Exciting New APH Products Announced!
Read on to learn about these new products - now available!
Spotlight Shines on the American Printing House for the Blind's National Role in Education
The American Printing House for the Blind took its 150th anniversary celebration to Washington, D.C. during the week of June 16. Three historic events occurred that week that will long be remembered as highlights of our sesquicentennial year. Most of the members of the APH Board of Trustees in Louisville traveled to Washington for the festivities, as well as several Ex Officio Trustees. Staff in attendance included all members of the APH Executive Committee and a dozen others from the Public Affairs, Field Services, and Accessible Textbook departments.
- The APH traveling museum exhibit, In Touch with Knowledge: The Educational History of Blind People, was displayed in the rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building and open to the public from Tuesday, June 17, through Thursday, June 19. All four components of the exhibit were displayed (reading and writing, math, science, and geography), and visitors from across the country stopped by to explore the exhibit. Mike Hudson, director of the APH museum, estimates that at least 1,800 visitors saw the exhibit during the week, including several large school and camp groups.
Senator Mitch McConnell, Kentucky's senior senator, supported the exhibit by securing the rotunda and providing staff to help. The Russell Rotunda is generally used for art exhibits, and as far as senate staff members we worked with knew, APH was the first organization in history to present an educational traveling museum exhibit in this historic space. Comments from visitors across the country were overwhelmingly positive.
With the support of Senator Mitch McConnell and Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr., APH hosted a reception and program on Tuesday, June 17 in the Hart Senate Office Building. About 100 special guests attended the event, including Congressional members and staff, CEOs from agencies in Washington that serve the blind, and "friends" of APH. A 30-minute program conducted by APH President Tuck Tinsley focused on recognizing our founding fathers and thanking members of Congress - past and present - for supporting APH and the education of the blind. Josh Pearson, a 16-year old student from Massachusetts who is blind, stole the show as he talked about the impact that APH products continue to have on his education and his life.
Senator McConnell spoke about the great work that APH continues to do in identifying and addressing the needs of blind students, and presented commemorative resolutions to Tuck and Jim Lintner, Chairman of the APH Board of Trustees. Kentucky Congressman John Yarmuth, who represents the 3rd district in Louisville in which APH is located, also spoke about the enormous contribution APH makes to blind and visually impaired students across the U. S. Dr. Anne Hancock, Secretary's Regional Representative for Margaret Spellings, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, brought greetings from Secretary Spellings and spoke about the need to ensure that every child in America has access to quality educational opportunities.
On Wednesday, June 18, Congressman Yarmuth gave a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives about APH and our first 150 years of serving the nation's blind and visually impaired. Twenty-one APH board and staff members were escorted to the Capitol Building by Stephanie Rowe, a legislative correspondent for Congressman Yarmuth, to witness this historic speech. Congressman Yarmuth subsequently sent a CD of the speech to APH for our archives.
Since 1879, with passage of the Act to Promote the Education of the Blind, APH has served as an instrument of the Federal Government to provide educational materials to blind and visually impaired students below college level. This very special series of events in our nation's capitol gave us a rare opportunity to thank members of Congress for their support, to call to their attention our continuing role in the education of blind and visually impaired students, and to educate members, staff and visitors to Washington on the unique educational needs of the students we serve. It was truly an exciting and memorable week!
Photos: 1) Massachusetts High School Student Josh Pearson sharing his history with APH products; 2) APH Staff, Board, Family, and Friends in the Russell Senate Building Rotunda (Click for larger image); 3) KY Senator Mitch McConnell presents APH Board Chair Jim Lintner and APH President Tuck Tinsley with the resolution he recently shared on the senate floor that heralds APH's 150 years of service; 4) KY Representative John Yarmuth.
Training Opportunity!
Making Tests Items Accessible for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
On August 18 and 19, APH will conduct a 2-day workshop on "Making Test Items Accessible," with Dr. Carol Allman (FL) and APH staff. Presentations will address an overview of general issues and the use of universal design, tactile graphics, large print, color, and audio issues and guidelines, and alternate assessments. Activities will include editing test items for presentation in various media, a discussion of participants' test concerns and a tour of APH's production facility and museum. There will be a demonstration of computer-based testing. Handouts and resources will be provided. Visit "What's New?" at the APH Accessible Tests Department website to view the complete agenda. Please contact Tasha McCoy at tmccoy@aph.org or 800/223-1839, ext. 389, for registration and hotel information.
June 8-14: A HUGE Week for APH!
