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Tag Archives: Paranormal
YA FIC – Spill Zone; Skinful of Shadows; Race to the Bottom of the Sea; Starfish
Posted on February 28, 2018 by pslamediaselectionreview
Westerfeld, Scott. Spill Zone. First Second, 2017. 978-1-59643-936-8. 224 p. $22.99. Gr. 9-12.
Addison and her sister Lexa live in the seemingly abandoned town of Poughkeepsie, New York. Lexa hasn't spoken since her parents disappeared three years earlier, when a strange "spill" occurred and changed the town forever. Not many venture into the spill zone, where nightmarish creatures and cruel manifestations lurk around every corner. But in order to support herself and her sister, Addie illegally ventures into the zone to capture pictures of the otherworldly terrors inside, selling them to curious outside collectors for top dollar. While in the zone, Addie has rules for herself that she refuses to break in order to stay alive – that is, until a collector offers her an incredible sum of money for extremely dangerous photographs. So Addie decides to take the risk, putting her life in danger, but to also hopefully to learn more about the spill – which might not be the only one in the world. A haunting, peculiar story from YA staple Westefeld, with surreal artwork from Alex Puvilland. THOUGHTS: A good addition to any graphic novel collection where post-apocalyptic tales are still popular.
Graphic Novel Vicki Schwoebel, Friends' Central School
Hardinge, Frances. A Skinful of Shadows. New York: Amulet Books, 2017. 978-1-4197-2572-2. 415 p. $19.99. Gr. 7 and up.
Frances Hardinge writes odd, dark, twisty, and cleverly complicated novels, and her most recent offering, A Skinful of Shadows, is no different. This is the story of Makepeace, a girl raised in a strict Puritan community, who has the ability to house spirits inside of her head. Most of her life, Makepeace fought against these spirits and spent her formative years learning defensive tactics to keep them out. However, after a devastating accident leaves Makepeace orphaned, she unwittingly allows the spirit of a once-captive bear to take up residence in her head. Bear, as she calls him, becomes a fierce ally, and he and Makepeace form an unshakeable bond. Sent to live with her mysterious and aristocratic relatives, the Fellmottes, Makepeace learns some disturbing secrets about this side of her family, so when it becomes clear that her life is in danger, Makepeace flees. The novel is set in England during the reign of King Charles I, amidst great political turmoil and upheaval; the civil war between the Royalists and Parliamentarians plays a large role in the plot, with Makepeace both spying for, and subjugating herself to, both sides. While on the run, Makepeace acquires other spirits; watching the interplay between all of the personalities, including Bear, is what makes this story great and drives the action. Makepeace, who has no cause to trust anyone other than herself and Bear, must learn to come to terms with her abilities, and learn to put herself – literally – into the hands of others. At the same time, she transforms from a girl with no agency into a fully-fledged, autonomous young woman, who is not afraid to get what she wants.
Historical Fantasy Lauren Friedman-Way, The Baldwin School
Eager, Lindsay. Race to the Bottom of the Sea. Somerville, MA: Candlewick, 2017. 978-0-7636-7923-1. 432 p. $17.99. Gr. 6 and up.
Life is a series of oceanic adventures for Fidelia Quail, daughter of two prominent scientists (a marine biologist and a zoologist) in Lindsay Eager's Race to the Bottom of the Sea. On track to be as brilliant as her parents, and already with several substantial and successful inventions under her belt (including a two-person submersible), Fidelia's future looks very bright indeed. When disaster strikes, and Dr. and Dr. Quail are tragically lost during a storm, Fidelia is consumed by grief and guilt and is unsure how to move on. Her mourning is rudely interrupted by Merrick the Monstrous, the most fearsome pirate alive, who kidnaps Fidelia with the intent of using her to find his treasure. Merrick, however, has some secrets of his own, and is, perhaps, not as monstrous as everyone things. THOUGHTS: This book is at once a fast-paced adventure novel of the high seas, while at the same time it's also a philosophical look at life, death, and sacrifice. The latter at times feels too heavy for middle-grade readers; this, combined with Merrick's backstory all about his doomed romance (the reader knows who his love interest is, but Fidelia does not), makes this novel less accessible than it should be. However, Fidelia is such a feisty, whip-smart heroine, who uses both common sense and her scientific mind to think her way out of trouble, and she will definitely resonate with readers of all levels. Her relationship with Merrick, and her growing empathy towards him, is palpable, and serves to move the plot forward. Hand this to readers who enjoy quirky, outside-the-box tales.
Fantasy Lauren Friedman-Way, The Baldwin School
Bowman, Akemi Dawn. Starfish. Simon Pulse, 2017. 978-1-4814-8772-6. 343 p. $17.99. Gr. 9 and up.
All her life, Kiko Himura has felt like an outsider. She suffers from anxiety and wants nothing more than acceptance from her mother, who belittles Kiko's Japanese descent (which came from her father) as well as her dreams of attending Prism Art School in New York City. When Kiko receives a rejection letter from Prism, she is devastated. She cannot stand to live in her house any longer with her emotionally abusive mother and her sexually abusive uncle. She cannot move in with her father, for he is too preoccupied with his second wife and their newborn twin daughters. Therefore, when a childhood friend invites her to head to California with him and look at art schools out west, she decide to take advantage of the opportunity. Once there, Kiko begins to flourish. Under the mentorship of artist Hiroshi Matsumoto, who befriends her at an art show, Kiko begins to find herself through art, and she finally gains the courage and conviction that had been missing all her life. A moving story that will speak volumes to any reader who has ever experienced anxiety or self-doubt. THOUGHTS: Though slow-moving at first, the pace of this novel picks up about halfway through, and readers will find themselves desperately rooting for the realistic and relatable Kiko and hoping that she soon finds her voice. Besides drawing relatable characters, the author has also interweaved a love story and complicated family dynamics into the novel, creating a narrative that will speak to a variety of readers for different reasons. A 2018 William C. Morris Award finalist, this novel will have readers anxiously awaiting Bowman's next release, set to debut in September of 2018.
Realistic Fiction Julie Ritter, Montoursville Area High School
Posted in Young Adult | Tagged Abusive Relationships, death, Disappearance, Dystopian, Family Relationships, Fantasy, Friendship, Graphic Novel, Grief, Kidnapping, Paranormal, Pirates, Puritan England, Realistic Fiction, Romance, War | Leave a reply
A Few More 2016 Titles…The Peculiar Night of the Blue Heart; The Fairy Tale Matchmaker; Lost in Ghostville
DeStefano, Lauren. The Peculiar Night of the Blue Heart. Bloomsbury, 2016. 978-1-61963-643-9. $16.99. 208pp. Gr. 4-7.
Marybeth is well respected at the orphanage. She befriends Lionel, a boy misunderstood by others. After winding up at a barn unexpectedly for a night, she tells Lionel that she followed the blue spirit and since then things have been very wierd. Mrs. Mannerd is very worried about Marybeth's recent behavior. Doctors worry that Marybeth is hurting other students, and this upsets Mrs. Mannerd as she would have loved to have a child like Marybeth before these episodes. The special doctor visit leads Marybeth to be admitted into a hospital where it will be month before visitors are permitted. How can Lionel save his dear friend? THOUGHTS: This is a powerful novel filled with heart. The message that bravery is inside resonates throughout the adventures. Late in the book readers learn that Lionel's father killed his mother and that is why he wants to be a fierce animal. The spirit shows that Liza was killed and father suggested mother not know and the guilt rid the older brother.
Fantasy Beth McGuire, Hempfield Area School District
Baker, E.D. The Fairy Tale Matchmaker: The Truest Heart. Bloomsbury, 2016. 978-1-61963-849-5. $16.99. 272pp. Gr. 4-7
Cory needs to participate in the Ogre party that includes a kick boulder game, food-eating contest, flatulence contest, and a three-legged race. This is a diversion for the harassment and sabotage that Cory has received since leaving the Tooth Fairy Guild. While Cory is a cupid, this is kept a secret. Her skills make it hard for her to believe that her mother, Delphinium, who disowned her, should pair with FLEA Officer Deads. Cory seeks advice from her grandfather, also a cupid. Will Cory be able to calm the guilds, help her estranged mother, and embrace her Cupid skills? THOUGHTS: E.D. Baker writes whimsical novels and has also influenced Walt Disney's The Frog Princess. The series should be read in order to build on the continuity of the series.
Bladek, John. Lost in Ghostville. Stone Arch, 2016. 978-1-4965-3360-9. 205pp. $25.32. Gr. 4-8.
Sixth grader Trey embraces adventure and finding ghosts. He basks in the new excitement that celebrity Rex Rangler adds to their low key town. Trey even brings his ecto-meter to the girl's bathroom at school, but this leads to trouble. As a result, Trey's mother drives him and Vicki to Dino-Barn, but it does not feel right. The old theater owner, Mr. Greensock, is there. Vicki remembers that he died last year. Through his adventure he is shocked to become friends with Vicki, and she wonders if she can find the ghost of her father who died at war. Trey has his ecto-meter and hopes to find his grandma and free Vicki. He has a showdown with Rex to confront his "ghostnapping." This book also includes a glossary. THOUGHTS: With well developed characters and adventure, this book is more than a ghost story to cause fear.
Fantasy/Paranormal Beth McGuire, Hempfield Area School District
Posted in Elementary/Children's, Middle Grades (5-8) | Tagged Family Relationships, Fantasy, Friendship, Ghosts, Paranormal, Series Fiction | Leave a reply
YA Paranormal – Useless Bay; Holding Smoke; Best Friend's Exorcism
Beaufrand, M. J. Useless Bay. New York: Amulet Books, 2016. 978-1-4197-2138-0. 229pp. $17.95. Grades 7 and up.
The Gray quintuplets are a remarkable force on the isolated and windswept island they call home. Pixie Gray and her four brothers are "born of the island itself"; strong and tall, independent and mischievous, and fiercely united . The Grays and Pixie's bloodhound, Patience, are the ones the residents of the island turn to in times of trouble; they serve as the official search team for any accidents or missing persons. When Grant Shepard, the 10-year-old son of a millionaire vacation home owner, disappears on a stormy night the Grays are called in for the search, but they are also under suspicion since they may have been the last people to see him. The story is told through alternating perspectives of Pixie and Grant's older brother, Henry. The novel pieces together the events leading to Grant's disappearance and provides insight into the family dramas in the Gray and Shepard clans. The Gray search party finds the body of Grant's mother, and strange and unsettling coincidences begin to pile up. The realization that a killer is on the loose, and Grant is still missing sets everyone on edge, and the Grays and Henry struggle to find answers before it's too late. Paranormal elements mix with gothic intrigue; Whidbey Island is almost a character itself. Pixie has an unusual connection with her home; she hears voices and has visions from her dreams and the sea which offer warning and clues as the evening's events unfold Confusing and complicated at times, but ultimately a satisfying read. THOUGHTS: An atmospheric, brooding mystery with a paranormal twist and a hint of romance.
