Braille Book Review March-April 2006 Volume 75, Number 2 _Braille Book Review_ is published bimonthly in large-print, braille, and computer diskette formats and distributed free to blind and physically handicapped individuals who participate in the Library of Congress free reading program. It lists braille magazines and books available through a network of cooperating libraries. The braille edition also lists recorded books, giving abbreviated annotations. News about library services is featured in both editions. The annotated list in this issue is limited to titles recently added to the national collection, which contains thousands of fiction and nonfiction titles, including classics, biographies, gothics, mysteries, and how-to and self-help guides. To learn more about the wide range of books in the national collection, readers may order catalogs and subject bibliographies from cooperating libraries. Librarians can check other resources for titles and answer requests for special materials. Readers can receive _Braille Book Review_ and other information through the Internet by accessing the the NLS home page at http://www.loc.gov/nls. To order books or for subscription changes, contact your local cooperating library. Correspondence regarding editorial matters should be sent to Publications and Media Section, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 20542. Library of Congress, Washington 2006 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 53-31800 ISSN 0006-873X Contents: In Brief Books for Adults Nonfiction Fiction Books for Children Nonfiction Fiction Foreign Language Books Spanish Braille Magazines ### Book recall: RC 59669 The recorded cassette title Portrait (RC 59669) by Iain Pears was released in error and has been recalled. This title will be released under a new book number at a later date. Changed CDAG information Contact information for three members of the Collection Development Advisory Group committee has changed since the publication of the January February 2006 issues of Braille Book Review and Talking Book Topics. The revised information is provided below. National Federation of the Blind Ever Lee Hairston 113 Greensward Lane Cherry Hill, NJ 08002-4710 ehairston@verizon.net Midland Reader-at-Large Gail Walter 217 Pine Halstead, KS 67056 gwmontezuma@yahoo.com Children's/Young Adult Librarian Cindy Nugent Blind and Physically Handicapped Services Mississippi Library Commission 3881 Eastwood Drive Jackson, MS 39211-6473 frizsell@mlc.lib.ms.us ____________________________________________________________ __________________ The following information is reprinted from two issues of NLS Flash, a newsletter created to bring current information on NLS progress in digital technology to patrons, library staff, and other interested individuals. Flash, December 2005, volume 2, issue 1 Talent behind the digital talking-book machine Spotlight on Humanware's design team When it comes to digital talking-book design, only the best will do. That is why the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, has recruited some of the best minds in accessible technology for the task. Among them is the team from industry leader HumanWare, which supports prime contractor Battelle on a range of activities. HumanWare brings seventeen years of experience in accessible technology to the NLS digital project. An innovator in the field of talking books, the company has developed four versions of digital talking-book players in that time. This knowledge is helping NLS build the best digital talking-book machine for its patrons and librarians. "With HumanWare's experience behind the digital talking-book project, we have a head start in building a device that will significantly enhance the way our patrons experience reading and access print information," says Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director. HumanWare's responsibilities are twofold. They are designing the user interface and developing the software needed to operate the machine. They also coordinate the usability testing associated with this project. Three industry veterans lead the HumanWare team. Gilles Pepin, president and CEO of HumanWare's Canadian subsidiary, provides technical direction and design consultation. Pepin holds a master's degree in electrical engineering with a specialization in digital speech coding and has thirty years of experience in speech technology. Alain Par‚, deputy program manager for the NLS project, oversees all activities of HumanWare and its subcontractors, the National Federation of the Blind and the University of Wisconsin's Trace Center. Dominic Labb‚ leads a software development team of six in creating the framework needed to run the player. A software specialist for more than ten years, Labb‚ manages software development for HumanWare's entire line of digital talking- book players. Interfacing with users HumanWare is leading the effort to design the player's user interface, which includes selection of controls such as play, stop, and volume as well as navigation features. The user interface must be designed for easy usage by readers of varying age and skill levels. Features must interact harmoniously with each other to provide an enjoyable reading experience. To ensure this, interface designs are examined in a series of eight patron usability tests. Three test rounds have been completed to date. The first test identified requirements, including those of patrons, librarians, and repair personnel. Feedback from this test went toward the design of initial models. The next two rounds tested versions of the user interface on simple prototypes. The results were helpful in refining hardware and software design. HumanWare is currently supporting Battelle as they gear up for the fourth test, which will focus on the player's audio characteristics. The audio quality of the player is a high priority for engineers. They will assess all variables that affect audio quality, including speaker size and sound levels and the size, shape, and configuration of the player's shell. The remaining usability studies will focus on testing stages of prototypes that each more closely resembles the final product. The final test will use prototypes incorporating the exact components including the player shell, controls, and processor that will be used in the final version. "User testing has been very beneficial in showing how patrons interact with players and finding out which features do and do not work for them," notes Michael Moodie, NLS deputy director. "Each test has afforded some excellent insight into how we can refine the machine to better suit patron needs." Par‚ agrees that these tests yield a "goldmine