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Braille Book Review November-December 2018

Volume 87, Number 6

About Braille Book Review

About BARD
Most books and magazines listed in Braille Book Review are available to eligible readers for download on the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) site. To use BARD, contact your local cooperating library or visit http://nlsbard.loc.gov for more information. The free BARD Mobile app is available from the App Store for reading braille books on a personal iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Overseas Service
American citizens living abroad may enroll and request delivery to foreign addresses by contacting the NLS Overseas Librarian by phone at (202) 707-9261 or by email at [email protected] .

Music scores and instructional materials
NLS music patrons can receive braille and large-print music scores and instructional recordings through the NLS Music Section. To learn more, email [email protected] , call 1-800-424-8567 ext. 2, or visit loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/music-materials/.

About Braille Book Review
Braille Book Review, published in braille, large print, and online, is distributed free to people unable to read regular print. It lists braille titles recently added to the NLS collection. The braille edition also lists NLS audiobooks appearing in Talking Book Topics. The entire collection, with hundreds of thousands of titles, is available by searching the online catalog. Braille Book Review is also available in downloadable braille files from BARD.

Publication feedback?
Share your thoughts about this publication by emailing [email protected] or writing us at:
NLS Communications and Outreach Section
Library of Congress
Washington DC 20542

Library of Congress, Washington
2018
Catalog Card Number 53-31800
ISSN 0006-873X

Contents

In Brief

Books for Adults

Adult Fiction

Adult Nonfiction

Books for Children

Children’s Fiction

Children’s Nonfiction

Braille Magazines

In Brief

NLS on the Move: The latest on our new initiatives

In July 2017, NLS launched a newsletter called NLS on the Move to keep the staff in our national network of cooperating libraries updated on the progress of pilot projects and other new initiatives. Selections from this newsletter that may be of interest to NLS patrons are reprinted in Talking Book Topics and Braille Book Review.

From NLS on the Move, originally published September 27, 2018

A big next step for the NLS eReader project
Just as it has provided audio playback equipment since the 1930s, NLS has long been interested in providing an affordable, easy-to-use braille eReader to its patrons. In the summer of 2017, NLS took the first step toward achieving that goal when it partnered with Perkins Library to test the effectiveness of distributing digital braille files for use on eReaders. Now we are ready for the next step.

NLS has a contract in place to purchase eReaders designed specifically to read NLS braille materials. Initially, NLS will purchase enough devices to conduct a pilot project with a few network libraries. The pilot will cover all aspects of acquisition, quality assurance, distribution, cleaning and maintenance, technical support, training, media distribution, and other relevant topics. We expect the pilot to last two years.

NLS is able to move ahead with this exciting project thanks to a 2016 amendment to the 1931 Pratt-Smoot Act—the NLS authorizing legislation—that now allows it to provide playback equipment in all formats, not just audio. A report by the Government Accountability Office recommended that Congress make that change.

Dystopian fiction

Recently, there has been increased interest in dystopian fiction. Classic dystopian novels have reappeared on bestseller lists and have been made into TV series and movies. More dystopian series have also become popular in young adult literature. A dystopia is defined by Oxford’s English Dictionary as “An imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice, typically one that is totalitarian or post-apocalyptic.” Novels tend to fall into two categories: one where society is in a state of chaos and collapse or one in which everything is under the control of a specific agency or government. Following is a short list of both enduring novels and 21st-century classics in the genre.

Animal Farm BR20910 DB38959
by George Orwell
An allegorical political satire of communism in which the animals on a farm overthrow their master and live a utopian life until the intelligent pigs take over and one establishes himself as dictator. 1945.

Brave New World BR11922 DB47108
by Aldous Huxley
A satire set in a future technocratic society in which people are rigidly classified by the state and kept happy by a government-administered drug. When two bureaucrats, Lenina and Bernard, travel to a “savage” reservation, they “rescue” a woman and her adult son, abandoned long ago, and return them to civilization. For senior high and older readers. 1932.

A Clockwork Orange BR18284 DB15213
by Anthony Burgess
A teenage hooligan named Alex, who uses a dialect known as “nadsat,” roams the streets of London randomly terrorizing people. He is arrested and subjected to corrective brainwashing at the hands of government psychologist Dr. Brodsky—with unanticipated results. Basis for Stanley Kubrick’s film. Violence and some strong language. 1962.

Divergent DB73203
by Veronica Roth
In a future Chicago, society is divided into five factions. During the Choosing Ceremony, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must pick her lifelong faction. But Beatrice discovers she is an anomaly—a divergent—who does not fit anywhere. Some violence and some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2011.
[Disponible en español como Divergente (DB79961)]

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? BR14247 DB54649
by Philip K. Dick
In the year 2021 Rick Deckard is employed on a dying Earth as a bounty hunter. He seeks androids that look like humans and destroys them. Basis for the 1982 movie Blade Runner. 1968.

