Talking Book Topics

September-October 1997
Books for Children--Fiction

Books listed in this issue of Talking Book Topics were recently sent to cooperating libraries. The complete collection contains books by many authors on fiction and nonfiction subjects, including animals, geography, nature, mystery, sports, and others. Contact your cooperating library to learn more about the wide range of books available in the collection. Cassette books, labeled with the code RC, play at 15/16 ips. To order books, contact your cooperating library.

Moominpappa's Memoirs RC 41676
by Tove Jansson
read by Ed Blake
1 cassette
Moominpappa has a terrible cold, and he has taken to his bed in the northern attic room. While he is there, Moominmamma reasons, he should write his memoirs. So Moominpappa jots down events in his life and pompously reads to the Moomin family about his misunderstood childhood, a meeting with his friend Hodgkins, an ocean voyage that ends in a terrible surprise, and his marriage to Moominmamma. For grades 4-7. 1994.

The Borrowers Afloat RC 42267
by Mary Norton
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette (Reissue)
The Borrowers have been living between the walls of a cottage, but the humans who live there are going away. If the tiny Borrowers don't want to starve, they must find a new home. They would like to live in Little Fordham, a model village for Borrowers. But the trip to Little Fordham is full of danger. Sequel to The Borrowers Afield (RC 42266). For grades 3-6. 1959.

The Borrowers Aloft RC 42268
by Mary Norton
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette (Reissue)
The Borrowers, miniature people, settle into a model-sized village after having many adventures in the world. The village was built as a hobby by the kindly Mr. Pott, a retired railroad man. Meanwhile, the greedy Mr. Platter builds a competing model village to make money and kidnaps the Borrowers as an attraction! The tiny family escapes to the air and begins a new adventure. Sequel to The Borrowers Afloat (RC 42267). For grades 3-6. 1961.

Talking to Dragons: The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, Book 4 RC 42323
by Patricia C. Wrede
read by Pam Ward
2 cassettes
Sixteen-year-old Daystar lives on the edge of the Enchanted Forest with his mother who, unknown to him, is really Queen Cimorene. When an unsavory wizard shows up one day, Cimorene melts him, much to Daystar's surprise. Afterwards she gives Daystar a sword and sends him off into the Enchanted Forest on an unknown mission. Sequel to Calling on Dragons (RC 38356). For grades 5-8. 1985.

Amber Brown Goes Fourth RC 42372
by Paula Danziger
read by Madelyn Buzzard
1 cassette
Amber Brown has her notebook, pens and pencils, new shoes, and new clothes for the new school year. But she is not looking forward to the fourth grade. Her best friend, Justin, has moved away; her dad lives in France; and her mother has a new friend, Max. Amber does her best to "go fourth," though, and eventually makes a new friend and even decides she might like Max. For grades 3-6. 1995.

Beyond the Ancient Cities RC 42411
by Jos, Mar¡a Merino
read by Christopher Hurt
1 cassette
In this companion to The Gold of Dreams (RC 39582), Miguel, whose conquistador father disappeared many years ago, has the chance to travel from Mexico to Peru with his godfather, who is to assume a government post there. Their trip is not an easy one, but it helps Miguel to understand what the Indians have suffered at the hands of those who would take their land. For grades 5-8. 1994.

On the Long Trail Home RC 42414
by Elisabeth J. Stewart
read by Pam Ward
1 cassette
A fictionalized account of the author's great-grandmother's escape during the Trail of Tears, the forced march of the Cherokees from their lands in 1838 and 1839. Nine-year-old Meli is on the march with her old grandmother. Her mother and sister have been killed and she doesn't know where the rest of her family is. When Meli sees her brother in another band of captives, the two make a break for freedom. For grades 3-6. 1994.

Down the Road RC 42465
by Alice Schertle
read by Camille McCurty Ali
1 cassette
Sometimes Hetty has walked down the dusty road with Mama and sometimes with Papa, but she has never been down the road all by herself. Finally one day she is given the chance to go down the road by herself to get some eggs from Mr. Birdie's store. On the way Hetty practices walking her smoothest so she won't break the eggs. But on the way back, Hetty forgets about the eggs when she sees the apple tree. For grades K-3. 1995.

Off to School RC 42495
by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert
read by Camille McCurty Ali
1 cassette
Wezielee wants to go to school, but she has to wait until harvest is over. Her whole family helps her sharecropper parents, and now it's Wezielee's turn to cook. But because her mind wanders to thoughts of school, Wezielee keeps ruining the lunchtime meals. For grades K-3. 1995.

Great-Aunt Martha RC 42499
by Rebecca C. Jones
read by Camille McCurty Ali
1 cassette
When a little girl's great-aunt comes to visit, the little girl is not happy. Her parents won't let her make any noise or have any fun because Great-Aunt Martha needs her rest. What's so great about her? For preschool-grade 2. 1995.

Tangled Fortunes: The Cousins Quartet, Book 4 RC 42549
by Margaret Mahy
read by Bob Askey
1 cassette
In this sequel to A Fortune Branches Out (RC 42548), Jackson Fortune is thoroughly confused. He and his tomboy sister, Tracey, are usually inseparable, but now she snaps at him. And Jackson is receiving surprising notes and phone calls. The other Fortune cousins are caught up in trying to determine if a mysterious motorcycle rider is planning to steal cousin Prue's wedding presents. For grades 3-6. 1994.

Beware the Mare RC 42550
by Jessie Haas
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
When Gramp brings a horse home, he usually tells Lily not to fall in love with the horse because they won't be keeping it. But this time he doesn't say that, and Lily hopes the mare is for her. Instead Gramp tells her to be very careful around the horse. Is something wrong? Gramp doesn't know, but with an animal named Beware, Gramp plans to be cautious. For grades 3-6. 1993.

A Blue for Beware RC 42551
by Jessie Haas
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
In this sequel to Beware the Mare (RC 42550), Lily takes Beware to the Junior Horse Show. Her best friend, Mandy, is also there with her horse, Shane. Lily hopes to win a blue ribbon, but Mandy is the first one to take a prize. How is Lily going to feel if she doesn't win an event too?And if she doesn't, can she still be friends with Mandy? For grades 3-6. 1995.

Dog Heaven RC 42556
by Cynthia Rylant
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
1 cassette
Imagines how dog heaven must be: plenty of fields for running, lakes filled with geese, angel children to play with, and lots of biscuits of all shapes and sizes. Tells of angels walking dogs back to earth for a little visit and of heavenly homes for those dogs who were homeless on earth. For grades K-3. 1995.

Folks Call Me Appleseed John RC 42557
by Andrew Glass
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Fictionalized account of John Chapman, a young man from Massachusetts who planted and sold trees to settlers in the wilderness. In this story, John has sent for his younger half-brother, Nathaniel, to help him with his work. Nathaniel doesn't take to the rugged outdoor life as well as John does. An overview of John's life follows the story. For grades 2-4. 1995.

Brian's Winter RC 42558
by Gary Paulsen
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Thirteen-year-old Brian was rescued from the Canadian wilderness at the end of summer in The Hatchet (RC 30535). But what if his distress call had not been heard and he had faced the harsh winter in the woods? This survival story pits the stranded young outdoorsman against the cold, loneliness, and worst of nature. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 1996.

What's Cooking, Jenny Archer? RC 42566
by Ellen Conford
read by Madelyn Buzzard
1 cassette
When Jenny Archer gets fed up with school meals, she decides to bring her own lunch. A television program inspires her to become a creative cook, and the results attract the attention of her schoolmates. One by one, they offer to pay Jenny to make their lunches too. For grades 2-4. 1989.

