2015 Summer Reading Suggested Reading List For All Levels

Oregon Talking Book and Braille Library 2015 Summer Reading suggested reading list for all levels

Books that begin with “BR” are Braille and “DB” are audio books that can be borrowed by mail or downloaded to an iPad.

Preschool to Grade 2

The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon BR20019 Superhero Awesome Man can fly straight as an arrow, shoot positronic rays from his eyes, and hug mutant Jell-O. But he has something exciting to tell you: his secret identity! Illustrated by Jake Parker. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2011.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault BR7943 Delightful alphabetical rhyming chant telling of the day when the letters of the alphabet decide to race up the coconut tree. "Chicka chicka boom boom! Will there be enough room?" 1989.

Clifford’s Good Deeds by Norman Bridwell DB78608 Clifford has a good heart, but whenever he tries to do good deeds for others, they always seem to backfire. But finally the big red dog manages to save the day. Commercial audiobook. 1975.

Dr. Seuss’s ABC by Dr. Seuss BR2365, BR8953, BR15320, BR16723 Dr. Seuss adds nonsensical rhymes to the alphabet to make it fun for children to learn letters and their sounds.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead BR20037 Zookeeper Amos McGee always takes time to visit his good friends the elephant, tortoise, penguin, rhinoceros, and owl. But one day, Amos stays home because he is sick--and receives an unexpected visit. PRINT/BRAILLE. Caldecott Medal.

Kindergarten to Grade 3

Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin DB74657 A young fly talks about her day-to-day life. She eats regurgitated food, studies leaping backward in flight school, copes with her 327 brothers and sisters, and dreams of being a superhero. 2007.

Doctor De Soto by Judy Sierra BR16526 A kind mouse dentist and his shrewd wife outfox a dangerous patient who wants to try out his new gold teeth on them! Newbery Honor Book.

Don’t Forget, God Bless our Troops by Jill Biden DB75883 Educator and wife of Vice President Joe Biden based this children's story on her own granddaughter's experience. Young Natalie misses her father, who is away fighting a war, and keeps him in her heart and prayers as she tries to be brave. Includes resources for support. 2012.

The Incredible Life of Balto by Meghan McCarthy DB75592 Chronicles the saga of Balto, the sled dog who became a hero in 1925 after he helped deliver life-saving medicine from Nenana to Nome, Alaska. Recounts Balto's sale to a traveling show and the outpouring of support that led to his rescue. 2011.

John Henry by Julius Lester BR9934 John Henry was a beautiful, strong African American boy. As a man, John Henry met mean Ferret-Faced Freddy and beat him in a race. Then he tackled a huge boulder that was blocking a road, and a rainbow smiled on his work. Next he tried to beat a drill that was cutting into a mountain to let the train pass through. This was his last contest, but you might still hear him singing, "I got a rainbow." PRINT/BRAILLE. 1994.

Librarian on the Roof! by M. G. King DB75685 Account of librarian RoseAleta Laurell, who climbed onto the roof of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas--and stayed there for a whole week! Details RoseAleta's determination to raise the twenty thousand dollars needed to give the library a fun and fully stocked children's section. 2010.

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey BR1739, BR10039, BR16447, DB42913 Five helpful Boston policemen stop busy city traffic so that Mrs. Mallard can move her family of eight ducklings from their island in the Charles River to their new home in the Public Garden. PRINT/BRAILLE. Caldecott Medal.

Miss Nelson Is Missing! by Harry G. Allard, Jr. and James Marshall BR6127 The kids in room 207 giggle, throw spitballs, and are rude to their good natured teacher, Miss Nelson. When she disappears, the worst-behaved kids in school get a mean new teacher, Miss Viola Swamp, who wears ugly black dresses. Miss Nelson series, book 1. 1977. New York’s Bravest by Mary Pope Osborne BR14050 Tells of the heroic deeds of the New York City firefighter Mose Humphreys during the 1840s. The book explains how the real-life fireman became a legend. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2002.

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle by Brian Dennis, Mary Nethery, and Larson Kirby BR19028 Describes the bond that developed between a marine major stationed in Iraq and an injured dog that was named Nubs because his ears had been cut off. PRINT/BRAILLE.

Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and P. Kahumbu DB65106 Describes how a baby hippopotamus, Owen, was stranded alone on the Kenyan coast after the tsunami in 2004. Discusses the rescue effort to deliver Owen to Haller Park, an animal sanctuary, where he met Mzee, a solitary, 130-year-old tortoise, who became a substitute mother. 2006.

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann BR10015 Officer Buckle knows lots of safety tips, and he loves to share them with the students at Napville School. But nobody seems to listen to him. Then one day, the Napville police department gets a police dog--Gloria. Office Buckle takes her along the next time he goes to Napville School, and this time the children listen. But why? PRINT/BRAILLE. Caldecott Medal. 1995.

Stone Soup by Marcia Brown DB50548 When three hungry soldiers in a strange land ask some villagers for food, they are told there is none. So the soldiers decide to show the townspeople how to make soup from water and three round stones. Caldecott Honor Book. 1947.

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Eve Bunting DB41709 In 1960, when Ruby Bridges was six, a judge ordered that she be allowed to attend an all-white school in New Orleans. Prayer helped her stay calm when angry crowds followed her to school and when all her classmates were kept home by their parents.1995.

Super Hair-O and the Barber of Doom by John Rocco BR20044 A boy who believes he gets his strength from his hair fears he has lost his superpowers when a villain cuts his curls off. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2013. Swamp Angel by Anne Isaacs BR9936 When Angelica Longrider was born on August 1, 1815, she was "scarcely taller than her mother." By the age of two, she had built her own log cabin, and when she was twelve, she rescued a whole wagon train from Dejection Swamp and got the name Swamp Angel. But Angelica was best known for her fight with Thundering Tarnation, the biggest and meanest bear anyone had ever known. PRINT/BRAILLE. 1994.

Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins DB64692 Six stories relate the adventures of three best friends--Lumphy, StingRay, and Plastic--who happen to be toys belonging to a little girl. In "The Serious Problem of Plastic-ness," Plastic discovers what toy she is with the help of TukTuk the towel. 2006.

Toy Dance Party by Emily Jenkins DB67947 Six stories about three best friends who happen to be toys. Plush sea creature StingRay, Lumphy the stuffed buffalo, and Plastic, a ball, encounter a fearsome shark, enjoy a dance party, and face rejection as the Girl grows up. 2008.

Toys Come Home by Emily Jenkins DB75768 Six tales trace the adventures that brought the toy friends to the Girl's house. Stuffed StingRay arrives as a birthday gift but feels unwelcome by the stuffed walrus, Bobby Dot. 2011.

The True Story of Pocahontas by Lucille Recht Penner BR12810 This is a short account of the brave young Native American who helped the English settlers of Jamestown, Virginia. Describes how her involvement with the colonists changed her life. 1994.

The Wall by Eve Bunting BR8959 A young boy and his father come from far away to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and find the name of the boy's grandfather who was killed in the war. A group of girls in school uniforms comes by. "Is this wall for the dead soldiers...?" one of them asks. "The names are the names of the dead. But the wall is for all of us," the teacher answers. PRINT/BRAILLE. 1990.

What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page BR15017 Explains how a lot of animals use their noses, ears, tails, eyes, mouths, and feet in very different ways. A glossary provides more information about these animals. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2003.

Wild About Books by Judy Sierra BR16024 When librarian Molly McGrew drives her bookmobile into the zoo by mistake, she first attracts the animals to reading with a book by Dr. Seuss. A story in rhyme. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2004.

Grades 2 to 4

Buttons for General Washington by Petter Roop and Connie Roop BR7398 In the fall of 1777, the British army occupied Philadelphia, where the Darragh family lived. Charles, the oldest son, had joined General Washington's army and the rest of the family became spies. This story recounts the daring adventures of fourteen-year-old John, the youngest son, who delivered secret messages to General Washington's camp by hiding them in the buttons of his coat. 1986.

Captain Awesome to the Rescue! by Stan Kirby DB75084 Second-grader Eugene and his family move to Sunnyview, where he goes to a new school. When the class hamster Turbo is kidnapped, Eugene reveals his superhero alter ego Captain Awesome to rescue Turbo. 2012.

The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey DB49974 Two mischievous fourth graders, George and Harold, enjoy writing their own comic books about superhero Captain Underpants, who flies around in his underwear. Then one day they hypnotize their principal into thinking that he is Captain Underpants, and they have some amazing adventures with him. 1997.

