To continue our monthly series of book lists for youth, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library would like to recommend the following titles:
October, 2006 -- Fun Biographies
Bill Cosby: Making America Laugh And Learn by Harold and Geraldine Woods. Describes the origin of many of Cosby's famous characters in his childhood, as well as his current commitments to entertainment, education, and equal rights. Grade 2 and up. Braille book BR 6528. Cassette book RC 24446.
The Good Guys of Baseball: Sixteen True Sports Stories by Terry Eagen. Biographies of baseball personalities who are loyal, decent, determined, and willing to work hard. Included are Don Wardlow, a blind sportscaster, and Jim Abbott, a pitcher born with one hand. Grade 3 and up. Braille book BR 11625. Cassette book RC 46409.
Her Piano Sang: A Story About Clara Schumann by Barbara Allman. Describes the life of the famous pianist who in 1828 gave her first public performance at the age of nine, and in 1840 married Robert Schumann despite her father's disapproval. Grade 3 and up. Braille book BR 11770. Cassette book RC 46919.
Hunt For The Past: My Life As An Explorer by Sue Hendrickson. Fossil hunter Sue Hendrickson talks about her life and describes how, all thanks to a flat tire, she discovered the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. Grade 3 and up. Braille book BRW 957. Cassette book CBA 7398. Large print book LP 18481.
Lives Of The Presidents: Fame, Shame (And What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull. Unusual facts about the personal lives of the presidents of the United States. Grade 3 and up. Braille book BR 11927. Cassette book RC 47067. We also have titles in this series on artists, athletes, musicians, writers, etc.
My Life With the Chimpanzees by Jane Goodall. Ms. Goodall writes about her childhood fascination with animals and her later career as a scientist observing their behavior. Her famous work with chimpanzees in Africa is a major focus. Grade 3 and up. Braille book BR 9622. Cassette book RC 31747.
Born On the Circus by Fred Powledge. The hard work and excitement of circus life as seen through the eyes of eleven-year-old Armando Christiani, who performs as a juggler, trampoline artist, and horseback rider. Grade 4 and up. Cassette book RC 10320.
Karl Benz by Brian Williams. Important in the history of Mercedes-Benz is Karl Benz who developed the two-stroke engine and the electronic ignition system and was the first to make automobiles reliable enough for the general public. Grade 4 and up. Braille book BR 9596. Cassette book RC 39213.
Talking With Adventurers by Pat and Linda Cummings. Twelve investigating scientists describe how they decided on their career, what they do on an average day, and scary things that have happened to them. Careers like anthropology, underwater photography, rainforest ecology, and more are covered. Grade 4 and up. Cassette book RC 48724.
Warriors, Warthogs, and Wisdom: Growing Up in Africa by Lyall Watson. The author describes childhood on a South African farm in the 1940s. Highlighted are his pet warthog who captured two poachers, the Zulu warrior who saved his life, and his wise and eccentric grandmother. Grade 4 and up. Cassette book RC 46058.
Brainstorm: The Story of Twenty American Kid Inventors by Tom Tucker. The featured kids are 5 to 19 and have invented things like earmuffs, popsicles, flippers, resealable cereal boxes, safety devices, and a rotary steam engine. Also, how to protect your own great ideas. Grade 5 and up. Braille book BR 10541. Cassette book RC 41819.
In the Huddle With Steve Young by Matt Christopher. The author describes Young's diligence in pursuing his goals to become the #1 quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers and to obtain a law degree. Grade 5 and up. Braille book BR 11355. Cassette book RC 46226.
Knots in My Yo-Yo String: The Autobiography of a Kid by Jerry Spinelli. The famous children's book author reveals that he actually wanted to be a cowboy, and recounts many funny and embarrassing things that happened when he was growing up. Grade 5 and up. Cassette book RC 46923. Large print book LP 17306.
Mark McGuire: A Biography by Jonathan Hall. Describes the life of the famous first baseman: his family life, the Olympics, professional ball, and his race with Sammy Sosa to beat the single season homerun record. Grade 5 and up. Braille book BR 12295. Cassette book RC 48720.
Tom Sullivan's Adventures in Darkness by Tom Sullivan and Derek Gill. Autobiography of the successful entertainer, composer, and amateur athlete who has been blind since birth. Grade 5 and up. Cassette book RC 13334.
Women in Space: Reaching the Last Frontier by Carole S. Briggs. Profiles nine Americans and two Russians in the space program, from Valentina Tereshkoiva, in 1963 the first woman in space, to Tamara Jernigan in 1996. Grade 5 and up. Braille book BR 12629. Cassette book RC 30205.
Smart Money: The Story of Bill Gates by Aaron Boyd. First introduced to computers at Lakeside School in Seattle, Bill Gates announced he would be a millionaire by age 30. He far surpassed that goal as his drive and business sense soon propelled his assets into the billions. Grade 6 and up. Cassette book RC 42644.
Steve Wozniak: Inventor of the Apple Computer by Martha E. Kendall. Sometimes called the "father of the computer age", Wozniak succeeded in his desire to create small, easy-to-use, and affordable computers for the public. Now wealthy, he spends a lot of his time volunteering as a computer instructor. Grade 6 and up. Braille book BR 10590.
The Young Tycoons: Ten Success Stories by Gloria D Miklowitz. Ten young people from 12 to 24 who developed successful businesses in the 1970's and 80's. Some were even millionaires at that age! Grade 6 and up. Cassette book RC 21770.
Link to previous Recommended Reads.