The following sites can be used to support and enrich the Book Club unit for In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord.

Learn More About the Setting of the Novel

• Chongquing – Seattle, Chongquing's sister city, has provided some photographs of important landmarks as well as brief but interesting facts about the city previously known as Chungking. [most spellings of Chongquing include the u, but on this site it is spelled without.]
• Chinese Calendar – A factual and thorough examination of the Chinese calendar, including its history, correlation to the Gregorian calendar, specific details about the way it works, and information about the early calendars, is offered here.
• Brooklyn Homepage – Visitors can take an enthusiastically conducted tour of present-day Brooklyn and read about and see highlights of the different neighborhoods.
• Brooklyn Timeline – The Brooklyn Historical Society created this timeline, which consists of dates and brief notes about significant events. It shows the varied and full history of this section of New York City. Although not currently available at the Brooklyn Historical Society website, it has been adapted by the Junior League of Brooklyn website.

Investigate the Cultural Background of the Main Character

• Chinese the Beautiful –This index page offers myriad topics to explore. Visitors can choose to hear or see or read about the Chinese language, art, literature, and other aspects of Chinese culture. It is a very dense and comprehensive site, well worth a visit.
• Family Structure – This site provides an informative look at the clan structure of the Chinese family, the roles of the different family members, and the influence of this relationship on all aspects of life.
• History of China – Compiled from Compton's Encyclopedia, the facts trace the history of China from its beginnings through the dynasties and into the present era. The details are more than adequate but not overwhelming. The overview also includes discussion of the roles of significant historical figures, such as Marco Polo and Kublai Khan.
• Chinese Holidays – The important holidays and festivals, including the Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, are described with illustrations, photographs, and great details. There is even a photograph of moon cakes as well as a detailed explanation of what they are.
• Chinese Beliefs – A quick look at some interesting Chinese beliefs and customs, including ideas associated with brooms, certain numbers, facial hair, and dreams, is provided at this site.

Find Out More About Historical Figures and Events in the Novel

• Immigration – Visitors learn about the experiences of Chinese immigrants as they waited at the Angel Island detention center to be processed, sometimes for months. One of the poems from the many inscribed on the walls by the immigrants is featured on the site.
• Angel Island Association – An array of choices is given to visitors. They can see Angel Island, find out about its history, and discover facts about the history of Chinese immigration.
• Jackie Robinson –This home page devoted to Jackie Robinson offers articles, links, and images of the legendary baseball player who broke the color barrier.
• Brooklyn Dodgers – Visitors to this site can access information about the old Brooklyn Dodgers and their charismatic players, including Jackie Robinson, as well as view an interactive timeline of key events in the team's history.

Meet the Author

• Bette Bao Lord – A brief biography is provided by the American Immigration Law Foundation.
• Bette Bao Lord Resource Page – Various resources are offered on this site, such as a biography and photograph of the author and an interview with her about one of her other books as well as links to information on some of the topics in the novel.