Recommended Reads: MaryBethWise

MaryBeth Wise is now a network consultant in the Network Services Section of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Washington, DC. She previously served as a Quality Assurance Specialist in audio books, and as a narrator of talking books. MaryBeth also teaches acting at The Theatre Lab, in Washington, DC.

As a narrator for the NLS Talking Book Program, MaryBeth has recorded over 80 titles including such notable works as D.H. Lawrence’s Women in Love, The Little Friend by Donna Tart, The Norton Anthology of American Autobiography, and Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Other favorite titles include My Last Days as Roy Rogers, The Years With Laura Diaz, and novels by Pearl Cleage and Edwidge Danticat. Among her favorite non-fiction narrations are the classic The Everglades by Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, Command Performance by Jane Alexander, and Standing Alone in Mecca by Asra Nomani.

Prepared by James Gleason, Deputy Director
Perkins Braille & Talking Book Library

Women Olympic Champions by Nathan Aaseng.
RC 54640
Profiles the lives and struggles of seven outstanding female Olympic champions from various time periods, nations, and events: Sonja Henie, figure skating; Babe Didrikson, track and field; Fanny Blankers-Koen, running; Dawn Fraser, swimming; Lydia Skoblikova, speed-skating; Nadia Comaneci, gymnastics; and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, heptathlon. For grades 5-8. 2001.

Reclaiming D. H. Lawrence: Contemporary Writers Speak Out by Gary Adelman.
RC 59658
English professor explores the opinion gap surrounding author D.H. Lawrence, seen by scholarly critics as "a crude historical curiosity" and by writers as "a great figure." Presents speculations on Lawrence's reputation by nearly one hundred novelists and poets, including John Updike, A.S. Byatt, Gwendolyn Brooks, Richard Ford, and John Hollander. 2002.

Command Performance: An Actress in the Theater Of Politics by Jane Alexander.
RC 51526
Alexander's memoir of her tenure as the sixth chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts when the 104th Congress--led by Newt Gingrich--sought to eliminate the agency. Explains the difficulties she faced as an actress assuming a political position and how she adjusted to working in Washington. 2000.

American Chica: Two Worlds, One Childhood by Marie Arana.
RC 52964
Editor of the Washington Post Book World recounts her bicultural upbringing in South America in the 1950s as the daughter of a Peruvian engineer married to a blonde American musician. She reminisces about coming to terms with her dual heritage. 2001.

Wild Wind by Temple Bailey.
RC 48176
World War I has caused the separation of many couples, including seventeen-year-old Jacqueline and her boyfriend, Christopher, twenty-seven. Helping her sister Mary raise her children keeps Jacqueline busy. When she receives a letter from Christopher suggesting a New Year's Day wedding, she begins making plans--but then family obligations get in the way.

Skyscraper by Faith Baldwin.
RC 60882
Twenty-two-year-old Lynn Harding is a modern girl of the 1930s who works in an office to support herself during the depression. Sharing an apartment and enjoying New York's entertainments, Lynn is no hurry to marry. When she falls in love she has tough choices to make. 1931.

Tiger's Fall by Molly Bang.
RC 54780
When Lupe falls out of a tree in her Mexican village, she is paralyzed from the waist down. Angry and feeling sorry for herself, Lupe goes to a center for disabled people, who help her realize that her life can still have a purpose. For grades 3-6. 2001.

Planet Zoo: One Hundred Animals We Can't Afford to Lose by Simon Barnes.
RC 54791
Discusses various endangered creatures--from the kakapo, a New Zealand bird, to the great hammerhead shark. Explains some of their special characteristics, why they are becoming extinct, and conservation issues. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2000.

Boondocking by Tricia Bauer.
RC 46584
Following Janice's death in a car wreck caused by her drug-addicted husband, Melvin, her retired parents get custody of Janice's daughter. They take to the road in a travel trailer, but their itinerant adventure is interrupted when they confront Melvin and revisit their past demons. Some strong language.

A Cold and Silent Dying by Eleanor Taylor Bland.
RC 59923
African American detective Marti MacAlister from Fatal Remains (RC 57561) risks her job to uncover the truth when her superiors dismiss a homeless woman's death. Marti also contends with her new boss and a homicidal maniac from the past. Some violence and some strong language. 2004.