of information" that is critical to building a successful product. Rigorous, repeated testing is particularly valuable to the digital player because of the high standards and complex specifications it must meet. In fact, during the design of the NLS player, HumanWare will have gathered more usability feedback from end-users than it did for any other product it has developed. "Our highest priority is satisfying users," adds Par‚. "We're spending a lot of time and effort to make sure that happens. Ultimately, it's important to build a very reliable product that will stand the test of time." Building smart software The digital talking-book player will be a smart machine. The "brain" lies in its software. Building "brain cells" is where HumanWare's software development team comes in. In addition to the user-interface design, HumanWare is charged with creating the player's software, based on input from patrons and librarians. The player's functions including controls such as play, rewind, fast-forward, volume, tone, and speed adjustment will all be implemented through computer software. HumanWare's challenge is to write software that will run rapidly and reliably on a portable player. Engineers also must develop software support systems for maintenance and upgrades to the player. Like NLS, HumanWare is excited about the possibilities the new system holds for patrons. "Digital talking-book technology is a powerful system that will enhance patrons' access to information," says Pepin. Flash, January 2006, volume 2, issue 2 Design of basic digital talking-book player solidified New year. New milestone. The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, recently completed the third in a series of eight planned usability tests of the digital talking-book (DTB) system. The study results confirmed the suitability of the overall design of the basic talking-book machine, including the cartridge and insertion method. The approved design will undergo minor revisions and tests to fine tune the system. "The test conclusions represent a major advancement in our digital transition," says Frank Kurt Cylke, NLS director. "Extensive work has gone into developing and testing a basic player that is suitable for all users. We're pleased with the outcome and believe that our patrons will also appreciate it." Primary goals of the study were to validate basic and advanced player designs and user interfaces as well as the cartridge design, insertion method, mailing container, and label. NLS also collected patron feedback on the user guide and key physical features of the player. Seventy-one patrons of various ages and abilities participated in the assessment. Library personnel were also interviewed on how effectively the player and cartridge models met their needs. For diverse input, the recent usability tests were spread across three cities Cleveland, Ohio; Watertown, Massachusetts; and Madison, Wisconsin. The National Federation of the Blind managed tests at the Cleveland Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and the Talking Book Library of the Perkins School for the Blind. Additional on-site studies were conducted at retirement centers in the Cleveland and Boston areas. The Trace Research and Development Center of the University of Wisconsin at Madison administered tests at its facilities and at nearby retirement communities. Users performed common tasks on three working models of the player. Each model had versions that featured two different methods for inserting the cartridge. Primary controls such as play, stop, and rewind and secondary controls for speed and navigation were tested. Also examined were player size and appearance, power cord storage, retractable handle, and placement of the headphone jack. Tests were structured for patrons with both basic and advanced reading skills and simulated environments in which they would first use a new player receiving operating guidance only from a user manual or personal assistance from a friend or family member. According to Michael Moodie, NLS deputy director, the assessments were extensive for a reason. "Users were asked to test many different aspects of the DTB system because the design is still being refined. Key decisions are being made as needed. The more patron and librarian input we receive, the more effective our solutions will be." Functional feedback Patrons were comfortable with the basic player's modern design and its user interface including the distinction between primary and secondary controls. However, many were challenged by some of the advanced player's navigation features. Although patrons could operate both cartridge-insertion methods, they indicated that the one featuring a slot in the center of the front edge was preferable. This model also allowed significantly smaller player size. Most appreciated the retractable handle, but some had difficulty finding and pulling it out. Power-cord storage was found to be effective. Patrons approved of a simplified sleep button and suggested improving the accessibility of the cartridge mailing container. The verdict is in Based on patron and librarian feedback, engineers recommended ways to fine-tune the DTB system. NLS evaluated this information and accepted the modified design of the basic player. However, additional refining and testing is needed before the machine will be fully suited to patron needs. NLS wishes to further reduce player size without diminishing button size and spacing, cord storage, or audio quality and wants to improve the operation of the fast- forward and rewind functions. NLS did not approve the advanced player concept model, citing the need for further testing to refine its features and functions. Another key outcome was NLS's selection of the center- insertion method for the cartridge. This option allows for cartridges to be inserted into the player much like a debit card would be inserted into an automated teller machine. Additionally, NLS approved the proposed cartridge design, shape, and label concepts. Labels will feature increased information in braille as well as title and author segments in thirty-six point type for maximum legibility. "We're pleased that so much has been settled in the design," Moodie says, "and we are confident we can quickly solve the few remaining issues." A look ahead DTB engineers will continue to be busy in 2006. Over the next few months, their primary focus will be implementing the latest refinements to both the basic and advanced players. The modified players will then undergo follow-up usability tests at the Connecticut and Virginia regional libraries with eligible NLS staff. Patrons will check refinements to player user interfaces