In addition to our annual book awards, we also recommend multicultural and nature books in our regular issues and in this column. Check out these recently published books at your public library.
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom; illustrator: Michaela Goade.
Roaring Brook Press.
Inspired by the recent native led movements to protect the sacred native lands and the nutritious waters that are absolutely necessary for life, this beautifully illustrated book invites us to join the calling to protect our water from ecological destruction.
Ages 5-9.
Guru Nanak: First of the Sikhs by Demi.
Wisdom Tales.
Guru Nanak, born in India over 500 years ago, traveled through South Asia and Arabian Peninsula for 25 years sharing his message of heartfelt worship, honest work, peach sharing, service to humanity and equality for all. Learn about his remarkable life in this beautifully illustrated picture book.
Ages 5-9.
Firdaus Learns About the Heart by Dr. Sara Kulsum Alavi; illustrator: Aurica Safiulin
FirdausandFriends.com.
This is a really cool way to learn about human anatomy (解剖学) and the heart, in particular Firdaus is a junior student at Medina Academy, and she loves science because her teacher, Mrs. Ahmed, makes it exciting and easy to understand. Using activities, diagrams, experiments and fun facts, she teaches students about the human heart.
Ages 9-12.
The Golden Key of Gangotri by Eyal N. Danon.
Blue Branch Press.
Harley is a 21-year-old student in New York, whose father disappeared in the high Himalayas. This soul-touching adventure, set in Northern India, takes readers on Harley’s journey of self-discovery, in which she uncovered the answers she had been desperate to find.
Ages 13-18.
1. What is We Are Water Protectors about?| A．Medical development. | B．An adventure in Himalayas. |
| C．A biography. | D．Environmental protection. |
| A．One. | B．Two. | C．Three. | D．Four. |
| A．In the USA. | B．In India. | C．In the UK. | D．In East Asia. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】Looking for a cool new book this season? TFK Kid Reporters read and reviewed some of the best books of the year.
Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero
Yusuf Azeem is hoping to have a great first year in middle school. Standing in his way are the hate notes left in his locker and his struggle to find his place in a new community. Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero, by Saadia Faruqi, will appeal to readers who like stories about everyday kids overcoming challenges and finding inner strength.
Black Boy Joy
The short stories in Black Boy Joy, edited by Kwame Mbalia, celebrate the pleasures of Black childhood. There are also stories about victories, competitions, and getting dressed for their first day of school. Most are short, with simple plots. People who enjoy bite-size stories of happiness will like this collection.
Paradise on Fire
In Paradise on Fire, by Jewell Parker Rhodes, Addy is a shy, 15-year-old girl who escaped from an apartment fire that killed her parents. When a fire breaks out at the wilderness camp, Addy knows what to do. Will Addy be able to lead her fellow campers to safety? Readers will love the mix of suspense, action, and emotion in this book.
Chunky
Chunky was written by Yehudi Mercado. In the book, Hudi tries sports, which, however, take him away from what he's truly passionate about: comedy. His imaginary friend, Chunky, appears throughout the story to help Hudi achieve his dreams. Chunky is a great book for kids who want to read about friendship, family, and try to find where they might fit in.
1. Which of the following tells about happy childhood?| A．Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero. | B．Black Boy Joy. |
| C．Paradise on Fire. | D．Chunky. |
| A．A girl trying to escape from danger. | B．A boy suffering at school. |
| C．A boy participating in a summer camp | D．A girl taking an interest in comedy. |
| A．A comedian. | B．Hudi's classmate. | C．A shy boy. | D．An unreal friend. |
【推荐2】One day when I was 12, my mother gave me an order: I was to walk to the public library, and borrow at least one book for the summer. This was one more weapon for her to defeat my strange problem—inability to read.
In the library, I found my way into the “Children’s Room”. I sat down on the floor and pulled a few books off the shelf at random. The cover of a book caught my eye. It presented a picture of a beagle. I had recently had a beagle, the first and only animal companion I ever had as a child. He was my “secret sharer”, but one morning, he was gone, given away to someone who had the space and the money to care for him. I never forgot my beagle.
There on the book’s cover was a beagle which looked identical(相同的) to my dog. I ran my fingers over the picture of the dog on the cover. My eyes ran across the title, Amos: the Beagle with a Plan. Unknowingly, I had read the title. Without opening the book, I borrowed it from the library for the summer.
