1 . The Four Best Astronomy Books
This list has been updated 24 times since it was first published in 2015. Our selection includes editions specifically written to attract youngsters, some of which are for more advanced students. Each of them contains breathtaking, full-color images.
●The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide
The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide (about $30) is a great resource suitable for beginners and experts. It offers in-depth guidance on everything from picking the perfect telescope to avoiding light pollution, with tips on how best to explore the deep sky.
Features:
Over 500 bright photographs
Detailed maps of the Milky Way
●Far out: A Space-Time Chronicle
Far out: A Space-Time Chronicle (about $25) takes you on a journey through time using the concept of light speed to introduce the vastness of the universe. It’s a real page-turner, with one impressive photo after another, and will let your imagination run wild.
Features:
Making connections to human history
Written in a poetic style
Informative and thoughtful
●NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
This book (about $18) has sold upwards of 600,000 copies of its three previous editions. It comes with a variety of charts showing various events, such as when to expect a solar and lunar eclipse (日蚀和月蚀).
Features:
Great for those using telescopes
Helpful telescope shopping tips
●Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide
Perfect for ordinary people or those wanting to get a taste of the subject before devoting themselves to a formal class, this book (about $11) makes it easy for them to learn the main topics and basic rules of a college-level course on their own.
Features:
No math required
Self-tests to check progress
Explaining professional terms
1. What can we say about the book Far Out: A Space-Time Chronicle?| A．It is funny and strange. | B．It is exciting and imaginative. |
| C．It is breathtaking and popular. | D．It is instructive and challenging. |
| A．Far Out: A Space-Time Chronicle | B．The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide |
| C．Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide | D．NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe |
| A．They all have colorful pictures. | B．They are all updated regularly. |
| C．They are all aimed at young kids. | D．They all focus on the solar system. |
2 . Book fairs can give a book lover an exciting rush. Here's a list of book fairs taking place in 2022.
F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival
FLORIDA, US Jan 6-8, 2022
It's a weekend of entertainment in the form of films, books, author presentations, focus groups, and good music. Writers visit F.R.E.S.H to network with fellow authors, meet with readers and fans, and sell books. There's something every reader is addicted to.
Havana Book Fair
HAVANA, CUBA Feb 4-11, 2022
Havana's 10-day International Book Fair features book sellers，poetry readings, children's activities, art exhibitions, and parties in the evenings.
Leipzig Book Fair
Leipzig, LITHUANIA Mar 17-20, 2022
Leipzig Book Fair is the most important get-together in the spring for the book and media industry, connecting readers with authors, publishers and media companies from Germany and around the world. They all visit Leipzig to experience a diversity of literature, discover innovations and gain new angles. It presents the spring's new releases, current themes, and trends. Also, it exhibits new German-language literature.
Brussels Book Fair
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM Mar 10-13, 2022
It's a non-profit event promoting books and reading to all audience since 2016. Each year it presents 255 exhibitors and 500 publishing houses, and 1,200 authors in meetings and dedications (题词). The event is visited by 72,000 visitors every year.
1. Which one would catch your eye if you are a music lover?| A．F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival. | B．Havana Book Fair. |
| C．Leipzig Book Fair. | D．Brussels Book Fair. |
| A．Three days. | B．Four days. |
| C．Eight days. | D．Ten days. |
| A．It's open to all people. | B．It's the most important. |
| C．It starts the latest. | D．It's a charity activity. |
1. Who is probably the man?
| A．A teacher. | B．A writer. | C．A student. |
| A．Its words. | B．Its illustrations. | C．Its topic. |
| A．From a secondhand store | B．From an online bookshop. | C．From the school library. |
4 . Here are some of the best nonfiction books of 2021.
Somebody’s Daughter
$16 at Amazon
Ashley C. Ford talks about growing up as a black gird in Indiana, dealing with poverty, the complexities of adolescence, and a tense relationship with her mother. She often wished that she could express her feelings with her father, but failed for reasons she didn’t know. Until one day — after going through a heart-broken experience with a boy, which she kept from her family — her grandmother told her. And what she learned turned her entire world upside down.