A Very Important Day RC 42567
by Maggie Rugg Herold
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
1 cassette
It is three a.m. in New York City and starting to snow when Nelia Batungbakal gets up on a very important day. It is still snowing when the Huerta family gets up on this very important day. It is supposed to snow all morning, but that doesn't stop a lot of families as they head downtown on this very important day. Today they all become U.S. citizens. For grades K-3. 1995.

See Ya, Simon RC 42571
by David Hill
read by Bruce Huntey
1 cassette
New Zealand friends Simon and Nathan, fourteen, are not the greatest students in high school. Simon is known for his wacky sense of humor and for the fact that he has muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair. Nathan has trouble believing that zany Simon won't be around forever. For grades 5-8. 1992.

Train to Somewhere RC 42580
by Eve Bunting
read by Madelyn Buzzard
1 cassette
In 1878 Marianne is one of fourteen orphaned children from New York City being taken out west by train to find families to adopt them. Marianne is older than many of the children and she knows she is not pretty, but she isn't worried. Her mother left her at the orphanage and went west herself a few years ago, and Marianne expects to find her in one of these towns. For grades 2-4. 1996.

The Adventures of Hershel of Ostropol RC 42583
retold by Eric A. Kimmel
read by Barry Bernson
1 cassette
Tales about the legendary Jewish folk hero. Hershel was a real man living during the early nineteenth century in a Ukrainian village. He was a shochet, who had to know all the rules for the ritual slaughter of animals, but his wit cost him his job. These ten tales show how Hershel, though poor, was amazingly resourceful and became famous among the common folk for the fun he poked at the rich and for his wry sayings. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1995.

Stormy RC 42584
by Jim Kjelgaard
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Young Allan Marley lives alone in the Beaver Flowage wilderness. One snowy November twilight, Allan courageously rescues a huge, black hunting dog that has fallen through the ice. The boy and dog are both strong and independent, and a bond grows between them. For grades 5-8. 1959.

Harry's Stormy Night RC 42595
by Una Leavy
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Through roaring winds, Harry's family is snug inside their warm house even when the lights go out. They enjoy telling stories and baking a pie together. During the night, Harry forgets his own fears and comforts his baby brother. For preschool-grade 2. 1994.

Fanny's Dream RC 42614
by Caralyn Buehner
read by Madelyn Buzzard
1 cassette
Fanny was a farmer's daughter, but she wanted to marry a prince (or someone like that). When the fairy godmother Fanny is counting on to help her out fails to show up, Fanny gets a proposal from a farmer. For preschool-grade 2. 1996.

The Hallo-Wiener RC 42615
by Dav Pilkey
read by Bruce Huntey
1 cassette
Oscar, a dachshund, is half a dog tall and one-and-a-half dogs long. His friends laugh at him and call him "Wiener Dog." On Halloween Oscar hurries home from obedience school to make a costume to wear trick-or-treating. But his mother has his outfit all made--a hot dog bun. What will Oscar do? If he wears the getup, his friends will tease him even more. For grades K-3. 1995.

Hurricane Music RC 42616
by Barbara Bottner
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
One day Aunt Margaret finds a clarinet in the basement. At first she practices in a closet, but Aunt Margaret wants to hear the sounds of life so she takes her clarinet to the park, a train station, and even a parade. Then Hurricane Gladys comes to town and blows the clarinet away. For grades K-3. 1995.

Clean House RC 42617
by Jessie Haas
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
When Aunt Alice calls to say she and her daughter Kate are coming to visit, Tess's mother worries about their messy house. During the next couple of days, Tess and her mother clean and straighten until their house looks as good as Aunt Alice's. For grades K-3. 1996.

Flight of the Dragon Kyn RC 42628
by Susan Fletcher
read by Madelyn Buzzard
1 cassette
In this prequel to Dragon's Milk (RC 36623), the king directs Kara to use her power to call down dragons. When Kara summons a friendly dragon, she watches in horror as the king's archers slay it. Kara flees to join a "kyn" of dragons and help them take refuge from human predators. For grades 5-8. 1993.