Fahrenheit 451 BR15332 DB34963
by Ray Bradbury
Social satire set in the future, when owning or reading books is a crime. Guy Montag, the fireman-hero, becomes a fugitive when he succumbs to temptation. Some strong language. 1953.
[Disponible en español como Fahrenheit 451 (DB67981)]

The Handmaid’s Tale BR11911 DB24695
by Margaret Atwood
In the future the United States of America is the Republic of Gilead, a fundamentalist Christian theocracy. To reverse the declining birthrate, women are forcibly recruited to the ranks of Handmaids and are assigned to the Commanders of the Faithful, whose wives are barren. Explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. Bestseller. 1986.

The Hunger Games BR18488 DB68384
by Suzanne Collins
In a future North America, Panem’s rulers maintain control through a televised survival competition pitting teens from twelve districts in a fight to the death. Sixteen-year-olds Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are this year’s girl and boy contestants from District Twelve. Some violence. For junior and senior high readers. 2008.

Legend DB74825
by Marie Lu
In the distant future, North America has split into two warring nations. Two fifteen-year-olds—Day, a famous criminal, and June, a soldier prodigy sent to capture Day—discover they have a common enemy. Some violence and some strong language. For senior high and older readers. 2011.

The Man in the High Castle BR09889 DB76478
by Philip K. Dick
The Axis powers have won World War II and jointly occupy the United States. A German faction attempts to warn the Japanese about an impending nuclear attack. A subversive novel and a fortune-telling device guide characters’ decisions in this alternate history. Some strong language. Hugo Award. Commercial audiobook. 1962.

The Maze Runner BR20726 DB72392
by James Dashner
A teenage boy wakes up in an elevator remembering nothing but his name, Thomas. He soon meets a group of boys who welcome him to the Glade—and the unsolved puzzle of the Maze. The next day a girl arrives with an unexpected message. Some violence. For grades 6–9. 2009.
[Disponible en español como Maze runner: Correr o morir (DB81993)]

Never Let Me Go BR21107 DB59667
by Kazuo Ishiguro
England, 1990s. Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy attend Hailsham, one of the better academies where human clones bred to be organ donors are sheltered from reality. Now thirty-one, Kathy has been a donor-caregiver for eleven years. As her first donation nears, Kathy appreciates her privileged upbringing. Some descriptions of sex. 2005.

1984 BR10312 DB73474
by George Orwell
A satirical, frightening novel about a future time under a totalitarian regime, where the people believe ignorance is strength and war is peace. For high school and older readers. 1949.
[Disponible en español como Mil novecientos ochenta y cuatro (DB25710)]

The Parable of the Sower BR21257 DB39777
by Octavia E. Butler
In the near future, well-to-do families live in walled enclaves to protect themselves from the roaming drug addicts prone to stealing, rape, and murder. Lauren Olamina suffers from hyperempathy, acutely feeling the pain of others. When the addicts overrun Lauren’s community, she is forced to seek refuge outside the walls. Violence and strong language. 1993.

The Time Machine BR08652 DB33367
by H.G. Wells
In this short novel, the first of Wells’s works in science fiction, the Time Traveller constructs a machine that will enable him to travel backward or forward in time. He travels far into the future and reappears disheveled, pale, and haggard. 1895.

The Windup Girl BR19099 DB71063
by Paolo Bacigalupi
In a post-oil world where calories are currency, agriculture manager Anderson Lake searches a politically unstable Thailand for new food sources. He meets Emiko, a bioengineered “windup” girl, who works in a Bangkok brothel. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2009.

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Books for Adults

The following books were recently produced for the NLS program. To order books, complete the order form and return it to your braille-lending library.

Registered users can also immediately download all titles and magazines from the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) service at http://nlsbard.loc.gov/. The free BARD Mobile app is available from the App Store for reading braille books on a personal iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. To learn more about the collection or to sign up for BARD, contact your local cooperating library. Regional library telephone numbers and email addresses are listed on the last pages of this magazine.

Books within the headings Adult Fiction and Adult Nonfiction are listed alphabetically by subject category, author last name, and title. For example the title War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy would be listed in Adult Fiction under the Classics subject category and by the last name Tolstoy.

Note: A notice may appear immediately following the book description to indicate occurrences of violence, strong language, or descriptions of sex. The word “some” before any of these terms indicates an occasional or infrequent occurrence, as in “some strong language.”

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Adult Fiction

Family

The Immortalists BR22178
by Chloe Benjamin
4 volumes
In New York City, the four Gold children meet a psychic in 1969 who tells them the dates they will die. They all grow up and move on with their lives, but the knowledge of the psychic’s prophecy hangs over them. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2018.

