Humanities Reader for Junior High School - Grade 8 First Semester

Author: Peng Changzheng, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features:
Several years ago, a graduate student from a renowned university in Beijing, before leaving for study abroad, sent a postcard to the Reader magazine. It read: "The school has taught me the knowledge to survive, and Reader has taught me the principles of being a person. Thank you, editors!" Such letters, with similar sentiments, arrive at the magazine daily, especially around the Spring Festival and graduation seasons. These touching words moved the editors, prompting the launch of a Voices column where readers could freely express their hearts, seeking "resonance with shared voices and aspirations." At the same time, they strongly conveyed a message—the advent of the information age and the rapid changes in social life had brought confusion and disorientation, making an increasing number of readers yearn 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, who shared the same sentiment. He proposed compiling a series of humanities readers suitable for high school and middle school students. Upon returning to Lanzhou and discussing with colleagues at the magazine, everyone agreed it was a worthwhile endeavor. Thus, the editorial work for the Reader Humanities 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 structuring the Reader’s format, followed by the difficulty of selecting appropriate articles. After several editorial meetings, it was finally decided to center the Reader around the growth of middle school students, with a focus on humanities enlightenment. Each topic would address specific issues the target audience faces or will face, with one theme per 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. Among them are works by renowned authors, as well as those by ordinary writers and many contributions from middle school students. These articles 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 Chinese Literature 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, the gold will emerge when the sand is blown away." The selection process was both a challenge to discern true gems and a passionate pursuit, yet also a frustrating journey of missed opportunities. To address this, we invited 12 cultural figures from diverse backgrounds to serve as chief editors for each volume, hoping to gather wisdom to guide the Reader’s development. Among them are Hu Yaquan and Zheng Yuanxi, founders of the Reader magazine; Chen Shaoquan, who served as editor-in-chief of the Reader for eight years, dedicating his heart and soul to its growth; Sha Yexin, Bi Shumin, Cheng Damei, and Liu Yanmin, as well as scholar Zhou Guoping, editor-in-chief of Phoenix Weekly, and Zhang Lijun, a national-level teaching expert. All are contracted writers for the Reader, their works widely influential and deeply meaningful. The essayist Su Zhongjie is deeply concerned with the nation, driven by a strong sense of justice. Deng Liangping embodies both a businessman and a thinker of the people. These editors bring profound insights into the growth of human minds and societal development, with unique perspectives on the Reader’s compilation and refinement.
To help middle school students find the best reading path, the editors have 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 richness of life; others offer rational summaries of life experiences; still others share personal reflections on life’s meaning. The concise introductions are even more insightful, like darts piercing the soul’s deepest secrets or rain nourishing parched hearts. They accompany students in their joys and sorrows, breathing with them, feeling with them, and weeping with them, adding much color and depth to the Reader, leaving a lasting impression. These philosophical texts illuminate hidden truths, becoming another highlight of the Reader.
The Reader Humanities Reader, a product of collective effort, is about to be published. While some articles may not meet everyone’s expectations, it remains a pioneering attempt by the Reader magazine to produce a book distinct from its 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 students’ ability to discern right from wrong, beauty from ugliness, and good from evil, encouraging them to pursue noble moral values.
Here, we dedicate the Reader Humanities 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! Children who love Reader will not go astray! Literature alone is not enough in language education; humanity is essential! A feast for the soul, compiled from 23 years of Reader’s, presented to middle school students! The most readable middle school language reader.