Braille Book Review

July-August 2002

Books for Children--Fiction

Fiction

Different Just like Me BR 13095
by Lori Mitchell
1 volume
While preparing for a visit to her grandmother, a young girl notices that, like the flowers in Grammie's garden, people who are different from one another also share similarities, and it's okay to like them all. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3 and older readers. 1999.

The Hickory Chair BR 13096
by Lisa Rowe Fraustino
1 volume
A blind boy tells of his warm relationship with his grandmother. After she dies, every family member--except him--finds notes on special things she has left for them. He chooses her favorite chair as a remembrance, and years later, his grandchild finds a note inside--for him. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2001.

Car Wash BR 13097
by Sandra Steen and Susan Steen
1 volume
On the way to lunch, a father drives through a muddy puddle and stops at the car wash first. His two children imagine deep-sea adventures as the machines whir around outside the windows. But after their meal, dad wishes he had waited to have the car cleaned. PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2. 2001.

Wings BR 13100
by Christopher Myers
1 volume
Ikarus Jackson, the new boy in school, can really fly. The other children pick on him because his wings make him different. Then one girl recognizes his loneliness and praises his special ability, renewing his spirit. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2000.

Homecoming BR 13290
by Cynthia Voigt
3 volumes (Reissue)
After their mother abandons Dicey, James, Maybeth, and Sammy at a shopping mall, it is up to thirteen-year-old Dicey to take care of her siblings and keep them together. Dicey wants to reach Bridgeport, Connecticut, where their great-aunt lives, even though it means walking for several days. For grades 5-8. 1981.

Over Sea, under Stone BR 13419
by Susan Cooper
2 volumes
The three Drew children find a crumbling old map that may lead to an ancient treasure linked with King Arthur and possessing strength more powerful than life itself. Followed by _The Dark Is Rising (BR 13420)_. For grades 4-7 and older readers. 1965.

The Dark Is Rising BR 13420
by Susan Cooper
2 volumes
Will Stanton, eleven, learns that he is the last of the Old Ones--immortals dedicated to controlling the forces of evil. Will's quest is to find the Signs of Light to defeat the Dark. Sequel to _Over Sea, under Stone (BR 13419)_. For grades 4-7 and older readers. Newbery Honor. 1973.

Greenwitch BR 13421
by Susan Cooper
1 volume
Despite the dangers, the Drew children and Will Stanton must retrieve the golden grail that the forces of the Dark have stolen. And Jane Drew receives a strange gift from the Greenwitch after witnessing a nightlong ceremony. Sequel to _The Dark Is Rising (BR 13420)_. For grades 4-7 and older readers. 1974.

The Grey King BR 13423
by Susan Cooper
2 volumes (Reissue)
While visiting in Wales, Will Stanton is challenged to find a golden harp to rouse the sleepers needed for the battle against the Dark. Sequel to _Greenwitch (BR 13421)_. For grades 4-7 and older readers. Newbery Medal. 1975.

Artemis Fowl BR 13430
by Eoin Colfer
2 volumes
Twelve-year-old mastermind Artemis plans to restore his family fortune by obtaining some of the fairies' gold. The first step involves blackmailing an alcoholic fairy to photograph her "Book," containing her race's secrets but written in an ancient tongue. Some violence. For grades 5-8. Bestseller 2001.

The Phantom Tollbooth BR 13442
by Norton Juster
1 volume (Reissue)
Feeling bored and unhappy, Milo is surprised to find in his room an enormous package containing a genuine turnpike tollbooth. When he drives his toy car through it, Milo arrives in a magical world. A fantasy for those who enjoy word play. For grades 5-8. 1961.

Chasing Bears: A Canoe Country Adventure BR 13475
by Earl Fleck
1 volume
Twelve-year-old Danny joins his competitive older brother and reckless father on a canoeing trip into the Canadian wilderness. The bears, bad storms, and difficult portages frighten him, but when the older guys are injured in a freak accident, it is up to Danny to find help. For grades 5-8. 1999.

Stick and Whittle BR 13490
by Sid Hite
1 volume
Texas, 1872. Melvin "Stick" Fitchett, a Civil War veteran, runs into sixteen-year-old Melvin "Whittle" Smyte on the lonesome prairie. The two become partners while Stick searches for his long-lost sweetheart, Evelyn. When they find out that she has been kidnapped, they ride to the rescue. For grades 6-9. 2000.