Fatal Remains by Eleanor Taylor Bland.
RC 57561
African American detective Marti MacAlister from Windy City Dying (RC 57253) and her partner, Matthew "Vik" Jessenovik, investigate suspicious deaths near an archaeological dig. These recent mysteries soon expose long-kept secrets of the past that involve Native American history and the Underground Railroad. Some strong language. 2003.

Windy City Dying by Eleanor Taylor Bland.
RC 57253
Chicago. After thirteen years, Adrian Quinn is out of prison and out for revenge, targeting the loved ones of those who convicted him, including African American detective Marti MacAlister. With the death toll rising, MacAlister investigates, and troubled children she once counseled provide clues. Violence and some strong language. 2002.

The Science Of Life: Projects And Principles for Beginning Biologists by Frank G. Bottone.
RC 54793
After discussing safety issues and the scientific method, a molecular biologist explains the fundamentals of biology through different activities. Explores bacteria, fungi, and protozoans as well as plants and animals. Includes twenty-five projects using common household and classroom materials. For grades 4-7. 2001.

True Confessions of a Heartless Girl by Martha Brooks.
RC 58723
When pregnant seventeen-year-old runaway Noreen arrives in Pembina Lake, Manitoba, she is taken in by café owner and single mom Lynda. Lynda and other ladies in town try to help the troubled teen while solving their own problems. Strong language. For senior high readers. 2003.

When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide To Understanding Death by Laurene Krasny Brown.
RC 48663
Presents a look at how children are affected by death, especially the loss of a loved one. Explains what it means to be alive and what death is. Discusses the different reasons people die, how to say good-bye, and ways to remember someone. For grades K-3.

Rita Will: Memoir of A Literary Rabble-Rouser by Rita Mae Brown.
RC 46957
Autobiography of the openly lesbian novelist who has coauthored mysteries with her cat, Sneaky Pie. Describes her illegitimate birth, adoption by relatives, and southern childhood; how she became an advocate for women's rights; and her relationships with tennis star Martina Navratilova and author Fannie Flagg. Some strong language.

Ten Women Who Shook the World by Sylvia Brownrigg.
RC 53636
Stories featuring women who defy convention searching for love and fame. In "The Bird Chick," an entrepreneur starts out caring for the birds in a park and soon progresses to having power over them. "She Who Caught Buses" explores a librarian's prejudices toward a group of people. 1997.

Lucretia Mott: A Guiding Light by Jennifer Bryant.
RC 46028
Biography of the Quaker minister, abolitionist, and feminist who became a leading advocate of the antislavery movement during the early nineteenth century. She continued her fight for social equality by organizing the first women's-rights convention in 1850. For grades 6-9.

Chicken Soup for The Grieving Soul: Stories about Life, Death, and Overcoming the Loss of a Loved One by Jack Canfield.
RC 59815
Accounts of people who have lost a loved one. Each story details the particular death and explains how the author dealt with grief and found the courage to go on. Sections include "Final Gifts," "Coping and Healing," "Special Moments," and "Living Again." 2003.

After Dark by Jayne Castle.
RC 58500
Licensed para-archaeologist Lydia Smith has plans to resume her career after a trauma curtailed her ability to work. But first she must deal with a dead colleague and a client with a hidden agenda. Followed by After Glow (RC 58524). Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2000.

After Glow by Jayne Castle.
RC 58524
Sequel to After Dark (RC 58500). Para-archaeologist Lydia Smith discovers a second dead body: a former professor who insisted on revealing some information about Lydia's Lost Weekend. Meanwhile she tries to untangle her relationship with client Emmett London. Some explicit descriptions of sex. 2004.

The Cradle Will Fall by Mary Higgins Clark.
DB/RC 58176
While hospitalized, New Jersey prosecutor Katie DeMaio spies from her window a man loading a woman's body into a car. Later, she helps medical examiner Richard Carroll investigate a questionable suicide. Richard suspects Edgar Highley--Katie's new doctor--and fears the worst when Katie disappears. Some violence and some strong language. 1980.

I Wish I Had a Red Dress by Pearl Cleage.
RC 55233
Sequel to What Looks like Crazy on an Ordinary Day (RC 46770). Joyce Mitchell, widowed social worker, dreams of celebrating life in the perfect red dress. When she meets the new vice principal, she is closer to her dreams than ever before. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2001.

