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With the release this weekend of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, our summer reading series features Eden Ross Lipson, the children's book editor at The New York Times. In lieu of the Harry Potter books, she recommends Philip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy: The Golden Compass (Del Rey; ISBN: 0345413350), The Subtle Knife (Del Rey; ISBN: 0345413369, and The Amber Spyglass (Del Rey; ISBN: 0345413377). She also likes Cornelia Funke's The Thief Lord (Scholastic; ISBN: 0439404371).

The Reduced Shakespeare Company, an outrageous theater troupe known for paring down the longest of works to the simplest of stage shows, presents a two-minute version of their 90-minute production "All the Great Books (Abridged)."

NPR's Lynn Neary talks with Jacques Perrin, the director of the film Winged Migration, which tells the story of the seasonal migration of birds from a bird's eye view.

The U.S. administration in Iraq is coming under mounting criticism for the slow pace of its efforts to hand over authority to Iraqis. While U.S. officials focus on plans to establish a grass roots political process in Iraq, many Iraqis demand a greater role in governing the country. NPR's Kate Seelye reports.

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health are attempting the first test of an HIV vaccine that could stop the global spread of AIDS. But as NPR's Joe Palca reports, finding volunteers willing to get innoculated with an unproven and possibly harmful vaccine is proving difficult. Learn more about the vaccine program.

As the 140th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg approaches, historian James McPherson tours hallowed ground with NPR's Liane Hansen.

NPR's Elaine Korry profiles the search engine company that has thrived at a time when so many electronic-based enterprises have failed.

As part of his continuing series of stories on the challenges of getting by on a low-wage job in America, NPR's Noah Adams profiles Marzs Mata, a Detroit woman who doesn't have a car, can't afford to live near her job, and spends about five hours a day getting to and from work. Listen to other worker profiles, and see photos of the people profiled.

In the early 1900s, Henry Ford introduced America to the Model T and the assembly line. The innovations Ford started helped reshape American society. Now, the Ford Motor Co.'s future depends on the leadership of another Ford family member, Bill Ford Jr. NPR's John Ydstie reports.

The U.S. civil administration in Iraq struggles to meet weekly payrolls for the thousands of people who work in government ministries and government-run industries. Estimates suggest up to one-third of Iraq's working population is unemployed. NPR's Deborah Amos reports.