Jim-Dandy RC 42647
by Hadley Irwin
read by Jamie Horton
1 cassette
At twelve, Kansas farm boy Caleb is thrilled with a new colt, Dandy, that he secretly learns to ride. His despair when his Quaker stepfather is forced to sell Dandy disappears when he learns Dandy's new owner is General Custer's wife, and Caleb is to be Dandy's stable boy. But the activities of Custer's Seventh Cavalry soon disgust Caleb, and he doesn't want Dandy to get used to the killing. For grades 5-8. 1994.

The Raggly Scraggly No-Soap No-Scrub Girl RC 42662
by David F. Birchman
read by Jamie Horton
1 cassette
Summer for a country family means dusty children. Every Saturday night mother scrubs each dirty child in a tub on the porch. One day a filthy girl comes to the door. She says she is the Raggly Scraggly No-Soap No-Scrub Girl here to gobble up their food. She accepts their dinner invitation with amazing gusto, but balks in pure terror at the mention of a bath. For grades K-3. 1995.

Dragons in the Waters RC 42667
by Madeleine L'Engle
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Aboard a freighter bound for Venezuela, Poly and Charles O'Keefe, fourteen and twelve, and their new young friend, Simon Renier, encounter an imposter, the theft of an irreplaceable portrait of Simon Bolivar, and a murder for which all the passengers and crew become suspect. For grades 6-9. 1976.

The Baby Sister RC 42685
by Tomie dePaola
read by Bob Askey
1 cassette
When little Tommy's mother tells him she is going to have a baby, Tommy asks for a little sister with a red ribbon in her hair. He looks forward to the birth but is disappointed when his grouchy grandmother comes to stay instead of his beloved aunt. For preschool-grade 2. 1996.

Mexican Ghost Tales of the Southwest RC 42686
by Alfred Avila
read by Gabriella Cavallero
1 cassette
Twenty-one Mexican ghost tales translated from Spanish. In "La Llorona," a widowed mother who drowns her three children is forced by God to roam the world's rivers searching for their bones. In "The Bad Boy," a young man kills his ailing mother but sinks into the riverbank where he tries to wash his blood-stained clothes. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1994.

Carlos, Light the Farolito RC 42692
by Jean Ciavonne
read by Gabriella Cavallero
1 cassette
It is Christmas Eve, and tonight the peregrinos will come to Carlos's house as they search for shelter for Joseph and Mary. It is an honor to host the last night of Las Posadas, and Carlos can hardly wait. His grandfather always plays the role of the innkeeper, but Carlos's parents and grandfather have gone to town. So Carlos must fill in when the peregrinos arrive before his grandfather returns. For grades K-3. 1995.

The Arkadians RC 42693
by Lloyd Alexander
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Lucian has risen to the status of accountant at the king's palace, but his cleverness has put him in mortal danger. Fleeing the palace, he takes along Fronto, a poet who has been transformed into a donkey. They have many epic adventures as they search for the Lady of Wild Things, who can help them out of their predicament. For grades 5-8. 1995.

Snow Dog RC 42731
by Jim Kjelgaard
read by Rick Rohan
1 cassette
Husky puppy Chiri had watched a wolf kill his mother and brothers. He learned to survive his enemies in the snow-covered woods, but now as an adult dog, Chiri is faced with a new enemy--humans. If he learns to trust them, it could cost him his freedom. Some violence. For grades 5-8. 1948.

The Shrinking of Treehorn RC 42734
by Florence Parry Heide
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette (Reissue)
One day Treehorn notices that he is shrinking. His parents ignore his plight and his teacher complains, "We don't shrink in this class." Poor Treehorn barely keeps himself from disappearing with help from a cereal box game. For grades 2-5. 1971.

