Humanities Reader for Grade 11 (First Semester)

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; humanistic thinking is equally important! A heartwarming feast for middle school students, compiled from 23 years of Reader's finest content!
Highly readable middle school language arts reader. Several years ago, a graduate student from a prestigious university in Beijing, before leaving for study abroad, sent a postcard to the Reader magazine with just a few short sentences: "The school teaches me the knowledge to survive, Reader teaches 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 inspired the magazine to launch the Heartbeat column, allowing readers to express their hearts freely and seek "resonance with the same voice and aspiration." At the same time, they strongly convey 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 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 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 for middle school students 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, we finally decided to center the Reader on the growth of middle school students, with a focus on humanistic enlightenment. Each topic would address a specific issue the target audience is experiencing or will face, with one topic 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. These articles feature works by renowned authors, as well as those by ordinary writers and even more by middle school students. The pieces vary in style—some profound and majestic, some concise and elegant, some passionate and vibrant—each 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." These titles are filled with poetic charm and rational reflection. As the ancients said, "Through countless sifting and washing, though arduous, the gold will finally appear." 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 leaving out some pearls.
To ensure the Reader addresses the needs of middle school students, we invited 12 cultural figures from diverse backgrounds to serve as chief editors for each volume, hoping to gather wisdom to guide the Reader. Among them, Hu Yaquan and Zheng Yuanxi are the founders of the Reader magazine. Chen Shaoquan served as the magazine's 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. The 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 of the people. These editors bring profound insights into the growth of human minds and social development, with unique perspectives on the compilation and refinement of the Reader.
To help middle school students find the best reading path, the editors have written 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 offer rational summaries of life experiences; still others share personal reflections on life's meaning and insights. The concise introductions are like darts, piercing straight to the heart's deepest secrets; they are like sweet rain, nourishing dry souls, accompanying students as they breathe, feel, laugh, and cry. These richly philosophical texts add much color and depth to the Reader, leaving readers with endless reflections.
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 an attempt by the Reader magazine to step beyond its usual role. 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 can enhance students' ability to discern right from wrong, beauty from ugliness, and good from evil, encouraging them to pursue noble moral standards.
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, uncertain, yet yearn for healthy growth!