| A．A film. | B．A book. | C．A record. |
2 . Every year—for more than 15 years running—Amazon editors come together to decide on the Best Books of the Year. Below are the top 4 picks, along with quotes from the editors.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
“Though divided by centuries, three women, who share a unique connection to the natural world and to one, another, tell their amazing stories of coldness, danger, and survival in a beautifully written novel that is an impressive read.” —Seira Wilson
Happy Place by Emily Henry
“Emily Henry’s latest has all the feels!More than your standard second-chance romance, Happy Place is about the beauty, pain, and joy that come with biological families, chosen families, growing up and apart, and how—as adults—we deal with this thing called life.”—Kami Tei
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann
“Please get ready. This true story of violence and murder, adventure, and ambition on the high seas is a page-turner. You can almost feel the salt stuck on your skin as the ship and its noisy shipmen fight against the bad weather and each other for becoming rich and famous. David Grann,once again, has made history come alive.” —Al Woodworth
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
“I will not soon forget Lady Tan. A historical story grounded in women, medicine, and tradition, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is heart-touching, and I found myself underlining throughout this inviting read.” —Kami Tei
1. What is Happy Place mainly about?| A．Adventures of adults. | B．Connection to nature: |
| C．Mixed feelings of life. | D．Challenges of growing up. |
| A．Ann Napolitano. | B．Emily Henry |
| C．David Grann. | D．Lisa See |
| A．They are set in history. | B．They are about women. |
| C．They cover several centuries. | D．They focus on dangers of life. |
3 . This year’s best books for children address sadness and fear while celebrating love, strength, hope and joy.
The Big Dreaming
Michael Rosen and Daniel Egneus
Two bears are preparing for the Big Sleep, but Little Bear worries they won’t have enough dreams to last the winter. He sets out on a dangerous journey, from which he returns with stored visions of happiness, homecoming and hope.
A Way to the Stars
David Almond and Gill Smith
This is a story of the love between parent and child. When Joe is eager to reach the stars, his dad is fully on board. Together they build a tower, even a rocket(火箭), without success. But every time they laugh and try again, until Joe finally achieves his dream.
A Really Short Journey Through the Body
Bill Bryson
For children over 8 who love science, it is adapted for children by science journalist Emma Young. It is a sure-fire winner, especially among those who enjoy humorous writings.
Oscar’s Lion
Adam Baron
In this story illustrated(插图) by Benji Davies, Oscar is alarmed to discover that his parents have disappeared and that a large lion appears. But has he really eaten Oscar’s parents? This unusual story of love, sadness and family ties will particularly attract children who are coming to terns with loss.
1. What does Joe want to do?| A．Build a small tower. | B．Set foot on stars. |
| C．Have a sound sleep. | D．Take part in winter games. |
| A．Bill Bryson. | B．Emma Young. |
| C．Adam Baron. | D．Benji Davies. |
| A．They deal with sadness. | B．They are about a journey. |
| C．They are for children. | D．They are from one writer. |
4 . Some libraries use unique architecture to encourage visitors to settle down with a new book, or use roving (流动的) libraries to bring books to hard-to-reach populations. However they achieve it, these novel libraries are keeping the magic of reading alive.
Macquarie University Library (Sydney, Australia)Featuring a green roof, this building, made from recycled materials, was designed to imitate the look of a eucalyptus tree. It is also an art form, using robot cranes to bring requested books to the front desk.
The Camel Library Service (North Eastern Province, Kenya)To deal with low literacy rates in the desert of Kenya, the government created a roaming library composed of nine camels bringing books to villages. The library travels four days a week serving the region’s disadvantaged people.
Bishan Library (Singapore)With glass pods of various colors sticking out of the building randomly, this library, built in 2006, is meant to create comfortable yet airy nooks (角落) for reading throughout the building. At the same time, a more wide-open children’s room on the basement level invites interaction while preventing noise from filtering (过滤) upward.
Seikei University Library (Tokyo, Japan)Libraries are usually known for their quiet atmosphere, but this one encourages conversation. Pritzker Prize-winner Shigeru Ban designed the library with space-age, free-standing soundproofed pods (系统) to respect those who need uninterrupted study, while also being beneficial to other methods of learning; they serve as perfect spots for study groups and lively discussions.
1. Who would probably choose to visit Macquarie University Library?| A．Animal lovers. | B．Talkative people. |
| C．Noisy children. | D．Environmental protectors. |
| A．Bishan Library. | B．Seikei University Library. |
| C．Macquarie University Library. | D．The Camel Library Service. |
| A．They ban lively group discussions. | B．They have special sound-proof design. |
| C．They provide a space for kids to read. | D．They win prizes for designing in architecture. |
5 . Four Popular Books on Science
Mustn’t Grumble
This book written by Graham Lawton is not about what happens when we’re ill with something serious to send us to the doctor. Instead, it focuses on many of mild, annoying illnesses, aches and pains which we can always put up with. It’s a mixture of science and history, with a light touch, and provides practical information about each illness for the reader.
