Transcribed Books
Composite
List as of August 2011
All print/braille books can be
produced in either contracted or uncontracted braille. You must indicate what
form of braille you desire with your order.
The All Jahdi Storybook by
Virginia Hamilton
This is a collection of stories
involving the trickster hero Jahdi.
For grades 3-6.
Always and Forever by
Alan Durant
When Fox dies, Mole, Hare and
Otter are sad. They feel they will
never get over their sadness. One day,
Squirrel comes to visit. She reminds
Fox’s family of the funny things he used to do. At last, they realize that their memories
of Fox are still with them. And he will be…always and forever. For early to intermediate readers.
Animal Friends, A Collection of Poems for Children
This playful collection of 30
poems by famous poets will delight animal lovers of all ages, but especially
those in grades K-3.
Arthur’s Eyes by
Marc Brown
Arthur’s
friends tease him about his new glasses, but he soon learns to wear them with
pride. For preschoolers through grade
3.
Away West
by Pat McKissack
In
1879, thirteen-year-old Everett Turner leaves a life of struggle on his
family’s farm and runs away to St. Louis, where he works in a livery stable
before heading to the all-black town of Nicodemus, Kansas. For middle readers, grades 3-5.
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.
Bedtime for Frances by
Russell Hoban (print/braille)
A
children’s classic, this is one story about Frances , a little badger, an her
family. For ages 4-8.
The Big, Big Wall by
Reginald Howard (print/braille)
Humpty
Dumpty doesn’t want to have a big fall.
See how his friends come to his assistance in order to help him
down. For grades K-2.
The Big Swim by
Cary Fagan
“When his parents send him to
summer camp for the first time, Ethan has just three goals. First, to survive. Second, not to be
hated. Third, not to be the worst of
anything. Then Zachary arrives,
surrounded by a cloud of rumors…” This
book is a good summer read for anyone who has ever gone to summer camp—or may
be thinking about going. Grades 3-6.
Bindi Babes by
Narinder Dhami
Amber,
Jazz and Geena Dhillon are three fabulous sisters with a reputation for being
the coolest, best-dressed girls at their school. But their classmates don’t know that they
work extra hard to look perfect and together to all of their friends…while
privately trying not to think about how much they miss their mother, who died
a year ago. Find out what happens when
an interfering auntie from India comes to live with them. Grades 4-6.
The Birthday Storm by
Sharon M. Draper
It’s summer vacation, and Sassy and her
family are headed to Florida to visit Grammy for her birthday celebration at
the beach. Sassy can’t wait! But birthday plans are interrupted by a
hurricane which also threatens the lives of the local sea turtles. How can
Sassy help the turtles, as well as help everyone in her family have an
unforgettable celebration? Grades 3-5.
Biscuit Finds a Friend by
Alyssa Sating Capucill (print/braille)
This is a selection from a series of
early readers about a puppy named Biscuit.
In this book, he finds a new friend.
When Biscuit meets an adorable lost duckling, he helps it find its way
home. Then the fun begins! For very early readers.
Biscuit Takes a Walk by
Alyssa Satin Capucilli (print/braille)
A playful puppy wants to see
everything on a walk to Grandpa's house. Offered in print/braille in
contracted or uncontracted braille.
Grades K-1.
Bittle by
Patricia and Emily MacLachlan
Nigel
is a cat. He loves to chase mice and
scratch rugs. Julia is a dog. She loves treats and bones and
sleeping. They don’t need anything
else…but now they’ve got Bittle.
(She’s the new baby.) How will
they cope? For early to intermediate
readers.
Blue Jasmine by
Kashimira Sheth
When twelve‑year‑old Seema moves to
Iowa City with her parents and younger sister, she leaves friends and family
behind in her native India but gradually begins to feel at home in her new
country. For grades 6 and up.
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.
The Buddy Files: The Case of the Last Boy by Dori Hillestad Butler
King’s family is missing, and
he’s been put in the P-O-U-N-D. Why doesn’t his beloved human Kayla come to
get him? When King is adopted by Connor and his mom, things get more
confusing. The new family calls him “Buddy.” Then Connor disappears! Buddy
(aka King) has some big problems to solve. Mystery fans and dog lovers will
enjoy this story about a smart, funny, loyal dog. Grades 2-3.
