Braille Book Review
March-April 2008
Volume 77, Number 2

_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 2008

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
Newsstand			
The following announcement 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. The item mentioned, however, 
is not part of the NLS program, and its listing does not 
imply endorsement.									

Cell phone reads to blind and dyslexic users
A new cell phone developed by K-NFB Reading Technologies, a 
joint venture of Kurzweil Technologies and the National 
Federation of the Blind, offers the smallest text-to-speech 
reading device available. Users of the pocket-sized K-NFB 
reader, which weighs 4.2 ounces, need only to point the 
cell phone at print material and push a button to activate 
the text-to-speech software.	The cell phone also includes 
features for music playback, a global positioning system 
(GPS), wireless communications, photography, e-mail, text 
messaging, calendars, and more. The device can store 
thousands of files of print materials and may be upgraded 
with additional memory. The phone and its software costs 
between $2,100 and $2,200. For more information visit 
http://knfbreader.com or call 1-877-547-1500.			
	
###
_Books for Adults_
The following books were recently produced for the NLS
program.  To order books, contact your braille-lending
library.
_Note:_  For the information 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
occurrence, as in "some strong language."				
							
Adult Nonfiction

Sky Walking: An Astronaut's Memoir
BR 16597
by Tom Jones
4 volumes
Astronaut describes his eleven years in the NASA program, from training 
experiences to four different space shuttle missions. Provides first-
person accounts of stepping through the ship's airlock into the 
vastness of space, working with Russian cosmonauts, and sharing the 
camaraderie of his fellow astronauts. 2006.
BR 16597
##

Holding Back the Sea: The Struggle on the Gulf Coast to Save America
BR 16607
by Christopher Hallowell
3 volumes
Professor examines the plight of coastal Louisiana wetlands. Attributes 
their decline to sea-level rise, erosion, dredging, and the levee 
system and discusses how special-interest groups have hampered 
preservation efforts. The account, first published in 2001, predicts 
the inevitability and consequences of hurricanes and includes a post-
Hurricane Katrina introduction. 2005.
BR 16607
##

The Bedside Book of Birds: An Avian Miscellany
BR 16608
by Graeme Gibson
2 volumes
A compilation of stories, poems, essays, and scientific observations 
exploring human fascination with birds. Selections span the centuries 
from Aristotle and Ovid to Charles Darwin, Edgar Allan Poe, Peter 
Matthiessen, and Margaret Atwood. Dorothy Hartley explains in "Goose 
Grease" the characteristics and uses of this fat. 2005.
BR 16608
##

A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest 
Traveler
BR 16660
by Jason Roberts
3 volumes
Biography of Englishman James Holman (1786-1857), who was blinded at 
twenty-five after serving in the Napoleonic wars and who then achieved 
fame as a world traveler. Quoting from Holman's memoirs, describes how 
he fought slavery in Africa, survived captivity in Siberia, charted the 
Australian outback, and published three books. 2006.
BR 16660
##

Murder in Tombstone: The Forgotten Trial of Wyatt Earp
BR 16663
by Steven Lubet
3 volumes
Details the Arizona court case that followed the 1881 gunfight at the 
O.K. Corral, in which Wyatt Earp, his brothers, and Doc Holliday faced 
murder charges. Describes how lawyer Thomas Fitch defended Earp at the 
preliminary hearing and saved him from the gallows. 2004.
BR 16663
##

The Nature-Friendly Garden: Creating a Backyard Haven for Plants, 
Wildlife, and People
BR 16677
by Marlene A. Condon
2 volumes
Birds and Blooms magazine field editor's guide to cultivating an 
ecological, low-maintenance garden to serve as a habitat for native 
species. Environmentally conscious techniques stress reducing lawn area 
and eliminating chemicals. Discusses using natural fertilizers and 
pesticides, creating ponds, and observing wildlife. Offers tips for 
elderly and disabled gardeners. 2006.
BR 16677
##

What Caused the Civil War? Reflections on the South and Southern 
History
BR 16836
by Edward L. Ayers
2 volumes
Analyzes the essence of Southern culture and its permeation of American 
society. Essays include topics on the Civil War, Reconstruction, the 
"New South," and Ayers's childhood in segregated Tennessee in the 
1960s. Some strong language. 2005.
BR 16836
##