The week of June 8 through 14 was a BIG one for APH as four important and unique groups met with us in Louisville. We began the week with our Building on Patterns writing group and a training event for Ex Officio Trustees. From those activities, we moved to the Hall of Fame Governing Board and ABC Braille Study meetings. Here's a bit more information on that amazing week.
Strengthening the Bonds: Training for Ex Officio Trustees
Eighteen Ex Officio Trustees from around the country gathered at APH June 8 -10 for an immersion into the world of APH. Many of the attendees were our newest Ex Officio Trustees, with under less than a year of experience. The group met with key APH staff to learn about the departments of APH, the Federal Quota program and Student Registration System, ordering and dispensing APH products, how products are "born", Annual Meeting, Advisory Committees, and much, much more.
One of the highlights of the event was the opportunity for Trustees to meet and learn from each other. Jonn Paris-Salb, our new EOT from California, had this to say: "I just want you to know how meaningful the EOT training was for me. I am very new and though I read all the material and had great people here to walk me through the processes and materials, the training was great. I know it seems we were always out of time, but the time for each activity was perfect. I loved the tour and the museum. The best part was the networking with folks at AHP and other EOTs."
We are grateful to veteran Ex Officio Trustees Yvonne Ali (MO), Barbara McCarthy (VA) and Lou Tutt (CO) who joined us to mentor the group and offer their perspectives on the responsibilities and rewards of being a Trustee. The wisdom shared and learned by new and veteran EOTs and APH staff will help us all be better at what we do!
Back row, left to right: Antoine Johnson (Washington, DC), Paula Mauro (OH), Julie Kagy (NC), Merle Birnbaum (AK), Christian Yates (HI), Lou Tutt (CO), Jonn Paris-Salb (CA), Becky Gwaltney (IL), Marc Ashton (AZ)
Front row, left to right: Irina Chernyak (MD), Karen Arendall (MI), Collette Bauman (MI), Dottie Goodman (TX), Barbara McCarthy (VA), Yvonne Ali (MO), Christine Hinton (NJ)
Building on Patterns (BOP) Meeting
On June 9 and 10, nine consultants and six APH staff members met at APH and made plans to complete BOP-1 in time to field test it during the Fall of 2008 and for expediting the writing of BOP-2 and the production of BOP-1. The group went over questions from consultants who have been working on BOP-1 so that there will be consistency in the lessons. Assessment of the lessons was also discussed. Production specifications were reviewed for BOP-1 and updated and planned for BOP-2. The group left feeling enthusiastic about BOP, their writing assignments, and what will be accomplished on this project during the summer. Building on Patterns: The Primary Braille Literacy Program is a revision of Patterns, The Beginning Braille Reading Program and will include spelling, braillewriting, tactile graphics, and much more.
Left to right: Eleanor Pester, Deanna Scoggins, Izetta Read, Cay Holbrook, Jo Ellen Croft, Robin Wingell, Mila Truan, Sue Schimmelpfennig, LeAnn Nannen, LuAnne Blaylock.
The ABC Braille Study Meeting
The ABC Braille Study is a longitudinal study that has followed approximately 40 children over 3 to 5 years as they have learned to read braille. The purpose of this project was to compare the teaching/learning of contracted braille and uncontracted braille.
June 13-15, eight members of the ABC Braille Study Team met at APH to discuss the analysis of data and the dissemination of information in both presentations and through a series of articles being written by team members. The meeting began with updates from at least nine writing groups working on the articles, followed by an amount of time set aside to actually work on them.
While this team of experts was in Louisville, Dr. Ralph Bartley, Director of Research, asked the members to review a number of APH braille related products to help determine whether they should be kept, obsoleted, or updated. Two additional team members from California, unable to make the trip, joined the group at 6:00 AM (California time) on Saturday to participate in this activity. Now that is dedication!
Left to right: Ralph Bartley, Eleanor Pester, Diane Wormsley, Jane Erin, Debbie Sitar, Frances Mary D'Andrea, Cay Holbrook, Rob Wall Emerson
Hall of Fame Board Meeting in Louisville
The Governing Board of the Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field met June 11 and 12 at APH to consider next steps for the Hall of Fame. Among the items discussed was the Fall (October 3) induction of Dr. Sally Mangold and Dr. Richard Welsh into the Hall.
The Board is pleased to announce that Dr. Bernadette Kappan (NY Institute for Special Education) has graciously agreed to host the 2008 induction ceremony, assisted by former Hall Board Member Dr. Susan Spungin (AFB).
