【推荐2】April 23 is World Book Day. Many good reads are recommended on the website. Here’re some English ones, especially for kids.

Meet the Georgians By Robert Peal, UK The writer, a history teacher from London, writes about different people and places from the 18th century. He wants to show the readers a “wild time” in British history. A book review says that this book is the best one for kids to become interested in British history.

Solutions and Other Problems By Allie Brosh, US This is a popular graphic (配图的) novel. The writer uses a special art style to tell some heartbreaking stories. All the characters in the book express their feelings in a funny, childlike way. In fact, everyone has a hidden part inside and we have to let it out sometimes in a funny way.

Everything Sad Is Untrue By Daniel Nayeri, US It is an autobiography (自传) about the writer’s own experiences as an immigrant (移民) to the USA. Young Daniel went to a middle school in an American town, where he was the only Italian kid. Everyone thought he was different. To make people understand him, he told them his family’s stories. This book explores what it feels like to part with one’s home country.

Stars of Wonder By Rebecca Bruff, US Bruff makes up an interesting adventure (冒险) story in the book. Five children, three princes (王子) —Jonah, Nathan, Jacob, a princess (公主) — Phoebe, and their friend Sumar travel toward a bright star—Star of Wonder. During their journey, they have to face a lot of challenges, but the children work together to overcome difficulties and finally see the star with their own eyes.

【推荐3】①A smile shows that a person is happy. For example, a person may smile when he is pleased with a grade on a test. Or a person might smile if a friend told a funny joke People smile for many different reasons. But smiles are more than just a way for people to show that they are happy. There are other good reasons to smile often.

②First, it is easier to smile than to show unhappiness. In fact, it only takes 17 muscles (肌肉) to smile. But it takes 43 muscles to show unhappiness. So give the muscles in your face a rest and smile!

③Second, smiles are nice. People may try to look nice on the outside by exercising or wearing nice clothes. However, there is a famous saying: a smile is the best thing a person can wear. That is because it is easy to be around someone who is smiling and happy. Almost no one wants to be around someone who is unhappy all the time.

④Third, smiles are helpful. Both smiling and laughing can quickly spread from one person to another. If one person smiles, people around him want to smile, too. Similarly, when a person laughs, people tend (倾向) to laugh with him. If a person is sad, the best thing to do is to share a smile or laugh. It is the easiest and cheapest way to cheer someone up. Usually nobody would like to turn down the invitation which is offered by a person with a smile.

⑤Finally, smiling and laughing are very good for the body. Even if you are mad or sad. try smiling. You’ll find that it will be hard to stay mad or sad for very long

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【推荐1】Would you know what to do during a big earthquake? Scientists have some advice for us. If the ground begins shaking while you are driving, stop your car on the roadside and stay in it.

If you are in a tall building, don't use the lift and never jump out of the windows. When you are in a living room, find a strong table or rush into a smaller room like washroom. Then lie down your body. Take care of your head. When you are in a public place, like supermarket or cinema, don't crowd in jam , or you may fall over and get hurt. Cross your arms to protect yourself. You can also find a place to hide.   

After the main shake, quickly run out of the dangerous building, for there will be small earthquakes. If you are safe, remember not to engage the phone line, keep it free for rescue(援救) using. Don't go to the hospital if you are not badly hurt, others will really need help. Take part in the rescue action if you can.

【推荐3】Do you have friends or relatives who live in other parts of China? For example, maybe you live in Beijing, but you have cousins in Chongqing. But luckily, if you want to call them on the phone or do a video chat with them, you don’t have to worry about which time zone you are in. This is because almost all of China follows a single standard time.

But some countries have many different time zones. For example, the US alone has five different time zones. My hometown New York is in the Eastern Time Zone. But my friends in California are in the Pacific Time Zone, which is three hours behind my time zone. So, if I want to call them, I have to plan with them ahead of time to make sure we are both free at the same time.

Actually, there is one exception (例外) in China: the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region (新疆维吾尔自治区). In this region, people either follow Beijing Time - the time that the rest of the country follows - or Xinjiang Time, which is about two hours behind Beijing Time. People in Xinjiang have to be clear whether they are using Xinjiang Time or Beijing Time when making plans with each other.

For the first year I lived in China, I would often get phone calls from my mother very late at night because she forgot to consider the time difference. My hometown is exactly 12 hours behind China time! But by now, my family, friends and I have gotten used to the difference.

【推荐1】A Tight Situation

Sometimes funny memories are the most special way to remember a beloved lover. It helps take away some of the feeling of loss. Before he passed away, my husband loved to share this story with our friends. Now, it makes a smile to share this story with you.

Our neighbor’s son was getting married in 1991 at a church, and we were invited. We immediately rushed out of the store, and I bought a nice pink dress with a jacket. The dress was a little tight, but I had a month before the June 30 wedding and I would lose a few pounds.

June 29 came and, of course, I had not lost a single pound; in fact, I had gained two. But, I thought a new girdle（收腹健美裤）would solve my problem. So on our way to the wedding, we stopped once again at the store. I ran in and told the clerk I needed a size large girdle.

The clerk round the box with the described girdle, marked “L”, and asked if I would like to try it on. “ Oh, no, large will fit just right. I won’t need to try it on.”

The next morning was hot, so I waited to get dressed until about forty-five minutes before time to go. I opened the girdle box only to find a new ＄49.99 girdle in a size small. Since it was too late to find another one and the dress wouldn’t fit right without a girdle, a fight broke out between me and the girdle. Have you ever tried to shake twenty pounds of potatoes into a five-pound bag? Finally, my husband, laughing like crazy, got hold of each side and shook me down into it, and I was ready to go.