Little and Lion BR22180
by Brandy Colbert
3 volumes
Suzette returns home to Los Angeles from boarding school. She grapples with her bisexual identity when she and her brother, Lionel, fall in love with the same girl, pushing Lionel’s bipolar disorder to spin out of control. Strong language. Stonewall Book Award. For senior high and older readers. 2017.

Fantasy

Proven Guilty: A Novel of the Dresden Files BR22156
by Jim Butcher
6 volumes
The White Council of Wizards drafts wizard PI Harry Dresden to gauge the Faerie Court’s position in the war between vampires and wizards. Harry must also find the source of the black magic appearing in Chicago and put a stop to it. Some violence and some strong language. 2006.

Summer Knight: A Novel of the Dresden Files BR21918
by Jim Butcher
5 volumes
The Winter Queen of the Sidhe Court recruits down-and-out wizard Harry Dresden to clear her name in the death of the Summer Knight, a mortal. Harry becomes embroiled in Faerie politics while he tries to prevent an all-out war. Strong language, some violence, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2002.

White Night: A Novel of the Dresden Files BR22200
by Jim Butcher
5 volumes
Chicago. Harry Dresden, a professional wizard specializing in preternatural cases, tracks a serial killer who targets witches. When evidence implicates his vampire brother, Thomas, Harry enters the city’s supernatural underworld to prove him innocent. Some violence, some strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2007.

Empire of Storms: A Throne of Glass Novel BR22133
by Sarah J. Maas
8 volumes
As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around Aelin Galathynius, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to darkness. Sequel to Queen of Shadows (BR21194). Violence, strong language, and explicit descriptions of sex. For senior high and older readers. 2016.

Historical Fiction

To Name Those Lost BR22248
by Rohan Wilson
3 volumes
1874. Outlaw Thomas Toosey finds that the mother of his son, William, has died, and he searches Tasmania for his now-missing son. But Thomas owes a debt to Fitheal Flynn, and Fitheal is hunting him. Violence and strong language. 2014.

Human Relationships

Tyler Johnson Was Here BR22250
by Jay Coles
3 volumes
When Marvin Johnson’s twin, Tyler, goes to a party, Marvin decides to tag along to keep an eye on his brother. What starts as harmless fun turns into a shooting, followed by a deadly police raid. Strong language and some violence. For senior high and older readers. 2018.

Less BR22198
by Andrew Sean Greer
3 volumes
A failed novelist turning fifty is invited to his ex-boyfriend’s wedding. Instead of attending, he decides to accept every other invitation he has received, even if it means traveling the world for odd events. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2017.

Rabbit Cake BR21964
by Annie Hartnett
3 volumes
At the age of ten, a little girl named Elvis loses her mother when she drowns while sleepwalking. Told by a therapist that the typical mourning period to get over such a loss is eighteen months, Elvis decides to chart her grieving progress. Some strong language. 2017.

Remembering the Bones BR22195
by Frances Itani
3 volumes
Born on the same day as Queen Elizabeth II, Canadian Georgina Witley is invited to Buckingham Palace to celebrate their shared eightieth birthday. However, on the way to the airport, Georgina experiences a car crash. To survive, she relies on wit, family memories, and naming the bones in her body. Some strong language. 2007.

An American Marriage BR22197
by Tayari Jones
4 volumes
Newlyweds Celestial and Roy find their lives ripped apart when Roy is unjustly arrested and sentenced to twelve years in prison for rape. A distressed Celestial leans on her best friend, Andre, which causes complications when Roy is released early. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2018.

Crimes of the Father BR22183
by Thomas Keneally
4 volumes
1996. Father Frank Docherty returns to Sydney from twenty years of exile in Canada for his outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War. He becomes aware of two cases of alleged sexual abuse involving a popular priest, and he must navigate treacherous waters. Strong language and some violence. 2016.

We Are Okay BR22259
by Nina LaCour
2 volumes
After leaving her life behind to go to college in New York, Marin must face the truth about a tragedy that occurred in the final weeks of summer when her friend Mabel came to visit. Printz Award. For senior high and older readers. 2017.

Ginny Moon BR22202
by Benjamin Ludwig
4 volumes
Ginny is an autistic fourteen-year-old who has been adopted after years in foster care. Her fragile new life is threatened, however, when her obsessive need to get her Baby Doll back brings her dangerous birth mother into her life again. Some violence and some strong language. 2017.

The Radius of Us BR22174
by Marie Marquardt
4 volumes
A victim of assault, Gretchen is still struggling with her fears when she meets Phoenix, an immigrant who escaped gang violence in El Salvador. They both work to overcome their traumas and help each other heal. Strong language and some violence. For senior high and older readers. 2016.