Left to right: Rod Kossik, Bob Brasher, Cay Holbrook, Jane Erin, Kathy Huebner, Pat Smith, Jim Deremeik, Diane Wormsley, Elton Moore, Janie Blome
Celebrating Excellence
It was APH's pleasure to celebrate the North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind's "100 Years of Excellence" at the Dakota AER/Vision Conference, titled "Celebrating Excellence", in Grand Forks, ND on May 7, 8 and 9.
Featured speakers at the conference included Jim Gandorf, AER Executive Director, and Kevin O'Connor, past president of NAPVI. Participants enjoyed exhibits from more than 10 vendors, and break-out sessions on topics ranging from low vision, transition, vision loss and diabetes, vocational evaluations, APH products, and more. More than 100 were in attendance at the NDVS/SB Centennial Dakota AER Banquet.
Events that have been held to celebrate have included a Happy Birthday salute to Louis Braille on January 4, a Goalball Tournament at NCVS/SB in February to acknowledge NDVS/SB Founders Day, a family weekend in February, and the Dakota AER/Vision Conference. Events yet to be held include a Celebration of the Life of Helen Keller on June 27, an Open House at NDVS/SB on September 11, and an All School Reunion on September 12.
Photo: Carmen Suminski (ND), Cheryl Misialek (ND), Sandi Baker (APH), and Marjorie Kaiser (SD)
APH's Colonel Decker Reporting
Jack Decker, Vice President of Production, was recently commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by the governor of Kentucky, Steven Beshear. This honor of the State of Kentucky is the highest civilian recognition awarded by the state and dates back to the 1800's. It is reserved for citizens who have displayed exemplary performance in services in their community, their job and their profession.
Colonel Decker, who has been with APH since 1981, received this honor in a private investiture ceremony at APH.
Did You Know?...
The 140th Annual Meeting of Ex Officio Trustees and Special Guests of the American Printing House for the Blind will take place at the historic Seelbach Hotel in downtown Louisville. As we celebrate APH's 150th year of building independence for people with visual impairments, you'll have the opportunity to walk where celebrities, legends, and the infamous once walked.
Stories of gangsters and private poker games recently drew three major cable networks to The Seelbach Hilton.
The Travel Channel featured The Seelbach Hilton in an episode of "Travel Channel Secrets" entitled "Hideouts of the Rich."
The History Channel highlights the hotel's quick escape route in a program called "Secret Passageways."
And, The Food Network mixed up a "cup of Capone and corruption" in their "Best of" program entitled "Saucy Scandals."
In the 1920s, The Seelbach was one of the country's preeminent hotels, and as such, inspired authors to use it as a setting for novels. In 1923, Louisville author Cordia Greer Petrie published "Angeline at The Seelbach," a comedy about the misadventures of a woman from the Kentucky hills when she and her husband visit The Seelbach. The book ran to 30 editions and was even made into a nationally aired radio show.
Another author who was drawn to The Seelbach's allure was F. Scott Fitzgerald. The famed author often visited The Seelbach to sip Kentucky bourbon and smoke expensive cigars. With a reputation for carousing, Fitzgerald was once banned from The Seelbach after he had one too many!
During his visits in the 1920s, Fitzgerald encountered gangster George Remus, who became the model for Jay Gatsby in "The Great Gatsby." The hotel's charm inspired Fitzgerald, and he chose the Grand Ballroom at The Seelbach as the backdrop for Tom and Daisy Buchanan's wedding reception in his American masterpiece.
Stay tuned to further editions of the APH News to find out more about the illustrious past and present of this Louisville landmark! Also, visit the Annual Meeting page on the website for the latest developments. Hotel reservation information will soon be posted. and visit the Annual Meeting page on the website.
BANA Establishes Ad Hoc Committee on Standardized Tests
The Board of the Braille Authority of North America (BANA) recently established a new committee to address the complexities and responsibilities of transcribing standardized tests into braille. Mary Nelle McLennan, APH's representative to the BANA Board of Directors, reports that BANA is pleased to announce that the following individuals have agreed to serve on this committee:
- Diane Spence, Chair; from Region IV Education Service Center in Houston, TX; current President of the National Braille Association as well as a member of the BANA Tactile Graphics Technical Committee;
- Carol Allman, Ph.D.; from Tallahassee, FL; Former State Vision Consultant with the Florida State Department of Education and a nationally respected expert in accessible assessment issues and design;
- Marilyn Breedlove, from Houston, TX; certified braille proofreader and a current member of BANA's Ad Hoc Committee of Foreign Language Materials;
- Dena Garrett, from APH; certified transcriber in both Literary braille and the Nemeth Code; current consultant to BANA's Braille Formats Technical Committee;
- Ruth Lowe, from Education Testing Service (ETS), Assistant Director of Office of Disability Policy (ODP) and ETS, member of ETS accessibility team and specialist in postsecondary testing;
- Betty Marshall; from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, certified transcriber in both Literary braille and the Nemeth Code;
- Renee Sanders; from Educational Testing Service, San Antonio Division, specialist in K-12 testing.