Under the shade of a brush, I started to read about Amos. I read very, very slowly with difficulty. Though pages were turned slowly, I got the main idea of the story about a dog who, like mine, had been separated from his family and who finally found his way back home. That dog was my dog, and I was the little boy in the book. At the end of the story, my mind continued the final scene of reunion, on and on, until my own lost dog and I were, in my mind, running together
My mother’s call returned me to the real world. I suddenly realized something: I had read a book, and I had loved reading that book. Everyone knew I could not read. But I had read it. Books could be incredibly wonderful and I was going to read them.
I never told my mother about my “miraculous(奇迹)” experience that summer, but she saw a slow but remarkable improvement in my classroom performance during the next year. And years later, she was proud that her son had read thousands of books, was awarded a PhD in literature, and authored his own books, articles, poetry and fiction. The power of the words has held.
1. The author’s mother told him to borrow a book in order to ________.| A．encourage him to do more walking | B．let him spend a meaningful summer |
| C．help cure him of his reading problem | D．make him learn more about weapons |
| A．it reminded him of his own dog |
| B．he found its title easy to understand |
| C．it contained pretty pictures of animals |
| D．he liked children’s stories very much |
| A．He was forced by his mother to read it. |
| B．He identified with（对某事有同感） the story in the book. |
| C．The book told the story of his pet dog. |
| D．The happy ending of the story attracted him. |
| A．My Passion for Reading | B．Mum’s Strict Order |
| C．Reunion with My Beagle. | D．The Charm of a Book. |
【推荐3】Critic Andrew Robinson reviewed some of the best science picks.
Assyria
Eckart Frahm
Basic Books(2023)
The world’s first empire developed and flourished in Assyria in the eighth and seventh centuries BC, and has long been seen as the epitome of barbarism(野蛮的缩影). But, as Assyriologist Eckart Frahm reveals in his deeply informed, challenging history, Assyria produced many techniques of the modern world. Its innovations included long-distance trade and complex communications networks.
Hands of Time
Rebecca Struthers
Hodder & Stoughton(2023)
Rebecca Struthers, the first professional watchmaker in the United Kingdom to earn a PhD in horology (钟表学), explores a series of key moments in watchmaking from the past500 years. Mechanical timekeepers, she argues, have influenced human culture as much as the printing press. Imagine trying to catch a train by depending on the sun’s position, or to perform an organ transplant without measuring the patient’s heart rate precisely.
The Deep Ocean
Michael Vecchione et al.
Princeton University Press(2023)
“For most people, the deep ocean is out of sight and out of mind,” write three zoologists and an oceanographer. The zone starts where dim sunlight can no longer support photosynthesis(光合作用), about 200 metres down. This guidebook removes ignorance with superb colour photographs of astonishing organisms, accompanied by detailed descriptions and brief essays.
Tenacious Beasts
Christopher J. Preston
MIT Press(2023)
Humans and domestic animals make up 96% of the mass of the world’s mammals. The outlook for wildlife remains terrible, writes philosopher Christopher J. Preston. But he describes signs of hope in his well-travelled, thoughtful study of recoveries. He visits farmland, grassland, rivers, forests and oceans, exploring why only certain species are recovering.
1. What is Assyria?| A．A historian. | B．A modern city. |
| C．An ancient country. | D．An old emperor. |
| A．Eckart Frahm. | B．Stoughton. |
| C．Michael Vecchione. | D．Christopher J. Preston. |
| A．They are all about modern science. |
| B．They are published in the same year. |
| C．They all have influenced human culture. |
| D．They all deepen our understanding of nature. |
【推荐1】World’s Best Places to Visit
With a world full of fascinating destinations, choosing the perfect vacation spot can present a challenge. Use these recommendations to craft your travel list.
South Island
New Zealand’s South Is landfills with impressive landscapes at every turn, from dramatic mountains to grand channels. Here, you can admire the mountains of Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from hiking trails or a boat on Milford Sound. Besides, journey to the University of Canterbury’s Mount John Observatory to stare up at the starry skies at night.
Paris
The magnetic City of Light draws visitors from around the globe who come to see iconic attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe. But what travelers really fall in love with are the city’s old-fashioned cafes, dynamic markets, and trendy shopping districts. Get lost wandering along the charming cobblestone streets, or relax on the banks of the Seine for hours.
Maui
Whether you’re driving along the Road to Hana, enjoying a bird’s-eye view of Maui’s long coastline from a helicopter, diving with sea turtles or simply relaxing on white or black sand beaches, you’ll find that this Hawaiian island is unlike any other tropical (热带的) destination. You should also attend a feast for local culture and a taste of Hawaiian specialties like poi, poke and mahimahi.
