Braille Book Review January-February 2008 Volume 77, 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 2007 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, August/September 2007, volume 3, issue 8 Production of digital cartridge approaches Step by step, each piece of the digital system is coming to fruition for patrons. One area of major progress is the cartridge, which will house the digital book. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, has finalized the cartridge design and is currently preparing to contract for production. To some, designing a cartridge is a seemingly mundane manufacturing process. But designing a cartridge for blind and physically handicapped patrons is no easy task, as it requires truly unique design and testing methods. In fact, products for NLS patrons typically undergo more rigorous usability testing than most commercial consumer products. The production plan Cartridge production is a multiphase process. Developers approach each stage of production with a strong dedication to meeting patron's needs for the cartridge. The first step is to finalize its interior design. While the cartridge's functional requirements have been determined, some internal components—such as circuitry and software—will be defined by the manufacturer. Once the internal components are designed, the manufacturer will build cartridge prototypes. The prototypes will then undergo testing to ensure they meet NLS specifications and that they function properly. Next the manufacturer will develop production line tooling—the metal mold that plastic is poured into to form the cartridge's casing. Before full production begins, the manufacturer will conduct verification tests on prototypes. These tests will evaluate whether the cartridge meets requirements for mechanical tolerance, electrical specifications, and the Federal Communication Commission's requirements for electromagnetic compatibility. These evaluations ensure that each aspect of the device performs optimally for patrons that will use it. Testing will also assess whether books can be recorded to the cartridge at a predetermined speed, which will be evaluated again while titles are actually duplicated onto cartridges. This helps assure that the books read properly. Additionally the cartridge must be able to rerecord a minimum number of times and meet durability requirements, which specify the number of times it should withstand insertion into the player. These steps will help ensure that the cartridge meets patrons' needs. Full production of the cartridge is slated to begin in the spring of 2008. NLS anticipates producing 17,500 cartridges in the initial run and between one to two million cartridges each year into the future. Libraries within the NLS network, as well as other organizations, will be able to buy blank cartridges to record local or specialty books for their readers. Blank cartridges will be available once full production starts. Benefits for patrons A lot of care went into designing a cartridge that would be fully accessible to patrons. The cartridge was designed to be easily inserted into the player, especially for readers with reduced dexterity. It has beveled edges as well as a large finger hole in the corner which will make it easier to grip and load into the player. Its wedge design allows it to be inserted into the player in only one direction. It was also important to NLS that all users found the cartridge's label readable. For that reason, the label includes both braille and large- print characters. The cartridge has many other benefits that will enhance patrons' reading experience. It will deliver crisper, clearer audio quality. One cartridge will hold most titles, which adds extra convenience to the reading experience. The cartridge also plays through on one side; there's no need to flip the cartridge like one would with a cassette tape. Readers will also enjoy the cartridge's improved navigation features. Once inserted into an advanced player, the cartridge has markers that will track exactly where patrons are in the book, allowing the patron to pick up right where he or she left off. The cartridge's compact design also offers users greater portability. Unlike bulky cassettes, the cartridge is about the size of a credit card. The device will also be more reliable, since it has no moving parts to risk breaking and repairing. Unlike cassettes, it also has no tapes to tangle. Patrons will find the cartridge to be extremely durable. To ensure the cartridges hold up to patron use and transit, they were subjected to intense durability testing. Cartridges were exposed to extreme temperatures to confirm they would not melt, freeze, crack, or become unusable. They were also dropped from varying heights onto different surfaces to verify they would not break, chip, or scratch. The cartridge will also serve patrons longer. Since flash memory is rewritable, the cartridge can be reused many times to load new books onto it. This capability makes it very cost efficient for libraries as well. Patrons will enjoy the flexibility the digital book has to offer. Using a USB flash drive, users will be able to download books onto their personal computers. They can essentially build a library of their favorite titles. All of the digital system's features will empower patrons and take their reading experience to the next level. Patrons will ultimately get more out of the talking-book program than ever before. A look back The journey to produce a cartridge beneficial to all users was a long one, but essential in delivering an optimal result. Considerable time was spent to systematically design, develop, and test all the cartridge's features. The process started with a series of user-needs tests to reveal the qualities and features patrons desired most in a digital talking-book medium. User-needs tests were followed by a series of usability tests to refine cartridge models and prototypes and to test the functionality of the device. Most notably, the preliminary design review conducted in June 2006 tested the cartridge's usability, portability, and durability. The design review team examined the ease of handling and inserting the cartridge. It also reviewed the adequacy of its large-print and braille labeling. The next stage in the development process was to produce functional prototypes. These also went through usability testing in September 2006. Patrons validated the cartridge's design through numerous tests under real-world reading scenarios in homes, libraries, and retirement centers. Further usability testing was conducted in February 2007. This past spring, the cartridge's technical specifications were finalized during engineering design review and critical design review. While the digital transition has been a lengthy process, patrons can be sure that the product will be worth the wait. ### Flash, October 2007, volume 3, issue 9 Library of Congress expands digital download pilot The digital download project, launched in October 2006, has evolved well beyond the hopes of its architects. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, recently expanded the download project's scope, allowing more patrons to participate in downloading and reading digital talking books and offering those patrons improved services. The project has also shifted its focus from testing the usability of digital audiobooks to now concentrating on optimizing the functionality of the download web site. As the download project improves, so too will the capabilities offered by the download project when it officially launches in late 2008. This effort is the second stage in a three-phase process to implement a digital system. The first stage involves replicating the current program with mail order digital books. This is followed by finalizing the digital download project, which is a new feature of the NLS program. The third stage is focused on duplication-on-demand, whereby digital titles are produced when requested by users. Cartridges are recycled during this process, making it a very cost efficient mode. "More patrons now have a voice in shaping the digital download program. We will utilize patron comments and the lessons learned during this experimental effort to build a robust download program," said NLS research and development officer Neil Bernstein. Patron comments are essential to improving the download program, which is why NLS recently relaxed the pilot's enrollment requirements. To date six hundred patrons participate. Patrons enrolling in the program must be active readers in good standing, have access to a commercially available digital player compatible with NLS materials, have an e-mail address, and have access to a high-speed Internet connection. Interested eligible patrons must fill out an online application at www.nlstalkingbooks.org/dtb. Once NLS confirms their eligibility, patrons may set up a username and password and learn how to download digital books. The player's manufacturer will also be notified to provide the patrons with the authorization key to activate their players. When these steps are completed, patrons will be able to download a title from NLS's download site to their computers, and from their computers to commercial flash cards, which can then be inserted into the players for reading. Pilot improvements The download program offers patrons instant access to more titles than ever before. The download collection has grown to more than seven thousand books and thirteen magazines and includes children's titles and Spanish-language books. NLS recently added books converted from analog tape masters, whereas before the site only featured materials originally recorded in digital format. Larger books are also offered. On August 31, NLS revamped the existing download web site. The robust new venue offers patrons more features to improve their digital download experience. Users can set their preferences, such as e-mail addresses or passwords, password recovery features, and the number of search results displayed. An intelligent web site, it automatically recognizes newly posted materials and makes these available to patrons. It also offers technical support. The web site embodies various administrative functions used by NLS staff who manage the project. These functions are not accessible to patrons. For example, the web site will generate and e-mail circulation statistics to libraries on a monthly basis. The statistics, specific to each library, will include the monthly total of patrons who are using the download program as well as a breakdown of the numbers of downloaded books and magazines. Libraries may also access download circulation figures. The site shares information among libraries, NLS, and third-party hardware vendors. NLS employees, with the help of this interactive web site, process applications, send authorization e-mails to new enrollees, and notify the network when they are approved to participate. NLS also notifies the digital player distributor to activate the patron's player. While the web site has improved, it is still a work in progress. It will be enhanced continually until the final web site is launched in late 2008. Patron input is crucial at this stage. The first improvement will be to add page numbers to each page of search listings. Rather than listing search results in one continuous page, patrons will jump from page to page. Users will also have the option of receiving automatic daily or weekly notifications of new titles added to the site. Eventually the site will offer access to all NLS digital resources, such as Web-Braille. Patrons enjoy independence Participant input on the digital download project is overwhelmingly positive. Though patrons are no longer required to complete a survey for each title they read, they continue to be very vocal on the web site's message board and in e-mails to NLS. Because the digital project is no longer focused on evaluating the usability of digital books and players, input now relates to the operation and content of the download web site. Patrons praise both the download concept as well as its web site. They enjoy the instant access to titles, and find downloading titles more convenient than mail order. The scope and range of choice is also significant: one participant remarked, "I feel as though I am in a library for the first time in my life." Other participants praised the detail and care that went into developing an accessible web site: "My compliments to all of you involved in this project. The site is well organized and easy to use. Obviously thought has been given to the bandwidth required for a site of this nature. This project will be a great boon to many of us." Patrons also value the sense of independence and connection afforded by downloadable reading. One participant considers the downloadable book to be "a revolutionary opportunity… to those of us wanting to be current on the news, needing the same extensive level of information to live life independently and successfully as sighted folks do." According to Bernstein, one of the greatest benefits of the talking-book program, and especially the download initiative, is empowerment. "That's what we do at NLS, we promote patrons' ability to serve themselves," said Bernstein. Digital talking-book (DB) milestones Completed --Defined and prioritized DB features --Coordinated development and publication of Specifications for the Digital Talking Book (ANSI/NISO Z39.86) --Simulated a DB 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 DB production and presentation --Developed software to test conformance of players and DBs with the ANSI/NISO standard --Conducted user survey --Conducted player transition study --Conducted distribution flash-cartridge study --Awarded player and flash-cartridge design contract --Awarded distribution-system design contract --Acquired distribution-system design contract Phase I and II --Conducted preliminary design review --Developed player and flash-cartridge --Designed DB containers and labels --Concluded Web-Magazine pilot --Launched Web-Book pilot --Designed digital data management system --Contracted flash cartridge In process --Distribution-system implementation --Flash-cartridge production --Flash-cartridge duplication --Initial lot of DB containers and labels manufactured --Full player production 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/businessplan2006.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 21–23, 2008. Representatives from consumer organizations: American Council of the Blind (ACB) Cindy Van Winkle 6686 Capricorn Lane, N.E. Bremerton, WA 98311 cindy.vw@msn.com Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) Pete Davis 615 South Adams Street Arlington, VA 22204 lottie.pete@verizon.net National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Anil Lewis 315 West Ponce De Leon Avenue, Suite 603 Decatur, GA 30030 alewis@nfbga.org Readers-at-large: Midlands Region—includes: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. Teresa Haifley 414 South 3rd Avenue Washington, Iowa 52353-1502 teresahaifley@iowatelecom.net Northern Region—includes: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia. Randy Pierce 109 E. Glenwood Street Nashua, NH 03060 alaric02@sprynet.com Southern Region—includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Virgin Islands. Lula M. Brooks 723 Egret Bluff Lane Jacksonville, FL 32211 jerryr@coj.net (Write "For Lula Brooks" in subject line.) Western Region—includes: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Donna Ryan 1237 W. Granite Street Butte, MT 59701 cliffhouse@in-tch.com Librarians: Midlands René Perrance Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library 388 SE 6th Avenue Faribault, MN 55021-6340 (507) 333-4828; fax (507) 333-4832 rene.perrance@state.mn.us Northern Carol A. Taylor Connecticut State Library Library for the Blind and Handicapped 198 West Street Rocky Hill, CT 06067 (860) 721-2020; fax (860) 721-2056 lbph@cslib.org Southern Patricia Schubert Manatee Talking Book Library 6081 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 (941) 742-5914 or (941) 484-0308 fax (941) 751-7098 patricia.schubert@mymanatee.org Western Scott Scholz Nebraska Library Commission Talking Book and Braille Service The Atrium 1200 N. Street, Suite 120 Lincoln, NE 68508-2023 (402) 471-6553 sscholz@nlc.state.ne.us Children's/Young Adult Rachel Gould Braille and Talking Book Library Perkins School for the Blind 175 North Beacon Street Watertown, MA 02472-2790 (617) 972-7240; fax (617) 972-7363 rachel.gould@perkins.org ### 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. 