APH is pleased that Dena Garrett, Accessible Media Editor with APH's Accessible Textbook Initiative and Collaboration (ATIC) and the Accessible Tests Department, has been selected to serve on this critical new committee. Dena has been with APH for more than 31 years and brings a wealth of experience to her role in this appointment. We appreciate in advance the hard work and expertise the committee members with bring to this BANA initiative.
APH Travel Calendar
July
July 4-12, 2008
ACB 2008 National Convention (BITS) Luncheon;
Louisville, KY
July 10-13, 2008
NOAH 2008(National Organization for Albanism & Hypopigmentation Conference);
Las Vegas, NV
July 14, 2008
Product Training at Valley View Tech Center;
Las Vegas, NV
July 15-18, 2008
Dominican University - Week with the Experts;
Orangeburg, NY
August
August 2, 2008
Portland State;
Portland, OR
August 8-10, 2008
Visions 2008;
Washington, DC
August 11-16, 2008
63rd BVA National Convention;
Phoenix, AZ
August 13-15, 2008
Pathways to Possibilities;
Virginia Beach, VA
September
September 4-6, 2008
Envision Conference;
San Antonio, TX
September 27, 2008
Indiana Vision Expo;
Indianapolis, IN
APH Flea Market
Take advantage of significant savings on selected APH products by visiting the APH Flea Market for July - September, 2008. As always, first come, first served.
Special Hot Pricing for Your Summer Reading Enjoyment!
Receive 10% off the Handi II, and Table Top Recorder/Players, and Cases.
Also, Receive 50% off accessories listed below.
Effective June 1 thru September 30, 2008
| Product Number |
Description |
Original Price |
Promotion Price |
Handi-Cassette II Tape Recorder/Player
- plays and records at standard or Talking Book speed |
| 1-07085-00 | Handi-Cassette II | $185.00 | $166.00 |
| 1-07085-01 | Handi-Cassette II International | $175.00 | $157.00 |
| 1-07084-00 | Handi-Cassette II Carrying Case | $19.00 | $17.00 |
| Accessories for Handi-Cassette II |
| 1-07083-00 | Instructional Cassette | $2.50 | $1.25 |
| 1-07086-00 | Battery Clip | $8.00 | $4.00 |
| 1-07082-00 | Battery Pack NIMH | $12.00 | $6.00 |
Table Top Cassette Recorder/Player
- plays and records at standard or Talking Book speed |
| 1-07150-00 | Table Top Cassette Recorder/Player (US) | $225.00 | $202.00 |
| 1-07150-01 | Table Top Cassette Recorder/Player (UK) | $225.00 | $202.00 |
| 1-07150-02 | Table Top Cassette Record/Player (Europe) | $225.00 | $202.00 |
| 1-07010-00 | Table Top Carrying Case | $12.00 | $10.50 |
**Note: All Sale Items Available While Supply Lasts**
NEW! Braille+ Mobile Manager Extended Warranties
NOTE: The HMA and SMA must be purchased within one year of purchasing the Braille+ Mobile Manager.
One-Year Hardware Maintenance Agreement (HMA):
1-07460-00 -- $125.00
One-Year Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) Download:
1-07462-00 -- $75.00
SMA update on a miniSD(TM) Card (After purchasing One-Year SMA Download): 1-07463-00 -- $50.00
Braille+ One-Time Software Update:
1-07464-00 -- $200.00
Related Item:
Braille+ Mobile Manager: 1-07450-01 -- $1,395.00
The Braille+™ Mobile Manager is a powerful, flexible, and easy-to-use notetaker designed specifically for users who are blind or visually impaired. The Braille+ includes a one-year warranty against manufacturer defects, plus one year of free downloads for software updates. Extended agreements are now available!
Braille+ One-Year Hardware Maintenance Agreement (HMA)
The annual HMA protects you from unanticipated maintenance cost. Repairs are covered, including parts and labor, for 12 months beyond the first year limited warranty that was included with your initial purchase. The HMA must be purchased while the product is covered under the standard warranty. Batteries and other accessories are not covered by the HMA. Catalog no. 1-07460-00.