Crazy Stories About Racism
$14 at Amazon
New York-based comedian Amber Ruffin, along with her sister Lacey Lamar, share their everyday experiences about their bad conditions. It gets especially bad for Lacey who still lives in their home state of Nebraska, and is a start for these ridiculous but all-too-real encounters (遭遇).
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain
$25 at Amazon
If you want to get in touch with your creative side, this book might just be the trick. As the title suggests, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is a literary master class that takes readers into the mind of Booker Prize-winning author George Saunders. He discusses what makes great stories, how they work, and what they say about ourselves and today’s world.
All In
$21 at Amazon
Sports legend Billie Jean King writes a self-portrait that talks about the highs and lows of her amazing tennis career, her work in activism, and the ongoing fight for social justice and equality.
1. What is special about Somebody’s Daughter?| A．It tells a girl’s success. | B．It tells a confused girl. |
| C．It tells a girl’s education. | D．It describes a girl’s good luck. |
| A．Something about Ashley C. Ford. | B．A boy’s heart-broken experience. |
| C．The situations of the present society. | D．Experiences about a man of casual racism. |
| A．All In | B．Somebody’s Daughter |
| C．A Swim in a Pond in the Rain | D．Crazy Stories About Racism |
5 . The Future of Money is an overview of the current state of monetary systems and a review of how new financial technologies are interrupting as well as increasing the chances of changing current monetary architectures.
I just finished reading the Kindle version of this book, and found it to be exceptionally clear, well-written, and extremely thorough. I also loved The Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson, Naked Money by Charles Wheelan … those are definitely equally good. What sets this book apart is that it starts with great explanations of the definition of money, the different types of money (eg. “outside money”, “inside money” etc.), then explains Bitcoin, the current crypto craze, central bank digital currencies and a lot more.
For most people, says Eswar Prasad, money still means physical cash printed by a sole, public authority. Yet that is a surprisingly modern case: only a century ago, private currencies competed with government-issued banknotes. It may be short-lived, too, as cash gives into the digitalization of finance and new means of payment take over. This big bang will have huge impacts on states, people and companies.
That cash is declining may not surprise readers. Many will bank from laptops and make payments on their phones. One of the first financial technology breakthroughs happened centuries ago, when China introduced paper currency to replace metal coins, which were heavy and scarce. Yet this time is different, Mr. Prasad insists. Previous changes improved existing systems, he notes. The end of cash—likely within a decade or two—is revolutionary.
Mr. Prasad gives us a vivid picture of the evolution of money. Anyone interested in an excellent review of the concept of money, the current trends and likely future direction should read this book. Kudos and thanks to Professor Prasad.
1. What makes this book different from others according to the author?| A．It’s clear, well-written, and extremely thorough. |
| B．It equips readers with the definitions of economics terms. |
| C．It offers an overview of the current state of monetary systems. |
| D．It’s full of interesting examples and stories and is clearly written. |
| A．The editor of The Ascent of Money. |
| B．The author of The Future of Money. |
| C．The Chief Financial Officer of Kindle. |
| D．The economics professor of the author. |
| A．Only the public authority has the right to print physical cash. |
| B．The majority of people cannot accept the fact that cash is declining. |
| C．China’s paper currency is heavy and scarce constrasted with metal coins. |
| D．Cash may be replaced by new means of payment within a decade or two. |
| A．A book review. | B．A history book. |
| C．A financial report. | D．A bank announcement. |
6 . Keeping children occupied has been a challenge for many of us of late but books can certainly help. Whether purchased as e-books or ordered online for delivery, the following titles are among the Times’ team’s favourites.
Kia Kaha – Together, standing strong
Irish rugby players may boast of being ‘together, standing strong’, but only Kiwis know how to kia kaha!
Best suited to little ones aged three to seven years of age, this book is a rousing celebration of all the many
cultures that call Aotearoa home.
And, thanks to its accompanying CD (which can be downloaded instead), they can learn a heart-warming song in both Maori and English.
June Pitman-Hayes, Ngaere Roberts (Maori lyrics) & Minky Stapleton (illustrator): Kia Kaha – Together, standing strong | Scholastic
Showtym Adventures 7 – Jackamo the Supreme Champion
After her multi-champion pony suffers a devastating injury, Vicki must turn to a beautiful, although inexperienced, mount to compete.