Still Me BR22193
by Jojo Moyes
6 volumes
Louisa Clark left her boyfriend, Sam, back in England to spend a year in New York City. Her friend Nathan has found her a job in the household of wealthy Leonard Gopnik as a companion to his young wife. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2018.

Piecing Me Together BR22201
by Renée Watson
2 volumes
High school junior Jade is tired of being singled out at her mostly white private school as someone who needs support. She would rather participate in the school’s amazing study abroad program than join Woman to Woman, a mentorship program for African American girls. Coretta Scott King Award. For senior high and older readers. 2017.

Mystery and Detective

Finders Keepers BR21883
by Belinda Bauer
4 volumes
Someone is abducting children from vehicles in Shipcott and leaving behind notes that accuse the parents of not loving the children. After the events of Darkside (BR21882), Steven Lamb is suspicious of policeman Jonas Holly, who has just been cleared to return to work. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2012.

The Ghost of Christmas Past BR22229
by Rhys Bowen
3 volumes
Reeling from her miscarriage and the news that Bridie’s father is alive, Molly Murphy Sullivan and her family accept an unexpected invitation to spend Christmas in the country. But when Molly learns it is the ten-year anniversary of the disappearance of their hosts’ young daughter, she can’t help but investigate. 2017.

The Grave’s a Fine and Private Place: A Flavia de Luce Novel BR22205
by Alan Bradley
4 volumes
In the wake of an unthinkable family tragedy, twelve-year-old Flavia de Luce and her two sisters take a boating trip. While dangling her fingers in the water, Flavia grips a human head, attached to a human body. If anything could take Flavia’s mind off sorrow, it is solving a murder. 2018.

His Bloody Project: Documents Relating to the Case of Roderick Macrae BR22217
by Graeme Macrae Burnet
4 volumes
A fictional “true crime” account of a nineteenth-century triple murder in a remote Scottish village. The events surrounding and including the crime are recounted and discussed by the murderer, his lawyer, a consulting psychiatrist, the police, trial records, and more. Some violence and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2016.

Let the Dead Speak BR22073
by Jane Casey
5 volumes
Divorced Kate Emery’s eighteen-year-old daughter, Chloe—returning home unexpectedly early—finds a massively blood-splattered house, but no Kate. At a loss, detectives Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent keep returning to Kate’s neighbors, each of whom is keeping secrets. Strong language, some violence, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2017.

Occult and Horror

Haunted Nights: A Horror Writers Association Anthology BR22182
edited by Ellen Datlow and Lisa Morton
5 volumes
An anthology of sixteen previously unpublished short stories on the theme of Halloween night. Authors include Seanan McGuire, Jonathan Maberry, Garth Nix, Kelley Armstrong, Brian Evenson, and John Langan. Violence and strong language. 2017.

Political Themes

A Girl in Exile: Requiem for Linda B. BR22225
by Ismail Kadare
2 volumes
Playwright Rudian Stefa is called in for questioning by the ruling regime. He discovers that a signed copy of his latest book was found with the body of a girl who committed suicide. To clear himself, he must explain her death. Translated from the original 2009 Albanian edition. 2016.

Religious Themes

The Broken Road BR22220
by Richard Paul Evans
3 volumes
During the day, Charles James is living the life he dreamed of as a child of poverty. At night, however, persistent nightmares centered around a broken highway plague him. He begins to question whether his path to success was worth it when fate hands him a second chance to rebuild himself. 2017.

Romance

A Promise to Love BR22207
by Serena B. Miller
4 volumes
Searching for her brother, missing in the lumber camps, Ingrid Larsen travels from her home in Sweden to Michigan in 1871. The first job she takes falls through, leaving her destitute. She meets a widower with five children and proposes marriage as a way to solve both their problems. 2012.

Science Fiction

Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen BR22173
by Lois McMaster Bujold
5 volumes
Widow Cordelia Vorkosigan has decided to retreat from public life and have another child, using frozen genetic material from her husband, Aral. The decision has brought her closer to the man who was her husband’s longtime lover, Oliver Jole. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2015.

Suspense

This Fallen Prey: A Rockton Novel BR22213
by Kelley Armstrong
5 volumes
When Casey arrives at Rockton—a haven for people fleeing their pasts—she doesn’t expect to be the homicide detective on two cases or to find romance with her boss. Even more surprising is the council’s decision to drop a dangerous criminal into Rockton’s population. Violence, strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2018.

The Ex BR22230
by Alafair Burke
4 volumes
When NYC defense attorney Olivia Randall is contacted by her ex-fiancé’s teen daughter, Olivia agrees that she does truly owe him. Now a well-known author, Jack Harris is accused of murdering the father of the teen who killed Jack’s wife and others at Penn Station. Strong language. 2016.

