Braille Book Review September-October 2006 Volume 75, Number 5 _Braille Book Review_ is published bimonthly in large- print, braille, and computer diskette formats and distributed free to blind and physically handicapped individuals who participate in the Library of Congress free reading program. It lists braille magazines and books available through a network of cooperating libraries. The braille edition also lists recorded books, giving abbreviated annotations. News about library services is featured in both editions. The annotated list in this issue is limited to titles recently added to the national collection, which contains thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles, including classics, biographies, gothics, mysteries, and how-to and self-help guides. To learn more about the wide range of books in the national collection, readers may order catalogs and subject bibliographies from cooperating libraries. Librarians can check other resources for titles and answer requests for special materials. Readers can receive _Braille Book Review_ and other information through the Internet by accessing the the NLS home page at http://www.loc.gov/nls. To order books or for subscription changes, contact your local cooperating library. Correspondence regarding editorial matters should be sent to Publications and Media Section, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20542. Library of Congress, Washington 2006 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 53-31800 ISSN 0006-873X Contents: In Brief Books for Adults Nonfiction Fiction Books for Children Nonfiction Fiction Braille Magazines ### In Brief September–October 2006 Braille Book Review and Talking Book Topics 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, June 2006, volume 2, issue 7 Digital Long-Term Planning Group assures smooth transition to digital talking books Understanding that the best ideas often emerge during discussion among knowledgeable parties, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, created the Digital Long-Term Planning Group (DLTPG). The group provides thoughtful counsel, helps to identify problems, and offers options to possible problems, thus helping NLS with the transition to a digital technology. "The Digital Long-Term Planning Group heightens NLS's awareness of all possible effects the transition will have on talking-book patrons, state librarians, and the 138 libraries in our network," said NLS director Frank Kurt Cylke. "The group is assisting in the development of an efficient, cost-effective system that continues to prioritize patrons' needs and enhance their reading experiences." Putting patrons first NLS knows that the most practical and constructive feedback comes from individuals who possess firsthand experience with the program and digital expertise. Because of the digital transition's scope, complexity, and potential impact on the blind and physically handicapped community, NLS involved all affected parties as much as possible throughout the planning process. NLS created the digital group in 2001 to guide planning for the digital talking-book (DTB) transition. The sixteen- member committee includes state and regional librarians, representatives from national consumer groups, such as the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and the American Council of the Blind (ACB), and NLS staff. Because librarians and consumer representatives are familiar with the current talking-book system and many are aware of new trends in digital technology, their recommendations are important. "The librarians have a unique perspective and consumers have a perspective librarians don't have," said Karen Keninger, regional librarian at the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Iowa. "The ability to talk out ideas has been very valuable to the digital conversion process." Many members are also patrons. They have personal stakes in the process. "We're the ones who work and live with talking books day-to-day," said David Andrews, a representative of the National Federation of the Blind. "We provide input on what will and will not work." Sound advice The selection of flash technology as the medium for book delivery is just one area where the DLTPG involvement yielded a realistic recommendation. The group reviewed several delivery options for talking books—flash, CD-ROM, and a magnetic hard-drive system—and concurred with NLS that flash technology simplified audiobook use and was durable. It also made the most economical and logistical sense. The group also commented on issues ranging from the design of the digital talking-book player to distribution, an issue that has received considerable focus. Introducing the Digital Long-Term Planning Group Consumers Paul Edwards American Council of the Blind David Andrews National Federation of the Blind State Librarians Irene Padilla Maryland State Department of Education Division of Library Development Services Robert C. Maier Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Sara Jones Nevada State Library and Archives Michael York New Hampshire State Library Doris Ott North Dakota State Library Peggy D. Rudd Texas State Library and Archives Commission Donna Jones Morris State Library Division, State of Utah Regional/Subregional Librarians Barbara Goral Retired, Colorado Talking Book Library Meredith Beckhardt Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services Karen Odean Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service Karen Keninger Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Iowa Department for the Blind Kim Charlson Massachusetts Braille and Talking Book Library Perkins School for the Blind Richard J. Smith Wolfner Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Missouri Kathleen Kappel Pennsylvania Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh QA develops first fully qualified DTB Robert Norton, head of the Quality Assurance Section and Avi Shapiro, QA software engineer, were commended along with the entire NLS Materials Development Division staff for developing the first fully qualified digital talking book, Joan Didion's Where I Was From, recorded by Carolina Talking Books. The book, narrated by Constance Crawford, was completed on May 18, 2006. ### Flash, July 2006, volume 2, issue 8 A look back at the origins of the digital project More than fifteen years ago the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, along with other talking-book programs worldwide faced the realization that analog cassettes would eventually become an outdated and ineffective technology