Paranormal Mystery Nancy Summers, Abington SHS
Cosimano, Elle. Holding Smoke. Los Angeles: Disney-Hyperion, 2016. 978-1484725979. 336pp. $17.99. Gr 7 and up.
Weeks after nearly being killed by his own father, John "Smoke" Conlan is convicted of murdering his teacher and a student at his high school. Now he lives on the toughest block in "The Y", the Denver Detention Center with the most hardened juvenile offenders. But Smoke stands apart; he has a secret, the ability to leave his body and travel outside the walls. The knowledge he gets on the street is valuable to his cellmates though no one knows how he gets his information. While tracking down info for a friend he happens upon a former classmate, a girl named Pink who has the ability to see his spirit as he walks outside. With her help, he has the chance to clear his name, but someone is trying to stop anyone from finding out the truth. Pink, Smoke, and the warden's daughter are now in danger as they each try to find out more about the circumstances of the double murder. John himself is a compelling and believable character, a damaged individual with a past that may be impossible to escape. Good character development for each of the boys in juvie, both friends and foes of Smoke, with believable interactions and relationships between the kids on the block. THOUGHTS: A solid mystery with paranormal elements in a gritty and realistic setting that would appeal to fans of Lisa McMann's Wake trilogy. An interesting author's note at the end reveals the similarities between Cosimano's experiences as the daugher of a warden and the details in her novel.
Hendrix, Grady. My Best Friend's Exorcism. Philadelphia: Quirk Books, 2016. 978-1-59474-862-2. 330 pp. $19.99. Gr. 9 and up.
Grady Hendrix's 2014 novel, Horrorstör, was packaged to resemble an IKEA catalog. His latest, My Best Friend's Exorcism, simulates a 1989 Albemarle Academy yearbook, complete with heartfelt inscriptions inside the covers. It's the story of sophomores and lifelong besties Abby and Gretchen, who take LSD on a whim after a day of boating with pals. Gretchen disappears into the woods, and when she reappears the next morning, something is a little off. She has strange symptoms and outbursts and feels invisible hands touching her incessantly, and that is just the beginning. Though Abby is determined to help her friend, she's met with resistance at every turn. Help finally arrives during a school assembly when Christian, a member of the Lemon Brothers Faith and Fitness Show, perceives the demon within Gretchen and challenges it to emerge, and an exorcism is born! THOUGHTS: With 1980s song titles setting the tone for each chapter, and a tip of the hat to Stephen King's Thinner, this is Grady Hendrix at his humorously horrific (and sometimes just horrifying) best!
Horror (Adult Crossover) Amy V. Pickett, Ridley High School Library
YouTube has a playlist of all 27 chapter titles! Playlist: My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
Posted in Young Adult | Tagged Demons, Drug Use, Familial Relationships, Fiction, Friendship, Horror, Mystery, Paranormal, Siblings | Leave a reply
MS Series Continuation – Lockwood & Co.
Posted on March 30, 2016 by pslamediaselectionreview
Stroud, Jonathan. Lockwood & Co.: The Hollow Boy. New York: Disney Hyperion, 2015. 978-1484709689. 385p. $16.99. Gr. 5-8.
This is the much anticipated third volume in the Lockwood & Co. ghost thriller series. Lockwood & Co is the psychic investigation agency (ghost-hunting) led by Anthony Lockwood Esq., and assisted by George Cubbins, the round mound of research, and the gifted Lucy Carlyle, who can hear and communicate with the dead, and narrates the story. For the last 20 years London has had an enormous uptick in paranormal activity and giant agencies staffed with adults are assisting the government's DEPRAC – Department of Psychic Research and Control – in beating back the attacking ghosts and apparitions at night, enforcing a curfew, cordoning off whole sections of the city, and trying to solve what has caused these clusters of disturbances which in some cases cause loss of life. But, only kids can truly hear and see the ghosts and their warning signs, making the teenage team at Lockwood & Co. almost always successful. In this volume, Stroud introduces the uber-efficient assistant Holly Munro, and she shakes up the group dynamics established in the first two books. THOUGHTS: Haven't read the first two Lockwood & Co. books in this series? No worries; jump right in! I did and didn't feel lost at all, just thrilled, as I turned page after page and read this whopping book in two sittings. If Harry, Ron and Hermione were ghost-hunters, Lockwood & Co. would be their agency. Similar to the Harry Potter series, the writing is crisp, witty, and masterful. The world is fully inhabited with real people and otherworldly beings readers can visualize, and Stroud has created a full universe with its own reality and vocabulary. There is a ghost glossary at the end to help readers navigate this complex world. Highly recommended for anyone grade 5 and up.
Paranormal Fantasy Kathie Jackson, Plymouth Meeting Friends School
Posted in Elementary/Children's | Tagged Detective, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal, Series Fiction | Leave a reply
YA Fantasy – The Walls Around Us; Nimona
Suma, Nova Ren. The Walls Around Us. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin, 2015. 978-1-61620-372-6. 323 p. $16.99. Gr. 9-12.
The "Bloody Ballerina" Orianna Speerling is fifteen when she is convicted of murdering two rival dancers. A month after her sentence begins, all forty-two girls interned at the Aurora Hills Secure Juvenile Detention Center are dead as a result of an unexplainable mass killing. Ori's story is gradually revealed through the eyes of Violet, Ori's best friend, a fellow dancer who knows more about Ori's crime than she is willing to admit since she does not want to risk her future career as a professional dancer. The second narrator is Amber, an inmate at Aurora Hills, who is serving a long sentence all while keeping secret the fact that she has visions of girls she's never met. Suma interlaces the three narratives brilliantly. THOUGHTS: The Walls Around Us is well-written, and Suma expertly tells the story of Ori through the eyes of Amber and Violet. Creepy, ghostly, and macabre with a twist ending, The Walls Around Us will stay with readers after they have finished.
Paranormal Fantasy Graig Henshaw, Littlestown Senior HS/Maple Avenue MS
Stevenson, Noelle. Nimona. New York, NY: HarperTeen, 2015. 9780062278234. 266 p. $17.99. Gr. 7 Up.
Ballister Blackheart (a former ex-knight and current supervillain) is focused on the destruction of the Institute of Law Enforcement and Heroics, but he also has a score to settle with former acquaintance, Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin. Blackheart is putting his plans in motion when in steps Nimona (a shapeshifter) who claims to be his new sidekick. Nimona has little concern for human life and following the rules of villainy leaves Blackheart with the task of keeping her under control. The two soon discover that good and evil are not as separate as they thought. Stevenson creates a tremendous world blending medieval times with modern times and science fiction. Nimona is a flawed and interesting protagonist, and the interactions between the characters are interesting. THOUGHTS: Nimona is an excellent example of a graphic novel getting things right. There is fantastic world building along with dynamic characters. Sometimes bad is good and good is bad in Nimona, which adds to its appeal.
Fantasy; Graphic Novel Graig Henshaw, Littlestown Senior HS/Maple Avenue MS
Posted in Young Adult | Tagged Fantasy, Female Protagonists, Graphic Novel, Paranormal | Leave a reply
YA Fantasy, Paranormal, and Sci-Fi: Darkthaw; The Accident Season; Illuminae; Forget Tomorrow
Boorman, Kate A. Darkthaw. New York: Amulet Books, 2015. 978-1-4197-1663-8. 325 p. $17.95. Gr. 7 and up.
In this sequel to Winterkill, Emmeline and a small band of sympathizers leave the compound where they have had little free will in pursuit of freedom in a place she has seen in her dreams and from which her companion, Matista, has come. The two young women are connected by the foreshadowing dreams that involve each other, and now that the promising thaw has come in terms of both the environment and the fall of the Council that governed the settlement, Emmeline sets out. Her journey is fraught with challenges as she navigates the terrain, confused loyalties, the questions of forgiveness and redemption, illness, hostile tribes, and her relationship with Kane, whom she loves and who has told her he will go with her anywhere until his responsibilities are also tested. THOUGHTS: Emmeline is a strong female character upon whom secondary and male characters depend for modeling behavior, dedication and decision-making. Fans of Winterkill and similar fantasy adventure stories led by dominant female characters will enjoy this sequel. Includes mild sex scenes (kissing with "heat") and graphic violence.
Fantasy Annette Sirio, Barack Obama Academy
Fowley-Doyle, Moira. The Accident Season. New York: Kathy Dawson Books, 2015. 978-0-525-42948-7. 291 p. $17.99. Gr. 9-12.
Every October, Cara and her family suddenly become extremely accident-prone. Having
no explanation for all of the cuts, bruises, and tragedies during this time, they refer to this month as the accident season and simply prepare for it as best as they can. This year, however, Cara notices that a strange girl named Elsie appears in every single one of her photos and begins to wonder if there is a connection between this mysterious girl and the accident season. As she searches for Elsie, family secrets are uncovered, relationships develop, and Cara's entire world comes crashing down as everything she thought she knew about the accident season is turned upside down. THOUGHTS: An interesting mix of mystery, suspense, romance, paranormal fiction, and realistic family dynamics make this an intriguing read. Although the story starts out slow, the plot picks up about halfway through, and plot twists and turns will keep readers hooked from this point on. Some sensitive subjects, such as teenage drinking and sexual assault, make this book more appropriate for high school audiences.
Paranormal Fiction Julie Ritter, Montoursville Area High School
Kaufman, Amie, and Jay Kristoff. Illuminae: The Illuminae Files_01. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2015. 978-0-553-49911-7. 599 pp. $18.99. Gr. 8 and up.
When an illegal mining operation on the planet of Kerenza is attacked by BeiTech Corporation, escapees flee to nearby spaceships Alexander, Hypatia, and Copernicus. Among these refugees are recent exes Kady and Ezra, who wind up on different ships but manage to re-connect via pirated communication channels. Ezra is quickly conscripted into the military as a fighter pilot, while Kady is tapped for her computer hacking skills. When the battleship Alexander inexplicably bombs a member of its own fleet, killing thousands of people, it seems the ship's artificial intelligence (AIDAN) has gone rogue. Kady just might have the skills to stop AIDAN, but at a great personal cost. Oh, and BeiTech's attack included a highly contagious new virus called Phobos that turns its victims into paranoid space zombies. The novel is packaged as an intelligence report in the form of transcripts, data files, and images, compiled by the mysterious Illuminae group. It will be fun to booktalk with fans of zombies, science fiction, graphic novels, and IM-style narratives. THOUGHTS: Don't be put off by Illuminae's hefty 599 pages; the novel reads at near-warp speed and its many deft plot maneuvers will have readers scanning the galaxy for the sequel, Geminae, coming in 2016!
