Braille Book Review, Vol. 75, No. 1, January-February 2006 Braille Book Review January-February 2006 Volume 75, Number 1 _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 2006 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 The following information 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, October 2005, volume 1, issue 11 Found: Digital talking-book distribution solution Is it possible to have the best of both worlds? It is when it comes to digital talking-book distribution. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, ended the first phase of its distribution-system study last month by selecting an option that combines mass duplication and on-demand duplication of titles. The NLS Digital Long-Term Planning Group (DLTPG) supported this solution. "Our top priority was finding an efficient distribution process that suits flash technology and is functional for NLS, network libraries, and patrons," says Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director. "After careful consideration of various options, it's clear that a mixed option is the most sensible solution. It should meet the needs of the entire network." The study, conducted by ManTech Advanced Systems International, recommends that digital talking books be mass produced for the first two to three years. When duplication technology is able to support on-demand production, a hybrid system combining mass duplication and on- demand duplication will be introduced. When the new system is fully implemented, high-circulation titles will be mass duplicated and shipped to libraries for local storage and loan. Less popular titles will be produced on demand and distributed from duplication centers. High-circulation titles will be weeded as their popularity wanes and will migrate to on-demand production to reduce storage build-up and make way for new titles. According to Michael Moodie, NLS deputy director, the benefits of a hybrid solution far outnumbered those of other systems. "The shift of some distribution to duplication centers focuses staff resources on reader advisory services. It also reduces the number of cartridges required. These factors translate into cost savings for both NLS and regional libraries," says Moodie. "The only drawback of the hybrid is that it's more complex from an operational standpoint." A winning combination Choosing between the mass-duplication and hybrid options was a rigorous process. Each system's impact on NLS, network librarians, and patrons was closely considered. Extensive circulation data collected from nine libraries all varying in size, location, and information system used ensured that many factors affecting distribution were assessed. Each system was evaluated for such factors as cost efficiency, operational complexity, storage utilization, and quality of service. ManTech presented its findings to the DLTPG comprising patrons, state and network librarians, and NLS staff to gauge whether the process would work well for all parties involved. Group members assessed the evaluation factors used to select the hybrid model and found them to be adequate. The committee also considered the grouping of titles for mass or on-demand duplication. "The group ultimately accepted the final recommendations," said Jerry Ducrest, ManTech subcontractor. "They were receptive to the hybrid system as long as it is implemented correctly." The new system will affect librarians minimally at first, as they continue to handle all distribution. Once the hybrid system is implemented, an estimated 20 percent of circulation would move from network library to on-demand-center responsibility. Impact also depends on how easily a library's existing circulation system interfaces with the new model. Patrons will continue to order books through their libraries without any noticeable impact. Bridge to the future The move to the hybrid model will be smooth, systematic, and gradual. An extensive transition plan will bridge NLS to the future process. The research-driven plan will be developed alongside system design during the second phase of the distribution study. The plan will address operational issues such as distributing players, balancing quantities of cassettes and digital talking books, and the designing of automated systems. The plan is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2006. Eager to move forward, the DLTPG discussed key transition issues and goals in its recent meeting. Considerable attention was given to how digital talking-book players would be distributed during the first few years. The group discussed this issue at length and NLS will develop guidelines based on its input. The DLTPG will continue to advise on the transition process in the coming year. "The Digital Long-Term Planning Group's input is very helpful in developing a transition plan that will be functional for the entire network," noted Moodie. "NLS will issue recommendations based on the committee's feedback." Hybrid highlights When the digital talking-books program rolls out in 2008, it will be via a mass duplication system. NLS will then introduce a hybrid model two to three years later, combining mass and on-demand duplication. Here is how it will work once implemented: Mass duplication. High-circulation titles which account for about 20 percent of the total collection and nearly 80 percent of total circulation will be mass produced and distributed to libraries for storage and circulation to patrons. Duplication-on-demand. Low-circulation titles comprising the balance of the collection yet only 20 percent of circulation will be duplicated on demand at distribution centers. Patrons will continue to place orders for books through their local library. # # # Flash, November 2005, volume 1, issue 12 An update on digital talking-book features Expectations are high for the proposed digital talking-book system soon to be introduced by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress. Librarians and patrons alike have shared their wish lists with NLS, and now the challenging task of implementing a system that balances expectations with the actualities of design and function is under way. "NLS is making every effort to provide a program that works for all," says Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director. "In order to create this system, we must carefully weigh each desired feature against the basic needs of librarians and patrons, taking into account other factors such as cost and complexity as well." The NLS Digital Long-Term Planning Group (DLTPG) made up of patrons, librarians, and engineers has considered a range of expectations and assumptions. One of the highest patron expectations is that the digital player will be smaller and lighter than the current analog cassette