Soldier: The Life of Colin Powell
BR 16845
by Karen DeYoung
8 volumes
Washington Post reporter interviews retired general Colin Powell to 
chronicle his rise from a son of Jamaican immigrants to U.S. Secretary 
of State. Highlights his army life, which culminated with his role as 
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and explains his decision not to 
run for president. 2006.
BR 16845
##

Seaworthy: Adrift with William Willis in the Golden Age of Rafting
BR 16854
by T.R. Pearson
2 volumes
Chronicles the life of German-born sailor William Willis (1893-1968), 
highlighting his voyages aboard small crafts of his own design and 
construction. Describes his 1954 115-day, trans-Pacific solo journey 
(with a cat and a parrot), during which he endured injuries, ailments, 
storms, and other calamities and survived by drinking seawater. 2006.
BR 16854
##

The Reluctant Mr. Darwin: An Intimate Portrait of Charles Darwin and 
the Making of His Theory of Evolution
BR 16866
by David Quammen
3 volumes
Biography of Charles Darwin (1809-1882) focuses on the two decades in 
England during which the reclusive naturalist developed his 
revolutionary theories following his return in 1836 from the five-year 
data-gathering voyage on the Beagle. Examines the scientific research 
and introspective lifestyle that produced The Origin of Species (BR 
12412) in 1859. 2006.
BR 16866
##

Miracle in the Andes: Seventy-two Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek 
Home
BR 16868
by Nando Parrado
2 volumes
A Uruguayan rugby player recounts surviving the 1972 plane crash that 
is remembered for causing acts of heroism and cannibalism. Discusses 
the physical perils of subzero weather, the group's reaction upon 
hearing that the rescue operation was called off, and the author's hike 
over the mountains for help. 2006.
BR 16868
##

A Hedonist in the Cellar: Adventures in Wine
BR 16869
by Jay McInerney
2 volumes
Novelist's essays on wine, originally published in House and Garden 
magazine. McInerney explores wines from around the world as he travels 
to large and small vineyards in Europe, South America, New Zealand, and 
the United States to taste their wares. 2006.
BR 16869
##

One Hundred Questions and Answers about Overactive Bladder and Urinary 
Incontinence
BR 16873
by Pamela Ellsworth and David A. Gordon
2 volumes
Two urologists provide a guide to help people suffering from overactive 
bladder and urinary incontinence. Discusses these conditions, explains 
their causes and treatment options, and offers tips from actual 
patients. 2005.
BR 16873
##

Uncommon Carriers
BR 16892
by John McPhee
2 volumes
New Yorker staff writer recounts travels with people who transport 
freight: riding coast-to-coast with an eighteen-wheel truck driver, 
cruising the Illinois River with a towboat pilot, and crossing the 
Midwest with a coal train conductor. Discusses a French sea captain 
school, lobster shipments, UPS delivery, and his companions' 
viewpoints. 2006.
BR 16892
##

The Revenge of Gaia: Earth's Climate in Crisis and the Fate of Humanity
BR 16895
by James Lovelock
2 volumes
British scientist who originated the Gaia hypothesis that Earth is a 
super-organism assesses the impact of human activity on the planet. 
Lovelock supports a transition to nuclear energy and advocates 
preparation for inevitable climate and social changes in the twenty-
first century as a result of global warming. 2006.
BR 16895
##

Make Money, Not Excuses: Wake Up, Take Charge, and Overcome Your 
Financial Fears Forever
BR 16920
by Jean Chatzky
3 volumes
Advice for women about short- and long-term investing. Offers four 
basic tips to improve one's immediate monetary picture and to guide 
future spending. Explains financial terminology, stock selection, 
retirement plans, and hiring a financial planner. Includes practical 
guidelines based on experience. 2006.
BR 16920
##

The Heart of a Woman
BR 16950
by Maya Angelou
3 volumes
Angelou continues her memoir following Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' 
Merry like Christmas (BR 16943). Describes her involvement in the 1960s 
civil rights movement and her recollections of activists such as Martin 
Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin. Recounts her affair with 
a South African freedom fighter. 1981.
BR 16950
##

Wild Harmonies: A Life of Music and Wolves
BR 17138
by Hlne Grimaud
2 volumes
French-born concert pianist reflects on her passionate connection to 
music and wolves. Grimaud blends recollections of being a child prodigy 
with commentary on classical music and wolf lore. Describes meeting her 
first wolf in 1991 and establishing a sanctuary in upstate New York for 
her beloved threatened species. 2003.
BR 17138
##