Bora Bora
Here, you’ll find charming beaches, thick jungles and luxurious resorts. The island’s extinct volcano, Mount Otemanu, makes for a great photo opportunity or challenging hike, and the friendly Bora Bora local scan help you catch the island’s best sights. To relax, head to Matira Beach for clear water and soft whites and. Although a trip to Bora Bora is very expensive, most travelers say it’s worth every penny.
1. Which place will be preferred by astronomy fans?| A．Paris. | B．Maui. | C．Bora Bora. | D．South Island. |
| A．Enjoy local food. | B．Drive along the coastline. |
| C．Go hiking around the island. | D．Walk through shopping districts. |
| A．Most of its locals serve as guides. | B．It is a beach with fantastic scenery. |
| C．There are hiking trails in the jungles. | D．It is appealing despite the costly trip. |
With over 2,000 animals and more than 400 species, the whole family will learn so much about animals and conservation here. Bring your walking shoes because the Dallas Zoo is 106 acres, and you want to be comfortable as you walk from the gorillas to the giraffe feeding area and everywhere in between. For a behind-the-scenes tour of the Dallas Zoo operations, sign the family up for a 90-minute guided tour called the Backstage Safari.
Legoland Discovery Center
When the summer gets hot, it’s nice to have some indoor fun with kids. Check out the Legoland Discovery Center, where the whole family can play with LEGO Bricks or take photos with their favorite characters from LEGO films. Relax in the 4D cinema and watch some stellar short, action-packed films. Grab a quick snack at the cafe before letting the kids run wild on the playground.
Dallas World Aquarium
Dallas may not be anywhere near an ocean, but that doesn’t mean the family can’t learn about the fish and mammals that call it home. At the Dallas World Aquarium, which is housed in a couple of old storehouses in Downtown Dallas' West End Historic District, the family can admire colorful fish, sharks and sea animals while walking through the aquarium.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Walk through 66 acres of beautiful parkland, creative nature displays, and an ever-changing selection of art. Children will love exploring the Rory Meyer’s Children’s Adventure Garden. In addition to an adventure bridge, the garden has various interactive exhibits that teach kids about the science of nature and space. Families with older children might enjoy cooking classes or Thursday night concerts in the arboretum.
1. What are visitors to the Dallas Zoo advised to do?| A．Wear comfortable shoes. | B．Sign up for the tour early. |
| C．Avoid feeding the animals. | D．Learn about the animals in advance. |
| A．Feed animals. | B．Watch a 4D movie. |
| C．Learn about the fish. | D．Experience an adventure bridge. |
| A．They all offer free snacks. | B．They are all nature-related. |
| C．They all have playgrounds. | D．They are all family-friendly. |
【推荐3】This school year has brought about a lot of changes and has required much adaptation, but one change that has been powerful across school sites is the technological knowledge that has been a necessity to spend a difficult teaching year. There are some web-based tools that support learning.
Blooket
Blooket is a tool that involves students in content review and provides nine game modes(模式)for the question sets. It’s not just a “select the right answer” mode. With every correct answer, students can become collectors of gold, defenders of towers, workers in a factory, or runners on a track. The experience starts with educators creating their own question sets, or choosing from the Discover page.
Wizer
Wizer is an online platform that gives educators the opportunity to create interactive and customizable worksheets that promote learning. Educators can include audio directions, images, and many different types of materials to personalize the experience based on the content and student needs. Once a worksheet is created, educators can easily assign(分配)it to their students.
Buncee
Buncee is a web-based tool for creating interactive multimedia presentations. Educators can combine content from both external and internal sources. Buncee boards are a great way to make students' ideas grow. Buncee helps educators and administrators create projects and presentations to increase interactivity and students' learning interest.
Mote
Mote is a Chrome extension(扩展)that works with Google Workspace. Teachers can leave voice comments via Google Classroom, Docs, Slides, or Sheets by clicking the symbol of Mote under the comments section. Students love hearing their teachers’ voices and feel connected to their teachers. Mote lets teachers monitor students' involvement in voice notes, and can even translate notes into multiple languages.
1. What do we know about Blooket?| A．Educators have to set questions by themselves. |
| B．Students choose the right answers after outdoor training. |
| C．Educators encourage students to develop their acting skills. |
| D．Students can learn through experiencing different game roles. |
| A．They can grade students' performance. |
| B．They involve educators in deep discussions. |
| C．They enable educators to add teaching sources. |
| D．They focus on developing students’ creativity. |
| A．It puts an emphasis on social skills. |
| B．It requires teachers to master several languages. |
| C．It provides awards for students finishing homework well. |
| D．It allows students to get teachers’ guidance effectively. |