What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage.
RC 46770
Ava had long ago traded her small-town life in Idlewild, Michigan, to be part of the successful crowd in Atlanta. Now, newly diagnosed with HIV, Ava has returned to Idlewild for a short visit. Soon caught up in her sister's good deeds, Ava slowly realizes she's falling in love with a much-changed family friend they had called Wild Eddie. Strong language and some descriptions of sex.

Radclyffe Hall: A Woman Called John by Sally Cline.
RC 49759
Using material from the diaries and memoirs of Hall's lovers, Cline shows Hall's importance as a poet and novelist in lesbian cultural history. She discusses Hall's youth and her family relationships, describes her romances with women such as Una Troubridge, and shows how the three names Hall used formed her public and private personae.

The Crown of Silence by Storm Constantine.
RC 55745
In this sequel to Sea Dragon Heir (RC 55744), fifteen-year-old Shan survives the raid on his village by the Magravands. He is rescued by the wizard Taropat, a.k.a. Khaster Leckery, and is trained to help recover the Crown of Silence. Violence and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2001.

Sea Dragon Heir by Strom Constantine.
RC 55744
The Palindrake family, with allegiance to the sea, once ruled the Kingdom of Caradore, but they were conquered by the Magravands with allegiance to the fire god. Five lifetimes later, twin Palindrake heirs might finally free Caradore. Prequel to The Crown of Silence (RC 55745). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2000.

The Way of Light by Storm Constantine.
RC 55746
The Magravandian empire is plunged into chaos when Emperor Leonid dies suddenly. Rival groups battle for control of Magravandia, and Valraven's twins summon ancient magic to open the Way of Light and place the True King on the throne. Sequel to The Crown of Silence (RC 55745). Some descriptions of sex and some violence. 2002.

Strength and Honor: the Life of Dolley Madison by Richard N. Côté.
RC 59939
Uses primary sources to document the life of first lady Dolley Madison (1768-1849), from her Quaker youth to her death in genteel poverty. Traces the genealogy of her maternal family. Highlights her marriage to James Madison and roles as White House hostess and heroine of the War of 1812. 2005.

The Farming Of Bones by Edwidge Danticat.
RC 47501
Amabelle Desir and Sebastien Onius are young Haitians in love living in the Dominican Republic in 1937. Sebastien works cutting sugar cane--"farming the bones"--while the orphaned Amabelle is a housemaid. When Generalissmo Rafael Trujillo orders the Dominican army to slaughter all of the Haitian guest workers, up to twenty thousand perish. Amabelle flees across the border and prays for Sebastien's safe passage. Violence.

Three Wishes by Barbara Delinsky.
RC 48087
Bree Miller, hit by a jeep, recovers after a near-death experience. She remembers being granted three wishes. After the third comes to pass, however, she will die. Tom Gates, the reclusive author who was driving the car that struck Bree, helps her through recuperation. When they fall in love, Bree's wishes begin to come true. For senior high and older readers.

My Last Day As Roy RogersRC 49036
Ten-year-old tomboy Tab spends summer vacation playing with her African American pal Maudie May and trying to avoid the polio that has their small Alabama town in a panic. Even though the swimming pools and movies are closed, the kids manage to find many adventures. They also expose some of the grownups' darker secrets.

Out of The Night That Covers Me by Pat Cunningham Devoto.
RC 52438
Alabama, 1950s. Orphan John McMillan from My Last Days as Roy Rogers (RC 49036), is sent to live with his aunt and abusive sharecropping uncle. But blind Judge Vance and his African-American assistant take an interest in John and help him plot an escape. Some violence and some strong language. 2001.

Sacrament of Lies by Elizabeith Dewberry.
RC 55232
New Orleans during two Mardis Gras. Thirty-four-year-old Grayson Guillory, daughter of the governor of Louisiana, finds a videotape of her late manic-depressive mother accusing the governor of plotting to kill her. Grayson fears for her own sanity while seeking the truth. Some explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2002.

The Everglades River Of Grass by Marjory Stoneham Douglas.
RC 47215
Fiftieth-anniversary edition of the 1947 history and folklore of a North American region that had been viewed as a swampy "wasteland." This volume includes two new chapters, describing efforts to restore and preserve this valuable source of wildlife and water.