Braille+ One-Year Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) Download
The annual Software Maintenance Agreement (SMA) gives Braille+ owners unlimited software downloads for a period of one year. This gives you uninterrupted additional coverage beyond the standard first year of software updates you have received. The extended SMA must be purchased while covered under the standard or existing SMA. Note: An SMA download will be available as soon as possible following your purchase, please allow 3-5 working days for the implementation. Catalog no. 1-07462-00.
Optional SMA Update on a miniSD™ Card
After purchasing the one-year SMA, you may prefer to install updates using a miniSD™ card. This is available to you for an additional fee of $50.00 for each update supplied on a miniSD card. It must be purchased while covered under the standard or existing SMA. Catalog no. 1-07460-00.
Braille+ One-Time Software Update
The one-time software download allows those without the annual software agreement to upgrade their software to the most recent release. This update is provided on a miniSD card. You will only need to consider this if you do not extend your option to purchase the standard SMA and then want the updates later. Catalog no. 1-07464-00.
IMPORTANT:
Please take a moment to consider the benefits of continuing your maintenance agreements as we progress with future enhancements. IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACT NOW BEFORE THE END OF YOUR FIRST YEAR OF BRAILLE+ OWNERSHIP. Complete a Maintenance Agreement Order Form or call APH customer service. Be certain to have your Braille+ serial number available when purchasing. The serial number is located on the back of the unit or in the Status Menu. If you have any questions please call customer service at 800-223-1839 or email us at cs@aph.org.
NEW! APH InSights Large Print/Braille Art Calendar 2009
This beautiful twelve month large print/braille calendar features the artwork of visually impaired artists. Includes months, days, holidays, and moon phases. Use at a desk or hang on a wall. Pages fold over easily. Recommended ages: 4 and up.
Makes a Great Fund-Raiser
Art calendars can be purchased in quantities at a special price for fund-raising projects. Your group's name can be printed and brailled on a special version of the cover. Fund-raising questions and orders should be directed to APH's Contract Administration Office, 1-800-223-1839.
Single copy, APH InSights Calendar 2009: 5-18971-09.....$7.50
Note: The APH Insights Calendar MAY be purchased with Federal Quota funds; however, quantity purchases of this calendar for fund-raising purposes MAY NOT be purchased with Quota funds.
REVISED! APH Signature Guide, Plas-Frame
1-03530-01 -- $5.00
Aids people who are visually impaired in writing their signatures. Small, pocket-size frame has an opening with an elastic band. The band provides a guide for writing and flexes to allow for the descenders of letters.
Revised guide is made of durable, flexible plastic with the same rubber backing as before to prevent sliding. Measures 4 1/2" x 2 1/4". Recommended ages: 8 years and up.
REVISED! Going Places Large Print Cover
Going Places:
Large Print/CD: 7-13090-01 -- $91.00
Braille/CD: 5-13090-00 -- $78.00
Going Places: Transition Guidelines for Community-Based Physical Activities for Students who have Visual Impairments, Blindness, or Deafblindness is a resource guide for teens and young adults that promotes independent physical activity. It outlines a step-by-step process for choosing and participating in sports and other physical activities outside the school.
The large print edition now features a redesigned, perfect-bound cover that is more durable than previous twin-loop cover. The content of Going Places has not changed.
NEW! Large Work-Play Tray
1-03761-00 -- $25.00
Also Available:
- Small Work-Play Tray (17 x 11 3/4 inches):
- Black: 1-03751-00 -- $15.00
- Yellow: 1-03660-00 -- $15.00
- Dividers for Small Work-Play Tray (pack of four - two, three, four, or five parts) 1-03770-00 -- $24.00
- Large Work-Play Tray (21 1/4 x 13 1/4 inches):
- Yellow: 1-03740-00 -- $21.00
These durable trays hold objects that might roll out of reach. Trays provide enclosed work space for sorting, matching, classifying, counting. The large tray is now offered in both black and yellow. Note: Dividers are not available for the large tray.
NEW! PermaBraille Sheets
(sold in packs of 50):
- 5" x 3" sheets: 1-08881-00 -- $6.00
- 6" x 4" sheets, 2-hole drilled for APH's Braille DateBook: 1-08882-00 -- $6.00
- 6" x 4" sheets: 1-08883-00 -- $6.00
- 8.5" x 11" sheets: 1-08884-00 -- $12.00
- 11" x 8.5" sheets: 1-08885-00 -- $15.00
Related Item: Braille DateBook: 1-07899-09
PermaBraille Sheets provide a durable alternative to standard braille paper for a variety of personal, classroom, and work-related tasks.