machine. The new machine won't be small enough to fit in a pocket or an average-sized purse, but NLS patrons will find the compact, lightweight machine a pleasant change from the current playback equipment. "Most patrons are realistic," observes DLTPG member Kim Charlson, librarian at the Braille and Talking Book Library, Perkins School for the Blind. "They wish for a player that's small and lightweight, but they also understand it must be large enough to incorporate conveniently spaced control buttons, a speaker, and other accessible features that make it easy to use. Patrons will also find the cartridge easier to insert and remove from the player than a cassette and librarians will have a sturdy, robust medium that will play even after years of use. Users correctly assume that the digital talking-book cartridge will have enough surface area for braille and large-print labels." Balancing act In many ways, digital talking books will be preferable to cassette books, providing high-quality sound and navigation options. Most titles will fit on a single cartridge, and cartridges can play through to the end without being turned over like cassettes. The player will also mark a reader's place and start up in that spot when played again, even when readers switch from one book to another and back again. But there are some caveats. While 95 percent of books will fit on one cartridge, extremely large ones such as War and Peace will require multiple cartridges. Librarians and patrons anticipate correctly that the human aspect of service will not change. "Patrons want someone they may call to connect them with what they need," says Charlson. "Librarians are excited about the new technology and wish to continue to provide a human touch in their service delivery." Librarians will be provided training to field calls, help patrons download books, and solve technical issues as they arise. Patrons will see the first digital talking books and players in 2008. According to Michael Moodie, NLS deputy director, "Approximately 10 to 15 percent of patrons will receive players in the first year, and NLS will provide guidelines for distribution. We need to manufacture a small number of machines initially and continue to test them. Once we are sure that everything is fine, we can accelerate production. In the meantime, the cassette system will still be supported and available." Twenty thousand digital titles will be available in 2008. Some will be on flash cartridges and all will be available for Internet download. For those who wish to have access to the collection before 2008, a significant number of the books will be available for download a year earlier. But the first digital talking books will not be on library shelves until near the time the machines are ready. This group will be only a small portion of the twenty thousand titles. After the hybrid distribution system that combines mass and on-demand production is phased in two to three years after the initial launch all digital talking-book titles will be available on flash-memory cartridges, some from libraries and others from the on-demand centers. Digital Talking Book (DTB) Milestones Completed - Defined and prioritized DTB features - Coordinated development and publication of Specifications for the Digital Talking Book (ANSI/NISO Z39.86) - Simulated a DTB player using a 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 - Distribution system design contract Phase I completed 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 Phase II (9/19/05) - Design DTB containers and labels (6/1/05) - Web-Book pilot (6/1/05) - Prepare DTBs for distribution (10/1/05) - 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 jemo@loc.gov Fax: (202) 707-1690 To view the Strategic Business Plan on the Web visit: www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan2003.html # # # Collection Development Advisory Group seeks advice The members of the Collection Development Advisory Group wish to thank fellow patrons and librarians for their input concerning the NLS program. Ideas and suggestions from readers are key components in the success of the program and are thoroughly discussed in the committee's deliberations. Please continue to assist us by contacting committee members or your cooperating braille or talking-book library with your suggestions. The group will meet again at NLS on May 16 19, 2006. Representatives from consumer organizations: American Council of the Blind Otis Stephens University of Tennessee College of Law 1505 West Cumberland Avenue Knoxville, TN 37996 ostephen@utk.edu Blinded Veterans Association Clyde A. Compton P.O. Box 267 Richland, VA 24641 cacompton@adelphia.net National Federation of the Blind Ever Lee Hairston 113 Greensward Lane Cherry Hill, NJ 08002-4710 ehairston@camdencountry.com ehairston@verizon.net Readers-at-large representatives: Midlands Region includes: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. Gail Walter P.O. Box 22 Goodland, KS 67735 gwmontezuma@yahoo.com Northern Region includes: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia. David Stewart 4000 Tunlaw Road, N.W., No.525 Washington, DC 20007 wendywolff@msn.com Southern Region includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Virgin Islands. Alice Ritchhart 125 Willow Pond Way Brunswick, GA 31525 alice.ritchhart@earthlink.net Western Region includes: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Fred Riggers Springs of Royal Oaks 1800 North Cole Road, Apt. 1208 Boise, ID 83702-1312 Librarians: Midlands Sharon Ruda Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service 401 East Washington Street Springfield, IL 62701-1207 (217) 782-9435; fax (217) 558-4723 sruda@ilsos.net Northern Catherine Rubin Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped 415 Park Avenue Baltimore, MD 21201-3603 (410) 230-2424; fax (410) 333-2095 crubin@lbph.lib.md.us Southern Julie C. Harris State of North Carolina Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped 1811 Capital Boulevard Raleigh, NC 27604 (919) 733-4376; fax (919) 733-6910 jharris@library.dcr.state.nc.us Western Christie Briggs Montana Talking Book Library 1515 East Sixth Avenue P.O. Box 201800 Helena, MT 59620-1800 (406) 444-2064; fax (406) 444-0266 cbriggs@state.mt.us Children's/Young Adult Librarian: Cindy Nugent Blind and Physically Handicapped Services Mississippi Library Commission 3881 Eastwood Drive Jackson, MS 39211-6473 (601) 432-4116; fax (601) 432-4476 frizsell@mlc.lib.ms.us # # # Newsstand The following announcements may be of interest to readers. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped reserves the right to publish announcements selectively, as space permits. Items mentioned, however, are not part of the NLS program and their listing does not imply endorsement. 