Buzz! A Book about Insects by Melvin Berger
Buzz!
is a detailed book about insects of all sorts. Learn what insects are, how they see with
big eyes, hear without ears, smell without noses, breath without lungs, taste
without tongues, eat in various ways and communicate with one another without
language. This book contains detailed
and easy to understand information about insect life cycles, how they survive
winter, where they live, what they eat.
For early to intermediate readers interested in things scientific.
California Blue by
David Klass
When
seventeen-year-old John Rodgers discovers a new sub-species of butterfly
which may necessitate closing the mill where his dying father works, they
find themselves on opposite sides of the environmental conflict. For advanced readers, grades 7-12.
The Case of the Desperate Duck by Cynthia Rylant
Mabel’s
Tea Room is missing a box of fancy sugar cubes! But who would steal sugar? And why? Thank goodness the High-Rise
Private Eyes, Jack Jones and Bunny Brown are on the case! For beginning readers.
Catch Me If You Can by
Bernard Most (pprint/braille)
The
little dinosaur might be fast, but the biggest dinosaur is BIG! Will the little dinosaur get away? Print/braille. Grades K-2.
Celeste’s Harlem Renaissance by Eleanora E. Tate
When
Celeste Massey is forced to live with her actress aunt, she is not thrilled
to trade her friends and surroundings for a scary big-city life. Things are not all what they seem. She must eventually face a choice between
ambition and loyalty, roots and new horizons.
The decision will change her forever.
Grades 5-9 and up.
A Chair for Baby Bear by
Kaye Umansky
Goldilocks
ate up all of Baby Bear’s porridge and broke Baby Bear’s chair…but what
happened after Goldilocks left? Kids
will delight in this brand new story of how Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby
Bear go shopping for a brand new chair.
But best of all is the surprise package from an old friend and a happy
ending to this charming story. For
young readers, grades 1-3.
Choose Your Own Adventure: Mayday! by Edward and Andrea Packard
This
book allows the reader to decide how it unfolds by making choices about the
plot. For grades 7 and up.
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
A
hilarious book about typing cows. As
the dust jacket says, “Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears, ‘Click, clack,
moo.’ But Farmer Brown’s problems
really begin when his cows start leaving him notes...” For early readers or intermediate readers
who want a good laugh.
A Color Compilation: Light and Color by Peter Riley, Hailstones and Halibut Bones by Mary
O’Neill, The Story of Colors, La Historia de los Colores (English/Spanish)
For grades 3 and up.
The Complete Cow by
Sara Rath
This
is an entertaining, yet serious, look at dairy and beef cows of the
world. It includes ancient myths about
cows, familiar and not-so-familiar breeds and more. For middle school and high school readers.
Daddy Does the Dishes by
Kori Reed (print/braille)
A
stay-at-home dad does the dishes and many other things while mom goes to
work. Five-year-old Kedzie tells us
about all the deeds her daddy does, including taking her to pre-school,
practicing ballet with her and going grocery shopping. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and
her family is just right for her. For beginning readers.
Dairy Queen
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Welcome to the summer that
fifteen-year-old D.J. Schwenk of Red Bend, Wisconsin “finds her voice”, and
ends up having an awful lot of stuff to say. D.J. finds her best friend isn’t
so friendly anymore, her little brother doesn’t talk, her mother has two jobs
and her dad would be furious if she tried out for the football team herself.
But there is only one person to tell all this to—the rival team’s quarterback
whom she must train. Grades 9-12.
A Day with Daddy by
Nikki Grimes (print/braille)
A boy enjoys every moment of a
special day with his father, as they play in the park, share French fries,
and see a movie together. At the end
of the day he is glad to be home but a little bit sad because it won’t be
until next week that he sees his dad again.
For beginning readers.
The Day I Saw My Father Cry by Bill Cosby
Little
Bill confronts two powerful emotions, anger and grief, in this important
story in which Little Bill’s family loses a special friend. This book affirms the value of friendships
and family relationships and encourages children to solve problems fairly and
creatively. (Each “Little Bill” book
features a letter to parents by child psychiatry specialist Dr. Alvin F.
Poussaint.) For early readers.
The Desert Is My Mother—El Desierto Es My Madre (English/Spanish) by Pat Mora
This
is a beautifully written poem about the nurturing qualities of the desert as
seem through the eyes of a young girl.
For second through fourth grade readers who are bilingual or have an
interest in learning Spanish.
The Diamond Tree by
Howard Schwartz and Barbara Rush
This
book includes several Jewish folk tales from around the world. For grades 3-6.
