Humanities Reader for Junior High School Grade 6

Author: Peng Changzhang
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 touching words are received by the Reader magazine daily, especially around the Spring Festival and graduation seasons. These moving messages not only prompted the magazine to launch a Heartfelt Voices column, where readers could freely express their thoughts and seek "resonance with shared voices and aspirations," but also strongly conveyed a message—the advent of the information age and the rapid changes in social life have 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 matter with Mr. Deng Liangping of Guangdong Serious Enterprise Company. He shared the same sentiment and proposed compiling a series of humanities 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 Humanities Reader series, titled 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 on the growth of middle school students, with a focus on humanities-inspired enlightenment. Articles would address the various issues this specific audience faces and will encounter, with each issue dedicated to a single theme. 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 submissions. These articles feature works by renowned authors as well as those by ordinary writers and many contributions from middle school students. The pieces vary in style—some profound and majestic, others concise and elegant, and some full of passion—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 Volume 4 of the high school edition, "Seeing Language Through a Third Eye," and "The Voice of History." These titles are rich in poetry and rational reflection. As the ancients said, "Through countless sifting and washing, though laborious, the gold will eventually emerge." The selection process was both a challenge of discerning true gems and a passionate pursuit, yet also a frustrating journey of missed opportunities and unselected brilliance. To address this, we invited 12 cultural figures from diverse backgrounds to serve as chief editors for each volume, hoping to bring wisdom and insight to the Reader’s creation. Among them are Hu Yaquan and Zheng Yuanxi, the founders of the Reader magazine; Chen Shaoquan, who 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, as well as the scholar Zhou Guoping, editor-in-chief of Phoenix Weekly, and Zhang Lijun, a national-level teaching expert. These writers have had a profound impact on readers. Su Zhongjie, a prose writer, is deeply concerned with the nation’s well-being and possesses a strong sense of justice. Deng Liangping embodies both a businessman and a thinker of the people. Each chief editor brings a deep understanding of human growth and societal development, offering unique insights into the Reader’s compilation and refinement.
To help middle school students find the best reading path, the chief editors have written prefaces and chapter introductions for each volume. The prefaces vary in approach—some use stories to guide readers through the richness of life; others offer rational summaries of life experiences; and some share personal reflections on life’s meaning. The concise introductions are even more insightful, like darts piercing the soul’s deepest secrets or sweet rain nourishing parched hearts. They accompany students in their breaths, joys, sorrows, and tears, adding depth and resonance to the Reader. These philosophical texts highlight another highlight of the Reader—the wisdom they unveil.
The Reader Humanities Reader, a product of collective effort, is about to be published. While some articles may not meet everyone’s expectations, it represents the Reader magazine’s first attempt at book publication beyond its regular editorial work. 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.
In this spirit, 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 equally essential! A feast for the soul, compiled from 23 years of Reader’s essence, presented to middle school students! The most readable middle school language reader.