Summer Song RC 42737
by Susan Rowan Masters
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
Etta May seems to suck up every bit of disaster that's lying around. Her first problem was getting born to a mother who didn't want her. Etta May has grown up with her grandparents and been quite happy. But her grandmother died last year, her grandfather is very ill, and now her mother wants to become part of her life again. For grades 4-7. 1995.

The Song of Mu Lan RC 42739
by Jeanne M. Lee
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
1 cassette
Translation of an ancient Chinese folk song. When the emperor is raising an army, Mu Lan's father has no elder son to send. Mu Lan disguises herself as a young man and goes to war for ten years. For grades K-3. 1995.

Adventures in South America RC 42745
by Jeanette Windle
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Thirteen-year-old twins Justin and Jenny Parker journey to South America with their Uncle Pete. But their relaxed vacation turns into a perilous adventure when they find themselves in the midst of international intrigue. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 1994.

Math Curse RC 42748
by Jon Scieszka
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
1 cassette
When math teacher Mrs. Fibonacci tells the class "you can think of almost everything as a math problem," one of her students feels as if she's received a math curse. Now she can't think about anything without turning it into math! For grades 2-4 and older readers. 1995.

Trout Summer RC 42758
by Jane Leslie Conly
read by Madelyn Buzzard
1 cassette
Shana, thirteen, and Cody, twelve, convince their mother to let them spend the summer in a cabin in Pennsylvania, just an hour away from their home in Maryland. They must make a few promises before being allowed to go. After lying to their mother throughout the summer, they find themselves in trouble--alone. For grades 5-7. 1995.

The Book of Changes: Stories RC 42768
by Tim Wynne-Jones
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Collection of seven stories. There is Solly, who lives in what is jokingly called a "Madhouse"; Tobias, who gets an inspiration for his class project, due the next day, from the Book of Changes used by a fellow classmate; and Clarke, who isn't sure he is cut out to be a door-to-door salesman. For grades 3-6. 1994.

The Chicks' Trick RC 42776
by Jeni Bassett
read by Madelyn Buzzard
1 cassette
Two hens, Mrs. Peckle and Mrs. Heckle, are always trying to outdo each other. When they each hatch a baby chick, they argue constantly over which is better. Finally the chicks come up with a plan to make them stop. For preschool-grade 2. 1995.

Be Well, Beware RC 42785
by Jessie Haas
read by Jill Fox
1 cassette
As soon as Lily gets home from school, she hurries out to the horse pasture to ride Beware before it is too dark. But today the mare doesn't come when Lily calls. When Lily does find Beware, she knows something terrible is wrong. Sequel to A Blue for Beware (RC 42551). For grades 3-6. 1996.

Ghost Camp RC 42786
by R.L. Stine
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette
Brothers Alex, eleven, and Harry, twelve, are headed for Camp Spirit Moon. They are the only ones on the bus. Their parents waited too long to sign up, and Spirit Moon was the last camp that still had space. When they arrive, strange things begin to happen. For grades 4-7. Bestseller 1996.

Titanic Crossing RC 42787
by Barbara Williams
read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
As the Trask family sets sail aboard the Titanic in 1912, thirteen-year-old Albert has a lot on his mind. His father has died, leaving him to be the man of the family. His mother is unhappy about returning to America from England, where they have been living, and his younger sister is worse than a pest. When the "unsinkable" ship begins to go down, Albert takes his responsibilities seriously, risking his life. For grades 4-7. 1995.

Tarantula Shoes RC 42794
by Tom Birdseye
read by Bob Moore
1 cassette
As if moving across country isn't bad enough, Ryan, almost twelve years old, learns, to his horror, that he will go to the junior high where sixth graders are picked on. His only hope is to be cool and get a pair of Slam Dunk Sky Jumper basketball shoes. But where will he get the $124.99, plus tax? He works hard to earn most of it yet is still short. Then he makes a star out of Fang, his pet tarantula, but things never go smoothly! For grades 3-6. 1995.