and hardware, including the basic machine's fast-forward and rewind functions. When the two players' overall designs are settled, the design team will shift its focus to software development and testing. Other aspects of the overall DTB program will also be addressed. Development will continue on the Web download project, a digital archive, and the DTB distribution system. "We made great gains in 2005 and we anticipate 2006 will be another productive year," concludes Cylke. "We're looking forward to the work ahead, which will drive us even closer to completing the digital conversion project." Digital Talking Book (DTB) Milestones Completed - Defined and prioritized DTB features - Coordinated development and publication of Specifications for the Digital Talking Book (ANSI/NISO Z39.86) - Simulated a DTB player using a personal computer - Developed a computer-based, life-cycle cost analysis (LCC) model for the NLS system and for candidate digital systems - Developed computer software for DTB production and presentation - Developed software to test conformance of players and DTBs with the ANSI/NISO standard - User survey - Player transition study - Distribution medium study - Player and medium design contract awarded - Distribution system design contract awarded - Distribution system design contract Phase I completed Start 1/12/04-Finish 10/1/08 The following ongoing projects, set to conclude in 2008, are shown with start dates in parentheses. - Web-Magazine pilot (1/12/04) - Digital data management system development (11/1/04) - Player and medium development (3/1/05) - Distribution system design and transition planning Phase II (9/19/05) - Design DTB containers and labels (6/1/05) - Web-Book pilot (6/1/05) - Prepare DTBs for distribution (10/1/05) - Manufacture initial lot of DTB containers and labels (9/1/06) - Distribution system implementation (10/1/06) - Circulation systems implementation (10/1/06) - Media production (3/1/07) - Media duplication (5/1/07) - Full player production (9/1/07) For information on the NLS DIGITAL PROJECT Contact: Jean M. Moss Digital Projects Coordinator jemo@loc.gov Fax: (202) 707-1690 To view the Strategic Business Plan on the Web visit: www.loc.gov/nls/businessplan2003.html To view the Flash newsletters on the Web visit: www.loc.gov/nls/newsletters/flash/archive.html ### ### _Books for Adults_ The following books were recently produced for the NLS program. To order books, contact your braille-lending library. _Note:_ For the infomation 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 occurence, as in "some strong language." Nonfiction Secrets of the Code: The Unauthorized Guide to the Mysteries behind The Da Vinci Code BR 15563 edited by Dan Burstein 5 volumes Excerpts from books, web sites, articles, commentaries, and interviews relating to the major religious themes in The Da Vinci Code (BR 15406). Contributing experts offer views on Jesus's relationship with Mary Magdalene, the credibility of alternative scriptures, secret societies like the Knights Templar, and more. Bestseller. 2004. BR 15563 ## 1912: Wilson, Roosevelt, Taft, and Debs: The Election That Changed the Country BR 15608 by James Chace 3 volumes Law professor and journalist examines the 1912 election in which candidates from four parties vied for the presidency. Posits that the race "introduced a conflict between progressive idealism . . . and conservative values" that could still be seen in late-twentieth- century elections. 2004. BR 15608 ## Jean Langlais: The Man and His Music BR 15622 by Ann Labounsky 4 volumes Authorized biography of blind twentieth-century organist/composer Jean Langlais (1907 1991) by organist/ music scholar Labounsky. Discusses Langlais's training at France's National Institute for the Blind, his sub- sequent organist position at Paris's Sainte-Clotilde, his American tours, and his instrumental, choral, and vocal compositions. 2000. BR 15622 ## Pillsbury Best of the Bake-Off Cookbook: Recipes from America's Favorite Cooking Contest BR 15640 by Pillsbury Editors 6 volumes Presents about four hundred recipes from the Pillsbury Bake-Off contests begun in 1949. Groupings include soups, sandwiches, and snacks; main dishes, including Quick and Easy Main Meals; side dishes and salads; breads; cookies; cakes; and pies. Details how home cooks perpetuate their ethnic heritages. 2004. BR 15640 ## The Little Red Writing Book: Twenty Powerful Principles of Structure, Style, and Readability BR 15646 by Brandon Royal 1 volume Concise guide to organization, style, and presentation for students and business persons. Author posits that anyone can develop outstanding writing skills by mastering the basics. Includes thirty commonly encountered rules of grammar and diction as well as examples and exercises to help create effective documents for any occasion. 2004. BR 15646 ## The Experts' Guide to One Hundred Things Everyone Should Know How to Do BR 15648 compiled by Samantha Ettus 2 volumes Tips and pointers from specialists in their fields covering personal and professional situations. Provides advice on the best way to apply lipstick, tie a Windsor knot, handle job interviews, make conversation, give and receive compliments, do laundry, be a good houseguest, kiss, and plan and pack for a trip. 2004. BR 15648 ## The Patio Kitchen Garden BR 15651 by Daphne Ledward 2 volumes BBC gardening expert offers techniques for cultivating produce in apartments and other dwellings with limited outdoor space. Suggests using hanging baskets, window boxes, and other containers on balconies, patios, and indoor areas. Includes sowing and planting timetables as well as recommendations for vegetable, herb, and fruit varieties. 2001. BR 15651 ## Up from Slavery BR 15661 by Booker T. Washington 2 volumes The autobiography of the man who was born into slavery, educated himself, and went on to found Tuskegee Institute. 1901. BR 15661 ## I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings BR 15665 by Maya Angelou 2 volumes Memoir by well-known African American poet and college professor Maya Angelou. She describes her childhood and adolescent years in rural Arkansas, in St. Louis, and in San Francisco, and the racial and gender hardships she endured. 1969. BR 15665 ## Card Tricks and Stunts BR 15672 by Jean Hugard 2 volumes Master card performer provides 120 flourishes, sleights, tricks, and manipulations. Includes step-by-step instructions for forces, passes, glides, color reverses, top and bottom changes, double lifts, and false cuts. 1938. BR 15672 ## The Berlitz Self-Teacher: Spanish BR 15673 by Berlitz Schools of Languages 4 volumes Spanish-language study guide designed for the independent student. Stresses oral practice and presents each of thirty-eight lessons as a conversational dialog incorporating vocabulary and grammar exercises. A pronunciation guide and English translation follow each sentence. Also provides information on Spanish customs. 