for audio reading materials. In a meeting organized by NLS director Frank Kurt Cylke, world figures in the field of library services for the blind gathered to discuss the future of talking books. It was time they considered what form the next-generation talking book would take. In early April 1990, librarians and talking-book experts convened at the P.V. Doyle House in Dublin, Ireland to formulate an action plan to guide development of future talking-book technology. The group included Ian Bruce, director general of the United Kingdom's Royal National Institute for the Blind; Cylke; Euclid Herie, managing director of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind; and Desmond Kenny, chief executive officer of Ireland's National Council for the Blind. These leaders and their policy and technical staff exchanged information on existing and emerging audiobook technology as well as thoughts on improving the library experience for blind and physically handicapped readers. "This conference was a defining moment in the history of talking books," says Cylke. "We concluded that it was beneficial to work together to improve our programs and to explore technological advances that could provide patrons with better audiobooks in the future." The group discussed such issues as cassette utilization, playback machine inventory, book and machine production data, and research and development surrounding future talking-book technology. User needs were addressed as were means of involving appropriate consumers, libraries, associations, and other stakeholders in planning next- generation talking-book systems. One thing was clear—any future system would need to be designed with users in mind. Chief among user priorities was equipment that would be easy-to-use, reliable, flexible, and portable and the audiobook system would need to meet the full range of needs both of blind and of physically handicapped readers. Going digital NLS has a long history of incorporating technological innovations in the development of its products and services. (NLS pioneered the use of the 33-1/3 rpm long- playing phonograph record.) After considerable research, NLS determined in 1996 that flash-memory was the optimal technology to replace analog cassettes. A digital solution would offer substantial improvements in the patron reading experience, including enhanced audio quality, portability, and book navigation features. Further, with their large memory capacity, flash cartridges would enable most audiobooks to be housed on a single cartridge—a vast improvement over the multiple cassettes that one book requires. NLS has long sought to provide its patrons with the best service possible, and this often involves staying abreast of new technologies. From the phonograph records used in the 1930s to analog cassettes and the digital flash cartridges of the future, NLS remains dedicated to providing all talking-book patrons with a user-friendly system that enhances their reading pleasure while keeping up with the pace of change. Mapping new territory Given its advantages, flash-memory technology was identified as the NLS system of choice; but implementing the conversion process required more planning. Based on thorough research, NLS set out to develop a comprehensive strategy for digital conversion. The mission would be guided by user needs and the goal of optimizing the talking-book reading experience. The project has worked toward a 2008 deadline, with key implementation milestones along the way. In 1997, NLS's Digital Talking Book Standards committee and the National Information Standards Organization (NISO) began creating a technical standard to define features of the digital talking book and its player as well as file specifications, production issues, and copyright protection schemes. In 2002, NLS began producing all recorded book masters exclusively in a digital format. In 2004, NLS started converting analog files to a digital format. By 2008, NLS plans to have 50,000 digital talking-book machines ready for distribution to patrons. In addition, NLS will have 10,000 new titles in digital format and another 10,000 existing analog titles converted to digital by that date. Throughout the planning stages of the digital talking- book system, NLS has sought the expertise of accessible- technology engineers, such as HumanWare and Battelle, as well as input from patrons and librarians. What better way to ensure a successful digital transition than to involve the very people most affected by the change? The Digital Audio Development (DAD) committee, created in September 1998, has been very influential in planning and guiding the transition. It initiated the project by outlining twenty steps that are essential to designing and implementing the digital talking-book system. Design activities included prioritizing digital talking-book features, simulating a digital talking book using a personal computer, developing multiple player prototypes, and building digital talking-book computer software. Implementation activities included narrowing the player media choices, beginning full-scale production and deployment of digital equipment, and establishing methods for continuous patron evaluation of the digital system. To ensure that digital-talking book machines are designed with users in mind, NLS conducted a series of eight user-needs and usability tests. Participants were asked to assess such issues as the layout of the player's controls and their size, shape, and tactility. The participants also responded to the player's navigation features. Feedback during these sessions was essential, and influenced refinements to the final design of the machine. NLS also sought input from the Digital Long-Term Planning Group. Consisting of consumer representatives and state and regional librarians, the group was established in 2001 to provide feedback and guidance throughout the transition process. The members offered insight on such issues as player design and digital talking-book distribution systems. Stepping closer to a digital future This August, NLS will pass a long-anticipated milestone. This is when a functional prototype will be introduced. Based on the usability test results, approval was granted to proceed with a working prototype. While the machine will require further testing before it is mass produced, the prototype is an exciting step toward the digital future. Digital Talking-Book (DTB) Milestones Completed -Defined and prioritized DTB features -Coordinated development and publication of Specifications for the Digital Talking Book (ANSI/NISO