Editor's Note:

"Read ten thousand books,MK sport and your pen will be guided as if by the gods" is an ancient Chinese idiom that can be seen in students' textbooks. China's Ministry of Education has published an action plan to further promote reading among students across the nation. With new and diverse book recommendations, the reading scene is expected to be revived not only at schools, but also across society. To contribute to this endeavor, the Global Times launched "My Reading Life" essay contest for middle school students.

Please pick up a pen and share your stories with us at [email protected]

Participants will be rewarded once the article has been selected.

Photo: VCG

Alexander Fuller once spoke highly of this engaging composition written by Delia Owens, "A lush debut; Owens delivers her mystery wrapped in gorgeous, lyrical prose." As the comment shows, Where the Crawdads Singexhibits a stunning story of growth alongside an unmissable feast of nature, which made this book a success. 

Where the Crawdads Singis a novel by Owens that blends elements of mystery, romance, and coming-of-age stories. The story follows the life of Kya, a young girl who grows up isolated in the wild after her family abandons her. Known as the "Marsh Girl," Kya becomes a keen observer of nature and develops a deep connection to her surroundings.

The story alternates between Kya's childhood and a murder investigation in the nearby town, where she became the prime suspect in the death of a local man, Chase Andrews. As the narrative unfolds, themes of loneliness, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships emerge. The novel beautifully captures the natural world and explores the inner strength of human beings.

Some details of the book were captivating. Reading stories about Kya's life journey, I felt that deep down in her sour demeanor, she was also looking for a connection, in other words, interactions and relationships with others.  

On the one hand, she desired to be loved. And that's why she chose to embrace a brand-new life when she found herself attracted by two young fellows from town -Tate and Chase. Frustratingly, restricted by the unacceptable "calling card" of Marsh Girl, Kya was betrayed and abandoned by them. 

On the other hand, I was amazed by the heart-broken story of growth, seeing how this strong-willed girl kept moving forward after being hurt. The story directly reflects on how prejudice ruins a person. So next time we're faced with a similar situation, we should seek to embrace new members, despite some differences and gaps in experiences. 

It's perfectly fine to not be okay. I always believe in a motto that is "Be kind, for everyone you meet is facing their own struggles." When we accept others' imperfections, we not only gain a deeper appreciation for Kya's journey, but also seize a valuable chance for personal growth - a narrative of development that we write about ourselves.

Moreover, the spectacular landscapes and diverse creatures in the marsh that are described in the book not only treat us to a visual feast, but also offer us an opportunity to have a discussion with ourselves. 

Every being belongs to nature. Whether we are born and grow up in concrete jungles or not, there's some primitive urge hidden in our body. We store those instincts in our genes, and they express themselves when certain circumstances prevail. 

When this happens, we begin to think about what we are to nature, and what the true core of our humanity is. Thanks to this book, we have another precious chance to once again ask: Who are we? What do we live for? 

As human beings, we are an inseparable part of the natural order. Just as stated in the book, "Our secrets hid right in the dishonest signals of fireflies." So it's definitely worth discussing what we can, and what we should do to nature.

Released in 2022, the novel was adapted into a film of the same name. The narrative weaves together themes of isolation, resilience, and the search for belonging.

Go as far as you can - way out yonder where the crawdads sing, where there are only whispers of fireflies instead of betrayal and prejudice.

The author is a student at No.9 Middle School of Baotou