1 . Four new books to read
The books that are included in this list can meet your reading needs at any time of year.
Nobody Will Tell You This but Me
Bess Kalb
In this book, the author shares the advice her beloved grandmother Bobby left her. Bobby was a powerful woman who should never be underestimated, and she was very knowledgeable about the family’s traditions and secrets. The book proves that family bonds can endure through generations and beyond death.
We Came Here to Shine
Susie Orman Schnall
We Came Here to Shine focuses on the strong female friendship between an aspiring journalist and an unlucky actress at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Leaning on each other, these two ambitious women struggled against adversity (困境) at a time when women had little say.
A Star Is Bored
Byron Lane
Favored by television star Jonathan Van Ness, this novel is partly based on the author’s experiences as the former personal assistant to Carrie Fisher, a legendary American actress. The book follows Charlie Besson, the new assistant to the Hollywood icon, Kathi Kannon. Their three-year journey together is an unforgettable adventure that is funny, heartbreaking, and hopeful.
Fast Girls
Elise Hooper
The story in Fast Girls took place during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where Betty Robinson, Louise Stokes, and Helen Stephens overcame difficult pasts to attain Olympic glory as the world’s fastest female athletes. Beyond the athletic journey, they also aimed to challenge the social standards of what females can achieve.
1. Who is the character in Bess Kalb’s book?| A．Bobby. | B．Susie Orman Schnall. | C．Carrie Fisher. | D．Betty Robinson. |
| A．A biography. | B．An industry report. |
| C．A real-life based novel. | D．A fictional adventure story. |
| A．We Came Here to Shine | B．Nobody Will Tell You This but Me |
| C．A Star Is Bored | D．Fast Girls |
2 . Many people do not read the classics. Their reasons begin with the language being too difficult and end with the storyline too distant to the present context.
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.
This step is self-explanatory. While it’s not hard to just pick a book up, we know how difficult it can be to convince yourself to do so. Remind yourself that it’s a new learning chance. Take a deep breath, then leap onto the deck (甲板) of Melville’s Pequod or step cautiously through the gates of Castle Dracula.
Remember: there is no right answer.
There is no perfect way to read a classic text. There is no fixed interpretation (解读) and no exact answer. Your goal as a reader is to discover what aspects are meaningful to you. Just enjoy the process.
| A．Just pick the book up |
| B．Allow the book to grow with you |
| C．It has some form of historical influence |
| D．Before you turn to page one, do some digging |
| E．Love for classics is obviously not at first sight |
| F．Never beat yourself up for not knowing something |
| G．Even if your interpretation of the work isn’t perfect, it’s still valuable |
3 . Reading is an important part of learning English, but many students find it difficult. This collection of tips can be of great help to you.
Read for the main ideas
Read the text a first time to understand the main idea, and don’t look up new words.
Use Context
Context refers to words and situations around a word you don’t understand. Look at the example sentence：
I went to the shlumping to buy some chitla for dinner.
What’s ‘schlumping’? - It must be a store because you bought something there.
What’s ‘chitia’? -
Use Your Own Language
Ask yourself this question：Do I read every word in my own language when I am reading a schedule, or summary?
Understand Different Reading Skills
Here is a quick overview of the four types of reading skills used in every language： skimming, scanning, extensive reading and intensive reading.
You can use these reading skills to improve other areas of English learning, such as pronunciation, grammar and increasing vocabulary.
| A．The answer is most definitely：No! |
| B．You may not be so sure about the answer. |
| C．You can usually understand the general idea. |
| D．Skimming is used to quickly gather the main idea. |
| E．It must be food because you are going to eat it for dinner. |
| F．Scanning is used to find a particular piece of information. |
| G．Words you don’t know may contain important information. |
4 . If you’ve reached the end of the year feeling as though you didn’t read enough, we’ve got you. Here are some of the best books of the year according to notable artists, image-makers and other cultural taste makers.
Emily Ratajkowski, model: Ghost Lover’“This collection of nine short stories probes into many of the same themes in Lisa Taddeo’s beloved ‘Three Women’, but discusses them in a sharper, more disagreeable way. She ruthlessly explores jealousy relationships between women, aging, revenge and, of course, desire. Taddeo never lets you come up for air -- making you laugh while simultaneously horrifying you all when you least expect it.”
Hans UIrich Obrist, artistic director: ‘I Always Knew’“This is a portrait of artist and writer Barbara Chase-Riboud, through the letters she wrote to her mother, Vivian Mae, between 1957 and 1991. In this remarkable title, Barbara Chase-Riboud tells her mother about her development as an artist, her love stories, and her trips around the globe, from Africa to China. In these memoirs (回忆录), Chase-Riboud frankly and passionately describes her aspirations, her ambitions and creative inspiration，while also showcasing love and tenderness to her mother.”
Avan Jogia, actor and director: ‘Who is Wellness For?’“‘Who is Wellness For?’ is a book that works as part social observation and part memoir. It explores the commercialization of healing and ritual and asks questions about the industry of wellness I found the read insightful, thoughtful, and unafraid. Wellness isn’t for anyone if it’s not for everyone.”