1949. BR 15673 ## The Wild Boy of Aveyron BR 15692 by Harlan Lane 4 volumes Documents Dr. Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard's method of educating and socializing "Victor," a boy found in the late eighteenth century living wild in the French countryside and appearing to be deaf. Examines Dr. Itard's techniques that helped shape modern tutelage of mentally and physically disabled, hearing impaired, and preschool children. 1976. BR 15692 ## The Road to Somewhere: Travels with a Young Boy through an Old World BR 15694 by James Dodson 3 volumes Account of Maine golf writer Dodson's 2001 European excursion with his ten-year-old son, Jack. Deepening their friendship along the way, they attend cricket games in England, encounter social openness in the Netherlands, visit French museums, discover the art of Italy, and explore the shores of Greece. 2003. BR 15694 ## Tales from the Times: Real-Life Stories to Make You Think, Wonder, and Smile, from the Pages of the New York Times BR 15696 edited by Lisa Belkin 2 volumes Collection of New York Times human interest articles "that teach us not only about others, but about ourselves." Subjects include a food editor who befriends a chicken in his Queens, N.Y., backyard and twins, separated at birth, who find each other at college. 2004. BR 15696 ## Charting a Course to Wellness BR 15700 by Graham Kerr and Treena Kerr 5 volumes Celebrity chef Graham Kerr and his wife, Treena, share their journey of life, love, and healthy eating since Treena's battle with heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Includes more than four hundred recipes that contain fewer fats and carbohydrates and that list nutritional information and ADA exchanges. 2004. BR 15700 ## Judging Thomas: The Life and Times of Clarence Thomas BR 15732 by Ken Foskett 3 volumes Biography of the African American Supreme Court justice. Journalist Foskett describes Thomas's impoverished Georgia childhood, Yale Law School matriculation, legal career, conservative views, and 1991 appointment to the court by fellow Republican President George H.W. Bush. Also examines controversies that surround the jurist. Strong language. 2004. BR 15732 ## On the Wing: To the Edge of the Earth with the Peregrine Falcon BR 15734 by Alan Tennant 3 volumes Award-winning author and naturalist recounts his mid-1980s efforts to radio-track the transcontinental migration of peregrine falcons. Following the beautiful raptors through uncharted territory, Tennant and his partner travel from Texas to the Arctic, south through Mexico and Belize, and into the Caribbean on a mission fraught with danger. 2004. BR 15734 ## Alexander the Great: The Hunt for a New Past BR 15760 by Paul Cartledge 4 volumes British scholar searches for the historical Alexander the Great (356 323 B.C.), blending classical accounts with the findings of modern researchers. Chronicles the major battles and conquests, appraises Alexander's personal and political beliefs, and assesses problems of historical interpretation. 2004. BR 15760 ## Behind the Scenes; or, Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House BR 15761 by Elizabeth Keckley 2 volumes Autobiography of a former slave who obtained her freedom in 1855 at age thirty. Discusses the reconstruction era. Describes how being a skillful seamstress led her to become the confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln during the Lincolns' years in the White House. 1998 historical introduction by Frances Smith Foster. 1868. BR 15761 ## American Medical Association Handbook of First Aid and Emergency Care BR 15777 3 volumes Step-by-step family guide for dealing with injuries, illnesses, and medical emergencies, including instructions for administering CPR and first aid, and treating sports injuries. Also offers advice on how to safeguard one's home and plan ahead. 2000. BR 15777 ## There Are No Shortcuts BR 15786 by Rafe Esquith 2 volumes Award-winning teacher anecdotally recounts the triumphs and mistakes of his nineteen-year career in an inner city Los Angeles elementary school. While sharing educational insights that have landed his students in Ivy League schools, Esquith rails against the "conspiracy of mediocrity," which he says taints public education. 2003. BR 15786 ## FBI Girl: How I Learned to Crack My Father's Code BR 15795 by Maura Conlon-McIvor 2 volumes Memoir of a Hoover-era FBI agent's daughter determined to penetrate her father's secretive world with the help of her own detective work. Author describes how she learned even more about her dad through mutual love, loss, and understanding when her beloved uncle, Father Jack, was murdered in New York. 2004. BR 15795 ## Ask Not: The Inauguration of John F. Kennedy and the Speech That Changed America BR 15797 by Thurston Clarke 3 volumes Chronicles the creation of Kennedy's inaugural address during the ten days in January 1961 just before he was sworn in as president. Discusses the political context and people and perspectives that influenced the speech. Contributes to the debate over which parts of the speech were written by Kennedy himself. 2004. BR 15797 ## Beyond Our Selves BR 15799 by Catherine Marshall 3 volumes Presbyterian minister Peter Marshall's widow, author of Christy (BR 15428), discusses her conviction that nothing is hopeless if only man yields his will to God. Drawing on autobiographical material and case histories, Marshall emphasizes the power of spiritual healing. 1961. BR 15799 ## Why Lincoln Matters: Today More than Ever BR 15804 by Mario M. Cuomo 2 volumes Former New York governor applies the sixteenth president's wisdom to challenges in 2004. Calling Lincoln's vision "worthy of the world's greatest nation," Cuomo finds in it contemporary relevance to war, civil liberties, governmental roles, economic opportunity, global interdependence, religion, the Supreme Court, and race. 2004. BR 15804 ## The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France BR 15812 by Eric Jager 2 volumes Historical account of the 1386 legendary duel-to-the-death between two knights in full armor, Jacques Le Gris and Jean de Carrouges. Describes events before and after this fight over the honor of Carrouges's wife. Based on primary source documents. 