You Never Can Tell by Kathleen Eagle.
RC 54658
Journalist Heather Reardon wants to tell the story of former Indian rights activist Kole Kills Crow, her goddaughter's father. Falsely accused of murder, Kole has been in hiding for years. When Heather tracks him down, he is forced to confront the demons from his past. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2001.

Do Or Die by Grace F. Edwards.
RC 60839
Ex-policewoman Mali Anderson investigates the murder of jazz singer Starr, the daughter of the pianist in Mali's father's band. Suspects include Starr's former drug supplier and a lover. Mali searches through the bars and beauty shops of Harlem looking for a lead. Strong language and some violence. 2000.

The Leprechaun's Gold by Pamela Duncan Edwards.
RC 60884
Tom, a young, mean-spirited harp player, and Old Pat, his generous teacher, travel together to enter the king's harping contest. A chance encounter with a leprechaun rewards Old Pat's kindness and teaches Tom a lesson. For grades K-3. 2004.

Miracles Happen: One Mother, One Daughter, One Journey by Brooke Ellison.
RC 59072
Dual account of Jean Ellison and daughter Brooke, who at age eleven was struck by a car and left paralyzed from the neck down. They recall the accident, Brooke's battle to stay enrolled in school, her graduation from Harvard, and the nature of their extraordinary bond. 2001.

Middle School: The Real Deal; From Cafeteria Food to Combination Locks by Juliana Farrell.
RC 54771
Gives kids an idea of what to expect when they start middle school. Contains practical advice on homework, teachers, and such social situations as making new friends and joining clubs. For grades 5-8. 2001.

The Rose of the World by Jude Fisher.
RC 60604
Mage Rahe's overconfidence has allowed his captives--the Woman, the Man, and the Beast--to escape from Sanctuary. As Rahe plots to recapture them, Rosa Eldi's powers begin to return. Rosa realizes her true identity and works to restore her world, Elda. Sequel to Wild Magic (RC 56905). Explicit descriptions of sex. 2005.

Sorcery Rising by Jude Fisher.
RC 54832
Young master knife-maker Katla Aransen has come to the Allfair for the first time to sell her wares. She possesses a magical affinity with nature, so the looming presence of Falla's Rock leads her into the sacrilege of climbing it--which puts her life in danger. Descriptions of sex. 2002.

Wild Magic by Jude Fisher.
RC 56905
Following a disaster at the Allfair, the lands of Eyra and Istria are verging on war as magic slowly awakens. Confronting their destinies are swordmaker Katla Aransen and Rosa Eldi, who is ignorant of her true identity. Sequel to Sorcery Rising (RC 54832). Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2003.

The Morning After by Suzanne Forster.
RC 51112
Shortly after Temple Banning moves to California, she awakens alone in a honeymoon suite with a marriage license listing a husband she's never met. Fearing amnesia from a previous bout with a deadly virus, Temple reluctantly turns to mysterious Mark Challis for help. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some violence. 2000.

The Years with Laura Diaz by Carlos Fuentes.
RC 53699
Born in 1898, Laura grows up with the new century, her personal story intermingled with the turbulent history of Mexico. Among her friends she numbers Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, who paints her image into one of his murals. Some descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2000.

Bloody Secrets by Caroline Garcia-Aguilera.
RC 48177
Cuban refugee Luis Delgado hires private investigator Lupe Solano for assistance in obtaining his late father's fortune, which had been smuggled out of Cuba by his father's friends. The now-prominent Miami couple refuse to honor their commitment and instead try to kill Luis. As Lupe investigates, she is drawn to Luis. Some violence.

Corning And The Craft Of Innovation by Margaret B. W. Graham.
RC 53549
Traces the 150-year history of America's leading glass manufacturer, a family-owned business in upstate New York. Chronicles the company's development of glass as art and science from Pyrex to Steuben crystal, from fiber optics to ceramic substrates for catalytic converters. 2001.

Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine by Kristiana Gregory.
RC 57181
The diary of Eleanor, first daughter of the duke of Aquitaine, beginning in 1136 and ending in 1137, when at age fifteen she becomes queen of France. For grades 5-8. 2002.

The Million Dollar Kick by Dan Gutman.
RC 54365
Thirteen-year-old Whisper Nelson hates soccer, but she has won a slogan contest that now requires her to kick a goal past a star player in front of the whole town. The prize is a million dollars. Self-styled computer nerd Jesse and Whisper's mentor come to her aid. For grades 5-8. 2001.

Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah.
RC 58727
Time and differences have kept divorce lawyer Meghann Dontess, from Distant Shores (RC 56933), and her sister, Claire, from the closeness they shared during a difficult childhood. Reunited for Claire's wedding, they establish new bonds, and Meghann finds herself falling in love as well. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

The Last Chance Texaco by Brent Hartinger.
RC 58742
Fifteen-year-old orphan Lucy is sent to a group home located in an upscale neighborhood. She deals with her problems, finds a boyfriend, and begins to feel at home. But an arsonist sets cars on fire, and the foster kids are blamed. Strong language. For junior and senior high readers. 2004.

The Talented Mr. Ripley; Ripley Under Ground; Ripley's Game by Patricia Highsmith.
RC 50315
Three complete psychological crime novels featuring the well-mannered and unscrupulous Tom Ripley. In the first, Ripley is commissioned to persuade a young expatriate in Italy to return to his family in the States. But Ripley is so taken with Dickie Greenleaf and his comfortable existence, he decides to become Dickie--by murdering him. Some violence. 1974.

See How She Dies by Lisa Jackson.
RC 58939
Oregon, 1993. Adria Nash, possibly kidnapped years ago, investigates her birthright as wealthy London Danvers in Portland. Caught between feuding families and stalked by her mother's killer, Adria has only one ally--Danvers black sheep Zachary. Strong language, some explicit descriptions of sex, and some violence. Bestseller. 1994.

Paraguay by Leslie Jermyn.
RC 51651
Describes the geography and history, people and lifestyle, arts and leisure of this country in the heart of South America. Paraguay is the only country in the Western Hemisphere to have an aboriginal (native Indian) language as an official tongue. For grades 5-8. 2000.

The Color of My Words by Lynn Joseph.
RC 53096
Ana, a twelve-year-old writer living in the Dominican Republic, depends on her older brother to enhance her talents--until the life-changing events on her thirteenth birthday. For grades 4-7. 2000.

Sex And Shopping: The Confessions of a Nice Jewish Girl, an Autobiography by Judith Krantz.
RC 54377
Bestselling romance author describes growing up wealthy in New York City. After graduating from Wellesley, she spends a carefree year in Paris experimenting with her sexuality before returning to New York and eventually marrying a television executive. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2000.

First Touch by Sandra Kitt.
RC 59286
Three novels by African American romance writers. In Eboni Snoe's Beguiled, unemployed Raquel impersonates a missing heiress for just one night and is abducted by a handsome fortune hunter. Also includes Francis Ray's Forever Yours and Sandra Kitt's Serenade. Explicit descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 2004.

Women in Love by D. H. Lawrence.
RC 61435
A complex meditation on love depicting the contrasting affairs of sisters Ursula and Gudrun Brangwen--Ursula with misanthropic Rupert, Gudrun with domineering Gerald. Both couples strive for fulfillment and meaning, but while Ursula and Rupert eventually marry, Gudrun and Gerald's romance leads to tragedy. 2002 introduction by Joyce Carol Oates. 1917.

Reich Angel by Anita Mason.
RC 47034
Growing up in Germany between the world wars, Frederika Kurtz is a tomboy whose burning ambition is to fly. Through determination and hard work, she succeeds in becoming a skilled aviator and test pilot. The German government begins to use her fame as propaganda. But by the end of the war, Freddy cannot deny the horror around her.

Shibumi And The Kitemaker by Mercer Mayer.
RC 49847
The emperor's daughter, Shibumi, flies on a giant kite above the squalid city outside the palace in the hope of persuading her father to improve his people's living conditions. But the decision is not just between her and her father, and Shibumi risks never seeing her father again. For grades 2-4. 1999.

After This by Alice McDermott.
RC 63354
Long Island. Thirty-year-old Mary marries veteran John Keane after World War II. Their four children struggle with the changing times of the 1960s and 1970s--the Vietnam War, unwanted pregnancy, drugs, religious confusion, and other issues that disrupt their parents' quiet, suburban life. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2006.