QuickFacts: Prostate Cancer; What You Need to Know-Now
BR 17179
by American Cancer Society
2 volumes
A concise, comprehensive guide to prostate cancer from the American 
Cancer Society. Covers risk factors, causes, prevention, diagnosis, and 
treatment options. Features updates on research, questions men can ask 
their health care team, and such posttreat-ment concerns as follow-up 
care, lifestyle changes, and emotional health. Includes resources. 
2007.
BR 17179
##

The True History of Chocolate
BR 17183
by Sophie D. Coe and Michael D. Coe
3 volumes
Traces the development of processed chocolate from its pre-Columbian 
origins to its modern forms. Explains the steps involved in turning the 
seeds of the cacao plant into a drink. Discusses chocolate's culinary 
transformation in Europe and its evolution from a luxury item to food 
for the masses. 1996.
BR 17183
##

Redemption: The Last Battle of the Civil War
BR 17190
by Nicholas Lemann
3 volumes
Chronicles post-Civil War Reconstruction's degeneration into Jim Crow 
laws. Describes the 1873 Easter Sunday massacre in Colfax, Louisiana, 
and the armed campaign of racial violence. Highlights the attempts of 
former Union general Adelbert Ames, governor of Mississippi, to 
preserve black civil rights. Violence and some strong language. 2006.
BR 17190
##

Barefootin': Life Lessons from the Road to Freedom
BR 17196
by Unita Blackwell
3 volumes
Autobiography of social activist Unita Blackwell (born 1933), 
Mississippi's first female African American mayor. Describes her 
childhood in a poor sharecropping family, her involvement with the 
civil- and human-rights movements, and her political rise. Blackwell 
shares her philosophy to persevere, find meaning, and make a 
difference. 2006.
BR 17196
##

Too Far from Home: A Story of Life and Death in Space
BR 17198
by Chris Jones
3 volumes
Describes the experiences of Americans Don Pettit and Ken Bowersox and 
Russian Nikolai Budarin, astronauts who became stranded on the 
International Space Station after the space shuttle Columbia exploded 
in 2003. Recounts the efforts of mission control in Houston and Moscow 
to rescue them using an old Soyuz rocket. 2007.
BR 17198
##

Mixed: My Life in Black and White
BR 17203
by Angela Nissel
2 volumes
Television producer recalls growing up in the 1970s and 1980s in 
Philadelphia with a white father and a black mother, alternating 
between inner-city and private schools. Describes posing as a Puerto 
Rican, experimenting with black activism, and struggling to find her 
identity separate from stereotypes. Strong language. 2006.
BR 17203
##

###
_Books for Adults_
The following books were recently produced for the NLS
program.  To order books, contact your braille-lending
library.
_Note:_  For the information 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
occurrence, as in "some strong language."				
				
Adult Fiction

The King of Attolia
BR 16604
by Megan Whalen Turner
3 volumes
Eugenides, still known as the Thief (BR 11285) of Eddis, faces palace 
intrigue and assassins while striving to prove himself to the people of 
Attolia and their queen, his new bride. Sequel to The Queen of Attolia 
(BR 13222). For junior and senior high readers. 2006.
BR 16604
##

The Witness
BR 16653
by Dee Henderson
3 volumes
For years Amanda Griffin has been on the run from her dead bookie 
boyfriend's former client, Richard Wise. When Amanda's sisters Marie 
and Tracey-who think Amanda is dead-unexpectedly become millionaires, 
police chief Luke Granger fears for all three women's lives and races 
to find Amanda before Richard does. 2006.
BR 16653
##

Miss Julia Stands Her Ground
BR 16656
by Ann B. Ross
3 volumes
Miss Julia is happily residing with her new spouse Sam, her late 
husband's son Little Lloyd, and his mother Hazel Marie. When Hazel 
Marie's busybody uncle Brother Vernon Puckett doubts Little Lloyd's 
paternity, Miss Julia sets about gathering DNA evidence to prove it. 
2006.
BR 16656
##

Rosebuds
BR 16667
by Margaret Mayhew
2 volumes
Post-World War II England. Flora Middleton and Tally Ashby become 
friends at boarding school despite different backgrounds: Flora is poor 
while Tally is aristocratic. Their bond strengthens through young 
adulthood and first love, but while Tally has her choice of suitors, 
Flora pines hopelessly for Tally's stepbrother, Nicholas. 2004.
BR 16667
##

