1 . Books that can help teens manage anxiety

Children experience anxiety differently from adults, and it also looks different in each child. Fortunately, books can serve as tools for guiding children through the anxious thoughts and feelings they may experience. The following are four books that can help children effectively manage their anxiety.

The Healthy Coping Coloring Book and Journal by Pooky Knightsmith

This coloring book is specifically designed for children aged 8 to 14 and activities range from coloring to journaling and drawing, all of which are developed to help children deal with troubling situations. The different activities can be beneficial for self-expression.

Please Explain Anxiety to Me! by Laurie E. Zelinger and Jordan Zelinger

Written by psychologists, this story breaks down both the physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety. The story compares the natural anxiety kids feel to dinosaurs fearing being threatened in the wild. It explains that some anxiety (for example, a dinosaur’s anxiety about being eaten) can be our body’s way of protecting us from threats.

Sea Otter Cove by Lori Lite

This is a book that teaches children how to use proper breathing techniques to calm down, lower stress, and control anger. Through playful sea otters and other delightful characters in the book, children get to experience belly breathing. This effective, self-calming technique is also known as diaphragmatic breathing or deep breathing.

The Worry Glasses by Donalisa Helsley

This book is about a little girl named MJ. It tells the story of how she learns to defeat her worries. All through the story, her wonderful counselor Miss Jessica patiently helps her. The book includes a list of exercises designed to relieve kids’ anxiety. It also offers tips to parents and adults who live with anxious children.

1. What’s the common ground of the activities in Pooky Knightsmith’s book?

A．Encouraging children to express anxiety.

B．Helping children increase intelligence.

C．Measuring children’s mental health.

D．Inspiring children’s artistic talent.

2. What method does Lori Lite offer to lower anxiety levels?

A．Journal writing.	B．Controling anger.
C．Belly breathing.	D．Holding breath.

3. Which of the four books introduces some work-out to manage anxiety?

A．The Healthy Coping Coloring Book and Journal

B．Please Explain Anxiety to Me!

C．Sea Otter Cove

D．The Worry Glasses

2 .

Four novels to read this winter
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee	This classic novel explores racism in the American South through the eyes of a young girl named Scout Finch and her father, Atticus Finch, a just and sympathetic lawyer. To Kill a Mockingbird earned the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1961 and was made into an Academy Award-winning film in 1962, giving the story and its characters further life and influence over the American social sphere. For more, click here
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez	This novel tells the story of the Buendía family over seven generations in the town of Macondo, combining magic realism with the portrayal of Latin American culture and history. The novel won many awards for Márquez, leading the way to his eventual honor of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982 for his entire body of work, of which One Hundred Years of Solitude is often lauded as his most triumphant. For more, click here
Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison	This groundbreaking novel delves into the expression of identity for African American males, with the unnamed narrator facing adversity and discrimination as he moves from the South to New York City. The novel is renowned for its surreal and experimental style of writing that explores the symbolism surrounding African American identity and culture. Invisible Man won the U.S. National Book Award for Fiction in 1953. For more, click here
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf	This novel describes one day in the life of a British socialite named Clarissa Dalloway, using a stream-of-consciousness style to provide a deeply personal look into the characters’ minds, focusing on their regrets, struggles with mental illness, and the impact of social pressures. The novel’s unique style, subject, and time setting make it one of the most respected and regarded works of all time. For more, click here

1. Which novel won the U. S. National Book Award for Fiction?

A．Invisible Man.	B．Mrs. Dalloway.
C．To Kill a Mockingbird.	D．One Hundred Years of Solitude.

2. What can we learn about One Hundred Years of Solitude?

A．The author won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1982.

B．The author tells his true family story in this novel.

C．The author uses a writing style called magic realism.

D．The author explores the symbolism on African culture.

3. Where can we most probably find the passage?

A．In a magazine.	B．In a science report.
C．On a movie poster.	D．On the Internet.

3 . Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2024

The Novel Fair is an annual competition initiated by the Irish Writers Centre (IWC). Described by The Irish Times as “A Dragons’ Cave for writers”, each year the Fair aims to introduce up-and-coming writers to top publishers and literary agents.

The Prize

The twelve winners will have the opportunity to present the summary of their novel directly to industry professionals. Leading publishers and agents will be invited by the IWC to meet these writers in person or through a series of online meetings. To get fully prepared for the meeting with publishers and agents, the winners will receive a place in a workshop on “How to Promote Your Novel”, two weeks in advance. Also, applicants who are longlisted (初选) but do not make it to the shortlist of twelve will have their works evaluated and criticized by the judging panel.

