Talking Times, Summer 2019 - Section 1

Spring is Here and Summer Awaits!

"Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been two of the most beautiful words in the English language"- Henry James. This installation of our newsletter is a little longer than usual. We hope you enjoy your summer and the reading selections we have listed for you in this issue of the Talking Times Newsletter. Don't forget to charge your talking book player so that you may take it along with you when you go out during the nice weather, or maybe consider a Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) account if you are not already subscribed to BARD. This will enable you to download all your favorite books in a matter of minutes to your mobile device (iPhone, Android device, Kindle Fire). Call (401) 574-9310 or email the Talking Books staff at talking.books@olis.ri.gov if you would like to have a BARD account. You will need an email address that can be used for your account login. All the information about BARD and the free apps that you will need to use this program are located on the Talking Books Library website.

Summer Reading 2019 - A Universe of Stories

Visit your local public library this summer to register for the annual Summer Reading Program. Kids and teens who read for fun throughout the summer are less likely to lose skills learned during the school year. And there's no better way to enjoy summer reading than at Rhode Island public libraries! Kids and teens who meet their summer reading goals can earn prizes and coupons to visit local attractions. But why let kids and teens have all the fun? There is a Summer Reading program for adults, too. All types of reading count! Whether it's traditional print materials, audio books, or materials from the Talking Books Library, all forms of reading are included in the Summer Reading Program. The 2019 Summer Reading theme is "A Universe of Stories," and coincides with NASA's 60 years of achievement and its celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing. Libraries also have a stellar roster of performers lined up, so be sure to check your library's calendar for artists, musicians, dancers, animals and more! The Summer Reading Program runs from June through August and is free, though registration may be required at some libraries. Call or visit your local public library for more information and to register. The statewide Rhode Island Summer Reading Program is supported by the RI Office of Library and Information Services, with additional funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

A Universe of Stories About Space Travel and Space Exploration

Below is a list of 7 titles about space and space travel. The first 4 titles are adult non-fiction titles and the last 3 titles are for young readers, with selections for young readers in grades 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12.

Apollo 8: The Thrilling Story of the First Mission to the Moon by Jeffrey Kluger (DB88328)

Author of Journey beyond Selene (DB 50687) chronicles the Apollo 8 mission, manned by Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders, which was the first to successfully orbit Earth's moon. Discusses behindthe- scenes interactions in Mission Control, at the astronauts' homes, and in the labs tasked with making the mission a success. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2017.

Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly (DB86234)

Daughter of a NASA engineer profiles the black women who worked for NASA, and its predecessor NACA, as human computers. Discusses their lives prior to joining NACA/NASA, the challenges they faced due to gender and race discrimination, and their impact on the space program. Basis for the 2016 movie. Biography, Sciences. 2016.

No Dream is Too High: Life Lessons from a Man Who Walked on the Moon by Buzz Aldrin (DB85352)

Astronaut who was one of the first two humans to walk on the moon shares thirteen lessons he has learned over the course of his life. Uses personal experiences to highlight each lesson and discusses his support of future manned space exploration programs, particularly to Mars. Sciences. 2016.

Spaceman: An Astronaut's Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe by Mike Massimino (DB89626)

An astronaut chronicles his life and the journey to his career. Discusses growing up in New York, figuring out how to achieve his dreams of working for NASA, his initial medical disqualification due to his eyesight, and his eventual training. Includes anecdotes of the other astronauts he has met over the years. Biography, Sciences. 2016.

Titles Below for Younger Readers - "It's About Time, It's About Space, About Strange People in the Strangest Place"

Christa McAuliffe: A Pioneer Space Teacher by Charlene Billings (DB27586)

Christa McAuliffe, a high school social studies teacher from Concord, New Hampshire, was chosen in 1985 to be the first private citizen to go into space. She wanted to encourage schoolchildren to take more interest in the space program, and she wanted to increase respect for all teachers. Tragically, she and her fellow astronauts were killed when the space shuttle "Challenger" blew up on January 28, 1986. For grades 3-6.

Pioneers in Astronomy and Space Exploration by Michael Anderson (DB77541)

Profiles the lives of thirty-seven pioneers of astronomy and space exploration, from the ancient Greek mathematician and astronomer Eudoxus of Cnidus to astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2013.

Elon Musk and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance (DB87265)

Adaptation for a younger audience of journalist Ashlee Vance's bestselling biography Elon Musk (DB82434). The revolutionary inventor and business magnate, born in 1971, is the founder of PayPal, SpaceX, and Tesla Motors. Highlights his ambition to colonize Mars. For grades 9-12. 2017.