Oliver and Albert, Friends Forever BR 13493
by Jean Van Leeuwen
1 volume
Albert, the new student in Oliver's school, is taller than his pig classmates, and he can read. But at recess, Oliver and his friends realize that Albert can't play kickball and that he likes bugs. Soon the whole class is studying the critters. For grades K-3. 2000.

Molly's Pilgrim BR 13495
by Barbara Cohen
1 volume (Reissue)
Molly is an immigrant Jewish girl from Russia. Molly's mother helps her make a Pilgrim doll for a Thanksgiving school assignment, but dresses it as she dressed in Russia before fleeing religious persecution. Molly is at first embarrassed about the doll, but learns there are many kinds of pilgrims. For grades 2-4 and older readers. 1983.

Navajo Summer BR 13526
by Jennifer Owings Dewey
1 volume
In this companion to the autobiographical _Cowgirl Dreams (BR 10632)_, twelve-year-old Jamie recalls running away from home in the summer of 1953. Hoping to escape the tension and conflict of her divorcing parents, she stays with longtime friends, a loving Navajo family. For grades 4-7. 1998.

The Magic Pretzel: The Werewolf Club, Book 1 BR 13565
by Daniel Pinkwater
1 volume
Norman Gnormal believes his parents really wanted a dog because they trained him like a puppy. The barking, howling fourth grader joins the Werewolf Club and makes his first friends. Together they help their sponsor, Mr. Talbot, who is stuck between being a wolf and a man. For grades 2-4. 2000.

Blueberries for Sal BR 13566
by Robert McCloskey
1 volume
One day in Maine, Little Sal goes blueberry picking with her mother. Little Bear also comes with his mother to eat blueberries on the other side of the hill. There is quite a mix up when the little ones stray from their mothers. For preschool-grade 2. Caldecott Honor. 1948.

The Kid Coach BR 13567
by Fred Bowen
1 volume
When their baseball coach quits at the beginning of the season, the team decides that Scott could coach and play at the same time. After some disagreements, the teammates pull together and have a winning season. For grades 3-6. 1996.

Katy and the Big Snow BR 13606
by Virginia Lee Burton
1 volume
Katy, the red crawler tractor, is big and strong. When the entire city is buried under a blizzard and all the other snowplows break down, the people count on Katy to save them. For grades K-3. 1943.

Hold My Hand and Run BR 13613
by Margaret McAllister
1 volume
England, 1628. After her stepmother dies, thirteen-year-old Kazy takes her younger half-sister, Beth, and runs away from their father's comfortable home, seeking refuge from the beatings of her viciously abusive aunt. But the two girls encounter harsh weather, illness, and hungry peasants before they find safety and hope. For grades 5-8. 1999.

The Bad Beginning: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1 BR 13626
by Lemony Snicket
1 volume
The Baudelaire siblings--Violet, fourteen; Klaus, twelve; and Sunny, a teething toddler--are charming and clever, but "magnets for misfortune." In short order, they are orphaned, denied access to their inheritance until Violet comes of age, and sent to live with a repulsive relative, Count Olaf. For grades 4-7. Bestseller 1999.

The Reptile Room: A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 2 BR 13627
by Lemony Snicket
1 volume
After narrowly escaping the menacing clutches of the dastardly Count Olaf in _The Bad Beginning (BR 13626)_, the Baudelaire orphans go to live with Uncle Monty, a kindly herpetologist. For a brief time they are happy, but then Count Olaf reappears. Some strong language. For grades 4-7. Bestseller 1999.

The Case of the Dog Camp Mystery: The New Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley BR 13677
by Judy Katschke
1 volume
Detective twins Ashley and Mary-Kate take Clue, their bassett hound, with them to Camp Barkaway. Clue disappears from their cabin, however, and the girls are afraid she's been stolen. But who has a motive? For grades 4-7. Bestseller 2001.

Two Little Trains BR 14004
by Margaret Wise Brown
1 volume
Two little trains, one streamlined, the other old-fashioned, puff, puff, puff, and chug, chug, chug on their way west. PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2. 1949.


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