2006 calendars. Listed below are organizations that produce calendars in braille or print/braille. American Printing House for the Blind (APH) P.O. Box 6085 Louisville, KY 40206-0085 (502) 895-2405 800-223-1839 info@aph.org www.aph.org/products/index.html Accepts orders by mail, telephone, or online. - Braille datebook/calendar in a two-ring binder. Calendar has tabbed pages of durable plastic. Catalog no. 1-07899-06, $53. Calendar insert and tabs only, catalog no. 1-07898-06, $13. - APH InSights Art Calendar 8-1/2 x 11-inch large-print/braille (36 point). Includes holidays and moon phases. Features selected art from the APH juried competition. English edition, catalog no. 5-18971-06, $7.50. Braille Institute Universal Media Services 741 North Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90029 (323) 906-3104 800-272-4553 press@brailleinstitute.org www.universalmediaservices.org/PublicationsforSale/Calendar. htm Accepts orders by telephone or online. - 8-3/4 x 11-inch large-print/braille (18 point) wall monthly calendar. $5. Includes holidays and space for braille notes. Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired 1170 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14209-0398 (716) 882-1025, ext. 240 (716) 882-5577 fax Accepts prepaid orders by mail. - 5-1/2 x 8-1/2-inch braille desk calendar with two days per page and dividers for each month, $40.99. Lutheran Blind Mission Library for the Blind Attn: Lynne Borchelt 7550 Watson Road St. Louis, MO 63119-4409 888-215-2455 blind.mission@blindmission.org www.blindmission.org Accepts requests by mail or telephone. - 8-1/2 x 11-inch braille Scripture calendar. Features a monthly verse from the Bible. Also available as a 8-1/2 x 14-inch large-print (21 point) edition. Free. Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund 3500 North Elm Road Jackson, MI 49201 (517) 780-5097 (734) 668-1094 fax Accepts requests by fax or telephone. - 6-1/4 x 3-3/4-inch large-print/braille purse size, spiral bound calendar. Includes a separate listing of major holidays. Free. National Braille Press 88 St. Stephen Street Boston, MA 02115-4302 (617) 266-6160, ext. 20 800-548-7323 orders@nbp.org www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/2006SEUSS.html Accepts prepaid orders by mail, telephone, or online. - 8-1/2 x 11-inch print/braille calendar with Dr. Seuss motif, $12.99. National Federation of the Blind Materials Center 1800 Johnson Street Baltimore, MD 21230 (410) 659-9314, ext. 2216 (410) 685-5653 fax materials@nfb.org Accepts requests by e-mail, fax, mail, or telephone. - 6 x 6-1/2-inch braille calendar. Features one page per month, a personal-day page, and a listing of major holidays. Free. Society for the Blind, Inc. Aids to Independence Store 2750 24th Street Sacramento, CA 95818 (916) 452-8271, ext. 302 (916) 452-2622 fax store@societyfortheblind.org www.societyfortheblind.org Accepts orders by e-mail, mail, or telephone. - 5-1/2 x 8-1/2-inch braille desk calendar with clipboard that shows two days per page. At the top of each page are the day of the week, date, and month. Catalog no. 20-06-01, $55.95. # # # The following information is reprinted from Talking Book Topics, January-February 2006. Magazine of the Month selections for 2006 Two NLS programs offer readers samples of magazines not otherwise available through network libraries. Subscribers to Magazine of the Month and Young Adult Magazine of the Month receive a different magazine on audiocassette each month. For a free subscription to either program, contact your cooperating talking-book library. Subscribers may expect to receive some of the following: Magazine of the Month - Creative Knitting - Details - Dog World - Entrepreneur - Fantasy and Science Fiction - Jet - Marie Claire - National Geographic Traveler - Natural Health - Speedworld Magazine - TV y Novelas - Wild West Alternates: Cat Fancy, Cosmopolitan en Espa ol, Field and Stream, GQ, Home Business, Jane, Oprah, Popular Science, Prevention, Quick and Easy Crochet, Realms of Fantasy, Sea Classics Young Adult Magazine of the Month - Alternative Press - American Snowmobiler - Campus Life - Cicada - Guideposts Sweet 16 - Gumbo Teen Magazine - Junior Baseball - Listen: Celebrating Positive Choices - Teen Ink - Teen Voices - Ride BMX - Word Up Alternates: BMX Plus, Grappling, J-14, Self, Slap, Teen Beat, Teen Newsweek, Teen Times, Teen Voices, Twist, Vibe, YM ### _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_ Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet BR 15125 by Karen Armstrong 4 volumes Prolific writer on the Middle East examines the religious beliefs of the founder of Islam. Investigates the West's distorted view of the Muslim faith and traces the life of Muhammad. Explains how "Islam shares many of the ideals and visions that have inspired both Judaism and Christianity." 2001 preface by the author. 1992. BR 15125 ## The Presidential Nominating Process: A Place for Us? BR 15388 by Rhodes Cook 2 volumes Former Congressional Quarterly political writer examines the role of voters in determining presidential nominees. Traces the history and evolution of modern primary elections; looks at the process in other democratic countries like England, France, and Germany; and suggests reforms that would increase competition and empower voters. 2004. BR 15388 ## How to Cook without a Book: Recipes and Techniques Every Cook Should Know by Heart BR 15544 by Pam Anderson 3 volumes Using the concept that most recipes are variations on a theme, Anderson provides techniques and formulas that allow cooks to create meals from on-hand ingredients. She suggests basic pantry and refrigerator staples and outlines "easy-to-grasp" methods for preparing soups, omelets, sauces, appetizers, and desserts. 2000. BR 15544 ## How to Win the Nobel Prize: An Unexpected Life in Science BR 15560 by J. Michael Bishop 3 volumes Memoir of Nobel Prize-winning microbiologist. Bishop reflects modestly on his journey to success, from his childhood in rural Pennsylvania to his studies at Harvard Medical School and the cancer cell research for which he was recognized in 1989. Also provides background on the prize, the field of microbiology, and modern scientific controversies. 2003. BR 15560 ## How Not to Be My Patient: A Physician's Secrets for Staying Healthy and Surviving Any Diagnosis BR 15582 by Edward T. Creagan 3 volumes Mayo Clinic cancer specialist outlines strategies for reducing the risk of developing serious illness. Discusses lifestyle choices, health screening, doctor-patient communication, and the mind-body-spirit connection. Also explains how to survive a life-threatening diagnosis through complementary medicine, a positive attitude, and a good support system. 