Books listed in this issue of Braille Book Review were recently sent to cooperating libraries. The complete collection contains books by many authors on fiction and nonfiction subjects, including biographies, classics, gothics, mysteries, romances, and others. Contact your cooperating library to learn more about the wide range of books available in the collection.
To order books, contact your cooperating 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."
Daniel's Gift BR 11411
by Barbara Freethy
3 volumes
Twelve-year-old Daniel St. Claire longs to meet his father, Luke
Sheridan, head of a California
biotech company. But his mother, Jenny, wants nothing to do with
Luke, who left her for his
career. Then, after attempting a reunion, Danny is hurt in a
terrible accident. As he lies
unconscious in the hospital, Danny's parents try to make amends.
Some strong language. 1996.
Keeper BR 11413
by Greg Rucka
3 volumes
While accompanying his girlfriend to an abortion clinic,
bodyguard Atticus Kodiak is
approached by Dr. Felice Romero. She wants to hire Kodiak and his
colleagues to protect her and
her daughter (who has Down's syndrome) from an increasingly
threatening group of
antiabortionists. Strong language and violence. 1996.
The Cat Who Sang for the Birds BR 11444
by Lilian Jackson Braun
2 volumes
An elderly widow dies in a house fire after promising to leave
her farm to the county. When a
young artist also dies suspiciously, Qwilleran suspects that more
than spring has arrived in
Pickax. Meanwhile the Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum enjoy a
gazebo that has been built for
their bird-watching pleasure. Bestseller 1998.
Christine BR 11479
by Stephen King
5 volumes
Chilling, macabre love tragedy set in 1978 in Pittsburgh centers
on teenage misfit Arnie
Cunningham and his devotion to and ultimate possession by his '58
Plymouth Fury,
"Christine." Eerie things happen from the day that
Arnie buys the car for $250 from
creepy old Roland D. LeBay. Strong language and some descriptions
of sex. Bestseller 1983.
Endymion BR 11481
by Dan Simmons
5 volumes
Two hundred forty-seven years after events in the Fall of
Hyperion (BR 8684), the
WorldWeb is divided into many kingdoms, and the military wing of
the Catholic Church is in
charge. Aenea, eleven, emerges from the Time Tombs to challenge
the church authorities. Raul
Endymion is snatched from death to assist her. Strong language
and some descriptions of sex.
1995.
The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia BR 11519
by Samuel Johnson
2 volumes
Allegory written in 1759 upon the death of the author's mother.
Tells how the prince escapes
from his happy valley in quest of a satisfactory object in life
but returns to his paradise accepting
human limitations. 1759.
Sense and Sensibility BR 11520
by Jane Austen
3 volumes
Written in the 1790s as Elinor and Marianne and published
in 1811 under the current
title, this tale of two sisters provides a portrait of upper- and
middle-class English society. The
two Dashwood women, forced to live in reduced circumstances, each
search for the right
marriage partner--one relying on common sense, the other on
romantic emotion. 1992.
Pride and Prejudice BR 11521
by Jane Austen
3 volumes
A comedy of manners, first published in 1813, concerning two of
the five Bennet sisters,
Elizabeth and Jane, and their courtships played out in the
drawing rooms of Regency England.
Elizabeth and her proud suitor, Mr. Darcy, spar verbally about
their relationship and social
circumstances. The sisters' comments on each other's romances
help convey the author's views
on life and love. 1996.
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower BR 11552
by C.S. Forester
2 volumes
Horatio Hornblower of the British Royal Navy faces a series of
adventurous episodes in his early
career. His quick thinking, brilliant intuition, and decisiveness
leave him with the rank of
lieutenant. Prequel to Lieutenant Hornblower (BR 11553).
1948.
Lieutenant Hornblower BR 11553
by C.S. Forester
2 volumes (Reissue)
In this sequel to Mr. Midshipman Hornblower (BR 11552),
Horatio Hornblower emerges
from his apprenticeship as a midshipman to assume the
responsibilities forced upon him by the
war between Napoleon and Spain. Also follows his career on board
HMS Renown up to
his promotion to captain. 1951.
Hornblower and the Hotspur BR 11554
by C.S. Forester
3 volumes
Commander Hornblower marries in England and soon afterward sails
for duty off the French
coast. War breaks out with France, involving Hornblower in
several sea battles and in a land raid,
which destroys a French signal station. Sequel to Lieutenant
Hornblower (BR 11553).
1962.
Beat to Quarters BR 11555
by C.S. Forester
2 volumes
June 1808. Captain Hornblower and his men are aboard the HMS
Lydia off the coast of
Nicaragua. He has been given several orders to carry out or face
a court martial. One of his tasks
is to find a water route across Central America, and as a result,
he is transporting Lady Wellesley
to Panama. Sequel to Hornblower and the Atrops (BR
7081). 1938.
