Books listed in this issue of Talking Book Topics were recently sent to cooperating libraries. The complete collection contains books by many authors on fiction and nonfiction subjects, including animals, geography, nature, mystery, sports, and others. Contact your cooperating library to learn more about the wide range of books available in the collection. Cassette books, labeled with the code RC, play at 15/16 ips. To order books, contact your cooperating library.
A Bear for All Seasons RC 42936
by Diane Marcial Fuchs
read by Gary Telles
1 cassette
Just as Bear is settling in for his long winter nap, his friend
Fox knocks on the door. Fox is upset with winter and tries to
convince Bear that it shouldn't be his favorite season. For
grades K-3. 1995.
Touch Wood: A Girlhood in Occupied France RC 42958
by Renee Roth-Hano
read by Margaret Strom
2 cassettes
The author recreates her girlhood experiences as a Jewish child
in France during World War II. Written as a diary, her story
takes her from the summer of 1940 when the Nazi invasion forces
her family to flee, through a prolonged separation in which she
and her sisters live in a home run by Catholic nuns, through the
confusion of the Allied invasion, to her family's reunion in
Paris. For grades 6-9. 1988.
Katy No-Pocket RC 42963
by Emmy Payne
read by Mary Kane
1 cassette
Katy is a kangaroo without a pocket. She tries to carry her son,
Freddy, the way other types of animals carry their young, but
nothing works. So Katy and Freddy head for the city to buy a
pocket. For grades K-3. 1944.
Hope RC 43059
by LouAnn Gaeddert
read by Carole Jordan Stewart
1 cassette
In 1851, Hope and John Douglas, ages thirteen and nine, are
taken in by the Shakers following the death of their mother, as
their father is in California mining gold. Life is very
different, but Hope realizes they are being treated kindly, and
they must be thankful. But she still longs to hear from her
father. For grades 3-6. 1995.
The Ch'i-lin Purse: A Collection of Ancient Chinese Stories
RC 43070
retold by Linda Fang
read by Janis Gray
1 cassette
Retellings of nine stories and folktales whose sources include
classic Chinese operas, novels, and legends. In "The
Ho-shih Jade," two kings undergo a battle of wits to obtain
a famous piece of jade. The physician in "The Miracle
Doctor" seeks help from a monk for treating the one disease
he cannot cure. For grades 3-6. 1995.
Millions of Cats RC 43117
by Wanda Gág
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
Because his wife is lonely, an old man goes out to search for a
kitten. Unable to choose, he returns with millions and billions
and trillions of cats. For grades K-3. 1928.
Who's in Rabbit's House? RC 43125
by Verna Aardema
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette (Reissue)
A humorous African folk tale about poor rabbit, whose house is
invaded by a mysterious creature with a "big, bad
voice." For grades K-3. 1969.
Wan Hu Is in the Stars RC 43157
by Jennifer Armstrong
read by Bob Askey
1 cassette
In ancient China, Wan Hu is a very distracted poet. While his
mind is in the stars, he forgets to wear one shoe or to open his
umbrella. People laugh at his foolish attempts to reach the
heavens until the night he surprises everyone. For grades K-3.
1995.
The Selfish Giant RC 43158
by Oscar Wilde
read by Bob Askey
1 cassette
Children stop on their way home from school to play in the
Giant's lovely garden, for the Giant is not at home. But when he
returns, he forbids them to play there. They are so sad that
Spring refuses to come into the garden, until one day a special
visitor appears. For grades K-3. 1995.
The Ghost of Thomas Kempe RC 43165
by Penelope Lively
read by Erik Sandvold
1 cassette (Reissue)
A series of odd mishaps reveals that James Harrison has
unwillingly become an apprentice to the ghost of a
seventeenth-century sorcerer. For grades 4-7. 1973.
The Cottage at Bantry Bay RC 43184
by Hilda van Stockum
read by Gabriella Cavallero
1 cassette (Reissue)
The O'Sullivan family lives in a little cottage in Ireland where
the children--Michael, Brigid, and the twins, Francie and
Liam--enjoy hearing their father's stories, rescuing a dog from
gypsies, and digging up buried treasure. Prequel to Francie
on the Run (RC 43185). For grades 4-6. 1938.