Dillon Dillon by
Kate Banks
A
quirky ten-year-old learns a life-changing secret about his past in this
beautifully observed coming-of-age story set by a lake in summertime. For intermediate to advanced readers.
Dinosaur Dances by
Jane Yolen
This
book is a delightful, imaginative collection of poems about dinosaurs that
love to dance. For grades 2 and up.
Duck on a Bike by
David Shannon
Another
silly animal book for those who like to laugh. One day down on the farm, Duck got a wild
idea. “I bet I could ride a bike!” he
thought. At first he rode very slowly,
and he wobbled a lot, but it was fun!
A Duck on a bike? From Sheep to
Horse to Chicken to Goat, everyone in the barnyard has something to say about
Duck’s zany idea. But what are they
really thinking? What will happen
next? For early readers and those who
like a good giggle.
The Edmund Fitzgerald by
Kathy-Jo Wargin
Leaving port from Superior,
Wisconsin, on a sunny November day, the crew of the Edumnd Fitzgerald is
looking forward to a routine crossing of the deep Lake Superior. But disaster is building in the wind as a
storm begins to track after the great ship.
This retelling of the last hours of the doomed vessel pays homage to
all sailors who traverse deep waters, in fair skies and foul. For Grades 3-5.
26 Fairmount Avenue by
Tomie dePaola
Tomie
was born in Meriden, Connecticut, and soon after his fifth birthday, moved
with his family to 25 Fairmount Avenue.
This book, Tomie’s first chapter book, recounts his childhood
experiences growing up in a large Irish and Italian family. For beginning chapter book readers.
Family—Familia (English/Spanish)
by Diane Gonzales Bertrand
This
delightful book, written in both Spanish and English, tells the story of the
Gonzalez family reunion. Readers learn
about the importance of family in Spanish-speaking cultures. For third through fifth grade readers who
are bilingual or have an interest in learning Spanish.
Finding Nemo: Just Keep Swimming by Melissa Lagonegro (print/braille)
Nemo
has a dream. He wants to join the school
swim team. He’s worried that he will
never win but learns to accept the help and advice of his friends. Grades K –
2.
Fishing in the Air by
Sharon Creech (print/braille)
A
father and a son set out early one morning in search of a cool, clear river in
which to fish. With their lines and
bobbers, they cast high into the air catching memories, discoveries and a
bubble of breeze, and a sliver of sky, and a slice of yellow sun. For grades two through four.
Food and Farming by
Andrew Charman
“If
you could go back far enough in time, you would find that all our ancestors
were farmers…” This book is packed
with information about farming, past and present, what farming is like around
the world and what farms will be like in the future. For upper elementary through middle school
readers.
Frankenstein
This
is an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic.
For grades 7 and up.
Fred Stays with Me! by
Nancy Coffelt
Sometimes I live with my
Mom. Sometimes I live with my
Dad. But Fred stays with me. Divorce isn’t easy, but it helps when you
have a pet like Fred even though he is such a troublemaker at times! For beginning readers, Grades 1-2.
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.
Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon by Dhona Gopal Mukenji
This
Newberry Medal winner is a heartwarming and sometimes heartbreaking story of
the training and care of a carrier pigeon in a World War I time frame. For grades 6-9.
Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown by Paula Danziger
Amber
has a normal case of the back-to-school jitters. But once she and her classmates meet their
new teacher, they know it’s going to be a wild and memorable year. For early readers.
Get Well, Good Knight by
Shelley Thomas
What
does a Knight do when his three dragon friends are not feeling well? When Good Kinght turns to the Wizard for
help, things do not go as well as planned.
Now who can help the Knight help his friends, the dragons, get
well? For early readers.
The Good Fight: How World War II Was Won by Stephen Ambrose
This
book is a thorough description of the major events that occurred during the
war including personal anecdotes from the soldiers who fought in it. For upper elementary through high school readers.
Grandpa’s Face by
Eloise Greenfield
Tamika loves her
grandfather. But sometimes her
grandfather’s face is not the gentle face that she trusts, and one day when
Tamika sees him rehearsing for a play, she suddenly sees a face she’s never
seen before. Could this angry stranger
really be her grandfather? Grades 2-4.
Grasslands by
Debra Seely
Thirteen-year-old
Thomas has always longed to taste the freedom of life on the Western
range. When a letter arrives from his
father, inviting Thomas to join his father’s new family on their Kansas farm,
Thomas is excited to join them. Soon he discovers farm life isn’t what he
expected. When the family herd gets
swept up in a cattle stampede, Thomas must follow, and it is then that he
faces the prairie adventures he’s dreamed of.