Illuminae would be a great choice for fans of the movies The Martian and Interstellar. Thanks to the fun, unique format it has appeal for reluctant readers and avid readers alike.
Science Fiction Amy V. Pickett, Ridley High School
Dunn, Pintip. Forget Tomorrow. Entangled Teen, 2015. 978-1-63375-238-2. 336 p. $16.99. Grades 6 and up.
Callie Stone, like every other young person turning seventeen in Eden City, looks forward to her birthday with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Each seventeen-year-old receives a vision sent back from the future to their younger self. This vision is viewed by society as the definitive course that each person's life will take. People have visions of themselves as experts in certain fields, as parents of large families, or even as criminals committing terrible offenses. Callie hopes to receive a vision of herself as an expert chef, but in her horrifying dream, she has killed her sister, Jessa. Callie willingly goes to "limbo", the prison for future offenders, because she must stop herself from doing something so terrible to her beloved sister. Her childhood sweetheart, Logan, who has ignored her for the past five years, unexpectedly appears to free her from prison. Logan is involved in the Underground, a resistance group that helps those seeking to escape their pre-ordained futures. Is the future already written? Can Callie change her fate? Logan has now given her the chance to find out. THOUGHTS: Forget Tomorrow is an exciting novel that creates a richly detailed dystopian society. Like many of the better offerings in the genre, it asks larger questions about the human condition. This book tackles the issue of free will and a person's ability to circumvent fate. Forget Tomorrow is romantic and somewhat violent, but teen and pre-teen fans of dystopian literature will love it.
This novel hasn't received a lot of buzz, possibly because it is from a smaller independent publisher, but it is one of the best dystopian novels to come along in a while. Callie, Logan, and the other characters are interesting and relatable. The action is exciting and a number of plot twists will keep the reader guessing. There is a cliffhanger ending that points to future adventures for Callie, Logan, and Jessa. Forget Tomorrow is a book that readers won't forget any time soon.
Dystopian Susan Fox, Washington Jr./Sr. High School
Posted in Young Adult | Tagged Dystopian, Fantasy, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Series | Leave a reply
Beastly Bones; Annie Van Sinderen; A Step Toward Falling
Posted on January 5, 2016 by pslamediaselectionreview
Ritter, William. Beastly Bones. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin, 2015. 978-1-61620-354-2. 304 p. $17.95. Gr. 7 and up.
In this sequel to 2014's Jackaby, paranormal detective R.F. Jackaby and his assistant, Abigail Rook are back with a mystery that has its beginnings in a "chameleomorph", a supernatural creature that takes on the form of what it has last eaten. One of New Fiddleham's residents is murdered shortly after her cat is possessed by a chameleomorph. Fortunately, Jackaby is able to diminish the creature by feeding it insects. Shortly after this incident, another strange murder takes Jackaby and Abigail to nearby Gad's Valley and an unusual archeological dig. It soon becomes apparent that a chameleomorph (living in the body of a fantastic, destructive creature) is to blame for the increasing number of murders. The bigger question is, who released the paranormal creature and why would he want to draw Jackaby and Abigail away from New Fiddleham? THOUGHTS: Beastly Bones is just as funny, interesting, and clever as the first book in the series. There is an added level of social commentary regarding the role of women that gives this story additional depth. This book is highly recommended for any junior or senior high school library.
This novel is at least as enjoyable as its predecessor, and it may be even more enjoyable in some ways; characters are more deeply developed, and the plot is a bit easier to follow. Jackaby is still eccentric, but he is a more fully realized eccentric. Just when the reader thinks he is being inattentive, Jackaby delivers bits of wisdom including the following, "people think that when we arrive at a crossroads, we can choose only one path, but- as I have often and articulately postulated- people are stupid. We're not walking the path. We are the path….Of course, you can choose both." This is truly an empowering message for Abigail, and all young women who feel that they must choose between love and adventure/career. Beastly Bones is truly an entertaining and intelligent book.
Mystery; Paranormal Susan Fox, Washington Jr./Sr. High School
Ritter, William. Beastly Bones. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Young Readers, 2015. 978-1-61620-354-2. 295 p. $15.99. Gr. 7-12.
After surviving her first investigation with the eccentric detective R.F. Jackaby, Abigail Rook decides to assist him in this sequel to Jackaby. When Mrs. Beaumont is discovered dead, Jackaby launches into two separate investigations, but Abigail turns her attention to the mystery of fossils unearthed in Gad's Valley. Abigail's father is a paleontologist, and she still wants his approval, so when a body is found near the dig site and the police send for Jackaby, she has the opportunity to combine her love for investigation and paleontology. Joining the investigation is exiled police officer Charlie Cane who also happens to be a shape-shifter. Accompanied by Hank Hudson, the detectives launch a full investigation. After discovering the remains of one the most terrifying creatures to ever exist, bones begin to disappear. Jackaby and company must solve the mystery before the body count increases. Ritter mixes humor, adventure, mystery, gore, and romance exceptionally. With two cases left to solve, readers will have to patiently wait for a third volume in the series. THOUGHTS: Beastly Bones is an enjoyable reading experience that continues to develop Jackaby and Rook as two detectives reminiscent of Holmes and Watson. With multiple cases going on at the same time, readers will be kept guessing.
Fantasy, Paranormal Graig Henshaw, Littlestown Senior HS/Maple Avenue MS
Howe, Katherine. The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2015. 978-0-399-16778-2. 379 p. $17.99. Gr. 9-12.
Wes Auckerman is an aspiring filmmaker who is taking a summer course at NYU. While helping a friend film a seance, Wes meets an intriguing, mysterious girl named Annie. As he begins to spend time with her, he comes to realize that she is actually a ghost alternating between her previous life in NYC during the 1800s and present-day NYC. When Wes and Annie begin delving into Annie's past in search of her missing ring, they uncover some dark secrets and must hurry to rectify things before Annie runs out of time. All the while, Wes works against his own deadline as he documents their adventures on camera in an attempt to complete a memorable film project for his summer class. THOUGHTS: The book is an interesting mix of paranormal romance and historical fiction. Fans of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series will enjoy this novel for its paranormal romance elements, but fans of historical fiction will enjoy the story just as well for its contrast between 19th century NYC and present-day NYC.
Historical Fiction; Paranormal Julie Ritter, Montoursville Area High School
McGovern, Cammie. A Step Toward Falling. New York: HarperTeen, 2015. 978-0-06-227113-6. 364 pp. $17.99. Gr. 8 and up.
When Emily witnesses the sexual assault of a developmentally disabled student named Belinda during a high school football game, she fails to take action. Likewise for team member Lucas Kessler, who also walks away instead of getting help. As a disciplinary action, both teens are required to volunteer with a Boundaries & Relationships class for adults with developmental disabilities at the Lifelong Learning Center. Thrown into volunteering together, the two develop a tentative friendship that blossoms as they work together to stage a production of Pride and Prejudice, featuring Belinda in a lead role, as a way to make things right. Alternating chapters from Belinda's perspective describe the chain of events leading up to her being outside the locker room, alone and vulnerable on that fateful game night. In her innocent, unfiltered voice she also describes, among other things, her love of Pride and Prejudice. The classic smartly lends A Step Toward Falling some themes of looking beyond appearances and social strata to truly get to know people. McGovern's second novel (after Say What You Will, 2014) has a relaxed pace, but the dual narration, skillful unraveling of the truth about the night of the attack, and true-to-life relationships will hold the reader's interest throughout. THOUGHTS: The many important messages in this novel go down easily with a sweet spoonful of realistic romance!
Cammie McGovern's sister, Elizabeth McGovern, is an actress on Downton Abbey! Learn more about Cammie McGovern, including her role in founding Whole Children, by watching this Epic Author Facts clip.
Realistic Fiction Amy V. Pickett, Ridley High School
Posted in Young Adult | Tagged Assault, Disabilities, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Realistic Fiction, Romance | Leave a reply
Fuzzy Mud; Written and Drawn by Henrietta; Forbidden
Sachar, Louis. Fuzzy Mud. New York: Delacorte Press, 2015. 978-0-375-99129-5. 181p. $16.99. Gr. 4-6.
Tamaya Dhilwaddi is a good student at Woodbridge Academy in western PA, quiet but conscientious. As she navigates the life of a fifth grader, she walks to and from school each day with her older neighbor, Marshall. Marshall was also a good student until Chad, a new student, moves in and starts bullying him. To avoid a confrontation, Marshall takes Tamaya home from school on a not-so-shortcut through the woods. When Chad finds and comes after them, Tamaya grabs a fistful of "fuzzy mud" and throws it at his face. The mud, it seems, has an awful reaction on Tamaya's hand and when she learns Chad is missing imagines the worst about him. The mystery is fast-paced as she goes looking for him, followed by Marshall, and the three find out the hard way about "fuzzy mud." It is actually a man-made rapidly multiplying microorganism gone awry, which readers gradually learn about through alternating chapters of testimony from an inquiry into Sun Ray farm. Thoughts: The story is part mystery, part realistic fiction, and very fast-paced. It is reminiscent of Holes in how neatly the parts come together. Highly recommended for a quick read-aloud worthy of conversation about the environment, bullying and friendship.
Realistic Fiction; Mystery Lisa Weiss, Churchville Elementary School
Liniers, Ricardo Siri. Written and Drawn by Henrietta. New York: TOON Books, 2015. 978-1-935179-90-0 60p. $12.95. Gr. K-3.
This is a story within a story. Henrietta is given a box of colored pencils which she says is "as close as you can get to owning a piece of the rainbow." She then uses them to create a story, thinking aloud with her cat, Fellini, as she includes suspense, new ideas, and the "plot thickens." Her story includes a nod to Narnia, as a three-headed monster comes into her room looking in her messy wardrobe for a hat. As she joins them on the adventure, they meet another monster, a quiet mouse, and ultimately find what they are looking for together. Thoughts: Through fabulous language about writing and drawing from the start ("A book is like a world you can carry around with you.") to following Henrietta's thinking process in creating a story, this book is a great find for budding writers and illustrators. The graphic format is simple but detailed enough that independent readers will enjoy it as well.
Graphic Novel Lisa Weiss, Churchville Elementary School
Bunting, Eve. Forbidden. New York: Clarion Books, 2015. 978-0-544-39092-8. 217 p. $17.99. Grades 5-8.
Sixteen-year-old Josie Ferguson is sent to live with relatives after her parents succumb to an influenza outbreak in 18th century Scotland. Josie's aunt and uncle live along the country's rocky northern coast and are as menacing as the stormy sea. Right from the beginning, Josie senses that there is something wrong with her surroundings. She is determined to discover the town's secrets and encounters hostility at every turn. While searching for answers she meets a young man named Eli, who is "forbidden" to her. Josie eventually realizes that the town is preying on ships traveling along the stormy coast, but she cannot foresee the supernatural turn of events, or Eli's involvement, in stopping the carnage. THOUGHTS: Forbidden is a solid introduction to the gothic literary genre. Although older students probably won't enjoy the hurried nature of the plot, or the chaste romance between Josie and Eli, middle school students will find plenty to keep their interest. This book is being marketed to a YA audience, but other reviewers have suggested it for younger readers, something that seems to be "on the mark."
Forbidden is reminiscent of gothic romances by Phyllis Whitney and Mary Stewart and is completely enjoyable. The plot is somewhat formulaic (innocent girl sent to live with unknown relatives stumbles upon great evil) but the paranormal twist, with the presence of avenging ghosts, keeps it fresh. The fact that there is a historical element to the story makes it even more interesting; the deliberate wrecking of ships actually happened along rocky coasts all over the world during the 1800s. This is a short novel that will be perfect for reluctant readers and young women will enjoy the "romance" between Josie and Eli.
Historical Fiction; Paranormal Susan Fox, Washington Jr./Sr. High School
Posted in Elementary/Children's, Middle Grades (5-8) | Tagged Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Middle grades, Mystery, Paranormal, Realistic Fiction, Upper Elementary | Leave a reply
New YA Fantasy and Sci-Fi…Silver in the Blood; Armada
George, Jessica Day. Silver in the Blood. New York: Bloomsbury, 2015. 978-1-61963-431-2. 358 p. $17.99. Gr. 7-12.
Dacia and Lou are cousins, best friends, and debutantes in New York around the turn of the century. They know little about their Romanian ancestors, the Florescus, just that their mothers left Romania in their late teens and never returned. As they turn 17, Dacia and Lou travel to Romania to meet their mysterious grandmother, Lady Iona, as well as the rest of the Florescus clan. The family matriarch is demanding and harsh but lets the girls in on a family secret; they are descended from a long line of shape shifters who can turn into the Claw (wolf), the Wing (bat), and the Smoke (mist). Lady Iona demands that the girls use their powers to aid Prince Mihai, a descendent of the Dracula clan, to overthrow the current throne. While Lou is empowered and embraces her gift, Dacia struggles to find comfort with her new powers. Unnerved by their grandmother's demands, the girls find Prince Mihai to be cunning, manipulative, and deadly. Teaming up with two gentleman with secrets of their own, Lou and Dacia find courage in themselves and within one another to go against their family. THOUGHTS: This historical fantasy set in 1897 is a worthy addition to any teen section looking for strong, empowered female characters.
Fantasy (Paranormal) Vicki Schwoebel, Friends' Central School
Cline, Ernest. Armada. New York: Crown Publishers, 2015. 978-0-8041-3725-6. 349p. $26.00. Gr 9-12.
Self described "full-time geek" Ernest Cline takes on aliens in his sophomore title. Zack Lightman's life revolves around sci-fi videogames, books, and movies. His late father left him a journal listing all of his favorites, and Zack explores them all to feel connected to his dad. Zack day-dreams of his favorite video game, Armada, so when he sees the same spaceship from the game outside of his school, he knows it must be his imagination… right? Wrong. Soon Zack is swept up into an impending war with an alien species, and must use his video game skills to fight the enemy. The truth about his father's past, the world's long standing fight with aliens, and why we really play video games are all revealed through the course of the story. Pop-culture references seem a bit forced at times, but younger science fiction fans won't be fazed. THOUGHTS: Critics and readers will inevitably compare this to Cline's immensely successful debut, Ready Player One, but it's best to read Armada as it's own title to fully enjoy the story.
Science Fiction Vicki Schwoebel, Friends' Central School
Posted in Young Adult | Tagged Aliens, Fantasy, Paranormal, Science Fiction, Shape-shifters, Video Games | Leave a reply
New Fantasy, Dystopian, and Sci-Fi…The Awesome; Prairie Fire; We All Looked Up; 5 to 1
Posted on October 7, 2015 by pslamediaselectionreview
Darrows, Eva. The Awesome. Oxford, UK: Ravenstone, 2015. 978-1-78108-324-6. 246 p. $9.99. Gr. 9-12.
Seventeen-year-old Maggie Cunningham is not your typical teenager, but that's to be expected considering she is an apprentice monster hunter. Maggie wants one thing: to become federally registered so she can track and hunt vampires, but in order to do so, she has to lose her virginity. She has to lose the "Big V" to kill the "Big V". Her mother, Janice, tells her it is in order to protect her since most vampires, especially newbies, go wild for virgin blood. However, losing her virginity is easier said than done. Maggie is home schooled, lacks fashion sense, and well, she hunts monsters. It doesn't help that her mother swears like a sailor and tends to embarrass Maggie. For Maggie, getting The Sex seems almost impossible. She even fails in a hysterical attempt to have sex with a drunk guy at a party which leaves her vulnerable to a virgin blood crazed newbie vampire who tries to kill her, but is unsuccessful because her mother just happens to be a total badass. The killing of the young vampire leads Maggie and her mother to a vampire prince, which is definitely going to make getting deflowered more complicated. THOUGHTS: Filled with inappropriate language, a little bit of sex, violence, and an incredibly likeable heroine, The Awesome is a terrific supernatural comedy that is just plain fun. The Awesome is awesome. Be warned though, it's definitely only appropriate for upper grades.
Fantasy, Paranormal Graig Henshaw, Littlestown HS/ Maple Avenue MS
Johnston, E.K. Prairie Fire. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Lab, 2015. 978-1-46773-909-2. 298 p. $18.99. Gr. 7-12
Prairie Fire is the sequel to The Story of Owen and continues the story of Siobhan McQuaid, bard and genius, Owen, and their friends. Prairie Fire is a story of friendship, music, alternative history (Canadian and U.S.), fantasy, fable, ecology, and epic heroism. Every dragon slayer must serve time with the Oil Watch which is basically the military for dragon slayers. Owen, Siobhan, and Sadie join the Oil Watch together. While Siobhan overcomes some setbacks, Owen continues to develop into a dragon slayer capable of any task. Due to their growing popularity, Siobhan and Owen are deployed to one of the coldest, dreariest, and most desolate places, Fort Calgary. It is here that Siobhan, Owen, Sadie, and their friends must band together to face off against one of the rarest and most terrifying dragon species, the Chinook. THOUGHTS: Siobhan McQuaid is responsible for "Uptown Funk" because Owen Thorskard is "too hot, hot damn, make a dragon wanna retire man" and is the hero Bonnie Tyler has been holding out for all these years. Prairie Fire is a story that defines friendship and reminds us why we allow Canada to remain a country. It is superbly written, heart wrenching, and heroic.
Fantasy Graig Henshaw, Littlestown HS/ Maple Avenue MS
Wallach, Tommy. We All Looked Up. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster BFYR, 2015. 978-1-48141-877-5. 370 p. $16.99. Gr. 9-12.
If we learned anything from The Breakfast Club and about a dozen other eighties movies, it is that high school is supposedly all about labels and cliques. The impending possibility of the end of the world provides an athlete, a slut, a slacker, and an overachiever with the opportunity to make changes. Peter, the athlete, must decide whether it is better to fail at something worthwhile or succeed at something meaningless, and whether or not he should pursue true love even if it isn't the popular thing to do. Eliza, the artsy and misunderstood slut, must deal with her father's cancer, chronicling the end of the world (leading to unexpected fame), and her feelings for Peter. Anita, the overachiever, needs to decide if she should follow her parents' strict rules as always, or if she should pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Lastly, Andy, the slacker, must choose between his new safe friends or his old seedy, dangerous friends. They only have two months until the end of the world. During the next two months, the world becomes far more dangerous as people often give in to their malicious intents. THOUGHTS: Although well-written, Tommy Wallach is pessimistic in his view of mankind since most of humanity turns into complete jerks with drug addicts and criminals ruling the day. Maybe I am naïve, but I like to think that if mankind were to find out that the world were about to end, we would band together rather than give into criminal instincts. In We All Looked Up, society falls apart based on whether an asteroid will hit and wipe out two-thirds of the population. The characters, with the exception of Eliza and Peter, are unlikeable. We All Looked Up had me desperately looking for another book to read and longing to watch The Breakfast Club.
Science Fiction Graig Henshaw, Littlestown HS/ Maple Avenue MS
Bodger, Holly. 5 to 1. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2015. 978-0-385-39153-5. 244 p. $17.99. Gr. 9 and up.
Set in a futuristic Indian society run by women, this Dystopian fantasy focuses on a contest where the women get to select their husbands from a group of able suitors. The title refers to the ratio of boys to girls after years of gender selection. Sudasa is the lucky young lady who gets to choose her husband, but she doesn't even know if she wants to get married yet. Kiran is the young man who's family wants him to lose in order to escape India altogether. Her grandmother has thrown her cousin into the mix of suitors, so that Sudasa can save him from what her grandmother sees as certain death. Her cousin knows all the right answers; yet Sudasa is drawn to Kiran. Her father offers Sudasa support and a way out if she needs it. What will she choose? Will she pick the cousin and keep the family intact? Will she choose Kiran though she knows he is throwing all of the challenges in order to be discarded? This story told in alternating voices identified by verse and prose proves to be very different from the norm. THOUGHTS: This is a thought-provoking read because of some real world circumstances (India and China). The premise for the society doesn't seem that far-fetched. A great addition for HS collections as it offers something very fresh and new.
Dystopian Kathryn Gilbride, North Pocono Middle School
Posted in Young Adult | Tagged Adult Language, Dragons, Dystopian, End of the World, Fantasy, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Series continuation, Vampires | Leave a reply