Nothing but Trouble RC 43214
by Betty Ren Wright
read by Ilona Dulaski
1 cassette
Vannie's parents are going to California to look for jobs, and
she has been left with Aunt Bert for the summer. But Aunt Bert
is cranky and doesn't like Vannie's yappy little dog, Muffy. As
Aunt Bert and Vannie adjust to being together, prowlers begin
playing pranks on Aunt Bert and Muffy disappears. For grades
2-4. 1995.
The Morning Chair RC 43247
by Barbara M. Joosse
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Bram is a little Dutch boy who lives with his parents in a
seaside village. In 1950 Bram's family gets immigration papers
to move to America. Bram's mother had told him about America
while they sat in their morning chair and sipped tea. Now both
chair and family have a new home. For grades K-3. 1995.
Oddly Enough: Stories RC 43249
by Bruce Coville
read by Jack Fox
1 cassette
Nine horror tales that variously involve an angel, unicorns,
ghosts, and werewolves. In "The Box," an angel
entrusts a mysterious box to a boy, who treasures it throughout
his life without ever opening it. For grades 5-9. 1994.
When Pigs Fly RC 43252
by June Rae Wood
read by Janis Gray
2 cassettes
Buddy feels good about her class assignment to tend an egg for
two weeks--she has had nurturing experience with her sister, who
has Down's syndrome. Buddy is sad when her parents move to a
run-down farm, but she makes new friends whose problems make
Buddy appreciate her own blessings. For grades 5-8. 1995.
The Bracelet RC 43257
by Yoshiko Uchida
read by Janis Gray
1 cassette
In 1942 Emi and her family are being sent to a prison camp just
because they are Japanese Americans. Emi's best friend, Laurie,
gives Emi a bracelet to wear in camp so she'll always remember
her. But on the first day at camp, Emi loses the bracelet. Now
Emi wonders how she'll be able to remember her friend. For
grades K-3. 1976.
Weather Eye RC 43259
by Lesley Howarth
read by Kerry Cundiff
1 cassette
It is 1999 and the weather is out of control. After experiencing
a near-death revelation, thirteen-year-old Telly loses all fear
and logs onto the Weather Eye computer network to lead her
fellow teens in calming the elements through meditation. Both
Telly and the weather are transformed. For grades 5-8. 1995.
Sniper RC 43260
by Theodore Taylor
read by Brian Conn
1 cassette
Left in charge of his parents' wild-animal preserve while they
travel in Africa, fifteen-year-old Ben Jepson is determined to
prove to his parents that he is capable of the job. But when the
chief animal handler is critically injured and a sniper begins
to pick off the wild cats, Ben's responsibilities and troubles
nearly overwhelm him. For grades 5-7. 1989.
My Mama Had a Dancing Heart RC 43268
by Libba Moore Gray
read by Madelyn Buzzard
1 cassette
A ballet dancer remembers her mother's love of dancing. They
would go outside and dance whenever it was a "tip-tapping
song-singing finger-snapping kind of a day." For grades
K-3. 1995.
Gluskabe and the Four Wishes RC 43269
retold by Joseph Bruchac
read by Brian Conn
1 cassette
An Abenaki Indian tale of three foolish men and one wise man,
each of whom seeks a wish from Gluskabe, helper of the Great
Spirit. Their wishes are fulfilled in unexpected ways, thus
conveying a moral lesson to the reader. For grades 3-6 and older
readers. 1995.
My Brother the Ghost RC 43270
by Suzanne Weyn
read by John Polk
1 cassette
When Sara and Michael Buckner move with their parents into their
grandmother's house, they've already heard rumors that it is
haunted. The first day there they encounter a ghost who begins
trying to take Michael's place. Because their parents won't
believe them, Sara and Michael must stop the ghost themselves.
For grades 3-6. 1994.