Ship of the Line BR 11556
by C.S. Forester
2 volumes
May 1810. Horatio Hornblower is now in command of his first ship,
the HMS
Sutherland, but he has one major problem--the crew is
short by about 250 men. He hires
any men who are willing and has them trained well enough to stage
five solo raids against the
French army and navy along the coast of Spain. Sequel to Beat
to Quarters (BR 11555).
1938.
Flying Colours BR 11557
by C.S. Forester
2 volumes
In this sequel to Ship of the Line (BR 11556), Captain
Hornblower, having surrendered
his ship, finds himself in a French prison facing possible
execution. If he manages to escape, he
still must deal with a court martial in England. 1938.
Commodore Hornblower BR 11558
by C.S. Forester
3 volumes
The old sea dog Horatio Hornblower is entrusted with a delicate
mission to Russia, neatly
threading the tangle of Baltic politics in the year 1812 in this
sequel to Flying Colours (BR
11557). 1945.
Lord Hornblower BR 11559
by C.S. Forester
2 volumes
The Hornblower saga continues as the intrepid commodore becomes a
peer of the realm by
quelling a mutiny and concluding his private war with Napoleon.
Incidentally, he rekindles his
romance with the lovely French Marie. Sequel to Commodore
Hornblower (BR 11558).
1946.
Welcome to the Ark BR 11564
by Stephanie S. Tolan
2 volumes
In a chaotic future world, four highly intelligent teenagers
communicate telepathically with other
youth around the globe in an experimental program for troubled
children. Eight years later, as
adults, the group use their mental powers to stop violence in
their environment. For senior high
and older readers. 1996.
An Acquaintance with Darkness BR 11566
by Ann Rinaldi
2 volumes
Washington, D.C., 1865. Emily Pigbush, orphaned at fourteen, goes
to live with her Uncle
Valentine, a physician. She is shocked to discover that he and
his colleagues rob graves in order
to study anatomy. Even more frightening is her realization that
the family of her best friend,
Annie Surratt, is involved in the assassination of President
Lincoln. For senior high and older
readers. 1997.
Thin Ice BR 11573
by Marsha Qualey
2 volumes
Arden's parents died in a plane crash when she was six, and her
brother, Scott, dropped out of
college to raise her. Now Arden is seventeen and Scott has
disappeared, presumably drowned in
a snowmobile accident. But Arden has reason to believe Scott has
run away, and she's
determined to find him. For junior and senior high readers. 1997.
The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone BR 11585
by Tennessee Williams
1 volume
American Mrs. Stone--former actress, wealthy, middle-aged, and
widowed--is biding her time in
Rome when the Contessa, a female pimp, introduces her to Paolo, a
handsome young gigolo. At
first, Mrs. Stone laments her fading beauty and the end of her
stage career. Then she muses on
the demise of her way of life and of her husband, and enjoys her
current affair. Finally, Mrs.
Stone must deal with her attempt to replace real life with
fantasy. 1950.
Israel: A Traveler's Literary Companion BR 11586
edited by Michael Gluzman and Naomi Seidman
2 volumes
Sixteen short stories from different locales in Israel. Depicting
contemporary life in popular
tourist locations, the selections give travelers a view of places
they may plan to visit. All are
translations from Hebrew. Some violence and some descriptions of
sex. 1996.
The Ex BR 11587
by John Lutz
2 volumes
David Jones lives in Manhattan with his wife and young son. Then
Deirdre, whom he divorced
five years ago, unexpectedly turns up and wants to be friends.
John doesn't realize that Deirdre
has escaped from a mental institution and has come for revenge.
Strong language, violence, and
some descriptions of sex. 1996.
The Hobbit; or, There and Back Again BR 11595
by J.R.R. Tolkien
3 volumes
The wandering wizard Gandalf recruits Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, to
be the fourteenth member of
an expedition. Hobbits prefer comfort to adventures, but Bilbo
joins the quest and encounters
many perils, including a dragon. For junior and senior high
readers. 1966.
Don't Erase Me BR 11598
by Carolyn Ferrell
2 volumes
Stories about young people of the urban underclass--mostly poor,
black, or biracial and from
broken or dysfunctional families. In "Proper Library,"
a black teenage boy, who is
responsible for the care of several younger siblings, is shunned
by his classmates because of his
homosexuality. Strong language. 1997.
Hero BR 11600
by S.L. Rottman
2 volumes
Fifteen-year-old Sean is sent to a farm for a week's community
service for fighting. Abandoned
by his father and raised by an abusive mother, Sean finds
acceptance and peace with the animals
and the farmer, Mr. Hassler. With the help of some concerned
adults, Sean is able to look
forward to a better future. For junior and senior high readers.
