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NLS: Talking Book Topics

January-February 2004

Contents

In Brief

New NLS publication

Two new factsheets have become available.

2004 Calendars lists organizations that produce calendars in braille, print-braille, and large print, together with specifications, prices, and ordering information. The factsheet is available in print on request from the Reference Section and online at <www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/calendars2004.html>.

Selected Veterans Organizations lists organizations that assist eligible visually or physically handicapped veterans and provides brief descriptions of the groups, contact information, principal publications, and web sites. The factsheet is available in print on request from the Reference Section and online at <www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/veterans.html>.

Collection Development Advisory Group seeks advice

The members of the Collection Development Advisory Group wish to thank fellow patrons and librarians for their input concerning the NLS program. Ideas and suggestions from readers are key ingredients in the success of our program and are thoroughly discussed in the committee's deliberations.

Please continue to assist us by contacting committee members or your cooperating braille or talking-book library with your suggestions.

The group will meet again at NLS on May 26-28, 2004.

Representatives from consumer organizations:

American Council of the Blind
Ms. Patricia Shreck
Ivy Club Apartments, Apt L-16
8701 N.E 54th Street
Vancouver, WA 98662
pat.ralph1@juno.com
Blinded Veterans Association
Mr. Clyde A. Compton 44 Crater Lane Stafford, VA 22556 cacompton1@earthlink.net
National Federation of the Blind
Ms. Ever Lee Hairston
113 Greensward Lane
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002-4710
elhairston@mindspring.com

Readers-at-large representatives:

Midlands Region
Includes the following: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.
Mr. Christopher Mulkin
623 South New Street
Springfield, IL 62704
Northern Region
Includes the following: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Ms. Sharon Strzalkowski
127 June Street #3
Worcester, MA 01602
strzal@charter.net
Southern Region
Includes the following: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Virgin Islands.
Ms. Deana Wallace
7 N. Pennington Ave.
Rome, GA 30161
wallaced@mail.floyd.public.lib.ga.us
Western Region
Includes the following: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Ms. Betsy Mitchell
P.O. Box 298
Volcano, HI 96785
betsymitch@juno.com

Librarians

Midlands
Ms. Dori Middleton
Detroit Subregional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Detroit Public Library
Douglass Branch Library
3666 Grand River Avenue
Detroit, MI 48208
(313) 833-5494 or (313) 833-5497; fax: (313) 832-5597
dmiddle@detroit.lib.mi.us
Northern
Ms. Bonnie Farrier
Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library
New York Public Library
40 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
(212) 206-5432; fax: (212) 206-5418
bfarrier@nypl.org
Southern
Mr. Oakley Pearson
Talking Book Center
Staunton Public Library
1 Churchville Avenue
Staunton, VA 24401
(540) 885-6215
pearsonjo@ci.staunton.va.us
Western:
Ms. Sue Walker
Public Services Librarian
Idaho State Library
325 West State Street
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 334-2150 or (208) 334-4016)
swalker@isl.state.id.us

Children's/Young Adult Librarian:

Ms. Nancy Doering
Youth Services Librarian
Wolfner Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
P.O. Box 387
600 W. Main
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0387
(573) 751-8720; fax: (573) 526-2985
doerin@sosmail.state.mo.us

Magazine of the Month; selections for 2004

Two NLS programs offer readers samplings of magazines not otherwise available through network libraries. Subscribers to Magazine of the Month and Young Adult Magazine of the Month receive a different magazine on audio cassette each month. For a free subscription to either program, contact your cooperating talking-book library. Although the selections are subject to change, subscribers will receive some of the following magazines during 2004.

Magazine of the Month

Animal Fair
(pet projects and ways to make a house and yard attractive to pets; celebrities with their pets; animal health and nutrition information; articles about wild life)
Black Issues Book Review
(interviews with African American authors and others in creative fields; travel and history articles; book reviews and bookstores)
Country Living
(antiques and collectibles, entertaining, food and drink, crafts and projects, gardens and nature)
Economist
(world politics, global business, finance, economics, science, technology, and the arts)
Family Tree Magazine
(articles of interest to people tracing their family tree; finding clues to the past, computerization, and preservation)
Futurist
(forecasts, trends, and ideas about the future; the environment, government, society, economics, technology, music, and other issues)
Military Heritage
(decisive battles throughout history; soldiers, weapons, intelligence; book reviews)
Real Simple
(tips on saving time and money decorating, entertaining, and cooking; articles on style, beauty, and the home)
Redbook
(beauty, fashion, diet, health, and fitness; advice on marriage, parenting, and family life; social topics)
Start Your Own Business: The Magazine of Money Making Ideas
(advice on starting and running a small business; success stories, franchise information, book reviews, and money matters)
Urban Latino
(prominent Hispanics in the U.S.; entertainment, lifestyles, cultural issues, and relationships)
Write & Publish
(how and what to write in order to get published; how to self-publish; strategies on promotion and reviewing)

Alternates:

Backwoods Home, Black Enterprise, Dog Fancy, Family History, Humanist, Jane, Latin Trade, Military History, Policy Review, Saturday Evening Post, Success, Writing Basics

Young Adult Magazine of the Month

CosmoGirl!
(fashion, makeup and hair, pop psychology, and short stories)
Country Music Today
(popular country musicians and CD reviews)
Galaxy
(short science fiction stories)
Instyle
(celebrity news, lifestyle articles, beauty and fashion tips)
Kids' Wall Street News
(for ages 10-16; business, banking, careers, the environment, stock exchange, and world trade)
Latin Style
(issues and individuals from the Latin community in the arts and entertainment fields; literature, theater, films, politics, and health)
New Music Monthly
(up-and-coming U.S. and British rock and hip-hop musicians and bands; reviews of newly-released CDs)
Right On!
(entertainment, music, beauty, and fashion for young African Americans)
Snowboard Life
(the sport of snowboarding, from technical tips and product reviews to international travel experiences)
Soccer, Jr.: The Soccer Magazine for Kids
(news and information related to soccer and profiles of soccer stars)
Teen Newsweek
(for grades 6-9; international and domestic current events)
Teen Vogue
(current fashion trends, health and beauty tips, books and films)

Alternates:

Allure, Black Belt, Black Collegian, bop magazine, Circus, E for Environment, Elle Girl, Latina, Snowboarder, Spin, Star Trek Communicator, Teen Beat

Books for Adults

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 biographies, classics, gothics, mysteries, romances, and others. Contact your cooperating library to learn more about the wide range of books available in the collection.

Cassette books are labeled with the code RC and play at 15/16 ips. 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."

Cassettes Nonfiction

Lillian Gish: Her Legend, Her Life      RC 53935
by Charles Affron
read by Susan McInerney
4 cassettes
Using letters, interviews, and the subject's unpublished autobiography, Affron offers a portrait of the public and private life of film actress Lillian Gish (1893-1993). Describes her evolution from child prodigy to silent screen star to her last performance in 1987 in The Whales of August. 2001.

The Lord God Made Them All      RC 54019
by James Herriot
read by Bob Askey
3 cassettes (Reissue)
Following World War II, James Herriot returns home to Yorkshire and his work treating the diseases and injuries of the area's farm animals. Postwar life is normal except for his trip to Russia with a load of pedigreed sheep. Sequel to All Things Wise and Wonderful (RC 53147). 1981.

The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior      RC 54492
by David Sibley
read by Robert Blumenfeld
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Presents a basic overview of bird biology: evolution, behavior, habitats, and how the body works. Then bird experts and ornithologists discuss eighty specific bird families of North America, covering taxonomy, foraging and breeding patterns, and conservation status. Sponsored by the National Audubon Society. 2001.

Principles for a Free Society: Reconciling Individual Liberty with the Common Good      RC 54694
by Richard A. Epstein
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
A legal scholar makes the libertarian case for limited government and laissez-faire capitalism. Examines a range of public policy issues. Assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the public and private sectors for reaching collective solutions. 1998.

Twelve Angry Men      RC 54790
by Reginald Rose
read by Ray Hagen
1 cassette
Critically acclaimed American drama. On a hot summer afternoon in New York City in 1957, twelve members of a jury deliberate the fate of a young man charged with first-degree murder in the death of his father. Eleven jurors believe the case presents no reasonable doubt, but one disagrees. 1955.

Florence, a Delicate Case      RC 54795
by David Leavitt
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
Explores expatriates' attraction to this Italian city. Examines Florence's twin status as a capital of great art and a haven of permissive sexual attitudes. Discusses books and movies set there and the city's appeal as a destination for homosexual artists and scholars. 2002.

Fighting with the Screaming Eagles: With the 101st Airborne from Normandy to Bastogne      RC 54900
by Robert M. Bowen
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Memoir of a sergeant who joined the Glider Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne in 1943. Recalls events from basic training, the D-Day landing in Normandy, Operation "Market Garden," and the Battle of the Bulge. Bowen says he began writing this account in 1945 while recovering from wounds. Some strong language. 2001.

The Perricone Prescription: A Physician's Twenty-eight Day Program for Total Body and Face Rejuvenation      RC 54931
by Nicholas Perricone
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Physician and author of The Wrinkle Cure (RC 53662) details his regimen for skin and general health care--recommending a specific diet, an exercise plan, and lotions to lessen the effects of aging. Bestseller 2002.

An Army at Dawn: The War in North Africa, 1942-1943; Liberation Trilogy, Volume 1      RC 54939
by Rick Atkinson
read by Ted Stoddard
5 cassettes
Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Crusade (RC 41346) and The Long Gray Line (RC 30303) analyzes the 1942-1943 Operation TORCH invasion of North Africa--the first joint Allied effort. Describes the action between the green U.S. troops and Rommel's battle-hardened Afrika Korps and the conflict between the British and American commands. 2002.

No Lifeguard on Duty: The Accidental Life of the World's First Supermodel      RC 54943
by Janice Dickinson
read by Isabel Keating
2 cassettes
Author discusses her life's extremes from periods of high energy to times of near self-destruction. Relates her roller-coaster ride in the world of modeling and her interest in photography, as well as her multiple marriages, superficial relationships, drug addiction, and abuse by her father. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. Bestseller 2002.

A Life God Rewards      RC 55064
by Bruce Wilkinson
read by Bob Moore
1 cassette
In this companion volume to The Prayer of Jabez (RC 52284) and Secrets of the Vine (RC 52285), Wilkinson discusses Jesus' teachings that show a direct connection between what believers do today and what they will experience in eternity. Bestseller 2002.

Wild Nights: Nature Returns to the City      RC 55069
by Anne Matthews
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
New York City sprawl's encroachment on the countryside reveals the growing urban presence of wildlife including coyotes, wild turkeys, and migratory birds. "Never in American history have so many people lived near so many wild animals," warns this naturalist author, who offers startling predictions for large American cities by 2050. 2001.

Van Loon's Lives: Being a True and Faithful Account of a Number of Highly Interesting Meetings with Certain Historical Personages, from Confucius and Plato to Voltaire and Thomas Jefferson, about Whom We Had Always Felt a Great Deal of Curiosity and Who Came to Us as Our Dinner Guests in a Bygone Year      RC 55071
by Hendrik Willem Van Loon
read by Bill Wallace
5 cassettes
An eclectic collection of biographical sketches of historical personages chosen by the author as interesting combinations of dinner companions. More than forty profiles of musicians, artists, poets, philosophers, and political and religious leaders ensue, with appropriate menus and dinner music. 1942.

A Crusade for Stroke Prevention: A Program for Immediate, Aggressive Utilization of New Knowledge and Technology That Could Reduce Strokes by Ninety Percent      RC 55087
by J. Crayton Pruitt
read by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Physician describes the causes of stroke as well as its diagnosis, prevention, screening, and treatment. Includes sample questions to ask the surgeon. 2000.

The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the Underworld      RC 55088
by Herbert Asbury
read by L.J. Ganser
3 cassettes
Uses police records, newspapers, and criminals' memoirs to chronicle the crime permeating New York City in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Includes the history of such notorious neighborhoods as the Bowery, Hell's Kitchen, and Five Points. Some violence and some strong language. 1927.

Learning a Living: A Guide to Planning Your Career and Finding a Job for People with Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Dyslexia      RC 55089
by Dale S. Brown
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
The author of Job-Hunting for the So-Called Handicapped or People Who Have Disabilities (RC 53895) offers advice on career planning. Providing applicable how-to tips, recommends researching educational and work opportunities and building social skills. For senior high and older readers. 2000.

The Uncomplicated Guide to Diabetes Complications      RC 55092
edited by Marvin E. Levin and Michael A. Pfeifer
read by Jake Williams
2 cassettes
Recommendations from the American Diabetes Association for the control and prevention of complications. Medical specialists describe testing, treatments, and care for eyes and feet, gastrointestinal problems, nerve function, kidney and heart disease, sexual dysfunctions, psychosocial complications, and more. 2002.

The Essential Harold Cruse: A Reader      RC 55095
edited by William Jelani Cobb
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
Selected writings by a prominent African American scholar. Includes essays from his 1967 classic book, The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual, in which he calls for black autonomy. Includes a 1997 interview from the Radical History Review and works dealing with Marxism and Jewish relations. 2002.

Temperament: The Idea That Solved Music's Greatest Riddle      RC 55096
by Stuart Isacoff
read by Dennis Rooney
2 cassettes
The editor of Piano Today investigates the conundrum that vexed composers and listeners for centuries: how to establish musical intervals. Isacoff describes the religious, mathematical, and philosophical barriers to the acceptance in the eighteenth century of the "equal temperament" method, which definitively solved the problem by dividing the octave into twelve equal segments. 2001.

Soldier: A Poet's Childhood      RC 55097
by June Jordan
read by Gail Nelson
1 cassette
Poet and activist Jordan's memoir of childhood in Harlem and Brooklyn. Recalls the misalliance of her West Indian immigrant parents and her ambivalence toward her ambitious, abusive father. Uses vivid images and prose poems to recreate feelings about everything from playing cowboys to her first date. Some violence and some strong language. Alex Award. 2000.

Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica      RC 55098
by Zora Neale Hurston
read by Robin Miles
2 cassettes
Travelog and description of Neo-African religious practices based on the author's personal experiences in 1930s Haiti and Jamaica. Covers anthropology, natural history, and politics of these countries. Discusses the main Voodoo deities, ceremonies, and the strange phenomenon of possession. 1938.