Cabin 102 RC 43304
by Sherry Garland
read by Terence Aselford
1 cassette
Twelve-year-old Dusty is afraid of water, and that presents
quite a problem when his stepmother wins a Caribbean cruise. In
fact Dusty has never told anyone of his fears. But the situation
changes when he discovers a ghost in cabin 102. For grades 5-8.
1995.
A Sound of Chariots RC 43357
by Mollie Hunter
read by Patricia Kilgarriff
2 cassettes (Reissue)
Nine-year-old Bridie McShane is one of five children in her
Scottish family, and her father's favorite. But when her father
dies, Bridie agonizes over the finality of death and is
overwhelmed with grief. Her teacher, Mrs. Mackie, however,
recognizes Bridie's gift for writing and challenges her to
develop her talent. For grades 6-9. 1972.
My First Love RC 43383
by Callie West
read by Ilona Dulaski
1 cassette
Junior Amy Wyse works hard to maintain good grades and her place
on the swim team in hopes of getting a college scholarship. In
fact she has had little time for boys. But when Chris Shepherd
asks Amy out, she forgets her goals and gets carried away with
dating. Suddenly Amy's grades begin to drop, and she loses her
status as a top-notch swimmer. For grades 6-9. 1995.
Coast to Coast with Alice RC 43386
by Patricia Rusch Hyatt
read by Laura Giannarelli
1 cassette
A fictional journal sixteen-year-old Minna might have written
during a two-month auto trip in 1909. Auto enthusiast Alice
Ramsey, twenty-one, is asked by the Maxwell car company to be
the first woman to drive across the United States. Minna and
Alice's two sisters-in-law come along. For grades 3-6. 1995.
What My Sister Remembered RC 43389
by Marilyn Sachs
read by Michele Schaeffer
1 cassette
Eight years ago, Molly and her older sister Beth were in an
accident that killed their parents. Molly was adopted by her
aunt and uncle, while Beth was adopted by the nurse who cared
for her in the hospital. Now Beth and her mother are visiting,
and both girls are resentful. For grades 5-8. 1992.
Beware the Ravens, Aunt Morbelia RC 43423
by Joan Carris
read by Pam Ward
1 cassette
In this sequel to Aunt Morbelia and the Screaming Skulls,
Todd and his friend Jeff accompany Aunt Morbelia to her spooky
family estate in England. While the three try to decipher
Morbelia's cousin's strange journal, they realize they are being
stalked. For grades 4-7. 1995.
My Ol' Man RC 43453
by Patricia Polacco
read by Pam Ward
1 cassette
During a summer spent in Michigan with their dad and their
grandma, Patricia and her brother, Richard, eagerly await their
father's wonderful stories. Then their yarn-spinning Da loses
his job, and they find a special rock that brings them magic.
For grades K-3. 1995.
The Great Dad Disaster RC 43454
by Betsy Haynes
read by Jill Ferris
1 cassette
In this sequel to The Great Mom Swap (RC 29160),
eighth-graders Scotti Wheeler and Lorna Markham are asked out by
the boys of their dreams. Lorna's parents are happy for her, but
Scotti's father is not at all pleased! For grades 6-9. 1994.
Dakota Spring RC 43465
by D. Anne Love
read by Catherine Byers
1 cassette
Caroline and Jess have lost their mother, and now their father
has been seriously injured building a barn. Both children
struggle to get along with their prim and proper grandmother,
who has reluctantly come to their farm in the Dakota prairie to
take care of the family. For grades 2-4. 1995.
Utterly Yours, Booker Jones RC 43487
by Betsy Duffey
read by Rick Rohan
1 cassette
Booker Jones, twelve, is a writer. He has already sent two books
to a publisher, and he is working on his third one: Space
Cows. However, Booker is experiencing writer's block, which
started when Pop moved into Booker's room and Booker began
living under the dining room table. And to make things worse, he
now has to write a speech for a school rally. For grades 5-8.
1995.