Although she is sure Jackamo has the X factor, has she actually bet everything on the wrong horse?
The latest addition to Kelly Wilson’s popular series, this book is a tale of tenacity and overcoming the odds through dedication and hard work.
Kelly Wilson: Showtym Adventures 7 – Jackamo the Supreme Champion | Puffin
Cece Loves Science – Push and Pull
The ‘force’ is strong with Cece! Designed to make science more accessible to young minds, this book sees Cece and her friend Isaac team up to discover the opposing forces of push and pull can be used to help Cece’s dog, Einstein.
Fostering a love of learning, this series might just help a few older ones – to whom science class is a distant memory – discover how the universe works too!
Shelli R Johannes, Kimberly Derting & Vashti Harrison: Cece Loves Science – Push and Pull | HarperCollins
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Wrecking Ball
One of the most well-known characters in modern children’s literature – Greg Heffley, aka the Wimpy Kid – is up to his old tricks once again.
When the Heffleys receive an unexpected inheritance, major home improvements become their focus. How will this affect Greg? There’s only one way to find out!
Jeff Kinney: Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Wrecking Ball | Puffin
1. Which book is suitable for kids to learn cultures?| A．Kia Kaha – Together, standing strong |
| B．Showtym Adventures 7 – Jackamo the Supreme Champion |
| C．Cece Loves Science – Push and Pull |
| D．Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Wrecking Ball |
| A．Old tricks | B．Maori lyrics |
| C．Adventures | D．scientific knowledge. |
| A．Jeff Kinney |
| B．Shelli R Johannes, Kimberly Derting & Vashti Harrison |
| C．June Pitman-Hayes, Ngaere Roberts (Maori lyrics) & Minky Stapleton (illustrator) |
| D．Kelly Wilson |
7 . Five ancient Chinese poems about spring
As the winter chill still lingers through early spring longing for warm days has sprung up everywhere. Before the flowers are in full blossom here is a collection of ancient Chinese poems picturing the revival of life during spring. The English translations used in this article are from Chinese translator Xu Yuanchong.
Spring Morning — by Meng Haoran （689 —740） of the Tang Dynasty （618 —907）
This spring morning in bed I’m lying. Not to awake till birds are crying. After one night of wind and showers How many are the fallen flowers！
Written in a Village South of the Capital — by Cui Hu （772—846） of the Tang Dynasty
In this house on this day last year a pink face vied
In beauty with the pink peach blossoms side by side.
I do not know today where the pink face has gone
In the vernal breeze still smile pink peach blossoms full －blown.
Happy Rain on a Spring Night （Excerpts） — by Du Fu （712—770） of the Tang Dynasty
Good rain knows its time right, It will fall when comes spring.
With wind it steals in night, Mute, it moistens each thing.
Dreaming of the Southern Shore — by Bai Juyi （772—846） of the Tang Dynasty
Fair Southern shore
With scenes I much adore.
At sunrise riverside flowers redder than fire
In spring green waves grow as blue as sapphire
Which I can’t but admire
Love Seeds — by Wang Wei （701 —761） of the Tang Dynasty
Red berries grow in the southern land
How many load in spring the trees？
Gather them till full is your hand
They would revive fond memories.
1. Which of the following statements is NOT true？| A．Meng Haoran lived longer than other poets. |
| B．All of the poets were from the Tang Dynasty. |
| C．Both Cui Hu and Bai Juyi died at the same age. |
| D．Cui Hu wrote a poem highlighting the color pink. |
| A．Love Seeds | B．Happy Rain on a Spring Night |
| C．Dreaming of the Southern Shore | D．Written in a village South of the Capital |
| A．Winter | B．Autumn | C．Summer | D．Spring |
8 . Poetry4kids Memberships
Poetry4kids turned 25 this year! It has become the most visited children’s poetry website, thanks to you. Running a website with over 2 million visitors and 15 million views each year is quite expensive. So for years I’ve covered the costs by including advertising on the site. This isn’t an ideal solution, but a necessary one. However, I now have a better solution that 11 remove the advertising for you and give you many additional benefits: Poetry4kids Memberships.