2008 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 800-223-1839 (502) 899-2274 fax info@aph.org www.aph.org/products/index.html Accepts orders by mail, telephone, or fax. -Braille DateBook/Calendar in a two-ring binder. Calendar has tabbed pages of durable plastic. Catalog no. 1-07899-08, $63. Calendar replacement pages, catalog no. 1-07898-08, $15. Filler paper and extra tabs, catalog no. 1-07897-08, $10. -Large-print/braille (36 point) APH InSights Art 8-1/2 x 11-inch calendar. Includes holidays and moon phases. Features selected art from the APH juried competition. Catalog no. 5-18971-08, $7.50. -Large-print (60 point) E-Z track low-vision calendar and appointment book in a three-ring binder. Each page enumerates and holds space for four days of the month, with room for notes. Calendar with binder, catalog no. 1-07900-08, $29.75. Inserts only, catalog no. 1-07901-08, $25.75. -Large-print/braille everyday activities calendar in a three-ring binder with color dividers between each month, two days per page. Calendar can be used year after year. For children ages three to eight. Catalog no. 1-08121-00, $58. The Big Type Company W136 N5265 Campbell Court Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 800-933-1711 (262) 783-6599 fax plastikoiplus@mindspring.com www.bigtype.bigstep.com Accepts prepaid orders by mail, telephone, or online. -Large-print (42 point) month-at-a-glance desk calendar. Opens up to 11 x 17 inches. Includes space for notes or appointments. $11.50. Braille Institute Universal Media Services 741 North Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90029 800-272-4553 pmansinne@brailleinstitute.org www.universalmediaservices.org/PublicationsforSale/Calendar.htm Accepts orders by telephone or online. -Large-print/braille (18 point) monthly 8-3/4 x 11-inch wall or desk calendar. Includes holiday listings and space for braille notes. $5. Cleveland Sight Center Eye-dea Shop 1909 East 101st Street P.O. Box 1988 Cleveland, OH 44106-8696 (216) 791-8118, ext. 278 877-776-9563, ext. 278 e-commerce@clevelandsightcenter.com www.eyedeashop.com Accepts orders by mail, telephone, or online. -Large-print wall calendar. Opens up to 17 x 22 inches. Includes a bold-tip pen. Catalog no. 026-CA001-L, $10. Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted, M.D., Center for the Visually Impaired 1170 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14209-0398 (716) 882-1025, ext. 241 (716) 882-5577 fax dgipson@olmstedcenter.org www.olmstedcenter.org/Home/Services/ResourceCenter Accepts prepaid orders by mail. -Braille 5-1/2 x 8-1/2-inch desk calendar with two days per page and dividers for each month, $46.97. Refills, $38.99. JBI International 110 East 30th Street New York, NY 10016 (212) 889-2525 800-433-1531 (212) 689-3692 fax library@jbilibrary.org www.jbilibrary.org Accepts requests by e-mail, fax, mail, or telephone. -Large-print (18 point) 5768/2008 Jewish reference calendar. A sixteen- month listing that opens up to 17 x 11 inches. Also available in braille and audiocassette formats. Free. The Lighthouse of Houston Attn: Reflections, The Lighthouse Store 3602 West Dallas Houston, TX 77019 (713) 284-8466 (713) 284-8451 fax reflections@houstonlighthouse.org www.houstonlighthouse.org Accepts prepaid orders by mail, fax, telephone, or online. -Large-print (36 point) 11 x 17-inch wall calendar. Catalog no. 1400, $5.00. 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. -Braille 8-1/2 x 11-inch Scripture calendar. Features a Bible verse each month. Also available as a large-print (21 point) 8-1/2 x 14-inch edition. Free. Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund 3500 North Elm Road Jackson, MI 49201 (517) 780-5096 (734) 668-1094 fax www.mi-braille.com Accepts requests by fax or telephone. -Large-print/braille 6-1/4 x 3-3/4-inch purse-size, spiral-bound calendar. Includes a separate listing of major holidays. Free. National Federation of the Blind Independence Market 1800 Johnson Street Baltimore, MD 21230 (410) 659-9314, ext. 2216 (410) 685-2340 fax IndependenceMarket@nfb.org http://secure.nfb.org/ecommerce/asp/default.asp Accepts requests by e-mail, fax, mail, or telephone. -Braille 6 x 6-1/2-inch calendar. Features one page per month, a personal day page, and a listing of major holidays. Catalog no. BBC08- B, free. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Library of Congress Attn: Reference Section Washington, DC 20542 (202) 707-9275 800-424-8567 nlsref@loc.gov www.loc.gov/nls Accepts requests by e-mail or telephone. -Braille 6 x 6-1/2-inch datefinder and signature guide. Covers a twelve-month period from July of the current year to June of the following year. Measures 5 x 3-1/2 inches. Free. Sight Connection 9700 Third Avenue NE, #100 Seattle, WA 98115-2027 (206) 525-5556 800-456-4888 (206) 525-0422 fax csbstore@csbps.com www.sightconnection.com Accepts prepaid orders by mail, fax, telephone, or online. -Braille magnetic board calendar holds the days and months of the year. Tiles are in braille and print with raised tactile numbers and letters. Includes extra tiles. Catalog no. PLU 809, $32.25. -Large-print spiral-bound calendar with 3/8-inch numbers in 2-inch squares. Each month includes a page for notes. Catalog no. PLU 434-08, $10. -Large-print desk or wall calendar. Opens up to 17 x 22 inches and features 1-inch numbers and room for notes on each number. Lists major holidays. Catalog no. PLU 437-08, $12. Society for the Blind Aids to Independence Store 2750 24th Street Sacramento, CA 95818 (916) 452-8271, ext. 302 (916) 452-2622 fax store@societyfortheblind.org www.shopsftb.org/servlet/StoreFront Accepts orders by mail, telephone, or online. -Braille 5-1/2 x 8-1/2-inch 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. -Large-print (72 point) appointment book calendar. Opens up to 11 x 17 inches. Catalog no. 18-02-05, $9.95. -Large-print (72 point) 11 x 17-inch calendar that opens up to 22 x 17 inches. Catalog no. 18-02-01, $9.95. -Large-print (36 point) low-vision 11 x 17-inch calendar. Catalog no. 18-02-06, $8.95. South Dakota Industries for the Blind Attn: Customer Service 701 East 52nd Street North P.O. Box 84138 Sioux Falls, SD 57118-4138 (605) 977-1577 800-223-5145 (605) 332-7047 fax 800-332-7047 fax info@sdib.org www.sdib.org Accepts orders by mail, e-mail, telephone, or online. -Large-print monthly 11 x 17-inch wall calendar that opens up to 23 x 17-1/2 inches. $10.25. ### Magazine of the Month selections for 2008 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 -Air & Space–Smithsonian -American Cowboy -American Spectator -The Believer -Diabetic Living -Inc.: The Handbook for the American Entrepreneur -No Depression -North & South: The Official Magazine of the Civil War Society -Parabola: Myth, Tradition, and the Search for Meaning -Running Times: The Runner's Best Resource -Skeptic -Urban Influence Alternates: Backwoodsman, Blue & Gray Magazine: For Those Who Still Hear the Guns, Body & Soul, Dirty Linen, Dissent, Essence, Harper's, Naval History, Runner's World, Skeptical Inquirer: The Magazine for Science and Reason, Smart Money, Tricycle: The Buddhist Review Young Adult Magazine of the Month -Cicada -Hot Rod -LàTeen -Listen: Journal of Drug-Free Living for Teens -Realms of Fantasy -Reptiles -Rock & Ice: The Climber's Magazine -Teen Strings -Teen Vogue -Wired -XXL -Young Rider: The Magazine for Horse and Pony Lovers Alternates: American Songwriter, Cosmo Girl, E: The Environmental Magazine, Fantasy & Science Fiction, Grit: American Life and Traditions, Gumbo: A Magazine of the Arts, Horse & Rider, Latina Style: A National Magazine for the Contemporary Hispanic Woman, Motor Trend, Predator Xtreme, Teen Ink, Vibe ### Books for Adults _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 A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare: 1599 BR 16554 by James Shapiro 4 volumes Professor highlights a seminal year in Shakespeare's life that included the writing of four plays-Henry V, Julius Caesar, As You Like It, and Hamlet-and the building of the Globe Theatre. Portrays turmoil surrounding rebellion in Ireland, creation of the East India Company, and political intrigue. 2005. BR 16554 ## The Age of Reason BR 16591 by Thomas Paine 2 volumes The patriotic writer and essayist of the American and French Revolutions sets forth his beliefs on religion's place in society. He affirms the need for rationalism in religion, attacks national religious institutions, and points out biblical inconsistencies and fallacies. 1795. BR 16591 ## Citizenship Made Simple: An Easy-to-Read Guide to the U.S. Citizenship Process BR 16592 by Barbara Brooks Kimmel and Alan M. Lubiner 1 volume Reference for foreign nationals describes requirements and procedures for becoming a U.S. citizen. Explains the rights for military personnel and children and provides a brief history of the country and an overview of the government. Includes a sample test and the text of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. 2006. BR 16592 ## Master Mind: The Rise and Fall of Fritz Haber, the Nobel Laureate Who Launched the Age of Chemical Warfare BR 16595 by Daniel Charles 3 volumes Biography of a German Jewish scientist whose discoveries embodied both the beneficial and the destructive capacities of science. Discusses the intellect of Fritz Haber (1868-1934), who moved confidently between laboratory, factory, and battlefield; who invented famine-preventing agricultural processes; and who developed poisonous gas later used in Nazi concentration camps. 2005. BR 16595 ## A Wreath for Emmett Till BR 16598 by Marilyn Nelson 1 volume A sequence of fifteen sonnets written as a poetic homage to Emmett Till, the fourteen-year-old victim of racial prejudice who was lynched in 1955 Mississippi. Includes a historic note on the events and sonnet notes. For senior high and older readers. Printz Honor; Coretta S. King Honor. 2005. BR 16598 ## Darwin: Discovering the Tree of Life BR 16658 by Niles Eldredge 3 volumes Analyzes Charles Darwin's notes from his travels to South America and the Galapagos Islands in 1831-36. Traces the scientist's personal and professional life during the twenty years the notebooks were kept private. Discusses advances in evolutionary theory since Darwin's time and disputes the concept of intelligent design. 2005. BR 16658 ## The Science of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials BR 16661 by Mary Gribbin and John Gribbin 1 volume Relates the mystery and magic in Pullman's trilogy, beginning with The Golden Compass (BR 13276), to real- world scientific concepts. Covers topics from cosmology to string theory to explain such objects as Will's subtle knife and Mary Malone's amber spyglass. For junior and senior high readers. 2003. BR 16661 ## State of Denial BR 16804 by Bob Woodward 6 volumes This sequel to Plan of Attack (BR 15423) examines the Bush administration's prosecution of the Iraq war. Extensive interviews and research document the dissension inside the White House from December 2000, when Donald Rumsfeld was appointed secretary of defense, through July 2006. Bestseller. 2006. BR 16804 ## Knitting on the Edge: Ribs, Ruffles, Lace, Fringes, Flora, Points and Picots BR 16816 by Nicky Epstein 2 volumes Instructions and various techniques for creating hundreds of knit edgings from around the world. Describes how to effectively incorporate them into your knitted piece. Each chapter concentrates on a specific type of decorative border. 2004. BR 16816 ## The Adversity Advantage: Turning Everyday Struggles into Everyday Greatness BR 16827 by Paul G. Stoltz and Erik Weihenmayer 3 volumes Stoltz, director of the Global Resilience Project, and Weihenmayer, the blind author of Touch the Top of the World (BR 14512), offer their seven principles for taking on adversity and converting life's difficulties into fuel for achievement, resilience, and happiness. 2006. BR 16827 ## Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations . . . One School at a Time BR 16830 by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin 4 volumes Award-winning journalist Relin describes the mission of American humanitarian Greg Mortenson, who established the Central Asia Institute and built schools throughout Taliban-ruled lands. Discusses his childhood in Tanzania and a failed 1993 attempt to climb K2, which resulted in a promise to the Pakistani villagers who saved his life. 2006. BR 16830 ## The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl BR 16831 by Timothy Egan 3 volumes Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter recounts the experiences of homesteaders who remained on their land during the 1930s dust storms that ravaged the southern Great Plains. Examines both human and ecological aspects of the disaster and the effects on survivors' daily lives, health, and communities. National Book Award. 2006. BR 16831 ## Firstlight: The Early Inspirational Writings of Sue Monk Kidd BR 16833 by Sue Monk Kidd 1 volume Inspirational stories and essays by the author of The Secret Life of Bees (BR 15225), that first appeared in Guideposts and other magazines. Includes pieces on her childhood, marriage, and children and about everyday events. Shares examples of compassion, letting go, and being reborn to love. 2006. BR 16833 ## Robert E. Lee: Virginian Soldier, American Citizen BR 16841 by James I. Robertson Jr. 2 volumes In-depth biography of Confederate Civil War general. Chronicles Lee's family life, studies at West Point, military service in the Mexican War, and leadership of the Confederate forces. Analyzes his decision to join Virginia's secession from the Union and describes his life after the war. For senior high readers. 2005. BR 16841 ## Child of the Winds: My Mission with Raoul Wallenberg BR 16843 by Agnes Adachi 1 volume Author's memories of work in 1944 Budapest with a courageous Swede who saved 100,000 Hungarian Jews from the Nazis in six months. Adachi recalls the Soviet liberation of Hungary and Wallenberg's arrest by the Soviets, after which he was condemned to the gulag for more than forty years. 1989. BR 16843 ## Thieves! Ten Stories of Surprising Heists, Comical Capers, and Daring Escapades BR 16859 by Andreas Schroeder 2 volumes Ten tales of unusual thievery. Describes how three Italians, dressed as workmen, stole the Louvre's portrait of Mona Lisa in 1911 and how D.B. Cooper parachuted from a jet with extortion money in 1971-never to be found. Uncontracted braille. For senior high and older readers. 