The Girls: Sappho Goes To Hollywood by Diana McLellan.
RC 52755
Journalist McLellan reveals the lesbian and bisexual secrets of movie actresses such as Alla Nazimova, Marlene Dietrich, Tallulah Bankhead, and Greta Garbo. Describes the affect of their emotional lives on their professional work. Explores Garbo's obsession with privacy and her claim that she never met Dietrich. Some descriptions of sex. 2000.

Knowing God Intimately: Being As Close to Him As You Want to Be by Joyce Meyer.
RC 60294
Author and host of the radio and television program "Life in the Word" defines four levels of commitment for achieving intimacy with God: God's manifest presence, God's transforming power, God's reflective glory, and God's everlasting fruit. Meyer examines Old and New Testament parallels to these four levels of intimacy. 2003.

The Eternal Footman by James Morrow.
RC 58745
When God's skull moves into orbit above Times Square, the western world faces an epic crisis. Amidst the chaos, two people fight to preserve life and sanity--single mother Nora Burkhart and sculptor Gerard Korty. Sequel to Blameless in Abaddon (RC 43681). Some descriptions of sex, some violence, and some strong language. 1999.

Standing Alone in Mecca: an American Woman's Struggle for The Soul of Islam by Asra Q. Nomani.
RC 60842
Journalist recounts her 2003 pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, on a quest to understand her religion and the role of Muslim women in the modern world. Chronicles her journey and return home to West Virginia, where she confronted her own mosque's sexism and intolerance. 2005.

Secrets of the Savanna: Twenty-Three Years in the African Wilderness Unraveling the Mysteries of Elephants and People by Mark Owens.
RC 63824
The Owenses recount their efforts from the early 1990s to 2005 to conserve wildlife in and around North Luangwa National Park in Zambia by offering villagers alternatives to poaching ivory. They describe befriending an orphan elephant, encounters with lions and other African animals, and dangers from poachers. 2006.

The Norton Book of American Autobiography by Jay Parini.
RC 48490
Presents more than sixty American autobiographies and memoirs from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries. Includes Mary Rowlandson's account of being captured by Indians, Frederick Douglass's narrative of his life as a slave, and Mark Twain's recollection of his childhood on the Mississippi. For senior high and older readers.

Parzival: The Quest of the Grail Knight by Katherine Paterson.
RC 46333
Parzival's mother tried to raise him without knowledge of King Arthur's court, but one day Parzival meets three knights in the woods. After that, he is determined to become a knight, even though he lacks the right preparation. A retelling of the Arthurian legend based on a thirteenth-century poem by Wolfram von Eschenbach. For grades 5-8.

London Holiday by Richard Peck.
RC 47656
Three women who had been close childhood friends in Missouri are reunited for a funeral. They escape the problems of their very different adult lives by traveling to London together. Their stay in a bed-and-breakfast evolves into a turning point for each of them. Some strong language.

Horse Hooves and Chicken Feet: Mexican Folktales by Neil Philip.
RC 60950
Fourteen folktales retold in English with notes on their origins. In "The Flea" a young man must outwit a great magician in order to marry his daughter. In the title piece a group of young men join a fiesta where all the women have chicken feet. For grades 4-7. 2003.

Shylock's Daughter by Mirjam Pressler.
RC 54355
In sixteenth-century Venice, sixteen-year-old Jessica falls in love with Lorenzo, a young nobleman. Their situation is complicated by religious differences. Will Jessica betray her Jewish background and leave her father, Shylock, to marry the Christian Lorenzo? Inspired by Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice (RC 21495). For senior high readers. 2000.

What Happened To Lani Garver by Caroline Plum-Ucci.
RC 56888
Sixteen-year-old Claire struggles with increasing concerns about a recurrence of her leukemia and her mother's alcoholism until an enigmatic newcomer Lani--who is either a boy, a girl, or perhaps a "floating angel"--helps her get control of her life at the risk of his own. Strong language. For senior high readers. 2002.

Remember When by Nora Roberts.
DB/RC 56898
Laine Tavish discovers that a man killed outside her Maryland shop helped her father steal millions in diamonds. Max Gannon, investigating the theft, falls in love with Laine. Fifty years later, NYC police detective Eve Dallas assists their endangered granddaughter who unknowingly has the stones. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

The Road To There: Mapmakers and Their Stories by Val Ross.
RC 59076
Biographies of cartographers seeking to map the world from ancient times to the invention of aerial photography, among them China's Cheng Ho, Belgium's Gerard Mercator, and America's explorers Lewis and Clark. Includes tales of forgery, undersea adventure, and secret maps. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2003.