Tank: The Progress of a Monstrous War Machine      RC 55135
by Patrick Wright
read by David Cutler
4 cassettes
British historian chronicles the armored tank's development--from World War I, when it was an opening wedge in mechanized warfare, through the late twentieth century, when its electronics and its remote-controlled operation evolved. Discusses the tank's symbolic significance in social, political, and philosophical contexts. 2000.

Still Waters      RC 55179
by Jennifer Lauck
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
In this continuation of her memoir begun in Blackbird (RC 51774), Jennifer is taken in by an aunt and uncle to escape her abusive stepmother. Her adoptive family, however, is also dysfunctional. She enters her teens full of anger and later explores her brother's suicide. Some strong language. 2001.

Chocolate from the Cake Mix Doctor      RC 55184
by Anne Byrn
read by Kerry Cundiff
3 cassettes
Author of The Cake Mix Doctor (RC 52035) turns her attention to chocolate. Starting with a supermarket-brand packaged cake mix, Byrn offers 150 easy recipes for deep, dark, delicious cakes from devil's food to the Tunnel of Fudge. 2001.

The Execution of Major Andre      RC 55190
by John Evangelist Walsh
read by Tom Burch
2 cassettes
Revisionist account dispels the legends about the bravery and sophistication of the British officer who conspired with American general Benedict Arnold to take West Point in September 1780. Justifies his execution as a spy on orders from George Washington and exposes the arrogance and ineptness that led to his capture. 2001.

The Bureau: The Secret History of the FBI      RC 55193
by Ronald Kessler
read by Tom Burch
4 cassettes
Comprehensive history of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, from its beginning in 1908 through the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks and the war on terrorism. Assesses the bureau's failures and accomplishments, including the Watergate scandal and the Waco disaster. By the author of The FBI (RC 37795). Some strong language. 2002.

Christ: A Crisis in the Life of God      RC 55196
by Jack Miles
read by Lou Harpenau
3 cassettes
Author considers the Bible as a work of art and Christ as a literary character rather than as a historical figure. The death and resurrection of Christ are portrayed as a resolution to God's distress and the only way to remove the sins of the world and heal humanity. Sequel to God: A Biography (RC 41337). 2001.

The Russia Hand: A Memoir of Presidential Diplomacy      RC 55208
by Strobe Talbott
read by Bill Wallace
4 cassettes
Diplomatic memoir by the former deputy secretary of state and top Clinton advisor on Soviet affairs. Details the close relationship between presidents Clinton and Yeltsin during the post-Cold War years and the vested interest the United States had in aiding Russian transition from a communist state to a fledgling democracy. 2002.

Mules and Men      RC 55230
by Zora Neale Hurston
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
This collection of seventy African American folktales and voodoo rituals resulted from the author's travels across the southern United States in the late 1920s. Along with the folklore, Hurston includes an account of her experiences as a collector. She records the stories in the dialects spoken at the time. Some strong language. 1935.

The Complete and Easy Guide to Social Security, Healthcare Rights, and Government Benefits RC 55235
by Faustin F. Jehle
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Guide to monetary and health-care benefits under social security, medicare and medicaid, HMOs, and other governmental programs. Includes information on disability, veterans, living wills, supplemental security income, and patients' rights (including the right to appeal). 2000.

Alpine Achievement: A Chronicle of the United States Disabled Ski Team      RC 55239
by Lori J. Batcheller
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
A brief history of skiing with adaptive equipment to compensate for physical disabilities. Discusses the challenges faced by world-class athletes including vision-impaired skiers and amputees who participate in the United States Disabled Ski Team. 2002.

Connect      RC 55244
by Edward M. Hallowell
read by John Hammock
3 cassettes
A psychiatrist offers suggestions for finding inner peace by connecting with other people and with traditions and ideals. Uses anecdotes from his patients and his own life to illustrate how to achieve satisfaction from relationships. Explains how health and happiness depend on connections. 1999.

President Nixon: Alone in the White House      RC 55252
by Richard Reeves
read by Robert Sams
6 cassettes
Through the examination of papers and tapes declassified long after Nixon's death, Reeves reveals the insular, deceptive nature of his presidency, which extended from 1969 to 1974. Documents what Nixon experienced in the White House, what he knew, and what he actually did, "sometimes hour by hour, sometimes minute by minute." 2001.

At the Hands of Persons Unknown: The Lynching of Black America      RC 55259
by Philip Dray
read by David Toney
5 cassettes
History of lynching in America--its causes, perpetrators, and victims--and its lasting effect on race relations. Profiles the people who fought to expose and eradicate the practice: Ida Wells, James Weldon Johnson, Walter White, W.E.B. Du Bois, and others. Violence and some strong language. 2002.

Live from New York: An Uncensored History of "Saturday Night Live"      RC 55275
by Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller
read by Barry Bernson
4 cassettes
Oral history of television show Saturday Night Live, which premiered in 1975. Describes the many feuds and love affairs among the various writers, performers, guest hosts, and executives. Includes interviews with Lorne Michaels, Dan Aykroyd, Chris Rock, Mike Myers, Billy Crystal, Bill Murray, and dozens more. Strong language. Bestseller 2002.

Forward Drive: The Race to Build "Clean" Cars for the Future      RC 55281
by Jim Motavalli
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
A comprehensive account of the emergence of the auto industry's advanced "clean car" technology. Covers alternative-energy vehicle development from early electric models to cutting-edge fuel-cell research. Told from the dual perspective of a car enthusiast and concerned environmentalist. 2000.

Omar! My Life on and off the Field      RC 55282
by Omar Vizquel
read by Tom Burch
2 cassettes
Autobiography of the Cleveland Indians shortstop, born to a close, middle-class family in Caracas, Venezuela. Describes his long baseball career: he began playing at eight, entered the American minor leagues at seventeen, and later rose to the majors, where he has won the Gold Glove fielding award nine times. 2002.

For the Love of Books: One Hundred Fifteen Celebrated Writers on the Books They Love Most RC 55283
compiled by Ronald B. Shwartz
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
In brief essays, 115 writers--mostly American, British, and Canadian--identify three to six works that influenced or affected them most deeply and explain why. Respondents to editor Shwartz's invitation, arranged alphabetically, include Dave Barry, Rita Dove, Penelope Fitzgerald, Pete Hamill, Elmore Leonard, Ved Mehta, Joyce Carol Oates, Mario Puzo, and Kurt Vonnegut. 1999.

Strangers in the House: Coming of Age in Occupied Palestine      RC 55285
by Raja Shehadeh
read by Richard Hauenstein
2 cassettes
A Palestinian lawyer residing in Ramallah recounts his family's reactions to the Israeli military occupation of their homeland while he was growing up. His memoir explores his unresolved relationship with his politically active father, who was murdered in 1985. Discusses his ideological problems with the continuing Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Some strong language. 2002.

Rekindling the Flame: The Many Paths to a Vibrant Judaism      RC 55286
by Samuel Osherson
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
A psychotherapist focuses on an American Jewish dilemma: without traditional observance, how to find joy and identity in Judaism. Offers real-life examples of Jewish men and women who have developed their own rituals and begun their own traditions. 2001.

Revenge: A Story of Hope      RC 55288
by Laura Blumenfeld
read by Madelyn Buzzard
3 cassettes
Memoir of a Jewish American reporter, honeymooning in Jerusalem, who seeks retaliation against the Palestinian terrorist who wounded her father a decade earlier. Blumenfeld uses her journalist's credentials to cultivate the shooter's family. But as she pursues her quarry, the impersonal enemy is humanized, and Blumenfeld's perspective shifts dramatically. Some violence. 2002.

Hate Crime: The Story of a Dragging in Jasper, Texas      RC 55294
by Joyce King
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Recounts events leading up to and following the brutal, racially motivated June 1998 killing of an unarmed black man by three white men in East Texas. Delves into the perpetrators' backgrounds, detailing how incarceration in the Texas Prison System helped shape their attitudes. Some violence and some strong language. 2002.

The China Threat: How the People's Republic Targets America      RC 55297
by Bill Gertz
read by Kerry Cundiff
2 cassettes
Reporter and author of Betrayal (RC 48196) presents government documents as evidence of Chinese espionage and support of terrorism aimed at forcing the United States out of Asia. Argues that the Clinton-Gore administration's policies enabled China to threaten America's national security and world stability. 2000.

The Navajo Code Talkers      RC 55315
by Doris A. Paul
read by Bill Quinn
1 cassette
History of the Navajos' development of a radio code for the U.S. military that remained unbreakable throughout World War II. Explains why the code confused the Japanese enemy forces. Contains the Navajo communicators' personal accounts of action in the field under fire. 1973.

Pakistan: In the Shadow of Jihad and Afghanistan      RC 55317
by Mary Anne Weaver
read by Yolande Bavan
3 cassettes
A journalist with twenty years of experience in the Middle East portrays a strife-torn country strategic to U.S. foreign policy. Weaver covers her meetings with Benazir Bhutto, the first woman prime minister in the Islamic world; General Zia ul-Haq; militant Islamist leaders; and head of state General Pervez Musharraf. 2002.

The Selected Poems of Li Po      RC 55318
by Li Po
read by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
Presents the T'ang Dynasty Chinese poet Li Po (A.D. 701-762), who composed his pieces in appreciation of the natural world 1,200 years ago. Considered to be expressions of Taoist and Zen practice, the poems are arranged in approximately chronological order. Translated by David Hinton. 1996.

Approaching the Qur'an: The Early Revelations      RC 55322
translated by Michael Sells
read by Ken Kliban
2 cassettes
A religious scholar introduces the non-Arabic speaker to the beauty and wisdom of the Muslim holy text while explaining its cultural and historical context. Sells renders the earliest Suras (chapters of the Qur'an) into modern English, and explores their subtleties and meanings in subsequent commentaries. 1999.

A History of Israel and the Holy Land      RC 55324
edited by Michael Avi-Yonah
read by Butch Hoover
3 cassettes
Scholarly essays describe the land, culture, and people of the Holy Land from prehistory to twentieth-century Israel's fiftieth anniversary in the year 2000. Discusses the influences of the Canaanites, the Roman invasion, the Byzantines, the Arab conquest, the Crusades, the Ottoman Empire, and the British mandate. Foreword by Shimon Peres. 2001.

Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer's Disease      RC 55325
edited by Ronald Petersen
read by John Richardson
2 cassettes
Physician defines and describes Alzheimer's disease--a form of dementia that affects millions of mostly older patients. Discusses the biology of the brain and the causes and treatment of this condition, offers tips for caregivers, provides practical legal and financial advice, and looks at research prospects. 2002.

Everything Scrabble      RC 55326
by Joe Edley and John D. Williams
read by Bruce Huntey
4 cassettes
A national Scrabble champion and the executive director of the National Scrabble Association present information to increase skill in every aspect of the game. Includes basic board strategies; use of letters J, Q, X, and Z; seven-letter plays; bonus squares; and secrets to getting better tiles. 2001.

Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions RC 55333
by Ben Mezrich
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Insider account of six audacious math geniuses from MIT who cheated and scammed Las Vegas casinos. While enrolled full time, these students led double lives gambling for the thrill of high stakes until their wins marked them for revenge. Some strong language. Bestseller 2002.

A Long Way from Home: Growing Up in the American Heartland      RC 55334
by Tom Brokaw
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
NBC news anchor reminisces and reflects on his boyhood in South Dakota during the 1940s and 1950s. He examines the northern Great Plains values instilled in him during the formative years before he married and moved away at age twenty-two. Bestseller 2002.

The One Minute Millionaire: The Enlightened Way to Wealth      RC 55336
by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen
read by Richard Hauenstein
3 cassettes
The coauthor of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series teams up with a financial advisor to offer suggestions on how to make big money. They use the story of an underpaid widow as an example of ethical wealth building. Bestseller 2002.

Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers      RC 55339
by Daniel Ellsberg
read by Tom Burch
4 cassettes
Memoir by the former high government official and author of Papers on the War (RC 21334) who leaked top-secret documents to the press during President Richard Nixon's administration in an attempt to end the Vietnam War. Some strong language. Bestseller 2002.

Seinfeld: The Making of an American Icon      RC 55340
by Jerry Oppenheimer
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
Author of Martha Stewart (RC 44818) and Barbara Walters (RC 31301) explores the life of stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Describes Seinfeld's Jewish roots, his blue-collar youth in Long Island, his rise to fame, and his romances with much younger women, one of whom he married. Some strong language. 2002.

When You Ride Alone You Ride with bin Laden: What the Government Should Be Telling Us to Help Fight the War on Terrorism      RC 55341
by Bill Maher
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
Iconoclastic television talk-show host offers strong opinions on the U.S. government's domestic policies in the war on terrorism. Some of the targets Maher aims at with earnestness and sardonic humor are airport security, gas guzzlers, political correctness, and offshore tax dodges. Strong language. Bestseller 2002.

Rich Dad's Retire Young, Retire Rich: How to Get Rich and Stay Rich Forever      RC 55364
by Robert T. Kiyosaki
read by Jake Williams
3 cassettes
The author, who retired before age fifty, shows how individuals can use leverage--one of the most important words in the world of money--in a positive way. Kiyosaki first prepares readers for the simple things that must be done to become rich, and then offers ways to do them. 2002.

Iris Murdoch: A Life      RC 55384
by Peter J. Conradi
read by Bill Wallace
6 cassettes
Authorized biography of the British writer and philosopher, placing her in the cultural and intellectual context of the mid-twentieth century. Focuses on Murdoch's formative years, from 1919 to 1956. Discusses her work in general terms, rather than in-depth criticism, as part of her life experience. 2001.

The Last American Man      RC 55417
by Elizabeth Gilbert
read by Faith Potts
2 cassettes
Biography of South Carolina native Eustace Conway, who gave up a suburban lifestyle in 1977 when he was seventeen and returned to nature. Describes his adventures surviving off the land in Appalachia, living with Mayan Indians, hiking and canoeing in extreme environments, and crossing America on horseback. Strong language. 2002.

Breaking Clean      RC 55429
by Judy Blunt
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
Montana, the 1960s. Teenager Judy Blunt silently watches her father work out the terms of her marriage to a local rancher. Like her mother and grandmother, Blunt becomes a subservient ranch wife. She describes the physical and emotional difficulties inherent in this life and her rebellious break from it. Some strong language. 2002.