Generations
In this deeply researched book, Professor Bobby Duffy provides a new framework for understanding the issues of the day: from culture wars to climate change and mental health to housing. Including information from all over the globe, and with powerful effects on humanity’s future, this big-thinking book will change how you view the world.
Eureka
Introduced by Jim Al-Khalili, Eureka brings together 365 mind blowing questions, attractive facts and exciting experiments. If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if the moon disappeared, why cats always land on their feet, why we get morning breath, how to measure the speed of light with a chocolate bar, if you could surf down an erupting volcano and why songs get stuck in your head, this book would be a good choice.
Unthinkable
Unthinkable takes us on an unforgettable journey through the human brain. Award-winning science writer Helen Thomson has spent years travelling the world tracking down brain disorders that are not seen very often. In Unthinkable she tells the stories of nine unusual people. From the man who thinks he’s a tiger to the doctor who feels the pain of others just by looking at them. Their experiences show how the brain can shape our lives in unexpected and, in some cases, alarming ways.
1. How does the book Mustn’t Grumble benefit readers?| A．By helping them keep healthy. | B．By improving their studies. |
| C．By making them love science. | D．By teaching them to care for patients. |
| A．Graham Lawton’s. | B．Bobby Duffy’s. | C．Helen Thomson’s. | D．Jim Al-Khalili’s. |
| A．World travelling. | B．Wonders of the brain. |
| C．Sufferings from brain disease. | D．Achievements of unusual people. |
6 . Some people do not always read the classics. Their reasons begin with the language being too difficult and end with the storyline to distant to the present context. Love for classics is obviously not at first sight.
Don’t be afraid to be confused.
We get it: it’s hard to power through confusion. It doesn’t feel great when a book makes you feel confused. Every reader has to start somewhere.
Research, research, research.
Just pick the book up.
While it’s not hard to just pick a book up, we know how difficult it can be to convince yourself to do so.
Remember: there is no right answer.
There is no perfect way to read a classic text. There is no defining interpretation, no exact answer. Your goal as a reader is to discover what aspects and insights are meaningful to you.
| A．It’s a gradual affair. |
| B．It has some form of historical effect. |
| C．Should we read with close friends? |
| D．Never beat yourself up for not knowing something. |
| E．Read with intention and think critically. |
| F．Remind yourself that it’s a new learning opportunity. |
| G．Before you turn to page one, do some digging. |
7 . Upcoming Book Fairs and Festivals
If you’re an author, you owe it to yourself to check out this list of book fairs and festival s that authors can attend.
Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, October 14—15, San Diego, CA. The World Mystery Convention is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization which holds an annual convention in honor of Anthony Boucher, the distinguished mystery fiction critic, editor and author. Bouchercon is their annual world mystery convention, where every year readers, writers, publishers, editors, and booksellers gather for a weekend of education, entertainment, and fun!
The Appalachian Writer’s Conference, October 28, Berea, KY. The conference is a literary workshop that offers beginning writers a chance to sharpen existing skills and learn new techniques from award-winning, seasoned novelists, non-fiction writers, memoirists, and poets. The guests will stay at Historic Boone Tavern Hotel and have a chance to meet Kentucky Artisans.
Kansas Book Festival, November 10—12, Topeka, KS. This event, designed to celebrate the best of Kansas literature, arts and history, will offer a variety of activities for Kansans of all ages, including meet-the-author sessions, panel discussions, book signings and sales, and a special tent with projects for children. This event is free and open to the public.
Indie Book Fair, November 19, Orlando, FL. The Indie Book Fair’s mission is to create a space to allow independent authors to sell and showcase their work, build their readership and make everyone aware of their brand. The vision is through multiple book fair events that are FREE to the public and will include virtual buying for readers who cannot attend. The fair will be held 3 times a year.
1. What’s special about the event to be held in San Diego?| A．It lasts the longest. | B．It aims to entertain the volunteers. |
| C．It educates the public on publications. | D．It is intended to honor a well-known author. |
| A．Staying at a hotel for free. | B．Improving their writing skills. |
| C．Winning writing awards. | D．Meeting with independent authors. |
| A．In San Diego. | B．In Berea. | C．In Topeka. | D．In Orlando. |
8 . 
Challenge curious young minds from 9 to 14 with Cricket Media’s collection of magazines. Whether your child is a promising poet or a future engineer, these award-winning, ad-free publications are made for your kids.
