To continue our monthly series of book lists, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library would like to recommend the following books that have been recently made into films.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. World War II. Nine-year-old Bruno is dismayed to leave his three best friends when his family moves from their Berlin home to a remote country house. He struggles to understand why he can't be friends with the boy behind the wire fence. Grades 6-9 and older readers. Large print book LP 22909. Cassette book RC 63812.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman. While exploring her new home, Coraline goes through a doorway that shouldn't be there in to a dangerous world where she has a disturbingly different set of parents. Since this other mother kidnaps Coraline's real parents, it is up to Coraline to rescue them and return to her own world safely. Grades 4-7. Braille book BR 14469. Large print book LP 22918. Cassette book RC 54845.
Doubt by John Patrick Shanley. Drama set in Bronx, New York, in 1964. Sister James suspects Father Flynn of misconduct with their Catholic school's first African American student, a twelve-year-old altar boy. She confides her suspicions to Sister Aloysius, who chooses to deal with the matter personally. Pulitzer Prize. Cassette book RC 61127.
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Twelve-year-old Meggie lives with her father, Mo, a bookbinder. She discovers a terrible secret: nine years ago when Mo read aloud from a book the characters appeared in real life while her mother disappeared into the story. Mo's magic causes still more problems to solve. Grades 5-8 and older readers. Braille book BR 14997. Large print book LP 22897. Cassette book RC 57116.
Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan. A columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer reminisces about the untrainable Labrador retriever that he and his wife acquired as Florida newlyweds. Recalls Marley's hilarious escapades and his capacity for love as the Grogans become the parents of three kids. Bestseller. Braille book BR 16584. Large print book LP 21960. Cassette book RC 61561.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn. Strangers Nick and Norah meet at a punk-rock club and experience a night of adventure. Nick, a musician, has just had a painful breakup with his girlfriend, and brokenhearted Norah also needs reassurance. The two romp through Manhattan and fall in love. Strong language. For senior high readers. Braille book BR 16896.
The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. As a teenager in Germany, Michael Berg meets an older woman who becomes his first lover. Frau Hanna Schmitz always has him read to her when he visits. She disappears one day, but he encounters her at a trial for Nazi prison guards years later when he is in law school. Some descriptions of sex. Bestseller. Cassette book RC 46772.
Revolutionary Road Richard Yates. Portrays the loss of youth, ideals, and soul in 1950s Connecticut. Alice and Frank marry and move to the suburbs, where meaningless work, empty adultery, futile rebellion, and increasing self-deception lead to the gradual disintegration of both of their potentially rich lives. Some strong language and descriptions of sex. Cassette book RC 25236.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. South Carolina, 1964. Fourteen-year-old Lily rescues her African American housekeeper - and substitute mother - Rosaleen, from the hospital. Rosaleen had been beaten for trying to register to vote. They flee to a safe place where Lily's battered late mother had also fled - a beekeeping operation run by three black sisters. Some strong language. Braille book BR 15225. Large print book LP 22003. Cassette book RC 55533.
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. Despereaux, a small mouse, is condemned to the dungeon for falling in love with human Princess Pea. Despereaux meets the rat, Roscuro, while Mig, an upstairs serving girl, wishes to be a princess, too. All four meet with near disastrous results. Grades 3-6. Braille book BR 15300. Large print book LP 20841. Cassette book RC 57805.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. After seventeen-year-old Bella moves in with her dad in Washington state she falls in love with high school senior Edward Cullen. Bella discovers that Edward and his adoptive clan are vampires. Though they feast on wildlife rather than humans, Bella is still in danger. Best seller. For senior high readers. Cassette book RC 62066.