The Seven Daughters of Eve      RC 55439
by Bryan Sykes
read by David Cutler
2 cassettes
A British geneticist contends that almost all living Europeans are linked genetically to one of only seven women from the Paleolithic era. Sykes explains this hypothesis and presents supporting research, tells what he believes can be determined about these seven maternal ancestors, and elaborates on the consequences for modern genetics. 2001.

Adaptive Technologies for Learning and Work Environments      RC 55440
by Joseph J. Lazzaro
read by Mark Ashby
3 cassettes
Describes, in nontechnical terms, how to increase one's independence by adapting personal computers for sensory, physical, speech, and learning disabilities. Lists assistive equipment available on the market and describes the basics of computer hardware. Updates 1993 edition of the same title (RC 37741). 2001.

Power Plays: Win or Lose--How History's Great Political Leaders Play the Game      RC 55442
by Dick Morris
read by Gary Telles
3 cassettes
Fox television network political analyst identifies six strategies used by politicians throughout history. Morris presents twenty case studies--from Lincoln's Civil War tactics to Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign--assessing successes and failures in each. Includes commentary on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the U.S. government's response. 2002.

Behind Sad Eyes: The Life of George Harrison      RC 55445
by Marc Shapiro
read by Terence Aselford
2 cassettes
Biography of guitarist George Harrison (1943-2001), from his childhood in Liverpool to his death from cancer. Highlights his career with the Beatles, including creative differences with John Lennon and Paul McCartney, his two marriages, and his interest in Eastern religion. Some strong language. 2002.

A Lawyer's Life      RC 55446
by Johnnie Cochran
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
Revealing autobiography from a man best known for his role in the O.J. Simpson "trial of the century." Cochran reflects on his life as a successful African American attorney, discussing his most memorable cases and high-profile clients as he probes the issue of racism in the legal system. 2002.

They Cleared the Lane: The NBA's Black Pioneers      RC 55447
by Ron Thomas
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Sportswriter Thomas chronicles the history of team integration in pro basketball. Thomas heralds the first African American players in the NBA, beginning with Chuck Cooper, and focuses on the years between 1950 and 1965. Provides social and political commentary as well as biographical information based on interviews with players, their teammates, families, and coaches. 2002.

Now, Discover Your Strengths      RC 55450
by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton
read by John Hammock
2 cassettes
A how-to guide for managing individual strengths and building an effective organization, based on a study of individuals who have succeeded in their careers. "To excel in your chosen field and to find lasting satisfaction...suspend whatever interest you may have in weakness and instead explore...your strengths." 2001.

Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic      RC 55451
by John de Graaf and others
read by Erik Synnestvedt
2 cassettes
Investigates the worldwide epidemic of overconsumption, or "affluenza," defining the phenomenon as "a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more." Explores the condition's causes and symptoms and offers suggestions for returning to more enduring values. Based on two PBS documentaries. 2001.

The Best American Essays, 2002      RC 55452
edited by Stephen Jay Gould
read by Mary Kane
3 cassettes
Twenty-four essays selected and introduced by Gould shortly before his death. He includes several early essays on the September 11, 2001, attacks because they mark a defining historical moment. Others are confessional writings on medical topics and politics and viewpoints on the arts. 2002.

North Star over My Shoulder: A Flying Life      RC 55454
by Bob Buck
read by Michael Scherer
3 cassettes
Memoir by a career pilot whose adventures span aviation history, from open biplanes to B-17s to 747s. He recalls his intercontinental flights as copilot for actor Tyrone Power, the romance of exotic destinations such as Paris and Cairo, the danger of thunderstorms, and his abiding love of flying. 2002.

Barefoot Contessa Family Style: Easy Ideas and Recipes That Make Everyone Feel like Family RC 55508
by Ina Garten
read by Colleen Delany
1 cassette
Simple recipes for tasty home-cooked meals. Covers appetizers through desserts, with sections on breakfast, treats for kids, and menus. Each recipe lists the ingredients first and includes helpful tips in the step-by-step directions. Bestseller 2002.

The Right Man: The Surprise Presidency of George W. Bush      RC 55531
by David Frum
read by Michael Scherer
2 cassettes
Former presidential speechwriter and author of Dead Right (RC 40664) discusses the time he spent working in George W. Bush's White House. Describes the president's thinking as well as his weaknesses and strengths, and explains why he believes Bush became "superb as a wartime leader." Bestseller 2003.

Everyday Grace: Having Hope, Finding Forgiveness, and Making Miracles      RC 55534
by Marianne Williamson
read by Jill Ferris
2 cassettes
Asserts that individuals can cultivate their internal mystical powers in the midst of the difficulties of daily life. Williamson posits that people can use positive mental energy to transcend everything from grief, guilt, and jealousy to boredom, anxiety, and despondency. Bestseller 2002.

Knitting and Crochet for the Physically Handicapped and Elderly      RC 55543
by Shelagh Hollingworth
read by Patricia McDermott
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Describes how those with limited dexterity can knit and crochet for their own enjoyment. Includes thirty-three knitting patterns and eighteen crochet patterns for a variety of hats, scarves, gloves, socks, underwear, and jackets that are easy to put on and take off. 1981.

Murder in the Cathedral      RC 55554
by T.S. Eliot
read by George Holmes
1 cassette
A verse play by Nobel Prize-winner T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) about the 1170 murder of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, at the royal behest of Henry II. Concerns issues of faith, politics, and the common good. 1935.

Raising Blaze: Bringing Up an Extraordinary Son in an Ordinary World      RC 55558
by Debra Ginsberg
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Memoir by a single mother of a son with special emotional and behavioral needs. Relates her struggle to obtain an appropriate diagnosis and placement for him in the educational system. Some strong language. 2002.

I May Be Wrong but I Doubt It      RC 55571
by Charles Barkley
read by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Memoir by former NBA star, who moved on to become a television commentator for TNT, about his success as an athlete and his beliefs about everything from politics (he's a Republican) to religion, role models, and racism. Foreword by Michael Wilbon of the Washington Post. Some strong language. Bestseller 2002.

Every Knee Shall Bow: The Truth and Tragedy of Ruby Ridge and the Randy Weaver Family      RC 55583
by Jess Walter
read by Bill Wallace
3 cassettes
Journalist explores the lives of Randy and Vicki Weaver and the influences that led them from Christian fundamentalism to white supremacy. Describes the family's 1992 standoff with federal agents at Ruby Ridge, Idaho; the actions of the U.S. Justice Department; and the subsequent investigation. Some violence and some strong language. 1995.

The Final Invasion: Plattsburgh, the War of 1812's Most Decisive Battle      RC 55591
by David G. Fitz-Enz
read by Bill Wallace
2 cassettes
Chronicles the British plan to recapture their former colonies in America during the War of 1812. Under the command of Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost, seasoned troops from the Napoleonic Wars invaded America from Canada in September 1814. They were repulsed at Plattsburgh, New York, on Lake Champlain. 2001.

What Time Is It? You Mean Now? Advice for Life from the Zennest Master of Them All      RC 55645
by Yogi Berra
read by Michael Scherer
1 cassette
Retired baseball champion expands on the advice he first offered in When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It! (RC 52360) by using anecdotes relating to baseball. Suggests cultivating a positive attitude, exercising, setting goals, and taking advantage of opportunities. 2002.

This Just In: What I Couldn't Tell You on TV      RC 55649
by Bob Schieffer
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
Anchor of CBS's Face the Nation offers a behind-the-scenes account of his more than forty years in journalism, including coverage of the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, and Capitol Hill. He also discusses his reporting of Kennedy's assassination, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, Watergate, and September 11, 2001. Bestseller 2003.

America the Beautiful: The Stirring True Story behind Our Nation's Favorite Song      RC 55652
by Lynn Sherr
read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
Poet and educator Katharine Lee Bates composed the words to "America the Beautiful" in 1893 after being inspired by the "most glorious scenery I ever beheld," referring to the view from Pikes Peak in Colorado. Sherr chronicles Bates's lifelong involvement with the song's evolution from her poem to unofficial national anthem. 2001.

Lighthouse Families      RC 55659
by Cheryl Shelton-Roberts and Bruce Roberts
read by John Hammock
2 cassettes
Collection of firsthand accounts from people who called a light station "home." Now elderly, they recall their childhood experiences, including the dangers, responsibilities, and satisfactions of growing up in remote and isolated situations. Describes adventures, heroics, and history, and even contains some favorite family recipes. 1997.

How Democratic Is the American Constitution?      RC 55674
by Robert A. Dahl
read by David Toney
1 cassette
Yale University political science professor challenges the adequacy of the U.S. Constitution to protect in reality the fairness it promises. Criticizes the electoral college and the inequality of representation in the Senate and proposes new ways to think about the problems of American democracy. 2001.

The Day I Fired Alan Ladd and Other World War II Adventures      RC 55675
by A.E. Hotchner
read by Gary Telles
1 cassette
Playwright lightheartedly reminisces about his World War II military service on the home front. He includes anecdotes about producing warfare films, writing a musical, editing a military magazine, and encountering famous personalities. Some strong language. 2002.

Terrorists and Terrorist Groups      RC 55684
by Stephen Currie
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Discusses the origins, political purposes, religious beliefs, and strategies of groups that use violence to achieve their goals. Includes information on the Palestinian movement Hamas, Peru's Shining Path, the Irish Republican Army, al-Qaeda, and Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

The Best Spiritual Writing, 2002      RC 55688
edited by Philip Zaleski
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
Anthology of poetry and prose about art, intimacy, prayer, love, meditation, and faith selected from works by authors such as Toni Morrison, Bill McKibben, Czeslaw Milosz, Wendell Berry, Seamus Heaney, Barry Lopez, Philip Levine, and Harvey Cox. 2002.

Shakespeare and Tragedy      RC 55701
by John Bayley
read by Norman Barrs
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Discusses the Roman plays Troilus and Cressida and Timon of Athens, as well as the four major tragedies. Bayley shows how Shakespeare's most successful tragic effects hinge on the artistic distance between the author and his creations. 1981.

Living History      RC 55882
by Hillary Rodham Clinton
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
4 cassettes
Former first lady's memoir of eight years in the White House that, she says, "tested my faith and political beliefs, my marriage and our nation's Constitution." Discusses how she and President Bill Clinton faced political opposition, legal challenges, personal tragedies, and the scandal of the Monica Lewinsky case. Bestseller 2003.

The Story of My Life      RC 55883
by Helen Keller
read by Catherine Byers
3 cassettes
The restored classic autobiography of an exceptional young woman and her companion, originally published in 1903, with 2003 commentary by editor Roger Shattuck. Helen Keller's own account of her transformation is followed by her teacher Anne Sullivan's record of their early years together and insights of Anne's husband, John Macy. 1903.

Cassettes Fiction

The Old Man and the Sea      RC 53792
by Ernest Hemingway
read by Rick Wiseman
1 cassette (Reissue)
An elderly Cuban fisherman hooks a giant marlin after eighty-five days without a single catch. Then he fights a losing battle with sharks who deprive him of his triumph. Pulitzer Prize. 1952.

Honor among Enemies: Honor Harrington, Volume 6      RC 53963
by David Weber
read by Madelyn Buzzard
4 cassettes
Honor Harrington is recalled to active duty to combat space pirates. Her challenge is complicated by the infighting of her motley crew and difficulty defining the enemy. Sequel to Flag in Exile (RC 53962). Some violence and some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 1996.

The Sweetest Dream      RC 53973
by Doris Lessing
read by Laura Giannarelli
4 cassettes
Tale of three women from three generations, beginning in 1960s London. Frances is a disillusioned former Communist and divorced mother of two boys; Julia, Frances's ex-mother-in-law, shares the house; and Sylvia goes to Africa in the 1980s as an aid worker. Sustenance at the kitchen table is a recurring motif. 2002.

Acorna's World      RC 54143
by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Acorna returns to deep space with Jonas Becker, Roadkill, and Aari, her Linyaari friend wounded by the insectoid Khleevi. Acorna answers a distress signal from another planet and gets involved in other adventures in her ongoing battle against the Khleevi. Sequel to Acorna's People (RC 54142). For senior high and older readers. 2000.

Acorna's Search      RC 54144
by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
The peace-loving Linyaari attempt to restore their devastated planet after the enemy Khleevi depart. When Acorna's mate, Aari, and others disappear, she searches frantically to locate them, discovering an ancient realm that sheds light on the history of her people. Sequel to Acorna's World (RC 54143). For senior high and older readers. 2001.

The Golden One      RC 54161
by Elizabeth Peters
read by Barbara Rappaport
4 cassettes
Egypt, 1917. Amelia Peabody, her archaeologist husband, Radcliffe Emerson, her son, Ramses, and daughter-in-law, Nefret, undertake a dangerous wartime voyage from England to Egypt. When they arrive at their latest excavation site in Luxor, they encounter grave robbers and murder. Ramses also undertakes an espionage assignment in Gaza. Sequel to Lord of the Silent (RC 52274). 2002.

Three Complete Novels of Courtly Love: The Prude and the Prodigal, Lies for Love, From Hate to Love RC 54188
by Barbara Cartland
read by Jennifer Mendenhall
3 cassettes
Three romantic tales set in nineteenth-century Britain. In The Prude and the Prodigal, Prunella tries to save her sister from an unworthy suitor. In Lies for Love, Carmela falls for her best friend's guardian. In From Hate to Love, Atayla is stranded in Tangiers after her father is murdered. 1980.

Rebekah: Women of Genesis, Book 2      RC 54295
by Orson Scott Card
read by Catherine Byers
2 cassettes
Rebekah is chosen by God to be the wife of Isaac, son of Abraham. The marriage proves challenging as Rebekah is shamed for not quickly producing a son. Later she is tormented by the destiny of her twin boys. Sequel to Sarah (RC 54294). 2001.

Scandal's Bride      RC 54298
by Stephanie Laurens
read by Kristin Allison
3 cassettes
Scotland, 1819. Strong-willed Scotswoman Catriona Hennessy is told she must marry Richard "Scandal" Cynster, English nobleman and libertine. Catriona planned to secure a more pliable mate; Scandal planned never to marry. Plans change when Scandal decides Catriona is the woman for him. Sequel to A Rake's Vow (RC 54297). Descriptions of sex. 1999.