Legend of the Lost Legend RC 42800
by R.L. Stine
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette
Justin Clarke, twelve, and his eleven-year-old sister, Marissa, have accompanied their dad on his mission to find the manuscript called the Lost Legend. They want to be helpful, but instead they get lost in the woods of Brovania and find themselves facing strange creatures. For grades 4-7. 1996.

Lost in Cyberspace RC 42808
by Richard Peck
read by Christopher Hurt
1 cassette
Sixth-grade New Yorker Josh Lewis has problems. His parents are separated, his mother is trying to find an acceptable au pair, and his friend Aaron is trying to convince him one can use a computer to travel through time. Then Aaron accidentally brings a young woman from 1923 into the 1990s, solving one problem but creating others. For grades 4-7. 1995.

Possibles RC 42811
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
read by Robin Miles
1 cassette
Shortly before Mary Sheppard Lee (Sheppy) graduates from grammar school, her father dies of cancer. Instead of going to camp with her friend Tess for the summer, Sheppy takes a job helping a young woman, Connie, with a broken leg. Sheppy has a lot of troubles to sort through: her mother, brother, and Tess won't talk about her father; Connie has a secret reason to be crabby; and another friend is having family problems. For grades 3-6. 1995.

Outlaw Red RC 42838
by Jim Kjelgaard
read by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette
Sean, a champion show dog and the son of Big Red (RC 10856), does not like being shut up in a kennel. He longs for the freedom of the wilderness. But when that chance comes, Sean must learn to survive on his own. For grades 5-8. 1953.

The Long-Haired Girl: A Chinese Legend RC 42883
retold by Doreen Rappaport
read by Catherine Byers
1 cassette
Ah-mei and the other villagers are tired of trudging two miles every day to bring water for their newly planted crops because the Dragon King has refused to open the sky. Then one day Ah-mei discovers a source of water in the mountains, and she is filled with joy--until the God of Thunder promises to kill Ah-mei if she tells the villagers. For grades K-3. 1995.

Sound the Jubilee RC 42885
by Sandra Forrester
read by Robin Miles
1 cassette
Eleven-year-old Maddie, who works in the big house on River Bend Plantation in North Carolina, longs for freedom. As the Civil War approaches and their mistress moves to her summer home on Nags Head, Maddie's family gets their chance at freedom when the bluecoats turn nearby Roanoke Island into an escaped-slave haven. For grades 6-9. 1995.

Attack of the Jack-o'-Lanterns RC 42898
by R.L. Stine
read by Ilona Dulaski
1 cassette
Three years ago, Tabby and Lee scared Drew and her friends at a Halloween party. Since then, Drew has been desperate to get revenge. After failing for two years, Drew finally agrees to the last-resort plan concocted by twins Shane and Shana. What she doesn't realize is just how scary it is. For grades 4-6. 1996.

Kelly and Me RC 42908
by Carol Lynch Williams
read by Carol Dines
1 cassette
In this prequel to Adeline Street RC 42909), Leah is eleven and Kelly, her sister and best friend, is ten. They spend a summer getting into all sorts of trouble before a tragedy changes everything. For grades 3-6. 1993.

Make Way for Ducklings RC 42913
by Robert McCloskey
read by John Horton
1 cassette
Five helpful Boston policemen stop busy city traffic so that Mrs. Mallard can move her family of eight ducklings from their island in the Charles River to their new home in the Public Garden. For grades K-3. Caldecott Medal 1942. 1941.

Eye of the Beholder RC 42919
by Daniel Hayes
read by Christopher Hurt
1 cassette
Trouble just seems to follow the twosome of Lymie and Tyler. Who would imagine that the "art treasures" they created with a power drill would be mistaken for the works of a famous artist? Sequel to The Trouble with Lemons (RC 36886). For grades 6-9. 1992.