The Enemy of God
BR 16668
by Robert Daley
3 volumes
Bronx high school friends continue their close relationship into 
adulthood. Gabe becomes a police commander, Andy a reporter, Frank a 
priest, and Earl an assistant district attorney. After Frank commits 
suicide, Gabe and Andy investigate his past to uncover a motive. Some 
violence and some strong language. 2005.
BR 16668
##

Last Night
BR 16669
by James Salter
1 volume
Ten short stories that explore intimate relationships. In the title 
piece an assisted suicide doesn't go as planned. In "Give" a wife's 
birthday wish is for her husband to give up his male lover. Strong 
language. PEN/Faulkner Award. 2005.
BR 16669
##

False Scent: An Inspector Roderick Alleyn Mystery
BR 16835
by Ngaio Marsh
2 volumes
When the beloved "queen of the British theater" is murdered in a cloud 
of perfume, the case literally reeks with likely suspects. It is up to 
Superintendent Roderick Alleyn to sniff out the motives and bring the 
killer to justice. 1960.
BR 16835
##

The Key to Rebecca
BR 16848
by Ken Follett
3 volumes
German spy Alex Wolff steals the British army's secret plans and sends 
them to Rommel using a code whose key lies in the pages of Daphne du 
Maurier's novel Rebecca. British major William Vandam sets out to 
destroy Wolff. Violence, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some 
strong language. 1980.
BR 16848
##

You, Maybe: The Profound Asymmetry of Love in High School
BR 16861
by Rachel Vail
2 volumes
Fifteen-year-old sophomore Josie is strong and independent until 
popular jock Carson charms her and she falls in love. But shortly after 
they begin dating, Carson dumps Josie for his former girlfriend-leaving 
Josie brokenhearted. For junior and senior high readers. 2006.
BR 16861
##

Next
BR 16884
by Michael Crichton
3 volumes
Cancer survivor Frank Burnet and his daughter and grandson are targets 
of an unscrupulous drug company that wants to profit from their unique 
disease-fighting genes. Meanwhile other genetic-engineering experiments 
involving a boy/chimpanzee hybrid and a talking parrot have gone awry. 
Strong language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2006.
BR 16884
##

Second Honeymoon
BR 16887
by Joanna Trollope
3 volumes
Londoner Russell Boyd, hoping to reconnect with his wife, is ecstatic 
when the last of his three children leaves home. Meanwhile, wife Edie 
suffers from empty-nest syndrome but resurrects her acting career. When 
Matt, Rosa, and Ben experience setbacks and return home, the parents 
rethink their situation. 2006.
BR 16887
##

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
BR 16896
by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
2 volumes
Strangers Nick and Norah meet at a punk-rock club and experience a 
night of adventure. Nick, a musician, has just had a painful breakup 
with his girlfriend, and brokenhearted Norah also needs reassurance. 
The two romp through Manhattan and fall in love. Strong language. For 
senior high readers. 2006.
BR 16896
##

Scrambled Eggs at Midnight
BR 16921
by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler
2 volumes
Calliope travels around the country with her nomadic, jewelry-making 
mother, while Eliot lives at a North Carolina Christian fat farm run by 
his born-again father. The two fifteen-year-olds meet and fall in love 
as they struggle to grow up. For senior high readers. 2006.
BR 16921
##

The Interpretation of Murder
BR 16926
by Jed Rubenfeld
3 volumes
New York City, 1909. A serial killer is targeting the city's wealthiest 
heiresses. Dr. Stratham Younger enlists the help of his idol Sigmund 
Freud after Nora Acton survives an attack but develops hysteria. The 
two analysts try to unlock her memories while they investigate the 
crimes. Some violence. 2006.
BR 16926
##

Size Twelve Is Not Fat: A Heather Wells Mystery
BR 16949
by Meg Cabot
3 volumes
To keep her Greenwich Village flat, former pop idol Heather Wells 
balances two jobs: working for her PI housemate Cooper Cartwright (her 
secret crush) and serving as an assistant college dorm director. When a 
female freshman dies suspiciously, Heather undertakes another vocation-
spunky girl detective. Some strong language. 2006.
BR 16949
##

