Braille Book Review

November-December 2009

Books for Children

Fiction

We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea         BR 17526
by Arthur Ransome
3 volumes
While on board a yacht, John, Roger, Susan, and Titty Walker--who have only rowed dinghies--find themselves adrift in the fog, heading out to the North Sea. John takes charge when a gale blows them toward Holland. Sequel to Pigeon Post (BR 17525). For grades 4-7. 1937.

Picts and the Martyrs; or, Not Welcome at All         BR 17530
by Arthur Ransome
3 volumes
Nancy and Peggy have their hopes for a glorious holiday-without-parents dashed when their stern great-aunt arrives, uninvited, to supervise them. The girls hide their houseguests, Dick and his sister Dorothea, in a cabin in the woods. Sequel to Missee Lee (BR 17529). For grades 4-7. 1943.

Winter Knights: The Edge Chronicles, Book 8         BR 17604
by Paul Stewart
2 volumes
Quint finally begins his training at the Knights Academy, and Maris adjusts to life in Undertown. But snow storms and ice blizzards threaten the very existence of Sanctaphrax, while ancient feuds pose a danger of another kind. Sequel to Freeglader (BR 16782). For grades 6-9. 2005.

Carrot Seed         BR 17328
by Ruth Krauss
1 volume
Despite everyone's dire predictions, a little boy has faith that the carrot seed he plants and tends will grow into a carrot. PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2. 1945.

Top Job         BR 17044
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
1 volume
On career day, students take turns telling the class about their parents' jobs. One boy laughs when a girl says her father changes light bulbs, but the whole group is interested when she explains where and how he does it. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K-3. 2007.

Wednesday Wars         BR 17810
by Gary D. Schmidt
2 volumes
Long Island, 1967. Seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood knows that Mrs. Baker "hates his guts" because she would have Wednesday afternoons free if he went to catechism or Hebrew school like his classmates. Mrs. Baker worries about her husband in Vietnam and introduces a reluctant Holling to Shakespeare. For grades 5-8. Newbery Honor. 2007.

Changes for Julie: An American Girl, 1974; Book 6         BR 17631
by Megan McDonald
1 volume
San Francisco 1976. Fifth-grader Julie lands in detention for writing a note to help her friend Joy, who is deaf. Vowing to change the detention system, Julie runs for student-body president. With Joy as her running mate, Julie faces unexpected opposition. For grades 3-6. 2007.

Good Luck, Ivy: An American Girl, 1976; Book 7         BR 17632
by Lisa Yee
1 volume
San Francisco, 1976. Ten-year-old Ivy Ling--best friends with Julie Albright from Meet Julie (BR 17626)--faces a big decision. The Ling family reunion is scheduled on the same day as the all-city gymnastics tournament. Ivy's team is counting on her and so are her parents. 2007.

Happy New Year, Julie: An American Girl, 1974; Book 3         BR 17628
by Megan McDonald
1 volume
San Francisco, 1974. Shuttling between their mother's and father's houses to celebrate Christmas is no fun for Julie and her sister Tracy. But Julie finds comfort in sharing the Chinese New Year traditions of her best friend, Ivy Ling, and in thinking about new beginnings. For grades 3-6. 2007.

Julie and the Eagles: An American Girl, 1974; Book 4         BR 17629
by Megan McDonald
1 volume
When Julie and Ivy visit a wildlife rescue center, they meet Shasta and Sierra, two bald eagles. The center needs funds to return them to their natural habitat, so Julie plans a unique way to bring the eagles' plight to public attention on Earth Day. For grades 3-6. 2007.

Julie Tells Her Story: An American Girl, 1974; Book 2         BR 17627
by Megan McDonald
1 volume
San Francisco, 1974. Fourth-grader Julie Albright's school project includes reporting on the worst thing that ever happened to her. She considers recounting the way she broke her finger but, because her family is so important to her, decides to tell the truth about her parents' divorce. For grades 3-6. 2007.

Julie's Journey: An American Girl, 1974; Book 5         BR 17630
by Megan McDonald
1 volume
1976. Julie and her sister Tracy join their cousins on a three-week covered wagon trip to celebrate the Bicentennial in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on the Fourth of July. The journey is filled with adventures, challenges, and self-discovery as Julie makes a special contribution to America's birthday. For grades 3-6. 2007.

Meet Julie: An American Girl, 1974; Book 1         BR 17626
by Megan McDonald
1 volume
San Francisco, 1974. After Julie's parents divorce, she moves to a different neighborhood. The new elementary school does not have a girls' basketball team, so Julie fights for the right to play on the boys' team. For grades 3-6. 2007.

Hunting the Hunter: On the Run, Book 6         BR 17844
by Gordon Korman
1 volume
When Aiden and Meg Falconer discover that their parents' freedom from prison is in the hands of a killer and madman named Hairless Joe, the siblings vow to trap him--whatever the dangers. Sequel to Public Enemies (BR 17843). For grades 4-7. 2006.

Dragon Flight         BR 18204
by Jessica Day George
2 volumes
Creel, the heroine of Dragon Slippers (BR 17590), is summoned to the palace to use her expertise against an evil dragon that threatens the kingdom. She also looks forward to sharing adventures again with Prince Luka, the king's youngest son. For grades 5-8. 2008.

Twice upon a Marigold         BR 17866
by Jean Ferris
2 volumes
After a quiet year of amnesia in a small town, wicked Queen Olympia regains her memory and a desire to wrench power from King Swithbert. Christian and Marigold counter with a scheme of their own. Sequel to Once upon a Marigold (BR 16972). For grades 5-8. 2008.

Julia Gillian (and the Art of Knowing)         BR 18206
by Alison McGhee
1 volume
Nine-year-old Julia Gillian learns a lot about facing fear when she and her Saint Bernard, Bigfoot, take long walks through their Minneapolis neighborhood one hot summer. As she interacts with neighbors, Julia seeks the courage to finish reading a book that might have an unhappy ending. For grades 3-6. 2008.

Big Six         BR 17528
by Arthur Ransome
3 volumes
Members of the Coot Club, a bird protection society, are sailing on the Norfolk Broads when they are accused of setting boats adrift. The friends' clever detective work proves their innocence. Sequel to Secret Water (BR 17527). For grades 4-7. 1940.

Great Northern?         BR 17531
by Arthur Ransome
3 volumes
John, Susan, Titty, Roger, Nancy, Peggy, Dorothea, and Dick are on holiday in the Hebrides when Dick discovers a pair of great northern divers. The children race to save the birds from an unscrupulous egg-collector. Sequel to The Picts and the Martyrs (BR 17530). For grades 4-7. 1947.

Missee Lee         BR 17529
by Arthur Ransome
3 volumes
The Walker and Blackett children and Uncle Jim are shipwrecked during their voyage around the world. Cast ashore on the China coast, they become captives of Miss Lee, a Chinese pirate's daughter. Sequel to The Big Six (BR 17528). For grades 4-7. 1941.

Secret Water         BR 17527
by Arthur Ransome
3 volumes
The Walkers are set for a camping trip when Commander Walker is recalled from leave. He lets the children go on their own, with supplies and an unmarked map, to an uncharted island. Sequel to We Didn't Mean to Go to Sea (BR 17526). For grades 4-7. 1939.

 


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