2003. BR 15582 ## A Year of Sundays: Taking the Plunge (and Our Cat) to Explore Europe BR 15594 by Edward D. Webster 3 volumes Recounts author's year-long 1997 European trip with his visually impaired, menopausal wife, Marguerite, and sixteen-year-old cat, Felicia. Describes putting careers on hold to realize their dream and embarking "on a quest for adventure," exploring eateries, tourist destinations, and romantic locales in France, Greece, Holland, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Austria. 2004. BR 15594 ## American Indians in U.S. History BR 15602 by Roger L. Nichols 2 volumes Concise survey of U.S. Native Americans for students and general readers. The author, a professor, focuses on three stages of Indian history since 1500: life before European intrusion, the reservation experience, and contemporary society. Narrative highlights central issues and incorporates tribal customs, ideas, movements, and individuals. Includes suggested readings. 2003. BR 15602 ## Partners in Independence: A Success Story of Dogs and the Disabled BR 15603 by Ed Eames and Toni Eames 2 volumes Accounts of disabled people whose lives have been enhanced by specially trained guide, hearing, and service dogs. Documents heroism as well as everyday deeds. The authors, who are visually impaired, also describe their own experiences with canine partners and chronicle the 1990s assistance dog movement. Revision of 1997 edition. 2004. BR 15603 ## The Thirty Day Natural Hormone Plan: Look and Feel Young Again without Synthetic HRT BR 15624 by Erika Schwartz 3 volumes Physician provides a month-long program that relies on natural hormones to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Suggests using diet and exercise to maintain good health while aging. Includes meal plans and a summary of the National Institutes of Health synthetic hormones study. 2004. BR 15624 ## When Good People Write Bad Sentences: Twelve Steps to Better Writing Habits BR 15628 by Robert W. Harris 1 volume Strategies for overcoming an "addiction to bad writing." Examines the roots of common writing errors that lead to ineffective sentences and baffling communication. Explains how to use correct grammar, syntax, punctuation, diction, and style to produce clear, confident, and persuasive prose. 2003. BR 15628 ## Iraq: An Illustrated History and Guide BR 15671 by Gilles Munier 2 volumes Concise, comprehensive overview of the history of Iraq from the days of Sumer (4500 2340 BCE) to the 2003 Gulf War. Makes a geographic tour of the country, centering in Baghdad and highlighting monuments, landmarks, and ancient archaeological sites. 2000. BR 15671 ## The Complete Shade Gardener BR 15677 by George Schenk 3 volumes Discusses the creation of a shady retreat covering all the basics from determining the site and preparing the soil to fending off pests and selecting specific trees, shrubs, groundcovers, ferns, perennials, annuals, and edibles. Expanded 1991 update of 1984 edition with 2002 appendix. 2002. BR 15677 ## Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo BR 15685 translated by J.R.R. Tolkien 2 volumes Three medieval poems from the age of Arthurian legend, translated into modern English by the author of The Hobbit (BR 11595) and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. 1975. BR 15685 ## One Hundred Birds and How They Got Their Names BR 15688 by Diana Wells 2 volumes Brief essays describe birds and humans' fascination with them. Highlights species groupings, etymology of names, folk beliefs, legends, literature, and history associated with birds. Gives the meaning of "hoodwink" and "for the birds" and explains how cranes have come to symbolize marital happiness. 2002. BR 15688 ## Celia: My Life BR 15691 by Celia Cruz 2 volumes Autobiography by the Afro-Cuban singer, the "Queen of Salsa," who died in 2003. Reminisces about her upbringing and early career in Havana and her road to international success. Recalls her voluntary exile after Castro came to power, her long marriage, and associations with other musicians. Foreword by Maya Angelou. 2004. BR 15691 ## The Speckled People BR 15714 by Hugo Hamilton 2 volumes Troubled childhood recounted by a native of Ireland, whose Irish-nationalist father refused to allow him and his siblings to speak English and whose German mother had fled war-torn Europe. Depicts Hamilton's struggle for acceptance and reflects the links between culture, language, and identity. Some violence and some strong language. 2003. BR 15714 ## Chet Atkins: Me and My Guitars BR 15715 by Chet Atkins and Michael Cochran 1 volume Autobiography written with longtime friends the Cochran brothers. The guitarist recalls his career, beginning with his early days in Tennessee and Georgia, by focusing on guitars he's had over the years. Describes the evolution of his guitars' construction and includes anecdotes about favorite instruments. Introduction by Jerry Reed. 2001. BR 15715 ## Profiles in Courage BR 15716 by John F. Kennedy 2 volumes Biographical sketches of historic statesmen who demonstrated great political courage at crucial moments in U.S. history. Includes John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, and others. Written by then-senator Kennedy while convalescing from the effects of war wounds. 2003 introduction by Caroline Kennedy; 1964 foreword by Robert F. Kennedy. Pulitzer Prize. 1955. BR 15716 ## They Shoot Canoes, Don't They? BR 15723 by Patrick F. McManus 2 volumes Tongue-in-cheek tales about a sportsman's life. McManus celebrates the hidden pleasures, and the opportunities for disaster, in the recreations of camping, hunting, and fishing. Includes amusing accounts of his dog Strange and an incorrigible old woodsman, Rancid Crabtree. 1981. BR 15723 ## The Art of Happiness at Work BR 15725 by Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler 2 volumes In this sequel to The Art of Happiness (BR 13301), a psychiatrist questions the Dalai Lama about applying Buddhist principles in the workplace. The Tibetan spiritual leader advises that career satisfaction is related to staying motivated, having a realistic "sense of self," and maintaining "basic human values" such as kindness and compassion. 2003. BR 15725 ## The Royal Road to Card Magic BR 15735 by Jean Hugard and Frederick Brau‚ 3 volumes Noted magic authorities present a guide to developing a versatile repertoire of tricks enabling card handlers to perform more than a hundred feats of magic. Includes instructions for Thought Stealer, Gray's Spelling Trick, Now You See It, Obliging Aces, Rapid Transit, Kangaroo Card, and others. 