How to Enter

Entry fee for application is £55 (Members of IWC can enter for a discounted fee of £45). This competition only accepts manuscripts (原稿) for novels. Applicants are required to send a summary within 300 words and up to five chapters of their novel, which should be 10,000 words (+/-10％). Manuscripts should be submitted online. There is a limit of one entry per applicant.

Entries are welcome from anywhere in the world. Before entering the competition, please ensure that you have read the Novel Fair Terms & Conditions 2024 very carefully as the Fair is open to only novelists who have never published work previously. If you have any questions about the application process, please email novelfair@irishwriterscentre.ie.

1. What’s the purpose of the Fair?

A．To advertise local stories.

B．To encourage literary reading.

C．To serve as a platform for writers.

D．To arouse enthusiasm for writing.

2. What can the workshop help the winners do?

A．Deal with the judging panel.

B．Improve their writing skills.

C．Learn about publishing process.

D．Present their novels attractively.

3. Which of the following meets the requirement of the Fair?

A．A summary of 200 words.

B．A novel published in 2023.

C．A paper manuscript by post.

D．A submission of seven chapters.

4 . Here are 4 books you should read at least once in your life.

Number the Stars by Lois

It tells the story of a Danish girl growing up in World War II with her best friend, Ellen, who happens to be Jewish. When she learns about the horrors that the Nazis are imposing on the Jewish people, she and her family stop at nothing to protect Ellen and countless other Jews. Lois’ novel is a powerful reminder that cultural and religious differences are no divide between true friends.

The Little Prince by Antoine

It is the story of a little boy who falls to Earth from an Asteroid (小行星) after visiting several other asteroids to try to understand mankind. In his travels he meets a series of strange and delightful characters and an untamed fox. The Little Prince is a heartwarming tale of the power of friendship and trust.

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

Who doesn’t love a novel about talking animals? It opens the door to imagination, asking us to imagine what a world where animals could talk would be like. On a more serious note, it challenges us to ask ourselves how we’d treat animals if they could talk. If they could tell us their joys and their fears, would mankind treat them more humanely?

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The story centers on Jean Louise Finch, an unusually intelligent girl who ages from six to nine years old during the novel. Her father, Atticus Finch, a well-known and respected lawyer, defends Tom Robinson, an African American who is falsely accused of killing a young white woman. It is both a young girl’s coming-of-age story and a darker drama about the roots and consequences of racism and prejudice in society.

1. What do the two books Number the Stars and The Little Prince both involve?

A．History.

B．Travel.

C．Friendship.

D．Family.

2. What kind of book is Charlotte’s Web?

A．A fairy story book.	B．An animal science book.
C．A biology textbook.	D．An animal book for kids.

3. What subject may the book To Kill a Mockingbird explore?

A．Family conflicts.	B．Career design.
C．Legal systems.	D．Social issues.

6 . We recommend these stories for high school students to deepen their appreciation for the short story genre. These are the stories that well-read students should know as they prepare for college and life!

The Fly by Katherine Mansfield

We now turn to New Zealander Katherine Mansfield for a short story that is multi-themed and laden with symbolism. What are the messages the author delivers in this story? What does the fly represent? Are there any ideas that reappear in the story? The Fly is a great candidate story for an essay or classroom discussion.

Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson

A delightful collection of stand-alone, but related stories describing the development of a young man, George Willard, as he comes of age. The stories mark the significant episodes and relationships that have shaped his life and formed his character. The stories build toward the moment when he will leave Winesburg and his youth behind. Each story can be enjoyed independently.

Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town by Stephen Leacock

This is a fantastically funny short story collection from the Canadian author Stephen Leacock. Though largely lost to modern readers, it was once commonly said that “more people had heard of Stephen Leacock than Canada.”If this one is not on your reading list, I advise you to negotiate with your teacher for some extra credits and read this one independently.

Eve’s Diary by Mark Twain

In this playful and funny short story, Mark Twain makes a humorous account of the differences between the sexes, writing first from Eve’s point of view and then following up with Adam’s point of view. This story is a gentle reminder that it’s okay to lighten up and laugh at our differences.

1. Who are these stories intended for?

A．Parents.	B．High school students.
C．Teachers.	D．College students.

2. What do we know about Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town?

A．It is written in symbolism.

B．It’s compulsory for teachers.

C．Its author used to be well-known.

D．It describes the growth of a young man.

3. Whose book describes the differences between men and women?

A．Katherine Mansfield.	B．Sherwood Anderson.
C．Stephen Leacock.	D．Mark Twain.