Pilgrim's Progress: A Retelling RC 43496
retold by Gary D. Schmidt
read by Gordon Gould
1 cassette
The tale, written by John Bunyan in 1675, recounts Christian's
journey, the adventures he has on his pilgrimage, and the ups
and downs he experiences in his quest for spiritual grace.
Rewritten in contemporary language. For grades 5-8 and older
readers. 1994.
Schoolhouse Mystery RC 43506
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
read by Michael Pinney
1 cassette
The Aldens are planning their summer vacation when Benny's
friend Max comments that the Aldens always have an adventure on
their trips. But Max doesn't think the Aldens will find anything
exciting in the tiny fishing village his father visits on the
northern coast. But of course the Aldens do. For grades 3-6.
1965.
The Deserted Library Mystery RC 43507
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
read by Michael Pinney
1 cassette
Grandfather Alden wants the old Rock Falls library to become a
landmark instead of being leveled. So the Alden children head to
the village to clean the building. When they enter the library,
they discover that they are not alone. For grades 4-7. 1991.
The Woodshed Mystery RC 43508
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
read by Michael Pinney
1 cassette
School is almost over, and the Aldens are thinking about their
summer plans. Then Aunt Jane calls saying she wants to move back
East and asking Grandfather Alden to buy her a farm. Fortunately
the farm Grandfather and Aunt Jane grew up on is for sale. But a
mystery surrounds it, and no one seems to stay there for very
long. For grades 3-6. 1962.
Mystery in the Sand RC 43510
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
read by Michael Pinney
1 cassette
While their aunt and uncle travel to Africa, the four Alden
children get to stay in the couple's mobile home on the beach.
After befriending an elderly man with a metal detector, Benny
finds a locket in the sand. It seems to belong to someone in the
large mysterious house in town, but the reclusive woman living
there won't speak with the children. For grades 3-6. 1971.
Mystery behind the Wall RC 43511
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
read by Michael Pinney
1 cassette
Benny is bored only one week into his summer vacation.
Grandfather Alden's housekeeper, Mrs. McGregor, comes up with a
wonderful plan to invite a Canadian boy, Rory, to visit for the
summer. While devising a way to pass messages between their
rooms, the boys discover a clue to a long-missing coin
collection. For grades 3-6. 1973.
Mystery Ranch RC 43512
by Gertrude Chandler Warner
read by Michael Pinney
1 cassette
Grandfather Alden has a sister who hasn't spoken to him in
years. Now she wants his grandchildren to come visit her ranch.
The four Alden children have such a good effect on their grumpy
great-aunt that she decides to give them her ranch. But first
there is a mystery to solve. For grades 3-6. 1958.
The View from Saturday RC 43549
by E.L. Konigsburg
read by Brian Conn
1 cassette
Mrs. Olinski is hard-pressed to explain how she selected the
four students who will represent the sixth grade in the Academic
Bowl. But her choice of the four calling themselves "The
Souls" was excellent. As the students prepare and compete,
each reveals a reason for being part of the team. For grades
4-6. Newbery Award. 1996.
Pippi Longstocking's After-Christmas Party RC 43564
by Astrid Lindgren
read by Madelyn Buzzard
1 cassette
First published in Sweden in 1950, this story continues the
adventures of young Pippi Longstocking, who lives in a house
called Villa Villekulla with her monkey and her horse. When she
posts an invitation to an after-Christmas party, all of the town
children are ecstatic. For grades K-3. 1995.
Across the Wide Dark Sea: The Mayflower Journey RC
43568
by Jean Van Leeuwen
read by Bruce Huntey
1 cassette
A fictionalized account of a young boy's trip to America with
his family on the Mayflower in 1620. Once there, the
settlers begin making a new life for themselves. For grades K-3.
1995.
Gulf RC 43584
by Robert Westall
read by James DeLotel
1 cassette
Young Tom and Andy are brothers in an ordinary English family.
During the Gulf War in 1991, Tom notices that Andy is behaving
in bizarre ways--scratching imagined lice on his body and
speaking in Arabic. It turns out that Andy psychically
identifies with a doomed Iraqi boy who is fighting in the war.
