1 . I’m in middle school, and not that good at reading. I am a little behind and hate the books we are made to read. But I want to get better at reading. I don’t like being the weakest reader in the class. I want to change. I know I need help when it comes to reading. I’m hopeful that I can overcome (克服) my weakness if I try to find some ways and work hard.

So I go to the library every weekend. Last Saturday I went straight to the Young Adult section to search. There were hundreds of books to choose from. Finally, I saw a cover that was shiny, and it reflected (反射) the light and caught my eye. I saw that it was blue — I liked blue. So I picked it up and read the back. It sounded interesting, although it was the second book in the series, I got it. I read that book in two days, and found it was so attractive, so I read the whole series in a week.

By judging (判断) a book by its cover, I was not only able to pick up a book that became one of my favourites, but I also didn’t have to pick up hundreds of books that I may not like. If I never judged a book by its cover, I might have never found that book in the first place.

This advice is suitable for other things in life as well, especially when it comes to people. It’s not always exact, but by judging a person by their appearance — the way they dress, talk, and act — you can quickly see if you want to read their general condition by having a conversation with them. If you enjoy them like you enjoy a good book, then you can keep them in your inner circle — the people that you care about and who care about you.

Momo is one of the best novels written by Michael Ende, a famous German writer. The story follows the life of a poor little girl     1    (name) Momo, who has no parents and lives alone outside a city. She doesn’t know how     2    (read) or write and cannot count. She even doesn’t know how old she is. But she is well known in the neighbourhood, because she has the     3    (usual) ability to listen. By only being with people and    4    (listen) to them, she can help them find answers to their problems, make up with (与……言归于好) each other and come up     5    fun games. She also makes many friends and builds herself a life rich in friendship and love.

However, this    6    (wonder) life is spoiled (破坏) when the Men in Grey arrive. They present    7    (they) as representing the Timesavings Bank. They encourage people to save time in the Bank and receive extra time in return later. In fact, the time people save     8    (steal) and spent by the Men in Grey. But their tricks don’t work on Momo.     9    they try all kinds of plans to deal with her, they all fail. At last, the whole city falls under the influence of the Men in Grey, except for the administrator of Time Professor Hora and Cassiopeia, a magic tortoise (龟), with whom Momo fights against the     10     (enemy) and saves the time of humans.

7 . Today’s teenage generation has been brought up surrounded by one single stereotype (刻板印象): the so-called MTV generation. We’re all constantly glued to our phone and TV screens, the boys are addicted to video games and the girls prefer posting pictures of themselves on the Internet. Both could watch TV series all day and both could do without a book. How accurate is this stereotype?

It turns out that most of them could actually do without a book. “The Kids & Family Reading Report” found that only 24% of 12 to 14-year-olds read five to seven days a week. The percentage goes down to a mere 17% when it comes to 15 to 17-year-olds. And it may come as no surprise that 76% of the former visit social media websites on a daily basis.

Reading frequently has many great benefits: it develops your verbal abilities (especially for kids, it will greatly improve their vocabulary), it improves your focus and concentration, it enhances your imagination, it reduces stress and it’s entertaining! Not only that but research has shown that people who read for pleasure show a greater appetite to engage with stories, texts and learning.

The popular TV show “Game of Thrones” (《权利的游戏》) certainly seems to have motivated a lot of teens to buy George R.R. Martin’s best-selling book series. Sales skyrocketed after the show was first put on in 2011, selling 9 million copies in one year, with many teens and young adults believed to have contributed to this statistic. In contrast, the book series had “only” sold 5 million from the first book’s release till 2011.

With nowadays’ teenagers apparently constantly glued to their screens, TV series “Game of Thrones” seems to have inspired a lot of them to take a break and read a book. Maybe teenagers will end up being the ones solving the issue after all.

8 . The book Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No, authored by an experienced decision strategist Bruce Mullen, is more than just a theoretical exploration of simplicity; it’s a practical guide to enhance decision-making skills. The goal of this book is not merely to promote the philosophy but to equip readers with the tools they need to carry it out effectively. From techniques to prioritize tasks to methods for removing distractions, the book offers a comprehensive toolkit for simplifying the decision-making process.

In a world where indecisiveness often leads to confusion and missed opportunities, the book’s philosophy distinguishes between a decisive “Yes” and a clear “No”. At its essence, this title encourages readers to grasp the power of conviction and the art of clear choices. The book urges us to channel our energies into the positive ‘Yes’ and decrease our efforts with undecided commitments.

Author Bruce Mullen’s journey began with a conversation with his brother, causing a serious reflection that gave rise to a philosophy centered around simplicity. Titled “Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No”, this guiding principle explores the importance of decisions in one’s life. Through his personal experiences, Mullen determined the power of simplification, directing him to decisions harmonizing with his core values and ambitions. Beyond individual context, this book extends its reach, influencing business strategies, relationship dynamics, and societal considerations. Mullen’s exploration into the essence of the phrase not only drew parallels to the legal ‘Yes Means Yes’ principle but also emphasized the significance of clear intention in negotiating life’s crossroads.

Yes Means Yes, Everything Else Means No is more than a book; it’s a philosophy that can revolutionize how we approach decisions. Rooted in the simplicity of its title, the book briefs the essence of purposeful decision-making. It offers a set of tools to take apart complexity and embrace the power of confirmation and decisive negation. For those who seek to live a life with clarity and purpose, this book is a guiding light in the fog of indecision.

10 . Here are four books for you and your children. Pick anyone you like!

Football with Dad   by Frank Berrios

After watching the big game on TV every Sunday, a boy and his dad head outside to throw around a football like their favorite players. With its focus on playing safe and having fun. Football With Dad is the perfect way to introduce your little reader to the game of football.

There’s an Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer

Mayer Fear of the dark often brings people another fear, like having a monster (怪物) under your bed. This story uses clever thinking to show children how to do with their fear during the night. And it does have helped lots of children overcome their fear of the dark.

Room on the Broom   by Julia Donaldson

The story has a great message of friendship. A witch (女巫) is happily flying around on her broom when the wind blows away her hat, then her bow, and then her wand. Luckily, a helpful animal finds her missing belongings each time. .

7 Days till Ice Cream   by Bernardo Feliciano

Jerron, A. J. , and Cha are so excited about ice cream day! But sometimes, the ice cream car drives down a different street. Can they work together to control their car right to their house? This fun, easy-to-read story also shows us problem-solving and hands-on activities that your children will love!