CRICKET@Magazine
CRICKET Magazine, our flagship publication, is the world leader in providing the highest-quality fiction and nonfiction to children from 9 to 14. Since its premiere in 1973, CRICKET has delighted and entertained generations of kids with contemporary stories and classic literature from the world’s best writers. ADD TO CART
COBBLESTONETM Magazine
COBBLESTONE knows history doesn’t have to be dull and dry. Filled with fascinating true stories of American history, every page is a living, breathing guide to how Americans lived from the 1600s to today. It takes kids on a journey through history while exciting their imaginations and bringing the past to life! ADD TO CART
FACESTM Magazine
FACES magazine takes young readers around the world and back to learn about important inventions and ideas from other cultures. From common customs to rules of the road, games to housing, FACES uses breathtaking photography and authentic local voices to bring the entire world right to your kids. ADD TO CART
MUSE@Magazine
MUSE magazine is the arts and science magazine for kids from 9 to 14 who want to know how to keep robots from taking over the world or whether animals can think, accompanied by high-quality illustration and photography. Explore the world in a fun (and funny!)way with MUSE. ADD TO CART
1. In which magazine is it the most possible for readers to experience the past life?| A．CRICKET@Magazine. | B．COBBLESTONETM Magazine. |
| C．FACESTM Magazine. | D．MUSE@Magazine. |
| A．They are packed with authentic local voices. |
| B．They provide high-quality fictions. |
| C．They cover life in foreign countries. |
| D．They are vividly illustrated with photos. |
| A．A publication advertisement. | B．A magazine column. |
| C．A literature review. | D．A blog entry. |
Alice Walker
Set in rural Georgia at the turn of the last century, Alice Walker’s epic novel weaves the heartbreaking and hopeful tale of Celie, an uneducated black teen fighting for her dignity and freedom. The novel bravely and honestly addresses issues like women’s struggles and ultimate resilience. Published in 1982, it won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and the National Book Award.
Catcher in the Rye
J. D. Salinger
Poetic and heartfelt Holden Coalfield is one of the most famous literary characters of all time. Published first in 1951, Catcher in the Rye brilliantly captures the lonely teen experience of having to grow up and leave the tenderness and innocence of childhood behind. Though young adult fiction didn’t exist in its current form when J. D. Salinger wrote the novel, it’s considered one of the first teen books and consistently appears on high school reading lists.
The House of the Spirits
Isabel Allende
The 1982 novel—the best-selling Spanish-language novel of all time—revolves around three generations of Trueba women. Females’ struggle and themes of ancestors exist in all parts of the book, as is magic; no surprise since this work of magical realism was influenced by Gabriel Garcfa Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, which won the Nobel Prize for Literature.
The Joy Luck Club
Amy Tan
This 1989 classic book explores four Chinese American families who gather and eventually recount their pasts in China and struggles as immigrants (移民) in the United States. Heart warning, heartbreaking, and a delight to read, The Joy Luck Club is one of the classic books that influenced a generation of Chinese American creators.
1. Which of the following books was published the earliest?| A．The Color Purple. | B．Catcher in the Rye. |
| C．The House of the Spirits. | D．The Joy Luck Club. |
| A．Isabel Allende. | B．J.D.Salinger. | C．Alice Walker. | D．Amy Tan. |
| A．They are relevant to females’ fight. | B．They influence three generations. |
| C．They address some teen problems. | D．They won the prizes in the same year. |
10 . Are you interested in thrilling content? Here are four story books that take place in a museum or art set in famous art centers. These picks are full of action and uncertain result.
| Charlotte Writes Her World Writer: Ashley Murray Company: Ottawa Publishing House Charlotte, who has visited the City Museum of Art many times with her friend Alice, has a mystery to solve. The events she writes about in her English diaries are starting to come true. What’s going on? Ages: 8-12 |
| The Return of Mona Lisa Writer: Owen Duncan Company: Madison House Studio The Mona Lisa by Michelangelo is one of the most popular paintings in the world, and this fascinating nonfiction book describes how the painting was stolen from the museum in 1911 and later returned. The book tells the story of the Mona Lisa’s theft and return, which offers readers a deeper understanding of the cultural importance of this painting. Ages: 10 and up |
| Secret of the Museum Writer: Hailey Johnson Company: Aspiring Young Readers This novel is based on prize-winning 2006 film Secret of the Museum. In the book, a guard notices that art works at the Museum of Natural History come to life at night. The guard shares what he has observed with his son, who is doubtful at first and then becomes fascinated by the adventures at night. Ages: 8-12 |
| Spy School Adventure Writer: Justin Blake Company: Charlie Martin Books for Young Readers Some of this story’s best scenes occur at the City Museum of History. Nick is trying to begin an adventure which takes him back to the ancient time. The track takes him outside the museum, and maps show you where he goes. Ages: 8-12 |
1. Which book is suitable for kids who are interested in paintings?
| A．Secret of the Museum. | B．Spy School Adventure. |
| C．The Return of Mona Lisa. | D．Charlotte Writes Her World. |
| A．Both are parent-friendly novels. |
| B．Both are from the writers’ diaries. |
| C．Both are winners of national prizes. |
| D．Both are about history and adventure. |
| A．A textbook. | B．An exam paper. | C．A travel plan. | D．A magazine. |