Dogs on Duty: Soldiers’ Best Friends on the Battlefield and Beyond by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent BR19626 Discusses the training of puppies to prepare them to become military working dogs, or MWDs. Details the jobs of MWDs, including jumping out of aircraft, searching for bombs, and protecting their handlers. Provides brief biographies of several canine heroes. 2012.

Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg DB33072 John Chapman, who later became known as Johnny Appleseed, was born in 1774 in Massachusetts. Near his home was an apple orchard, and John loved to watch the apples grow. The animals sensed his love of nature and grew to trust him. As soon as he was old enough, John left home to explore the West. He planted apple trees along the way, and the legends about him grew larger than life. 1988.

Just Joking 3 by Ruth Musgrave and the National Geographic Society DB76334 Collection of zany knock-knock jokes, tongue twisters, silly question and- answer jokes, and much more. 2013.

The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter BR16016 As war comes to Basra, Iraq the city librarian worries that the books will be destroyed. When the governor refuses to help her, the librarian saves the books her own way. Relates events in the life of Alia Muhammad Baker. PRINT/BRAILLE. 2005.

Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth by Jane O’Connor BR19820 As a fan of Nancy Drew, Nancy Clancy eagerly searches for a missing prized possession. Sleuth Clancy's investigation leads her to the culprit-- who happens to be someone close to her. Nancy Clancy series, book 1. 2012.

Stink: Solar System Superhero by Megan McDonald DB70802 When Stink discovers that Pluto has been downgraded from its status as a planet, he launches a campaign in his classroom to restore its rank as a full-fledged member of the solar system. Stink series, book 5. 2010.

Stone Soup by Ann McGovern BR7465 A young, weary traveler gets a meal fit for a king from a little old lady who claims to have no food, when he teaches her to make stone soup. 1986.

Grades 3 to 6

Animal Heroes: True Rescue Stories by Sandra Markle BR18380 Nine accounts of animals--from trained guide dogs to a cow, a pet cat, dolphins, and a capuchin monkey--that helped humans during accidents and disasters. Discusses Roselle, the guide dog, who led Mike Hingson from the seventy-eighth floor to safety as his World Trade Center tower collapsed. 2009.

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo BR12917, BR16130, DB50679 Ten-year-old India Opal and her preacher dad move to a new town in Florida during the summer. Opal is lonely until she adopts a big stray dog she names Winn-Dixie. The two soon make friends with the local librarian, the pet store manager, and a nearly-blind elderly neighbor.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine BR15992, DB46186 Ella was cursed at birth by a fairy--who thought she was bestowing a gift--to always be obedient. After her mother dies, Ella is at the mercy of two bossy girls and their mother. The enchantment even puts her love for Prince Charmont at risk, and Ella is determined to get rid of it.

Enemy Spy. Shredderman: 4 by Wendelin Van Draanen DB62285 As the search for Shredderman's identity intensifies, Nolan stumbles across a possible spy-ring operation. Nolan's involvement in the case puts his superhero secret in jeopardy. 2005.

The Janitor’s Boy by Andrew Clements BR19727 In fifth grade Jack is embarrassed to attend the school where his father is a janitor. When a greeting prompts teasing from his classmates, Jack plans revenge. The prank backfires, but it gives him a chance to learn more about his dad.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate BR19679, DB75687 Ivan the gorilla has lived comfortably for years in a down-and-out, circus-themed mall. But when baby elephant Ruby arrives, Ivan decides that he must find her a better life.

Secret Identity. Shredderman: 1 by Wendelin Van Draanen DB59278 Fifth-grader Nolan Byrd aka Byrd-the-Nerd is tired of being picked on by the class bully, Bubba Bixby. A newspaper writing assignment allows Nolan to assume a secret identity--Shredderman--and seize the chance to anonymously expose Bubba's tormenting. 2004.

Attack of the Tagger. Shredderman: 2 by Wendelin Van Draanen DB61105 Someone is spray-painting graffiti all over Cedar Valley Elementary School. Fifth-grader Nolan Byrd, who maintains the Shredderman web site, is determined to expose the tagger without revealing his own secret identity. 2004.