1997.
Secret Star BR 11601
by Nancy Springer
1 volume
Tess, fourteen, has lived alone with her stepfather since her
mother died and has no memory of
her childhood. Daddy is poor and uses a wheelchair, but Tess is
happy at home until she meets
Kamo--a young drifter who thinks they may be related. Some strong
language and some
violence. For junior and senior high readers. 1997.
The Good Brother BR 11640
by Chris Offutt
3 volumes
After avenging his brother's murder, Virgil Caudill flees to
Montana, leaving behind his family,
friends, and Kentucky home. Pursued by relatives of his victim,
Virgil joins an antigovernment
militia group and is drawn into a violent confrontation with
federal agents. Strong language and
violence. 1997.
Billy Gashade BR 11641
by Loren D. Estleman
3 volumes
In 1863 a sixteen-year-old boy from a prominent family is caught
up in the New York City Draft
Riots. Fleeing retribution from the Tammany Hall gang, the boy
becomes Billy Gashade, a
musician in saloons and pleasure houses out west. Throughout his
years wandering from place to
place, Billy meets characters who become legends: Calamity Jane,
Chief Crazy Horse, and Billy
the Kid, to name a few. Some violence. 1997.
The Players: A Novel of the Young Shakespeare BR
11666
by Stephanie Cowell
2 volumes
Fictional portrayal of William Shakespeare as a young man. An
impoverished playwright and
actor in London, Shakespeare is caught in a love triangle between
his Italian mistress, Emilia
Bassano, and his patron, the young earl of Southampton. Includes
historical notes. Descriptions
of sex. 1997.
The Queen of October BR 11667
by Shelley Fraser Mickle
2 volumes
1959, Coldwater, Arkansas. Thirteen-year-old Sally is sent to
live with her grandparents after the
"bust-up" of her parents' marriage. Embarrassed by the
divorce and the upcoming
custody battle, Sally is looking forward to leaving Memphis to
return to her sleepy hometown
and the people she has always known. 1989.
Legacy of Silence BR 11671
by Belva Plain
3 volumes
When it becomes obvious that World War II is imminent, Caroline
Hartzinger and her adopted
older sister, Lore, flee from Berlin to Geneva. Walter, who plans
to wed Caroline, goes with
them. Life takes a dramatic turn and Caroline and Lore escape to
America alone but their time in
Switzerland provides a legacy that affects several generations.
Bestseller 1998.
The Moon and the Sun BR 11672
by Vonda N. McIntyre
4 volumes
At the command of King Louis XIV, a Jesuit natural philosopher
captures a female sea monster,
thought to hold the secret to immortality. The Jesuit's sister
understands the creature's songs,
realizes that she is a thinking, feeling being, and befriends
her. Protecting the sea lady leads to
confrontations with the king and even the pope. 1997.
The Captive Voice: Daybreak Mysteries, Volume 2 BR
11675
by B.J. Hoff
2 volumes
While honeymooning on Lake Erie, Jennifer Kaine and her husband
Daniel, who is blind, meet
Christian singer Vali Tremayne. Vali retired after the death of
her fiancé. Now it appears
that her life is also in danger. With the help of God, the Kaines
lend Vali their support. Sequel to
Storm at Daybreak (BR 11674). 1987.
The Tangled Web: Daybreak Mysteries, Volume 3 BR
11676
by B.J. Hoff
2 volumes
Jennifer and Daniel Kaine are in the process of converting a West
Virginia farm into a Christian
summer camp for disabled youth. A hoodlum on the run from the mob
turns up with the two
children of his murdered boss. The Kaines offer shelter and
prepare for the hit men to arrive.
Sequel to The Captive Voice (BR 11675). 1988.
Vow of Silence: Daybreak Mysteries, Volume 4 BR 11677
by B.J. Hoff
2 volumes
Jennifer and Daniel Kaine welcome two newcomers to Shepherd
Valley, West Virginia. Whitney
Sharyn, the deaf director of an organization for disabled people,
hopes to escape her past, and
Michael Devlin wants to help her. When Whitney's former boyfriend
tracks her down and begins
to stalk her, her faith is tested. Sequel to The Tangled Web
(BR 11676). 1988.
Dark River Legacy: Daybreak Mysteries, Volume 5 BR
11678
by B.J. Hoff
2 volumes
Jennifer and Daniel Kaine travel to Kentucky to help a friend,
Mitch Donovan, organize the
annual Heritage Arts Festival. Mitch is currently sheltering an
elderly homeless woman who has
amnesia. But someone is stalking her with plans of murder. Sequel
to Vow of Silence (BR
11677). 1990.