Intermediate to advanced readers.
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
Big
Nutbrown Hare and Little Nutbrown Hare compare their love for one another as
Big Nutbrown Hare puts Little Nutbrown Hare to bed. This is a short story of a simple loving
relationship between two rabbits. For
young readers or for older readers to share with younger children.
Guests by
Michael Dorris
This
is a story of Thanksgiving as it might have appeared to a Native American boy
with much more important things than Pilgrims on his mind. For grades 4-6.
Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D. B. Johnson (print/braille)
Inspired
by a passage from Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, this wonderfully appealing
story follows two friends who have very different approaches to life. This book is a wonderful introduction to
Thoreau for young readers.
Here’s a Little Poem, A Very First Book of Poetry, collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Peters
This
superb selection contains more than sixty poems by a wide range of talented
writers from Margaret Wise Brown to Langston Hughes to Hilaire Belloc. Grade
2 and up.
Himalaya by
Tenzing Norbu Lama
This
book is based upon an Oscar-nominated film of the same name. The Dolpo people live high in the Himalayan
Mountains. Their lives depend on the
extremely arduous treks they make down to the central valleys of Nepal to
trade salt for grain. A young village
boy Tsering experiences the death of his father, a caravan leader, during one
of these treks and becomes embroiled in a dispute to become the next leader
of his people. For intermediate
readers.
Home Is Where the Heart Is by Anne Mazer
Oh, no…the Hayes family is
moving! Abby won’t have to switch
schools, but she’ll have to leave behind her purple room and live miles away
from all of her friends. The only good
thing about the move is that Abby and her siblings are united against
it…until her sibs see their new swimming pool, that is. Will Abby’s new house ever feel like
home? For Grades 3-6.
Honeysuckle House by
Andrea Cheng
Ten-year-old
Sarah misses her best friend. The last
thing she needs is to be paired with the new girl at school, Tina, who has
just arrived from China. Sarah is used
to being confused with other Asian students at school, but she doesn’t want
people to assume she and Tina have a lot in common. Sarah and Tina are reluctant to forge a
friendship. Both of them must come to
terms with the changes in their lives and these changes slowly draw them
together. For intermediate to advanced
readers.
Honus and Me by
Dan Gutman
This
is a unique blend of fiction, baseball fact, and inspiring story. It also provides lessons about life that
young readers will be inspired by. Joe
thinks life can’t get much worse until he gets a cleaning job. Cleaning Miss Young’s attic, which is
filled with worthless trash, Joe finds a little piece of cardboard. He’s holding the world’s most valuable
baseball card! Suddenly, strangely,
Joe is face-to-face with the player on the card…traveling through time with
one of the greatest ballplayers who ever lived. For intermediate readers.
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.
Hurricane Katrina: Deadly Disasters by Mara Miller
Katrina
gains strength—What is a hurricane?—Katrina strikes—New Orleans floods—After
Katrina—The next hurricane. For
intermediate readers, grades 6-9.
I Am Arachne: Fifteen Greek and Roman Myths (compiled by Elizabeth Spires)
This
is a collection of fifteen myths told in the first person. From the spinner
Arachne to the god Pan, to the beautiful and self-indulgent Pandora, to the
gold-stricken Midas, the reader becomes a confidant to the tellers of these
sometimes humorous, sometimes sad, always engaging tales of wonder, woe,
romantic love, and jealousy. For grade
6 and up.
I Took the Moon for a Walk by Carolyn Curtis
When
the day has ended and everyone else has gone to sleep, a young boy embarks on
a magical adventure, accompanied by his friend, the Moon. Written in lyrical verse, this book invites
all readers to marvel at the serene beauty of the world at night. A good read aloud or for primary to
intermediate readers who enjoy poetry.
In the Turkey Pen by
Patricia Stockland
This nonfiction book explains a
day in the life of turkeys. Readers will be entertained and learn many facts
about turkeys by reading this book. Grades K-2.
The Kid Who Invented the Popsicle and Other Surprising
Stories about Inventions by Don
L. Wulffson
The
world is full of inventions—zippers, hair dryers, drinking straws,
sunglasses. How did all these things
come to be? The author has come up
with the fascinating facts about where some of our inventions have come from. For upper elementary through high school
readers.