All about Love      RC 54301
by Stephanie Laurens
read by Kristin Allison
3 cassettes
England, 1820. Lucifer, the last Cynster bachelor, travels to his mentor's country home to escape the talons of London's single women. Finding the old man shockingly murdered, Lucifer soon encounters Phyllida Tallent, with whom he embarks on a passionate journey of crime solving and love. Sequel to A Secret Love (RC 54300). Descriptions of sex. 2001.

Faithless: Tales of Transgression      RC 54417
by Joyce Carol Oates
read by Laura Giannarelli
4 cassettes
Twenty-one short stories exploring the late-twentieth-century American psyche at moments of betrayal, disappointment, and passion. In "Lover," a woman jilted by her married lover plots his death, using an automobile as her weapon. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2001.

Jacqueline Susann's Shadow of the Dolls      RC 54421
by Rae Lawrence
read by Kimberly Schraf
2 cassettes
1987. The two surviving heroines originally featured in Valley of the Dolls (RC 50906), Anne Welles and Neely O'Hara, both with teenage children, are still searching for their niche in life. Adapted from a draft written by Jacqueline Susann before 1974. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2001.

Hell to Pay      RC 54423
by George P. Pelecanos
read by Chuck Young
2 cassettes
Washington, D.C., private investigators Derek Strange and Terry Quinn, last seen in Right as Rain (RC 52759), seek to avenge the murder of one of the eight-year-old football players they coach. Quinn tracks a teenage runaway-turned-prostitute while Strange struggles with fidelity. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.

Angel Trumpet: A Civil War Mystery      RC 54486
by Ann McMillan
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Richmond, Virginia; 1861. Confederate officials attempt to silence the fact that three plantation family members and their house slaves have been brutally murdered. Widow Narcissa Powers, a rich white nurse, joins herbalist Judah Daniel, a black freedwoman, and reporter Brit Wallace from Dead March (RC 54485) to investigate the cover-up. 1999.

The Ship Who Searched      RC 54495
by Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
A mysterious disease leaves seven-year-old Tia completely paralyzed. Unable to enjoy human mobility, she becomes a shellperson, the human brain of an interstate spaceship. On her odyssey across the galaxy, she seeks a cure for her disease and eventually falls in love. Sequel to PartnerShip (RC 54494). 1992.

The City Who Fought      RC 54496
by Anne McCaffrey and S.M. Stirling
read by Corrie James
3 cassettes
Shellperson Simeon controls the city-sized space station SSS-900. Bored with his daily routine, Simeon indulges his passion for war games. When refugees arrive after fleeing Kolnari space pirates, Simeon knows the station's survival depends on implementing his game skills in real life. Sequel to The Ship Who Searched (RC 54495). Strong language, violence, and some descriptions of sex. 1993.

The Gate of Fire: The Oath of Empire, Book 2      RC 54685
by Thomas Harlan
read by Fred Major
5 cassettes
This sequel to The Shadow of Ararat (RC 54684) continues the saga of the military and sorcerous seventh-century war between Rome and Persia. Prince Maxian uses his magic powers to wrest Rome from a curse, and his brother Galen, emperor of the Western Roman Empire, returns from Persia. 2000.

América's Dream      RC 54719
by Esmeralda Santiago
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
Although América Gonzalez quits her job in Puerto Rico to work with a family in the United States, she cannot escape her past. Her lover Correa--who is married and beats her but is also the father of Rosalinda, her fourteen-year-old daughter--pursues her. Strong language and some violence. 1996.

Shadow Puppets      RC 54802
by Orson Scott Card
read by Bob Askey
2 cassettes
Continuing Shadow of the Hegemon (RC 53932), Peter deals with his decision to authorize the rescue of his archenemy, Achilles. Meanwhile, Bean and Petra hope to have normal children without Bean's complications. But Achilles and world events cause unforeseen problems. 2002.

A Thousand Country Roads: An Epilogue to The Bridges of Madison County      RC 54811
by Robert James Waller
read by Bob Askey
1 cassette
1981. Robert Kincaid, sixty-eight, is sustained only by memories of life on the road and his brief 1965 encounter with Francesca Johnson. He returns to the road, and a chance encounter with another woman reveals a new dimension of his life. Sequel to The Bridges of Madison County (RC 35861). Bestseller 2002.

Red Rabbit      RC 54816
by Tom Clancy
read by David Hartley-Margolin
5 cassettes
CIA agent Jack Ryan is working in England when Moscow-based employees Ed and Mary Pat Foley help Soviet interpreter Oleg Zaitzev to defect. They uncover a KGB plot to assassinate the new Polish pope to prevent political unrest in Poland. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller 2002.

The Year's Best Science Fiction: Nineteenth Annual Collection      RC 54824
edited by Gardner Dozois
read by John Polk
7 cassettes in 2 containers
The editor reviews the genre's status in 2001 and presents twenty-six short stories he considers outstanding. Featured authors include Charles Stross, Michael Blumlein, Paul McAuley, Dan Simmons, Alastair Reynolds, Maureen F. McHugh, Paul Di Filippo, and Ian R. MacLeod. Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2002.

Chindi      RC 54848
by Jack McDevitt
read by Roy Avers
3 cassettes
A tale of interstellar adventure involving Priscilla "Hutch" Hutchins from Deepsix (RC 51893), now a starship captain. She and her crew of oddly assorted amateurs pursue a signal that may provide extraterrestrial contact. Some strong language. 2002.

Sharpe's Tiger: Richard Sharpe and the Siege of Seringapatam, 1799      RC 54860
by Bernard Cornwell
read by Chuck Benson
3 cassettes
India, 1799. Private Richard Sharpe is promised a promotion if he poses as a deserter and contacts a prisoner being held in an enemy jail. Sharpe takes on the mission even though a misstep would result in certain death. Some violence and some strong language. 1997.

Sharpe's Trafalgar: Richard Sharpe and the Battle of Trafalgar; October 21, 1805      RC 54862
by Bernard Cornwell
read by Chuck Benson
3 cassettes
Ensign Richard Sharpe leaves India on his way to his new assignment in England. But once at sea, the ship encounters Napoleon's fleet and a battle begins with Admiral Nelson in command. Some violence and some strong language. 2001.

Delta Search: Quest for Tomorrow, Book 1      RC 54871
by William Shatner
read by Gary Tipton
2 cassettes
Opening volume in a series by the Star Trek actor about the dreams of youth and the terrors of empire. Sixteen-year-old Jim Endicott's application to the Space Academy triggers events connected with a secret encoded in his DNA. Some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 1997.

Thunder from Jerusalem: Zion Legacy, Book 2      RC 54876
by Bodie Thoene and Brock Thoene
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
It is day five for the new state of Israel, and the fighting continues. Moshe Sachar is struggling to keep the momentum of Haganah alive even as an assassin infiltrates the group. His pregnant wife, Rachel, tends the growing number of wounded at the hospital. Sequel to Jerusalem Vigil (RC 54875). 2000.

The Talisman Ring      RC 54901
by Georgette Heyer
read by Vanessa Maroney
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Eustacie leaves the turmoil of the French Revolution for the safety of her grandfather's house in England. Once there she flees from an arranged marriage, joins a cousin who is a smuggler, and falls in love. 1936.

Middlesex      RC 54934
by Jeffrey Eugenides
read by Erik Sandvold
5 cassettes
At forty-one, hermaphrodite Cal Stephanides examines the rare genetic mutation that has caused his gender to change since his birth as a girl in 1960. He describes his teenage revelations, his Greek grandparents' guilty secret, and his coming-of-age in Detroit. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 2002.

Pasadena      RC 54944
by David Ebershoff
read by David Hartley-Margolin
4 cassettes
Linda Stamp's coming-of-age in California in the early years of the twentieth century is reflected in Pasadena's transformation from frontier town to opulent suburb. Three men influence Linda's life: her brother; her husband, wealthy rancher Willis Poore; and Bruder, the enigmatic stranger who returns from the war with her father. Bestseller 2002.

Dune: The Butlerian Jihad; Legends of Dune, Volume 1      RC 54949
by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
read by J.P. Linton
4 cassettes
This new trilogy of prequels to Dune (RC 44126) goes back 10,000 years prior to the "House" trilogy of prequels (RC 49477,     RC 50949,     RC 53145). Describes the long-ago war when humans struggled to gain their freedom from the "thinking machines." 2002.

Life of Pi      RC 54950
by Yann Martel
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Pi Patel, the sole human survivor of a shipwreck, is in a lifeboat with an injured zebra, a hyena, an orangutan, and an adult Bengal tiger. Strangely, after 227 days in the Pacific, the boy and the tiger make landfall. Some violence. 2001.

Requiem for the Sun: Symphony of Ages, Volume 1      RC 54985
by Elizabeth Haydon
read by Erin Jones
4 cassettes
This sequel to the Rhapsody Trilogy (RC 54068,     RC 54069,     RC 54070) begins three years after Rhapsody helped bring peace and prosperity to Navarne. The Dowager Empress has died, the line of succession is broken, and war now threatens the fragile Cymrian Alliance. Rhapsody's old nemesis resurfaces, putting her unborn child in danger. 2002.

Frederica      RC 54995
by Georgette Heyer
read by Jill Ferris
3 cassettes (Reissue)
London, Regency period. The marquis of Alverstoke, a bored bachelor, reluctantly agrees to help his distant relative, Frederica Merriville, settle her contentious siblings into society. She considers herself too old to be desirable, but the marquis thinks otherwise. 1965.

Might as Well Be Dead: A Nero Wolfe Mystery      RC 55005
by Rex Stout
read by Jim Zeiger
2 cassettes (Reissue)
James Herold hires Nero Wolfe to locate his son, Paul, who disappeared in New York City. Wolfe finds the man--in prison, convicted of murdering his lover's husband. Wolfe and his assistant, Archie, dig further. Some strong language. 1956.

True Friends      RC 55018
by Robin Jones Gunn
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Sixteen-year-old Christy and her friend Katie head to the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe. Christy becomes part of the fast crowd. But Katie warns her of trouble and Christy remembers her religious values. Christy is also frustrated because she hasn't heard from Todd. For junior and senior high readers. 1993.

Starry Night      RC 55019
by Robin Jones Gunn
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Sixteen-year-old Christy Miller feels insecure with her friends--especially with the guys. She is annoyed with her parents' Christmas plans, until she finds peace with the Lord one beautiful evening. For junior and senior high readers. 1993.

Seventeen Wishes      RC 55020
by Robin Jones Gunn
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Christy Miller volunteers for a week as a camp counselor--but the girls are much wilder than she expects. She is relieved when one girl becomes a fervent Christian. For junior and senior high readers. 1993.

A Time to Cherish      RC 55021
by Robin Jones Gunn
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Seventeen-year-old Christy Miller is happy now that Todd has made a commitment to her. Then best friend Katie gets involved with the wrong boy, and pal Doug becomes more withdrawn. Christy asks God to set things straight. For junior and senior high readers. 1993.

Sweet Dreams      RC 55022
by Robin Jones Gunn
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Christy Miller and her friend Katie are glad to finally be graduating from high school. Christy is secure in her future with Todd while Katie, influenced by her boyfriend, is falling away from her faith. For junior and senior high readers. 1994.

A Promise Is Forever      RC 55023
by Robin Jones Gunn
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Eighteen-year-old college student Christy Miller travels to England on a missionary trip with her church youth group. When she is sent on to Spain, Christy is reunited with her former boyfriend Todd, and they realize that they are still in love. For junior and senior high readers. 1994.

Westward the Dream: Ribbons West, Book 1      RC 55028
by Judith Pella and Tracie Peterson
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
In 1862 Brenton Baldwin and his sister Jordana leave the East to join relatives Victoria and Kiernan O'Connor in California. Accompanying them is Kiernan's sister Caitlan, newly arrived from Ireland. Brenton photographs the expanding railroad as they travel west, trusting God to protect them. For senior high and older readers. 1998.

Separate Roads: Ribbons West, Book 2      RC 55029
by Judith Pella and Tracie Peterson
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
Two years after Westward the Dream (RC 55028), Brenton Baldwin has fallen in love with his sister-in-law Caitlan O'Connor, while Jordana Baldwin too finds love. Kiernan continues to work on the new railroad. Their faith in God helps in dangerous situations. For senior high and older readers. 1999.

Ties That Bind: Ribbons West, Book 3      RC 55030
by Judith Pella and Tracie Peterson
read by Michele Schaeffer
2 cassettes
By 1868 Jordana Baldwin is finally settled in Sacramento, California, with her family, but at twenty-two, she is bored with life. She is enticed to spy on the Union Pacific railroad, falls in love with Captain Rich O'Brian, and prays for happiness. Sequel to Separate Roads (RC 55029). For senior high and older readers. 2000.

As You Wish: Christy and Todd; the College Years, Book 2      RC 55038
by Robin Jones Gunn
read by Nanette Savard
2 cassettes
Christy Miller starts college in California and continues to date Todd. When Matthew, someone she knew in Wisconsin, arrives on campus, Christy trusts that God will help her make the right decisions in her relationships. Sequel to Until Tomorrow (RC 55037). For senior high and older readers. 2000.

I Promise: Christy and Todd; the College Years, Book 3      RC 55039
by Robin Jones Gunn
read by Nanette Savard
2 cassettes
College students Christy Miller and Todd Spencer become engaged. When family and friends offer conflicting advice on the upcoming wedding, Christy starts having doubts--but trusts that God will provide. Sequel to As You Wish (RC 55038). For senior high and older readers. 2001.

Chesapeake Blue      RC 55052
by Nora Roberts
read by David Hartley-Margolin
2 cassettes
Companion to the Quinn Trilogy (RC 45679,     RC 46842,     RC 47824). Seth Quinn, back from Europe as a successful painter, plans to settle near family in St. Christopher, Maryland. A blackmailer jeopardizes his interest in the town's new florist. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 2002.

I Don't Know How She Does It: The Life of Kate Reddy, Working Mother      RC 55057
by Allison Pearson
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
At thirty-five, Londoner Kate Reddy has arrived. She has a high-prestige job in finance, an architect husband, a one-year-old and a five-year-old, a nanny, and expensive shoes. But the juggling act is making her crazy, and she knows she needs a change. Some strong language. Bestseller 2002.