JoJo's Flying Side Kick RC 42920
by Brian Pinkney
read by Robin Miles
1 cassette
JoJo is learning Tae Kwon Do. Her teacher, Master Kim, tells her she is ready to advance to yellow belt, but first she must break a board with a flying side kick. Even though JoJo's family and friends offer her advice on the kick, she is still worried. For grades K-3. 1995.

Next Year in Jerusalem: 3000 Years of Jewish Stories RC 42925
retold by Howard Schwartz
read by Robert Blumenfeld
1 cassette
Collection of eleven tales that blend the actual and legendary histories of Jerusalem. Along with the stories, collected from such places as Iraq, Israel, Greece, Italy, and eastern Europe, Schwartz provides factual information. For grades 3-6. 1996.

A School for Pompey Walker RC 42927
by Michael J. Rosen
read by Bob Moore
1 cassette
Pompey Walker, an old man who was once a slave, tells the story of his life to the students in a new school that is being named for him. Pompey explains his work as a stable hand who did his master's bidding; his rescue by Jeremiah, the master's son-in-law; his selling himself into slavery time and time again so he and Jeremiah could make money; and the school he and Jeremiah built for freed slaves. For grades 2-4. 1995.

Two Cool Cows RC 42940
by Toby Speed
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
Maude and Millie are two cool cows from the Huckabuck Farm. One night they borrow the black button-back boots of the Huckabuck kids and fly off to the moon where the grass is greener for the cows to munch, by the bunch, for their lunch. For grades K-3. 1995.

The Empress and the Silkworm RC 42943
by Lily Toy Hong
read by Mary Kane
1 cassette
Empress Si Ling-Chi discovers shiny silk strands when a cocoon from a mulberry tree falls into her hot tea. For grades K-3. 1995.

Elephant Families RC 42955
by Arthur Dorros
read by Ted Stoddard
1 cassette
Describes the lives of African elephants in the wild. Grandmother, mother, aunts, female cousins, and young children live together in families while the adult males travel alone or in herds. For grades K-3. 1994.

The Crystal Garden RC 42975
by Vicki Grove
read by Nona Pipes
1 cassette
Eliza's father has been dead for three years and her mother wants to get a new start in life. So they move to Gouge Eye, Missouri, with Mama's boyfriend Burl, whose group performs in nearby Branson. Eliza hopes she will be able to find some friends, but the only girl her age is Dierdre. Although the girls have some similarities, Dierdre seems more interested in a science project than a friend. For grades 5-8. 1995.

Cold Shoulder Road RC 42999
by Joan Aiken
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
2 cassettes
Arun, Is Twite's cousin, has run away from home because he can't stand all the quiet; his parents belong to the Silent Sect. Now he and Is are returning, but Arun's mother has disappeared and seems to have kidnapped a child of the Merry Gentry, who are smuggling mastodon horns from France through the Channel Tunnel. For grades 5-8. 1995.

Second Daughter: The Story of a Slave Girl RC 43000
by Mildred Pitts Walter
read by Connie Winston
1 cassette
Fictionalized account of slave Elizabeth Freeman, who in 1781 sued her owner for freedom under the Massachusetts Constitution and won. A fictional younger sister tells the story of the slaves' lives and their desire to be free. For grades 6-9. 1996.

By the Dawn's Early Light RC 43023
by Karen Ackerman
read by Robin Miles
1 cassette
Rachel and Josh's mother works at night in a box factory while they stay home with Nana. As the evening progresses, Rachel compares what they are doing at home with what their mother is doing at work. And then at 4 a.m., their mother comes home, and Rachel and Josh sneak downstairs to be with her by the dawn's early light. For preschool-grade 2. 1994.

Sukey and the Mermaid RC 43029
by Robert D. San Souci
read by Connie Winston
1 cassette
Sukey's new do-nothing step-pa is always yelling at her to do her chores. One day she sneaks off to the beach where she meets a mermaid named Mama Jo. When Sukey's step-pa threatens the friendship, Mama Jo offers Sukey a different kind of life. For grades K-3. Coretta Scott King Award. 1992.