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Kofi Kingston the Next WWE Champ, More Hot Takes of WWE Elimination Chamber 2019
Kevin Wong@@kevinjameswongTwitter LogoFeatured ColumnistFebruary 18, 2019
Credit: WWE.com
WWE Elimination Chamber, for better and for worse, was exactly what fans were expecting. There were no major surprises, no major swerves or 11th-hour plot twists.
And why would there be? For all of the hype surrounding the Elimination Chamber and its dangerous, career-threatening nature, its namesake pay-per-view is too close to WrestleMania to have it amount to anything too dramatic.
At most, it'll set up a plot point or intensify a feud between two competitors, but you're never going to get a firm resolution at an event like this one.
Here are some observations and thoughts about the Elimination Chamber PPV.
The IIconics Are an Underrated Comedy Act
Bayley and Sasha Banks winning the first WWE Women's Tag Team Championships was predictable and appropriate. They have been on the back burner for months and have earned the right to be the historic, inaugural titleholders.
Their performances during the Elimination Chamber match proved their experience and talent over their fellow competitors.
However, one of the underrated highlights of the match was The IIconics, who continue leaning into their petty-mean-girl shtick and mining comedy gold.
They had two major spots: The first came when they entered the match and tried to pin everyone, and the second was when they locked themselves in their own pod to avoid Nia Jax and Tamina.
Diversity makes matches, and not everyone can be a monster. But the IIconics did a great job of portraying the cowardly heels.
Ruby Riott Deserved Better
Ruby Riott got steamrolled by Ronda Rousey in under two minutes.
WWE put zero effort into making The Riott Squad leader seem like a threat, and the entire feud lacked heat and urgency.
This was the wrong way to book a promising, up-and-coming star. Even a five-minute match—in which Rousey dominated throughout—would have been preferable to this non-event.
Enough with the Becky Lynch Injury Storyline
Becky Lynch does not need a knee injury for this Charlotte-McMahon-Rousey storyline to work.
The feud sells itself: It's about nepotism and The Irish Lass Kicker's clash with the WWE authority. It even has a great meta-narrative, about company chairman Vince McMahon being "out of touch" and not giving the fans what they want.
An injury is an unnecessary complication on top of all that. Maybe it allows for more "breaking news" updates on WWE.com, which always go viral because they blur the line between reality and fiction.
However, trolling the smarks isn't a good reason to play the "is she or isn't she?" game.
Kofi Kingston Should Win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35
Kofi Kingston put on a career-defining performance in the main event on Sunday.
The Elimination Chamber gimmick was an afterthought to the one-on-one brawl between Kingston and Daniel Bryan that closed the match out. And even though The Beard won, The New Day member was the last person we saw, standing tall, before the PPV went off the air.
WWE already fumbled a Finn Balor versus Brock Lesnar rematch after their barnburner at the Royal Rumble. They should deliver this time, though, and give the fans what they want: a Bryan vs. Kingston WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 35.
It's being heavily foreshadowed that this year's showpiece on April 7 will be the site of history-making. We might see the first women's main event on The Grandest Stage of Them All. Perhaps WrestleMania 35 can also be the site of another first—a black man winning the WWE Championship.
Xavier Woods and Big E could throw Kingston one hell of a party on Tuesday.
Editor's note: This article was updated to more accurately reflect WWE's history of black champions.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Sending a sympathy card or letter can often express more than what verbal words can say, especially to a person who has just lost someone or is experiencing an extremely difficult time in their life. The time it takes for a person to physically open and read a greeting or sympathy card provides a welcome distraction from painful thoughts, and reminds them they are not alone in the world.
In the last couple of years, I've known a lot of people who have lost loved ones or friends. These sad occurrences have served to remind me of how very precious and short life really is. We need to be in contact with those we love, and prevent time from getting in the way.
Send a note or card, even a very belated one, to someone in need. There is no need to spend a lot of money on an expensive card. It's the thought that counts.
I hope it helps to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I pray that God comforts you in a way that only He can.
Praying for you today. I am so sorry for your loss.
My sincerest condolences for the loss of your father. I will be praying for you.
Sending our sincerest condolences for your loss. We are praying that God gives you His overwhelming peace and hope today.
No matter what is going on in our lives, God knows exactly what we need and when. My prayers for you during this time of loss. I pray you feel the love and comfort of God today.
Sending prayers and love to you and your family during this time. We are so sorry for your loss.
I am asking that God fills your heart and mind with hope and peace that surpasses all understanding.
Today, I am praying that you will be surrounded with God's comforting love. So sorry for your loss.
During this time of loss, I hope that you sense God's love clearly and that it brings you comfort. Sending love and prayers.
May God and the caring love and thoughts from others help you to get through your sorrow.
May you find rest and comfort in the love and hope of God, and others that surround you.
My prayer is that you feel God's love and comfort as you mourn the loss of your loved one.
Praying for you during this time of loss.
Sending caring thoughts and love during this difficult time. I am praying for you.
I pray you find comfort in Jesus during this time of sorrow.
Praying for peace for your heart during this time.
Praying that you feel God's love and peace in a very real way today.
Praying that God will shower you with blessings. May He comfort you in your time of sorrow.
Through God's Love and divine understanding, I pray that He grant you the kind of comfort that He alone can give.
In Christ's loving arms, there is enough strength to carry you, grace to keep you strong, and more than enough love to carry you through this time. I am so sorry for your loss.
Our prayer is that you feel the love of God through the prayers, thoughts, and love from the hearts of those who care and share in your time of sorrow.
My hope is that you found something here that can be of use to you. If not, I hope these words could act as a springboard in the creation of your own personalized message. I encourage you to think of someone today that can use a note or card, and send that to them. I have been the recipient of such things, and it means the world.