Soldier of Sidon
BR 17111
by Gene Wolfe
2 volumes
Latro, an amnesiac Roman centurion, records each day's events in his 
journal as he tries to rediscover his identity. Latro finds himself in 
Egypt, where Prince Achaemenes sends him on a mission down the Nile to 
the legendary land of Nubia. Sequel to Soldier of Arete (BR 08672). 
2006.
BR 17111
##

No Safe Place
BR 17112
by JoAnn Ross
3 volumes
Chicago homicide detective Kate Delaney begins her own investigation 
into the death of her estranged twin in New Orleans after the local 
cops fail to pursue the truth. She enlists the help of a private 
investigator, ex-cop Nick Broussard. Strong language, some explicit 
descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2007.
BR 17112
##

The Space between Us
BR 17123
by Thrity Umrigar
3 volumes
Bombay. Parallel life experiences cause wealthy widow Sera and her 
impoverished, dutiful servant Bhima to form a bond, despite class 
differences. But when Sera tries to help Bhima solve a family problem, 
Sera's son-in-law undermines the women's trust in each other. Some 
descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2005.
BR 17123
##

In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly 
Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber; a Bloody Jack Adventure
BR 17126
by L.A. Meyer
4 volumes
Boston, 1805. Jacky Faber and her classmates are kidnapped while on a 
school outing to the harbor. Transported in the hold of the Bloodhound 
bound for the slave markets of North Africa, Jacky plots escape. Sequel 
to Under the Jolly Roger (BR 16476). For junior and senior high 
readers. 2006.
BR 17126
##

Thanksgiving Night
BR 17129
by Richard Bausch
4 volumes
Eccentric old ladies Holly and Fiona connect relatives and friends in 
small town Point Royal, Virginia. As Thanksgiving approaches, various 
unresolved issues surface for Holly's son and daughter-in-law, for 
local priest Father John, and for widowed handyman Oliver. Strong 
language and some descriptions of sex. 2006.
BR 17129
##

Sun Kissed: The Coulter Family, Book 7
BR 17132
by Catherine Anderson
3 volumes
Rancher Samantha Harrigan and veterinarian Tucker Coulter meet while 
protecting a horse from its drunk, owner. When her own horses are 
poisoned, Samantha suspects her ex-husband. But authorities think that 
Samantha-the insurance beneficiary-is involved. Tucker helps prove her 
innocence. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 
Bestseller. 2007.
BR 17132
##

Weep No More, My Lady
BR 17133
by Mary Higgins Clark
3 volumes
Elizabeth Lange checks into a glitzy Pebble Beach, California, spa to 
unwind before she must testify at the murder trial of multimillionaire 
Ted Winters, the man accused of killing her sister-his fiance-actress 
Leila LaSalle. Shocked to find Ted there, Elizabeth sets out to uncover 
the truth of Leila's death. 1987.
BR 17133
##

The Light of Evening
BR 17137
by Edna O'Brien
2 volumes
On her death bed in a Dublin hospital, Dilly recalls her brief 
immigration to America in the 1920s and the accompanying love affair, 
her return to Ireland, her marriage, and motherhood. Meanwhile her 
daughter Eleanora, a divorced writer living in England, regrets her own 
missed happiness. 2006.
BR 17137
##

Dumb Witness: A Hercule Poirot Mystery
BR 17146
by Agatha Christie
2 volumes
Belgian detective Hercule Poirot receives a two-month-old letter from 
wealthy spinster Emily Arundell requesting his investigative 
assistance. Upon arriving at her estate, Poirot discovers Miss Arundell 
has died. Convinced of foul play, Poirot compiles a list of suspects, 
including Miss Arundell's spendthrift brother and her meek companion. 
1937.
BR 17146
##

Size Fourteen Is Not Fat Either: A Heather Wells Mystery
BR 17176
by Meg Cabot
3 volumes
New York City. Dorm advisor Heather Wells, a former pop singer, has her 
hands full when a resident is murdered, her ex-fianc insists she 
attend his wedding, and her father is released from prison. Heather 
uncovers fraternity secrets while lusting for her landlord, Cooper-her 
ex's brother. Some strong language. 2006.
BR 17176
##

Restoring Grace
BR 17184
by Katie Fforde
3 volumes
Divorce Grace takes in artist and single mother-to-be Ellie as a 
boarder at the old English mansion she inherited from her aunt. The 
women become friends and begin renovations with some distractions from 
wine-shop owner Flynn Cormack and from the discovery of potentially 
valuable paintings. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 
2004.
BR 17184
##