Z39.86) -Simulated a DTB player using personal computer -Developed a computer-based, life-cycle cost analysis (LCC) model for the NLS system and for candidate digital systems -Developed computer software for DTB production and presentation -Developed software to test conformance of players and DTBs with the ANSI/NISO standard -User survey -Player transition study -Distribution flash cartridge study -Player and flash cartridge design contract awarded -Distribution system design contract awarded -Distribution system design contract Phase I, II Start 1/12/04 - Finish 10/1/08 The following ongoing projects, set to conclude in 2008, are shown with start dates in parentheses. -Web-Magazine pilot (1/12/04) -Digital data management system development (11/1/04) -Player and flash cartridge development (3/1/05) -Design DTB containers and labels (6/1/05) -Web-Book pilot (6/1/05) -Prepare DTBs for distribution (10/1/05) -Distribution system implementation (10/1/06) -Flash cartridge production (3/1/07) -Flash cartridge duplication (5/1/07) -Manufacture initial lot of DTB containers and labels (8/1/07) -Full player production (9/1/07) For information on the NLS Digital Project, contact: Jean M. Moss Digital Projects Coordinator jemo@loc.gov Fax: (202) 707-1690 To view the Strategic Business Plan on the Web visit: www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan2003.html To view the Flash newsletters on the Web visit: www.loc.gov/nls/newsletters/flash/archive.html ### 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. Dialogue magazine published bimonthly Dialogue magazine provides news, information, and resources to people experiencing vision loss. The magazine, which was published quarterly, is now available bimonthly (every two months) in order to increase the number of practical articles related to living with low vision, assistive technology, and careers, as well as to provide timely updates on the latest aids and devices. Highlights from recent issues include stories of people who are blind and successfully employed and articles on finding support groups, driving with low vision, adapting the home environment, and purchasing the best tech tools. For more information or to subscribe, call 800-860-4224 or visit www.blindskills.com. The magazine is available in large print, braille, cassette, diskette, and e-mail formats. New magazine available on NFB-NEWSLINE Diabetes Self-Management magazine has just been added to NFB-NEWSLINE, bringing the total number of available magazines to four. AARP the Magazine, the Economist, and the New Yorker are also available in audio format from NFB- NEWSLINE. AARP the Magazine appears bimonthly and offers information on current events, travel, arts, and medicine to senior citizens. Diabetes Self-Management is a bimonthly magazine containing up-to-date, practical information on nutrition, exercise, new drugs, medical advances, self-help, and many other topics people need to know to optimize their health. The Economist, a weekly magazine, focuses on trade, finance, science, and technology. The New Yorker is a weekly magazine popular for its editorials, cultural news, and acclaimed fiction. NFB-NEWSLINE is a free service provided by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and NLS. NFB-NEWSLINE converts printed content to synthetic speech, which readers may access twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week by using a touch-tone telephone. Patrons of NLS can register by calling their cooperating network library and asking to subscribe to NFB-NEWSLINE. ### _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 Galileo's Finger: The Ten Great Ideas of Science BR 15548 by Peter Atkins 4 volumes Oxford University chemistry professor condenses major topics of modern science into basic concepts for a general audience. Covers evolution, DNA, conservation of energy, and quantum theory. To Atkins, Galileo's finger represents the "winkling out of truth," the process of looking beyond the appearance of nature to understand its essence. 2003. BR 15548 ## Our Mothers' War: American Women at Home and at the Front during World War II BR 15667 by Emily Yellin 5 volumes Journalist's chronicle of World War II's "other American soldiers," women from various backgrounds who filled nontraditional roles during wartime. Depicts women factory workers, front-line nurses, spies, and pilots. Also discusses the experiences of African American and Japanese American women. 2004. BR 15667 ## Fix It before It Breaks: Seasonal Checklist Guide to Home Maintenance BR 15832 by Terry Kennedy 2 volumes Builder recommends that homeowners develop a maintenance program and address building problems before they become major concerns. Discusses common issues with foundations, doors and windows, siding, roofs, electrical systems, landscaping, and other areas and ways to deal with them. Includes resources. 2004. BR 15832 ## Kepler's Witch: An Astronomer's Discovery of Cosmic Order amid Religious War, Political Intrigue, and the Heresy Trial of His Mother BR 15891 by James A. Connor 4 volumes Professor's portrait of German astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571–1630), considered "the father of celestial mechanics." Examines Kepler's tribulations and triumphs as a protestant scientist during the Thirty Years' War, the Reformation, and the Counter-Reformation. Describes events such as his mother's witchcraft trial. Includes Kepler's letters and journal entries. 2004. BR 15891 ## The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England BR 15910 edited by Antonia Fraser 4 volumes Collection of short biographies of English monarchs by eight historians. Covers each ruler from William the Conqueror (1066) to Queen Elizabeth II. Introduction by Antonia Fraser. Revised and updated edition of 1975 publication. 1998. BR 15910 ## Cooking for Kings: The Life of Antonin Carême, the First Celebrity Chef BR 15917 by Ian Kelly 2 volumes Creator of a one-man play about Carême presents a biography of this French Revolution orphan who became "the chef of kings and king of chefs." Relates Carême's accomplishments: cooking for the Romanovs, the Rothschilds, and King George IV; writing cookbooks; and inventing both the chef's hat and the soufflé. 2003. BR 15917 ## Washington's General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution BR 15927 by Terry Golway 4 volumes Biography of American Revolutionary War commander Nathanael Greene (1742–1786), who was born a Rhode Island Quaker but chose to fight for independence. Details his career as George Washington's quartermaster general and his appointment as leader of the southern theater. Outlines how Greene forced the British to concede at Yorktown. 