The Wife BR22216
by Alafair Burke
4 volumes
A horrific experience as a teen causes Angela to avoid any publicity. However, after her NYU economics professor husband Jason becomes a bestselling author, he is accused by an intern of sexual harassment. Then a second woman comes forward. Strong language, some violence, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2018.

The Thirst BR21912
by Jo Nesbø
7 volumes
Following the events of Police (BR20310), Harry is inextricably drawn back into the Oslo police force. A serial murderer has begun targeting Tinder daters—a murderer whose MO reignites Harry’s hunt for a nemesis of his past. Originally published in Norwegian. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. Bestseller. 2017.

City of Endless Night BR22179
by Douglas J. Preston and Lincoln Child
4 volumes
When Grace Ozmian, beautiful daughter of a tech billionaire, goes missing, the NYPD are not particularly concerned until a body is found in a Queens warehouse, missing its head. FBI Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast shows up to assist lead detective D’Agosta. Some violence and some strong language. 2018.

Accidental Heroes BR22245
by Danielle Steel
3 volumes
At JFK Airport, when TSA agent Bernice Adams finds a postcard of the Golden Gate Bridge with an ominous message, she contacts Homeland Security agent Ben Waterman. Ben believes the writer of the postcard is on a flight bound for San Francisco, planning something terrible. Some violence and some strong language. Bestseller. 2018.

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Adult Nonfiction

Animals and Wildlife

Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat BR22176
by Jackson Galaxy
5 volumes
The star of TV’s My Cat from Hell provides a comprehensive guide to cat care. Explains how to eliminate common problems cat owners experience by understanding instinctive feline behaviors. Includes arcane facts, science, animal psychology, and illustrative anecdotes. 2017.

Astronomy

Mask of the Sun: The Science, History, and Forgotten Lore of Eclipses BR22153
by John Dvorak
4 volumes
Exploration of the myths, science, and history surrounding eclipses throughout global recorded history. Discusses the 1925 total solar eclipse that was observed by scientists on a dirigible, superstitions about daily activities during eclipses, and the development of astronomy. 2017.

Biography

13 Stradomska Street: A Memoir of Exile and Return BR22244
by Andrew Potok
2 volumes
Author describes his family’s flight from the Nazi invasion of Poland, including his father’s betrayal of the rest of them to save himself. Potok also recounts his battle to reclaim his family’s home in Warsaw and his encounters with anti-Semitism in postwar Poland. Some violence and some strong language. 2017.

Blindness and Physical Disabilities

Revised Standards and Guidelines of Service for the Library of Congress Network of Libraries for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, 2017 BR22237
by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies
1 volume
Updated standards address staff, consultants, volunteers, and stakeholders of libraries serving blind and physically handicapped individuals. Offers guidelines for patron contact, lending, outreach, and for producing websites and reading materials. Covers budgets, policies and procedures, reports, and research and development. 2017.

No Barriers: A Blind Man’s Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon BR21928
by Erik Weihenmayer and Buddy Levy
7 volumes
The author of Touch the Top of the World (BR14512) lost his sight as a teen but still seeks adventure around the world. He shares his experience kayaking the Colorado River and his efforts to help other blind people, especially children, learn to live adventurous lives. Some strong language. 2017.

Computers

Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet BR22219
by Claire L. Evans
5 volumes
Chronicle of the work women did throughout history that led to the digital age. Includes profiles of Ada Lovelace, Admiral Grace Hopper, and Elizabeth “Jake” Feinler. Discusses the contributions of human computers, network development, and technology evangelization. 2018.

Consumerism

Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties BR22208
by Beth Kobliner
5 volumes
Journalist presents guide to managing personal finances for younger adults. Topics include analyzing the state of your finances, debt, banking, investing, retirement, real estate, insurance, taxes, and military benefits. 2017.

Cooking

Not Your Mother’s Microwave Cookbook: Fresh, Delicious, and Wholesome Main Dishes, Snacks, Sides, Desserts, and More BR22190
by Beth Hensperger
5 volumes
Collection of microwave-centric recipes from the author of Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Cookbook (BR22079). Includes advice on how to cook using a microwave and recipes for appetizers, eggs, soups, grains, vegetables, fish and poultry, sauces, drinks, and desserts. 2010.

As Long as We Both Shall Eat: A History of Wedding Food and Feasts BR22194
by Claire Stewart
4 volumes
Professor and former chef provides a history of wedding traditions, feasts, and food from medieval times to the early twenty-first century, in America and around the world. Topics include symbolic foods, taboos, bachelor and bachelorette parties, development and influence of the bridal industry, changing mores, and more. 2017.