2004. BR 15812 ## Mary: A Flesh-and-Blood Biography of the Virgin Mother BR 15819 by Lesley Hazleton 2 volumes Award-winning writer draws on thirteen years' research and reporting in Jerusalem to provide social, religious, and political context for a portrait of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Reconstructs Mary's world, her motherhood, and her life. 2004. BR 15819 ## The Holy Thief: A Con Man's Journey from Darkness to Light BR 15822 by Mark Borovitz 2 volumes Gangster-turned-rabbi whose "weapon of choice was a checkbook" divulges twenty-five years of crime that began when his father died and in financial desperation he turned to a mobster to fence goods and buy friendships. Recounts a lifesaving prison term during which he found spirituality, redemption, and rehabilitation. Strong language. 2004. BR 15822 ## Cooking 'round the Clock: Rachael Ray Thirty-Minute Meals BR 15827 by Rachael Ray 2 volumes Knowing hunger can strike any time, the host of 30-Minute Meals offers recipes organized by the hours of the day. Ray divides the collection into seven parts, including Rise and Shiners, Early-Bird Specials, Sit-Down Suppers, and Late-Nite Bites. Bestseller. 2004. BR 15827 ## ### _Fiction_ Plum Island BR 15599 by Nelson DeMille 5 volumes When two research biologists are found shot on Plum Island, NYPD detective John Corey, recuperating from wounds sustained on a previous job, joins the case. He finds himself in a perilous world of germ warfare, buried treasure, avarice, and murder. Descriptions of sex, violence, and strong language. 1997. BR 15599 ## Vegan Virgin Valentine BR 15649 by Carolyn Mackler 2 volumes High-school senior Mara's life goes topsy-turvy when her delinquent sixteen-year-old niece "V" arrives to live with the family. Mara loosens up when she falls for her boss at the coffee- house and when V enjoys her new, stable home. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. For senior high readers. 2004. BR 15649 ## All Hat BR 15652 by Brad Smith 3 volumes Ray Dokes returns to the horse racing world in his Canadian hometown after two years in jail for attempting to murder billionaire Sonny Stanton, his sister's rapist. With a former lover, a pretty jockey, and other friends helping, Ray plots Sonny's demise. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2003. BR 15652 ## At Home in Covington: Ladies of Covington BR 15654 by Joan Medlicott 3 volumes Friends Grace, Hannah, and Amelia from The Spirit of Covington (BR 15227) escape rural life with a Caribbean cruise. Tension mounts between Hannah and Amelia, who leaves for a Maine photography workshop. Hannah finally sets a wedding date, and Grace and her son mourn his partner's death. 2004. BR 15654 ## Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: A Sam McCain Mystery BR 15656 by Ed Gorman 2 volumes Black River Falls, Iowa; 1962. Attorney Sam McCain investigates the murder of Karen Hastings, a prostitute found dead in a bomb shelter. The trail leads to four prominent citizens. Meanwhile two of McCain's former love interests are divorcing their husbands. Some violence and some strong language. 2004. BR 15656 ## Ask Me Anything BR 15658 by Francesca Delbanco 2 volumes Twenty-six-year-old Rosalie Preston writes an advice column for teens. She loves the theater and has very close friends in the First Born Company. But when she starts dating her best friend's father, she suddenly needs to take her own advice. Some strong language. 2004. BR 15658 ## Girls in Trouble BR 15659 by Caroline Leavitt 3 volumes Abandoned by her boyfriend, pregnant sixteen-year-old Sara Rothman opts for an open adoption with Eva and George. But when Sara cannot let baby Anne go, the couple makes a decision that has consequences for years to come. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004. BR 15659 ## The Lion's Game: A John Corey Novel BR 15668 by Nelson DeMille 6 volumes New York. Former NYPD homicide detective John Corey and his FBI mentor Kate Mayfield are at the airport to meet a Libyan terrorist nicknamed "the Lion." But the aircraft lands with all passengers dead and the Lion missing. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2000. BR 15668 ## In the Moon of Red Ponies: A Billy Bob Holland Mystery BR 15695 by James Lee Burke 3 volumes Former Texas ranger Billy Bob Holland from Bitterroot (BR 13715), now a Montana attorney, defends a Native American political activist accused of murder. While investigating, Holland must also protect his own family when his wife's psychopathic attacker is released from prison. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004. BR 15695 ## Carolina Courage: The Holts; an American Dynasty, Volume 3 BR 15698 by Dana Fuller Ross 3 volumes 1890s. Dr. Janessa Holt Lawrence and her husband travel to North Carolina Cherokee country to fight yellow fever and learn the truth about her heritage. Meanwhile, Sam and Annie Brentwood move to Hawaii to start a sugar plantation. Sequel to Oklahoma Pride (BR 8223). Some violence. 1990. BR 15698 ## Nightfall and Other Stories BR 15727 by Isaac Asimov 4 volumes Twenty science fiction stories written between 1941 and 1967. The title piece, considered a classic of the genre and later expanded into a novel, depicts civilization on the planet Lagash, where night falls once in two thousand years. Asimov's comments and notes precede each story. 1969. BR 15727 ## Murder at Union Station BR 15763 by Margaret Truman 3 volumes Washington, D.C. The subject of Richard Marienthal's latest book, mobster-turned-informant Louis Russo, is murdered at the train station before he can testify for the government. Marienthal realizes that material in his manuscript threatens to expose secrets in high places and endanger his fianc‚e and himself. Some strong language. 2004. BR 15763 ## The Alias Man BR 15765 by Bill Pronzini 2 volumes A complex drama of deception and fraud engulfs three attractive young women, who discover the common denominator in their lives: the man they love. As these victims jointly uncover the con man's deadly scheme, they must confront their individual fears. Some violence and some strong language. 2004. BR 15765 ## Jack in the Pulpit: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery BR 15768 by Cynthia Riggs 2 volumes Ninety-two-year-old Victoria Trumbull is well prepared to be the deputy police chief: she knows everyone in town and their ancestry. When four local residents die in one month, Turnbull investigates, uncovering the secrets of missing corpses and gravestones in the process. Some strong language. 2004. BR 15768 ## Evidence of Things Unseen BR 15773 by Marianne Wiggins 3 volumes Ray "Fos" Foster returns to Tennessee after WWI and begins married life with his wife, Opal. Eventually Fos lands a job building the atomic bomb. When he and Opal succumb to radiation poisoning, their adopted son tries to decipher clues about their past. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003. BR 15773 ## The Havana Room BR 15780 by Colin Harrison 4 volumes With career and marriage over, lawyer Bill Wyeth frequents a Manhattan steak house, where he agrees to help intriguing manager Allison Sparks's friend finalize a deal in the restaurant's private bar. His new client's dangerous obsessions soon ensnare him. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. 2004. BR 15780 ## The Kite Runner BR 15785 by Khaled Hosseini 3 volumes An Afghan in California recalls a fateful 1975 day in Kabul that seared his soul at age twelve the day he won a kite tournament and abandoned a younger companion to rape. That cowardice keeps haunting him during exile in America until the opportunity for atonement arises back in Taliban- controlled Afghanistan. Violence and some strong language. 2003. BR 15785 ## Private Peaceful BR 15787 by Michael Morpurgo 1 volume When Thomas Peaceful's older brother Charlie is drafted into the British army in World War I, Thomas lies about his age and enlists. On guard duty years later, Thomas reminisces about his family, love for his mentally disabled brother, and neighbor Molly. Some strong language. For senior high readers. 2003. BR 15787 ## The Singing Fire BR 15802 by Lilian Nattel 3 volumes Nineteenth-century London. Young Jewish runaway Nehama is tricked into prostitution shortly after arriving from Poland. She eventually escapes and helps pregnant refugee Emilia, who gives birth then disappears. Nehama adopts the newborn as both women struggle to build their lives. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2004. BR 15802 ## Miss Smithers BR 15805 by Susan Juby 2 volumes In this sequel to Alice, I Think (BR 14898) former home-schooled misfit Alice, sixteen, continues her journal describing her latest experiences. She makes new friends, joins clubs, and competes in the local beauty pageant that gives competitors a much- needed clothing allowance. Some strong language. For senior high readers. 2004. BR 15805 ## The Outside World BR 15806 by Tova Mirvis 3 volumes Two dissimilar Orthodox Jewish families are brought together by their children's marriage. Twenty-two-year-old "spinster" Tzippy Goldman and Bryan Miller, who wants to go by his Hebrew name, Baruch, fall in love in Jerusalem. As the couple builds a future together their relatives struggle to reconcile traditional and modern values. 2004. BR 15806 ## The Courage Consort: Three Novellas BR 15807 by Michel Faber 2 volumes Author of bestseller The Crimson Petal and the White (BR 14394) pre- sents three tales of desolation and resolution. In the title piece, an a cappella vocal ensemble rehearses a challenging new work in a Belgian chateau. The soprano contemplates suicide until a tragedy shocks her into reality. Bestseller. 2004. BR 15807 ## The Rules of Engagement BR 15808 by Anita Brookner 2 volumes Two girlhood friends, both born in London in 1948, have the same name, Elizabeth, though one prefers Betsy. After troubled young adult years Elizabeth lives mannered and conventionally, while Betsy opts for catastrophic romance. Their relationship is strained when later in life they inadvertently share a lover. 2003. BR 15808 ## Bucking the Sarge BR 15809 by Christopher Paul Curtis 2 volumes Involuntarily involved by his cold, manipulative mother (the "Sarge") in her shady business dealings, fourteen- year-old African American Luther keeps a sense of humor. He runs the Happy Neighbor Group Home for Men for Sarge while dreaming of going to college and becoming a philosopher. For senior high readers. 2004. BR 15809 ## The Bishop and the Missing L Train: A Blackie Ryan Mystery BR 15811 by Andrew M. Greeley 2 volumes Chicago. When unpopular bishop Augustus Quill and the "L" train that he was riding on disappear, Bishop "Blackie" Ryan is dispatched to investigate. Suspects include Ryan's friend, stockbroker Tommy Flynn, and divorc‚e Jenny Carlson, whose first marriage was annulled. Strong language. 2000. BR 15811 ## The Finishing School BR 15814 by Muriel Spark 1 volume Husband-and-wife team Rowland Mahler and Nina Parker run an unusual school, College Sunrise, as a means of support while Rowland works on a novel. But when gay, seventeen-year-old Chris Wiley enters Rowland's creative writing class, a rivalry ignites between the two authors. Strong language. 2004. BR 15814 ## Much Ado about Jessie Kaplan BR 15817 by Paula Marantz Cohen 2 volumes New Jersey housewife Carla Goodman worries about her family as she prepares for her daughter's bat mitzvah, contends with her son's hyperactivity, and sympathizes with her husband's lackluster medical practice. Worse, her mother Jessie believes she's the reincarnation of Shakespeare's girlfriend, the "dark lady" of the sonnets. 2004. BR 15817 ## Life Expectancy BR 15828 by Dean Koontz 3 volumes As Jimmy Tock is born, his dying grandfather foretells dire events in Jimmy's future. In the same hospital, a clown murders medical staff before escaping with his own newborn son. Years later the predictions come true when the clown's son abducts Jimmy. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller. 2004. BR 15828 ## A Blessed Event BR 15830 by Jean Reynolds Page 3 volumes Darla Stevens, infertile, asks friend Joanne to carry husband Cal's child. More than four months pregnant, Joanne is left comatose after a bizarre car crash. Darla fights to save the baby and uncovers heartwrenching revelations about the accident and Cal's feelings for Joanne. Descriptions of sex and strong language. 2004. BR 15830 ## Cruise Control BR 15839 by Terry Trueman 1 volume Basketball star Paul's senior year seems perfect but his misdirected anger could ruin everything. He's upset with his father for abandoning the family and struggles to accept brother Shawn's severe cerebral palsy. Companion to Stuck in Neutral (BR 14082). Some strong language. For junior and senior high readers. 2004. BR 15839 ## Whiteout BR 15864 by Ken Follett 3 volumes As head of security at Stanley Oxenford's Scottish pharmaceutical firm, Antonia Gallo investigates a technician's horrifying death. Meanwhile terrorists steal a deadly virus, and the Oxenford family, stranded at home by a blizzard, discover a traitor in their midst. Strong language, some descriptions of sex, and some violence. Bestseller. 2004. BR 15864 ## The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency BR 15865 by Alexander McCall Smith 2 volumes Mma "Precious" Ramotswe opens a detective agency in Botswana when she inherits her father's cattle. People consult her about straying husbands, fraudulent business associates, and missing children. Along the way she learns their life stories and tales of Africa. Bestseller. 