1 . Gold Fame Citrus
by Claire Vaye Watkins（$ 5.99）
With the flight of its characters through a landscape destroyed by climate crisis, this novel does not indicate much hopefulness for the future. Within it is a series of situations and consequences made more severe in a future California short of water. Across the desert. we follow Watkins' characters through a place so transformed that it needs its own field guide of animals newly adapted for strange survival.
The Ministry for the Future
by Kim Stanley Robinson（$ 18.1）
The Ministry for the Future is a masterpiece of the imagination, using fictional eyewitness accounts to tell the story of how climate will affect us all. Its setting is not a deserted world, but a future that is almost upon us. This extraordinary novel from the visionary science fiction writer will change the way you think about the climate crisis.
Breathing Fire
by Jaim Lowe（$ 27）
The front lines of the fight against climate change are peopled with those society has forgotten. Up to 30 percent of the firefighters battling wildfires in California each year are prisoners performing backbreaking labor while earning a 40th of what a civilian makes. This book follows six female prisoner firefighters and their worried families, looking into the human cost of environmental crisis.
Something Under the Sun
by Alexandra Kleeman（$ 28）
In Alexandra Kleeman's new novel, a novelist new to Los Angeles teams up with a former child actor to investigate a conspiracy（阴谋）. But this is L. A. , where wildfires burn all year long and the rich store water while the poor suffer from the consequence of climate crisis. Human weakness is pushing the city toward a disaster.
1. Which category does Breathing Fire fall into?| A．Science fiction. | B．Play. | C．Non-fiction. | D．Biography. |
| A．A novelist. | B．An actor. | C．A firefighter. | D．A minister. |
| A．They are on sale. | B．They show concern over climate. |
| C．They are intended for teenagers. | D．They are set in California. |
2 . Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a name that every lover of English literature will always remember and cherish. He is the pen father of the extraordinary detective Sherlock Holmes and a number of detective stories.
Arthur chose to go to medical field and become a surgeon from the University of Edinburgh, and this is the place where Arthur met a person who influenced him to become a writer. It was one of his teachers Dr. Joseph Bell who was master at observation, logic, detection and diagnosis. All these qualities were later found in the character of the celebrated detective Sherlock Holmes.
1888 was a significant year that rocketed Doyle to fame with his novel which was named as ‘A Study in Scarlet’ in which he introduced his two immortal characters—Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The story ‘The Sign of Four’ was instrumental in establishing Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle in literature.
The writer tried to open a practice in Paris but not a single patient came to him, which proved to be a blessing in disguise. It gave him a lot of time to think. And it was here that he met an illustrator named Sydney Paget who created the image of Sherlock Holmes which captured the minds of the readers and made the detective famous all over.
Doyle’s next creation was the delightfully violent Professor Challenger. ‘The Lost World’ which involved Professor Challenger was an immediate success.
Finally, because of his wife’s illness, Doyle decided to devote his life to his previous work rather than writing. This was the time when he decided to end the stories of Sherlock Holmes, which he did in ‘The Final Problem’.
The great Arthur Conan Doyle died at the age of 71 in 1930. He has left a legacy (遗产) to last us a lifetime and is still alive through his books and stories.
1. What was Conan Doyle’s job in his early years?| A．A writer. | B．A doctor. | C．A detective. | D．A professor. |
| A．By inspiring him to create Holmes. |
| B．By advising him to go to Paris. |
| C．By encouraging him to be a surgeon. |
| D．By teaching him the art of writing. |
| A．The Lost World. | B．The Sign of Four. | C．A Study in Scarlet. | D．The Final Problem. |
| A．Practice makes perfect. | B．Facts speak louder than words. |
| C．Failure is the mother of success. | D．Behind bad luck comes good luck. |
3 . Kathleen Rooney knew that writing Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey, from the point of view of a pigeon, was a risk. Rooney, perhaps best known for her 2017 bestseller, Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk, says her interest in a feathered narrator was excited by one of her students at DePaul University, where she is an English professor. “A student named Brian mentioned Cher Ami in a poem. It blew my mind that this pigeon was so heroic and is stuffed and on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.”
Rooney learned that Cher Ami, a British homing pigeon, helped save a group of American troops during a horrific, multi-day World War I battle. The story of this amazing pigeon and the extraordinary man who commanded the battle, Major Charles Whittlesey, was altogether attractive.
In Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey, Charles reflects on his happier prewar days in New York City, where he ran a law firm with a college classmate. When it came time for battle, though, he and his fellows found themselves cut off from supply lines, surrounded by enemy German troops.
Carrier pigeons were the group’s only hope of contacting headquarters and getting the other Americans to stop dropping bombs on them. Cher Ami flew through gunfire to deliver Charles' message, which finally stopped the attack. She lost an eye and a leg, among other wounds, but was eventually able to hobble (蹒跚) on a tiny wooden prosthesis (义肢) that the Army made for her. She lived another year before dying of her injuries in 1919, but in the novel she continues speaking to readers behind glass in the Smithsonian where she’s been since her death.
There’s an interesting lesson to be learned from Charles’ decisions in the battle, too. “He was famous for something we’d describe as passive,” Rooney says. “Once they were in the pocket, he waited as long as he could. I’m an impatient, active person ... His act was stillness, waiting, keeping everybody’s spirits up. The way he did that was amazing.”
Rooney also hopes the book, with its portrayal of the charming and brave Cher Ami, will boost the appreciation of our furry and feathered friends.
1. What inspired Rooney to write the book?| A．Visiting a national museum. | B．Reading a student’s poem. |
| C．Some comments on her bestseller. | D．Experiences of raising pigeons. |
| A．An exhibition featuring a heroic battle. |
| B．Historic events happening to Cher Ami. |
| C．Americans’ poor strategies during the war. |
| D．Charles’ methods for training Cher Ami. |
| A．Charles’ humor and optimism. |
| B．Charles’ affection for carrier pigeons. |
| C．Charles’ patience and motivation. |
| D．Charles’ quick response to the attack. |
| A．A message of hope | B．Braving World War I |
| C．An effort to protect pigeons | D．Finding the lost commander |
4 . YOUR DAILY DOSE “MUST READ”
| Grievous Bodily Harm A Toni Day Mystery Jane Bennett Munro 978-1-532O-2756-7 Paperback | E-book | Audiobook $20.99 |$3.99 | $9.99 www.iuniverse.com In Grievous Bodily Harm, an Idaho female pathologist is once again forced down a dangerous path after a new hospital administrator starts a cruel plan and she is accused of his murder. |
| Murder under the Microscope Jane Bennett Munro 978-1-45O2-9862-9 Paperback | E-book | Audiobook $23.95 | $5.99 |$9.99 www.iuniverse.com In this attractive murder mystery, a stubborn pathologist must rely on more than her microscope as she tries hard to find out the truth in a web of deception. Her freedom and life are at risk. |
| The Early Years A Memoir Rachel G. Carrington 978-1-4917-6567-8 Hardback | Paperback | E-book | Audiobook $28.95 |$18.95 |$3.99 |$9.99 www.iuniverse.com In her tender memoir, Rachel G. Carrington remembers having her set path changed upon meeting a newly returned WWII soldier. In him, she finds a life filled with passion - bound together through their devotion and love for the Heavenly Father. |
| The Forty Year Con Game Everything You Need To Know About Donald Trump’s Threat To Democracy Dr. Michael B. Harrington 978-1-796O-4585-7 Hardback | Paperback | E-book $29.99|$19.99 |$3.99 www.xlibris.com In anticipation of the 2020 election, this book describes Donald Trump’s public life, from his mob connections in the I980s through his first two stumbling years in the White House. |
| A．They are more expensive. |
| B．They are written by Jane Bennett Munro. |
| C．They can be found on www.iuniverse.com. |
| D．They talk about stories of the same politician. |
| A．A folk tale. | B．A love story. | C．A horror story. | D．An autobiography. |
| A．The Early Years or Murder under the Microscope. |
| B．Grievous Bodily Harm or The Forty Year Con Game. |
| C．Grievous Bodily Harm or Murder under the Microscope. |
| D．Murder under the Microscope or The Forty Year Con Game. |
5 . 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 |
6 . The best science fiction books of 2021
We take a look at the most exciting new science-fiction books of 2021. No matter what kind of science fiction fan you are, we're sure you'll find something to add to your reading list.