2005. BR 15927 ## Modern Coin Magic BR 15930 by J.B. Bobo 4 volumes This step-by-step guide to slight-of-hand coin conjuring describes basic principles, integrated tricks, and complete routine acts. Offers techniques for over three hundred maneuvers including palms, holds, flips, switches, vanishes, change-over, steals, cuffing, sleeving, and others requiring special devices. 1952. BR 15930 ## Spice: The History of a Temptation BR 15934 by Jack Turner 4 volumes Australian-born historian, who claims a fascination with spices since age ten, presents an exhaustive survey of man's impassioned quest for exotic condiments. Focuses on pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger. Covers the historic importance of flavorful and aromatic plant derivatives in cuisine, medicine, religions, and world trade. 2004. BR 15934 ## Real U Guide to Your First Job BR 15937 by Meagan Hassell 1 volume Advice for the recent graduate on finding a job. Covers writing resumes, interviewing, networking, and keeping a position. For senior high and older readers. 2004. BR 15937 ## The Greek Way BR 15945 by Edith Hamilton 2 volumes The author of Mythology (BR 5581) explores the accomplishments of Greek intellectual life in the fifth century B.C. Discusses customs, philosophy, religion, and art, referencing the era's noted writers—the poet Pindar; dramatists Aeschylus, Euripides, and Sophocles; and historians Herodotus, Thucydides, and Xenophon—with excerpts from classic works. 1930. BR 15945 ## Coming to Term: Uncovering the Truth about Miscarriage BR 15948 by Jon Cohen 3 volumes Science writer investigates miscarriage, or spontaneous abortion, by first explaining the female reproductive system. Uses interviews, clinical data, and other medical reports to explore the still-mysterious causes of pregnancy loss and possible preventive treatment. Discusses resulting emotional pain and offers hope for couples. 2005. BR 15948 ## The Gardener's Bed-Book: Short and Long Pieces to Be Read in Bed by Those Who Love Green Growing Things BR 15951 by Richardson Wright 3 volumes Essays by the longtime editor-in-chief of House & Garden magazine that are meant to be read in short bits throughout the year. Arranged by month, the anthology offers advice on topics from orchard horticulture and growing plume poppies to travel, literature, architecture, and antique collecting. 2003 introduction by Dominique Browning. 1929. BR 15951 ## One Soldier's Story: A Memoir BR 15960 by Bob Dole 2 volumes Former senator from Kansas describes his enlistment into the elite U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division as a lieutenant during World War II. Chronicles the April 14, 1945, battle in Italy that paralyzed him, his long recovery, first marriage, and entry into civilian life and the political sphere. Bestseller. 2005. BR 15960 ## Every Step Forward: Personal Accounts of the Unique Partnerships between Blind People and Their Seeing Eye Dogs BR 15966 edited by Rosemary Carroll 2 volumes Twenty-four graduates of The Seeing Eye in Morristown, New Jersey, present individual perspectives on their experiences at the school and on being blind. They describe the process of learning to properly use guide dogs and attest to the increased mobility and independence they achieved through the training facility. 2004. BR 15966 ## The Red Letters: My Father's Enchanted Period; Continents of Exile BR 16081 by Ved Mehta 2 volumes Concluding volume in Continents of Exile series—the blind author's memoirs. Mehta recounts finding forty-year-old love letters that reveal his father's passionate love affair in Simla, India, in the 1930s. This discovery changes the author's perceptions of his father and mother, and even of himself. 2004. BR 16081 ## Coping with Kidney Disease: A Twelve-Step Treatment Program to Help You Avoid Dialysis BR 16082 by Mackenzie Walser 3 volumes Physician from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine offers advice on living with kidney disease. Discusses symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, medications, dialysis, transplants, and control of related problems such as cholesterol, gout, anemia, and acidosis. The main emphasis is on a very-low- protein diet and lifestyle changes. 2004. BR 16082 ## A Sense of the Mysterious: Science and the Human Spirit BR 16084 by Alan Lightman 2 volumes Essays exploring the emotional life of science by physicist and author of The Diagnosis (BR 13414) and Reunion (BR 15284). Reflects on his own scientific journey and his struggles to reconcile the working universe with humanity and truth. Incorporates portraits of influential figures including Albert Einstein and Vera Rubin. 2005. BR 16084 ## Slavery and the Making of America BR 16087 by James Oliver Horton and Lois E. Horton 3 volumes Authors use slave narratives and primary documents to examine American slavery from 1619 to the Civil War. Explores economic, social, and cultural aspects of the practice and highlights contributions by African Americans to United States development. PBS companion. Violence and strong language. 2005. BR 16087 ## An Insider's Guide to the UN BR 16101 by Linda Fasulo 2 volumes News correspondent's overview of the United Nations, the international body established in 1945 to promote peace and prosperity among member nations. Discusses its structure and function; humanitarian, crime-fighting, and peacekeeping missions; sovereignty issues; and twenty- first-century challenges. Profiles influential leaders such as Secretary General Kofi Annan. 2004. BR 16101 ## The Big Splat; or, How Our Moon Came to Be BR 16106 by Dana Mackenzie 3 volumes Mathematician explores the origins of Earth's only natural satellite. Traces the history of lunar studies from ancient Greece to the twentieth century, weighing evidence for various theories before arriving at the "giant impact hypothesis" that posits that the moon is a product of Earth's collision with another planet. 2003. BR 16106 ## Winning Every Time: How to Use the Skills of a Lawyer in the Trials of Your Life BR 16111 by Lis Wiehl 3 volumes Trial attorney and legal commentator explains ways to prevail in confrontations by incorporating courtroom strategies into daily life. Lists eight steps to effectively present a case—including knowing the opposition, gathering evidence, and composing a closing argument—and offers techniques for implementing them in personal and business situations. 