1 . Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler
Saint Maybe is an example of how one small mistake can result in tragedy (悲剧) for a family with lives changed forever. The true strength of the novel lies in the author’s ability to write with sincerity and understanding. I’ve read this book many times over and always find it inspirational when it comes to writing my own novels about the complexities of family life.
— Eric James
Silly Verse For Kids by Spike Milligan
This book is so tiny and thin, but I loved all these funny poems inside-and it made me want to write rhymes. After reading this, I started writing my own poetry. I like including silly poems and lyrics in my books, which is definitely down to the influence of this book. It’s a book that you would read as a kid and it would really stimulate your imagination.
— Liz Pichon
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
A book read at my father’s knee and one that inspired my imagination and shaped my writing life. My desire to fall down a rabbit hole that might take me to Wonderland surpassed (胜过) my other childhood wishes. Wonderland with its Cheshire Cat and never-ending tea parties, which were reflected in a life-long love of cats and cakes, suited me best.
— Menna van Praag
Bambi by Felix Salten
My mum read this to me before I could read, and later I read it to myself again and again. In the Suffolk countryside where I grew up, I would often spot deer in the fields. This book made me stop and study the animal tracks on the ground and made me think about the world around me in a different way, setting me on the path to being a writer.
— Polly Crosby
1. What is the advantage of Saint Maybe?| A．The content of the book. | B．The example in this novel. |
| C．The complexities of life. | D．The author’s writing abilities. |
| A．Saint Maybe | B．Silly Verse For Kids | C．Alice in Wonderland | D．Bambi |
| A．They influence the four readers greatly. | B．They are mainly recommended for kids. |
| C．They can stimulate readers’ imagination. | D．They allow readers to see the world differently. |
2 . Over the years Ruth Soukup has taught me much about topics ranging from blogging to dejunking to productivity. She’s an inspiring, enthusiastic person who writes for the average woman from the heart. Besides that, she’s fun and authentic (可信的).
In her new book Do It Scared: Finding the Courage to Face Your Fears, Overcome Adversity, and Create a Life You Love, Ruth explains something she’s been talking about for years: courage is acting despite your fears instead of being immobilized (使不动) by them. She describes various kinds of fears, shares hard-won principles of courage, and outlines tested ways to turn the ideas into action.
After conducting an extensive survey, Ruth and her team identified seven “fear archetypes (典型)”, ways of letting fear rule your life. She discusses these in detail, explaining how each one of them has positive attributes (属性), how they can hold us back and how we can overcome them.
In the second section of the book, Ruth shares seven principles of courage. She’s encouraging but also tough, because reality is tough. Most of us know these principles of courage, but it is always good to be reminded of them and to see examples in action.
Finally, because the biggest practical antidote (对抗手段) to fear is action, she discusses ways to turn courage into action. Ruth discusses goal setting, motivation, action plans, positive relationships, comparisons, excuses, and celebrating wins. Ruth's personal take, her research, and her suggestions are actually more likely to help you achieve your goals.
Do It Scared is a very positive book. It is also grounded in reality. It's meant to be a practical encouragement to those who are unable to follow their callings because they are paralyzed with fear, and such encouragement is valuable.
Yes, we will have to think for ourselves and evaluate the things Ruth says in the book, but reading Do It Scared could be one step toward learning how better to love those around us. I recommend it to all.
1. What does the author say about Ruth?| A．She is serious but helpful. |
| B．She struggles with her life. |
| C．She is an inspiration to women. |
| D．She lacks productivity and innovation. |
| A．By providing detailed descriptions of personal experiences. |
| B．By combining research, examples and personal opinions. |
| C．By giving quotes taken from famous speeches. |
| D．By explaining the causes and effects of fear. |
| A．Principles of courage. |
| B．Various kinds of fears. |
| C．Methods of replacing fear with action. |
| D．Suggestions on setting achievable goals. |
| A．It is worth reading. |
| B．It is purely theoretical. |
| C．There is no book worse than it. |
| D．There is room for improvement. |
3 . Sometimes a book comes along that isn’t just “interesting” or “well done”— it’s a book where it seems like the author looked into your brain and wrote a book specifically for you. A book like that for me was released this week. It’s called 100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet, written by editor Pamela Paul.
Paul lists 100 things we used to do that the Internet has either changed or taken over completely: writing letters, print newspapers, the joys of being bored, and not having all the knowledge in the world in your pocket.