2005. BR 16859 ## Waiting for Godot: Tragicomedy in Two Acts/En Attendant Godot BR 16880 by Samuel Beckett 3 volumes Vladimir and Estragon converse while they await the arrival of the mysterious Godot, who sends word that he is coming but never appears. In the original French, published in 1952, with Beckett's own English translation. 1954. BR 16880 ## Eavesdropping: A Life by Ear BR 16912 by Stephen Kuusisto 2 volumes The author of Planet of the Blind (BR 11518), who has been legally blind since birth, explains how he perceives the world around him through listening. In these essays he describes childhood influences, adult travels, artful eavesdropping, and love of poetry and Caruso's singing. 2006. BR 16912 ## Pro Wrestling Kids' Style: The Most Amazing Untold Story in Professional Wrestling History BR 16914 by Shawn "Crusher" Crossen 1 volume National Wrestling Federation teen champion describes his fascination with the sport and his decision in 1984 to televise teen matches. Crossen explains the showmanship, promotional techniques, and financial arrangements used to establish his enterprise. Features updates on teen wrestlers of the 1980s. For junior and senior high readers. 2004. BR 16914 ## The Hopes of Snakes: And Other Tales from the Urban Landscape BR 16917 by Lisa Couturier 2 volumes Celebrates the adaptation of heron, egret, Canada goose, coyote, peregrine falcon, red-tailed hawk, vulture, and crow to the urban landscapes of Washington, D.C., and New York City. In the title piece, the author reflects upon the nonvenomous black rat snake before rescuing a six-foot-long one from a human crowd. 2005. BR 16917 ## The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir BR 16929 by Bill Bryson 2 volumes Travel humorist reminisces about growing up in 1950s middle America. Recalls the simple pleasures of family life and teen culture in the shadow of the Cold War. 2006. BR 16929 ## The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town BR 16945 by John Grisham 3 volumes Ada, Oklahoma. Chronicles the 1987 arrest and conviction of a former Oakland A's pitcher and his friend for the rape and murder of a twenty- one-year-old cocktail waitress five years earlier. Grisham examines the effect of DNA testing and a faulty original investigation on the men's eventual exoneration. Bestseller. 2006. BR 16945 ## More Treasured Poems That Touch the Heart: Cherished Poems and Favorite Poets BR 16946 compiled by Mary Sanford Laurence 1 volume A second collection of poems in the spirit of Treasured Poems That Touch the Heart (BR 14886). Contains "Ode on a Grecian Urn" by John Keats, "If-" by Rudyard Kipling, "I'm Nobody! Who Are You?" by Emily Dickinson, and others by Byron, Blake, Longfellow, Wordsworth, Shakespeare, Donne, and Browning. 1997. BR 16946 ## Teens Cook Dessert BR 17073 by Megan Carle and Jill Carle 2 volumes The sisters who wrote Teens Cook (BR 16086) expand their repertoire to the dessert course. Step-by-step guide to making cookies, pies, cakes, puddings, and both simple and fancy holiday treats. Recipes include triple chocolate biscotti, fresh berry pie, and chocolate eclairs. For junior and senior high and older readers. 2006. BR 17073 ## The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 BR 17079 by Lawrence Wright 5 volumes Traces Islamic fundamentalism from 1948 to the 2001 attack on America. Highlights Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri. Asserts a historical lack of concern from intelligence agencies except for FBI agent John O'Neill and Saudi prince Turki al-Faisal. Violence and strong language. Bestseller. 2006. BR 17079 ## Samuel Adams: Father of the American Revolution BR 17091 by Mark Puls 3 volumes Biography of one of the founding fathers of the United States, Samuel Adams (1722-1803). Focuses on Adams's political career, his leadership of protests against the British-including the Boston Tea Party-his advocacy of the colonies' independence from Britain, and his post- revolutionary service as governor of Massachusetts. 2006. BR 17091 ## A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan BR 17097 by Michael Kazin 6 volumes Traces the life of populist politician William Jennings Bryan (1860- 1925), from his midwestern boyhood to his involvement in the 1925 Scopes trial. Highlights Bryan's evangelical beliefs, which stressed charity and social justice, and stresses his progressive politics, which led to reforms in campaign financing, senatorial elections, and women's suffrage. 2006. BR 17097 ## Putin's Russia: Life in a Failing Democracy BR 17100 by Anna Politkovskaya 3 volumes Award-winning journalist blames Russian president Vladimir Putin for the multiple ills threatening the country's stability at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Describes corruption in the government, the judicial system, the military, and in business. Charges that the war in Chechnya is producing-not fighting-terrorism. 2004. BR 17100 ## The Power of a Positive No: How to Say No and Still Get to Yes BR 17102 by William Ury 2 volumes Harvard University negotiator and mediator offers advice on using psychology to say no instead of a reluctant yes. Provides a three-stage method to defend one's key interests, resist manipulation, and achieve a win-win situation without alienating people at work or at home. 2007. BR 17102 ## Perplexing People BR 17110 by Gary L. Blackwood 1 volume Historical cases of pretenders, or people who claim to be a famous deceased person. Discusses people who claimed to be Joan of Arc, Louis XVII of France, the Romanovs of Russia, Grand Duchess Anastasia, Billy the Kid, and Kaspar Hauser. Uncontracted braille. For senior high and older readers. 2006. BR 17110 ## One Hundred One Things Everyone Should Know about Science BR 17120 by Dia L. Michels and Nathan Levy 1 volume Poses quiz questions about biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, and general science that are applicable in everyday life. Sequentially numbered answers repeat the question and provide an explanation. Topics include the human body, animals, weather, history of science, and definitions of scientific terms. For senior high and older readers. 2006. BR 17120 ## ### Books for Adults _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 Crazy in Love BR 16547 by Luanne Rice 3 volumes Georgie Symonds leads an idyllic life with her Wall Street lawyer husband, Nick, in seaside Connecticut. But as Nick spends more time with his sexy colleague, Georgie becomes plagued by suspicions and immerses herself in her own work, through which she meets a tempting stranger. Some descriptions of sex. 1988. BR 16547 ## Thou Shalt Not Dump the Skater Dude and Other Commandments I Have Broken BR 16553 by Rosemary Graham 2 volumes California high school sophomore Kelsey Wilcox endures vicious rumors spread on the Internet by her superstar, skateboarding boyfriend after she breaks up with him. Kelsey competes for a place on the school newspaper as she tries to salvage her reputation. Some strong language. For senior high readers. 2005. BR 16553 ## Gil's All Fright Diner BR 16559 by A. Lee Martinez 2 volumes Duke and Earl planned to drive right through Rockwood, but a stop at a diner leads to a job ridding the place of zombies. This would-be cakewalk for werewolf Duke and vampire Earl is complicated by a teenage sorceress. Strong language. For senior high and older readers. Alex Award. 2005. BR 16559 ## If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? BR 16560 by Melissa Kantor 2 volumes Sophomore Lucy copes with an unloving stepmother and two bratty step sisters after her father remarries and moves them to Long Island. Lucy is suddenly popular when a senior basketball hero falls for her, but she finds a fellow art student more interesting. Some strong language. For senior high readers. 