New Books Updated (Fiction & NonFiction)

Fiction

Regarding the Bees: A Lesson, in Letters, on Honey, Dating, and Other Sticky Subjects by Kate Klise (Author), M. Sarah Klise (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Hardcover: 122 pages

Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books (August 1, 2007)

ISBN-10: 0152057110

The seventh graders at Geyser Creek Middle School are preparing for a spelling bee and a standardized test called the BEE (Basic Education Evaluation). This year the hunt for their honeys has become all-important. It's a good thing they have Honey, a bee that spells as their class pet--and one fabulous teacher named Florence Waters.

The character named Sugar Kube, who is the school custodian, is deaf and uses sign language. The students try to find a way to learn the language so that they can communicate with her. Also, the character, Sam, begins losing his hearing and becomes completely deaf.

This books is interesting because it includes notes, letters,newspaper clippings and so on. It reads like part chapter book and part graphic novel.

Tintin and the Secret of Literature by Tom McCarthy

Hardcover: 240 pages

Publisher: Granta UK (October 28, 2007)

ISBN-10: 1862078319

Included is Calculus, the deaf man who invented a "sound weapon"

Historical Fiction

From Telegraph to Light Bulb with Thomas Edison (My American Journey)by Deborah Hedstrom-Page (Author), Sergio Martinez (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Hardcover: 84 pages

Publisher: B&H Books (September 1, 2007)

ISBN-10: 080543271X

NonFiction

Rockets (Space Innovations) (Library Binding)by Ron Miller

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Library Binding: 112 pages

Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books (CT) (November 2007)

ISBN-10: 0822571536

Includes information about Konstantin Tsiolkovsky who was a visionary and pioneer of astronautics. He theorized many aspects of human space travel and rocket propulsion decades before others, and played an important role in the development of the Soviet and Russian space programs. Tsiolkovsky lost his hearing as a child and was not allowed to attend school. Luckily, he was home schooled and had a successful life.

A Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas (Chicken Soup for the Soul) by Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: HCI (October 15, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0757306462

Includes the selection "The Sound & Spirit of Christmas Through theEars of a Deaf Woman" beginning on page 235.