Advantages:
- Use with a braillewriter or slate & stylus
- Braille dots are durable and easy to read
- Waterproof & tear-resistant
- Receptive to permanent markers (e.g., Sharpie®) for adding print labels/notes
- Layering of two sheets, one on top of the other, while brailling with a slate & stylus (not a braillewriter) results in equally readable copies
- Tactile graphic displays can be created by using spur wheels (such as APH's Tactile Line-Drawing Tools) or point symbol tongs from APH's Tactile Graphics Kit
Suggested Uses:
- Address and phone number lists
- Recipe cards
- Important personal records
- Flashcards for the classroom
- Re-useable classroom worksheets
- Braille bulletin board displays
- Tactile displays
NEW! Word PlayHouse
Kit: 1-03562-00 -- $224.00
Word PlayHouse provides students with visual impairments the opportunity to participate in classroom activities that focus on phonics, spelling, and phonemic awareness. Use Word PlayHouse to teach beginning phonics and reading skills including letter recognition, braille code recognition, decoding, vocabulary, and spelling skills.
Kit Includes:
- 436 letter tiles in large print with a braille overlay and a Velcro® backing. The tiles include vowels, consonants, blends, diagraphs, word endings, and word families. Tiles containing contracted and uncontracted braille are included for some blends and word families to better meet the needs of all students.
- A bi-fold felt work board provides a working space for the student. One side can be used for working storage of letters that will be introduced during the lesson. The other side can be used as a working space for manipulating letters and building words, word families, and new spelling and vocabulary words.
- A storage binder, with five Veltex® covered binder inserts, provides space to organize the many small pieces in the kit.
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD--Small Parts. Not intended for children ages 3 and under without adult supervision.
APH offers a number of recreational books in braille (Quota funds can be used). Each of these titles was originally transcribed and produced by APH for the National Library Service which has graciously granted permission for this offering. As usual, these titles have been added to the APH Louis Database where you can find thousands of titles produced in accessible formats.
Note: all books are produced upon receipt of orders, therefore, please allow approximately 8 weeks for delivery.
Shep: Our Most Loyal Dog
Sneed B. Collard, Braille: T-N1692-30 -- $9.00
Explains why the people of Fort Benton, Montana, still honor the beloved sheep dog, Shep. Relates that when Shep's master died in 1936, the dog followed the coffin to the train station and waited there for the rest of his life for his master to return. Juvenile Literature. Grades 2-4. *(AR Quiz #106478, BL 5.3, Pts. 0.5)
Aesop's Fables
Braille: T-N1655-70 -- $37.50
Tales, with morals, about animals who talk and act like human beings. Originally told by the Greek slave over two thousand years ago, the hundred-plus fables include such favorites as "The Hare and the Tortoise" and "The Country Mouse and the Town Mouse." Juvenile Literature. Grades 3-6. *(AR Quiz #52289, BL 9.7, Pts. 5.0)
Rash
Pete Hautman, Braille: T-N1672-90 -- $57.50
United Safer States of America, 2070s. Sixteen-year-old Bo Marsten is locked up for unsociable behavior like fighting. At an Arctic work camp, he's recruited to play the illegal game of football until the disgruntled warden releases him into a wilderness full of polar bears. National Book Award. Fiction. Senior High readers. *(AR Quiz #106129, BL 4.7, Pts. 7.0)
An Ordinary Man: An Autobiography
Paul Rusesabagina, Braille: T-N1668-50 -- $61.50
Autobiography of the manager of the hotel Mille Collines in Kigali, Rwanda. Paul Rusesabagina, a man of mixed Hutu and Tutsi heritage, describes how in April 1994 he saved twelve hundred Rwandans from the genocide that slaughtered eight hundred thousand. Basis for Hotel Rwanda movie. Violence and strong language. Biography. Adult.
The Ladies of Garrison Gardens
Louise Shaffer, Braille: T-N1668-70 -- $93.00
The Three Miss Margarets are down to two with the death of Peggy Garrison. And Laurel Selene McCready, who was like the daughter Peggy never had, has inherited everything. When Laurel begins going through Peggy's things, she uncovers some long-hidden secrets. Some strong language. Fiction. Adult.
*Accelerated Reader number, reading level, and point value. For more information on the Accelerated Reader program, see the January 2006 APH News or www.renlearn.com/ar/
