To continue our monthly series of book lists for youth, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library would like to recommend the following titles.
August, 2008 - Books With Laughs
Hint: If you read books you think are funny, try other books by the same author!
A Bit More Bert by Raymond Briggs. Bert receives a disastrous haircut, loses his dog, and discovers that he’s not the only Bert in the world. Grades P-2. Large Print LP 19356.
Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin. A worm records the good things of life, like not having to take baths, along with the bad. Grades P-2. Print/Braille (suitable for large print readers) BR 15031.
The Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron. Julian finds humor in the challenges of life as a 7-year-old. Grades K-3. Braille BRW 664. Cassette RC 26478.
A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond. A London family finds life more exciting than they’d bargained when they adopt a stuffed bear with a unique viewpoint. Grades 2-4. Cassette RC 26425.
The Legend of Spud Murphy by Eoin Colfer. Two rambunctious brothers who hate reading are forced to spend an hour a day in the library where it’s rumored the librarian uses a potato gun when kids misbehave. Grades 2-4. Braille BRW 1249. Cassette CBA 7982. Large Print LP 23164.
Snarf Attack, Underfoodle, and the Secret of Life: The Riot Brothers Tell All by Mary Amato. Brothers Orville and Wilbur like to right the world’s wrong in ways that also make them laugh themselves silly. Grades 2-4. Braille BRW 1188. Cassette CBA 7889. Large Print LP 21975.
The Boys Against Girls by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Another battle of wits erupts when the Hatford brothers plan to scare the Malloy sisters with news of a legendary local creature. #3 in the Boys vs Girls series. Grades 3-6. Cassette RC 39680. Large Print LP 22626.
The Great Gerbil Roundup by Stephen Manes. The mayor has gone too far when he adds a gerbil round-up to his schemes to put the town on the map, and it’s up to kids to save the day. Grades 3-6. Braille BRW 477. Cassette CBA 5979.
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell. Alan and Billy use psychology, pranks, and outright cheating to win a bet about eating worms. Grades 3-6. Braille BR 8593. Cassette 33534. Large Print LP 5603.
ORP by Suzy Kline. Orville Rudemeyer Pygenski, Orp for short, starts a club for people who hate their name. #1 in the ORP series. Grades 3-6. Cassette RC 49386.
Otis Spofford by Beverly Cleary. Timid Ellen Tibbets teaches the class clown a lesson. Grades 3-6. Braille BR 8818. Cassette RC 33750.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. Everyone thinks his 2-year-old brother is adorable, but Peter knows living with him can seem like one disaster after another. Grades 3-6. Braille BR 11741. Cassette RC 39643.
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos. Joey tries hard, but things always go wrong after his ADD medication wears off. #1 in the Joey Pigza series. Grades 4-7. Cassette RC 48254.
Our Man Weston by Gordon Korman. The Weston twins are summer bellboys at a resort. Sidney’s convinced there is a spy ring working out of the hotel, but Tom just worries about keeping their jobs. Grades 4-7. Cassette RC 28572.
Regular Guy by Sarah Weeks. Guy feels he’s a normal guy with parents who are eccentric. He has a friend with the opposite problem so they switch places over one weekend with unexpected results. Grades 4-7. Braille BR 15523. Cassette RC 58790.
When the Boys Ran the House by Joan Carris. Four brothers trying to run their household while their dad is away and their mother is ill are bound to create a few messes. Grades 4-7. Braille BR 8586. Cassette RC 23290.
Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman. In the 13th century, a young girl makes barbed journal entries about manor life and the constraints of womanhood, as her father tries to marry her off. Grades 5-8. Braille BRW 1178. Cassette RC 39832.
Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered by Gary Paulsen. Two cousins share action-packed adventures one country summer -- with both painful and hilarious results. Grades 5-8. Braille BR 10574. Cassette RC 45249.
Heads or Tails: Stories from the Sixth Grade by Jack Gantos. Jack’s worries for the 6th grade include his father's bad luck with jobs, alligators, rabies, his teacher, his handwriting, and the girl he likes on the safety patrol. Grades 5-8. Cassette RC 46344.
Enter Three Witches by Kate Gilmore. At 16, Bren finds living with three witches hard enough, and wants to keep his girlfriend from learning his family’s secret. Grades 6-9. Cassette RC 38998.
Link to previous Recommended Reads.