English

Here are links to databases and websites to help with your English studies.You can find literature study guides, grammar help, poetry, or help with choosing a book.

Please note: links with a lock icon next to them () are to databases that any of our library members can use – you will be asked to type in your library barcode and PIN - if you don't know your PIN just Ask Us!

•  Literature Resource Centre - biographies, literary criticisms, reviews – from all periods around the world.
•  Gale Virtual Reference Library - click on Literature to see all the available resources
• New Zealand Electronic Text Centre - online library of New Zealand and Pacific Island texts and materials, including the official history of NZ in WW2 and classic NZ texts.

Dictionary/Grammar/Writing

•  Oxford English Dictionary - searchable 23-volume online dictionary
• BBC Skillswise - includes grammar, reading, writing and vocabulary skills.

Study guides to literature, poetry, drama, Shakespeare …

• Sparknotes - Shakespeare - study guide to Shakespeare's works
• Sparknotes - Literature - study guides to an extensive list of literature, sortable by title or author
• Shakespeare online - everything you need to know about the man and his works 
•  New Zealand Electronic Poetry Centre - poetry, essays, interviews
• The Poetry Archive - search for a poem by author, theme or form; listen to poets reading their poems; find lots of background information about the poets.

Find a book

•  What do I read next? - customise your search to find a good book
• Teen Reads - Browse this page for ideas to help you find a good read, or to choose fiction to help you with required reading for school
• Children's Literary Prizes and Awards - find an award-winning book from this Christchurch City Libraries list
• Golden Bay High School’s Wide Reading Wiki -  lists of resources for students when selecting titles for their Wide Reading unit and suggestions for themed reading
• Teen book lists from the Pulse  - book lists from Christchurch City Libraries
• Inside a dog - book lists, reviews, and read the first chapter of novels – Australian site
• New Zealand Book Council - For information on NZ writers, and reading ideas.