1951. BR 15735 ## The King and I: The Uncensored Tale of Luciano Pavarotti's Rise to Fame by His Manager, Friend, and Sometime Adversary BR 15739 by Herbert Breslin and Anne Midgette 3 volumes Luciano Pavarotti's manager/publicist candidly recounts his thirty-six-year relationship with the opera singer. Breslin describes the tenor as evolving from a "simple, lovely guy" to a "determined, aggressive, and somewhat unhappy superstar." Details his career, quirks, superstitions, and love life. 2004. BR 15739 ## Scattered Shadows: A Memoir of Blindness and Vision BR 15751 by John Howard Griffin 3 volumes The author of Black like Me recounts losing his sight in 1947 from a war injury and unexpectedly recovering it ten years later. Describes his religious conversion to Catholicism during his blindness and individual and institutional reactions to his physical impairment. Some strong language. 2004. BR 15751 ## Card Manipulations: Series 1 5 BR 15753 by Jean Hugard 2 volumes Master card performer provides a five-part resource guide to more than 165 card tricks and stunts. Demonstrates stage and small group performances and teaches passes, palming methods, shuffles, arm spreads, color reverses, sleights, flourishes, set-ups, and tricks. Includes step-by-step explanations. 1934. BR 15753 ## Health Care Meltdown: Confronting the Myths and Fixing Our Failing System BR 15770 by Robert H. LeBow 3 volumes Quadriplegic physician criticizes U.S. health care system flaws that leave millions uninsured or underinsured. Using case studies, LeBow identifies misconceptions preventing change and proposes a solution to provide "affordable, comprehensive health care" for every American. Discusses co-pays, deductibles, and Medicare. Update of 2002 edition, published posthumously. 2003. BR 15770 ## More Damned Lies and Statistics: How Numbers Confuse Public Issues BR 15779 by Joel Best 2 volumes Sociologist advocates skepticism toward quantitative information used by journalists and politicians, among others, to influence public opinion. In this sequel to Damned Lies and Statistics (BR 13790), Best explores common problems in numerical thinking: omission of data, confusion about categories, and unquestioned authority. Offers suggestions for teaching statistical literacy. 2004. BR 15779 ## Chronicles, Volume 1 BR 15792 by Bob Dylan 2 volumes First of a three-volume memoir by music legend Bob Dylan. Describes his intellectual development, folk songs and blues he listened to in the 1960s, and the growth of his artistic conscience. Recalls early days in Greenwich Village, transient loves, lasting friendships, and experiences in New Orleans and Woodstock. Bestseller. 2004. BR 15792 ## ### _Fiction_ The Probable Future BR 15449 by Alice Hoffman 3 volumes For generations women of the Sparrow family in Massachusetts have been blessed or cursed with clairvoyant powers. When thirteen-year-old Stella has a premonition that lands her father in jail on suspicion of murder, she goes to live in the historic ancestral home where she confronts her haunting legacy. Some strong language. 2003. BR 15449 ## Holy Fools BR 15486 by Joanne Harris 3 volumes Brittany coast, 1610. Five years ago a young, pregnant woman sought refuge in a convent. Now, as Soeur Auguste, she meets former lover LeMerle, who is masquerading as spiritual advisor to the new abbess. The manipulating false priest brings evil into the nuns' lives and shatters their peace. 2004. BR 15486 ## Up Country BR 15543 by Nelson DeMille 6 volumes Retired army investigator Paul Brenner must revisit the murder of an American officer thirty years ago in Vietnam. An enemy soldier witnessed the crime and now the U.S. military wants the truth. Sequel to The General's Daughter (BR 15542). Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2002. BR 15543 ## The Winter Queen BR 15552 by Jane Stevenson 3 volumes Holland, 1630s. Freed African slave Pelagius van Overmeer, a former prince of the Yoruba tribe, studies theology and has a reputation as a seer. With the Winter Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia, exiled widowed sister of England's Charles I he develops a bond that turns to love, yet must remain secret. 2001. BR 15552 ## The Shadow King BR 15553 by Jane Stevenson 3 volumes Seventeenth century. Balthasar van Overmeer, a young doctor, is caught between his mother's royal heritage and his father's African roots. Moving from Holland to London to Barbados and finally back to London, Balthasar cannot escape racism, class distinctions, and political controversy in establishing his identity. Sequel to The Winter Queen (BR 15552). 2002. BR 15553 ## Comstock Lode BR 15561 by Louis L'Amour 4 volumes 1849. Soon after young Val Trevallion accompanies his family from England to America for a shot at the California gold rush, thieves kill his parents. Orphan Val grows up, becomes a successful miner, and awaits the opportunity for revenge. Some violence and some strong language. 1981. BR 15561 ## Fire along the Sky: The Wilderness Series, Book 4 BR 15587 by Sara Donati 6 volumes New York, 1812. As the Bonner family saga continues, war looms. Hannah returns home to find her half-brother Daniel eager to fight. Widowed Scottish cousin Jennet arrives, and Lily pursues independence in Montreal. Sequel to Lake in the Clouds (BR 14406). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2004. BR 15587 ## Eighteen BR 15593 by Jan Burke 3 volumes Eighteen short mystery and suspense stories by Edgar Award winner and author of Nine ( BR 14528). In "Mea Culpa," a disabled boy believes his stepfather will kill his mom. Includes "Miscalculation," about the wartime service of the oceanliner Queen Mary, "Unharmed," "The Muse," and others. Some violence. 1993. BR 15593 ## Roads of the Heart BR 15597 by Christopher Tilghman 2 volumes Ailing former Maryland senator Frank Alwin, whose family and reputation were devastated by scandal, embarks on a cross-country mission to reconcile with his ex-wife. His ad-executive son Eric accompanies him, learning about life, love, and his own failing marriage in the process. Descriptions of sex and strong language. 2004. BR 15597 ## The Face of God BR 15598 by Bill Myers 3 volumes Following his wife's death in Istanbul, Pastor Daniel Lawson discovers she had been given a mysterious stone one of twelve from a breastplate representing the tribes of Israel. An Arab terrorist also has one of the stones, and as both men search for the remaining ones, lives of millions hang in the balance. Violence. 2002. BR 15598 ## Cooking for Harry: A Low-Carbohydrate Novel BR 15601 by Kay-Marie James 2 volumes Harry likes to eat and cook, and these activities are fundamental to his life and marriage to Francie. At the office Christmas party he wins a computerized scale that tells him he's a hundred pounds overweight, so Harry begins a low-carb diet that changes the family dynamics. 