Meet the Gecko. Shredderman: 3 by Wendelin Van Draanen DB61239 On Nolan Byrd's eleventh birthday, his father takes him to meet his favorite young television star Chase Morton, the Gecko. Nolan helps his new friend by using his Shredderman web site to expose a sleazy photographer who makes Chase's life miserable. 2005.

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo BR15300, DB57805 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. Newbery Medal winner.

The Tree that Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination by Mary Ann Hoberman and Linda Winston DB71809 Anthology of poems for nature lovers with subjects ranging from dinosaurs to earthworms and fossils to butterflies. Poets include William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Carl Sandburg, and Valerie Worth. Features eighteen poets reading their own work. 2009.

True Green Kids: 100 Things You Can Do to Save the Planet by Kim McKay and Jenny Bronin DB69573 Suggests ways to encourage personal involvement in protecting Earth's resources while at home, at school, in the outdoors, shopping, or on vacation. Recommends practicing the four Rs--reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink--from limiting time in showers and eating organic foods to making environmentally themed movies. 2008.

Grades 4 to 7

The Complete Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis DB50083 Seven stories presented in the chronological order in which C.S. Lewis intended them to be read. The first is The Magician's Nephew, telling how the journeys between the two worlds began and how the wardrobe came to be a doorway leading into Narnia. Contents include The Magician’s Nephew -- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe -- The Horse and His Boy -- Prince Caspian -- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader -- The Silver Chair -- The Last Battle. 1998.

The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis BR7215, BR13945 When Digory and Polly try to return the wicked witch Jadis to her own world, the magic gets mixed up and they all land in Narnia, where they witness Aslan blessing the animals with human speech.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis BR7236, BR11912, DB54964 (Spanish version) Four English children find their way through a huge wardrobe in an old house to the mysterious land of Narnia, which is under the spell of the White Witch.

The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis BR7216, BR13946 A talking horse and his boy escape from a barbaric army marching to attack the land of Narnia. Their race to warn of the army's advance on the king's castle is fraught with danger.

Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia by C. S. Lewis BR7238, BR13947, BR17781 Four English children--siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy—help Prince Caspian and his army of Talking Beasts to free Narnia from evil.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis BR7313, BR13948 Lucy and Edmund, accompanied by their peevish cousin Eustace, sail to the land of Narnia where Eustace is temporarily transformed into a green dragon because of his selfish behavior and skepticism.

The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis BR7237, BR13949 English children Eustace and Jill undergo hair-raising adventures as they go on a search-and-rescue mission for the missing Prince Rilian, who is held captive in the underground kingdom of the Emerald Witch.

The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis BR8373, BR13950 When evil comes to Narnia, Jill and Eustace help fight the great last battle, and Aslan leads his people to a glorious new paradise.

Grades 5 to 8

Spilling Ink: A Young Writer’s Handbook by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter DB71666 Two authors playfully mix practical advice and personal anecdotes to demystify the craft of writing a story or novel. Topics covered include finding inspiration, naming characters, developing a narrative voice, crafting dialogue, dealing with writer's block, and establishing good work habits. 2010.

Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom by Sue Macy DB73553 Follows the development of women's bicycles in the 1880s and 1890s and explores the impact of the two-wheeler on everyday life during the beginning of women's liberation. Discusses celebrity cyclists, reaction to the new transportation mode, and fashion changes to accommodate riding. 2011.

Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly by Gail Carson Levine BR17206 Newbery Honor author of fiction provides advice, tips, and exercises to encourage aspiring writers. Covers story writing--from coming up with an idea and developing characters and plot to finding a publisher. Recommends practicing a lot and saving everything you write. 2006.

I Am Malala: How one girl stood up for education and changed the world by Malala Yousafzai DB79878 Memoir of corecipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Recounts how Malala risked her life for the right to go to school. Raised in a changing Pakistan, Malala stood up against the Taliban and remained an activist for girls’ education. 2014.

Grades 6 to 9

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain BR3066, BR9247, BR10687, DB43591, DB57349 A comprehensive edition of Twain's 1885 tale about a boy who runs away from home and floats down the Mississippi on a raft with an escaping slave. Includes four episodes originally deleted from the first edition, an introduction by Twain biographer Justin Kaplan, and an addendum of explanatory and interpretive notes. Strong language. 1884.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson BR8055, BR13682, DB52436 Young Jim Hawkins finds a map in a dead seaman’s possessions. His friends, Squire Trelawney and Doctor Livesey, realize it’s a treasure map. They hire a ship, unaware that the crew includes the pirate Long John Silver. 1881.