Twisted Roots: The De Beers Family, Volume 3      RC 55059
by V.C. Andrews
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
In this sequel to Wicked Forest (RC 54347), Willow's sixteen-year-old daughter, Hannah, struggles to deal with her mother and stepfather's decision to have a baby. Eventually Hannah, her boyfriend, and her uncle, Linden, decide to run away. But life on the road holds some shattering realities. Bestseller 2002.

The Big Dig      RC 55061
by Linda Barnes
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
Boston P.I. Carlotta Carlyle is hired to find a missing roommate while she is working undercover to investigate graft and fraud in the city's notorious underground road building project. Carlotta discovers that a kidnapping has occurred and that the two cases are connected. Strong language and some violence. 2002.

Baudolino      RC 55062
by Umberto Eco
read by Fred Major
4 cassettes
During the siege of Constantinople in A.D. 1204, an adventurer recounts his fabulous life. Baudolino was a poor Italian peasant when he attracted the attention of emperor Frederick Barbarossa, became educated, joined the Crusades, and set out to find the Holy Grail for his benefactor. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller 2000.

My Favorite Bride      RC 55067
by Christina Dodd
read by Gabriella Cavallero
2 cassettes
England, 1847. Pickpocket-turned-nanny Samantha Prendregast is sent to the Lake District to work for stern Colonel Gregory, a widowed military man with six daughters. Samantha falls in love with him before she realizes that she's in a nest of spies. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

Blanche Passes Go      RC 55074
by Barbara Neely
read by Saidah Arrika Ekulona
2 cassettes
Blanche White returns to North Carolina from Boston. Assisting a friend in her catering business when a local girl is murdered, the African American maid-turned-sleuth investigates the suspect--the rich white man who had raped Blanche years ago--and confronts racial prejudice. Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 2000.

The Corinthian      RC 55091
by Georgette Heyer
read by Gabriella Cavallero
2 cassettes (Reissue)
In Regency England Sir Richard Wyndham and heiress Penelope Creed, both seeking to escape arranged marriages, meet accidentally when she asks him to help locate her childhood sweetheart--who, they discover, is now in love with somebody else. Richard and Penelope fall in love. 1940.

The Idiot      RC 55116
by Fyodor Dostoevsky
read by Mark Ashby
5 cassettes (Reissue)
Prince Myshkin, a man with a saintly soul, clashes with materialistic, sexually charged, nineteenth-century Russian society. Myshkin's idealism makes him unable to fathom the rivalry of two women for his love or the complications that ensue. Dostoevsky's classic novel in a 2001 translation by the award-winning team of Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. 1868.

White Shell Woman: A Charlie Moon Mystery      RC 55144
by James D. Doss
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Rancher Charlie Moon, formerly a Ute policeman, is called to investigate a case of arson and the death of an archaeologist. When another murder and fire occur, his shaman aunt insists that a curse is upon them, but Charlie looks for a killer. Some strong language. 2002.

Absolute Rage      RC 55146
by Robert K. Tanenbaum
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
When union chief "Red" Heeney, his wife, and their child are murdered, New York district attorney Butch Karp is sent to West Virginia as a special prosecutor. The Heeneys had been summer neighbors of the Karps. Violence escalates when Karp's family is attacked. Violence and strong language. 2002.

On a Wicked Dawn      RC 55147
by Stephanie Laurens
read by Kristin Allison
3 cassettes
London, 1825. After her twin sister Amanda marries, Amelia Cynster decides to take matters into her own hands and propose to the one she loves. Lucien Ashford agrees to marry her only after a decent interval of courting, but Amelia doesn't want to wait. Sequel to On a Wild Night (RC 54472). Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

Prize Stories 2002: The O. Henry Awards      RC 55177
edited by Larry Dark
read by Mitzi Friedlander
4 cassettes
Twenty stories from American and Canadian literary magazines selected by a panel of writers. In the first-prize winner, "The Ceiling," by Kevin Brockmeier, a husband perceives catastrophe threatening his hometown as he becomes aware of his wife's infidelity. Some strong language. 2002.

Kentucky Sunrise      RC 55181
by Fern Michaels
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Happily married Nealy Clay Littletree is retired from managing Blue Diamond Farms. When her daughter Emmie Coleman runs the thoroughbred stables into the ground and grooms the wrong horse for the Kentucky Derby, Nealy takes action. Sequel to Kentucky Heat (RC 54432). Some strong language. 2002.

Three Complete Novels: Carrie, 'Salem's Lot, The Shining      RC 55192
by Stephen King
read by Bruce Huntey
7 cassettes in 2 containers
Three classic tales of horror. In Carrie a high school girl has the power of telekinesis. In 'Salem's Lot the night is filled with villagers-turned-vampires. A couple and their young psychic son become caretakers of a haunted hotel in The Shining. Violence and strong language. 1974.

The Irish Sports Pages: A Milan Jacovich Mystery      RC 55197
by Les Roberts
read by John Polk
2 cassettes
A Cleveland, Ohio, judge and her daughter hire P.I. Milan Jacovich to retrieve incriminating photographs from a con artist--a local thug scamming them and posing as a needy Irish immigrant. When the hustler is murdered, all the "good guys" become suspects. Strong language and some violence. 2002.

Witness to Evil: A Jeri Howard Mystery      RC 55198
by Janet Dawson
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Oakland private detective Jeri Howard retrieves teenage runaway Darcy Stefano from Paris where she had been researching her Jewish grandmother's World War II experiences. Later, following a murder, the girl disappears from boarding school, and Howard's investigation turns up disturbing evidence of extremist group activities. Some violence and some strong language. 1997.

The Case of the Lonely Heiress      RC 55199
by Erle Stanley Gardner
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes (Reissue)
A contested will and a "lonely hearts" singles ad in a newspaper both lead to a murder. Perry Mason investigates. 1948.

Blue Feather and Other Stories      RC 55225
by Zane Grey
read by Terence Aselford
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Three tales of the Old West. In "Blue Feather," an Indian brave makes choices during a tribal war. A man falsely accused as "The Horse Thief" takes matters into his own hands. Grey fictionalizes his stay in "Quaking-Asp Cabin" and the legendary tragic events that occurred there. 1961.

The Safe Bridge      RC 55228
by Frances Parkinson Keyes
read by Corrie James
2 cassettes
Vermont, early 1800s. Elizabeth Burr is banished from Scotland when her father learns of her love for British soldier and adventurer Basil Keith. Elizabeth adjusts to her new life of hardship and eventually marries frontiersman James Anderson. Years later, Basil returns to claim her. 1934.

Sacrament of Lies      RC 55232
by Elizabeth Dewberry
read by MaryBeth Wise
2 cassettes
New Orleans during two Mardis Gras. Thirty-four-year-old Grayson Guillory, daughter of the governor of Louisiana, finds a videotape of her late manic-depressive mother accusing the governor of plotting to kill her. Grayson fears for her own sanity while seeking the truth. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2002.

Be My Knife      RC 55243
by David Grossman
read by Steven Carpenter
2 cassettes
Yair, a thirty-three-year-old married book dealer, creates an intimate relationship with Miriam, a slightly older married woman, solely through correspondence. Yair yearns not for an ordinary physical affair but for communication from the "dark side of the brain," from the soul's very essence. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1998.

If 6 Were 9      RC 55248
by Jake Lamar
read by Gary Telles
2 cassettes
African American professor Clay Robinette comes to the aid of fellow teacher Reggie Brogus, a former black militant, who has found a white student dead in his office. The girl turns out to be Robinette's ex-lover, and Brogus takes flight, claiming the government is out to get him. Violence and strong language. 2001.

Joy Street      RC 55250
by Frances Parkinson Keyes
read by Margaret Strom
5 cassettes (Reissue)
In the 1930s, wealthy Bostonian lawyer Roger Field defies custom by hiring and socializing with culturally diverse people. His unorthodox lifestyle affects his marriage when his wife, Emily, falls in love with his Jewish partner, David Salomont. 1950.

The Glorious Cause: A Novel of the American Revolution      RC 55251
by Jeff Shaara
read by Robert Sams
5 cassettes
The British under General Howe pursue George Washington's army into New Jersey in the summer of 1776. Benjamin Franklin is in Paris, trying to enlist support from the French. This sequel to Rise to Rebellion (RC 52454) completes Shaara's factually accurate two-volume epic recounting the birth of the American republic. 2002.

Valley of the Sun: Frontier Stories      RC 55256
by Louis L'Amour
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Nine short stories about the gunmen, gamblers, outlaws, and tough men and womenfolk of the Old West. In the title piece, Brett Larane is double-crossed, shot twice, and left for dead in the desert. But he has compelling reasons to live. Some violence. 1995.

With These Hands      RC 55260
by Louis L'Amour
read by Mark Ashby
2 cassettes
Eleven action-filled stories set in such places as Hollywood, the South Seas, and Japan. The characters range from boxers, cowboys, and detectives to pilots and sea captains. In the title piece, the sole survivor of a plane crash in the Arctic wilderness of Alaska summons the will to stay alive. 2002.

The Four Feathers      RC 55289
by A.E.W. Mason
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Classic adventure tale. In 1882, Harry Feversham resigns from the British Army just before his regiment leaves for battle in the Sudan, resulting in accusations of cowardice from three friends and his fiancée. Harry travels to the East, disguises himself as a native, and intervenes anonymously to save his comrades' lives. 1902.

The Family      RC 55290
by Mario Puzo and Carol Gino
read by Alec Volz
3 cassettes
The author of The Godfather (RC 25677) depicts the fifteenth-century family of Rodrigo Borgia, Pope Alexander VI. After Cardinal Borgia becomes pope, he bestows official power onto his children and forces them into profitable marriages. He expects nothing less than full devotion in his quest to found a dynasty. 2001.

The Interrogation      RC 55296
by Thomas H. Cook
read by Roy Avers
2 cassettes
1952. An eight-year-old girl is murdered in a park. Detectives Pierce and Cohen have only one night left to elicit a confession from the main suspect, a vagrant. Pierce struggles with the memory of his own daughter's murder, while Cohen is tormented by recollections of the war in Germany. Violence and strong language. 2002.

New Stories from the South: The Year's Best, 2002      RC 55298
edited by Shannon Ravenel
read by John Polk
3 cassettes
Nineteen stories in the literary tradition of the South. In playwright Romulus Linney's "Tennessee," nineteen-year-old Sassy accepts Griswold's marriage proposal on the condition that they move to Tennessee, but Griswold has a trick or two up his sleeve. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

Skin Folk      RC 55300
by Nalo Hopkinson
read by Madelyn Buzzard
2 cassettes
The author of Brown Girl in the Ring (RC 52063) presents a collection of fifteen Afro-Caribbean tales, some set in Toronto, involving fantasy and folklore. In "Riding the Red," Red Riding Hood is now a grandmother. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. 2001.

No Lesser Plea      RC 55302
by Robert K. Tanenbaum
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
New York assistant D.A. Butch Karp struggles to convict Mandeville Louis, a cold-blooded killer who is feigning insanity. Karp also battles the police and legal bureaucracies that handicap justice. Louis raises the stakes when he sets his sights on Karp's coworker, Marlene Ciampi. Violence and strong language. 1987.

It Had to Be You      RC 55305
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes
After her father dies, Phoebe Somerville is shocked that she has temporarily inherited the Chicago Stars football team. To keep the team, she must work with head coach Dan Calebow, whom she dislikes. Companion to This Heart of Mine (RC 52086). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1994.

Heaven, Texas      RC 55306
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
read by Susan McInerney
3 cassettes
Prim Gracie Snow is determined to keep her new job at Windmill Studios by dragging ex-football star Bobby Tom Denton home to Texas to begin his first movie. But Bobby Tom has reservations about becoming a movie star and has no plans to cooperate. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. 1995.

The Samurai's Wife      RC 55307
by Laura Joh Rowland
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
Japan, 1691. The shogun's private investigator, Sano Ichiro, travels to a distant city to uncover an assassin who can kill with a scream. Sano's new wife, Reiko, assists by infiltrating the women's quarter. Together they discover a plot to overthrow the government. Violence and some descriptions of sex. 2000.

The Best Is Yet to Come      RC 55308
by Judith Gould
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
After Carolina Mountcastle's husband dies, she discovers that he had a mistress and child in Amsterdam. She survives the emotional shock and subsequent sabotage of her flower business with the help of Seth Foster, one of her customers. Explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.

The Shootist      RC 55309
by Glendon Swarthout
read by Robert Sams
1 cassette
Notorious gunfighter John Bernard Books arrives in El Paso, Texas, in 1901 to confirm a cancer diagnosis. Rather than endure a torturous death in a boarding house, Books decides to die early--and to take along a few outlaws. Basis of 1976 John Wayne movie. Some violence and some strong language. Spur Award. 1975.

The Arraignment      RC 55328
by Steve Martini
read by Ray Foushee
3 cassettes
After attorney Paul Madriani's friend Nick Rush and Rush's shady client are murdered, Madriani accepts a case involving Rush's widow, who he suspects knows something about the deaths. The trail leads to smugglers in South America and law firm shenanigans. Violence and strong language. Bestseller 2003.

Esther's Gift: A Mitford Christmas Story      RC 55329
by Jan Karon
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
Christmas Eve. Esther Bolick bakes special orange marmalade cakes for gifts but wonders what they really cost. When her husband calculates forty-three dollars per cake, Esther decides to shorten her list. But the words of a Christmas song change her mind. Includes recipe. Bestseller 2002.

Once a Thief      RC 55330
by Kay Hooper
read by Colleen Delany
2 cassettes
When an exhibit of Max Bannister's jewelry collection is set to open in Morgan West's museum, it is up to security expert Wolfe Nickerson, Bannister's half brother, to protect it. But when West catches cat burglar Quinn inside the museum before the exhibit opens, things heat up. Some strong language. Bestseller 2002.

Table for Two      RC 55332
by Nora Roberts
read by Jill Fox
3 cassettes
In Summer Desserts, Cordon Bleu chef Summer Lyndon falls in love with her employer, hotel magnate Blake Cocharan, but doesn't want to mix business with pleasure. In Lessons Learned, publicist Juliet Trent handles Italian chef Carlo Franconi's tour while resisting his charms. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 1985.

