Braille Book Review

January-February 2004
Books for Children

The following books were recently produced for the NLS program. To order books, contact your braille-lending library. Nonfiction

Weird Friends: Unlikely Allies in the Animal Kingdom BR 14045
by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey
1 volume
Describes friendships between pairs of creatures that would seemingly hurt each other but actually depend on one another for food, grooming, shelter, or protection. The goby fish is large enough to eat shrimp, yet still shares a home with a species of blind shrimp. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2002.

Becoming Joe DiMaggio BR 14398
by Maria Testa
1 volume
Narrative poem tells the story of an Italian grandfather and his American grandson who listen to the New York Yankees baseball games on the radio. Grade 1 braille. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 2002.

Extraordinary African Americans BR 14402
by Susan Altman
2 volumes
Biographical profiles of more than one hundred African Americans from colonial times through the twentieth century. Includes portraits of eighteenth-century poet Lucy Terry Prince, slave rebellion leader Nat Turner, scientist George Washington Carver, blues singer Bessie Smith, writer James Baldwin, and golfer Tiger Woods, among many others. For grades 6-9. 2001.

Understanding September 11th: Answering Questions about the Attacks on America BR 14471
by Mitch Frank
1 volume
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.

The Look-It-Up Book of the Fifty States BR 14493
by Bill Gutman
3 volumes
Presents historical, geographical, and miscellaneous information about each of the fifty states in the union. For grades 5-8. 2002.

Let's Play Cards! A First Book of Card Games BR 14506
by Elizabeth Silbaugh
1 volume
Provides a simple introduction to playing cards and directions for the games of war, concentration, go fish, crazy eights, and clock solitaire. For grades 2-4. 1996.

One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship BR 14514
by Mary Pope Osborne
1 volume
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.

Knitting BR 14551
by Judy Ann Sadler
1 volume
Beginner's guide to the traditional craft of knitting. Discusses the basics from needed materials to step-by-step instructions for each process involved in making eleven projects: pom-pom scarf, headband, rolled-brim hat, ribbed scarf, slipper socks, patchwork blanket, pillow, book bag, mini-purse, striped mittens, and feathery boa. For grades 3-6. 2002.

Game Day: My Life on and off the Field BR 14557
by Derek Jeter
1 volume
Member of the New York Yankees describes how he prepares on the day of a game. Jeter, a shortstop, explains the discipline needed from spring training to the playoffs to make it to the World Series. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2001.

Bury the Dead: Tombs, Corpses, Mummies, Skeletons, and Rituals BR 14567
by Christopher Sloan
1 volume
Examines customs and practices surrounding death in ancient and modern times. Discusses how treatment of dead bodies in the distant past informs archaeologists about societies in ancient Egypt, Siberia, China, and Peru, as well as in more recent periods in North America and Europe. For grades 5-8. 2002.

Stevie Wonder BR 14571
by Tenley Williams
1 volume
Biography of the composer, pianist, and singer whose musical talent was evident from childhood. Discusses Stevie Wonder's recording success despite being "blind, black, and broke" when he started. For grades 6-9. 2002.

Shake, Rattle, and Roll: The Founders of Rock and Roll BR 14618
by Holly George-Warren
1 volume
Biographical sketches of fourteen rock and roll stars: Bill Haley, Fats Domino, LaVern Baker, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Bo Diddley, Carl Perkins, the Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Wanda Jackson, Ritchie Valens, and James Brown. Grade 1 braille. For grades 4-7 and older readers. 2001.

Ice Wreck BR 14650
by Lucille Recht Penner
1 volume
Describes the true story of British explorer Shackleton's 1914 expedition to Antarctica. When the ship was caught in the frozen sea, he and his crew experienced an eighteen-month ordeal, during which they camped on ice floes and lived on an island. Grade 1 braille. For grades 3-6 and older readers. 2001.

One Nation: America by the Numbers BR 15003
by Devin Scillian
1 volume
A counting book presenting rhymes and facts about the United States, from the concept of one nation to the one hundred men and women in the U.S. Senate. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2002.

Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey BR 15004
by Maira Kalman
1 volume
A fireboat launched in 1931 is retired after many years fighting fires along the Hudson River on New York City's west side. Some friends restore the old John J. Harvey for pleasure, and it is ready to work when its services are needed on September 11, 2001. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2002.

A Is for America: An American Alphabet BR 15005
by Devin Scillian
1 volume
An alphabet book presenting rhymes and facts about the United States and its people, from "A is for America..." through Z, for ZIP codes. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2001.


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