Kids Pick the Funniest Poems (compiled by Bruce Lansky)
This
is a collection of funny poems selected by kids themselves. Authors include Dr. Seuss, Shel
Silverstein, Judith Viorst, Jack Prelutsky, and Jeff Moss. For grades 2 and up.
Kwanzaa: An African American Holiday Activity Book
This
book includes puzzles, recipes and crafts to celebrate this holiday; it is an
accompaniment to the book that follows in this list. For grades 2-5.
A Kwanzaa Set (The
Story of Kwanzaa by Donna Washington; The Black Snowman by Phil Mendez; and
Kwanzaa: An African American Holiday by Sharon Gayle)
This set of
three books describes activities to do for the holiday as well as favorite
recipes for special meals. For grades
2-5.
The Legend of Buddy Bush by Shelia P. Moses
This
book, featured in Celebration Song? An African American Literary Journal, is
set in rural North Carolina in 1947.
“Buddy” Bush is Pattie Mae’s adored uncle. When he comes to Rehobeth Rd., Rich Square,
NC, he brings with him new ideas.
Unfortunately, this lands him in jail for a crime against a white
woman that he didn’t commit. Pattie
and her family are suddenly set on a journey that leads from loss and rage to
forgiveness and pride. For advanced
readers.
Leo Lionni Favorites: Six Classic Stories
This
collection includes Swimmy; Tico and the Golden Wings; Fish Is Fish;
Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse; The Biggest House in the World; and Frederick.
For grades 1-3.
Louis Braille by
Beverly Birch
This
is a children’s biography of Louis Braille and the system of tactile reading
and writing that bears his name. For elementary readers.
Lugalbanda: the boy who got caught up in a war by Kathy Henderson
An
ancient Sumerian tale about the youngest and weakest of eight brothers who,
caught up in an ill-advised war, uses his wits and courage and eventually
becomes king. For middle-intermediate
readers, grades 4-8.
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.
The Magician’s Elephant
by Kate DiCamillo
When a fortuneteller’s tent
appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustine
Duchene knows the questions he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And
if so, how can he find her? Written by the author of The Tale of
Despereaux for grades 5-7.
Me, Too! by
Jamie Harper
There
are two words that drive Grace crazy, “Me too!” Her sister, Lucy, never says anything
else. Whatever Grace does, Lucy does
too. But when Grace goes to swim class
one day, she too realizes how it feels to admire someone. Here is a charming story about the ups and
downs of having a little sister or brother, and how learning from each other
can be the best part of growing up.
For readers in grades 2-4.
The Meanest Thing to Say by Bill Cosby
To
win the game, Little Bill must say mean things to the new boy. But wait! Can Little Bill be a winner...and
a nice person, too? This story
presents a sensible alternative course of action. With help from his parents, Little Bill
learns to cope with a hostile child by controlling his own reactions. When he does so, the nasty name calling
falls flat. For early readers.
The Million Dollar Kick by
Dan Gutman
Whisper
Nelson hates sports, all sports with a passion! So when, by fluke, she wins a chance to
kick a goal past a professional soccer star for a prize of a million dollars,
she is torn. Should she try it…or just
forget the whole thing? This million
dollar kick might be exactly what Whisper needs to make her dreams come
true…For intermediate readers.
Miracles (collected
by Richard Lewis)
This
book is a collection of nearly 200 poems written by children of the English
speaking world, ages 5-14. For grades
3 and up.
Missy Violet & Me
by Barbara Hathaway
The
summer that Viney is eleven puts her under the wing of Missy Violet, a
well-loved midwife who teaches Viney about the business of catchin’
babies. Viney learns about roots and
herbs and their medicinal purposes, and the contents of Missy Violet’s
“birthin’ bag.” Scary, funny, and
exhilarating, the rhythm of Viney’s life in the South quickens as she
embraces her apprenticeship and finds her own special place as Missy Violet’s
“best helper girl.” Grades 4–8.
Moon Runner by
Carolyn Marsden
When
Mina, a self-professed “girlie-girl” and non-athlete, turns out to excel in
track, her friends are as surprised as she is, especially the competitive
Ruth. When Coach chooses her to run
against Ruth, Mina faces an unhappy predicament. Should she hold back on purpose and let
Ruth win? Or let herself soar? Grades 3-5.
My Father’s Dragon by
Ruth Stiles Gannett
This
is the story of a small boy’s trip to rescue an overworked dragon from a
jungle island bristling with wild beasts.