SAS Ireland is happy to sponsor the 'Big Data and Analytics' Event which will take place in the Irish Management Institute (IMI) Conference Centre on the IMI Campus on 11th October.
This will be an excellent opportunity to hear from a leading figure in Big Data and Analytics. Professor Tom Davenport is a renowned thought-leader and is recognised as one of the top 25 consultants in the world and one of the 100 most influential people in the IT industry.


text:
This repo supports Starcounter 2.3.1 with Polymer 1 (`master` branch) and Starcounter 2.4.0 with Polymer 2 (`master-2.4` branch). The views in the repo are hybrid.

All changes should be hybrid, made as a PR to the `master` branch.

The build server is configured to attempt testing the PR with Starcounter 2.3.1 and 2.4.0 automatically.

The person who merges the PR to `master`, should also do the manual merge of `master` to `master-2.4` (that doesn't have to be a PR).

The following diagram illustrates the typical workflow:

![](./docs/branches.png)

If it is not possible to make a fully hybrid change, please split the PR into two parts - one hybrid part for `master` and one special part for `master-2.4`.

## How to build and run

### Build and run using CLI

1. Clone this repo to your local machine
2. Build the solution by executing `build.bat` in Windows or `./build.bat` in Git Bash
3. Run it by executing `run.bat` in Windows or `./run.bat` in Git Bash
4. Build and run SignIn, WebsiteEditor, WebsiteProvider, CompositionProvider if they are not already running
5. Go to <http://localhost:8080/websiteeditor>

### Build and run using Visual Studio

1. Clone this repo to your local machine
2. Open the `.sln` file in Visual Studio
3. Build and run it using Debug in Visual Studio (**Debug** > **Start debugging** or <kbd>F5</kbd>)
4. Build and run SignIn, WebsiteEditor, WebsiteProvider, CompositionProvider if they are not already running
5. Go to <http://localhost:8080/websiteeditor>

## Contributing code

To contribute code to this repository, follow the instructions in the [guidelines](https://github.com/Starcounter/CompanyTrack/blob/master/AppsTeam/Guidelines/version_control/contributing_code.md).

## How to release a package

To release the app to the warehouse, follow the instructions in the [guidelines](https://github.com/Starcounter/CompanyTrack/blob/master/AppsTeam/Guidelines/releasing-to-warehouse.md).

## Testing

### Prepare your environment

Before running the steps, you need to:

- Download and install Visual Studio 2015 to run the tests
- Download and install Java, required by Selenium Standalone Server
- Download Selenium Standalone Server and the drivers (Microsoft WebDriver (Edge), Google ChromeDriver (Chrome) and Mozilla GeckoDriver (Firefox)) using the instructions at https://docs.starcounter.io/guides/web-apps/acceptance-testing-with-selenium/
- Add path to the folder with drivers to system path on your computer

### Run the test (from Visual Studio)

1. Start Selenium Remote Driver: `java -jar selenium-server-standalone-3.*.jar`
2. Open `Website.sln` in Visual Studio and enable Test Explorer (Test > Window > Test Explorer)
3. You need to install NUnit 3 Test Adapter in VS (Tools > Extensions and Updates... > Online) in order to see tests in Test Explorer window
3. Start the WebsiteEditor, WebsiteProvider_AcceptanceHelperOne, WebsiteProvider_AcceptanceHelperTwo and WebsiteProvider apps
4. Press "Run all" in Test Explorer
   - If you get an error about some packages not installed, right click on the project in Solution Explorer. Choose "Manage NuGet Packages" and click on "Restore".

### Run the test (from command line)

1. Start Selenium Remote Driver: `java -jar selenium-server-standalone-3.*.jar`
2. Build the solution (build.bat)
3. Start the WebsiteProvider.Tests runner (test.bat)

To run a specific test, add the param `--test="<testname>"`.

To connect to a remote web driver on a different host, add the param `--params="Server=<Uri>"`

To run in a specific browser, add the param `--params="Browsers=<BrowserName>"` (case sensitive). Possible values: `Chrome`, `Firefox`, `Edge` (separated by a comma).

```
test --params="Server=http://192.168.1.49:4444/wd/hub" --params="Browsers=Chrome" --test="WebsiteProvider.Test.PageLoadTests(Chrome).LoadPage_IncludedHtmlField_WrappedAndLoaded"
```

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Applied Biosystems, a division of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE), and its mass spectrometry joint-venture partner, MDS Analytical Technologies, a business unit of MDS Inc. (TSX:MDS) (NYSE:MDZ), today announced the commercial availability of new mass spectrometry tools to help laboratories in a variety of industries advance their efforts to improve public health and safety.
Applied Biosystems, a division of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE), and its mass spectrometry joint-venture partner, MDS Analytical Technologies, a business unit of MDS Inc. (TSX:MDS) (NYSE:MDZ), today announced the commercial availability of new mass spectrometry tools to help laboratories in a variety of industries advance their efforts to improve public health and safety. The Cliquid® 3.0 Software application and mTRAQ® triplex reagents are designed to enhance food and water contaminant testing, forensic drug screening and protein biomarker research.
Cliquid® 3.0 Software is an automated software application for contaminant testing and forensic analysis. It enables scientists to identify unknown compounds, expanding the scope of Cliquid software to identify the greatest number of compounds and driving the life-science industry's most comprehensive solution for food and water contaminant testing as well as forensic drug screening for emerging variations of illicit drugs. mTRAQ® triplex reagents are a set of chemical reagents that label proteins in complex samples for targeted quantitation. They make biomarker verification more accurate, doubling the throughput of analysis, which is expected to accelerate the use of increasing numbers of biomarkers in clinical settings.
These tools, which are optimized for Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies mass spectrometers, including the SCIEX 5500 Systems and SCIEX TOF/TOF 5800 System, enable scientists to increase their ability to use mass spectrometry systems to identify and quantify compounds or contaminants. For example, food testing laboratories can detect unknown contaminants that may be present in the food supply, while forensic laboratories may be able to identify new designer street drugs in forensic investigations. In the proteomics field, researchers can more rapidly verify and validate biomarkers to support their potential use in clinical settings, including the emergence of personalized medicine.
"Scientists in a variety of industries are continuing to employ the power of mass spectrometry to advance their efforts in improving public health and safety. Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies continues to support these scientists by providing them with innovative technologies that deliver complete workflow solutions, including industry-leading platforms, software and applications."
"Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies continues to drive new standards for mass spectrometry-based software applications to maximize the innovation of our platforms. We are evolving our technologies to provide the highest-performing tools, responding to customer requirements to expand the capabilities of laboratories."
Applied Biosystems is a global leader in providing innovative instrument systems to accelerate academic and clinical research, drug discovery and development, pathogen detection and forensic DNA analysis. Applied Biosystems, along with Invitrogen - a leading provider of platform independent, essential life science technologies for disease and drug research, bioproduction and diagnostics - is part of Life Technologies. Applied Biosystems and Invitrogen products are used in nearly every major laboratory in the world. For more information, please visit: www.appliedbiosystems.com and www.invitrogen.com.


Tanzanite can easily be scratched or chipped. Clean your Tanzanite with warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush. Avoid using ultrasonic cleaning.
Click on the gem name for more information about that stone.


text:
Severe wind warnings issued as Storm Brendan sweeps through the UK and Ireland
Gusts of up to 80mph could hit parts of the UK as Storm Brendan sweeps in, prompting the Met Office to issue a weather warning.
UK braced for Storm Brendan wind and rain
Wind and rain will batter parts of the UK as Storm Brendan sweeps in, prompting the Met Office to issue a weather warning.
80mph gusts forecast as Storm Brendan sweeps across UK
Strong gales of up to 80mph are set to sweep across parts of the UK on Monday.
Almost 900 'excess deaths' during 2019 heatwaves, official figures show
Almost 900 "excess deaths" are thought to have occurred during the heatwaves of summer 2019, official data shows.
Fog to clear for cool but dry New Year's Eve
Thick fog which has shrouded much of the UK is due to fade by Tuesday morning, as the Met Office predicts a cool but clear evening for New Year's Eve celebrations.
Warning over flight delays amid severe weather alert for fog
Passengers flying to or from some of the UK's busiest airports are being told to expect delays due to thick fog.
North-south weather divide for New Year's Eve revellers
The northern half of the UK looks set to be the best place to view fireworks and enjoy fun outdoors this New Year's Eve, with clear but chilly weather on the cards.
Record late December temperature 'goes unnoticed' in Scottish Highlands
The UK witnessed a record temperature for late December on Sunday – but it was so early that many people slept through it.
In Pictures: 2019 – a year of flash floods, sun and picture-perfect snow scenes
The past 12 months have proved to be a year of weather extremes, with many areas hit by flooding after persistent rainfall but temperature highs also set as the sun found its way out from behind the clouds.
Heavy rain forces road closures as flood warnings remain in place
Heavy rain has forced road closures in the South West, as dozens of flood warnings remain in place after wet weather plagued the country on Boxing Day.
Heavy rain greets Boxing Day shoppers across the country
The Met Office has warned that shoppers will have to battle wet and windy conditions if they want to take advantage of Boxing Day sales.


text:
Philadelphia unveils new hybrid subway trains that use Prius-like regenerative braking to feed energy back into the grid
By Joel Hruska on April 16, 2014 at 10:00 am
The Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority is preparing to deploy a new hybrid energy system that combines regenerative braking, supercapacitors, and new lithium-ion batteries to provide power instantly to trains as well as the rest of Philadelphia. The regenerative braking applications are similar in concept to what you'll find on the Toyota Prius — the idea is that brake energy from subway trains is fed back into a storage system rather than dissipating as simple friction. While it's unusual to find this technology in the United States, it's actually common in other parts of the world — the first trains with regenerative brakes were deployed in England in the early 1900s.
The new Philadelphia program is unusual in two respects. First, braking trains don't just recover energy for their own use — the motor-generator in each train channels its power down a third rail and into a centralized bank of batteries. Second, these batteries can sell power back to the larger energy grid. The entire system is designed to hold 1.5 – 2MWh of power, generated over an entire day. Unlike a gas-fired turbine, which takes several minutes to come to full power, banks of Li-on batteries can flip to full in about a second.
The lithium-ion batteries appear to be stored in a shipping container
That's important because under new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission guidelines, power providers who can supply energy quickly can charge a higher premium than slower services. While it's only designed to provide power for minutes at a time to deal with peak demand, Philadelphia projects that the system will earn between $150,000 – $200,000 a year. For a city that's struggling under massive budget cuts and decreased tax revenue, any municipal system that can turn a profit is a rare bright spot.
So where do the supercapacitors fit? They're being deployed as buffers between the trains and the batteries. Instead of directly charging the battery, the regenerative braking system will be modified to charge the supercapacitors first. A quick look at the difference between batteries and supercapacitors (also called ultracapacitors) should help explain why the two systems complement each other.
Supercapacitors have very low energy per unit weight (specific energy), but very high energy per unit volume (specific power). They can withstand up to a million cycles, compared to 500 full charge cycles or less for lithium, and they don't have the associated heat or expansion problems caused by fast charge/discharge cycles on lithium-ion. In short, you can recover energy more efficiently from a hybrid system than you gain from using either technology alone. Research into new types of supercapacitors that would allow them to take over some of a battery's duties is ongoing, but for now they occupy fairly distinct niches.
A story in IEEE Spectrum makes it clear that policy changes are a critical part of why the system makes sense — if the city of Philadelphia couldn't earn a profit on the entire system, it wouldn't have been cost-effective to implement. Still, this highlights the manner in which governments and markets can encourage the growth of more efficient power grids — the new rule, which took effect in 2011, was a regulatory change that allowed producers of fast power including flywheels and electric vehicles to complete effectively with ancillary power services from coal and natural gas that take minutes to ramp up.
In other words, under the old rules, being able to deliver power within one second of increased customer demand was treated identically to being able to deliver power within five minutes of demand. Now, that's no longer the case, and we've seen a commensurate surge in businesses and commercial enterprises adapting battery or flywheel storage technology for increased efficiency and on-demand power.
hybrid trains