As I’m a longtime accumulator of random knowledge, certain entries on the list—Being the Only One, Figuring Out Who That Actor is—hit me where live; remembering detailed facts is no longer nearly as impressive when everyone has the capability to find the answer in seconds.
On and on the list goes, with every minor shift adding to the pile. What this book does so well is illustrate the growth of that pile; while any individual item might be no big deal, the collected set is significant. It’s a list of ways in which the world now is different from the world then.
Obviously, Paul isn’t saying that everything back then was better. Time marches on, after all. and it’s tough to argue against the many benefits that the Internet has brought into our lives. But that isn’t really the point. It’s not about whether it used to be better. It’s that it used to be different.
100 Things We’ve Lost to the Internet is a fun read for those of us who share some of Paul’s memories and experiences. We remember what it was like and we like to remember. The landscape has shifted, and no doubt it will shift again as technology’s advancement continues apace. This book serves as a reminder of the simple truth that when gains are made, sometimes something is lost.
1. What is the purpose of the text?| A．To review and recommend a good read. |
| B．To comment on the effect of the Internet. |
| C．To argue for the viewpoint of a new book. |
| D．To urge the readers to value what they have. |
| A．Maps and Eye Contact. |
| B．E-pay and Compact Disks. |
| C．Postcards and Homeschooling |
| D．Bad Photos and Washing Machines. |
| A．Prove what I’m good at. |
| B．Introduce how I grew up. |
| C．Describe the place I live in. |
| D．Speak out what is on my mind. |
| A．Things in the past are better. |
| B．There’re no gains without pains. |
| C．The internet is a double-edged sword. |
| D．Technology is constantly changing the world. |
4 . Are you struggling to find reading materials for your kids? You can try these books.
Johnny Catching Fire
By Aaron Allen
www. xlibris. com
Hardback | Paperback | E-book
$22. 99 | $16. 99 | $3. 99
Johnny somehow gets the strength of super power. Now, he must decide whether to use his power for good or to get even with those who played tricks on him. Young readers can be inspired to think about the choice of life. To forgive? Or the other way around?
The Unequal Twins
By Sylva Kanderal
www. xlibris. com
Hardback |Paperback | E-book
$28.99 | $16.99 | $3.99
What if …the twins Ava and Zoe, who could hardly be distinguished from each other visually and who could not have been more different in character, had to go through severe envy, jealousy, and hate? Where does that road lead to? To a total loss of their connection, or are they finding the lost path to each other again?
How to Help Yourself to Be Who You Want to Be
By Pam Grewall
www. iuniverse. com
Hardback | Paperback | E-book
$23.99 | $13.99 | $3.99
This self-improvement book offers a simple handbook to help kids recognize their strengths and weaknesses and understand how to make their own destiny.
Quotes from the Quiver
By Dante P. Galiber, MD, FACC
www. authorhouse. com
Hardback | Paperback|E-book
$43.99 | $22.99 | $3.99
Inspired by time, space, and human interaction, this collection offers a series of original and thought-provoking ideas and quotations designed to uplift and enlighten young readers.
1. Which book mentions a teenager’s super power?| A．The Unequal Twins. |
| B．Johnny Catching Fire. |
| C．Quotes from the Quiver. |
| D．How to Help Yourself to Be Who You Want to Be. |
| A．$28.99. | B．$36.98. |
| C．$43.99. | D．$7.98. |
| A．They are designed to inspire young readers. |
| B．They help readers to understand adulthood better. |
| C．They help kids recognize their strengths and weaknesses. |
| D．They provide quotations to uplift and enlighten people. |
5 . Here are some of the science fiction books editors and readers have read and loved.
The Calculating Stars (By Mary Robinette Kowal)
What if space exploration isn’t a choice but a necessity, driven by the knowledge that Earth would soon become unfit to live?
That’s what novelist Mary Robinette Kowal explores in her Lady Astronaut of Mars series. The book follows the mathematician and pilot Elma York, who dreams of becoming an astronaut herself.
Red Moon (By Kim Stanley Robinson)
Red Moon instantly transports the readers to the moon. The book opens with the journeys of Fred Fredericks, an American physicist, and Ta Shu, a famous Chinese travel reporter to the moon to work. In the world of the book, China has become the first political entity by virtue of advanced technology to live on the moon in a serious, long-term way.