This, and two subsequent books, were first published in 1950 and are
still entertaining to young readers.
Naming Maya by
Uma Krishnaswami
Although Maya has done her best
to avoid it, she is spending part of her summer in India. She is thrust into an ocean of memories and
forced to examine the history of her parent’s divorce—all the more painful
because she believes the trouble began with the choosing of her name. For Grades 6-8.
Naptime for Slippers by
Andrew Clements
Slippers
is a curious and helpful puppy, but not a sleepy one. He yawns. He curls up and closes his eyes,
but he can’t sleep. There are too many
interesting smells and sounds for him to investigate. One by one, Slippers collects things he
needs to feel cozy, so when Mommy calls him for a nice long walk, he is ready
for a nap instead. For young readers,
grades 1-3.
The Odyssey (retold
by Robin Lister)
This
is the tale of Odysseus’ 20-year journey to and from Troy, back to
Ithaca. For grades 5-8.
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.
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
This
is a well-known story-poem about the activities of such unusual animals as
the Nook, Wump, Yink, Yop, Gack, and Zeds.
For early readers.
P.J. Funnybunny Camps Out by Marilyn Sadler (print/braille)
Although P.J. and his friends refuse to let Donna
and Honey Bunny go camping with them because "camping is not for
girls," the girls follow and get proof that camping is hard work even
for boys. For beginning readers.
One Thousand Tracings: Healing the Wounds of World War II by Lita Judge
When
Lita Judge discovered tracings of feet in her grandparents’ attic, she was
intrigued. This is the story behind
those tracings, the story of one American family’s triumphant effort to
relieve the suffering of Europeans in the aftermath of World War II. Grades 4-8.
Pearl’s New Skates by
Holly Keller
Pearl
has new skates. They are real skates
(not double runners), and she can’t wait to try them. She inches out onto the frozen pond. But instead of twirling, she topples. Instead of spinning, she falls. Will Pearl ever skate in real life the way
she skates in her dreams? This is a
good story about learning the importance of trying again. For young readers, grades 1-3.
Pepita Talks Twice—Pepita Habla Dos Veces (English/Spanish) by Ofelia Dumas Lachtman
Pepita is a little girl who speaks
both Spanish and English. Everyone
calls on her to talk for them I both languages. And she does what they ask without a
grumble. Until one day…Written in both
Spanish and English, this book is good for students who are bilingual or have
an interest in learning Spanish. For
grades 3-5.
poetry speaks who i am
Poems of discovery, inspiration,
independence, and everything else…written by and for tweens and teens. Grades
8-12.
Profiles in Sports Courage by Ken Rappoport
This
book is a collection of 12 profiles of athletes who have faced significant
challenges in their personal and professional lives that they have overcome
through their own courage. For
middle-intermediate readers, grades 4-8.
Pupniks, The Story of Two Space Dogs by S. Ruth Lubka
Pupniks is the true story of
two Russian dogs, Belka and Strelka, who in 1960 orbited Earth in the space
satellite Sputnik 5. Along with an
assortment of other small animals, the dogs were the first living creatures
to return from space alive. This
success helped to pave the way for human space travel. For Grades 3-6.
Rainy-day Music by
Judith Hyde (print/braille)
Dad
enlivens a boring, rainy day by playing “ghost fiddle,” a musical activity
involving water-filled glasses. For
early readers.
Rex Zero and the End of the World by Tim Wynne-Jones
In the summer
of 1962 with everyone nervous about a possible nuclear war,
ten-nearly-eleven-year-old Rex, having just moved to Ottawa from Vancouver
with his parents and five siblings, faces his own personal challenges as he
discovers new friends and a new understanding of the world around him. Grades
7-12.
The Right Dog for the Job; Ira’s Path from Service Dog to
Guide Dog by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Ira
was not born to be just any dog. A few
weeks after his birth, a puppy raiser took him home to begin his training as
a service dog. Unfortunately, the new
facility that Ira needs to attend for more detailed training isn’t
ready. What will happen to Ira? A beautifully told, informative story for
dog lovers who are intermediate or advance readers.
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.
Rosa Loves to Read by
Diane Z. Shore (print/braille)
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.
The Secret Code by
Dana Meachen Rau (print/braille)
A
young girl discovers that one of her classmates reads Braille. In return, the young boy teaches her to
read the code. A Rookie Reader, Level
C, for early primary readers.