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Colored Thoughts Jeff's Thoughts
Pelicans Look Like A Good NBA Team
March 11, 2018 May 14, 2018 jefft	0 Comments
Despite two critical losses, the New Orleans Pelicans are a legitimate playoff team and could be one of the toughest outs in the playoffs. Anthony Davis is finally developing into a crunch time player who will confidently take and often make the pressure shots at the end of games. Jrue Holiday's much improved play provides the second threat that elite teams possess, and the befuddling play of Rajon Rondo all combine to elevate Alvin Gentry's bunch that could go deep into the NBA playoffs.
Local basketball fans hoped Davis would be to New Orleans what Tim Duncan was to San Antonio. In his first five years, Davis showed flashes of greatness while averaging 22 points and 7 rebounds per game per game. But after leading the team to only one losing playoff appearance, questions surfaced about Davis achieving greatness in New Orleans. Oft Injured and prone to shrinking in the big moments especially at the end of games, would the former number 1 pick in the draft even guide the Pelicans above the 8th and final playoff spot much less contend in the hyper competitive Western conference.
This season, Davis not only increased his overall play, but his body language at the end of games changed. No longer shying away from the big moment, Davis began confidently taking and eventually sinking winning baskets. Great leaders make their surrounding teammates better and once Davis started making game winning baskets, the team responded. The team slowly and steadily stacked wins and climbed in the standings.
Last year the Pels were struggling with consistency while Davis matured and added 5 points to his scoring average. But the team was out of the playoff hunt and heading towards a lottery pick again. Pels GM Del Demps had to give Davis some help on the floor. In a blockbuster move, Demps traded for DeMarcus Cousins and immediately changed the trajectory of the franchise. But the dividends were neither as immediate nor dramatic as the trade seemed to foreshadow. The Pels missed the playoffs last year and before Cousins sad and potentially career ending injury, the team was struggling to stay in the playoff race.
Cousins injury ignited the champion in both Davis and Holiday. During the recent 10 game winning streak, both played so well that the Pels looked like a dominant NBA team. But most importantly, during this run, Davis made last second game winning plays in 4 of the victories. In previous years, Davis seemed wary and afraid of the moment. Now he steps up and calmly sinks winning free throws and baskets.
If Davis has turned the confidence corner the only question left seems to be his durability. But the ankle injury that sidelined him for the last game was a any given jump shot in traffic scenario rather than a non-NBA rigors body that seemed to derail him earlier in his career.
One thing is certain, the Pels have improved dramatically since Cousins went down. His requirement to handle the ball and create his own shot will not mess with the fast paced, athletic in space, running and gunning style that Gentry used successfully in Phoenix. If Rondo can limit his penchant to turn the ball over trying to make the incredible play and continue to push the pace and create plays for Davis and Holiday with court spacing, then this group with a healthy and confident A.D. can host and advance in the playoffs.
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January 11, 2020 January 11, 2020 jefft 0