2004. BR 16111 ## Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything BR 16126 by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner 3 volumes Writer Stephen Dubner explains the offbeat issues that intrigue award-winning economist and coauthor Steven Levitt. Explores everyday riddles such as the link between legalized abortion and the crime rate, the effect of parents' income and ethnicity on naming babies, and the motivations of real estate agents. Bestseller. 2005. BR 16126 ## AARP Crash Course in Estate Planning: The Essential Guide to Wills, Trusts, and Your Personal Legacy BR 16131 by Michael T. Palermo 3 volumes AARP offers advice on planning an estate. Covers wills and trusts, executors and trustees, provisions for heirs including those with disabilities, charitable donations, and distribution solutions for beneficiaries. Emphasizes consulting an estate attorney to prevent family feuds. Foreword by Ric Edelman. 2005. BR 16131 ## With Billie BR 16140 by Julia Blackburn 3 volumes Biography of jazz singer Billie Holiday (1915–1959) based on some 150 interviews with colleagues, boyfriends, and acquaintances conducted in the 1970s by Linda Kuehl and concluded later by Blackburn. Covers Holiday's life from her rough Baltimore childhood to New York fame. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2005. BR 16140 ## Becoming Justice Blackmun: Harry Blackmun's Supreme Court Journey BR 16151 by Linda Greenhouse 3 volumes Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter uses personal papers, correspondence, and case files to trace the life and career of Supreme Court justice Harry A. Blackmun (1908–1999). Chronicles Blackmun's early years in Minnesota, twenty- four-year tenure on the Supreme Court, childhood friendship with Warren Burger, and prominent cases including Roe v. Wade. 2005. BR 16151 ## The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat BR 16159 by Bob Woodward 2 volumes One of the journalists who uncovered the 1972 Watergate scandal, described in All the President's Men (RC 50574), chronicles his long relationship with the scandal's secret informant. Details Woodward's early dealings with the man as a mentor, their covert meetings during Watergate, decades of concealment, and W. Mark Felt's public admission in 2005. Bestseller. 2005. BR 16159 ## The Doctor's Guide to Gastrointestinal Health: Preventing and Treating Acid Reflux, Ulcers, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diverticulitis, Celiac Disease, Colon Cancer, Pancreatitis, Cirrhosis, Hernias, and More BR 16164 by Paul Miskovitz and Marian Betancourt 3 volumes Comprehensive guide to maintaining healthy digestion. Discusses causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments for ailments involving the stomach, esophagus, intestine, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, and colon. 2005. BR 16164 ## Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot BR 16166 by Starr Smith 2 volumes Former Eighth Air Force intelligence officer chronicles Academy Award-winning actor Jimmy Stewart's World War II service as squadron commander of a combat bombardment group. Recounts Stewart's volunteering for service before the United States entered the war and later leading his men across Nazi Germany. Foreword by Walter Cronkite. 2005. BR 16166 ## Protecting Your Children from Sexual Predators BR 16168 by Leigh Baker 3 volumes A psychologist presents case studies to help parents identify sexual predators and pedophiles and teach their family to avoid them. Includes information about potential dangers to children from both male and female offenders, other juveniles and siblings, and the Internet. Explains how to use a state's Sex Offender Registry. 2002. BR 16168 ## Black like Me BR 16177 by John Howard Griffin 2 volumes White novelist's account of his six-week experiment in 1959 to learn firsthand what it was like to be a black man in the Deep South. After deliberately darkening his skin with chemicals, Griffin records his revealing and sometimes terrifying experiences with racism, inequality, and segregation. Strong language. 1960. BR 16177 ## Are Men Necessary? When Sexes Collide BR 16259 by Maureen Dowd 2 volumes Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter comments on the state of women's liberation four decades after the sexual revolution. Contends that the sexes are still in combat, women are more focused than ever on their looks, and feminist principles have backfired. Bestseller. 2005. BR 16259 ## Teacher Man: A Memoir BR 16261 by Frank McCourt 2 volumes Author of Angela's Ashes (BR 12543) recalls thirty years of working in New York City high schools. Relates his experiences as an Irishman teaching English to Americans and beguiling students with stories from his past. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller. 2005. BR 16261 ## Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis BR 16262 by Jimmy Carter 2 volumes Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter shares his views on terrorism, religious and political fundamentalism, the death penalty, abortion, women, and the environment. Criticizes the partisan divisions within the country and calls for a return to traditional American values. Bestseller. 2005. BR 16262 ## ### Adult Fiction Let's Get It On BR 15931 by Rochelle Alers, Donna 3 volumes Four novellas feature African American women finding love. In Donna Hill's Lady in Waiting, Noah's first love returns to reclaim him although he is engaged to another. In Brenda Jackson's Irresistible Attraction, Sydney meets someone at her brother's wedding. Explicit descriptions of sex. 2004. BR 15931 ## The Other Woman BR 15935 by Jane Green 3 volumes Motherless Ellie Black falls in love and happily marries Londoner Dan Cooper, embracing his close-knit family. But over time Dan's mother, Linda, tries to control every aspect of their lives—especially after they have a baby. Finally Ellie explodes. Some strong language. 2004. BR 15935 ## In like Flynn: A Molly Murphy Mystery BR 15944 by Rhys Bowen 3 volumes In early-twentieth-century, typhoid-ridden New York, policeman Daniel Sullivan hires Molly Murphy to investigate the Sorensen sisters. Molly poses as an Irish relative at Senator Flynn's country estate where the siblings, who claim to be spiritualists, are trying to solve the kidnapping of Flynn's son. 2005. BR 15944 ## The Rottweiler BR 15952 by Ruth Rendell 3 volumes Police discover that a serial killer is placing "trophies" from his victims in an antiques shop. Inez, the owner, and her diverse tenants above the shop become suspects. Detective Crippen investigates the renters' backgrounds while the murders continue. Some violence and some strong language. 