July, July      RC 55350
by Tim O'Brien
read by Jack Fox
2 cassettes
Over the course of a July weekend in 2000, while the Darton Hall College Class of 1969 celebrates its unofficial thirtieth reunion, ten old friends drink, dance, flirt, and remember poignant episodes from their pasts. Bestseller 2002.

Whispers and Lies      RC 55354
by Joy Fielding
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
Nurse Terry Painter lives a quiet life in Delray, Florida. She rents out her backyard cottage to Alison Simms and becomes friends with her. Soon, however, Terry begins to suspect that Alison and her just arrived "brother" are trying to trap her in a web of whispers and lies. 2002.

Catherine and the Pirate      RC 55355
by Karen Hawkins
read by Erin Jones
1 cassette
Boston, 1777. Seventeen-year-old Catherine Markham defies her uncle and heads to Savannah to ransom her brother Royce from the British. She seeks help from Royce's friend Derrick St. John, and uses his ship for the voyage. Pirate-turned-entrepreneur Derrick reluctantly agrees and falls in love with the lovely heiress. For senior high readers. 2002.

Billie's Kiss      RC 55356
by Elizabeth Knox
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
A ship explodes near a Scottish island and many passengers drown. Survivor Billie Paxton becomes acquainted with the eccentric inhabitants of Kiss Castle, who inspire in her equal amounts of passion and rage. 2002.

The Stone Flower Garden      RC 55357
by Deborah Smith
read by Sharon Murray
2 cassettes
Burnt Stand, North Carolina; 1972. Darleen Union, Eli Wade, and Karen Noland are childhood friends until a tragedy separates them. Twenty-five years later, Darleen tries to right a wrong and exposes family secrets that bring them together again. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2002.

Darling Daughters      RC 55359
by Debbie Macomber
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
Two stories of single parents who contend with matchmaking daughters. In Yours and Mine, eleven-year-old best friends Kristen and Nicole conspire to get their parents together. In Lone Star Lovin', Cody Bailman, physician's assistant Sherry Waterman's first patient, is having problems with his newly maturing daughter, Heather. 2002.

Irish Love: A Nuala Anne McGrail Novel      RC 55361
by Andrew M. Greeley
read by Bruce Huntey
2 cassettes
Nuala Anne McGrail and her husband, Dermot Coyne, vacation in western Ireland with their two children. Both Nuala and her daughter have psychic abilities, and the site of a 1882 mass murder haunts them. Soon someone is trying to kill them. Some violence and some strong language. 2001.

Love Game      RC 55363
by Mallory Rush
read by Mitzi Friedlander
2 cassettes
Widow Chris Nicholson becomes reacquainted with her high school flame Greg Reynolds--now a twice-divorced marine with a teenager--on Christmas Eve. They agree to only a fling because Chris is looking for a father for her six-year-old. But Greg falls in love. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. 1995.

Madonna of the Seven Hills      RC 55369
by Jean Plaidy
read by Gabriella Cavallero
2 cassettes (Reissue)
In 1492 illegitimate twelve-year-old Lucrezia Borgia's father is elected Pope Alexander VI. Lucrezia enters an arranged marriage at thirteen and is drawn by her family into a web of politics, deceit, and murder. 1958.

McCone and Friends      RC 55370
by Marcia Muller
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Eight short stories featuring San Francisco private detective Sharon McCone and her associates. In "The Wall," Rae Kelleher investigates the case of a missing high school student by searching her room for clues. Strong language and some violence. 2000.

The Reign of the Brown Magician: Three Worlds Trilogy, Book 3      RC 55371
by Lawrence Watt-Evans
read by Chuck Benson
2 cassettes
With his wife and daughter murdered, Pel Brown only wants to return to Earth. Even his complete control over the matrix doesn't console him--except when he realizes the power it gives him over life and death. Sequel to In the Empire of Shadow (RC 51721). Some strong language. 1996.

Black Storm      RC 55394
by David Poyer
read by Jim Zeiger
3 cassettes
Days before launching a ground assault against Iraqi forces in the 1991 Gulf War, an American unit discovers that Saddam, if attacked, may use a weapon of mass destruction against Israel. Special forces ace Dan Lenson leads a covert military team to quash the threat before it's too late. Strong language and some violence. 2002.

Stoner and Spaz      RC 55396
by Ron Koertge
read by Nick Sullivan
1 cassette
Sixteen-year-old Ben, who has cerebral palsy, leads an insular life with his overprotective grandmother. But everything changes when he is befriended by drug-addicted classmate Colleen and a neighbor introduces him to filmmaking and encourages him to make a movie about his high school. Strong language. For senior high readers. 2002.

In the Forest      RC 55397
by Edna O'Brien
read by Terry Donnelly
2 cassettes
In this novel based on a true crime in Ireland, the author explores the damaged mind of Michen O'Kane, searching for the trigger that sent him on a killing spree. She delves into the psychological make-up of both the killer and his victims. Violence and strong language. 2002.

Between a Wok and a Hard Place: A Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery with Recipes      RC 55398
by Tamar Myers
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Melvin Stoltzfus, chief of police, Hernia, Pennsylvania, deputizes Mennonite innkeeper Magdalena Yoder Miller to investigate the murder of a young Asian woman. The Amish community remains suspiciously silent about the dead stranger. Meanwhile Magdalena's new husband leaves to settle unfinished business. 1998.

No Use Dying over Spilled Milk: A Pennsylvania Dutch Mystery with Recipes      RC 55399
by Tamar Myers
read by Kristin Allison
2 cassettes
Mennonite innkeeper Magdalena Yoder travels to Ohio for the funeral of an Amish cousin who drowned in a tank of milk. Then she discovers that another farmer was killed when he fell from a silo--thus uncovering a deadly rivalry among cheese makers. Some strong language. 1996.

Caramelo; or, Puro Cuento      RC 55405
by Sandra Cisneros
read by Gabriella Cavallero
3 cassettes
Celaya Reyes spins out her story from childhood to maturity. She weaves in threads about her immediate family's bicultural adaptation in Chicago, journeys to her grandparents' home in Mexico City, and melodramatic strands from past and present. The tale sustains her, like the ancient caramel-colored shawl she inherited. Some strong language. 2002.

The Heat Islands      RC 55410
by Randy Wayne White
read by Michael Russotto
2 cassettes
Marine biologist Doc Ford of Sanibel Island, Florida, investigates the drowning of marina owner Marvin Rios after one of Ford's friends becomes the main suspect. Ford uncovers land schemes, crooked politicians, and a serial killer. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 1992.

Sanibel Flats      RC 55411
by Randy Wayne White
read by Michael Russotto
3 cassettes
Doc Ford of Sanibel Island agrees to help old friend Rafe Hollins ransom his son from a Central American Indian tribe. Problems arise when Doc discovers that Rafe had kidnapped the boy from his mother and is running guns. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 1990.

The Distant Beacon: Song of Acadia, Book 4      RC 55412
by Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
In this sequel to The Birthright (RC 53342), Anne remains in England while Nicole, now Lady Harrow, returns to America to oversee her Uncle Charles's estate in Massachusetts. The days ahead are perilous for Nicole and Gordon Goodwind, the man she comes to love, as the American colonies rebel. 2002.

The Beloved Land: Song of Acadia, Book 5      RC 55413
by Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
In this sequel to The Distant Beacon (RC 55412), Nicole now lives in Massachusetts with Gordon, and Anne remains in England with Thomas. Their father's failing health and revelations of a diary long kept secret launch a search spanning two continents and bring both "sisters" home to late-eighteenth-century Georgetown. 2002.

The Concubine's Tattoo      RC 55418
by Laura Joh Rowland
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
Tokyo, 1690. Sano Ichiro, the shogun's investigator, is ordered from his wedding banquet to find the murderer of a young concubine, who was poisoned by tattoo ink. Complications arise when Ichiro's wife, Reiko, insists on helping him. Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 1998.

Reflections in a Golden Eye      RC 55419
by Carson McCullers
read by Colleen Delany
1 cassette
1941. A Southern army post is rattled by undercurrents of hatred and desire. A homosexual officer chases a young private while his wife has a torrid affair with another officer. Then someone is killed. Foreword by Tennessee Williams. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 1941.

Always in My Heart      RC 55421
by Catherine Anderson
read by Margaret Strom
3 cassettes
Ellie and Tucker Grant divorce after their oldest son's accidental death. Now the remaining kids--fourteen-year-old Zach and eleven-year-old Kody--try to reconcile their parents by running away into the Oregon wilderness. The grieving parents begin a rescue attempt. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

The Shark Mutiny      RC 55423
by Patrick Robinson
read by Gregory Gorton
3 cassettes
2007. U.S. national security adviser Vice Admiral Arnold Morgan and security operations officer Lt. Jimmy Ramshawe discover a plot between Chinese admirals and the mullahs of Tehran to establish massive minefields across the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. Warnings go unheeded. Some strong language. 2001.

The Shakeress      RC 55424
by Kimberley Heuston
read by Colleen Delany
1 cassette
New Hampshire, 1828. A Shaker community welcomes Naomi, orphaned at thirteen with her three younger siblings. The foursome thrive under the Shaker way--but, seeking her own spiritual fulfillment, Naomi leaves the community and finds her true self in a new religion, Mormonism. For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

Belle and the Beau      RC 55426
by Beverly Jenkins
read by Laura Giannarelli
2 cassettes
In 1859 sixteen-year-old Belle Palmer escapes from slavery in Kentucky to Michigan, where she is hidden by the freedmen Best family. Belle falls in love with their son, Daniel, although he has been promised to another. For senior high readers. 2002.

Eclipse      RC 55428
by Richard S. Wheeler
read by Gary Telles
2 cassettes
The fictitious voices of Lewis and Clark alternate in describing events after their return from the Northwest in 1806. Lewis reveals a medical secret that may account for his rapid mental decline and early death. Clark marries and enjoys family life even as he confronts the issue of slavery. 2002.

The House of Blue Mangoes      RC 55430
by David Davidar
read by Anne Flosnik
4 cassettes
Early-twentieth-century saga set in a southern Indian village, features three generations of the prosperous Dorai family. Domestic events mingle with political controversies over caste, colonialism, race, and religion as British rule collapses and Gandhi leads the subcontinent to independence. 2002.

Ashes of Roses      RC 55437
by Mary Jane Auch
read by Anne Flosnik
2 cassettes
Sixteen-year-old Margaret Rose Nolan arrives at Ellis Island from Ireland dreaming of a happy future. She finds work at New York City's Triangle Shirtwaist Factory and describes the horror of escaping from the tragic 1911 fire. Some violence. For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

Island Boyz: Short Stories      RC 55438
by Graham Salisbury
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
Ten stories, introduced by a short poem, about Hawaiian teenagers. In "Waiting for the War," two boys have a horse, but cannot ride or even get close to it. Then a soldier from Texas gives them a little help. For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

Answered Prayers      RC 55509
by Danielle Steel
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
Unhappy in her long-term marriage, Faith Madison falls in love with a childhood friend she encounters at a funeral. Brad Patterson, also married with grown children, returns her affection. Over time, their long-distance correspondence leads to major decisions. Bestseller 2002.

The Penwyth Curse      RC 55512
by Catherine Coulter
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
Cursed by the Druids, Merryn de Gay of Penwyth has been widowed four times--each time on her wedding day. Awarded Merryn as a wife, Sir Bishop of Lythe seeks to break the spell. Interwoven with Bishop's quest are his dreams about a wizard and a witch. Explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2003.

Light in Shadow      RC 55520
by Jayne Ann Krentz
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Arizona. When interior designer Zoe Luce enters the bedroom her client wants decorated, she senses something bad happened in it. She hires detective Ethan Truax to verify her suspicions. But Zoe soon needs Ethan's services for herself when her past begins to catch up with her. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. Bestseller 2003.

Samaritan      RC 55528
by Richard Price
read by Steven Carpenter
3 cassettes
Forty-three-year-old television writer Ray Mitchell returns to the racially mixed New Jersey projects of his youth. After volunteering to teach at his old high school, he is savagely beaten but refuses to identify his attacker. Detective Nerese Ammons, a childhood friend, is determined to help. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller 2003.

The Bone Vault      RC 55529
by Linda Fairstein
read by Faith Potts
3 cassettes
District attorney Alexandra Cooper teams up with homicide detective Mike Chapman when a corpse is found in a sarcophagus being shipped back to Egypt. They identify the body as a former researcher at the Cloisters and uncover shady dealings within the museum community. Some violence and some strong language. 2003.

Abhorsen      RC 55530
by Garth Nix
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Abhorsen-in-waiting Lirael and Prince Sameth--supported by their creatures Disreputable Dog and Mogget (a cat)--must confront and defeat the evil spirit Orannis before it can destroy all life. Conclusion to trilogy beginning with Sabriel (RC 44682) and Lirael (RC 52678). For junior and senior high readers. 2003.

The Doctor's House      RC 55561
by Ann Beattie
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
A widow and her adult children explore the paternal roots and lasting influence of their family's dysfunction. Daughter Nina is currently engrossed in the details of her brother Andrew's womanizing. Both reflect on their tortured upbringing at the hands of their emotionally abusive father and alcoholic mother. Strong language. 2002.

The Youngest Hero      RC 55573
by Jerry B. Jenkins
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Ten-year-old Elgin Woodell and his Christian mother, Miriam, move from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to Chicago after his alcoholic father is incarcerated. By age fourteen, Elgin, having inherited his dad's gift for baseball, becomes the major league's youngest rookie. For senior high and older readers. 2002.

Nine      RC 55576
by Jan Burke
read by Chuck Benson
3 cassettes
L.A. homicide detective Alex Brandon and his partner, Ciara Morton, investigate a group of vigilantes that is assassinating criminals on the FBI's most-wanted list. Evidence leads Brandon and Morton to a school for disturbed, affluent teens. Violence and strong language. 2002.

Starting Over      RC 55581
by Robin Pilcher
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
3 cassettes
Divorcée Liz Dewhurst lives with her son and father on the Scottish coast. She remains entangled with her ex-husband because of their joint ownership of the families' farms, now targeted by a golf course consortium. When a charming older man enters her life, Liz has to make some difficult choices. Strong language. 2002.

