Book 1
《治愈星球》
Grade Level：Grade 6+
Author：林朵
Publisher：Tianjin People’s Publishing House
ISBN：9787201175157
Shelf Number：2F—0155
Healing Planet is Lin Duo’s new collection of short stories. The fifteen works included in the book are either imaginative, dreamy, beautiful, tear-jerking, or absurd and funny. Each story is like a planet full of wonderful scenery. Let us forget the troubles brought by the pandemic in Shanghai and devote ourselves to the story’s planet: amusement parks in the clouds, stars being grazed, memories of lovers, a deep-sea hometown of mermaids. Every ‘journey’ is full of surprises.
Years of continuous accumulation and experience make the author’s writing pure and simple, kind and smooth, showing a sense of narrative. Perhaps every adult has lived in the heart of a “little prince”, delicate and sensitive, gentle and lovely. A fallen leaf, a drop of rain, a grain of dust, have made him amazing and moved. It’s just that the older we get, the less we talk to him, the less we care about everything. Perhaps it is time for our ‘little prince’ to step out and rediscover the gentle healing side of the world.
Book 2
The Story of My Life
Lexile measure: 1150L
Grade Level: Above 9
Author：Helen Keller
Publisher：Bantam Classic
ISBN: 9780553213874
Shelf Number: 2F—0886
When she was 19 months old, Helen Keller (1880–1968) suffered a severe illness that left her blind and deaf. Not long after, she also became dumb. Her tenacious struggle to overcome these handicaps – with the help of her inspired teacher, Anne Sullivan – is one of the great stories of human courage and dedication. In this classic autobiography, first published in 1903, Miss Keller recounts the first 22 years of her life, including the magical moment at the water pump when, recognizing the connection between the word “water” and the cold liquid flowing over her hand, she realized that objects had names. Many other aspects of Helen Keller’s life are presented here in clear, straightforward prose full of wonderful descriptions and imagery. Completely devoid of self-pity, yet full of love and compassion for others, this deeply moving memoir offers an unforgettable portrait of one of the outstanding women of the twentieth century.
Book 3
《变废为宝》
Grade Level：G1-G5
Author：【德】萨宾娜•洛夫
Translator：孙宁
Publisher：花山文艺出版社
ISBN：9787551145220
Shelf Number：1F- 0260
Did you know that fallen leaves can not only turn into spring mud to nourish flowers, but also turn into butterflies that can fly? Can a discarded toilet paper tube be transformed into a giraffe? The branches that are readily seen in the community, the stones along the garden path, the empty egg cartons, the old newspapers, the gift-wrapping ribbons, and the strings… are all materials that we can transform from waste into treasures. Cut, fold, paste, paint, tap and sew, and new decorations and toys are born!
There are more than 70 ingenious and creative handicraft production methods in this book, suitable for gathering family members to experience the fun of handicrafts during the recent home and compound lockdowns. This book not only enhances everyone’s awareness of environmental protection, but also helps us to exercise our hands-on abilities as well as to exert our imagination and creativity. Enjoy the endless fun!
Book 4
Midnight at Moonstone
Grade Level：G3-G6
Author: Lara Flecker
Illustrator: Trisha Krauss
Publisher：Oxford University Press
ISBN：9780192768896
Shelf Number：1F—0928
Kit is the daughter of a famous scientist, and the youngest of three children. Her elder brother and sister are very successful. However, Kit is more into creative than practical things, and she does not want to go to the school her father wants her to go to – which, is a let-down for him. She feels undervalued and wants to get away, so she goes to a country house called Moonstone, a costume museum run by her grandfather whom she has never met. It turns out to be quite run down, but there is still magic within Moonstone’s walls, and Kit soon discovers that the old costumes hold their own secret splendour. Because, on the stroke of midnight, the costumes come to life and they’ve got a lot to say…
This book is an urban fantasy novel – urban fantasy is a story set in the real world as we know it, but with fantastical elements involved. Readers will engage instantly with the characters, especially Kit, and follow her through her interactions with her difficult family and the adventures at Moonstone. The ending may well bring tears to your eyes.