2003. BR 15952 ## Unnatural Death (The Dawson Pedigree): A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery BR 15953 by Dorothy L. Sayers 2 volumes A chance remark overheard in a London restaurant leads to the revelation that a wealthy elderly woman did not die of natural causes three years before but was murdered. Lord Peter Wimsey and his friends, Detective-Inspector Parker and garrulous Miss Climpson, have a difficult time catching the killer. 1927. BR 15953 ## The Egyptologist BR 15956 by Arthur Phillips 4 volumes 1922. Staking his reputation and his fiancée's fortune, obsessive Egyptologist Ralph Trilipush excavates King Atum- hadu's tomb. Mystery and discovery unfold through Ralph's journal entries and the correspondences of Australian detective Harold Ferrell, who investigates Ralph's possible connection to a series of murders. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 2004. BR 15956 ## With No One as Witness: An Inspector Thomas Lynley Mystery BR 15959 by Elizabeth George 6 volumes London. Inspector Thomas Lynley and coworkers Barbara Havers and Winston Nkata investigate the gruesome murders of teenage boys—most of whom are racial minorities. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller. 2005. BR 15959 ## Be More Chill BR 15968 by Ned Vizzini 2 volumes To become popular and attract the beautiful Christine, New Jersey high school nerd Jeremy swallows an illegal "squip" microchip. The device tells him how to act cool, but eventually Jeremy wants to be back in control. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. For senior high readers. 2004. BR 15968 ## Nightcrawlers: A "Nameless Detective" Novel BR 15972 by Bill Pronzini 2 volumes "Nameless" private detective Bill, anticipating semiretirement, promotes Tamara Corbin to partner and hires field agent Jake Runyon. When homosexuals are attacked in San Francisco, among them Jake's estranged son's lover, and Tamara disappears after discovering a disturbing scene, Bill decides to investigate. Violence and strong language. 2005. BR 15972 ## Men against the Sea BR 15979 by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall 2 volumes 1789. Following the Mutiny on the Bounty (BR 8669), Captain Bligh and eighteen loyal men are set adrift in the South Pacific on a twenty-three-foot open launch. Alone on uncharted waters, the crew struggles to survive the 3,600- mile voyage to the Dutch colony of Timor in the East Indies. 1933. BR 15979 ## Who's Your Daddy? BR 15980 by Lynda Sandoval 2 volumes Sixteen-year-old wallflowers Meryl, Caressa, and Lila blame their lack of romance on their dads: a vice-principal, a police chief, and a famous musician. Dateless for homecoming, the girls play a game to find true love and, by coincidence, meet three guys. Some strong language. For senior high readers. 2004. BR 15980 ## The Rising: Antichrist Is Born before They Were Left Behind; Countdown to the Rapture, Book 1 BR 16069 by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins 3 volumes A prequel to the Left Behind series relating events leading up to the Rapture. Nicolae Carpathia is born to a woman who allows herself to become a chosen vessel for the birth of evil. Rayford Steele avoids taking over the family business by becoming a pilot. Bestseller. 2005. BR 16069 ## Rules for Old Men Waiting BR 16072 by Peter Pouncey 2 volumes Widowed history professor Robert MacIver quietly mourns his wife's death at their home on Cape Cod. MacIver, originally from Scotland, passes the time by writing a World War I novel and reminiscing about his own life and the death of his only child in Vietnam. Some descriptions of sex. 2005. BR 16072 ## Their Eyes Were Watching God BR 16074 by Zora Neale Hurston 2 volumes Classic novel of Janie, a handsome black woman, and her three marriages: to Logan Killicks, a prosperous farmer; to go-getter Joe Starks, who makes her Mrs. Mayor Starks of Eatonville, Florida; and to Tea Cake Woods, who teaches Janie, at forty, the reality of love and happiness. 1990 foreword. 1937. BR 16074 ## The Kreutzer Sonata BR 16075 by Margriet de Moor 1 volume Marius van Vlooten, a music critic, reveals the depths of his passionate nature while recounting two love affairs. The first led to an attempted suicide that left him blind, and the second led to marriage with a lovely, talented violinist, whom he almost killed in a fit of jealousy. 2001. BR 16075 ## I Got Somebody in Staunton: Stories BR 16077 by William Henry Lewis 2 volumes Ten short stories featuring African Americans. In the title piece, a black professor offers a white woman a ride to Staunton where he's going to visit a dying uncle. He remembers his uncle's warning about the danger inherent in such pairings. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2005. BR 16077 ## Child of Silence: A Bo Bradley Mystery BR 16078 by Abigail Padgett 2 volumes San Diego child-abuse investigator Bo Bradley has a new case: four-year-old deaf boy Weppo, found tied to a mattress on a Paiute reservation. When hired gunmen target Weppo, Bo flees with him and uncovers an alarming connection to a Houston political hopeful. Strong language and some violence. 1993. BR 16078 ## The Tea House on Mulberry Street BR 16092 by Sharon Owens 2 volumes Daniel and Penny Stanley are owners of Muldoon's Tea Rooms, known for its cozy atmosphere and luscious desserts. There residents of Belfast seek refuge from their various dilemmas, including dieting housewife Sadie, struggling artist Brenda, retired twin schoolteachers Beatrice and Alice, and failed novelist Henry. 2003. BR 16092 ## The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories BR 16105 by Leo Tolstoy 3 volumes Four short stories by the nineteenth-century Russian author. In the title piece, a husband confesses to being so consumed by sexual jealousy that he feels compelled to murder his wife. The public outcry against the story, published in 1890, caused Tolstoy to write the postface included here. 1985. BR 16105 ## Simply Unforgettable: Miss Martin's School for Girls, Book 1 BR 16107 by Mary Balogh 3 volumes Regency England. Music teacher Frances Allard is returning to Miss Martin's School for Girls in Bath after Christmas when her carriage overturns in a snowstorm. She and Lucius Marshall, the viscount Sinclair, who caused the accident, take refuge together in a nearly deserted inn. Explicit descriptions of sex. 2005. BR 16107 ## About Love and Other Stories BR 16108 by Anton Chekhov 3 volumes Seventeen short stories by the nineteenth-century Russian writer. In the title piece, a lonely bachelor tells a sad tale of undeclared love and the toll it exacts. The collection includes "The Lady with the Little Dog" (1899), "Gusev" (1890), and "Rothschild's Violin" (1894). Translation by Rosamund Bartlett. 