2004. BR 15601 ## Last Lullaby: An Eve Diamond Novel BR 15604 by Denise Hamilton 3 volumes L.A. reporter Eve Diamond accompanies a U.S. Customs supervisor meeting a plane from China. Shots ring out leaving three people dead and a two-year-old toddler missing. Eve and a score of unsavory characters search for the child amongst the immigrant population. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2004. BR 15604 ## Gateway BR 15605 by Frederik Pohl 2 volumes Wealthy prospector Robinette Broadhead wins a one-way trip to Gateway, an abandoned interstellar depot of the vanished Heechee race. Unsettled by the experience and with the help of his computerized psychoanalyst, Broadhead begins a personal journey that could lead to his destruction. Strong language. 1976. BR 15605 ## The Ocean between Us BR 15674 by Susan Wiggs 3 volumes Middle-aged navy wife Grace Bennett, tired of continual relocation, buys a house in Washington state and starts a business. Something in her husband Steve's past strains their faltering relationship, but before they can reconcile, a mishap aboard Steve's ship sends him overboard. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2004. BR 15674 ## The Damascened Blade: A Detective Joe Sandilands Mystery BR 15683 by Barbara Cleverly 2 volumes India-Afghanistan border, 1922. Detective Joe Sandilands from Ragtime in Simla (BR 15080) chaperones a feisty American heiress at a British fort amid political tension. Kinsmen of an assassinated Afghani take a hostage, demanding that Sandilands find and execute the killer within a week. Strong language and some violence. 2003. BR 15683 ## My Cousin Rachel BR 15687 by Daphne Du Maurier 3 volumes After his uncle Ambrose's death, Philip Ashley travels to the funeral in Italy and meets Ambrose's alluring widow, Rachel. She later joins the young heir in England, where their budding passionate relationship is tainted by Philip's suspicion that Rachel may have played a role in Ambrose's demise. 1951. BR 15687 ## The Funeral Party BR 15689 by Ludmila Ulitskaya 1 volume In the humid heat of a loft without air conditioning, five women gather at the bedside of their beloved Alik, a failed and dying artist. It is 1991, and these Russian émigrés are following the Yeltsin putsch on television as they comfort Alik and reminisce. Some strong language. 1999. BR 15689 ## B for Buster BR 15706 by Iain Lawrence 2 volumes Sixteen-year-old Canadian "Kak" lies about his age to join the air force in 1943. He becomes part of a crew flying deadly bombing raids over Germany and fears for his life. Bert, an ex-pilot who trains homing pigeons to accompany the planes, comforts Kak. For senior high readers. 2004. BR 15706 ## The Masqueraders BR 15708 by Georgette Heyer 3 volumes Temporarily abandoned by their reckless father, Prudence and her brother Robin each disguise themselves as the opposite sex to avoid capture by their political enemies. Dangerous entanglements develop when Prue falls in love with Sir Anthony and Robin is smitten by a lovely heiress. Foreword by Anne Stuart. 1928. BR 15708 ## The Full Matilda BR 15720 by David Haynes 3 volumes For generations Matilda Housewright's African American family has served the elite of Washington, D.C. When Matilda's father dies in the 1940s, her brother Martin takes up catering. Unmarried Matilda lives as behind-the-scenes director, guiding Martin and his ill-behaved sons and grandsons to redefine the family legacy. Some strong language. 2004. BR 15720 ## Indelible BR 15721 by Karin Slaughter 3 volumes Georgia coroner Sara Linton is visiting ex-husband police chief Jeffrey Tolliver at the station when gunmen open fire, wounding Jeffrey. Throughout the hostage standoff, Sara flashes back to their initial romance. Sequel to A Faint Cold Fear (BR 15088). Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004. BR 15721 ## Ghost Riders BR 15724 by Sharyn McCrumb 3 volumes The Civil War reverberates throughout several interwoven stories. In the 1860s, Malinda Blalock, disguised as a boy, accompanies her husband to war. Meanwhile, North Carolina congressman Zebulon Vance postpones politics to raise a militia. Decades later, battle reenactors encounter ghosts of Union and Confederate soldiers. Some violence. 2003. BR 15724 ## The Bishop at Sea: A Blackie Ryan Mystery BR 15730 by Andrew M. Greeley 2 volumes The archbishop of Chicago's cousin, captain David "Speed" Cronin, commands a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier haunted by ancient Irish ghosts. The archbishop enlists bishop "Blackie" Ryan's aid. Motion sickness pills help Ryan deal with missing sailors and Irish mythology. Strong language. 1997. BR 15730 ## The Girl with the Long Back: A Harpur and Iles Mystery BR 15731 by Bill James 2 volumes Assistant chief constable Desmond Iles feels uneasy about hints of a new superintendent. The rumors upset a delicate balance between drug dealers and the police, leading to murder and revenge. Meanwhile detective Colin Harpur is attracted to one of his undercover agents. Violence and strong language. 2003. BR 15731 ## Tonto Basin: A Western Story BR 15733 by Zane Grey 3 volumes Restored version of classic tale serialized in 1921 as To the Last Man. At his family cattle ranch in Arizona, twenty-four-year-old Jean Isbel's father prepares for a showdown with the Lee Jorth rustler gang. Jean's unexpected love for Lee's daughter, Ellen, complicates the blood feud. 1921. BR 15733 ## Dinner for Two BR 15742 by Mike Gayle 2 volumes London. Hopeful would-be father Dave Harding copes with his wife's miscarriage and his newfound unemployment by taking a job as a teen magazine advice columnist. A letter from a thirteen-year-old girl claiming to be his daughter soon rekindles his fatherly instincts, but the revelation could threaten his marriage. 2002. BR 15742 ## The Love Wife BR 15743 by Gish Jen 3 volumes Chinese American Carnegie Wong, his Caucasian wife, two adopted Asian daughters, and their biological son cope with the arrival from China of Lan, Carnegie's mysterious female relative. But Lan's ambiguous intentions and "nanny" status disrupt the Wong household. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2004. BR 15743 ## Charming Grace BR 15750 by Deborah Smith 3 volumes Superstar Stone Senterra and his entourage invade small-town Georgia to film a movie about the real-life bravery of agent Harper Vance, killed in the line of duty. Harper's widow, Grace, tries to sabotage the film and finds an ally in Senterra's ex-con bodyguard. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004. BR 15750 ## Dying in the Dark: A Tamara Hayle Mystery BR 15752 by Valerie Wilson Wesley 2 volumes Newark, New Jersey. PI Tamara Hayle is haunted by the spirit of her murdered high school best friend, Celia Jones. After Celia's son Cecil asks Tamara to solve the mystery of his mother's death, Tamara explores the secrets of Celia's troubled life. Then Cecil is brutally killed. Strong language. 