1998. BR 15865 ## Finding Grace BR 15866 by Alyssa Brugman 2 volumes Australia. Quirky eighteen-year-old Rachel is hired as a live-in caregiver for Grace, recently brain-injured. Rachel starts university, makes friends, and learns never to leave Grace alone. While trying to piece together Grace's former life, Rachel gains insights about herself too. Some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2001. BR 15866 ## When Christmas Comes BR 15868 by Debbie Macomber 2 volumes Emily Springer wants to be near her daughter in Boston for Christmas, while Charles Brewster seeks a quiet place to work on his book. The two strangers swap homes over the Inter- net, and surprises follow at their respective houses as unsuspecting holiday visitors arrive. 2004. BR 15868 ## State of Fear BR 15892 by Michael Crichton 4 volumes Philanthropist and environmental sponsor George Morton suspects that ecoterrorists plan to create natural disasters to promote the theory of global warming. When Morton dies his assistant Sarah Jones and attorney Peter Evans help scientist and FBI agent John Kenner stop the destruction. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller. 2004. BR 15892 ## No Place like Home BR 15896 by Mary Higgins Clark 3 volumes Celia Nolan is horrified when her new husband surprises her with a gift. He has bought the New Jersey house where, at age ten, Celia accidentally killed her mother while trying to protect her from an estranged husband. Now a killer is threatening Celia's new family. Bestseller. 2005. BR 15896 ## ### _Books for Children_ The following books were recently produced for the NLS program. To order books, contact your braille-lending library. _Nonfiction_ Nonfiction Invincible Louisa: The Story of the Author of Little Women BR 15766 by Cornelia Meigs 2 volumes A vivid portrait of Little Women (BR 11778) author Louisa May Alcott (1832 1888), who based the story of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy on her own family: her hardworking mother, idealistic father, and three sisters. For grades 4-7 and older readers. Newbery Medal. 1933. BR 15766 ## The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales BR 15831 retold by Virginia Hamilton 1 volume Animals, fantasy, the supernatural, and desire for freedom shape this anthology of retold African American folktales, born of slaves' sorrow but passed on in hope. Includes several stories where Bruh Rabbit triumphs. For grades 4-7 and older readers. Coretta Scott King Award. 1985. BR 15831 ## Beginning Wrestling BR 15870 by Thomas Ryan 1 volume Introduction to competitive wrestling as practiced in elementary and secondary schools and colleges. Discusses fitness goals and basic rules scoring, illegal holds, warnings, and penalties are all included. Also covers specific techniques, such as starting positions, hand fighting, takedowns, and finishing holds. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 2001. BR 15870 ## My Parents Are Getting Divorced: How to Keep It Together When Your Mom and Dad Are Splitting Up BR 15871 by Florence Cadier 1 volume Advice for young people experiencing their parents' divorce. Addresses feelings that may arise before, during, and after divorce. Discusses dealing with arguments and other problems, adjusting to change, and being prepared for new family possibilities. For grades 5-8. 2004. BR 15871 ## Are We Alone? Scientists Search for Life in Space BR 15899 by Gloria Skurzynski 1 volume Discusses the possibilities of identifying and communicating with another life-form in our vast universe. Describes the interconnectedness of research in many scientific disciplines to investigate hospitable planets. Includes profiles of scientists dedicated to seeking extraterrestrial intelligence. For grades 5-8. 2004. BR 15899 ## Awakening the Dragon: The Dragon Boat Festival BR 16025 by Arlene Chan 1 volume Explains the historical significance of the dragon in Chinese culture, describes the atmosphere of the annual rainmaking celebration, and discusses the traditions still present in the modern-day sport of dragon boat racing. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades 2-4. 2004. BR 16025 ## The Journey of Tunuri and the Blue Deer: A Huichol Indian Story BR 16026 retold by James Endredy 1 volume Retelling of a Mexican folktale. Lost in a forest, young Tunuri meets the magical Blue Deer, who introduces him to Father Sun, Brother Wind, Sister Water, Mother Earth, and Grand- father Fire, his special family in the natural world. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades 2-4 and older readers. Americas Award commendation. 2003. BR 16026 ## ### _Fiction_ The Last Treasure BR 15647 by Janet S. Anderson 2 volumes Distant cousins Ellsworth and Jess spend the summer looking for hidden treasure at the old clan homestead, where an ancestor's spirit still roams. Along the way the teens also uncover family secrets. For grades 6-9. 2003. BR 15647 ## Peter Pan BR 15663 by J.M. Barrie 2 volumes Siblings Wendy, John, and Michael fly to Never-Never-Land with Peter, the boy who refuses to grow up. Unabridged version. For grades 5-8. 1911. BR 15663 ## M.C. Higgins, the Great BR 15697 by Virginia Hamilton 2 volumes Fifteen-year-old African American Mayo Cornelius Higgins hopes a visiting folklorist will make his mother a recording star so that he and his family can escape the menacing relic of a strip mine threatening their Ohio hills home. For grades 6-9. Newbery Medal. 1974. BR 15697 ## Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady; a Bloody Jack Adventure BR 15699 by L.A. Meyer 3 volumes Jacky Faber is sent to school in Boston after being unmasked as a girl and forced to leave the ship she sailed on in Bloody Jack (BR 14624). She roams the city and learns to ride a horse instead of learning to be a lady. For grades 6-9. 2004. BR 15699 ## Bird BR 15782 by Angela Johnson 1 volume Bird, a thirteen-year-old African American girl, runs away to Alabama to convince her stepfather, Cecil, to return home. Two boys linked by a heart transplant befriend her: Jay, whose dead brother was the organ donor, and Ethan, Cecil's nephew, who received a new heart. For grades 5-8. 2004. BR 15782 ## On the Run BR 15783 by Michael Coleman 2 volumes Luke's latest arrest results in a community service sentence to partner with Jodi, a blind teenager, to run in the London marathon. Under Jodi's influence during training, Luke develops positive traits and prefers running as a sport instead of running as an escape from the police. For grades 6-9. 