Crime

The 57 Bus BR22221
by Dashka Slater
2 volumes
Recounts the true story of Sasha, a white, middle-class, agender teen, who was set on fire by Richard, a black teen from a crime-plagued neighborhood, while riding the 57 bus in Oakland, California. Strong language and some violence. Stonewall Book Award. For senior high and older readers. 2017.

Drama

Hamlet Globe to Globe: Two Years, 190,000 Miles, 197 Countries, One Play BR22227
by Dominic Dromgoole
5 volumes
Artistic director of the Globe Theatre recounts the project he created to celebrate the 450th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark (BR17783). Shares stories from the productions he participated in, imparts lessons learned, and discusses the impact of this iconic play. 2017.

Education

Dean’s List: Ten Strategies for College Success BR22196
by John Bader
4 volumes
Former dean for undergraduate academic affairs at Johns Hopkins University provides advice for incoming college students. Discusses managing courses, building a new relationship with parents, understanding the college system, choosing a major, coping with failure, and more. Includes information for first-generation and international students. 2017.

Government and Politics

War in 140 Characters: How Social Media Is Reshaping Conflict in the Twenty-First Century BR22228
by David Patrikarakos
5 volumes
Foreign correspondent examines the role of social media in early twenty-first-century warfare. Discusses its use as a recruitment tool, the manufacture of fake news, counterterrorism, and more. Some violence and some strong language. 2017.

Language

A World without "Whom": The Essential Guide to Language in the BuzzFeed Age BR22188
by Emmy J. Favilla
5 volumes
A humorous look at the ways in which the English language has evolved in the early twenty-first century thanks to the Internet. Argues against attempts to preserve the status of written language. Discusses the importance of clarity, flexibility, playfulness, and political awareness. Some strong language. 2017.

Legal Issues

Structured Negotiation: A Winning Alternative to Lawsuits BR22087
by Lainey Feingold
4 volumes
Lawyer explains the process of structured negotiation as an alternative to lawsuits. Details the seven stages: preparing a case, establishing ground rules, sharing information and expertise, moving negotiations forward, handling the unexpected, drafting an agreement, and post-settlement strategies. Case studies include ones of interest to the blind community. 2016.

Literature

Flash! Writing the Very Short Story BR22222
by John Dufresne
3 volumes
Novelist and creative writing professor presents a guide to writing flash fiction, which is typically defined as being between 250 and 1,500 words in length. Uses examples to deconstruct the composition of good short stories and examines what is required. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2018.

Homer BR21872
by Barbara Graziosi
2 volumes
A classicist analyzes the literary, historical, cultural, and archaeological issues surrounding Homer’s epic poems The Iliad (BR09449) and The Odyssey (BR12113). Discusses the world of Homer, his potential influences, the impact of ancient and historical criticism on translations, and ways to interpret the poems. 2016.

No Time to Spare: Thinking about What Matters BR22199
by Ursula K. Le Guin
2 volumes
A collection of essays from the award-winning author’s blog on a wide variety of subjects. Topics include aging, belief, the state of literature, politics, and more. Some strong language. 2017.

Nature and the Environment

The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative BR22246
by Florence Williams
4 volumes
A journalist examines anecdotal evidence of the impact of nature on the human brain. Using specific examples and neurological studies, she discusses the effect that varying lengths of interaction with nature have on brain function. Includes profiles of programs that assist those with PTSD, and more. 2017.

Religion

My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One Wondering Jew BR21992
by Abigail Pogrebin
4 volumes
Journalist presents her immersive exploration of the faith she identifies with, despite not having strong family traditions in the celebration of it. Follows the Jewish calendar year from Rosh Hashanah to Tisha B’Av. Includes commentary from prominent rabbis on the history and observance of the holidays. 2017.

Science and Technology

Hot X: Algebra Exposed BR21499
by Danica McKellar
9 volumes
Advises teen girls how to tackle algebra with confidence, sharing accessible, step-by-step coverage of everything from square roots and polynomials to quadratic equations and word problems. For junior and senior high readers. 2010.

Reality Is Not What It Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gravity BR21925
by Carlo Rovelli
3 volumes
Author of Seven Brief Lessons on Physics (BR21539) examines the ways thinking about the universe around us and the interpretation of it by physicists have changed since ancient times. Discusses the concept of quantum gravity. Originally published in Italian in 2014. 2016.

Social Sciences

Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century BR22203
by Jessica Bruder
4 volumes
A look at the subculture of older Americans who, unable to afford either mortgages or retirement, are traveling the country in RVs, campers, and vans. Particularly examines the life of one woman as she travels between seasonal jobs and reunions with her van-dwelling friends. Some strong language. 2017.