2005. BR 16560 ## Oh Danny Boy: A Molly Murphy Mystery BR 16602 by Rhys Bowen 3 volumes New York, 1902. Private detective Molly Murphy works to exonerate police captain Daniel Sullivan of bribery charges. Molly is convinced he is innocent, and as her inquiry progresses she suspects Daniel's troubles are related to his investigation of the East Side Ripper, a serial killer targeting prostitutes. 2006. BR 16602 ## Prisoner of Memory: An Eve Diamond Novel BR 16657 by Denise Hamilton 3 volumes Los Angeles Times reporter Eve Diamond investigates the murder of seventeen-year-old Denny Lukin. She questions Denny's Russian émigré parents and uncovers Mafia and FBI connections. Meanwhile, a man from Moscow claiming to be Eve's cousin wants to help with the case. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2006. BR 16657 ## Refuge Cove BR 16665 by Lesley Choyce 1 volume Greg and his mother move to Newfoundland, where he learns to sail in the ocean. Alone on a sailing trip, he finds a lifeboat full of illegal refugees and brings them home. They later flee into a storm when the police arrive. Uncontracted braille. For senior high readers. 2002. BR 16665 ## Stillwatch BR 16806 by Mary Higgins Clark 3 volumes Washington, D.C., journalist Pat Traymore is doing research for her upcoming television program on vice-presidential hopeful Senator Abigail Jennings. Aided by her old flame, Congressman Sam Kingsley, Pat uncovers startling links between Abigail's past and her own tragic childhood-and secrets that could destroy both their lives. 1984. BR 16806 ## I Heard That Song Before BR 16840 by Mary Higgins Clark 2 volumes Twenty-eight-year-old Englewood, New Jersey, librarian Kay Lansing and wealthy businessman Peter Carrington fall in love and marry after Kay approaches him about a fundraiser. Later Peter is arrested for the murder of a teenaged neighbor that took place twenty-two years ago. Kay believes Peter is innocent and investigates. Bestseller. 2007. BR 16840 ## Citizen Vince BR 16842 by Jess Walter 3 volumes Spokane, Washington; 1980. Vince Camden is working as a baker in the Witness Protection Program and debating whether to vote for Jimmy Carter or Ronald Reagan. When another gangster recognizes him, Vince heads to New York to make amends with the mob. Violence and strong language. Edgar Award. 2005. BR 16842 ## Startled by His Furry Shorts: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson BR 16847 by Louise Rennison 2 volumes British teenager Georgia continues her quest for a boyfriend. In her journal she records her feelings for sexy Italian Masimo, her old mate Dave, and her ex-crush Robbie. Meanwhile, she prepares for a school play and a Viking wedding and copes with her quirky family. For senior high readers. 2006. BR 16847 ## The Sun Also Rises BR 16853 by Ernest Hemingway 2 volumes A group of wealthy English and American expatriates in post-World War I Europe travel from the cafes of Paris to the bullfights of Spain-eating and drinking, aimlessly socializing, and quarreling among themselves. The disillusioned characters reflect the war-weary lost generation of the 1920s. Some strong language. 1926. BR 16853 ## Tied Up in Tinsel: An Inspector Roderick Alleyn Mystery BR 16886 by Ngaio Marsh 2 volumes Artist Troy Alleyn visits Hilary Bill-Tasman's estate to paint Hilary's portrait. As Hilary prepares for a Christmas pageant, one of his eccentric guests disappears. Troy's husband, Superintendent Roderick Alleyn, arrives from London to help unravel the mystery and to interrogate Hilary's staff members-all of whom are convicted murderers. 1972. BR 16886 ## Sparrow BR 16888 by Sherri L. Smith 2 volumes After her beloved grandmother dies, high-school student Kendall Washington travels to New Orleans in search of her only living relative, her aunt Janet. Instead, she finds Janet's neighbors-sixteen- year-old Evie, who has muscular dystrophy and a beautiful singing voice, and Evie's overburdened mother, Clare Morreal. For senior high readers. 2006. BR 16888 ## The Winds of Change: A Richard Jury Mystery BR 16911 by Martha Grimes 3 volumes London, England. After being hospitalized in The Grave Maurice (BR 14363) superintendent Richard Jury investigates a five-year-old girl's murder. Evidence of sexual abuse leads him to a ring of pedophiles and to the body of a woman on a wealthy businessman's estate. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller. 2004. BR 16911 ## Murphy's Law BR 16916 by Lori Foster 3 volumes May Price's best friend Ashley Miles, from Jude's Law (BR 16623), needs advice after falling in love with Quinton Murphy. Killer Elton Pascal stalks the two women as May prepares for her wedding to Jude. Explicit descriptions of sex, strong language and some violence. 2006. BR 16916 ## Girl, Going on 17, Pants on Fire BR 16919 by Sue Limb 2 volumes Following a fabulous summer in Girl, (nearly) 16, Absolute Torture (BR 16444), Fred dumps Jess the day before school starts. Jess renews her friendship with football player Ben and is harassed by a new teacher and embarrassed by her mother's dating a younger man. For senior high readers. 2006. BR 16919 ## Accidents of Nature BR 16924 by Harriet McBryde Johnson 2 volumes North Carolina, 1970. Seventeen-year-old Jean, who has cerebral palsy, attends Camp Courage, where for the first time she meets other teens with disabilities. Her radical new friend Sara directs an anti-telethon skit and changes Jean's perceptions of the normal world. Some descriptions of sex. For senior high readers. 2006. BR 16924 ## Born to Rock BR 16927 by Gordon Korman 2 volumes Young Republican Leo Caraway loses his Harvard scholarship on a technicality and learns that his biological dad is a legend-former punk rocker "King Maggot." Hoping for college money, Leo joins King's comeback tour as a roadie and grows up along the way. For junior and senior high readers. 2006. BR 16927 ## Sharp Objects BR 16931 by Gillian Flynn 2 volumes Chicago reporter Camille Preaker, recently treated for psychological problems, arrives in her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, to investigate the murders of two preteen girls. Camille sees her mother and thirteen- year-old half-sister for the first time in years. But events from the past overwhelm her. Some violence and some strong language. 2006. BR 16931 ## Surrender BR 16944 by Sonya Hartnett 2 volumes As twenty-year-old Gabriel lies in bed dying, he recalls events shared with his two companions, his dog Surrender and the volatile Finnigan. Gabriel reflects on the death of his mentally challenged brother Vernon and the arson attacks in his hometown. Some violence. For senior high and older readers. Printz Honor. 2005. BR 16944 ## The Testament BR 17086 by Eric Van Lustbader 5 volumes Medieval scholar Braverman "Bravo" Shaw discovers that his deceased father, Dexter, was a high-ranking member of the Order of Gnostic Observatines and that he had appointed Bravo to guard a hidden documents cache. Others, however, covet the treasure. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2006. BR 17086 ## Dark Angels BR 17089 by Karleen Koen 5 volumes England, 1670. Alice Verney, a maid of honor to Queen Catherine, suspects that her majesty will be poisoned. She allies herself with Lieutenant Richard Saylor, plots for power, and plans marriage. Prequel to Through a Glass Darkly (BR 13661). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2006. BR 17089 ## The Accidental Tourist BR 17090 by Anne Tyler 3 volumes After his son is murdered and his wife of twenty years leaves him, travel writer Macon Leary returns to his family's home. He settles in with his sister, two brothers, and a Welsh corgi until dog trainer Muriel Pritchett disrupts his routine and changes his outlook. Some descriptions of sex. 1985. BR 17090 ## A False Mirror: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery BR 17096 by Charles Todd 3 volumes England, 1920. Stephen Mallory holds his ex-lover Felicity hostage after he becomes the prime suspect in her husband Matthew's near-fatal beating. Stephen demands to see Scotland Yard inspector and fellow war veteran Ian Rutledge, who investigates while coping with memories of his own lost love. Then Matthew disappears. 