics (monthly)
Popular Music Lead Sheets (irregular)
Rolling Stone (popular culture; 24 issues)
Science News (weekly)
Seventeen (for teens; monthly)
Short Stories (British monthly)
Spider: The Magazine for Children (monthly) 
Stone Soup (children's writings; 5 issues)
Update (NLS quarterly)
The Washington Post Book World (weekly)

The following sports schedules are also available:
American Baseball League Schedule
National Baseball League Schedule
National Basketball Association Schedule
National Football League Schedule
National Hockey League Schedule
Women's National Basketball Association Schedule