Colt RC 43069
by Nancy Springer
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
When Colt's therapist tells him to ride a horse, he is unhappy and scared. But once on top of homely Liverwurst, Colt doesn't feel like he has spina bifida. As Colt gains strength, he also gets used to his mother's new husband and to his step-siblings. Then something happens to threaten everything. For grades 3-6. 1991.

Flatfoot Fox and the Case of the Bashful Beaver RC 43102
by Eth Clifford
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
Flatfoot Fox, who runs a detective agency, considers himself the smartest detective in the world. But when Bashful Beaver comes to ask for help in locating his big black bag of beautiful bright blue buttons, Flatfoot Fox allows his assistant, Secretary Bird, to head up the investigation--with rather unusual results. For grades 2-4. 1995.

Not-So-Normal Norman RC 43106
by Cynthia Stowe
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette
When Anthony's father is out of work with a back injury, Anthony worries about money. He decides to pet-sit, and his first charge is a tarantula named Norman. Anthony's joy over earning two dollars a day fades when Norman starts acting sick and won't eat. For grades 3-6. 1995.

Somebody's New Pajamas RC 43110
by Isaac Jackson
read by Bob Moore
1 cassette
Robert, the new kid in school, asks Jerome to spend the night. When they get ready for bed, Robert thinks Jerome forgot his pajamas and lends him a pair. But pajamas are a luxury Jerome's family does without. For grades K-3. 1996.

Mr. Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake RC 43114
by Cynthia Rylant
read by Ted Stoddard
1 cassette
Old Mr. Putter lives with his elderly cat, Tabby. He loves giving Christmas presents, but each year he has a hard time choosing one for his neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry. Instead of getting her a fruitcake or the other odd things she adores, Mr. Putter decides to bake her a good Christmas cake. Unfortunately he doesn't know how. For grades 2-4. 1994.

My Name Is Brain Brian RC 43123
by Jeanne Betancourt
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette
Brian and his friends decide to make the sixth grade interesting by having a joke contest. Secretly, Brian also hopes to do better in school. Instead, he begins by misspelling his own name, and his teacher suggests special help. Suddenly Brian's friends' jokes seem cruel to him. For grades 4-7. 1993.

Valentine RC 43137
by Carol Carrick
read by Pam Ward
1 cassette
Heather is upset when her mother has to go to work on Valentine's Day. But while Heather and her grandmother wait on the farm baking holiday cookies, a wonderful thing happens. Grandma's sheep gives birth to three lambs, and one needs Heather's help. For preschool-grade 2. 1995.

Something Very Sorry RC 43138
by Arno Bohlmeijer
read by Pam Ward
1 cassette
Nine-year-old Rosemyn's family is driving home from her cousins' house when the accident happens. In the hospital with a broken arm, Rosemyn learns that her little sister has a brain contusion, her father has broken ribs, and her mother is in a coma. For grades 4-7. 1996.

An Island Far from Home RC 43210
by John Donahue
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette
Because his father, a Union army officer, was killed in battle, Joshua hates the rebels. When his uncle, a Union prison camp officer, asks him to write to a young Confederate prisoner, Joshua does so only reluctantly. The boys correspond, become friends, and join in a risky adventure. For grades 3-6. 1995.

Telling: True-to-Life Series from Hamilton High RC 43220
by Marilyn Reynolds
read by Barbara Pinolini
1 cassette
Twelve-year-old Cassie at first takes to her new neighbors, the Sloane family. But when Mr. Sloane repeatedly fondles her during unguarded moments, Cassie is confused and repelled. Anguishing weeks pass before Cassie's parents discover her secret, confront the molester, and report the matter to the police. For grades 6-9. 1996.


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