2007. BR 17096 ## A Little Fate BR 17101 by Nora Roberts 3 volumes Three tales of love and magic. In "The Witching Hour" a young woman following her heart saves her kingdom. In "Winter Rose," a queen receives something unexpected for healing a warrior. In "A World Apart," a demon slayer finds herself transported to New York. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004. BR 17101 ## A Student of Living Things BR 17105 by Susan Richards Shreve 2 volumes A future Washington, D.C., during civil unrest. Siblings Claire and Steven Frayn, both graduate students living at home, are leaving the university library when politically active Steven is assassinated. Claire and Victor-who claims to have been Steven's friend-seek the reason Steven was targeted. The truth implicates the Frayn family. 2006. BR 17105 ## The Crimes of Jordan Wise BR 17106 by Bill Pronzini 2 volumes 1977. Gold-digger Annalise Bonner tempts mild-mannered San Francisco accountant Jordan Wise into embezzling funds from his company and fleeing to the Virgin Islands. Annalise's constant demands drive Jordan to commit two additional crimes. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2006. BR 17106 ## A Wreath for Rivera: An Inspector Roderick Alleyn Mystery BR 17109 by Ngaio Marsh 3 volumes George Settinger, Lord Pastern, joins Breezy Bellairs's band much to the chagrin of his wife, Cécile, who also disapproves of the relationship between the band's piano-accordionist, Carlos Rivera, and her daughter, Félicité. When Carlos is murdered during a performance attended by Inspector Roderick Alleyn, Roderick investigates. 1949. BR 17109 ## Killer Dolphin: An Inspector Roderick Alleyn Mystery BR 17113 by Ngaio Marsh 3 volumes The Dolphin, a newly restored dockside London theater, opens with The Glove, a play inspired by the discovery of a genuine Shakespearean mitt. Inspector Roderick Alleyn supervises security precautions for the relic but is soon tracking a criminal when someone kills a caretaker and steals the glove. 1966. BR 17113 ## Simply Magic: Miss Martin's School for Girls, Book 3 BR 17115 by Mary Balogh 3 volumes Regency England. Susanna Osbourne, a teacher at a girls' school in Bath, meets Peter Edgeworth, Viscount Whitleaf, at a friend's estate during summer recess. The two fall in love, even though Susanna secretly holds Peter's family responsible for her father's suicide years ago. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2007. BR 17115 ## Our Lady of Pain: An Edwardian Murder Mystery BR 17121 by Marion Chesney 2 volumes When private detective Captain Harry Cathcart is seen squiring courtesan Dolores Duval around London, his fiancée, debutante Lady Rose Summer, becomes jealous and her parents cancel the engagement. Rose threatens Dolores, discovers the courtesan's body the next day, and becomes the prime suspect in her murder. Some strong language. 2006. BR 17121 ## Blue Christmas: A Savannah Novel BR 17124 by Mary Kay Andrews 2 volumes Weezie Foley wants to win the downtown Savannah Christmas window- decorating contest, but her shop's Williamsburg theme is so-o-o boring. An Elvis song gives her an idea-a "Blue Christmas" display. The window attracts a mysterious nighttime visitor, and the competition triggers quirky happenings that guarantee Christmas is anything but boring. 2006. BR 17124 ## Breathing Lessons BR 17125 by Anne Tyler 3 volumes As Maggie and Ira Moran drive from Baltimore, Maryland, to Deer Lick, Pennsylvania, for the funeral of Maggie's best friend's husband, they reflect upon their own twenty-eight-year marriage, the lives of their children, and their hopes for the future. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1988. BR 17125 ## White Ghost Girls BR 17130 by Alice Greenway 2 volumes Hong Kong, 1967. American teens Kate and Frankie escape from their Chinese amah to explore the city while their father photographs the war in Vietnam and their mother paints. Frankie delves into adventures and Kate keeps her secrets, until tragedy intervenes. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2006. BR 17130 ## Words of Silk BR 17134 by Sandra Brown 2 volumes Kindergarten teacher Laney McLeod is visiting friends in New York when a blackout traps her in an elevator with handsome attorney Deke Sargent. They share a night of passion after which Laney flees. Months later Deke finds Laney-now pregnant-and vows to win her love. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 1984. BR 17134 ## ### 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 African Heroes BR 16605 by Jim Haskins 1 volume Minibiographies of twenty-seven leaders on the African continent. Covers heroes from ancient empires, men who led the struggle against European incursion, and outstanding people of the twentieth century, such as Haile Selassie, Jomo Kenyatta, Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, and Kofi Annan. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2005. BR 16605 ## Clara Barton: I Want to Help! BR 16666 by Cathy East Dubowski 1 volume Biography of Clara Barton (1821-1912), founder of the American Red Cross. Describes her lifelong mission to help other people by teaching for free and nursing soldiers in the Civil War, where she was called "angel of the battlefield." For grades 3-6. 2006. BR 16666 ## Dude! Stories and Stuff for Boys BR 16832 edited by Sandy Asher and David L. Harrison 2 volumes Original stories, poems, plays, and real boyhood reminiscences offered by popular writers. The poem "Take It from Me, Kid" warns good- humoredly about the pitfalls of being a teenager. After learning about his half brother's suicide, in a "Family Meeting," Kevin makes a secret promise to live fully. For grades 5-8. 2006. BR 16832 ## Fooled You: Fakes and Hoaxes through the Years BR 16850 by Elaine Pascoe 1 volume Presents the facts behind eleven famous hoaxes. Includes an 1844 newspaper report of balloonists crossing the Atlantic, the 1869 "discovery" of a stone giant, 1917 alleged photographs of fairies, accounts of crop circles in 1980 England, and a 2001 e-mail about a giant mutant cat. For grades 4-7. 2005. BR 16850 ## The Hero Project: Two Teens, One Notebook, Thirteen Extraordinary Interviews BR 16852 by Robert Hatch and William Hatch 2 volumes The Hatch brothers present thirteen interviews with their personal heroes, conducted over the course of twelve years. Pete Seeger, Madeleine L'Engle, Jimmy Carter, Yo-Yo Ma, Elouise Cobell, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Lance Armstrong, and others discuss their motivation, inspiration, hopes, and goals. For grades 6-9. 2006. BR 16852 ## Shep: Our Most Loyal Dog BR 16923 by Sneed B. Collard III 1 volume Explains why the people of Fort Benton, Montana, still honor the beloved sheep dog, Shep. Relates that when Shep's master died in 1936, the dog followed the coffin to the train station and waited there for the rest of his life for his master to return. For grades 2-4. 2006. BR 16923 ## Jazz BR 17019 by Walter Dean Myers 1 volume This celebration of American jazz contains a brief history of this musical tradition; fifteen poems linked to various styles from ragtime to swing, from bebop to fusion, and from funeral to dance; a glossary of jazz terms; and a chronology. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades 3-6 and older readers. 