When The Road Turns: Inspirational Stories by and about People with MS by Margot Russell.
RC 55104
Seventeen essays describe how people deal with having multiple sclerosis (MS). The editor remembers the changes in her life as she climbs Machu Picchu. Single father Dave Perez lives for his children, while Gary Lavenson has found acceptance by participating in an experimental program. Prologue by Montel Williams. 2001.

Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Muñoz Ryan.
RC 60266
For seven years Naomi and brother Owen lived happily with Gram in her trailer. Gram arranged Owen's surgeries for his physical disabilities and helped Naomi begin to speak again. When their mother reappears, Gram takes the children to Mexico to find their father and their heritage. For grades 4-7. Schneider Family Book Award. 2004.

Riding The Bus with My Sister: A True Life Journey by Rachel Simon.
RC 55678
Chronicles author's experiences with her mentally retarded but independent sister Beth. Riding buses everyday, Beth is part of a mobile community of drivers and passengers. Her indomitable spirit in the face of misunderstanding and prejudice forces Simon to reexamine their childhood and her own narrow adult life. 2002.

Hook by C. J. Songer.
RC 54551
From the author of Bait (RC 49569). Former LAPD cop Meg Gillis serves divorce papers to the abusive husband of a female acquaintance of Mike Johnson's, Meg's business partner. This simple favor leads to a world of danger, deception, and murder, and Meg must protect the people she loves. 1999.

Against Interpretation: And Other Essays by Susan Sontag.
RC 65378
Novelist and essayist's earliest compilation of writings on contemporary culture. Includes discussions of playwrights and artists such as Becket, Brecht, Ionesco, and Artaud, as well as analyses of modern religious thought and philosophical concepts. Includes "Against Interpretation," "On Style," and "Notes on Camp." 1961.

The Little Friend by Donna Tartt.
RC 55856
1960s Mississippi. Nine-year-old Robin Dufresnes is found hanging from a tree. Twelve years later, his tomboyish sister Harriet, an infant at the time of the murder, begins to search for the killer. With the help of her friend Hely, she concentrates on drug dealer Danny Ratliff. Strong language and some violence. Bestseller. 2002.

Being Dead: Stories by Vivian Vande Velde.
RC 54189
Seven supernatural tales that have something to do with death. In the title piece, a newsboy in New York City in 1930 is killed by a heavy man jumping from a skyscraper. But the boy has some unfinished business to take care of before he departs from this earth. For grades 6-9. 2001.

Written on The Body by Jeanette Winterson.
RC 47283
After a series of failed relationships, the protagonist, unnamed and unidentified by gender, falls in love with Louise, a married woman. Their romantic interlude is interrupted when they learn Louise has cancer. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex.

That Summer by Joan Wolf.
RC 59017
Veterinarian Anne Foster, home for her father's funeral, reunites with her childhood crush, Liam, a thoroughbred farm manager. Anne hopes for love despite a decade-old crime, recently unearthed, of which Liam is still suspected. Some explicit descriptions of sex and some strong language. 2003.

The Case of The Firecrackers by Laurence Yep.
RC 50507
In this sequel to The Case of the Lion Dance (RC 50506) Lily accompanies her actress great-aunt Tiger Lil to the filming of a television show in Chinatown. When a prop gun fires real bullets, Lily and Tiger Lil must prove Lily's brother was not responsible. For grades 4-7. 1999.

The Case Of The Lion Danceylchm by Laurence Yep.
RC 50506
In this sequel to The Case of the Goblin Pearls (RC 46951) Lily and her actress great-aunt Tiger Lil are attending the opening of a friend's restaurant when charity funds are stolen. The duo searches for the thief through San Francisco's Chinatown. For grades 4-7. 1998.

Troll Bridge: a Rock 'N' Roll Fairy Tale by Jane Yolen.
RC 64967
Minnesota. Sixteen-year-old Moira, a harpist, arrives late at Trollholm Bridge for her photo shoot with the Dairy Princesses but in time to see a giant wave roll over them. Spying a huge figure in the water clutching the princesses, Moira leaps in to rescue them. For grades 6-9. 2006.