Thursday, July 24, 2008

New Links on our web for the week of July 24, 2008 Books and Reading My Book Buyer.com This site not only lets you buy books, but sell your own as well. Colleges and Careers College Toolkit.com "a one-stop resource for students regarding life after high school. All the features on our site are free for students to use, including: Career Exploration Tools, College Searches, Scholarship, Searches, Online Scholarship Applications, Interactive Calculators, and Informative Articles." Homework NoComprendo.es "free online Spanish course available in English, German, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian and Spanish." Coming of the American Revolution, 1764-1776 "Before the American Revolution, the British colonies along the eastern seaboard of North America were a rather disparate group of competing entities. Strong dissatisfaction with various policies of the British government stirred them to action during the 1760s and 1770s. This fine website from the Massachusetts Historical Society takes visitors inside that struggle through official documents, personal correspondence, and newspaper pieces from those tumultuous decades. By clicking on the "Explore" section, visitors will have the opportunity to look into the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, and other important documents from the period that led up to the actual Revolution. Moving on, the "Resources" area contains brief biographies of key players involved in this period of rebellion and resistance, including Abigail Adams and Thomas Paine. Finally, the site is rounded out by a section for teachers which includes lesson plans." (SR) Leisure Graspr.com "an instructional video site". You can also upload your own instructional videos. 3:37:08 PM     Book Reviews from participants in the Pollinate Your Mind Summer Reading Club Wait for Me by An Na: This book was hard to put down. I could relate to the girl, Mina. She is pushing herself to be something she isn't, just like almost all teenagers do. Immortal Rain by Kaori Ozaki: Immortal Rain is about Rain Jewlilt who is 624 years old and cannot die he's hunted by bounty hunters. And a girl named Machika is after him to avenge her grandfather's friend. But soon rain and Machika become close from protecting each other. PS This Manga Rocks! First Patient by Michael Palmer: A hard to put down book-kept me up half the night-the author put his heart and soul into the book. A truly great book. Unquiet Grave by P. J. Parrish: First book by this author I've read. Much staying power for me. Look forward to reading more of her books. Sail by James Patterson: Great beach read, easy and fun to read. Secret Ingredient Murders by Nancy Pickard: I like her Jenny Cain books best-but the Genea Potter stories are always entertaining to the last page. What is Life by Ed Regis: An excellent book from a scientific aspect of what, if anything, determines life as we know it. Softer for the layperson. Strangers in Death by J. D. Robb: Great author. Great series. 11:32:10 AM     Book Reviews from participants in the Pollinate Your Mind Summer Reading Club Long after midnight by Iris Johansen: Great Book. Death in Belmont by Sebastian Junger: Great story-keeps you waiting for the next thing. Born Queen by Greg Keyes: Disappointing. Easily predictable. The only reason to read is to finish the series. Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd: Not as good as 'The Secret Life of Bees' but still an interesting story. I recommend it. Odd Hours by Dean Koontz: Difficult to follow at times. Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart: 'The Boyfriend List' is about Ruby Oliver who starts seeing a counselor and her boyfriend leaves her for her best friend and then Ruby kisses him and she loses all her friend and becomes a leper (loner). PS. The Boyfriend List was funny, but it could also get a little confusing. Nursing Home Murder by Ngaio Marsh: Tells a great story with believable dialog. Tree Girl by Ben Mikaelsen: This book was amazing. It felt like I was there. I could feel pain. Gabriela stood strong even when she felt nothing was there to live for. This book shows what it's like to live through war. 11:30:24 AM

© Copyright 2008 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 11/18/2008; 2:43:04 PM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien