2 . 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.     1     We begin as acquaintances (熟人) and eventually become close friends with private jokes between us. So how does one approach a classic?

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.     2     Instead, be proud of yourself for trying, and get excited about all the new things you’ll learn.

Research, research, research.

    3     Researching the author and the time and place they were writing about can help you situate yourself during tricky passages. The author’s experience, viewpoint, and historical context might help you make the connections you might not have otherwise.

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.     4     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 defining interpretation, no exact answer. Your goal as a reader is to discover what aspects and insights are meaningful to you.     5     Even if your interpretation of the work isn’t quite perfect, it is still valuable!

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.

3 .

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

COBBLESTONE^TM 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

FACES^TM 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.

2. What do FACESTM Magazine and MUSE@Magazine have in common?

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.

3. What is the text?

A．A publication advertisement.	B．A magazine column.
C．A literature review.	D．A blog entry.

5 . Children's Books That Teach Empathy and Kindness

Little Blue Truck

By Alice Schertle

Little ones are introduced to Blue, a little pickup truck that gets stuck pushing a dump truck out of the mud in this board book. Thankfully, Blue made a group of animal friends along the way that are happy to do whatever they can to help him get back on the road. The main themes are kindness and the benefits of helping others.

Most People

By Michael Leannah

The book is an amazing lesson for kids that want to do good in the world and that there are plenty of good people out there. Told in the third person, the book tells the story of two pairs of siblings (兄弟姐妹) and the people they meet.

If You Plant a Seed

By Kadir Nelson

A mouse and a rabbit teach children how to plant and grow food, while also passing along some valuable lessons. After learning that a carrot seed will grow a carrot, and a cabbage seed will result in a cabbage, children also learn the value of thoughtfulness and how a seed of kindness can bear sweet fruit.

Save Me a Seat

By Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

Joe lived in the same town all his life and felt perfectly pleased until his best friend moved away. Ravi's family recently moved from India to the US and he's struggling to find where he belongs. Even though Joe and Ravi at first believe that they don't have much in common, they both realize they have a common enemy-the biggest bully (仗势欺人者) in their class. Save Me a Seat is a story about the true meaning of friendship and understanding.

1. What can children get from reading Little Blue Truck?

A．Happiness of helping others.	B．Importance of protecting animals.
C．Ways of dealing with trouble in mud.	D．Being friendly to strangers around you.

2. Which book is mainly about food?

A．Little Blue Truck.	B．Most People.
C．If You Plant a Seed.	D．Save Me a Seat.

3. What do we infer from Save Me a Seat?

A．Joe was regarded as a bully by Ravi.	B．Ravi was used to living in India soon.
C．Ravi and Joe had nothing in common.	D．Ravi and Joe became friends at last.