Humanities Reader for Junior High School - Volume 2 (Second Semester of Grade 9)

Author: Peng Changzheng
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 Reader magazine. It read: "The school has taught me the knowledge to make a living, and Reader has 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 moved the editors, prompting the launch of a Heartfelt Voices column where readers could freely express their thoughts, seeking "resonance with kindred spirits." 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 more and more 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, and he 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 series, Middle School Edition, was launched simultaneously in Lanzhou and Guangzhou in August 2002. Over the past two years, the editorial process has undergone multiple revisions.
Initially, the challenge lay in structuring the Reader Humanities Reader. Later, the difficulty shifted to selecting appropriate articles. After several editorial meetings, we finally settled on a format centered on the growth of middle school students, with a focus on humanities-inspired enlightenment. Each topic addressed specific issues the target audience was experiencing or would face, with one topic per unit. The series 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 submissions. 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 sifting and washing, though arduous, the gold will eventually emerge." The selection process was both a challenge to discern true gems and a passionate pursuit, yet also a frustrating experience of missing out on brilliance. To address this, we invited 12 cultural figures from diverse backgrounds to serve as chief editors for each volume, hoping to gain insights from wise minds. Among them are Hu Yaquan and Zheng Yuanxi, founders of Reader magazine; Chen Shaoquan, who served as editor-in-chief of 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 of whom are contracted writers for Reader. Their works have had a far-reaching impact. Essayist Su Zhongjie is deeply concerned about the nation, driven by a strong sense of justice. Deng Liangping embodies both a businessman and a thinker from the grassroots. These chief editors bring profound insights into the growth of human minds and societal development, offering unique perspectives on the compilation and refinement of the Reader Humanities 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 richness of life; others summarize life experiences with rationality; still others share personal reflections on life’s meaning and insights. The concise introductions are even more striking, like darts piercing the deepest soul, or rain nourishing parched hearts. They accompany students in their joys and sorrows, breathing with them, feeling with them, and weeping with them. These words add much color to the Reader Humanities Reader, leaving readers with endless reflections.
These philosophical texts illuminate hidden truths, becoming another highlight of the series. The Reader Humanities Reader, a product of collective effort, is about to be published. While some articles may not meet everyone’s expectations, it is still an attempt by Reader magazine to step beyond editing Reader magazine itself. In line with the recent call from the Party Central Committee and the State Council to strengthen and improve the moral education of minors, we hope the Reader Humanities Reader will enhance students’ ability to discern right from wrong, beauty from ugliness, and good from evil, inspiring them to pursue noble moral sentiments. It is our sincere contribution to this effort.
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 magazine will not go astray! Literature alone is not enough in language arts; humanity is essential! A feast for the soul, compiled from 23 years of Reader magazine’s, presented to middle school students! The most readable middle school language arts reader.