Sense Pass King--A Story from Cameroon by Katrin Tchana
Based
on a traditional story from Cameroon, this adventure-laden tale features a
brave, resourceful girl who plays a sea monster, outwits a murderous king, and
becomes her people’s wise (and very young) ruler. For early intermediate readers.
The Silenced by
James Devita
In a world filled with
sanctions and restrictions, Marena struggles to remember the past: a time
before the Zero Tolerance Party, before listening devices were in every home,
before citizens were forbade to read or write, when she was free. In the spirit of her revolutionary mother,
Marena forms her own resistance group - the White Rose. For advanced readers: grades 8 and up.
Simon and the Wind by
Gilles Tibo (print/braille)
Loveable
Simon dreams the impossible, and tries to fly with the wind using a bubble,
birds and clouds. Failure does not
disappoint him as he discovers there are some things he can make fly. For beginning readers.
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.
Sing Me a Story by
Jane Rosenberg
This
volume contains the stories of the great operas, including Carmen, Aida, and
Tosca with an introduction by Luciano Pavarotti. For grades 4-7.
The Sisters Grimm by
Michael Buckley
Orphans
Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with an eccentric grandmother that
they have always believed to be dead.
For intermediate readers, grades 6-9.
Snowed in with Grandmother Silk by Carol Fenner
Ruddy’s
grandmother isn’t much fun. During a
long stay with her, a snowstorm comes howling through and they are left
without light, heat, and water – and no one to talk to but each other. Partly a survival story, this is a tale of
two people who think they aren’t alike at all until they look for the things
they have in common. Grades 3-6.
The Soccer Mom from Outer Space by Barney Saltzberg
Lena
is about to play her first soccer game,
when her father said it was time he told her the true story of the
soccer mom from outer space. Lena’s
mom had been a perfectly ordinary mom until she went to her son’s first
soccer game. Then something
happened...something weird! She turned
into an alien! What was it about
soccer games that made her turn into an alien? This unusual problem and its outrageous
solution will have kids cheering for the most inspiring soccer mom in the
universe. For intermediate readers.
Spring Surprises by
Anna Jane Hays (print/braille)
Say goodbye to frosty winter as you
greet the sunny sky, young animals and newly growing flowers in this story
about spring written in a rhyming format. Grades K-1.
Spirit Walker by
Nancy Wood
The
courage, determination, and powerful spiritual faith of Native Americans are
celebrated in this remarkable collection of poetry. It creates a haunting portrait of a proud
and enduring people whose great love and respect for the earth are valuable
examples for us all. For intermediate
to advanced readers.
The Story of My Life by
Helen Keller
This
book is Helen Keller’s own account, written when she was only twenty-two, of
her frustration and rage as a child and her eventual breakthrough into the
world of communication. Grades 7 and
up.
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
This
is the true story of the first black child to attend an all-white elementary
school in the South. It captures
Ruby’s amazing courage and faith as she faces angry protesters while being
escorted to school by federal marshals each day. For elementary readers.
Summer Braille Fun (compiled
by Mary Ann Damm)
This
volume includes puns, jokes, games, etc. from the summers of 1997, 1998, and
1999. For all ages.
Summersaults by
Douglas Florian
Witty
poems focus on the time of year when we anticipate fireflies, corn on the
cob, and hot, hot weather. For early
readers.
Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan
Jake
Semple is a scary kid. Word has it
that he burned down his old school and then was kicked out of every other
school in his home state. Now there’s
only one place left that will take him - the Applewhites. They are an outrageous, forgetful, chaotic,
and quite quarrelsome family. See how
Jake survives the eccentricities of this hilarious family. For advanced readers.
Take Me with You
by Carolyn Marsden
Acclaimed author Carolyn Marsden
evokes the daily lives and shared longings of two inseparable friends, who
have grown up in an Italian orphanage after the war, in this lyrical story
about identity and what it means to have a home. Grades 6-8.
Tangled Threads, A Hmong Girl’s Story by Pegi Deitz Shea
After 10 long years in a
refugee camp in Thailand, 13-year-old Mai Yang and her grandmother join the
family in Providence, Rhode Island.
Mai Yang soon discovers that adjusting to a new life isn’t easy. Drawn to both the Hmong traditions of her
past and the excitement promised by the present, she wonders if she will ever
find a way to untangle the threads of her life and weave them together into
her own story. For Grades 6-9.