Murder on the Ballarat Train: A Phryne Fisher Mystery
BR 17188
by Kerry Greenwood
2 volumes
Australia, 1928. Private detective Phryne Fisher saves all but one of 
her fellow first-class train passengers from death by chloroform 
poisoning. Elderly Mrs. Henderson has been murdered and a teenage 
female is discovered, suffering from amnesia. Phryne is hired to 
investigate. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1991.
BR 17188
##

The Man from Stone Creek
BR 17193
by Linda Lael Miller
3 volumes
1903. Ranger Sam O'Ballivan has come to Haven, Arizona, to catch a band 
of rustlers. Posing as the new schoolteacher, he has a bunch of unruly 
kids to put in order, including the brother of charming postmistress, 
Maddie Chancelor. Explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2006.
BR 17193
##

The Dragon in Lyonesse
BR 17197
by Gordon R. Dickson
4 volumes
Dark powers threaten the magical, medieval land of Lyonesse, home to 
King Arthur's legendary Round Table knights. Sir Jim Eckert, a 
transplanted twentieth-century scholar, and his friends offer 
assistance, but the knights are reluctant to accept help. Sequel to The 
Dragon and the Gnarly King (BR 16716). 1998.
BR 17197
##

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

Children's Nonfiction

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
BR 16851
by Howard Pyle
3 volumes
Recounts the legend of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws-including 
Little John, Friar Tuck, and Allan a Dale-who plunder the rich to help 
the poor. Describes mistakenly poaching the king's deer and Sherwood 
Forest escapades against their enemy the Sheriff of Nottingham. For 
grades 6-9 and older readers. 1883.
BR 16851
##

Valentine's Day Is . . . .
BR 16905
by Gail Gibbons
1 volume
Discusses the customs celebrated on February 14, the day of friendship 
and love. Explains the origins of the holiday, reveals why the heart is 
the symbol of Valentine's Day, and describes how to make a valentine. 
For grades K-3. 2006.
BR 16905
##

A Drop of Water
BR 17016
by Gordon Morrison
1 volume
A drop of water on a child's fingertip leads to the exploration of its 
source, from clouds to rainwater flowing down the mountain. Describes 
the animals and flowers at the places where water passes through woods 
and ponds to reach the child. Includes nature notes. PRINT/BRAILLE. For 
grades K-3. 2006.
BR 17016
##

Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant and Other Poems
BR 17023
by Jack Prelutsky
1 volume
Poems about whimsical animals: ballpoint penguins, pop-up toadsters, 
shoehornets, a clocktopus, and tearful zipperpotamuses. The lucky 
umbrella-phant-an elephant whose trunk ends in an umbrella-is always 
shaded from the sun and shielded from the rain. PRINT/BRAILLE. For 
grades 2-4. 2006.
BR 17023
##

The Three Witches
BR 17024
retold by Joyce Carol Thomas
1 volume
Three fierce, tricky witches are determined to eat a brother and 
sister, who are home alone. But the witches are outsmarted by a good 
snake, the two children, their brave grandma, and her three hound dogs. 
Adapted from a folktale collected by Zora Neale Hurston. PRINT/BRAILLE. 
For grades K-3. 2006.
BR 17024
##

Kids to Space: A Space Traveler's Guide
BR 17087
by Lonnie Jones Schorer
6 volumes
Students aged three to eighteen ask questions about planning a trip to 
the moon or a future orbiting hotel. More than eighty experts provide 
the answers on traveling and living in outer space. Covers astronauts, 
space exploration, and going into space with disabilities. For grades 
5-8 and older readers. 2006.
BR 17087
##

El Salvador
BR 17142
by Erin Foley and Rafiz Hapipi
1 volume
An overview of Central America's smallest country. Describes the 
geography and environment of El Salvador and the culture, lifestyle, 
religion, and cuisine of its people. Also examines the country's 
turbulent history involving Spanish conquest and civil war, as well as 
twenty-first-century political and economic practices. For grades 5-8. 
2005.
BR 17142
##

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly
BR 17206
by Gail Carson Levine
1 volume
Newbery Honor author of fiction provides advice, tips, and exercises to 
encourage aspiring writers. Covers story writing-from coming up with an 
idea and developing characters and plot to finding a publisher. 
Recommends practicing a lot and saving everything you write. For grades 
5-8. 2006.
BR 17206
##