Before Mars (By Emma Newman)
Emma Newman’s science fiction sees a geologist arrives at a small Mars base after a lengthy journey, only to realize that things aren’t as they seem. The base’s AI is untrustworthy, and the main character finds a note by herself she has no memory of writing, which warns her not to trust the base psychologist. Can she trust the sights before her? Or has the long trip damaged her mind?
Artemis (By Andy Weir)
In his second novel Artemis, Andy Weir follows Jasmine Jazz Bashara, a porter on the moon who’s drawn into danger. Artemis is an entertaining read through an attractive future moon base, with plenty of one-sixth-gravity action and memorable twists. It’s well worth reading. Plus, there’s a talking book version read by Rosario Dawson.
1. Why do humans explore space in the Lady Astronaut of Mars series?| A．To find life forms in outer space. | B．To develop science and technology. |
| C．To deepen their knowledge of space. | D．To search for a new planet to live on. |
| A．People are transported to the moon. | B．China has been a technological superpower. |
| C．The main characters like travelling on the moon. | D．Conflicts take place among different countries. |
| A．The Calculating Stars. | B．Red Moon. | C．Artemis. | D．Before Mars. |
6 . You won’t need a passport for this trip around the globe, but you will need your favorite bookstore or library card. Reading stories from or set in other parts of the world is fun and helps kids appreciate other cultures. Go on a virtual vacation with these global reads. If you don’t know where to start, I’ve made a list of some of my favorites.
Sand Swimmers
by Narelle Oliver
Young wildlife enthusiasts know that Australia is full of fascinating creatures, especially in the strange and harsh desert region called the Dead Heart. In Sand Swimmers, Narelle Oliver combines science, natural history, and firsthand observations to uncover the unbelievably hardy species that live and thrive in this mysterious piece of Australian wilderness.
The Secret Kingdom
by Barb Rosenstock
The Secret Kingdom is a visually impressive biography of Nek Chand Saini, a village farmer who relocated to the city of Chandigarh after the 1947 partition of India. There, he gathered castoffs and small treasures to create a secret rock garden in the jungle — now a 40-acre sculpture garden open to the public. Rich watercolor illustrations capture the region’s natural beauty.
When Life Gives You Mangos
by Kereen Getten
A moving new middle grade novel, When Life Gives You Mangos centers the perspective of a young girl named Clara who lives on an island in Jamaica, a favorite place for tourists who throw around words like “exotic” about Clara’s home. Since last summer’s hurricane, though, the tourists are thinning out, and the biggest talk is about a new girl who’s moving to the island, whom Clara can’t wait to meet. A moving story about family, friendship, and resilience, it will also spark important conversations about traveling to others’ homes.
The Island of Horses
by Eilís Dillon
This classic adventure story, reissued in 2018, takes place off the western coast of Ireland on an island called Inishrone. Life on the remote island is anything but easy, but it’s all that friends Pat Conroy and Danny MacDonagh have ever known. Lured by the call of ghost stories, Pat and Danny set sail for the Island of Horses, a decision that launches them into a dangerous mystery. Come for the suspense, stay for the atmosphere: you’ll be able to taste the saltwater whipping through the air.
1. Which book has the related pictures inside?| A．Sand Swimmers. | B．The Secret Kingdom. |
| C．When Life Gives You Mangos. | D．The Island of Horses. |
| A．Clara’s home was destroyed. | B．new girl will move to the island. |
| C．The number of visitors is shrinking. | D．onversations about traveling will be sparked. |
| A．The book was first published in 2018. | B．The story is set on the coast of Ireland. |
| C．Life is hard on the remote island. | D．Pat and Danny went to the Island of Horses to look for treasures. |
7 . From civil rights to environmental protection, the following books of fiction and nonfiction cover a wide range of topics. And every young liberal（开明人士）should read them.
An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore
Al Gore caught the attention of the world with his 2006 book An Inconvenient Truth, which was later turned into a movie. Based on his lecture tour on global warming, the work explains climate change in a user-friendly way and opens the public’s eyes to the plight（困境）of our planet.
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
When John Steinbeck won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962, he was praised for his realistic and imaginative writings, including The Grapes of Wrath. This book centers on a family of Oklahoma farmers who are forced off their land during the Great Depression. While it touches on timely issues such as labor unions and agricultural industry changes, it also explores universal themes of power, family, self-interest and dignity.