Through My Eyes by
Ruby Bridges
This
is Ruby Bridge’s own account of her experience of being the first black child
to attend an all-white elementary school in the South in the 50’s and
60’s. For middle to high school
readers.
Two Hot Dogs with Everything by Paul Haven
Although
everyone credits him and his superstitions for the Slugger’s first winning
streak in 108 baseball seasons, eleven-year-old Danny Gurkin believes that
his discovery of a secret from the team’s past may be the real reason behind
the ball club’s success. For middle
readers, grades 4-6.
Vidia and the Fairy Crown by Laura Driscoll
When
Vidia, a disagreeable fairy, finds herself accused of stealing the Queen’s
tiara, she enlists the aid of a fellow sprite to help investigate, and the
two race against time to clear Vidia’s name.
For middle readers, grades 3-6.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Ten-year-old
Kenny and his family live in Flint, Michigan.
When Momma and Dad decide it’s time to visit Grandma, the Watsons set
out on a trip like no other. They’re
heading south. They’re going to Birmingham,
Alabama, toward one of the darkest moments in America’s history. For advanced readers.
We Eat Dinner in the Bathtub by Angela Shelf Medearis (print/braille)
Harris
and Josh are friends. Harris invites
Josh to his house for dinner and then says, “We eat dinner in the
bathtub.” Josh thinks this unusual and
Harris thinks eating in the dining room is unusual. For early readers.
What a Year by
Tomie dePaola
Another
book in the 26 Fairmount Avenue series, this one tells about Tomie’s
experiences as a first grader—celebrating his birthday in school, trick or
treating with his brother, and family holiday celebrations for Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and New Year’s. For
beginning chapter book readers.
What Charlie Heard by
Mordicai Gerstein
The
ahead-of-his-time creations of American composer Charles Ives receive their
due in this affectionate biography.
For early readers.
When Hippo Was Hairy and Other Tales from Africa by Nick Greaves
This
book contains folk tales about African animals, and includes facts about each
animal and a map showing its range.
For grades 5-8.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (print/braille)
This
story follows the wild adventures of Max; pictures are described. For ages 4-8.
Who needs friends? by
Christine Taylor-Butler (print/braille)
A
boy is pleasantly surprised that his friends remember his birthday. For early readers.
Win One for the Gipper by
Kathy-Jo Wargin
Like most boys growing up in
Michigan in the early 1900s, George Gipp enjoyed playing sports. His athletic skills set him apart from
others. He was awarded a baseball
scholarship to the University of Notre Dame.
An afternoon’s horseplay with a football, however, brings George to
the attention of assistant football coach Knute Rockne, and Notre Dame football
is transformed forever. This is the
inspiring story of the legendary George Gipp. For grades 3-5.
Wings by
Christopher Myers (print/braille)
Are
you brave enough to be your true self?
Ikarus Jackson is. Stretch your
wings with him and discover how it feels to follow your own heart. In this powerful and thought-provoking
story, Christopher Myers challenges us to embrace our differences and
celebrate our individuality. Only then
can we fly. For grades 2-4.
The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
You
can learn a lot about life by observing another species. That’s what Humphrey was told when he was
first brought to Room 26. With a
lock-that -doesn’t-lock, and adventures galore, Humphrey’s life would be
absolutely perfect if only the teacher, Mrs. Brisbane, wasn’t out to get
him! For middle readers, grades 3-5.
Yang the Youngest and the Terrible Ear by Lensey Namioka
Yang
the Youngest is the only person in his family who cannot play beautiful music
on his violin, but he does have a special gift. He is afraid to tell his family that he has
found something he likes better than music.
Find out what Yang and Michael do to save a musical recital from
possible failure if Yang is to play.
For grades 2-6.
Your Treasure Hunt, Disabilities and Finding Your Gold by Katherine Schneider, PhD
Blind herself, the author draws
upon her experience to define some of the difficulties of growing up with a
disability and offers constructive ways to deal with its frustrations.
Children and parents can re-frame life, then, as a ‘treasure hunt”, a search
for the “gold” of possibility in life’s challenges leading to a better self
concept. Grades 2-5.
Zoo School by
Laurie Hornik
Kitty,
Ursula, Leo, and Drake have just entered the very strange Zoo School. Desks have things swimming in them;
cupboards are filled with animal food…this school is ridiculous! Fortunately, the New School Inspectors are
conducting a careful investigation.
When they threaten to close down the school, the children have to decide
for themselves if their school is worth saving. For intermediate to advanced readers.
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