2004. BR 15752 ## Absent Friends BR 15754 by S.J. Rozan 3 volumes New York City. Fire captain James McCaffery died a hero on September 11, 2001. When journalist Harry Randall uncovers a link between McCaffery and organized crime, he winds up dead. Randall's lover, Laura Stone, digs into the fireman's past to learn the truth. Strong language. 2004. BR 15754 ## Melancholy Baby: A Sunny Randall Mystery BR 15756 by Robert B. Parker 2 volumes Boston PI Sunny Randall, upset over her ex-husband's remarriage, seeks counseling from Dr. Susan Silverman. Meanwhile Randall's latest case involves a young woman who's convinced her parents have adopted her and the father is soon murdered. Strong language and some violence. 2004. BR 15756 ## Thieves' Dozen: A Dortmunder Mystery BR 15757 by Donald E. Westlake 2 volumes Eleven short mystery stories involving hapless criminal John Dortmunder. In "Ask a Silly Question," the thief is hired by a wealthy man to steal a counterfeit statue from his ex-wife. In "Too Many Crooks," the gang breaks into a bank that is already being robbed. Some strong language. 2004. BR 15757 ## Silent Star BR 15758 by Tracie Peterson 1 volume Haven, Pennsylvania; World War II. Scarred at fifteen in a tragic car accident and later orphaned, eighteen-year-old telegram courier Andy Gilbert bears sad news of wartime losses to his fellow townspeople. Andy is alone as Christmas approaches, until widow Estella Nelson changes his and all the residents' lives. 2003. BR 15758 ## Fall Guy: A Rachel Alexander Mystery BR 15759 by Carol Lea Benjamin 2 volumes Private investigator/dog trainer Rachel Alexander is appointed executor of the estate of detective Timothy O'Fallon, whom she'd met only once during a post-terrorism pet-therapy session. As she settles his affairs, she soon begins to wonder about O'Fallon's supposedly accidental death. Strong language. 2004. BR 15759 ## Inside Out BR 15762 by Terry Trueman 1 volume Sixteen-year-old Zach suffers from schizophrenia and, unless he takes his medication, hears voices that urge him to kill himself. When held hostage during a holdup, Zach resolves the crisis, learns about himself, and helps others understand his disorder. Strong language and some violence. For senior high readers. 2003. BR 15762 ## Silver Bells: A Holiday Tale BR 15767 by Luanne Rice 2 volumes Widowed Canadian farmer Christopher Byrne journeys to New York City every December to sell Christmas trees. Last year his teenaged son stayed on to pursue a photography career. Manhattan librarian Catherine Tierney buys her trees from Chris and looks out for the boy. Love is soon in the air. 2004. BR 15767 ## Letting Go of Bobby James; or, How I Found My Self of Steam BR 15769 by Valerie Hobbs 1 volume After being abandoned by her husband at a gas station in Florida, sixteen-year-old Jody decides to make a better life for herself. Along the way she acquires friends and patches together a new family. For senior high readers. 2004. BR 15769 ## Runaway: Stories BR 15771 by Alice Munro 3 volumes Eight short stories about women of all ages and circumstances. In "Runaway," Carla, though willing, is incapable of leaving her husband. In three connected stories, "Chance," "Soon," and "Silence," Juliet falls for an older man, returns as a young mother, and rescues her daughter from a cult. Bestseller. 2004. BR 15771 ## Murder Is No Mitzvah BR 15778 edited by Abigail Browning 3 volumes Short mysteries set against a background of Jewish culture and tradition and published between 1967 and 2000. Includes Doug Allyn's "The Christmas Mitzvah," Max Allan Collins's "Kaddish for the Kid," and Michael Kahn's "Bread of Affliction," in which a lawyer struggles to keep a Holocaust survivor's fortune from neo-Nazis. 2004. BR 15778 ## The Cat Who Went Bananas BR 15794 by Lilian Jackson Braun 2 volumes Pickax City eagerly awaits the theatre club's opening of a play in which Alden Wade, a newcomer in town, is the lead actor. But when a cast member is killed and Siamese cat Koko acts like he's lost his mind, local columnist Jim Qwilleran investigates Wade's past. Bestseller. 2004. BR 15794 ## The Afterlife BR 15796 by Gary Soto 1 volume Chuy, a high school senior, is brutally murdered in a dance club's restroom. Haunting the halls of his alma mater, he learns new things about his friends and relatives and falls in love. Some violence and some strong language. For junior and senior high readers. Americas Award commendation. 2003. BR 15796 ## ### _Books for Children_ The following books were recently produced for the NLS program. To order books, contact your braille-lending library. _Nonfiction_ All about Braille: Reading by Touch; Transportation and Communication BR 15653 by Laura S. Jeffrey 1 volume Discusses Helen Keller, Louis Braille, and other noted blind persons, including mountain climber Erik Weihenmayer and musicians Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder. Provides information on learning braille, using computers with braille displays, and walking with a cane or guide dog. For grades 3-6 and older readers. 2004. BR 15653 ## Ten Holiday Jewish Children's Stories BR 15719 retold by Barbara Goldin 1 volume Highlights traditions that have grown out of Jewish holidays. Includes Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Tu B'Shvat, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot. Each story is accompanied by questions for discussion. For grades 2-4 and older readers. 2000. BR 15719 ## The Coast Mappers BR 15775 by Taylor Morrison 1 volume Tells how George Davidson and other scientists hired by the U.S. Coast Survey in the mid-1800s created nautical charts of California, Oregon, and Washington. Describes their hardships: perilous cliffs,harsh winters, and tense relations with local Indians.Explains surveying techniques and copperplate printing. For grades 4-7. 2004. BR 15775 ## Merlin and the Making of the King BR 15800 retold by Margaret Hodges 1 volume A retelling of three legends, "The Sword in the Stone," "Excalibur," and "The Lady of the Lake," all featuring King Arthur, his knights, and Merlin the magician. For grades 3-6. 2004. BR 15800 ## Secrets of the Sphinx BR 15829 by James Cross Giblin 1 volume Presents the probable history of the five-thousand-year-old Great Sphinx, the enormous sculpture of a pharoah's head on a lion's body that lies near the three pyramids of Giza near Cairo, Egypt. Discusses the difficulties of protecting this stone monument from air pollution. For grades 4-7 and older readers. 