Junior and Senior High

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous BR10978, DB44179 Based on the diary of a fifteen-year-old girl who turned to drugs because of her feelings of loneliness and rebellion against the world. Though she tries to stop, she dies of an overdose three weeks after her seventeenth birthday. Strong language. 1971.

The Hobbit, or, There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien BR7827, BR11595, DB48978, DB61051 (Spanish version) The wandering wizard Gandalf recruits Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, to be the fourteenth member of an expedition. Hobbits prefer comfort to adventures, but Bilbo joins the quest and encounters many perils, including a dragon. Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith DB72183 Thief Alex is framed for murder and sent deep underground to Furnace Penitentiary, where inmates are turned into vicious, unrecognizable creatures. Though no one has ever escaped, Alex and his friends tirelessly search for a way out. Some violence. 2009.

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton BR8582, BR11484, BR17779, DB22433 This classic young adult novel is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ponyboy, the fourteen-year- old narrator, tells how it looks and feels to be a Greaser-- from the wrong side of the tracks. He vividly describes the guerilla raids into his territory by their traditional, upper- middle-class enemy, the Socs, and of the beating that led to a murder charge and two deaths.

Seize the Story: A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write by Victoria Hanley BR18564, DB71098 Presents creative-writing tips and exercises, from freewriting to understanding the elements of fiction. Provides examples for character development, motivation, and perspective. Assesses difficult aspects of writing fiction, such as creating the setting and mood, and infusing your style and voice into the story. 2008.

Steve Jobs: The Man Who Thought Different by Karen Blumenthal BR19918, DB76396 Recounts the life and career of the late founder of Apple, Steve Jobs (1955-2011). Covers his adoption and childhood, his friendship with Steve Wozniak, and his dynamic relationship with Apple--as chairman, head of the Mac department, advisor, and CEO--until his death. 2012.

White Fang by Jack London BR2591, BR9693, DB51689 A wolf-dog, rescued from danger and tamed by a kind master, redeems his brute nature by defending his master's family against an escaped convict.

Senior High

Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd by Holly Black DB69853 Short story anthology celebrating geekdom. In Holly Black's and Cecil Castellucci's "Once You're a Jedi, You're a Jedi All the Way," a Klingon and a Jedi fight their taboo attraction at a science fiction convention. Edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci. Some violence, some strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2009.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore DB67938 In a world where some people are born with an extreme and often-feared skill, Katsa struggles with hers--the "grace" of killing. When she first encounters Prince Po, whose grace is incompatible with hers, she doesn't foresee the bond that will form between them. Seven Kingdoms series, book 1. Some violence. 2008.

So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld BR16438 Hunter, a New York City teenager paid by corporations to spot what is "cool," combines his analytical skills with his girlfriend Jen's creative talents to find his missing boss Mandy. They thwart a plot to subvert a consumer system based on trends and profit. 2004.

The Awakening and The Struggle by L. J. Smith DB70456 First two novels in the Vampire Diaries series and the basis for the 2009 television show. In The Awakening brother vampires Stefan and Damon vie for the attention of Elena Gilbert. In The Struggle Elena's relationship with Stefan intensifies.

The Fury and Dark Reunion by L. J. Smith DB70514 The third and fourth novels in the Vampire Diaries series. In The Fury Elena is tricked by Damon and confronts her worst fears. In Dark Reunion Elena, Stefan, and Damon join forces to fight an evil enemy.

A Brief History of Time by Stephen W. Hawking BR16183, DB26996 The famous theoretical physicist, affected by Lou Gehrig's disease since graduate school, is best known for his inquiries into the nature of black holes. This work recaps modern physicists' attempts to understand how and why the universe exists. Hawking claims that these attempts reach ever closer to a single theory that, if complete and convincing, would enable us "to know the mind of God." Bestseller. 1988.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell DB77545 Eighteen-year-old Cath's adoration of fantasy character Simon Snow leads to her penning a fanfiction story that is popular online. Offline, shy Cath is out of her comfort zone at her new college--until romance finds her. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2013.