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Focusing on the meat-packing industry in Chicago, Upton Sinclair’s 1906 novel The Jungle explores the life of immigrant workers in the early 20th century. The best-selling account actually made President Theodore Roosevelt pass the law about food safety that year.
The Conscience of a Liberal by Paul Krugman
Economist and Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman presents 80 years of US history in The Conscience of a Liberal, which examines the fall and rise of economic and political inequality. Many believe the 2007 book was a clear call for progressives（进步人士）to take control of the country’s economic future.
1. Which book should you read if you want to know something about environmental issues?| A．The Jungle. | B．The Grapes of Wrath. |
| C．An Inconvenient Truth. | D．The Conscience of a Liberal. |
| A．It helped bring a new law into effect. |
| B．It helped increase the meat sales of Chicago. |
| C．It helped develop the meat-packing industry. |
| D．It helped change the life of immigrant workers. |
| A．They explore the value of a happy family. |
| B．They have the same historical background. |
| C．They are about the economic development. |
| D．They are written by the Nobel Prize winners. |
8 . 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 |
9 . Are you a book lover? Here are some of the hottest books of the season.
The One Thing You’d Save
The One Thing You’d Save is about a homework assignment. Ms. Chang has students choose what they’d save if their home was on fire. Some choose baseball cards or animal toys. One picks a sweater that was passed down for generations. Another chooses a box of memories about a sister who died. This book helps readers learn to figure out what matters most in life.
War and Millie McGonigle
It’s 1941. Millie McGonigle, a 12-year-old girl, was supposed to be living a carefree life. However, she lives in the shadow of World War Ⅱ. War and Millie McGonigle is an inspiring story that tackles the topic of life and death. The story line is driven by vivid characters and their relationships. The interaction between Millie and her little sister, Lily, mirrors the real-life sibling (兄妹) relationships in many families.
Simon B. Rhymin’
Simon is starting fifth grade and hopes to become a famous singer. But he’s shy about using his voice to express his ideas and thoughts. When a teacher asks the class to give an oral presentation, Simon must find the strength to change and overcome his fears. Simon B. Rhymin’ is a book that gives confidence to readers who are going through similar struggles.
Rez Dogs
Rez Dog is a book about an eighth grader named Malian. She’s visiting her grandparents on a Wabanaki reservation when COVID-19 hits. To stay safe, Malian has to stay away from school” and her friends. Many kids will understand this tough situation. During the lockdown, Malian learns to think about what other people have gone through and how they are feeling during the pandemic (疫情).
1. How can The One Thing You’d Save influence us?| A．It gets us to preserve sweet family memories. |
| B．We may find it essential to ensure home safety. |
| C．We will try our best to improve our academic performance. |
| D．It reminds us to discover what we should treasure most in life. |
| A．They are both inspirational stories. |
| B．They are both set in cruel war times. |
| C．They both reflect character weaknesses. |
| D．They both involve principles of survival. |
| A．The One Thing You’d Save. | B．War and Millie McGonigle. |
| C．Simon B. Rhymin’. | D．Rez Dogs. |
10 . "My Best Teacher Ever" Contest（竞赛）
Essay（文章）Topic
Who was/is your best teacher ever? What makes him or her the best?
Contestant
The contest is open to all students.
Word: not more than 300
Essays will be judged on the following criteria（标准）by Readers editorial staff（工作人员）:
•originally, creativity﹣﹣﹣40 percent
•clarity of presentation﹣﹣﹣40 percent
•grammar, punctuation, spelling﹣﹣﹣20 percent
Contest Deadline （最后期限）
Entries must be postmarked on or before April 26,2020,or mailed by EST on that date. Email your entry with attached essay and entry information to web﹣contest@readers.com or mail your entry with attached entry form to this address:
Readers Publishing My Best Teacher Ever Contest
Attn: Anne Flounders 44 South Broadway, 18th Floor White Plains, NY 10601
Prizes
Winning students will win a $50 gift card and may have their essays published on readers. com. Winning essays will be announced on May 7, 2020, on readers. com and winners will be told directly.
1. Essays will be judged on the following criteria EXCEPT________.| A．punctuation | B．creativity | C．presentation | D．handwriting |
| A．should have a total of 300 words at least | B．can't have any mistakes in grammar |
| C．should be mailed on or before April 26, 2020 | D．will be judged by some best teachers |
| A．will be given $50 in cash | B．may have your essay published online |
| C．will be told of your success online | D．can have the Readers magazine for free |