2004. BR 15829 ## Everything Dog: What Kids Really Want to Know about Dogs BR 15833 by Marty Crisp 1 volume Addresses over thirty questions concerning dogs collected by the author from kids. Includes "Do dogs ever fall in love?" "Do dogs cry?" "Why aren't dogs supposed to eat chocolate?" and more. Companion to Everything Cat (BR 15834). For grades 3-6. 2003. BR 15833 ## Everything Cat: What Kids Really Want to Know about Cats BR 15834 by Marty Crisp 1 volume Answers to thirty frequent questions about cats, including why cats purr, play with their food, and hate going in the water as well as why their eyes glow in photographs and whether they have nine lives. Companion to Everything Dog (BR 15833). For grades 3-6. 2003. BR 15834 ## The Bremen Town Musicians and Other Animal Tales from Grimm BR 15894 retold by Doris Orgel 1 volume Six folktales about furry and feathered creatures. The title piece tells of older, unwanted animals who travel toward the city, planning to be musicians. On the way they trick a house full of robbers. Includes a biographical note on the Brothers Grimm. For grades K-3 and older readers. 2004. BR 15894 ## ### _Fiction_ The Westing Game BR 15600 by Ellen Raskin 2 volumes An unlikely assortment of friends, relatives, and enemies gathers for the reading of eccentric millionaire Samuel Westing's will after he's murdered in his mansion. Before the heirs can claim their inheritance, however, they must uncover Westing's killer among them. For grades 5-8. Newbery Medal. 1978. BR 15600 ## The Ribbajack and Other Curious Yarns BR 15609 by Brian Jacques 1 volume Six short stories that feature a variety of monstrous creatures by the author of the Redwall series. In the title piece, villainous eleven-year-old Archibald Smifft, abandoned at birth at a boarding school, terrorizes everyone and studies black magic. For grades 5-8. 2004. BR 15609 ## The Grim Grotto: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 11 BR 15610 by Lemony Snicket 2 volumes In this sequel to The Slippery Slope (BR 14932), the Baudelaire orphans' adventures include travel by submarine to an underwater cave in search of a particular sugar bowl sought by the evil Count Olaf. For grades 4-7. 2004. BR 15610 ## Punctuation Takes a Vacation BR 15655 by Robin Pulver 1 volume When all the punctuation marks in Mr. Wright's class decide to take a vacation, the students discover just how difficult life can be without them. For grades K-3. 2003. BR 15655 ## More Perfect than the Moon BR 15693 by Patricia MacLachlan 1 volume Caleb, from Caleb's Story (BR 14100), has turned over the writing of the family journal to eight-year-old Cassie. Cassie is a watcher and a listener, and she can make herself invisible. But she becomes worried when she spends too much time watching her mother, Sarah. For grades 3-6. 2004. BR 15693 ## Millicent Min, Girl Genius BR 15702 by Lisa Yee 2 volumes In a series of journal entries, eleven-year-old prodigy Millicent, who attends high school, records her struggles over the course of one summer to learn to play volleyball, tutor a geeky Chinese boy, and have a best friend. For grades 5-8. 2003. BR 15702 ## Finding My Hat BR 15722 by John Son 1 volume Jin-Han Park recalls growing up from a toddler to a teenager as the son of Korean immigrants who relocate their business from city to city. He tries to fit into American life at school while maintaining his family's traditions. For grades 6-9. 2003. BR 15722 ## The Falconmaster BR 15726 by R.L. La Fevers 1 volume Ten-year-old Wat is rejected by his Norman England village because he has a misshapen foot and only one eye. When he rescues two baby falcons stolen by Lord Sherborne's wicked men, he meets a forest hermit who shelters him and teaches him magic. For grades 4-7. 2003. BR 15726 ## My Not-So-Terrible Time at the Hippie Hotel BR 15728 by Rosemary Graham 2 volumes Fourteen-year-old Tracy and her siblings are dragged by their dad to a Cape Cod vacation inn for divorced families. Tracy has trouble fitting in until she meets a local boy working at a tourist attraction and begins to accept her parents' choices. For grades 6-9. 2003. BR 15728 ## Ghost Light on Graveyard Shoal: American Girl History Mysteries BR 15729 by Elizabeth McDavid Jones 1 volume Glenn Island, Virginia; 1895. Twelve- year-old Rhoda's father operates a U.S. Lifesaving Station where he risks his life to save people from shipwrecks. Rhoda becomes suspicious that someone is luring boats into treacherous waters in order to salvage their bounty, and she searches for the culprit. For grades 4-7. 2003. BR 15729 ## Tripping over the Lunch Lady and Other School Stories BR 15764 edited by Nancy E. Mercado 1 volume A collection of ten humorous short stories about school life. In the title piece, an accident-prone fifth grader, nicknamed Jinx, hopes to excel at square dancing. In "Tied to Zelda," the best athlete in the class is paired with a computer nerd for a three-legged race. For grades 4-7. 2004. BR 15764 ## A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, 1830 32 BR 15774 by Joan W. Blos 1 volume Thirteen-year-old Catherine Hall, a New Hampshire farm girl, keeps a journal of everyday events such as quilting, berrying, and sugaring. She talks of her new stepmother from faraway Boston and reflects on her own daring to help a runaway slave. For grades 5-8 and older readers. Newbery Medal. 1979. BR 15774 ## Rocking Horse Christmas BR 15776 by Mary Pope Osborne 1 volume A boy receives a rocking horse for Christmas that he names Shadow. They experience many rides and wonderful adventures together for several years. But eventually Shadow is retired to the attic until a broken window changes his fate. For preschool-grade 2. 1997. BR 15776 ## The Best Halloween Ever BR 15793 by Barbara Robinson 1 volume The Herdman children create mayhem every year, so the town mayor cancels Halloween and trick-or-treating. Instead, the principal plans a safe, controlled holiday party at school, but underestimates the Herdmans, who make their own plans. For grades 3-6. 2004. BR 15793 ## The Wrath of Mulgarath: The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 5 BR 15798 by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black 1 volume Following The Ironwood Tree (BR 15746), Jared, Simon, and Mallory arrive home to find the house ransacked and Mom missing. Simon's griffin, Byron, catches a hobgoblin, Hogsqueal, who tells them that Mulgarath and his goblins abducted their mother. For grades 2-4. 2004. BR 15798 ## Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince BR 16000 by J.K. Rowling 8 volumes Sequel to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (BR 14705). Harry and his friends return for their sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Evil Voldemort's power increases daily, and Harry encounters a prince. For grades 4-7 and older readers. 2005. BR 16000 ## ### 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