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Home  1999 Top Titles for Adult New Readers

1999 Top Titles for Adult New Readers

The services to Adult New Readers Committee (formerly the Publisher’s Liaison Committee) of PLA’s Library Services Cluster is pleased to present a preliminary list of the books that serve the needs of newly literate adults. The booklist is meant to recognize such titles and encourage the availability of materials for the new adult reader.

Books chosen for the list offer appealing content, format, and artwork. Most titles are eighth grade reading level or below on the Fry Readability Scale and are easily accessible through simple plots, short sentences, and uncomplicated vocabulary. With the exception of the classics, the books have been published in the current calendar year or the last half of the previous calendar year.

A complete list of the 1999 Top Titles will appear following the ALA Midwinter conference in January 2000.

Distinguished Titles

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. by J.K. Rowling. Arthur A. Levine Books (Imprint of Scholastic Books), 1998. Hardcover, $16.95. (ISBN 0-590-35340-3).
A charming fantasy, this book is an excellent choice for young adult and adult new readers. Format and illustrations are very appealing. Reading level 6–8.

Out of the Dust. by Karen Hesse. Scholastic press, 1997. Hardcover, $15.95 (ISBN 0-590-36080-9).
A moving account of a girl’s life in the Dust Bowl during the 1930s. A great candidtae for read-aloud and read-along. Reading level 5–8.

Recommended Titles

And Not Afraid to Dare: The Stories of Ten African-American Women. By Tonya Bolden. Scholastic Press, 1998. Hardcover, $16.95 (ISBN 0-590-48080-4).
Present and past African-American women are brought to life. Stresses self-esteem and goal-setting. Reading level 8+. May be challenging for some readers.

Baby Help. By Marilyn Reynolds. Morning Glory Press, 1998. Softcover, $8.95 (ISBN 1-88536-27-7)
Covers problems of spousal abuse and shelter living from the teenage angle. Material for all ages. Fictionalized account. Reading level 6.

Celestial River: Creation Tales of the Milky Way. By Andrea Stenn Stryer. August House Publishers, 1998. Hardcover $14.95 (ISBN 0-87483-529-1).
Creation tales feature Japanese, Greek, Maori, Navajo, and other world tales. Excellent for read-aloud and read along. Reading level 5–8.

Greek Myths Western Style: Toga Tales with an Attittude. By Barbara McBride-Smith. August House Publishers, 1998. Hardcover, $14.95 (ISBN 0-87483-524-0).
Read-aloud and discussion versions of classic Greek tales for the new reader. Reading level 7–9.

They Never Gave Up: Adventures in Early Aviation. By Michael Wilkey. Orca Book Publishers, 1998. Softcover, $9.95 (ISBN 1-55143-092-4).
History of early aviation is covered from Icarus to modern beginnings, including both men and women flyers. Easy to break down into segments. Reading level 6+.

Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference. By Joyce Hansen. Scholastic Press, 1998. Hardcover, $16.95 (ISBN 0-590- 93973-4).
Biographical sketches plus portraits of African-American women trailblazers. Good format and photos. Reading level 6–8+.

Recommended Series

Job Skills Series from Capstone High/ Low Books, 1998.
Communicating with Others. By Stuart Schwartz and Craig Conley. Hardcover $19 (ISBN 1-56065-716-2).
Working as a Team. By Stuart Schwartz and Craig Conley. Hardcover $19 (ISBN 1-56065-718-9).
These books offer succinct information on life skills necessary for getting and keeping a job. Glossary, addresses, Web sites, and bibliography. Reading level 8+.

Look at Work Series from Capstone High/Low Books, 1998.
Exploring Job Skills. By Stuart Schwartz and Craig Conley. Hardcover, $14.25 (ISBN 1-56065-712-X).
Interviewing for a Job. By Stuart Schwartz and Craig Conlev. Hardcover S 19 (ISBN 1-56065-714-6).
Brief and useful tips for the adult job seeker. Easy to read and use; good for English as a Second Language readers. Reading level 8+. May be challenging for some readers.

Streamlined Shakespeare Series from Academic Therapy Publications, High Noon Books Division, 1999.
Merchant of Venice. Adapted bv Peggy L. Anderson and Judith D. Anderson. Softcover, $7 (ISBN 1-57128-123-1).
Romeo and Juliet. Adapted by Peggy L. Anderson and Judith D. Anderson. Softcover, $7 (ISBN 1-57128-124-X).
This attractive series includes both narrative adaptations of the stories and easy-to-follow adaptations of the plays. Includes brief biography of Shakespeare, a history of the Globe Theater, and well-known quotations from the plays. Reading level 4+.

Teen Parenting Skills Series from Morning Glory Press, 1998.
Discipline from Birth to Three. By Jeanne Lindsay and Sally McCullough. Softcover, $12.95 (ISBN 1-885356- 36-6).
Your Baby’s First Year. By Jeanne Warren Lindsay. Softcover, $12.95 (ISBN 1-885356-33-1): hardcover, $18.95 (1-885356-32-3).
Your Pregnancy and Newborn Journey. By Jeanne Warren Lindsay and Jean Burnelli. Softcover, $12.95 (ISBN 1-885356-30-7); hardcover, $18-95 (ISBN1-885356-29-3).
Good mix of child development and practical parenting information. Easy to locate examples. Reading level 6–8+. 

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PLA's 1999 Top Titles for Adult New Readers