In short, for a small monthly subscription fee, you can become a member of Poetry4kids and enjoy all of the following rewards:
Reader Level—$ 5/ month
● Ad-free access to poetry4kids. com
● Two free e-books: The Armpit of Doom and The Biggest Burp Ever
● Access to all poems on the website, organized by book
● Early access to new YouTube videos, including poetry-writing lessons
● Connect with me via a members only email address
Poetry Lover—$ 10/ month
● All the benefits of the Reader Level
● Two additional free e-books: My Cat Knows Karate and My Dog Likes to Disco
● Monthly live, interactive and online poetry- writing workshops, throughout the school year
Super Member—$ 20/ month
● All the benefits of the Poetry Lover and Reader Level
● One free online author visit for your class each school year
● Free and early access to all future e- books and audio books (有声书籍)
Your support will help me create new animated videos and fully- produced audio books!
To become a member of Poetry4kids, simply visit my Buy Me a Coffee page and click on the Join button for your selected level.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to the next 25 years of Poetry4kids with a lively community of teachers, librarians, parents, and other fans of poetry for kids!
—Kenn Nesbitt
1. What is the present problem with Poetry4kids for its visitors?| A．It has too many visits. | B．It offers limited poems. |
| C．It has advertisements. | D．It charges too much. |
| A．Four free e-books. | B．Free access to audio-books. |
| C．Daily poetry-reading guidance. | D．Interviews with favorite poets. |
| A．A grateful coffee shop owner. | B．A poet supporting Poetry4kids . |
| C．A faithful member of Poetry4kids. | D．A person running a poetry website. |
While English speakers look back to the time of Shakespeare and Milton 400 years ago as a Golden age, Chinese look back far
A key feature of Chinese poetry is
Amazing 48, 000 poems have survived from the many Tang dynasty poets. After the Tang, poets struggled
Many poems contain specific events from Chinese history, and that makes understanding these poems
10 . The Joy Luck Club explores the connection, or lack of, between immigrant Chinese mothers and their Chinese American daughters. The book is divided into four sections in which the tales of mothers and daughters connect.
The book begins with Jing-mei taking her mother's place playing mahjong at a weekly gathering. They call the group the Joy Luck Club. Jing-mei's mother had a similar club in China before Jing-mei was born. Her mother restarted the tradition in San Francisco when Jing-mei was just a little girl. The other members of the group, Lindo, Ying-ying and An-mei, were her mother's oldest friends. The women tell Jing-mei that before her mother, Suyuan, died, she had finally succeeded in locating Jing-mei's lost half-sisters in China. Suyuan had abandoned the girls when she fled during World War Ⅱ. The women offer to help Jing-mei travel to China, meet her sisters and tell them about their mother. Jing-mei is overcome with emotion and wonders if she is up to the task. Then each woman tells an emotional story from her own childhood. The women then wonder if their daughters can really understand them.
In the second section, the four daughters Waverly, Jing-mei, Lena and Rose share painful childhood stories about their relationships with their mothers. The stories contain misunderstandings of their mother's actions.
In the third section, the daughters share about their marriage and career troubles. They believe that their mothers' old-fashioned ideas do not apply to their American lives. But their quest for solutions to their troubles leads them back to their relationships with the older generation.
In the last section, the mothers tell current stories about their daughters and their attempts to help them solve their problems. In doing so, they learn more about themselves. Jing-mei travels to China, meets her half-sisters and help them to learn about a mother they cannot remember. In doing so, she fulfills her mother's wish to be reunited with her lost daughters. This helps Jing-mei understand and appreciate her mother better. Jing-mei's journey also helps the other members of the Joy Luck Club. They see the importance of the past and the present as they work to truly connect with their daughters.
1. Who told Jing-mei the story of her mother?| A．Her friends at work. | B．Her mother in person. |
| C．The mothers in the club. | D．The half-sisters in China. |
| A．To expand her career. | B．To mend her marriage. |
| C．To reunite with her half-sisters. | D．To have a vacation with her family. |
| A．They only care for playing mahjong. |
| B．They ended up bonding with their daughters. |
| C．They cruelly abandoned their children in the war. |
| D．They failed to help solve their daughters' troubles. |
| A．Heart-broken. | B．Rewarding. |
| C．Meaningless. | D．Classic. |