One Went to Denver and the Other Went Wrong: Code of the West,
Book 2 BR
11679
by Stephen Bly
2 volumes
As Tap Andrews reminds the bounty hunters who shot at him, the
code of honor in Colorado in
the 1880s gives him the right to fire back. With so many men
gunning for him, Tap strives to
clear his record with the law so he can safely marry Pepper
Paige. Then he learns that she has a
past, too. Sequel to It's Your Misfortune and None of My Own
(BR 10126). 1995.
Don't Scream BR 11684
by Joan Lowery Nixon
1 volume
Jess and her friend Lori are thrilled when two new boys enroll in
their small-town high school.
Mark has moved in next door to Jess, and Lori quickly strikes up
a friendship with Scott. What
the girls don't realize is that one of the two is a sociopath and
in the Federal Witness Protection
Program. For junior and senior high readers. 1996.
Forged by Fire BR 11688
by Sharon M. Draper
1 volume
The day before his ninth birthday, Gerald's world changes again.
For the past six years he has
been living with Aunt Queen while his mother was in prison for
child abuse. Now she is
re-entering his life, along with a half sister, Angel, and a
stepfather. Realizing that Angel is being
abused by her father, Gerald tries to protect her. Companion to
Tears of a Tiger (BR
10779). For junior and senior high readers. 1997.
Thirty-Three Moments of Happiness: St. Petersburg Stories BR
11689
by Ingo Schulze
2 volumes
Vignettes affording glimpses into the harsh and seamy side of
Russian life, believed to be the
writings of a German businessman who frequented the city. Moment
22 describes a day in the
life of an office worker, Viktoria Federovna; other moments are
more bizarre. Some explicit
descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language.
1998.
Whistle Me Home BR 11690
by Barbara Wersba
1 volume
Being a tomboy, Noli is surprised when the new boy in school asks
her out. She soon discovers
that TJ is truly her soul mate and falls deeply in love with him.
Noli is disappointed when, even
after months, their relationship is still chaste. Then TJ
confesses his sexual orientation to her. For
senior high and older readers. 1997.
Celibates and Other Lovers BR 11694
by Walter Keady
2 volumes
Growing up in post-World War II rural Ireland, sixteen-year-old
Phelim O'Brien attempts to
distance himself from carnal temptation by becoming a priest.
Amid the tumult of changing
social mores, O'Brien's vow of celibacy is severely tested.
Strong language and descriptions of
sex. 1997.
Striking Out BR 11696
by Will Weaver
2 volumes
Billy Baggs, at thirteen, does the work of a full-grown man on
his father's Minnesota farm. When
the coach sees how strong Billy's arm is, he recruits him for
summer baseball, chores willing.
Prequel to Farm Team (BR 10506). For junior and senior
high readers. 1993.
Hard Ball: A Billy Baggs Novel BR 11697
by Will Weaver
2 volumes
In this sequel to Farm Team (BR 10506), Billy Baggs and
King Kenwood are still
baseball rivals. When their competition brews into a fight over
beautiful classmate Suzy Langen,
the coach orders the boys to spend a week at each other's house.
The move provides insights
about their different lifestyles and common problems. Some strong
language. For junior and
senior high readers. 1998.
The Return Journey BR 11702
by Maeve Binchy
1 volume
Fourteen short stories concerning personal relationships. In
"The Return Journey," a
daughter returns to her mother's native Irish village. In
"The Business Trip," Lena
has been in love with her boss for years until she travels with
him. 1998.
High Crimes BR 11706
by Joseph Finder
3 volumes
When the FBI tries to arrest Tom Chapman, his wife, Claire
Heller, a Harvard law professor,
learns that Tom is really army sergeant Ron Kubik, a fugitive for
thirteen years. Claire defends
her husband at his court-martial because she is determined to
know the truth about him. Some
strong language and some violence. Bestseller 1998.
Amerika BR 11733
by Franz Kafka
2 volumes
Written in German in 1927, this novel expresses the author's
rejection of the capitalist system.
Karl Rossmann, a young immigrant to America, is snubbed by his
relatives, robbed by tramps,
and ridiculed in his attempt to find work. Includes an
introduction by E.L. Doctorow. 1938.
A Killing Frost BR 11739
by John Marsden
2 volumes
In this sequel to The Dead of Night (BR 11708), six months
have passed since the small
group of Australian teens went into hiding after their community
was seized by enemies. Their
attempts to gather information and help the captured become more
and more daring. Some
violence and some strong language. For junior and senior high and
older readers. 1995.
All through the Night BR 11744
by Mary Higgins Clark
1 volume
It has been seven years since Sondra Lewis left her newborn baby
in front of a church;
simultaneously Lenny Centino was stealing a chalice from it. Now
as amateur sleuth Alvirah
Meehan tries to help the church's priest and nuns save their
after-school haven, she uncovers a
connection between those events and a child at the center. Bestseller 1998.
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