1. What sets “Ghost Lover” apart from “Three Women”?| A．The focus on themes. | B．The setting of stories. |
| C．The structure of books. | D．The tone of narration. |
| A．Barbara Chase-Riboud. | B．Hans Ulrich Obrist |
| C．Vivian Mae. | D．Avan Jogia. |
| A．They bring laughter to readers. | B．They share the same writing type |
| C．They center on the theme of love | D．They stand out as the best reads of the year. |
赞成的观点：1. 节省时间；2. 易于理解。
反对的观点：1. 书中细节更多；2. 可以欣赏语言的魅力。
Dear Chris,
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Yours,
Li Hua
6 . Jose Alberto Gutierrez’s life would never be the same again after finding a copy of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy in the garbage 20 years ago. It happened while he was driving his garbage truck through wealthier neighborhoods at night and seeing deserted books. It sparked his desire to start rescuing books from the garbage. He took home between 50 and 60 books every morning after his nine-hour shift. Eventually, he turned his book collection into a community library.
Colombia’s capital city of Bogota has 13 million residents and 19 public libraries. However, these libraries tend to be far away from where rural and poorer communities live. The option of buying new books is non-existent for families struggling to make ends meet. Having access to a library of books and being taken away to another world while immersed in a book is a luxury for the kids who visit Gutierrez’s library.
Gutierrez grew up poor, and his family could not afford to educate him beyond primary school. Nevertheless, his mother was a keen reader and read stories to him every night. Her love for books left a deep impression on Gutierrez, who never let a lack of formal education stop him from reading classics by the likes of Victor Hugo, Mario Vargas Llosa and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Today, his community library, called “The Strength of Words”, occupies most of his home and is piled from floor to ceiling with fiction and non-fiction titles. Everything from school textbooks to story books can be found in his collection of more than 20,000 books!
The Strength of Words library opens every weekend. It is not just school-going children who are enjoying the benefits of The Strength of Words library. Adults are also welcome to expand their horizons and develop new skills to build a better life for themselves.
Despite having done so much for his community, Gutierrez is not yet content to call it a day. He continues to search through bins for reading material and has even travelled to book fairs in Mexico and Chile to sell his idea of building library from unwanted books.
1. What inspired Gutierrez to build the community library?| A．Famous novelists he liked very much. |
| B．The dilemma he faced on the night shift. |
| C．Abandoned books he came across at work. |
| D．The hobby he has taken up since childhood. |
| A．Gutierrez’s mother was a good reader. |
| B．Gutierrez was greatly influenced by his mother. |
| C．Gutierrez led a difficult life during his childhood. |
| D．Gutierrez had a disadvantage of poor education. |
| A．Responsible and ambitious. | B．Humble and thoughtful. |
| C．Committed and sensitive. | D．Creative and courageous. |
| A．A book holds a house of gold. |
| B．Constant dropping wears the stone. |
| C．Good things come to those who wait. |
| D．One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. |
7 . Soon there will be a Review Blitz! In a month, we are searching for reasonable reviews that reflect your sincere opinions. Just keep in mind that the deadline for your reviews is October 23, 2023.
Rules:
To enter, you must be a teen (aged 13-19) with a Teen Creativity account.
Submissions ought to be relevant to the topic.
Each review must be no more than 250 words.
There is no restriction on the number of pieces you can submit.
Guidelines:
Give a brief summary of the book. Avoid explaining the entire plot or telling your reader how the book ends.
Inform the reader what you like or dislike about the book.
Recommend the book to specific readers. Does the book lend itself well to older teens? Would science fiction enthusiasts show interest in this book? It’s helpful for readers to think about the book in light of other books they’ve read.
Remember that it’s okay to have a strong opinion! Don’t start sentences with “I think”, “I believe” or “In my opinion”.
Prizes:
All participants will be given a certificate.
First prize winners will respectively have one review published in Teen Creativity magazine and obtain a free 6-month magazine subscription.
Second-place winners will each receive a free 3-month magazine subscription.
You’ll receive these prizes before December 28, 2023.
Submit your works to www.teencreativity.com. We hope reviewing books brings you joy.
1. Which of the following meets the requirement of Review Blitz?| A．A person can present no more than one piece of work. |
| B．Each piece of work can have a maximum of 250 words. |
| C．Reviews must be written by people under 20 years old. |
| D．Works must be uploaded by the end of October 2023. |
| A．The likes and dislikes of the book. |
| B．The recommendation to all readers. |
| C．Statements containing “In my opinion”. |
| D．A summary that demonstrates the whole plot. |
| A．Self-learners. | B．Teaching staff. |
| C．Professional trainers. | D．Bookish adolescents. |
8 . Technology seems to discourage slow reading. Reading on screens tires eyes easily. So online writing is more skimmable than print. The neuroscientist Mary Walt argued this “new norm” of skim reading is producing “an invisible, dramatic transformation” in how readers process words. And brains now favor rapid absorption of information, rather than skills developed by deeper reading, like critical analysis.