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

Children's Fiction

Peter Pan in Scarlet
BR 16889
by Geraldine McCaughrean
2 volumes
England, 1926. A now-grown-up Mrs. Wendy realizes that dreams are 
leaking out of Neverland. Fearing for Peter Pan's life, Wendy and the 
Lost Boys return to Neverland with fairy Fire-flyer's assistance. 
Authorized sequel to Peter Pan (BR 15663)-the boy who never grows up. 
For grades 5-8. 2006.
BR 16889
##

Anne's House of Dreams: Anne of Green Gables, Book 5
BR 16891
by L.M. Montgomery
2 volumes
When Anne's sweetheart Gilbert finishes medical school, they marry and 
move into a little house of their own. The two experience joy and 
heartbreak as they begin a family. Sequel to Anne of Windy Poplars (BR 
07430). For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1917.
BR 16891
##

Hatching Magic
BR 16893
by Ann Downer
2 volumes
When a thirteenth-century wizard seeking his lost pet dragon lands in 
twenty-first-century Boston, he is trailed by a rival wizard and a very 
unhappy demon. But eleven-year-old Theodora Oglethorpe may hold the 
secret to setting everything right. For grades 4-7. 2003.
BR 16893
##

Aggie and Ben: Three Stories
BR 16901
by Lori Ries
1 volume
Ben's father surprises him with a trip to the pet shop. After looking 
at all the animals, Ben chooses a dog and names her Aggie. At home Ben 
plays with Aggie until bedtime. Easy beginning chapter book. For 
preschool-grade 2. 2006.
BR 16901
##

Henry and Mudge: The First Book of Their Adventures
BR 16902
by Cynthia Rylant
1 volume
Henry's parents agree to give their only child a puppy named Mudge, 
which quickly grows to 180 pounds. Henry and Mudge are constant 
companions, except for one day when Mudge is lost. For grades K-3. 
1987.
BR 16902
##

The Prophet of Yonwood
BR 16948
by Jeanne DuPrau
2 volumes
Yonwood, North Carolina. Eleven-year-old Nickie figures out how to 
identify both good and evil when she witnesses the townspeople's 
reactions to the apocalyptic visions of their neighbor, Althea Tower. 
Prequel to City of Ember (BR 15120) and People of Sparks (BR 15562). 
For grades 5-8. 2006.
BR 16948
##

Love, Ruby Valentine
BR 17025
by Laurie Friedman
1 volume
After Ruby Valentine and her feathered friend Lovebird wear themselves 
out preparing cards and treats for Ruby's favorite day of the year, 
they sleep right through Valentine's Day. But Ruby discovers that 
saying "I love you!" is appreciated any day. Rhymed text. 
PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2006.
BR 17025
##

The White Ram: A Story of Abraham and Isaac
BR 17026
by Mordicai Gerstein
1 volume
On the sixth day of Creation, God made a white ram. After a long wait 
in the Garden of Eden, God sent this ram to be a sacrifice in place of 
Isaac, Abraham's only son. On Rosh Hashanah, a ram's horn is blown in 
remembrance. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2006.
BR 17026
##

John, Paul, George, and Ben
BR 17028
by Lane Smith
1 volume
Describes five little lads before they became founding fathers-John 
Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas 
Jefferson. Were their special personality traits annoying, even 
mischievous-or were they valuable in American history? A true-or-false 
section sets the record straight. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades 2-4. 2006.
BR 17028
##

The Moneylender's Daughter: The House of Windjammer, Book 2
BR 17127
by V.A. Richardson
3 volumes
1637. Young Adam Windjammer confronts danger in the New World as he 
tries to restore his family's fortune. Meanwhile in Amsterdam, 
moneylender's daughter Jade van Helsen struggles against her father's 
control and an arranged marriage. Sequel to The House of Windjammer (BR 
15467). For grades 6-9. 2006.
BR 17127
##

Wind Rider
BR 17131
by Susan Williams
2 volumes
Prehistoric Asia. Fern rescues an orphaned horse stuck in a bog and 
startles her community by being the first to tame and ride a horse. 
When she enters puberty at fourteen, Fern rejects tradition and refuses 
a marriage suitor, nearly losing her life for that decision. For grades 
6-9. 2006.
BR 17131
##