2004. BR 16108 ## Singularity Sky BR 16110 by Charles Stross 3 volumes An information plague called the Festival strikes the New Republic, an isolationist planetary colony banning technology. Contractor Martin Springfield and United Nations of Earth Security Council agent Rachel Mansour, both on covert missions, become unlikely allies as the colony prepares for war. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2003. BR 16110 ## Broken Prey BR 16128 by John Sandford 3 volumes Gruesome murders that mimic the crimes of the "Big Three"— serial murderers presently incarcerated— bring Lucas Davenport to investigate. The prime suspect is Charlie Pope, newly released from a Minnesota mental hospital. But the killer is too smart to be Pope. Explicit descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. Bestseller. 2005. BR 16128 ## Housekeeping BR 16132 by Marilynne Robinson 2 volumes Ruth and her younger sister, Lucille, are raised haphazardly by their extended family in the small, lakeside town of Fingerbone. Their grandmother cares for them until her death, then two bumbling great aunts take over, and finally eccentric aunt Sylvie looks after them. 1980. BR 16132 ## The Sugar Camp Quilt: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel BR 16137 by Jennifer Chiaverini 3 volumes Creek's Crossing, Pennsylvania; 1849. Dorothea Granger, nineteen, and her parents are at the mercy of Uncle Jacob. So when he asks Dorothea to sew a quilt for him according to a specific yet unusual pattern, she agrees. Uncle Jacob dies, and Dorothea makes a startling discovery about the quilt. 2005. BR 16137 ## Savage Garden: An Eve Diamond Novel BR 16138 by Denise Hamilton 3 volumes Los Angeles Times reporter Eve Diamond investigates the murder of Latin stage actress Catarina Velosi, a friend of Eve's lover, Silvio Aguilar. While forced to mentor Felice Morgan, a rising African American star at the newspaper, Eve interrogates several suspects. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2005. BR 16138 ## Shopaholic BR 16139 by Judy Waite 1 volume Overwhelmed by her mother's depression, Taylor is easily manipulated by Kat, an older classmate, to use a credit card to buy clothes she can't afford. Finally understanding Kat's true nature and with help from her recovering mom, Taylor regains control of her life. For senior high readers. 2001. BR 16139 ## Honeymoon BR 16141 by James Patterson and Howard Roughan 2 volumes While tracing terrorist funding, FBI agent John O'Hara accidentally stumbles across a beautiful woman diverting laundered money to the Cayman Islands. Nora Sinclair murders husbands and a fiancé to amass millions, but O'Hara is determined to stop her. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. Bestseller. 2005. BR 16141 ## The Virgin's Lover BR 16142 by Philippa Gregory 4 volumes England, 1558. Twenty-five-year-old Princess Elizabeth ascends the throne, giving her friend, ex-traitor Robert Dudley, opportunity to restore his place at court. Defying advice to choose a husband for political advantage, Elizabeth pursues an affair with married Robert, igniting a scandal. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2004. BR 16142 ## A Cold Treachery: An Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery BR 16150 by Charles Todd 3 volumes Lake District, England; 1919. After the Elcott family is murdered, Scotland Yard inspector Ian Rutledge investigates the crime. Ten-year-old Josh Elcott is missing, possibly a victim or the perpetrator. Rutledge, haunted by his own war ghost, searches for the boy and the killer. Some violence. 2005. BR 16150 ## How Green Was My Valley BR 16153 by Richard Llewellyn 4 volumes Before leaving his childhood home, Huw Morgan reminisces about his youth in South Wales. He remembers when the coal mines still flourished and family members and friends fought, loved, laughed, and cried as they struggled to survive labor troubles and hard times in the valley. National Book Award. 1939. BR 16153 ## Pagan's Vows: The Pagan Chronicles, Book 3 BR 16154 by Catherine Jinks 2 volumes France, 1188–1189. Pagan accompanies Lord Roland, now determined to be a monk, to the Abbey of Saint Martin. Pagan chafes at being a novice in a monastery and uncovers a dangerous blackmail plot. For junior and senior high readers. 1995. BR 16154 ## Pagan's Scribe: The Pagan Chronicles, Book 4 BR 16155 by Catherine Jinks 2 volumes France, 1209. Pagan Kidrouk, now archdeacon, hires Isidore, a fifteen-year-old orphan with epilepsy, to be his scribe. Together they try to survive the siege of Carcassonne. Concluding book of the Pagan Chronicles. For junior and senior high readers. 2000. BR 16155 ## One for Sorrow, Two for Joy BR 16156 by Clive Woodall 2 volumes The evil magpies led by Slyekin and his sadistic assassin are systematically eradicating other bird species in the kingdom of Birddom. Guided by the wise old owl Tomar, plucky young robin Kirrick, widowed by the massacre, undertakes three perilous journeys to rally avian allies against the onslaught. Some violence. 2002. BR 16156 ## Accidental Happiness BR 16157 by Jean Reynolds Page 3 volumes South Carolina. Since her husband Ben unexpectedly died three months ago, thirty-three-year-old Gina Melrose has been living aboard their sailboat. When Reese, Ben's ex- wife, and her seven-year-old daughter Angel, who might be Ben's child, arrive on the boat, Gina confronts the possibility that Ben betrayed her. Strong language. 2005. BR 16157 ## Gilead BR 16160 by Marilynne Robinson 2 volumes 1950s. Dying seventy-six-year-old Gilead, Iowa, minister John Ames writes a parting letter to his young son. John reflects on the tensions between his pacifist father and militant abolitionist grandfather (both preachers), the death of his first wife and child, the gospel, a friend's transgressions, and life's eternal mystery. Pulitzer Prize. Bestseller. 2004. BR 16160 ## Miracle BR 16162 by Danielle Steel 1 volume A fierce storm hits San Francisco on New Year's Eve, bringing together three people who form a unique friendship. Each gradually reveals his or her personal problems to the group and finds strength in the growing camaraderie. And in the end, love blossoms for all. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller. 2005. BR 16162 ## Coal Run BR 16165 by Tawni O'Dell 3 volumes Ivan Zoschenko returns to his hometown in the coal-mining region of Pennsylvania after years of absence. Once a local football hero, he becomes a deputy involved in the locals' problems and learns to confront his own demons. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2004. BR 16165 ## Essential Stories BR 16170 by V.S. Pritchett 2 volumes Jeremy Treglown, a biographer of Pritchett (1900–1997), assembles sixteen Pritchett short stories that exhibit his legendary skills. "A Serious Question" explores a failing, childless marriage. "The Lion's Den" is autobiographical and "Our Oldest Friend" is an examination of what it means to be rejected. 2005. BR 16170 ## Reflex BR 16172 by Steven Gould 4 volumes A mysterious organization kidnaps National Security Agency operative Davy Rice to use his teleportation powers. Davy's wife, Millie, searches frantically for him with her own newfound teleporting skills. Sequel to Jumper (BR 9548). Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. For senior high and older readers. 2004. BR 16172 ## The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell BR 16260 by Lilian Jackson Braun 1 volume Journalist Jim Qwilleran helps plan a knock-out celebration of Pickax City's sesquicentennial. Meanwhile Nathan and Doris Ledfield, a wealthy couple, mysteriously die, leaving their greedy nephew to inherit their estate. Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum help to uncover the truth about the couple's demise. Bestseller. 2006. BR 16260 ## ### _Books for Children_ The following books were recently produced for the NLS program. To order books, contact your braille-lending library. Children's Nonfiction Penguins Swim but Don't Get Wet: And Other Amazing Facts about Polar Animals BR 15963 by Melvin Berger and Gilda Berger 1 volume Discusses the Arctic and Antarctic regions of Earth and states interesting facts about creatures living there, including polar bears, reindeer, wolves, whales, seals, walruses, birds, and penguins. For grades 2-4. 2004. BR 15963 ## African American Musicians BR 15983 by Eleanora E. Tate 2 volumes Profiles of African Americans who have made significant contributions to music in the United States over the past two hundred years. Depicts them contending with racism, segregation, and personal hardship to become jazz composers, stride pianists, concert singers, horn players, and gospel and rap artists. For grades 6-9. 2000. BR 15983 ## The Story of Chocolate BR 16135 by C.J. Polin 1 volume History of chocolate, beginning with the farming of Central American cacao trees in ancient times. Follows explorers' transportation of cocoa beans to Spain and the growth of chocolate's popularity. Discusses European inventions for processing cocoa and describes a vast modern industry. Uncontracted braille. For grades 2-4 and older readers. 2005. BR 16135 ## ### Children's Fiction The Teacher's Funeral: A Comedy in Three Parts BR 15974 by Richard Peck 1 volume Rural Indiana, 1904. After Miss Myrt Arbuckle, the mean old teacher, "hauled off and died" in August, fifteen-year-old Russell figures the one-room schoolhouse will close. His dreams of quitting school and joining a wheat-threshing crew are disrupted when his older sister fills the vacancy. For grades 6-9. 2004. BR 15974 ## Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Jumping Frogs BR 15976 by Donald J. Sobol 1 volume Ten-year-old detective Encyclopedia Brown solves ten cases. In the title story, Encyclopedia figures out who got through the locked gates of a camp to steal his friend's camera. In "The Case of Nemo's Tuba," his attention to detail traps a liar. For grades 3-6. 2003. BR 15976 ## Carnival at Candlelight: Magic Tree House, Book 33 BR 15978 by Mary Pope Osborne 1 volume While on a mission to prove to Merlin that they can use magic wisely, Jack and Annie travel to seventeenth-century Venice, Italy, to save the city from disaster. For grades 2-4. 2005. BR 15978 ## Al Capone Does My Shirts BR 15982 by Gennifer Choldenko 2 volumes 1935. Twelve-year-old Moose Flanagan moves to Alcatraz Island when his father takes a job at the maximum-security prison there. Moose struggles to make friends and cares for his older autistic sister while their mother applies for the girl's acceptance to a special school. For grades 6-9. 2004. BR 15982 ## Ten Little Rubber Ducks BR 16040 by Eric Carle 1 volume When a cargo ship runs into a storm, a box of rubber ducks goes overboard. Ten rubber ducks drift in different directions to have separate adventures with sea animals. Introduces ordinal numbers. PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool- grade 2. 2005. BR 16040 ## The Shadows of Ghadames BR 16071 by Joëlle Stolz 1 volume Libya, late 1800s. Malika and her brother Jasim are still children playing on the rooftop of their village home when their father leaves with a caravan. In his absence the women of the household take in a wounded stranger, disrupting the traditional order. For grades 5-8. Mildred Batchelder Award. 1999. BR 16071 ## I Am David BR 16079 by Anne Holm 2 volumes A twelve-year-old boy who has spent most of his childhood in a concentration camp seizes an opportunity to escape. Facing tremendous obstacles he heads toward Denmark, running by night, stowing away on a boat, hitchhiking, and always fearing recapture. Formerly titled North to Freedom. For grades 5-8. 1963. BR 16079 ## Double-Dare to Be Scared: Another Thirteen Chilling Tales BR 16080 by Robert D. San Souci 1 volume More spooky stories like those in Dare to Be Scared: Thirteen Stories to Chill and Thrill (BR 15429). In "Class Cootie," a boy teased to death at school is appropriately avenged by his Nana Olga, rumored to be a witch. In "Laughter," an American boy learns the hard way to respect Irish beliefs. For grades 4-7. 2004. BR 16080 ## Scorpia: An Alex Rider Adventure BR 16112 by Anthony Horowitz 2 volumes Fourteen-year-old Alex Rider goes to Venice, Italy, determined to track down Scorpia because of the organization's connection to his deceased father. But the for-hire terrorist group planning to kill thousands of British schoolchildren ensnares Alex for its own purposes. For grades 6-9. 2004. BR 16112 ## Bad Bears and a Bunny: An Irving and Muktuk Story BR 16133 by Daniel Pinkwater 1 volume The two naughty polar bears plan to misbehave as usual at a fancy hotel party until they spot a guest who strikes fear into their hearts. For preschool-grade 2. 2005. BR 16133 ## ### 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