The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream BR21955
by Tyler Cowen
4 volumes
Economist argues for living your life with greater disruption, because, by becoming risk averse, Americans are ill-prepared for navigating change, both individually and as a nation. Discusses emotional causes, racial segregation, entrepreneurial growth, stagnation of political activity, and more. 2017.

Travel

Time Pieces: A Dublin Memoir BR22218
by John Banville
2 volumes
Man Booker Prize winner for The Sea (BR16232) recounts his experiences of Dublin, Ireland, from childhood to adulthood. Shares stories of visiting his aunt, who resided there, as a birthday treat; moving there himself; and his interactions with the city while living outside Ireland. Strong language and some violence. 2016.

World History

Age of Anger: A History of the Present BR22167
by Pankaj Mishra
6 volumes
Explores the origins of the great waves of paranoid hatred that persist throughout the world in the early twenty-first century. Also discusses historical periods in which similar trends occurred. 2017.

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Books for Children

The following books were recently produced for the NLS program. To order books, complete the order form and return it to your braille-lending library.

Books and magazines are also available for immediate download from the NLS Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) site at https://nlsbard.loc.gov. To order books or sign up for BARD service contact your local cooperating library. Regional library telephone numbers and email addresses are listed on the last pages of this magazine.

These books are listed alphabetically within the headings Children’s Fiction and Children’s Nonfiction by subject category, author last name, and title. For example, the title Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown would be listed in Children’s Fiction under the Classics subject category and by the last name Brown.

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Children’s Fiction

Adventure

Gimme Shelter: Misadventures and Misinformation BR22273
by Doreen Cronin
1 volume
The chicken squad siblings uncover mysterious remains while digging a storm shelter. They stop work to investigate just as a big storm is approaching. Sequel to Dark Shadows (BR21900). For grades 2–4. 2017.

Avalanche! Survivor Diaries BR22192
by Terry Lynn Johnson
1 volume
Twelve-year-old twins Ashley and Ryan are tested to the extreme when faced with a powerful avalanche while skiing in Wyoming’s Grand Teton mountains. Includes survival tips from the National Avalanche Center, U.S. Forest Service, and the National Park Service. For grades 3–6. 2018.

Harley Quinn at Super Hero High BR22231
by Lisa Yee
2 volumes
Fun-loving Harley Quinn is unable to resist getting involved in a battle of the bands that is to be held during a rare cosmic carnival. She dons her big mallet and uses her indefatigable sense of humor to tackle a tricky mystery that overshadows the festivities. For grades 4–7. 2018.

Animals and Wildlife

The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse BR22033
by Mac Barnett
1 volume
When a mouse is swallowed by a wolf, he meets a duck that was previously devoured. The duck has set up a table to enjoy the food the gluttonous predator eats. But when a hunter comes after the wolf, the two must act to protect their new home. PRINT/BRAILLE. For preschool-grade 2. 2017.

Whiskerella: Hamster Princess BR22206
by Ursula Vernon
1 volume
When a beautiful, strange hamster, Whiskerella, ends up the mysterious belle of the ball, it’s up to Princess Harriet Hamsterbone to investigate and uncover who she really is. Sequel to Giant Trouble (BR21983). For grades 3–6. 2018.

Family

A Different Pond BR22036
by Bao Phi
1 volume
A young boy wakes early, hours before his father’s long workday begins, to fish on the shores of a small pond in America. Between hope-filled casts, the father tells his son about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K–3. 2017.

Charlie and Mouse Series, Books 1–2 BR22257
by Laurel Snyder
1 volume
Two books featuring stories of two brothers. In Charlie and Mouse, the boys poke at lumps, attend an imaginary party, try to sell rocks, and need a banana at bedtime. In Charlie and Mouse and Grumpy, they get a visit from their grandpa. Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. For grades K–3. 2017.

Folktales

The Three Billy Goats Gruff BR22034
retold by Jerry Pinkney
1 volume
A retelling of a Norwegian folktale. Three goats must outwit the troll living under the bridge they must cross on their way up the mountain. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K–3. 2017.

Friendship

Hurricane Child BR22254
by Kheryn Callender
2 volumes
Born on Water Island in the Virgin Islands during a hurricane—which is considered bad luck—twelve-year-old Caroline falls in love with another girl, and together they set out in a terrible storm to find Caroline’s missing mother. For grades 4–7. 2018.

Hello, Universe BR22214
by Erin Entrada Kelly
2 volumes
The lives of four kids are intertwined when a bully’s prank leaves shy Virgil stranded at the bottom of a well. Valencia, Kaori, and Gen band together in an epic quest to find and rescue him. Newbery Medal. For grades 3–6. 2017.

Growing Up

Stella Díaz Has Something to Say BR22224
by Angela Dominguez
2 volumes
Stella Díaz wants to be friends with the new boy in class, but sometimes she accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and pronounces words wrong, which makes her turn roja. In addition, she has to get over her fear of speaking in front of the class. For grades 3–6. 2018.