A True and Faithful Narrative
BR 17139
by Katherine Sturtevant
2 volumes
London, 1680s. Wooed by her friend's brother Edward, sixteen-year-old 
Meg, the writer heroine of At the Sign of the Star (BR 14089), jokingly 
suggests he get himself captured by pirates. But she is chagrined when 
Edward is indeed taken prisoner and enslaved en route to Italy. For 
grades 6-9. 2006.
BR 17139
##

Dragon of the Red Dawn: Magic Tree House, Book 37
BR 17147
by Mary Pope Osborne
1 volume
Merlin the magician is feeling old and full of sorrows, so siblings 
Annie and Jack time travel to ancient, feudal Japan to find one of the 
four secrets of happiness. In the land of the samurai, Annie and Jack 
find Basho, the haiku poet. For grades 2-4. 2007.
BR 17147
##

Nobody's Boy
BR 17148
by Jennifer Fleischner
1 volume
St. Louis, Missouri; 1850s. Lizzy, mother of thirteen-year-old George, 
is a good seamstress and works to buy their freedom. Meanwhile, the 
owner of George's friend William wants to sell William to cover debts. 
George needs a plan to help William escape before it is too late. For 
grades 5-8. 2006.
BR 17148
##

Kit Saves the Day-A Summer Story: An American Girl, Book 5
BR 17154
by Valerie Tripp
1 volume
Fifteen-year-old Will, a hobo, picks beans in Kit's garden in exchange 
for a meal. His adventures hopping freight trains inspire Kit to try 
it. But winding up in jail was not in her plans. Sequel to Happy 
Birthday, Kit! (BR 17186). For grades 3-6. 2001.
BR 17154
##

Anne of the Island: Anne of Green Gables, Book 3
BR 17189
by L.M. Montgomery
2 volumes
Anne's world changes as she leaves Prince Edward Island for college. 
Her childhood friends are marrying, but while Anne hopes for love, it 
seems to elude her. Includes biography of Montgomery by Caroline Parry. 
Sequel to Anne of Avonlea (BR 07431). For grades 5-8 and older readers. 
1915.
BR 17189
##

Kit's Surprise-A Christmas Story: An American Girl, Book 3
BR 17194
by Valerie Tripp
1 volume
Kit is not looking forward to Christmas when her family has so many 
money troubles. She even has a fight with her best friend, Ruthie. But, 
unexpectedly, helping grouchy uncle Hendrick solves some of her 
problems. Sequel to Kit Learns a Lesson (BR 17175). For grades 3-6. 
2000.
BR 17194
##

The Tenth City: The Land of Elyon, Book 3
BR 17195
by Patrick Carman
1 volume
Only hours after Beyond the Valley of Thorns (BR 16581) ends, Alexa and 
her friends escape the Dark Tower. Forces are aligning for the final 
battle, and Alexa holds the fate of Elyon in her hands. For grades 4-7. 
2006.
BR 17195
##

Criss Cross
BR 17209
by Lynne Rae Perkins
2 volumes
Debbie-introduced in All Alone in the Universe (BR 17185)-wishes 
something good would happen to her. She and other young teens in her 
hometown experience new thoughts and feelings, question their 
identities, and connect and disconnect as they search for meaning in 
life and love. For grades 6-9. Newbery Medal. 2005.
BR 17209
##

The Deaf Musicians
BR 17245
by Pete Seeger and Paul DuBois Jacobs
1 volume
Jazz pianist Lee is asked to leave his band when he loses his hearing. 
At sign language class, Lee meets Max who plays the sax. Riding the 
subway together, they form a new band with a big audience. 
PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3 and older readers. Schneider Family Book 
Award. 2006.
BR 17245
##

Great Big Guinea Pigs
BR 17246
by Susan L. Roth
1 volume
A tame pet guinea pig tells her child a bedtime story about their 
ancestors: giant 1,500-pound guinea pigs that roamed the swamp in 
Venezuela eight million years ago. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2006.
BR 17246
##

On the Wings of Heroes
BR 17276
by Richard Peck
1 volume
Davy Bowman remembers the home-front years in Illinois during World War 
II, especially his two heroes-his nineteen-year-old brother, who is in 
the Air Force, and his father, who was injured in the previous war. 
Boyhood misadventures mix with scrap drives, shortages, and the dread 
of telegrams. For grades 5-8. 2007.
BR 17276
##

###
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
###