The Saints of Salvation
By Peter F. Hamilton
The Olyix have laid siege（围攻）to Earth, harvesting people for their god. Cities are ru¬ined by their weapons and millions have either fled to seek refuge in space or are fighting a war that seems unwinnable. As Earth's defeat draws ever closer, a team are sent to enter the Olyix's air-ship secretly. Their plan? This is the final science fiction in Peter F. Hamilton's extremely surprising series The Salvation Sequence.
A Desolation Called Peace
By Arkady Martine
This impressive sequel（续集）to Arkady Martinets Hugo Award-winning science fiction book sees the Teixcalaanli Empire facing an alien threat which could bring about its complete destruction. Fleet captain Nine Hibiscus sends a person to negotiate with the mysterious invaders...
Jack Four
By Neal Asher
Jack Four-one of twenty human clones-has been created to be sold. His purchasers are the aliens and they only want him for their experimentation program. But there is something different about Jack. No clone should possess the knowledge that's been loaded into his mind.
Rabbits
By Terry Miles
Rabbits is a secret, dangerous and sometimes deadly underground game. The rewards for winning are unclear, but there are rumors of money or it might unlock the universe's greatest secrets. Everyone knows that the deeper you get, the more deadly the game becomes-and the body count is rising. Since the game first started, ten rounds have taken place. The eleventh round is about to begin, and what happens in the game, stays in the game...
1. What can we know aboutThe Saints of Salvation?| A．It's about the war among people on earth. |
| B．The Olyix are defeated in the end. |
| C．It belongs toThe Salvation Sequence. |
| D．It's the last novel of Peter F. Hamilton. |
| A．He gives the alien a complete destruction. |
| B．He lets someone negotiate with the alien. |
| C．He fights against the alien bravely. |
| D．He makes the alien face a threat. |
| A．In a book recommendation. | B．In an art magazine. |
| C．In a biography. | D．In a novel |
7 . 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. |
8 . I've been watching a lot of foreign-language television lately.( I do love good television.) It seems that all of a sudden there is a lot of non-American shows to watch. One night I may watch a Danish show, another night a show from Sweden or Mexico. And luckily for me, the world of children's books is following suit.
I had never heard of Gustavo Roldan before the book Juan Hormiga arrived at my door. Juan Hormiga, translated by Robert Croll, is, in a word, funny. Juan Hormiga is the one red ant among thousands of black ants, but it's not his being red that sets him apart from the rest of the colony. While every other ant is as hard-working as you might expect, busily collecting food or digging underground passages, that's just not Juan Hormiga's strengths. "If there was one way in which Juan Hormiga was second to none, it was his way of telling stories."
All those busy black ants could have hated the lazy Juan Hormiga. They could have denied him tunnel privileges or picnic pieces, but no, the other ants "didn't seem to mind too much". Juan is such a good storyteller that whenever he starts to tell a story, which seems to be whenever he's awake, all the other ants forget about their work and come close to listen to Juan tell his grandfather's adventures far beyond the world of the anthill.
It's hard to put into words what makes children's stories from other countries different from American children's stories. Certainly, European fairy tales historically have had a much darker tone than American fairy tales, as fairy tales from other countries. Language, culture, and historical context have a lot to do with what gives stories their taste, and it's no different with the Spanish Juan Hormiga. Juan Hormiga is a jewel of a story. It has everything my kids and I want from a book: silliness, adventure, daring and a satisfying ending.
1. What makes Juan Hormiga special?| A．His different color. | B．His way of telling stories. |
| C．His way of collecting food. | D．His talent for speaking foreign languages. |
| A．Lazy and dull. | B．Greedy and dishonest. |
| C．Smart and adventurous. | D．Gifted and appealing. |
| A．The background. | B．The happy ending. |
| C．The main tone. | D．The complicated plot. |
| A．To review a children's book. |
| B．To record an unforgettable experience. |
| C．To introduce the variety of television shows. |
| D．To show the close relationship between family members. |
9 . 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 |
1. Who recommended the book to the man?
| A．Fiona. |
| B．The man's sister. |
| C．Keith. |
| A．It's fantastic. |
| B．It isn't good as expected. |
| C．It's difficult to understand. |
| A．He doesn't like the writer. |
| B．He finished the third book last week. |
| C．He once read two books of the writer. |
