Humanities Reader for Junior High School 2

Author: Peng Changzheng, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: Children who love the Reader magazine will not go astray! Literature alone is not enough in language arts; it also needs humanistic thinking! A hearty feast for the soul, compiled from 23 years of Reader's essence for middle school students!
Highly readable middle school language arts reader. Several years ago, a graduate student from a famous university in Beijing, before going abroad for studies, sent a postcard to the Reader magazine with just a few short sentences: "The school taught me the knowledge to survive, but Reader taught me the principles of being a person. Thank you, editors!" Reader magazine receives similar letters every day, especially around the Spring Festival and graduation times. These touching words motivated the editors to launch the Heartfelt Voices column, allowing readers to express their thoughts freely and seek "resonance with the same voice and spirit." At the same time, they strongly conveyed a message—the arrival of the information age and the rapid changes in social life have brought confusion and uncertainty, making more and more readers eager for responsible media to focus on the growth of their minds and the solace of their spirits.
Two years ago, while on a business trip to Guangzhou, I discussed this with Mr. Deng Liangping of Guangdong Serious Enterprise Company, and he shared the same sentiment. He proposed compiling a series of humanistic readers suitable for both high school and middle school students. Upon returning to Lanzhou and discussing with colleagues at the magazine, everyone agreed that this was a worthwhile endeavor. Thus, the editorial work for the Reader Humanistic Reader Middle School Edition was launched simultaneously in Lanzhou and Guangzhou in August 2002. To date, the editorial process for the Reader has spanned two years, with multiple revisions along the way.
Initially, the challenge lay in arranging the format of the Reader, followed by the selection of various types of manuscripts. After several editorial meetings, it was finally decided to center the Reader around the growth of middle school students, with a focus on humanistic enlightenment. Each issue would address a specific problem faced by this target audience, with one problem forming a theme and one theme constituting a unit. The Reader is divided into two volumes—middle school and high school—each containing six books, totaling 220 units. Each unit includes 3–7 articles, all carefully selected from a pool of dozens or even hundreds of candidates. These articles feature works by renowned authors, as well as those by ordinary writers and even more by middle school students. The pieces range from profound and majestic to concise and elegant, all imbued with a strong humanistic spirit.
The titles of each unit are designed to be engaging, such as "There Will Always Be a Window Open for You" in the high school volume, "Seeing Language Arts Through a Third Eye," and "The Voice of History." They are filled with poetic charm and rational reflection. As the ancients said, "Through countless efforts, though arduous, only then can one reach the gold after blowing away the sand." The selection process was both a challenge of discerning gold and a passionate pursuit of pearls, yet also a frustrating experience of missing the mark and leaving out gems. To address this, we invited 12 cultural figures from diverse backgrounds to serve as chief editors for each volume, hoping to bring more wisdom to the Reader. Among them, Hu Yaquan and Zheng Yuanxi are the founders of the Reader magazine; Chen Shaoquan served as its editor-in-chief for eight years, dedicating his heart and soul to its growth; Sha Yexin, Bi Shumin, Cheng Damei, and Liu Yanmin are all Reader’s contracted writers whose works have had a far-reaching impact; Su Zhongjie, a prose writer, is deeply concerned with the nation and possesses a strong sense of justice; Deng Liangping holds dual identities as a businessman and a thinker from the grassroots. These chief editors have deep insights into the growth of human minds and societal development, offering unique perspectives on the editing and refinement of the Reader.
To help middle school students find the best reading path, the chief editors added their own touches, writing prefaces and chapter introductions for each volume. The prefaces vary in style—some use stories to guide readers through the rich tapestry of life; others summarize life experiences through rational reflections; and some share personal insights into the meaning and wisdom of life. The concise introductions are even more profound, like darts piercing the deepest secrets of the soul or sweet rain nourishing parched hearts. They accompany students in their breaths, emotions, joys, and sorrows, adding color and endless reflection to the Reader. These philosophical texts illuminate hidden truths, becoming another highlight of the Reader.
The Reader Humanistic Reader, a product of collective effort, is about to be published. While some articles may not meet everyone’s expectations, it is still a book published by the Reader magazine, distinct from its usual editorial work. In line with the recent call by the Party Central Committee and the State Council to strengthen and improve the moral education of minors, we hope the Reader can enhance middle school students’ ability to discern right from wrong, beauty from ugliness, and good from evil, encouraging them to pursue noble moral standards and make a tangible contribution.
Here, we dedicate the Reader Humanistic Reader to the future pillars of the nation, to this era where humanistic care is indispensable, and to all those who are confused yet yearn for healthy growth!