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Newly Transcribed Books for September 2009

Once again, Wisconsin Braille, Inc. is pleased to offer a selection of free braille books for your school library because of grant money awarded us. This year’s collection includes several books that you requested last year. We continue to choose only those books that are not currently available in braille, checking the data bases at American Printing House (www.aph.org) and the National Library Service (www.loc.gov/nls).  We recommend that you check these sources as well before suggesting book titles for next year’s project. You may continue to order early readers in either contracted or uncontracted braille.  Indicate your preference on the order form.  We sincerely hope that our selection meets the needs of your readers.

Our current selection is:

Because I Could Not Stop My Bike and Other Poems by Karen Jo Shapiro

The poems contained in this volume are delightful parodies of 26 classic poems in which the author has retained the rhythms and meters of the original works, but adapted the content to be appealing to children.  Grades 3-6.

Bodies from the Ice, Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past by James Deem

All around the world, from pole to pole, glaciers are rapidly melting.  Their disappearance is uncovering long-hidden bodies of people who died in the glaciers.  As their bodies are revealed, scientists study them to learn about the earth’s past.   Grades 7 and up.

Catch Me If You Can by Bernard Most

The little dinosaur might be fast, but the biggest dinosaur is BIG!  Will the little dinosaur get away?  Print/braille. Grades K-2.

The Freedom Business by Marilyn Nelson

This book of poetry, interspersed with A Narrative of the Life & Adventures of Venture, a Native of Africa, is the true life account of Broteer Furro, captured by slave traders at age six, and brought to Rhode Island.  There he was purchased, given a new name, and worked many years before being able to purchase his freedom.  Grades 7 and up.

A Horse Called Starfire by Betty Boegehold

A Spanish explorer sets his horse free in the New World.  Alone, she wanders into the lives of Wolf Cub and his father, forming a mystical bond that changes the ways of their Native American tribe forever.  This story is one of the Bank Street Ready-to-Read series for children in grades 2-4.

How to Build a House: A Novel by Dana Reinhardt

Seventeen-year-old Harper hopes to escape the effects of her father's divorce by volunteering her summer to build a house in a small Tennessee. She finds herself working with Teddy, the son of the family who will receive the house. Learning to trust him could be the first step toward finding her way back home. Grade 9 and up.

The Magic Fan by Keith Baker

One night as the moon rose over the sea, a magic fan floated in the waves.  This is the story of the boy who found it—and how it changed his life forever.  Grades 3-5.

Olivia Sharp, the Sly Spy by Marjorie and Mitchell Sharmat

A cousin of Nate the Great, Olivia is an agent for secrets, always coming through to help those in need, especially her friends.  But this time Olivia is the one with the problem.  Another detective is covering up her ads and spoiling Olivia’s business.  Can Olivia fool the sly spy?  Grades 2-4.

Rosa Loves to Read by Diane Z. Shore

Rosa continues to read in spite of her noisy environment.  Good use of sound words!  This book is a Rookie Reader, Level B.  Print/braille. Grades K-1.

Rent a Third Grader by B.B. Hiller

Partner, the Police Department horse, wasn’t headed for a very happy retirement.  Unless somebody came up with the money to put him out to pasture, he’d be turned into…pet food!  That’s how Rent a Third Grader got started.   Together Brad, Jennie, and Louisa had to find ways for their classmates to make some money.  But time was running out… Grades 3-5.

The Singing Tree by Kate Seredy

Life is quickly changing for young Jancsi and his cousin Kate.  Old enough to take on more responsibilities on the family’s farm, he has heard rumors of war; but when Hungary sends troops to fight in the Great War and Jancsi’s father is called to battle, the two cousins must grow up all the sooner in order to take care of the farm and all the relatives, Russian soldiers and Germn orphans who take refuge with them.  This book is a sequel to “The Good Master”, which is already brailled.  Grades 5-8.

            Please remember to submit your order by November 30, 2009, using the order form provided on the web site; send it only to the OSCI address on the form, NOT to Wisconsin Braille’s P.O. Box.  Teachers, please feel free to distribute this information to the parents of your students so they can order as well.   You are also able to locate our book offerings, both past and current, on our web site: www.wisbrl.org.  You may order up to five books from the composite list on our site in addition to ones from this year’s collection.  You should receive your books in the spring of 2010 before school dismisses for summer vacation.  Thanks!

Sandy Adams, Alison McKee and Marilyn Harmon,

Special Book Project Committee

Click here for a printable order form