Seeing the austere New England landscape made me reflect on how this Hawai`i-born Asian-American Evangelical began his journey to Orthodoxy. I had chosen Gordon-Conwell because of its reputation for theological conservatism and academic excellence. I also went there because it was situated in the heartland of Puritan New England, the oldest Reformed presence in America. This would put me in a position to meet Evangelicals and Liberals in the United Church of Christ (the present day descendants of the Puritans). In the early 1800s, Congregational missionaries from New England brought the Christian Gospel to Hawai`i. The original missionaries had a high regard for the authority of Scripture but by the late 1900s theological liberalism had become entrenched and dominant in the UCC. My former home church in Hawai`i was one of the few conservative churches in the largely liberal UCC. I was part of the Evangelical renewal movement in the UCC called the Biblical Witness Fellowship (BWF). I went to Gordon-Conwell in hopes of eventually becoming an Evangelical seminary professor to help the BWF bring the liberal UCC back to its biblical roots. However, in a surprising turn of events I became Orthodox!
How did this happen? Despite Gordon-Conwell's reputation as a bastion for conservative Protestantism, there were already alternative currents of thoughts flowing in the seminary. During the first week at seminary I was walking down the hallway of Main Dorm, to my surprise I saw an icon of Christ on one of the student's door. Jim was not Orthodox but a member of the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal group. Seeing this icon would mark the beginning of the many other surprising encounters over the next three years.
Part of my turn to Orthodoxy can be attributed to the people I met. I was fortunate that Gordon-Conwell offered classes on early Christianity. In that class I met Theo, a bright undergraduate from nearby Gordon College who was Greek Orthodox. Theo introduced me to Fr. Chris Foustokos, the priest at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Newburyport. I later had a long conversation with Fr. Chris during which I grilled him on Orthodox theology and practice. I came away impressed that he did in fact have a personal faith in Christ. I was also relieved to learn that he believed that those who converted to Orthodoxy would not have to undergo Hellenization. In my second year, I sat down for dinner and saw the student sitting across from me make the sign of the Cross. It turned out that Paul had just graduated from Holy Cross Orthodox Seminary and was up at Gordon-Conwell to study youth ministry. A number of us Protestants got to know Paul quite well, and later that semester we accompanied him to the Orthodox Good Friday service in Newburyport.
Did these early contacts persuade me to become Orthodox? Not really. At the time, becoming Orthodox was the farthest thing from my mind. Nonetheless, I was curious about Orthodoxy. These friendly encounters encouraged me to a learn more about Orthodoxy and its ancient Faith. So, while not decisive, these early encounters were indispensable to my becoming Orthodox. Looking back, I would say that what was critical were the positive tone and the absence of a judgmental spirit in the Orthodox Christians I met.
In my third year, I went to the Greek Orthodox church in Newburyport to hear a presentation by Peter Gillquist, a recent Protestant convert to Orthodoxy. I asked him some hard questions about Orthodoxy and Reformed theology. I admired his honesty, but was frustrated when he humbly admitted that he did not know enough about Reformed theology to answer my questions. This left me on my own to work out the answers about how Orthodoxy and Reformed theology relate to each other. In many ways this conversation was the genesis of the OrthodoxBridge blog. Rather than leave people with similar questions to struggle on their own, I decided I would do the research and present my findings on questions relating to Orthodoxy and Protestantism. The results of my research can be found in the Archives section of this blog.
Did the lack of answers affect my turn to Orthodoxy? Yes, because I needed good reasons for making such a radical change. I shared the Reformed tradition's concern for right doctrine and the careful study of Scripture. My sense of personal integrity was such that I could not undergo intellectual lobotomy and mindlessly accept Orthodox teachings and practices; I needed good answers, preferably biblical reasons, for becoming Orthodox. The complexity of the issues surrounding the Orthodox veneration of icons, and Protestantism's core doctrines of sola scriptura and sola fide were such that I needed to do extensive research. The answers are there but require thinking outside the Protestant paradigm and questioning the unspoken assumptions that underlie Protestant theology.
I also got to meet Frank Schaeffer, another recent convert, at the Orthodox church in Newburyport. Where Peter Gillquist was more soft spoken in his presentation of Orthodoxy, Frank was very much in-your-face. When I asked whether I had to give up my Reformed theology to become Orthodox, he answered: "Yes, because it's theologically off the map." I was taken aback and a bit affronted by his blunt answer. I know that Frank Schaeffer has caused consternation by some of his recent statements, but I do have some positive memories of his kindness. Once a fellow seminarian was struggling with going to church so I suggested he visit a nearby Orthodox church. He met Frank Schaeffer, who then invited him to his home and cooked him lunch! I was envious when my friend told me this story.
During my third year, I wrote a paper on icons and Evangelical spirituality for Prof. Richard Lovelace's class. For this class I read some of the Orthodox classics like John of Damascus' Three Treatises on the Divine Images and Theodore the Studite's On the Holy Images. I also drove down to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary in Brookline and interviewed Prof. Theodore Stylianopoulos. I was struck by how warm and welcoming Prof. Stylianopoulos was. I was also struck by how restricted access was at the Orthodox seminary library — a big contrast to Gordon-Conwell's open stacks! One particularly useful book I came across was Antony Ugolnik's The Illuminating Icon. From this book I learned how images can shape one's internal life and how Orthodox icons helped preserve Orthodoxy during the decades of oppressive Communist rule in the Soviet Union. This book made me keenly aware of how modern American consumerism is suffused with icons (images). The striking visuals of modern advertising that promote materialism are the spiritual opposite of Orthodox icons. Protestantism's iconoclasm has made it vulnerable to the iconography of Madison Avenue and Hollywood. From the mass media we are inundated with images of beautiful people with "perfect" bodies who have it all and live "perfectly happy" lives (God removed from the picture). Much of modern advertising speaks to our bodily appetites e.g., food or comfort, or speaks to our inner vanity or selfish desire to do "our own thing." What is being promoted is a secular worldview where God is allowed a limited role in the modern American lifestyle. In contrast, the otherworldly quality of Orthodox icons points us to the eternal reality that lies beyond the evanescent fads of modernity and our accountability before the judgment seat of Christ.
My paper argued that the aesthetic qualities of icons can be beneficial for personal devotions and that the visual nature of icons can supplement Protestantism's emphasis on the printed text. This paper falls short of Orthodoxy's sacramental understanding of icons, but I am not embarrassed by what I wrote because the gap between Protestantism and Orthodoxy is considerable. It takes a while for a Protestant mindset to "get it" with respect to Orthodoxy. This calls for much patience and understanding on the part of Orthodox Christians when they meet Protestants interested in Orthodoxy.
Much of my turn to Orthodoxy at Gordon-Conwell came through reading. Two occasions stand out vividly. During my first year, I went to downtown Boston to make travel arrangements to fly back home. It was a cold and dark winter afternoon, and as I stood in line reading Alexander Schmemann's For the Life of the World. I found my secular worldview shattered. In the opening chapter, I encountered Orthodoxy's sacramental understanding of creation and how the common, ordinary meal was a foreshadowing of the Eucharist. What I encountered was not just the idea of sacramental reality, but also Orthodoxy as a gateway into that reality. While Protestantism affirms the reality of heaven, it tends for the most part to project heaven into the distant future or into the afterlife. This way of thinking leaves the present life encased in a secular materialism. I learned that in Orthodoxy ordinary stuff like water, bread, wine, and oil can become vessels of divine grace, ushering us into the kingdom of God here and now.
During my third year I would often spend my mornings reading while sitting against a large rock on Magnolia's rocky shore. One of the books I read was Kallistos Ware's The Orthodox Way. The chapter "God as Mystery" gave me a glimpse of Orthodoxy's apophatic approach of understanding God through prayer. During this time I was writing my statement of faith paper for Prof. John Jefferson Davis' class. This assignment was very much in keeping with Western Christianity's cataphatic methodology, in which one seeks to learn facts about God and then express this understanding of God through words. From The Orthodox Way I learned how in the apophatic approach, intellectual study and prayer can be integrated to advance our knowing God.
During my time at Gordon-Conwell, I attended a few Orthodox liturgies. One might expect that I fell head over heels in love with the Divine Liturgy, but that was not the case. The language barrier was so daunting that I saw Greek Orthodox worship as an obscure, intricate ritual. It was frustrating. My experience was like that of a hungry person drawn to a restaurant but standing with his face against the window, looking on longingly, but unable to taste the delicacies within. It was not until I began to attend an all-English Liturgy at a Bulgarian Orthodox parish in Berkeley, California, that my journey to Orthodoxy began in earnest. Attending the Liturgy there week after week, being immersed in the flow of hymns and prayers, helped me to understand what Orthodoxy is about and experience God as Mystery.
My time on Massachusetts' North Shore was but a small part of my journey to Orthodoxy. By the end of my three years there I was still very much a Protestant in my thinking, but the various personal encounters and books that I read had had an impact on me. They were like little seeds planted in the ground, invisible under the surface but slowly germinating, and in due time emerging as a plant that would one day become a pleasing fruit-bearing tree. An equally good analogy used by my compatriot David Rockett here at the OrthodoxBridge is that these early encounters were like boulders assaulting my medieval castle walls without my noticing the small cracks they were creating in my theological and spiritual foundation! Analogies aside, one take-away here is that journeys to Orthodoxy are rarely instant, dramatic flashes of light in the sky, but more like the gradual light of dawn in which many little things long hidden become noticeable and show their results much later, sometimes after several years.
Great article. I have been on my journey now for over a year and a half. I can see how it takes time to understand orthodoxy, especially growing up as a baptist preachers kid. I struggle now with more the family not being onboard than understanding and accepting the Orthodox faith.
I did see Manchester by the Sea. My wife absolutely loved it! Me, I will keep my reviews to myself.
My experience is much like yours. It's been about three years of active participation in Orthodoxy for me, but I am just now beginning to grasp the ethos of the Orthodox Church.
Like yours, my family stands apart in quiet opposition to my desire to convert, a nagging reality that leaves me with less than an ideal choice to make. My friend and mentor, Robert Arakaki, knows my situation and has been patient and helpful during these years in limbo. I think that his years of life in New England helped to prepare him for later association with this transplanted Yankee in Hawai`i.
May God's grace and mercy be with you and your family.
I was a Protestant for over fifty years. I was given a book by a seminarian who was getting his Masters degree from a Reformed Protestant Seminary. He was done with the book as it was required reading for one of his classes. I was always under the impression that Orthodoxy was the same as Catholicism and had never heard anything about Orthodoxy in all the years I had been a Protestant. What I learned over the next three years really shocked me. I had never heard about the Ancestral Sin view of the fall over against the Augustinian view held by Rome and the Reformers. This view of the fall where death brings forth sin in our lives really made a lot of sense.
Then you discover that the Orthodox Church does not see Penal Substitutionary Atonement as a proper view of the Atonement. That God is not bound by necessity and is free to show mercy. This is a much different view of God over against the wrathful God of the west who has to punish every sin. The Reformed Faith puts a big emphasis on the sovereignty of God in salvation. This central view of God's sovereignty is intertwined into other western doctrines to form a view of God that is completely foreign to the God of Orthodoxy. Orthodoxy is more centered on the incarnation of Christ and sees Christ incarnation as a recapitulation of creation. Christ is literally entering into human flesh so that he might destroy the work of Satan death and sin. In Orthodoxy God is saving us from our oppressors. In the west God is saving us from God.
It is very difficult for Protestants to convert to Orthodoxy. Reformed believers have so much emphasis on a rationalistic Scholasticism and this makes it very difficult to understand eastern ways of thinking about God and salvation. Pentecostals seem to convert more easily since they already have a sense of the supernatural and mystery. I still think there is much work for the Orthodoxy Church to do in the area of explaining it's doctrines to Protestants in the west. There needs to be a much more comprehensive presentation of Orthodoxy to bridge these gaps. I am about three years into my study of Orthodoxy. I am close to converting myself. I am convinced at this point that Orthodoxy is much more in line with the ancient faith delivered to the saints. Sola Scriptura is the big doctrine for Protestants to deal with. If they can't deal with this doctrine they will never convert.
You made a good point that the Orthodox church needs to do more to reach out to Protestants and explain their beliefs to Protestants. Please keep in mind that many Orthodox priests have quite full plates. I think what needs to be done is for converts from Protestantism to step up to the plate and tell their priest that they are available to give presentations about their journey from Protestantism to Orthodoxy or to give presentations comparing Protestant beliefs with Orthodox teachings. I know that this will take a lot of preparation or personal courage on the part of the converts but it needs to be done. Likewise, I think that Orthodox priests need to encourage parishioners to share about their journey and to make available the church facilities for these presentations.
God bless you as you continue your journey.
I see the hidden hand of God guiding by the Holy Spirit, his sincere but sinful and often foolish disciple…dare to take one more step of faith in the fullness of Christian discipleship. Lord have mercy.
I have been Russian Orthodox my entire life. In my 20s I started to look around at the other faiths. After going to some catholic and protestant churches (none of my friends were Orthodox and I wanted to blend) I found myself back at my parish St. Trinity Orthodox church in Chicago. Next time your in an Orthodox Church just close your eyes and listen to the music. Take in the beauty of the service, the robes, the icons and incense. It will surpass any intellectual conversations.
I liked your analogy of the restaurant and the window. I do have the longing, but there is a barrier that has kept me from entering. I want to be convinced, but I haven't been and can't take the lobotomy you mentioned.
you'll find much good stuff here tailor make for you.
My path did not traverse Reformed Theology, but burrowed through American Sectaries of the early 19th C.: Seventh-day Adventists and Latter-day Saints/Mormonism, the first of which I was born and cocooned until graduating from high school, the later as a faithful husband of a devout mother until her repose fifteen years ago. Yes, there are stories, including 'Buddhist in the Bishopric'!
The catalyst for my response though is the identification of those two books which were pivotal in my baptism into the Church this Theophany (New Calendar), both recommended by Fr. John Bethancourt: 'The Orthodox Way' upon my first surreptitious visit to the local parish (Holy Trinity of Santa Fe, AOCA) asking which books to read; the other was mentioned in my first formal visit with him who is become my spiritual father since last Pascha: already reading Schmemann's 'Historical Road of Eastern Orthodoxy' (at Fr. Stephen Freeman's blog-response suggestion) I devoured it. Also, quite pertinent was Lossky's 'The Mystical Theology of the Eastern Church'.
Having long given up on denominational Christianity (from reading Tolstoi's 'The Kingdom of God is Within You') it was enthralling to find the Church, the Bride of Christ, that was founded by His Disciples still extant and thriving among the hogwash of modern self-sufficiency.
Thank-you again for relating pieces of your Journey as I continue my Descent into Orthodoxy.
You have an interesting life story. And, what a wonderful Gaelic name you have! You'll probably want to read my article "Is Orthodoxy Eastern?" Among the Western saints listed in the article is Saint Kenneth (Cynedd), Hermit Confessor of Wales (d. circa 6th century) who I think shares the same name as you. God bless you on your journey!
I shall look into your article, but I was aware of at least three 1st millennium Saints, two of the British Isles and one of Denmark, whose contemporary name could be Kenneth, my birth name, after my father. I am given the Prophet, Fore-runner and Baptist John as my patron, and, being of Gaelic descent, I was blessed to be nominated 'Ian'. I would have dropped the Kenneth (which I have never used, preferring Kenn, a Norse name) except I was aware of the Gaelic spelling and meaning which are acceptable.
One of these days, after being fully submerged in Orthodoxy, I shall prepare my story – I'm still sorting it out.