Humanities Reader for Junior High School - First Semester

Author: Peng Changzheng, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: Children who love the Reader magazine will never go astray! Literature alone is not enough in language arts; it also needs humanistic thinking! A feast for the soul for middle school students, compiled from 23 years of Reader's essence!
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, and 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 time. These touching words inspired the magazine to launch a Heartfelt Voices column, allowing readers to express their thoughts freely and seek "resonance with the same voice and aspiration." 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 yearn for responsible media to focus on the growth of their minds and the spiritual solace of humanity.
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 my 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 manuscripts. After several editorial meetings, we finally decided to center the Reader on the growth of middle school students, with a focus on humanistic enlightenment. We addressed the issues and challenges that this specific audience is experiencing and will face, organizing the content so that each problem forms a theme, and each theme is 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, carefully selected from hundreds or even thousands 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 Volume 4 of the high school edition, "Seeing Language Arts Through a Third Eye," and "The Voice of History." These titles are filled with poetic charm and rational reflection. As the ancients said, "Through countless efforts, though arduous, the gold will shine when the sand is blown away." The selection process was both a challenge to discern true gems and a passionate pursuit, yet also a struggle with limitations and the regret of missing out on some brilliance. To address this, we invited 12 cultural figures from diverse backgrounds to serve as chief editors for each volume, hoping to gather more wise minds to guide 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 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 profound insights into the growth of human minds and the development of society, 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 wisdom by writing prefaces and chapter introductions for each volume. The prefaces vary in style—some use stories to guide readers through the colorful tapestry of life; others summarize life experiences with rationality; and some share personal reflections on life's meaning and insights. The concise introductions are even more insightful, like darts piercing the deepest secrets of the soul, or rain nourishing dry hearts, accompanying students as they breathe, feel, laugh, and cry. These philosophical words add depth and resonance to the Reader, making it unforgettable.
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 virtue from vice, inspiring them to pursue noble moral standards. In this spirit, 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, uncertain yet yearn for healthy growth!