We shouldn’t overplay this danger. All readers skim. Skimming is the skill we acquire as we learn to read more skillfully. And fears about declining attention spans have proved to be false alarms. “Some critics worry about attention span and see very short stories as signs of cultural decline, ” The American author Selvin wrote. “But nobody ever said poems were evidence of short attention spans. ”
Yet the Internet has certainly changed the way we read. First, it means there’s more to read, because more people than ever are writing. And digital writing means rapid release and response. Once published, online articles start forming a comment string underneath. Such mode of writing and reading can be interactive and fun, but is probably lacking in profound reflection.
Perhaps we should slow down. Reading is constantly promoted as a source of personal achievement. But this advocacy emphasizes “enthusiastic” or “eager” reading — neither suggest slow absorption. To a slow reader, a piece of writing can only be fully understood by immersing oneself in their slow comprehension of words. The slow reader is like a swimmer who stops counting the number of pool laps he’s done and just enjoys how his body feels and moves in water.
The human need for this kind of deep reading is too determined for any new technology to destroy. We often assume technological change can’t be stopped, so older media are kicked out by newer, more virtual forms. In practice, older technologies can coexist with new ones. The Kindle hasn’t killed off printed books any more than cars killed off bicycles. We still want to enjoy slowly-formed ideas and carefully-chosen words. Even in a fast-moving age, there is time for slow reading.
1. What is the author’s attitude towards Selvin’s opinion?| A．Favorable. | B．Critical. | C．Doubtful. | D．Objective. |
| A．Advocacy of passionate reading helps promote slow reading. |
| B．Digital writing and reading tends to ignore careful reflection. |
| C．We should be aware of the impact skimming has on the brain. |
| D．The number of Internet readers declines due to technology. |
| A．To demonstrate how to immerse oneself in thought. |
| B．To stress swimming differs from reading. |
| C．To show slow reading is better than fast reading. |
| D．To illustrate what slow reading is like. |
| A．Slow Reading is Here to Stay |
| B．Technology Prevents Slow Reading |
| C．Reflections on Deep Reading |
| D．The Wonder of Deep Reading |
9 . Summer reading
Finding Junie Kim
by Ellen Oh
Middle schooler Junie Kim is facing bullying (欺凌) at school, but she keeps quiet. Then, for a school project, Junie interviews her grandparents, who grew up in Korea during wartime in the 1950s. In their story of struggle, Junie finds the courage to speak up. The book will encourage any kid who has ever been in Junie’s shoes.
Simon B. Rhymin’
by Dwayne Reed
Simon is starting fifth grade and wants everyone to call him Notorious D. O. G. because he wants to be a famous rapper (说唱歌手). But he’s shy about using his voice to express his thoughts. When a teacher asks the class to give a talk, Simon must face his fears. Simon B. Rhymin’ is a great book that will give confidence to readers who are going through similar struggles.
A Shot in the Arm!
by Don Brown
A Shot in the Arm! is a novel about the history of vaccines (疫苗). Readers learn how vaccines have been used throughout history to fight disease. The author also introduces people around the world who helped with the development of vaccines. A Shot in the Arm! is an exciting read that uses colorful drawings to pull the reader in.
The One Thing You’d Save
by Linda Sue Park
If your house were on fire, what one thing would you save? Writer Linda Sue Park explores different answers to this question in poems that show the different voices of a middle school class. Some choose baseball cards or toy animals. One picks a sweater that was passed down for generations. The book is illustrated (给……作插图) with black-and-white art. Readers of all ages will like this book. It helps you realize what matters most.
1. What problem does Simon have?| A．He is bullied at school. | B．He fears receiving vaccines. |
| C．He dislikes doing his homework. | D．He is afraid of expressing his ideas. |
| A．Finding Junie Kim. | B．Simon B. Rhymin’. |
| C．A Shot in the Arm! | D．The One Thing You’d Save. |
| A．It is for teenage readers. | B．It is written in poem form. |
| C．It has many colorful pictures. | D．It was written by Dwayne Reed. |
10 . Not long ago, Linda was sitting by a hospital bed, feeling anxious. Beside her lay her 88-year-old father. His heart was
What
That day in the hospital, Linda’s eye fell on the
It
In fact, almost any kind of reading to another person can be
| A．broken | B．weak | C．special | D．lost |
| A．worried | B．confused | C．bored | D．embarrassed |
| A．funny | B．angry | C．depressing | D．amazing |
| A．cooperation | B．imagination | C．expectations | D．conversations |
| A．possible | B．desired | C．helpful | D．incredible |
| A．returned | B．adapted | C．grown | D．narrowed |
| A．books | B．flowers | C．soup | D．fruit |
| A．time | B．chance | C．energy | D．courage |
| A．looked for | B．thought of | C．took out | D．picked up |
| A．constantly | B．probably | C．immediately | D．barely |
| A．secret | B．relief | C．burden | D．game |
| A．luckily | B．usually | C．otherwise | D．never |
| A．Listening | B．Reading | C．Sleeping | D．Dreaming |
| A．taught | B．felt | C．recognized | D．introduced |
| A．practical | B．available | C．difficult | D．beneficial |