The Last Detective: An Elvis Cole Novel      RC 55647
by Robert Crais
read by Gregory Gorton
2 cassettes
Ten-year-old Ben, son of Elvis Cole's girlfriend, is kidnapped while the private investigator is watching the boy. Cole's partner, Joe Pike, and detective Carol Starkey are searching for the youngster when Ben's father shows up to complicate matters. Also Cole's past in Vietnam resurfaces. Violence and strong language. Bestseller 2003.

The Apprentice Lover      RC 55653
by Jay Parini
read by Gary Telles
3 cassettes
In this coming-of-age novel, Alex Massolini drops out of Columbia University in 1970 to work for writer Rupert Grant on Capri. There Alex reflects on his brother's death in Vietnam and on what kind of person he himself wants to be. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2002.

Truly Madly Manhattan      RC 55655
by Nora Roberts
read by Michele Schaeffer
3 cassettes
Two novels set in Manhattan. In Local Hero, Hester Wallace's son is overjoyed to discover their new neighbor is the originator of his favorite comic book. In Dual Image, a real-life love affair develops between an actress and a TV movie's creator. Descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller 2003.

The Sight      RC 55656
by David Clement-Davies
read by Anne Flosnik
3 cassettes
An epic tale set in Transylvania during the Middle Ages that features a pack of wolves and newborn cubs, a prophecy, an outcast she-wolf with strange powers, and horrifying ordeals. For junior and senior high readers. 2002.

No Ordinary Man      RC 55658
by Suzanne Simmons
read by Anne Flosnik
2 cassettes
Mitchell Storm has come to Newport, Rhode Island, at his dying grandfather's request, to take his distant cousin and wealthy heiress Victoria back to Scotland to settle the mystery of the family treasure. But he never expected Victoria to be so beautiful or intelligent. Some descriptions of sex. 1998.

The Heavenly World Series: Timeless Baseball Fiction      RC 55662
by Frank O'Rourke
read by Robert Sams
3 cassettes
Eighteen stories, written in the 1940s and 1950s, vividly portray baseball from the turn of the century to the fifties. These tales show O'Rourke's fictional heroes competing alongside such baseball greats as Roy Campanella, Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, and Leo Durocher while confronting the limitations of injury, age, and ambition. 2002.

My Perfect Life      RC 55673
by Dyan Sheldon
read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
Ella has no interest in running for class president at her New Jersey high school. But her unconventional friend Lola, from Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (RC 49701), persuades her to challenge rich and beautiful Carla in a nasty popularity race. For senior high readers. 2002.

Feed      RC 55687
by M.T. Anderson
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
In the future, most people have computer implants in their heads streaming information. Titus has had his since birth, while home-schooled Violet received hers later. When the "feed" is attacked by a hacker, Titus's system quickly recovers but Violet's continues to malfunction. Strong language. For senior high and older readers. National Book Award finalist. 2002.

A Darker Justice      RC 55689
by Sallie Bissell
read by Annie Wauters
2 cassettes
A secretive group of extremists is murdering federal judges, and investigators believe the next victim will be Irene Hannah. Judge Hannah refuses protection, so the FBI recruits Atlanta prosecutor Mary Crow to guard her former mentor. When a vicious assassin kidnaps Hannah, Crow goes on the offensive. Violence and strong language. 2002.

Anna and the Duke      RC 55690
by Kathryn Smith
read by Anne Flosnik
2 cassettes
London, 1818. Scottish landowner Ewan MacLaughlin becomes the Duke of Brahm when his estranged father dies. Arriving in England, Ewan meets his duplicitous half-brother, Richard, and his half-sister, Emily. Anna, Richard's fiancée, uncovers a plot to discredit Ewan and finds herself falling in love with him. For senior high readers. 2002.

Bitter Sugar: A Lupe Solano Mystery      RC 55696
by Carolina Garcia-Aguilera
read by Barbara Pinolini
2 cassettes
Miami P.I. Lupe Solano agrees to help her father's best friend, Ramón Suarez, and his nephew, Alexander, investigate an unexpected offer for their family's confiscated sugar mills in Cuba. When Tío Ramón is arrested for Alexander's murder, Lupe becomes entangled in politics and greed. Violence and some strong language. 2001.

Bookends      RC 55704
by Jane Green
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Londoners Josh, Catherine, and Si--who is gay--have been close friends since college. Catherine even opens a bookshop/café with Josh's wife, Lucy. When gorgeous Portia, a former untrustworthy friend from their school days, enters the picture, the group's relationships threaten to unravel. Strong language. 2001.

Late Bloomer      RC 55755
by Fern Michaels
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
Cady Jordan returns to Indigo Valley, Pennsylvania, where twenty years ago she was seriously injured in an accident and lost her memory. The mishap left one of her childhood friends dead--and Cady blamed. Now her friends are afraid she will remember what really happened. Strong language. Bestseller 2002.

A Home for the Heart: The Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister, Book 8      RC 55841
by Michael Phillips
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
2 cassettes
1865. Twenty-eight-year-old Corrie Belle Hollister continues her journal entries as she travels from Pennsylvania to California. She reminisces about her previous journey west with her mother and siblings thirteen years before and looks forward to marrying Christopher. Sequel to Land of the Brave and the Free (RC 40215). 1994.

Books for Children

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 are labeled with the code RC and play at 15/16 ips. To order books, fill out the order form and send it to your cooperating library.

Cassettes Nonfiction

Global Warming      RC 52744
by Burkhard Bilger
read by Gary Telles
1 cassette
Explores the phenomenon of global warming, the impact of the greenhouse effect, the scientific controversy surrounding the theory, and related political and social issues. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 1992.

Holly, Reindeer, and Colored Lights: The Story of the Christmas Symbols      RC 53940
by Edna Barth
read by Ray DiZefalo
1 cassette (Reissue)
Traces Christmas traditions and symbols back to Christian, mythological, and pagan sources. Covers the star, the tree and its ornaments, the Yule log, Santa Claus, gift exchanging, food, and bells--all associated with this December holiday. For grades 4-7. 2000.

The Prairie      RC 54622
by Alison Ormsby
read by Neil Berman
1 cassette
Exploration of the prairies of central North America and their ecosystems. Studies the weather, temperature, and agriculture associated with them. Includes two science experiments. For grades 5-8. 1999.

Ice Cream      RC 54632
by Elisha Cooper
read by Marilyn Gleason
1 cassette
Explains step-by-step how milk is taken from cows and processed in a factory, where lots of things happen to it to produce a carton of flavored ice cream. For grades K-3. 2002.

Playtime Rhymes for Little People      RC 54637
by Clare Beaton
read by Marilyn Gleason
1 cassette
Collection of counting rhymes and well-loved childhood verses. Directions for motions accompany each selection. Includes "Here Are the Lady's Knives and Forks"; "Incy Wincy Spider"; "One Potato, Two Potato"; "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe"; and "I'm a Little Teapot." For preschool-grade 2. 2001.

Women Olympic Champions      RC 54640
by Nathan Aaseng
read by MaryBeth Wise
1 cassette
Profiles the lives and struggles of seven outstanding female Olympic champions from various time periods, nations, and events: Sonja Henie, figure skating; Babe Didrikson, track and field; Fanny Blankers-Koen, running; Dawn Fraser, swimming; Lydia Skoblikova, speed-skating; Nadia Comaneci, gymnastics; and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, heptathlon. For grades 5-8. 2001.

Middle School: The Real Deal; from Cafeteria Food to Combination Locks      RC 54771
by Juliana Farrell and Beth Mayall
read by MaryBeth Wise
1 cassette
Gives kids an idea of what to expect when they start middle school. Contains practical advice on homework, teachers, and such social situations as making new friends and joining clubs. For grades 5-8. 2001.

Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story about Brain Science      RC 54774
by John Fleischman
read by Gary Telles
1 cassette
Examines an 1848 accident in which an explosion drove a thirteen-pound tamping rod through a railroad worker's skull. Recreates the event, recalls eyewitness accounts, and describes Gage's astonishing physical recovery accompanied by dramatic personality changes resulting from brain damage. Discusses this case's contribution to science. For grades 6-9. 2002.

The Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their World and Ours      RC 54779
by Jane Goodall
read by Celeste Lawson
1 cassette
A pioneer in field research on African jungle chimpanzees discusses her discoveries about their behavior and ways of living and communicating. Includes information on chimpanzees in captivity and actions people can take to protect them. For grades 4-7. 2001.

Smelling and Tasting      RC 55031
by Alvin Silverstein and others
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette
Explains the connection between taste and smell and the biological processes involved, comparing human abilities to those of animals. Discusses a variety of different smells and odors, and scientific inventions that have medical and social applications. For grades 5-8. 2002.

Seeing      RC 55032
by Alvin Silverstein and others
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette
Explains the sense of vision and how humans see in color. Discusses the brain's role in perceiving objects, motion, and three-dimensional images. For grades 5-8. 2001.

Touching and Feeling      RC 55033
by Alvin Silverstein and others
read by Nanette Savard
1 cassette
Explains how the sense of touch functions and how it helps us learn about our surroundings. Examines the importance of touch to humans, plants, and animals, describing the sensations of pressure, pain, and temperature. Includes technological developments to provide feeling to artificial limbs. For grades 5-8. 2002.

Hearing      RC 55034
by Alvin Silverstein and others
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Discusses the sense of hearing, explaining what sound is and how the body responds to it. Compares the human ability to hear to that of other animals. Describes the relationship between listening and speaking. Examines sonar technology and the various services it performs. For grades 5-8. 2001.

Armored, Plated, and Bone-Headed Dinosaurs: The Ankylosaurs, Stegosaurs, and Pachycephalosaurs RC 55081
by Thom Holmes and Laurie Holmes
read by Lewis Grenville
1 cassette
Discusses what is known about these plant-eating dinosaurs who relied on heavily armored bodies, tail clubs and spikes, or rock-hard skulls to discourage opposition. Among other topics, it covers their evolution, geographic range, feeding habits, and special adaptations. For grades 5-8. 2002.

Gigantic Long-Necked Plant-Eating Dinosaurs: The Prosauropods and Sauropods      RC 55082
by Thom Holmes and Laurie Holmes
read by Lewis Grenville
1 cassette
Discusses general features of these two dinosaur groups, their similarities, and differences. The sauropods were the longest, tallest, and heaviest land animals ever to walk the Earth. Describes a blooper that misled scientists for over a century and the discovery of fossil dinosaur eggs in Argentina. For grades 5-8. 2001.

Meat-Eating Dinosaurs: The Theropods      RC 55084
by Thom Holmes and Laurie Holmes
read by Lewis Grenville
1 cassette
Discusses the characteristics of this "beast foot" group that spanned the entire age of dinosaurs--one hundred sixty million years. Describes what they looked like, how they hunted and devoured their prey, and how they evolved. For grades 5-8. 2001.

The Kids' College Almanac: A First Look at College      RC 55191
by Barbara C. Greenfeld and Robert A. Weinstein
read by Patricia McDermott
3 cassettes
Introductory guidelines for kids who are beginning to think about careers and higher education. Includes basic information to consider about community colleges, trade schools, and universities; the application process; what actually happens at college; and financial aspects. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2001.

Stories from the Bible      RC 55263
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
A selection of stories from the Old and New Testaments of the King James version of the Bible with a brief introduction to each section. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 2000.

Animal Aviators: Masters of Flight      RC 55293
by Eve Iversen
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette
Introduces animals that glide, soar, and fly--especially birds, insects, and bats. Explains how their bodies work for them on taking off, maneuvering in the air, and landing. Discusses migration as long-distance flight ability and presents a brief history of human air travel. For grades 5-8. 2001.

The Elephant Book: For the Elefriends Campaign      RC 55389
by Ian Redmond
read by Judith Ann Gantly
1 cassette
The Elefriends organization presents facts and quotations about elephants to alert readers about the serious decrease in the world's elephant population. Details their physical characteristics, habitat, feeding patterns, social relationships, and why the herds are in decline. For grades 4-7. 1990.

Understanding September 11th: Answering Questions about the Attacks on America      RC 55391
by Mitch Frank
read by Jake Williams
1 cassette
Explains the historical and religious issues that motivated terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. Includes information on Islam, the Taliban, and Osama bin Laden; the significance of the Middle East and Afghanistan; and the changes in America since the attacks. For grades 6-9. 2002.

911: The Book of Help      RC 55414
edited by Michael Cart
read by Margaret Strom
1 cassette
A collection of essays, poems, and short fiction by authors of books for young adults in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Includes "A Candlelight Vigil at the Fireman's Monument," where Russell Freedman and his neighbors pray at a nearby landmark. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2002.

Did Dinosaurs Live in Your Backyard? Questions and Answers about Dinosaurs      RC 55432
by Melvin Berger and Gilda Berger
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Explores the world of dinosaurs, their size and shape, food, families, and theories about why they became extinct. For grades 3-6. 1998.

This Land Was Made for You and Me: The Life and Songs of Woody Guthrie      RC 55433
by Elizabeth Partridge
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Biography of Woody Guthrie (1912-1967), the Oklahoma singer, writer, and musician who composed more than three thousand songs and ballads as he traveled around the United States, including "This Land Is Your Land" and "So Long, It's Been Good to Know Yuh." For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2002.

Why Do Volcanoes Blow Their Tops? Questions and Answers about Volcanoes and Earthquakes RC 55435
by Melvin Berger and Gilda Berger
read by Steven Carpenter
1 cassette
Historical and scientific information about volcanoes and earthquakes--why, how, where, and when these natural disasters occur. For grades 3-6. 1999.

B. Franklin, Printer      RC 55436
by David A. Adler
read by Bob Moore
1 cassette
Biography of the Philadelphian whose political thoughts and writings influenced the founding of the United States. Discusses how he set up a library, a postal system, and fire and police departments to help his fellow citizens. Describes his scientific inventions and diplomatic service to the new republic. For grades 4-7. 2001.

The Assassination of Malcolm X      RC 55597
by Allison Stark Draper
read by Bill Quinn
1 cassette
Describes the murder of Malcolm X in 1965. Also discusses events that led up to the assassination of this leader of the Nation of Islam, also known as the Black Muslims. Includes the trial of his assailants and the political and social conditions of the time. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2002.

Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months      RC 55651
by Maurice Sendak
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette (Reissue)
A rhyming nonsense tale describes the delights of eating chicken soup with rice during every month of the year. For preschool-grade 2. 1962.

Langston Hughes      RC 55666
by Milton Meltzer
read by Bob Moore
2 cassettes
Biography of a leading poet of the 1920s Harlem Renaissance. Describes how Langston Hughes (1902-1967) devoted his life to writing about the African American experience in poetry and other forms--the short story, novel, play, song, musical comedy, opera, history, humor, and autobiography. For grades 6-9. 1997.

One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship      RC 55672
by Mary Pope Osborne
read by Colleen Delany
1 cassette
Overview of world's seven major religions--Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Introduces the origins, beliefs, sacred writings, major figures, and traditions of each faith. For grades 4-7. 1996.

The Hospital      RC 55682
by Janine Amos
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Uses letters, stories, and informational text to explain what to expect during a visit to the hospital. Provides practical advice and encourages asking questions to prepare for a hospital stay. For grades K-3. 2002.

Cassettes Fiction

Day of the Dragon King: Magic Tree House, Book 14      RC 54424
by Mary Pope Osborne
read by Gillian Green
1 cassette
The magic tree house takes Jack and Annie back two thousand years to ancient China. Their task is to find the earliest written form of an ancient legend--a bound book made of bamboo strips--before the evil Dragon King burns down the Imperial Library. For grades 2-4. 1998.

Viking Ships at Sunrise: Magic Tree House, Book 15      RC 54425
by Mary Pope Osborne
read by Gillian Green
1 cassette
Jack and Annie travel back more than a thousand years to ancient Ireland, where their search for a lost book takes them to a monastery. They meet Brother Patrick and also face a sea monster and a Viking raid. For grades 2-4. 1998.

Tonight on the Titanic: Magic Tree House, Book 17      RC 54427
by Mary Pope Osborne
read by Gillian Green
1 cassette
The magic tree house transports Annie and Jack to the deck of the Titanic, the supposedly unsinkable ship. They arrive right before the ship hits an iceberg. For grades 2-4. 1999.

Tigers at Twilight: Magic Tree House, Book 19      RC 54429
by Mary Pope Osborne
read by Gillian Green
1 cassette
Having used their magic tree house to travel to India, Jack and Annie have adventures involving a tiger and other endangered animals. For grades 2-4. 1999.

Breakout at the Bug Lab      RC 54623
by Ruth Horowitz
read by Gary Roan
1 cassette
When a giant cockroach named Max escapes from their mother's bug laboratory, Leo and his brother need to find him before important visitors arrive. The boys receive help from a mysterious lady who advises them to think like a bug in order to catch one. For grades K-3. 2001.

Harry by the Sea      RC 54752
by Gene Zion
read by Rick Wiseman
1 cassette (Reissue)
Harry the dog searches for one cool spot on a hot, sunny day at the beach and finds it when a crashing wave leaves him covered with cool, slimy, green seaweed. What Harry doesn't know is that it also makes him look like a sea monster. For preschool-grade 2. 1965.

Don't You Know There's a War On?      RC 54773
by Avi
read by Bruce Nelson
1 cassette
During World War II, fifth-grader Howie lives in Brooklyn, New York, while his father is fighting overseas. Howie and his friend Denny keep up with the battle news and fall in love with their teacher. they also try to keep her from being fired. For grades 5-8. 2001.

Lady Knight: Protector of the Small, Book 4      RC 55072
by Tamora Pierce
read by Lisette Lecat
3 cassettes
When she became a knight, Kel hoped to be given a combat post. Instead she is named commander of an outpost of refugees, where she must face the unnatural forces of the evil Blayce. Sequel to Squire (RC 52769). For grades 5-8. 2002.

Zazoo      RC 55240
by Richard Mosher
read by Anne Flosnik
2 cassettes
A thirteen-year-old Vietnamese orphan, Zazoo, loves her adoptive French grandfather, called Grand-Pierre, the only family she has. A mysterious boy on a bicycle, Marius, brings her budding romance and leads her to befriend the local pharmacist--who reveals her grandfather's difficult past. For grades 6-9. 2001.

Counting Stars      RC 55291
by David Almond
read by Gary Tipton
1 cassette
In a series of interconnected stories, a boy describes his life growing up in a Catholic family in the English urban district of Felling. In "Jonadab," the boy encounters two orphaned urchins who fantasize they are Native Americans to survive their brutal existence. For grades 6-9. 2000.

All American Girl      RC 55299
by Meg Cabot
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes
While fifteen-year-old Samantha is ducking her art class, she tackles a man trying to shoot the president of the United States. She learns that David, a cute boy in the class, is the president's son--but her newfound popularity causes turmoil at school and at home. For grades 6-9. 2002.

Freckle Juice      RC 55310
by Judy Blume
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette (Reissue)
Andrew wishes he had freckles like his classmate Nicky. When Sharon overhears Andrew ask Nicky how he got his freckles, she offers to sell Andrew a secret recipe for freckle juice. But she wants five whole weeks of his allowance money. For grades 2-4. 1971.

The Thief Lord      RC 55343
by Cornelia Funke
read by David Cutler
2 cassettes
Orphan brothers Prosper, age twelve, and Bo (Boniface), age five, have run away from their cruel aunt and uncle in Hamburg to Venice--their mother's favorite city. They join a band of urchins led by a mysterious Thief Lord who steals to support them. And then the complications begin. For grades 5-8. 2000.

Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast      RC 55360
retold by Robin McKinley
read by Erin Jones
2 cassettes (Reissue)
A courageous girl called Beauty gradually learns the meaning of love from an unlikely candidate, the Beast residing in an enchanted castle. An embellishment of the classic fairy tale. For grades 5-8. 1978.

Double Fudge      RC 55372
by Judy Blume
read by Judith Ann Gantly
1 cassette
Twelve-year-old Peter suffers some embarrassing moments because of Fudge, his five-year-old money-obsessed brother. The discovery of long-lost cousins, including a second "Fudge" from Hawaii, makes matters worse. Sequel to Fudge-a-mania (RC 33199). For grades 4-7. 2002.

The Hamster of the Baskervilles: From the Tattered Casebook of Chet Gecko, Private Eye      RC 55377
by Bruce Hale
read by L.J. Ganser
1 cassette
Something is trashing the classrooms at Emerson Hicky Elementary School, and fourth-grade detective Chet Gecko sets out to find the creature that's responsible. For grades 3-6. 2002.

Who Do You Love?      RC 55387
by Martin Waddell
read by Judith Ann Gantly
1 cassette
At bedtime, a mother cat and her kitten, Holly, play their go-to-bed game. The mother asks "Who do you love?" Holly teases her by describing everyone she loves and her reasons for doing so, saving her mother for last. For preschool-grade 2. 1999.

Sosu's Call      RC 55390
by Meshack Asare
read by Robin Miles
1 cassette
Sosu and his dog, Fusa, warn the inhabitants of an African village of a threatening violent storm even though Sosu cannot use his legs to walk. The villagers show their appreciation with a special gift. For grades K-3. 2001.

The Hunting of the Last Dragon      RC 55420
by Sherryl Jordan
read by David Cutler
1 cassette
England, 1356. When the last fire-breathing dragon destroys Jude's family and village, Jude vows to slay the beast. The unlikely hero forms a bond with Jing-wei, a young Chinese noblewoman whose heritage gives her a knowledge of dragons. Together they search for the dragon's lair. For grades 6-9. 2002.

Encyclopedia Brown Shows the Way      RC 55431
by Donald J. Sobol
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette (Reissue)
Encyclopedia Brown, brilliant fifth-grade amateur detective, solves ten cases for his police-chief father and the people of Idaville. For grades 3-6. 1972.

Hoot      RC 55550
by Carl Hiaasen
read by Erik Sandvold
2 cassettes
Middle school student Roy has just moved from Montana to south Florida. He befriends a boy named Mullet Fingers and his stepsister, who are trying to prevent a pancake-house chain from building a restaurant over a colony of burrowing owls. For grades 6-9. 2002.

Goose Chase      RC 55565
by Patrice Kindl
read by Martha Harmon Pardee
1 cassette
Rather than marry a cruel king or a seemingly dim-witted prince, an enchanted goose girl endures imprisonment. Her twelve geese help her to escape the locked tower but not the pursuit of the prince. The goose girl has many misadventures before learning her true identity. For grades 6-9. 2001.

Becky the Brave: A Story about Epilepsy      RC 55592
by Laurie Lears
read by Kristin Allison
1 cassette
Sarah depends on her brave older sister Becky to walk her to school. But after Becky has an epileptic seizure in front of her classmates, she refuses to go to school. Sarah finds the courage to go alone and a way to help her sibling. For grades K-3. 2002.

The Showdown: Left Behind--the Kids, Volume 13      RC 55599
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
The death toll rises as the Earthquake! (RC 55368) ends in this sequel. Victims--including Judd, Vicki, Lionel, and Ryan--struggle to reunite with family and friends. For grades 5-8. 2001.

Judgment Day: Left Behind--the Kids, Volume 14      RC 55600
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
The world continues to dig out from a destructive earthquake in this sequel to The Showdown (RC 55599). Meanwhile Judd and Vicki search for a hiding place to avoid capture by the Global Community. For grades 5-8. 2001.

Battling the Commander: Left Behind--the Kids, Volume 15      RC 55602
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
In this sequel to Judgment Day (RC 55600), the free members of the Young Trib Force are hiding from Commander Blancka and praying for their friends who remain in the clutches of the Global Community. For grades 5-8. 2001.

Fire from Heaven: Left Behind--the Kids, Volume 16      RC 55603
by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
read by Jim Zeiger
1 cassette
The Young Trib Force faces the next prophetic judgments in this sequel to Battling the Commander (RC 55602). A huge meteor forces John to make a life-threatening decision on the Global Community ship Peacekeeper One. For grades 5-8. 2001.

Little Rat Sets Sail      RC 55657
by Monika Bang-Campbell
read by Christopher Walker
1 cassette
Little Rat's parents sign her up for sailing lessons even though she is afraid of water. But Buzzy Bear is a kind teacher, and during the summer Little Rat finds that she is braver than she thinks. Beginning chapter book. For grades K-3. 2002.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix      RC 56062
by J.K. Rowling
read by Erik Sandvold
6 cassettes
The first part of the summer after his fourth year at Hogwarts--covered in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (RC 50228)--finds Harry back with the Dursleys, isolated in the Muggles' world. But that changes after he is attacked by Dementors. For grades 4-7 and older readers. 2003.

Foreign Language Books

The following cassette titles are available in the languages designated.

Spanish

El Clan del Oso Cavernario (The Clan of the Cave Bear)      RC 54959
por Jean M. Auel
leído por María Pino
5 cassettes
Es la Edad de Hielo. Un terremoto destruye el tribu de Ayla, una niña de la raza Cro-Magnon. Más tarde, Ayla es adoptado por un clan Neandertal, y ellos llegan a aceptarla y quererla. Pero, muchas veces Ayla se ve desterrado violando los tabúes del clan, hasta que se da cuenta que tiene que dejar los Neandertales--una raza destinado a la extinción--para buscar a su propria gente. Contiene descripciones de índole sexual. (After Ayla's people perish in an earthquake during the Ice Age, a beetle-browed Neanderthal clan adopts the young Cro-Magnon woman. She is banished several times for disregarding taboos and eventually realizes that she must leave the doomed group to seek out her own kind. Some explicit descriptions of sex.) 1991.

La Ciudad de las Bestias (The City of the Beasts)      RC 54960
por Isabel Allende
leído por María Pino
2 cassettes
Alexander Cold, joven de quince años, tiene una abuela que es reportero, y tiene la oportunidad de acompañarla en una expedición a las Amazonas en busca de la legendaria Bestia de las Amazonas. Alexander y su nueva amiga Nadia emprenden una mágica aventura en la misteriosa y impenetrable selva. Para alumnos de escuela secundaria y lectores mayores. (Fifteen-year-old Alexander Cold accompanies his reporter-grandmother on an expedition to the Amazon to search for the legendary Yeti of the Amazon, known as "The Beast." Alexander and his new friend Nadia begin their magical adventure in the mysterious, impenetrable jungle. For senior high and older readers.) 2002.

Vuelo del Cisne (Flight of the Swan)      RC 54965
por Rosario Ferré
leído por María Pino
2 cassettes
En 1917, una compañía de ballet rusa visita a Puerto Rico en gira artística y se encuentra varado en la isla a causa de la revolución rusa. Madame, la famosa e imperiosa dama de la compañía acaba enamorandose locamente de un revolucionario al que le dobla la edad, y la vida de las jóvenes bailarinas cambia completamente. (In 1917, a Russian ballet troupe tours Puerto Rico and is stranded there by the Russian Revolution. The leader of the troupe, known as Madame to her younger ballerinas, falls in love with a revolutionary zealot half her age, and the lives of all are dramatically transformed.) 2002.

El Ejercicio y Su Salud (Exercise and Your Health)      RC 54969
por Institutos Nacionales de Salud
leído por Juan Ramírez
1 cassette
Esta guía--editado por el Instituto Nacional sobre el Envejecimiento--enfatiza que la gente puede beneficiarse hasta con niveles moderados de actividad física. Ofrece información sobre los tipos de ejercicios importantes para personas en la tercera edad, así como consejos para motivarse al ejercicio, para medir los beneficios del ejecicio y para conocer los beneficios de una nutrición saludable. (Exercise guide published by the National Institute on Aging emphasizes that even moderate levels of physical activity are beneficial to health. Describes types of exercise and gives tips for getting started, measuring effectiveness, and ensuring good nutrition.) 2001.

El León, la Bruja, y el Ropero (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe)      RC 54964
por C.S. Lewis
leído por María Pino
1 cassette
Cuatro chicos aventureros entran por la puerta de un ropero y llegan a la tierra de Narnia--un país esclavizado por el poder de la Bruja Blanca. Primera novela de "Las Crónicas de Narnia." Para grados 4 a 7. (Four children find their way through a huge wardrobe in an old house to the mysterious land of Narnia, which is suffering under the spell of the White Witch. First book in "The Chronicles of Narnia." For grades 4-7.) 2000.


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Posted on 2006-02-24