Skip to main content

Homeschool Library Builder (TOS Crew Review)

Okay, before you click away, let me assure you that this review will work for the average family with children in school as well.  When I received information regarding Homeschool Library Builder (HSLB) as a member of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I'll admit I didn't know what I was getting into.  "Library Builder," huh?  How does that work?  Well, let me tell you.

HSLB provides an online bookstore full of used and new books for your home library at really great prices.  Okay, so what?  Well, here's what: my son wants more fiction books, but he reads them so fast, I really don't want to spend a lot on books for him.  So, I head on over to HSLB and click "Search by age" then click "Elementary" and I get a list of discounted books meeting that reading level (for example, 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving that originally retails for $16.95, HSLB sells for $5.99).

Let's talk about the homeschooler for a moment (after all, that's me!).  I want a book that complements my attempt at Charlotte Mason's approach for education, and I recently started following Ambleside Online.  So, on HSLB's website, I click "Search by Curricula" then click "Ambleside" then the grade, in this case I'll use "4th" - and BAM! I get 3 pages of discounted books ranging in price from $1.50 to just under $10.  That's not only a good value, it is darn convenient!

Ever used Book Adventure online?  It is a free online program that your kids can use to take short reading comprehension quizzes (somewhat like AR for schools).  Well, HSLB actually has a subdirectory of books that match the ones in the Book Adventure library of quizzes.  Pretty snazzy, if you ask me!

Okay, so now that you're hooked, I'll give you the bait: this month (which is almost over, so get a move on!), HSLB is offering 20% OFF their already discounted prices.  No coupon needed, so head on over and stock up on some good books for the rest of this chilly winter season.

To see what other Crew Mates had to say about HSLB, click here.

*Disclaimer: this review is based on my own honest opinion, and I have received no compensation for it.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Health Care in the USA

Well, it is time for another political rant, so depending on your standing, you may want to mosey along.... Health care in the United States is apparently in need of an overhaul.  There are few who disagree.  However, the method of that overhaul is in question.  Many would like to use their power in government to take over health care.  Yeah, yeah, yeah, they are calling it a reform , but it is really just a takeover . So, okay, let's evaluate. Your company, which you have worked for your entire life, is losing money.  It is still afloat, but it isn't doing as well as it could.  You have a couple of choices as a member of the voting board of directors : you could vote in favor of a reevaluation of what is working and what isn't, what rules are already in place that aren't being followed that would benefit your bottom line, and what people in your company are beneficial and what people are detrimental, then you could weed out things and people who aren...

How Has Homeschooling Affected My Life?

Well, homeschooling IS my life, so suffice it to say, there's no stone unturned!  Massive takeover, at times, a bit hostile!! For example, my second child was getting ready to embark on Mother's Day Out and my first child was conveniently ensconced in a Government-run "educational" facility, and I had a glimmer of real freedom... for about a day.  Then I found out I was preggo with Baby #3.  Commence Meltdown. I have since gotten over that traumatic , er, beautiful time, and we have embraced homeschooling.  The freedom never came, the oldest got pulled from Uncle Sam's Brainwashing Academy, and the second offspring never entered a public school.  The third will not go away to preschool. They go with me to the doctor.  This, they do not love.  Neither do I. ( Mommy, why is she putting that there?? ) Alas, it is our lot in life... at least until the eldest is of babysitting age. They go with me to the grocery store.  This, they love occasion...

The Children Unite!

My children all got together last night while I was sleeping and decided to up the ante. They agreed to sabotage all of my good intentions with back-talk, whining, defiance, and drama. And that was just for breakfast. My day started with my husband grouching at me about something that doesn't affect him, followed by the Mommy Sweater attaching herself to me over my morning coffee and clinging for dear life. Not to be outdone, The Boy decided to refuse to do his math. That's it. He just wasn't gonna do it. So there. (yeah, he did his math) As if that wasn't enough to turn Super Mom into a blubbering idiot, The Princess, aka The Eldest Child, spent a laborious hour writing sentences for her spelling words, because " it's too ha-a-a-a-ard " to write a sentence using words like "kitchen" and "throw." Uh-huh. Sure. Well, more whining continued throughout the day, interspersed with moments of blatant defiance and dramatic flair over...