1 . Beverly Cleary, the celebrated children’s author whose memories of her Oregon childhood were shared with millions through the likes of Ramona and Beezus Quimby and Henry Huggins, has died. She was 104.
Trained as a librarian, Cleary didn’t start writing books until her early 30s, when she wrote Henry Huggins, published in 1950. Children worldwide came to love the adventures of Huggins and his neighbours Ellen Tebbits, Otis Spofford, Beezus Quimby and her younger sister, Ramona. They live in a real street in Portland, Oregon, the city where Cleary spent much of her youth.
Ramona, perhaps her best-known character, first appeared in Henry Huggins with only a brief mention. “All the children appeared to be only children, so I threw in a little sister and she didn’t go away. She kept appearing in other books,” Cleary said.
Cleary herself was an only child and said the character wasn’t a mirror. “I was a well-behaved little girl, not that I wanted to be,” she said. “At the age of Ramona, in those days, children played outside. We played hopscotch(跳房子) and jump rope and I loved them and always had wounded knees.”
Cleary stopped writing recently, because she said she felt it was important for writers to know when to quit. “I even got rid of my typewriter. It was a nice one but I hate to type. When I started writing I found that I was thinking more about my typing than what I was going to say,” she said in 2016. Although she put away her pen, Cleary re-released three of her most treasured books with three famous fans writing forewords for the new editions.
Cleary’s books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and inspired many programmes, such as a 10-part PBS series, Ramona and the 2010 film Ramona and Beezus. Cleary was asked once what her favourite character was. “Does your mother have a favourite child?” she responded.
1. What do we know about Cleary?| A．She was a late starter as an author. |
| B．She wrote true stories in her books. |
| C．She published her first book in the 1930s. |
| D．She drew writing inspiration from her neighbours. |
| A．She was a well-behaved little girl. | B．She was an only child of her family. |
| C．She had an impressive first appearance. | D．She played an increasingly bigger role. |
| A．Clever. | B．Active. | C．Lonely. | D．Quiet. |
| A．She added her fans’ words to her books. |
| B．She learned to type quickly and correctly. |
| C．She translated her books into other languages. |
| D．She made TV programmes based on her books. |
2 . According to some books, the journey through teen years is easier when parents learn much about this time in children’s life and give their children support. These helpful books will tell children all they need to know.
Everything You Need to Know about Growing Up by Rebecca Paley
One of the highlights of this book is the section “When to Expect What”, which gives a timeline on changes that will appear at a particular age. As an essential guide to adolescence, the book deals with various parts of the body and emotional changes that occur during that time.
Getting Used to Your Changing Body by Amy B. Middleman
This book is a comprehensive guide to the various physical and emotional changes about eating healthily, taking care of the body, and how to take care of skin, and so on. The information is reader-friendly in a colourful format. Promoted by the American Medical Association, the book contains important medical terms.
What’s Happening to My Body by Lynda Madaras
Written by a senior educator and her daughter in an easy-going style, the book is about the growth concerning teenagers. The book is targeted at children aged 10 years and above. Featuring detailed illustrations and real-life stories, it also has an introduction for parents and a helpful resource section.
Just for Girls: A Book about Growing Up by Sarah Delmege
When children know what to expect during the adolescent years and have the right information, growing up is not as difficult as it seems. The book has lots of advice and answers to common teens’ questions about what is happening to their body.
1. What are the four books mainly about?| A．Reasons for teens’ worry. | B．Ways to look after parents. |
| C．Advice on going through adolescence. | D．Introductions of teenagers’ study. |
| A．Everything You Need to Know about Growing Up. |
| B．Getting Used to Your Changing Body. |
| C．What’s Happening to My Body. |
| D．Just for Girls: A Book about Growing Up. |
| A．It is targeted at teenagers. | B．It is written by a foreign author. |
| C．It is suitable for parents to read. | D．It includes stories existing in real life. |
