Recommended Books

The following are books which are recommended as additional aides to this class. You are not obligated to buy any of these books. These are just recommendations of what the best ASL books are. They are divided according to your level.

The best way to purchase these books is to have their ISBN number which is specified for each book below. The ISBN number is a unique ID number for every book published. It is recommended that you first search online for the book before you buy it from your bookstore. The best place to do this is www.bestbookbuys.com which searches over forty online bookstores and sorts the results from cheapest to most expensive including shipping. Many times these books can be found used but in great condition which can save you a great deal. Ebay is another great place to find Sign Language books as well. I usually have Sign Language books that I'm selling on eBay myself. You can see these auctions by clicking here. Simply click on the item number link to get to each auction.

A S L 1

	Signing: How to Speak with Your Hands Author: Elaine Costello ISBN: 0553375393 List Price: $ 17.95 This book has chapters organized by themes. Highly recommended to build your vocabulary. There are a few grammar rules and concepts presented at the beginning of each chapter as well.
	The Joy of Signing Author: Lottie L. Riekehof ISBN: 0882435205 List Price: $ 21.99 An illustrated guide for mastering Sign Language and the manual alphabet. Very popular for building your vocabulary when starting out in ASL.

	A Basic Vocabulary: American Sign Language for Parents & Children Author: O'Rourke, Terrence J. ISBN: 0932666000 List Price: $ 8.95 A great book for acquiring basic ASL vocabulary arranged in alphabetical order. Highly recommended for those just beginning ASL as well as children interested in ASL.

	Random House Webster's Concise American Sign Language Dictionary Author: Elaine Costello ISBN: 0375703527 List Price: $ 10.95 Random House has a series of ASL dictionaries. This is the smallest of their series. Any dictionary of their series is recommended. As the books get bigger, they get more expensive but include more signs. These books are recommended as a source of reference.

	The American Sign Language Dictionary Author: Martin L. A. Sternberg ISBN: 0062736345 List Price: $ 24.00 This is a thick dictionary of American Sign Language and is recommended to be used as a source of reference. Martin Sternberg is a leading authority on ASL books and is highly recommended.
	The American Sign Language Dictionary Author: Martin L. Sternberg ISBN: 0062732757 List Price: $ 19.00 This is a smaller dictionary of American Sign Language and is recommended to be used as a source of reference. Martin Sternberg is a leading authority on ASL books and is highly recommended.

A S L 2

	The American Sign Language Phrase Book Author: Louie Fant ISBN: 0809235005 List Price: $ 18.95 This book focuses on the syntax and grammar of ASL. A Great tool for learning how to form ASL sentences and learn common expressions as well as proper uses of ASL.
	A Basic Course in American Sign Language Author: Terrence J. O'Rourke,Carol Padden,Terrence J. O'Rourke ISBN: 0932666426 List Price: $ 29.95 This book focuses a lot of ASL syntax and grammar. The vocabulary presented in each chapter is random (not in specific themes). A good tool to have to practice formation and reading of grammatically correct ASL sentences.
	Intermediate Conversational Sign Language Author: Madsen, Willard J. ISBN: 0913580791 List Price: $ 21.95 This book focus on ASL sentence structure. It has some sentences accompanied by illustrations as well as entire stories, following a theme in each chapter, completely told in ASL.
	Conversational Sign Language II : Author: Willard J. Madsen ISBN: 0913580007 List Price: $ 13.95 This book is a continuation of Intermediate Conversational Sign Language. It has very few illustrations and focuses of practicing ASL grammar and sentences. Recommended to those who have mastered vocabulary.
	American Sign Language the Easy Way Author: David Stewart ISBN: 0764102990 List Price: $ 13.95 This book has short vocabulary lessons arranged by themes. Each chapter focuses on ASL rules and examples of use. Recommended for those who have mastered vocabulary.
	Religious Signing Author: Elaine Costello,Lois Lehman (Illustrator) ISBN: 0553342444 List Price: $ 17.95 A vital resources for those wanting to learn the majority of signs involved with religious signing. Highly recommended for those who plan to interpret in a church setting. Signs involved reflect all faiths.