Violence. For grades 5-8. 1992.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff RC 43600
by P.C. Asbjornsen and J.E. Moe
read by John Horton
1 cassette (Reissue)
A Norwegian folk tale about three goats who must pass over a
bridge inhabited by a mean troll. For grades K-3. 1957.
The Old Man and His Door RC 43604
by Gary Soto
read by Ed Blake
1 cassette
An old Mexican man has a habit of not listening too closely to
his wife. One day she tells him to bring a puerco (which means
"pig") to the picnic. He thinks she said a puerto,
which means "door." As he carries the door to the
picnic, he has a lot of adventures. For grades K-3. 1996.
Grandpa's Song RC 43610
by Tony Johnston
read by Ed Blake
1 cassette
Grandpa is big and happy and loves to sing in a very loud voice.
He makes up the best song in the world, which is about him
singing. When Grandpa begins to forget things, his grandchildren
help him remember his songs. For preschool-grade 2. 1991.
Fireflies, Peach Pies, and Lullabies RC 43613
by Virginia Kroll
read by Catherine Byers
1 cassette
Francie's great-grandmother can't remember how to do things
anymore, and Francie is afraid people will remember Great-Granny
Annabel only as an empty shell of a person. But at Great-Granny
Annabel's funeral, Francie finds a way to help everyone remember
something special. For preschool-grade 2. 1995.
Tchaikovsky Discovers America RC 43617
by Esther Kalman
read by Suzanne Toren
1 cassette
Jenny Petroff, who shares her birthday with Tchaikovsky, turns
eleven on May 7, 1891. One of her presents is to attend a
concert conducted by Tchaikovsky at the new Music Hall in New
York City. Another is money from an uncle in Chicago. Jenny uses
the money to buy a diary in which she records memories of her
time with Tchaikovsky during his visit to America. For grades
2-4. 1994.
Moving Days RC 43619
by Marc Harshman
read by Christopher Hurt
1 cassette
As a boy's family prepares to move out of the only house he's
known, he becomes sad about what he is leaving behind. For
grades 2-4. 1994.
The Case of the Absent Author RC 43620
by E.W. Hildick
read by L.J. Ganser
1 cassette
Bill Smith, aka Bill Legrand the author, is missing. His agent,
Sheldon Byrne, has asked the McGurk Organization to investigate.
McGurk and his officers appeared in Legrand's last book, and it
seems Legrand left clues to his whereabouts that he knew McGurk
could figure out. For grades 3-6. 1995.
The Witness RC 43622
by Robert Westall
read by Suzanne Toren
1 cassette
A cat considered to be a goddess in Egypt is stolen and taken to
Judea, where she escapes. Cold and pregnant, the cat finds
refuge in a stable. There she meets Joseph and Mary, who is
about to give birth to Jesus. For grades K-3. 1986.
Night Rabbits RC 43625
by Monica Wellington
read by Suzanne Toren
1 cassette
The day is ending, but two little rabbits are still awake. They
hop through the garden and into the cornfield and the orchard.
And along the way they meet a raccoon, an owl, and a fox. Then
the thunder and crashing of the rain send them home to snuggle
and cuddle. For preschool-grade 2. 1995.
The Secret Oceans RC 43637
by Betty Ballantine
read by John Stratton
1 cassette
An international team of scientists boards a high-tech
submersible on an expedition to communicate with whales. The
team encounters the cetasapiens, a previously unknown type of
super-dolphin, from whom they learn much about the creatures of
the deep and the fragile ecology of the oceans. For grades 5-8.
1994.
The Shark Callers RC 43641
by Eric Campbell
read by John Stratton
1 cassette
Two boys' lives converge at sea against the backdrop of a
volcano eruption and tidal wave near New Guinea. As young Andy
Thompson heads his dinghy toward shore from his family's damaged
boat, the native boy Kaleku is on his first voyage as a shark
caller. Both boys face the daunting hazards of sea and of
sharks. For grades 6-9. 1994.
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