2003. BR 15783 ## The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant) BR 15790 by Avi 1 volume After reading many books, Avon, a rather small snail, decides he needs adventures to be happy. As Avon sets out, he is joined by Edward, a take- charge ant, on a journey to no particular place in search of new experiences. For grades 2-4. 2004. BR 15790 ## Charlie's Raven BR 15801 by Jean Craighead George 1 volume When thirteen-year-old Charlie takes a baby raven from its nest, he hopes the bird will cure his grandfather, who is recuperating from a heart attack. The grandfather, a retired naturalist, enjoys the chick's antics. He encourages Charlie to scientifically study the effect of ravens on humans. For grades 5-8. 2004. BR 15801 ## Worth BR 15810 by A. LaFaye 1 volume Nebraska, late nineteenth century. After eleven-year-old Nate's leg is crushed in a barn accident, his father adopts "orphan train" boy John Worth to help with farm chores. Nate and John gradually overcome their mutual distrust, bonding during a feud between the farmers and ranchers. For grades 4-7. 2004. BR 15810 ## Crazy Loco: Stories BR 15813 by David Rice 1 volume Nine stories about Mexican American kids growing up in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas. In "Her Other Son" a family's visit to their maid's tiny house in Mexico reveals she has a stronger emotional connection to them than they previously realized. For grades 6-9. 2001. BR 15813 ## Alien in a Bottle BR 15815 by Kathy Mackel 1 volume Eighth-grader Sean Winger feels destined to be a glassblower but his parents strongly disapprove. His stargazer classmate Olivia Ricci assists him. So does an odd assortment of extraterrestrials Sean came to know after discovering two of them in a glass bottle in the ocean. For grades 5-8. 2004. BR 15815 ## Flip BR 15818 by David Lubar 2 volumes Eighth-grader Taylor and her twin brother, Ryan, are complete opposites. So when trouble-making Ryan discovers mysterious alien disks that enable him to become legends from the past Babe Ruth, Albert Einstein, and others Taylor tries to keep him out of trouble. For grades 5-8. 2003. BR 15818 ## Firmament BR 15824 by Tim Bowler 3 volumes Music formed a strong bond between Luke and his recently deceased father. Now Luke's world is unraveling as he becomes involved with a gang, breaks into a house occupied by a captive blind girl, feels betrayed by his mother's new romance, and confronts his musical heritage. For grades 6-9. 2002. BR 15824 ## The Game of Sunken Places BR 15837 by M.T. Anderson 2 volumes Thirteen-year-old best friends Gregory and Brian travel to rural Vermont for a visit with Gregory's eccentric Uncle Max. In Max's Victorian mansion Gregory and Brian become involved in an ancient game played by supernatural opponents. Some violence. For grades 5-8. 2004. BR 15837 ## Cabin on Trouble Creek BR 15844 by Jean Van Leeuwen 1 volume Ohio, 1803. Eleven-year-old Daniel and brother Will are left in their wilderness cabin while Pa returns home to fetch Ma and their younger siblings. When their family fails to return, the boys learn about survival from a Native American trapper. Based on a true story. For grades 4-7. 2004. BR 15844 ## Marika BR 15900 by Andrea Cheng 1 volume World War II. Although Marika has been raised Catholic, her family name, Schnurmacher, reveals her Jewish heritage. This legacy is dangerous because Marika lives in Hungary, where Jews face discrimination and persecution. For grades 6-9. 2002. BR 15900 ## Duck for President BR 16012 by Doreen Cronin 1 volume When Duck gets tired of working for Farmer Brown, he holds an election to take over. Duck's political ambitions eventually win him the presidency but not happiness. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2004. BR 16012 ## Wild about Books BR 16024 by Judy Sierra 1 volume When librarian Molly McGrew drives her bookmobile into the zoo by mistake, she first attracts the animals to reading with a book by Dr. Seuss. A story in rhyme. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2004. BR 16024 ## ### Foreign Language Books The following titles are available in the languages specified. Spanish Josefina Entra en Acci¢n: Un Cuento de Verano (Josefina Saves the Day: A Summer Story) BR 15784 por Valerie Tripp 1 volume Josefina y su famil¡a est n en Santa Fe esperando la llegada de una caravana de carretas para comerciar mulas y frazadas con los americanos. Conocen a Patrick O'Toole, un joven explorador americano, que promete encargarse de la transaci¢n comercial de la familia. Pero de s£bito Patrick desaparece, y la familia cree que el joven les ha enga¤ado. Sigue a Feliz Cumplea¤os, Josefina (BR 14707). Para grados 2 a 4. [Josefina and her family, in Santa Fe, await the arrival of wagon trains to trade blankets and mules for goods they need. Patrick O'Toole, a wagon scout, promises to handle the family's transactions, but he suddenly disappears. Sequel to Feliz Cumplea¤os, Josefina (BR 14707). For grades 2-4.] 1998. BR 15784 ## ### Braille Magazines The following is a list of braille magazines in the Library of Congress program. Readers may obtain free personal subscriptions to these magazines. For information on the availability of specific magazines, consult the library that send you braille materials. Boys' Life (for children and teens, monthly) Braille Book Review (bimonthly) Braille Chess Magazine (British quarterly) Braille Music Magazine (British monthly) Conundrum (British monthly) Cooking Light (10 issues) ESPN: The Magazine (biweekly) Harper's (literary; monthly) Health Newsletters (includes Harvard Health Letter, Mayo Clinic Health Letter, and University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter, monthly) Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine (monthly) Ladies' Home Journal (monthly) Martha Stewart Living (home and entertaining; 10 issues) Muse (for children; 10 issues) The Musical Mainstream (quarterly) National Geographic (monthly) The New York Times Large Type Weekly (weekly) News (NLS quarterly) Parenting (monthly except January and July) PC World (personal computing; monthly) Playboy (monthly) Poetry (11 issues) Popular Communications (monthly) Popular Mechanics (monthly) Popular Music Lead Sheets (irregular) Rolling Stone (popular culture; 24 issues) Science News (weekly) Seventeen (for teens; monthly) Short Stories (British monthly) Spider: The Magazine for Children (monthly) Stone Soup (children's writings; 5 issues) Update (NLS quarterly) The Washington Post Book World (weekly) The following sports schedules are also available: American Baseball League Schedule National Baseball League Schedule National Basketball Association Schedule National Football League Schedule National Hockey League Schedule Women's National Basketball Association Schedule