Historical Fiction

Skunked! Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet BR22210
by Jacqueline Kelly
1 volume
1901. When Callie’s younger brother, Travis, discovers an abandoned baby skunk, he brings it home and names him Stinky. But then Travis discovers Stinky’s litter-mate, Winky, who needs some help. Callie works to keep their parents from discovering the kits. For grades 2–4. 2016.

Holidays

Bunny Double, We’re in Trouble! My Weird School Special BR22235
by Dan Gutman
1 volume
A.J. and his friends have the weirdest Easter in the history of the world when Mayor Hubble hosts an egg hunt at the mayor’s mansion. For grades 2–4. 2014.

Humor

The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors BR22035
by Drew Daywalt
1 volume
From the Kingdom of the Backyard, Rock searches for a worthy adversary that might best him. Meanwhile, Paper and Scissors set off on their own quests for competitors. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades K–3. 2017.

Mystery and Detective

King and Kayla Series, Books 1–4 BR22211
by Dori Hillestad Butler
2 volumes
Books one through four, written in 2017 and 2018, feature canine King and his human, Kayla, as they solve everyday mysteries. Includes King and Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats, King and Kayla and the Case of the Secret Code, and two more. For grades K–3. 2018.

Scary Stories

My Favorite Spooky Stories Box Set BR22209
by Alvin Schwartz and others
2 volumes
Five books, written between 1984 and 2013, feature tales of Halloween and creepy things. Includes In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories; Happy Haunting, Amelia Bedelia; Flat Stanley and the Haunted House; Monster School: First Day Frights; and Lulu Goes to Witch School. For grades K–3. 2013.

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Children’s Nonfiction

Arts

Silent Days, Silent Dreams BR22037
by Allen Say
1 volume
An imagined biography of James Castle—a deaf, autistic artist—whose exceptional talent was recognized later in life. Despite mistreatment and being misunderstood, James presents his personal view of the world through art that now hangs in major museums throughout the world. PRINT/BRAILLE. For grades 2–4. 2017.

Biography

Painting in the Dark: Esref Armagan, Blind Artist BR22239
by Rachelle Burk
1 volume
Describes the life and career of Esref Armagan, a blind artist from Turkey. Esref spent his childhood days in his father’s shop, where he developed a curiosity to create and draw. He even taught himself colors, shadows, and perspective. For grades 2–4. 2016.

Kid Authors: True Tales of Childhood from Famous Writers BR22262
by David Stabler
1 volume
Highlights true stories about legendary authors during their childhoods. At eight years old, Jules Verne sneaked aboard a three-masted schooner to explore; J.K. Rowling dealt with bullies at school; and Laura Ingalls Wilder had to be homeschooled after a locust invasion. For grades 4–7. 2017.

Poetry

Soul Looks Back in Wonder BR22226
compiled by Tom Feelings
1 volume
Compilation of poems by such writers as Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, and Walter Dean Myers that portray the creativity, strength, and beauty of their African American heritage. Coretta Scott King Award. For grades 3–6. 1993.

Can I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship BR22240
by Irene Latham and Charles Waters
1 volume
Irene Latham, who is white, and Charles Waters, who is black, present paired poems about topics that include hair, sports, dinner conversations, and more. They insert themselves in a fictional setting where they, as kids, are reluctantly paired together in class for a writing assignment. For grades 3–6. 2018.

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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 sends you braille materials.

Boys’ Life (for children and teens, monthly)
Braille Book Review (6 issues)
Braille Chess Magazine (British quarterly)
Braille Music Magazine (British monthly)
Conundrum (British monthly)
Cooking Light (11 issues)
Cooks Illustrated (6 issues)
ESPN: The Magazine (12 issues)
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)
Martha Stewart Living (home and entertaining; 10 issues)
Muse (for children; 9 issues)
The Musical Mainstream (NLS quarterly)
National Geographic (6 issues)
News (NLS quarterly)
The New York Times Book Review (weekly)
The New York Times Large Print Weekly (weekly)
O (Oprah) (monthly)
Parents (monthly)
PC World (personal computing; monthly)
Playboy (6 issues)
Poetry (11 issues)
Popular Mechanics (10 issues)
Popular Music Lead Sheets (irregular)
Popular Science (4 issues)
Rolling Stone (popular culture; 12 issues)
Science News (24 issues)
Seventeen (for teens, 6 issues)
Short Stories (British monthly)
Spider: The Magazine for Children (9 issues)
Stone Soup (children’s writings; 11 issues)

Schedules for the following sports leagues are also available:
Major League Baseball
National Basketball Association
National Football League
National Hockey League
Women’s National Basketball Association

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