2006. BR 17019 ## Haiti BR 17114 by Roseline Ng Cheong-Lum and Leslie Jermyn 1 volume An overview of the Caribbean island nation of Haiti, the world's first black independent republic. Describes geography, environment, language, culture, heritage, lifestyle, religion, and food. Chronicles Haiti's turbulent history and examines the twentieth-century economic and political situation, including challenges posed by poverty and internal strife. For grades 5-8. 2005. BR 17114 ## Dare to Dream! Twenty-five Extraordinary Lives BR 17122 by Sandra McLeod Humphrey 1 volume Biographical sketches of people who showed moral, physical, or spiritual courage to achieve their goals. Profiles athletes, doctors, politicians, writers, lawyers, and entertainers including Eleanor Roosevelt, Norman Vincent Peale, Maya Angelou, Sandra Day O'Connor, Ben Carson, Bill Cosby, and Sammy Sosa. For grades 5-8. 2005. BR 17122 ## The Deep-Sea Floor BR 17182 by Sneed B. Collard III 1 volume Introduces creatures such as bioluminescent animals and tube worms that thrive on the dark ocean floor miles below the surface. For grades 3-6. 2003. BR 17182 ## ### 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 Totally Joe BR 16655 by James Howe 1 volume For a class assignment, seventh-grader Joe writes an alphabiography-his life from A to Z. He comments on his friendships with Addie, Skeezie, and Bobby, from The Misfits (BR 14087); describes his brother Jeff, a sports-loving guy-guy; discusses issues at school; and relates being a gay teenager. For grades 6-9. 2005. BR 16655 ## Ark Angel: An Alex Rider Adventure BR 16834 by Anthony Horowitz 2 volumes After recovering from a near-fatal gunshot wound, teenage spy Alex Rider embarks on a new mission to stop a group of ecoterrorists from sabotaging the launch of the first outer space hotel, Ark Angel. For grades 6-9. 2006. BR 16834 ## The Counterfeit Princess BR 16846 by Jane Resh Thomas 2 volumes England. Vowing revenge when her parents are executed in 1553 by the duke of Northumberland, teenaged Iris becomes a messenger, a spy, and a stand-in for Princess Elizabeth during the volatile political events surrounding young King Edward VI's death. For grades 6-9. 2005. BR 16846 ## The Happiness of Kati BR 16849 by Jane Vejjajiva 1 volume Thailand. After living for several years with her grandparents, nine- year-old Kati spends some precious time with her mother, who is dying from Lou Gehrig's disease. One of the mother's last gifts to Kati allows her to make an important decision for herself. For grades 3-6. 2003. BR 16849 ## The Skeleton in the Smithsonian: Capital Mysteries, Book 3 BR 16858 by Ron Roy 1 volume Washington, D.C. When Leonard Fisher claims to be the long-lost heir to the Smithsonian fortune, KC and Marshall set out to prove that he is a phony. For grades 2-4. 2003. BR 16858 ## The Mailbox BR 16885 by Audrey Shafer 1 volume Rural Virginia. When twelve-year-old Gabe comes home after school, he discovers his guardian, Uncle Vernon, dead on the floor. Frightened, he tells no one, so he is surprised the next day to find the body gone and a note from an anonymous writer in the mailbox. For grades 5-8. 2006. BR 16885 ## A Corner of the Universe BR 16894 by Ann M. Martin 1 volume Twelve-year-old Hattie experiences a tragic summer in 1960 when her young, mentally ill uncle Adam comes to stay with her grandparents. Hattie befriends him, but no one knows how to handle his moods, least of all Adam himself. For grades 6-9. 2002. BR 16894 ## Bunnicula Meets Edgar Allan Crow BR 16897 by James Howe 1 volume Twelve-year-old Peter Monroe has won an overnight visit from M.T. Graves, author of the FleshCrawlers series, and his pet crow. Household dogs Harold and Howie are thrilled, but Chester the cat is suspicious and predicts a gruesome fate for the Monroe family pets. For grades 3- 6. 2006. BR 16897 ## Crispin: At the Edge of the World BR 16913 by Avi 2 volumes Fourteenth-century England. This sequel to Crispin: The Cross of Lead (BR 14606) finds Crispin and the enormous red-haired juggler, Bear, fleeing for their lives from a rebel brotherhood. When Bear is wounded, Crispin relies on an ancient healer and a disfigured girl for help. For grades 6-9. 2006. BR 16913 ## Zelda and Ivy One Christmas BR 16918 by Laura McGee Kvasnosky 1 volume While baking cookies with their neighbor Mrs. Brownlie, sister foxes Zelda and Ivy talk about what they want for Christmas. Back home they're unsure whether the Christmas elves will leave Mrs. Brownlie a gift, so they decide to make one for her themselves. Easy chapter book. For grades 2-4. 2000. BR 16918 ## Bella at Midnight BR 16925 by Diane Stanley 2 volumes After a happy childhood with a peasant family, teenaged Bella is reclaimed by her real father, a knight. Castle life with a stepmother and two stepsisters becomes worse when Bella is caught up in a terrible plot. Bella's resources are her brave heart and her godmother. For grades 5-8. 2006. BR 16925 ## Los Gatos Black on Halloween BR 17018 by Marisa Montes 1 volume Rhyming verse about Halloween night incorporates Spanish words, from las brujas riding their broomsticks to los monstruos, whose party in a haunted house is interrupted by what the monsters most abhor. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2006. BR 17018 ## Move Over, Rover! BR 17020 by Karen Beaumont 1 volume When a storm comes, Rover expects to have his doghouse all to himself. But various other animals including a skunk come to join him. A story in rhyme. PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2. Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor. 2006. BR 17020 ## Chicken Boy BR 17104 by Frances O'Roark Dowell 1 volume Tobin McCauley's first day in seventh grade starts with his grandmother's arrest for illegal parking-on the school sidewalk. Two weeks later, when Tobin gets into a fight to defend his English teacher's honor, Henry, a new boy who raises chickens, comes to his aid. For grades 4-7. 2005. BR 17104 ## Flush BR 17107 by Carl Hiaasen 2 volumes The Florida Keys. With their father jailed for sinking a gambling boat, Noah Underwood and his sister Abbey gather evidence that casino owner Dusty Muleman is illegally emptying sewage tanks into coastal waters. They receive help from a former card dealer, a pirate, and Dusty's ex- girlfriend. For grades 5-8. 2005. BR 17107 ## Smiler's Bones BR 17128 by Peter Lerangis 1 volume In 1897, Minik and his father Qisuk (Smiler) are among a group of Eskimos presented in New York City by explorer Peary. After Qisuk's death, Minik experiences displacement, sorrow, and deception as he battles to take his father's bones home to Greenland. Based on historical events. For grades 6-9. 2005. BR 17128 ## Kit Learns a Lesson-A School Story: An American Girl, Book 2 BR 17175 by Valerie Tripp 1 volume In this sequel to Meet Kit (BR 16890), Kit learns hard lessons about the Great Depression. At school, Kit fights with a boy who makes fun of her out-of-work father. But a Thanksgiving delivery to a soup kitchen teaches Kit to be thankful. For grades 3-6. 2000. BR 17175 ## All Alone in the Universe BR 17185 by Lynne Rae Perkins 1 volume Debbie and Maureen have been best friends ever since third grade. But now Maureen always seems to be with Glenna, and Debbie is feeling left out and lonely. Companion to Criss Cross (BR 17209). For grades 5-8. 1999. BR 17185 ## Happy Birthday, Kit! A Springtime Story: An American Girl, Book 4 BR 17186 by Valerie Tripp 1 volume Aunt Millie's visit to Kit and her family in Cincinnati during the Great Depression cheers them up. She impresses Kit with her money- saving ideas until she invites Kit's class to celebrate Kit's birthday at a "penny-pincher party." Sequel to Kit's Surprise (BR 17194). For grades 3-6. 2001. BR 17186 ## ### 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 ###