Grace, Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith by Michelle Burford DB76347 Autobiography of Olympic gold-medal gymnast Gabrielle Douglas. Recounts her early life in Virginia, her professional training in Iowa, and the sacrifices she and her family made to support her dream. Credits her faith and family for her success at the 2012 London games. 2012. Heroes by Robert Cormier BR11993, DB64704 Soldier Francis Cassavant returns home from World War II so disfigured that no one recognizes him. His only goal is to kill his personal enemy, Larry LaSalle, for a crime Larry committed while on leave. Everyone mistakenly considers the two men war heroes. 1998.

How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life by Dalai Lama DB53769 Specific Buddhist techniques for overcoming such everyday obstacles as anger, mistrust, jealousy, and insecurity and thus gaining mental peace and compassion. Recommends developing a good heart and mind through a moral attitude and an understanding of reality. Bestseller. 2002.

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai DB77454 Memoir of Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai (born 1997), who was the target of an assassination attempt by the Taliban in October 2012. Details her family’s crusade for girls’ education, the campaign of intimidation that culminated in her shooting, and her recovery. Bestseller. 2013.

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo DB35363 Jean Valjean, a poor French peasant, is imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his hungry children. He escapes, hiding his identity and devoting his life to noble causes, until once again he becomes the victim of cruel circumstances. Hugo's epic novel about the human capacity for goodness and society's penchant for evil is set during the turmoil of the eighteenth-century French Revolution. 1992.

I, Robot by Isaac Asimov BR0828, DB15779 U. S. Robots and Mechanical Men, Inc, headed by the strong-minded Susan Calvin, manufactures and sells intelligent, human-like robots. Nine stories illustrate how the robots are programmed with the three Laws of Robotics to serve man, despite many of the ingrained fears and prejudices humans have against them. 2007.

Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela BR9951, DB39555 Memoirs of the South African leader who spent twenty-seven years in prison for opposing apartheid. Son of a tribal chief, Mandela had a traditional country childhood and a college education. As a leader of the African National Congress, he began talks that led to the mitigation of apartheid. Released from prison in 1990, he became president in 1994, with blacks voting for the first time. Bestseller.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman DB58817 The most beautiful woman in the world falls in love with Westley, the perfect man. Their pending romance, however, is interrupted by fate and the wicked prince Humperdinck, ruler of Florin. Thirtieth anniversary edition of the classic fairy tale spoof features a 2003 introduction. 1973.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas BR19817, DB76152 After serving a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, assassin Celaena Sardothien receives an offer from Crown Prince Dorian. She will be freed--if she acts as his champion in a new royal assassin competition. Throne of Glass series, book 1. Violence. 2012.

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld BR20538, DB79849 In alternating chapters, eighteen-year-old Darcy Patel navigates the New York City publishing world, while Lizzie, the heroine of Darcy’s novel, slips into the “Afterworld” to survive a terrorist attach and becomes a spirit guide. Both face challenges and fall in love. 2014.

Bless the Beasts and Children by Glendon Fred Swarthout BR09261, DB34787 Six boys, neglected and scarred as a result of absentee parents or broken homes, become outcasts at an expensive summer camp in the canyon country of Arizona. Together they set out to rescue a group of doomed buffalo, a mission that takes on dangerous proportions.1970.

Crash. Visions: 1 by Lisa McMann BR20517, DB77818 Sixteen-year-old Jules, whose family has a history of mental illness, freaks when she has a recurring vision involving a competitor of her family’s Italian restaurant, an explosion with body bags, and her forbidden crush, Sawyer. 2013.

Graduation Day. Testing: 3 by Joelle Charbonneau BR20517, DB79748 Tensions between the United Commonwealth and the rebel alliance intensify, with deadly action looming on the horizon. Meanwhile, gifted student Cia Vale, unsure of which side to trust, must convince her fellow students to believe in her. 2014.

Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac BR20462, DB78176 In a distant future, Native American girl Lozen hunts genetically modified monsters for the tyrants who are holding her mother, sister Ana, and little brother Victor hostage. With each kill Lozen’s unique powers grow. 2013.

The Living by Matt de la Pena BR20449, DB78224 Shy works on a cruise liner to make a bit of extra money to help out his family back in Otay Mesa, north of the Mexican border. But then, an epic earthquake changes everything. 2013.