As we walked into the church, he asked if I could make it. Now, he was getting worried because I was breathing funny. I told him that it would last one hour, twenty-two minutes and eight-and-one-half seconds-the minister blessed everything except my girdle!

My knees were blue and my legs lost all the feeling. My husband was asking questions and trying to comfort me.

As soon as the minister pronounced them married, I rushed out with my husband. “Please, just get me out of here!” I said.

We ran out to our car, and once there he opened the front and back passenger doors against the next car. Right there, before God, human and the wedding party, I took off that girdle. When the girdle flew out of my hand and landed under the car next to ours, my husband was laughing so hard and we drove away.

Over the years, he and I had often wondered what the people of that church thought the next morning when they found ＄49.99, size small girdle in their parking lot.

【推荐2】A middle school organized a “No TV Week” program. All the teachers, parents and students worked together for this program and most of them found it to be a very good one. The headmaster said, “The idea was not to stop watching TV completely but for the students just to find how much time they watch TV and try to use the time for other things.” What did the students say about this “No TV Week”? One boy said, “I can’t believe I haven’t watched TV for a week, but it’s been fun doing it.” A girl student said, “I’m going to give up all TV programs except for Animal World and other language-teaching programs. I’m really pleased that I have more time to do things like walking and thinking. I enjoy this ‘No TV Week’ very much...” But not all the students thought it was good. Here one student Tom said something different, “I don’t like ‘NO TV Week’ because I like watching TV. I have lots of favorite programs and I don’t want to miss them. But we have to do it.”

For most owners, the thought of losing their beloved pets is unimaginable. Here are four posters of lost pets.

LOST DOG Our beloved pet "Susie" has been missing for about a week from Rose Garden area. Susie is a large girl dog, white in colour, with medium length hair. She was wearing a collar. Please contact: Ron Jones 57644653 or 15047982463	LOST BIRD Bambi Yellow and black parrot Missing since Wednesday, December 23 Likes to sing "Our Beautiful World" song If you see her, please call 47325891 or email DennyHu@123.com.
LOST PET SPIDER Just like the picture I drew. Name: Conrad Last Seen: my bedroom, three days ago Conrad is a very friendly little spider. He likes to sit on your shoulder and play hide and seek. If you see him, do not scream. And please be careful not to squish him. If he's at your place, please contact me at 14607685250.	LOST CAT Jerry, black and grey, male MISSING ONE MONTH! Wear a black collar Not very friendly Probably get into your house. If you see him, please feed some food and call Sam Chen. 1335784620 $20 REWARD!

【推荐1】Strawberries look nice, but a light pressure can make them out of shape. Nowadays, there are many young people who are just like strawberries. They easily break down when they face difficulties. They don’t know what to do when they are in trouble. They have a common name—strawberry kids.

Why are many students so easy to break down? Parents and schools are a main reason. Parents do almost everything for them in their daily life, while schools care more about their grades instead of developing their personality (个性).

Liu Yue, 13, is from Fujian. His mom hardly criticizes (批评) him and he always feels good about himself. When a teacher criticized him strictly, he felt surprised and sad. He began to doubt his ability.

Students should do something to make themselves mentally (心理上) strong. An expert said, “When you are in trouble, don’t ask for help too quickly. You should try to deal with problems first by yourself. I also advise you to take an active part in sports and social activities. That can make you mentally strong.”

Growing up is not just a happy process. Pains also go along with it. The most important thing is to face the pains bravely and learn from them.

【推荐2】①Most people want to be happy, but few know how to find happiness. Money and success alone do not bring lasting happiness. Aristotle, a Greek thinker, said, “Happiness depends on ourselves.” In other words, we make our own happiness. Here are a few suggestions to help you be happier.

②The first secret of happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life. Too often, we spend so much time thinking about the future, for example, getting into college or getting a good job——that we fail to enjoy the present. You should enjoy life’s simple pleasures, such as reading a good book, listening to your favorite music, or spending time with close friends. People who have several close friends often live happier and healthier lives.

③The second secret of happiness is to be active. Many people go dancing or play sports. People can forget about their problems and only think about the activities.

④Finally, many people find happiness in helping others. Studies show that people feel good when they spend their time helping others. If you want to feel happier, do good things for someone. You can help a friend with his or her studies, go shopping to buy food for an elderly person, or simply help out around the house by washing the dishes.

The summer vacation is coming. During the vacation, you can do what you like and prepare yourself well for your Senior High School life. You’ll enjoy your summer vacation with the help of the following suggestions.

    1     After studying hard for years, you must be bored and tired. Taking exercise is the best way to get energy again. Swimming and walking are perfect choices for you. All kinds of exercise are good for your health.

    2     You will live an independent life one day. So you should learn some necessary and useful basic life stills such as washing clothes and cooking. At the same time, you should you’re your parents with housework to express thanks to them.

    3     The world is a book. Those who don’t travel only read one page. Travelling is so interesting. Have you made your own plan? If not, do it at once. During the trip, you will have a chance to get more knowledge. While learning about different cultures and customs, you will also make a lot of friends.

    4     Family members play an important role in your life. They give you love, care and support all the time. Don’t forget to spare some time together with them.You will find it great to stay with them, talking about dreams, hobbies or anything you like.

    5     Do you have some hobbies? Do you have time to enjoy them when you are busy you’re your study? Now, you have enough time to swim in your hobbies, such as singing, dancing, reading books or playing football. Just do what you like and also you can share them with your friends.

As long as you follow the suggestions mentioned above, you will have a wonderful vacation.