Kids' Choice Orange Carpet Coverage

Last weekend, your favorite celebrities walked the orange carpet at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2010. And we were there to stop them on their path to the slime to talk to Gerri, the Ink Splot 26 video guru, about reading.

Check out what James, Logan, Kendall and Carlos from Big Time Rush had to say. . .
(I'll give you a hint: one of them LOVES Harry Potter!)

You may not know Noah Ringer yet, but just wait until The Last Airbender movie hits theaters in July. Noah plays Aang. And we got him on the orange carpet here first:

And Caitlin Sanchez, the voice of Dora, stopped to give everyone's favorite boy wizard a shout-out:

If you think Gerri is OMG lucky for getting to hang out at the Kids' Choice Awards, that's nothing compared to who Scholastic Kid Reporter Miranda Rector got to talk to. Jeanette McCurdy, Selena Gomez, Lucas Cruikshank, and even Spongebob Squarepants himself! (Okay, that last one is an exaggeration. Miranda only got to talk to the guy who does the voice of Spongebob.) So, without further ado, saving the best for last:

And if you still can't get enough, check out Miranda's Slime Time article on the Scholastic Kids Press Corps site.

—Carly H., STACKS Staffer

Answers from a NASA Astronaut

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about the Hubble 3D movie and posted some of the amazing space photos taken by the telescope. Really, truly, amazing photos. If you haven't seen them, you should go look. Well, I also promised that a real live astronaut would be willing to answer your questions, and now I am keeping that promise! or, rather, NASA Astronaut Scott Altman is. Now you can find out once and for all what it feels like to be in space, how astronauts go to the bathroom, and how to become an astronaut yourself. Read on. . .

Ann M. Martin Interview

Longtime fans probably already know about the Ann M. Martin Message Board, where you can go to make friends with other fans and talk about all of her books. But if you especially love Baby-sitters Club books, then we have a couple of cool new features on the STACKS. In honor of the newest Baby-sitters Club book, The Summer Before, we have a new BSC website and BSC Message Board.

The Summer Before is a prequel to the Baby-sitters Club series and will be in bookstores starting today. You can read the first chapter online right here!

If you have ever read any Ann M. Martin books, then you know she is a beautiful writer, but I had the chance to actually talk to her and discover that she is also a beautiful person! Read on to find out more about the Baby-sitters Club, Ann's advice for writers, and how she deals with her shyness!

Sonja: There was a Message Board petition to convince you to write another Baby-sitters Club book. Why do you think The Baby-sitters Club is still so popular after all these years?
Ann: I think the books resonate with kids because, although kids today are very different, I think what kids relate to is still the same. The Baby-sitters Club characters are very easy to identify with. The main thrust of the series is family, friendship, school. . . those things haven't changed. They still affect most kids today. Kids today may have iPods, computers, and text messages, but the themes of the Baby-sitters Club books are timeless.

Sonja: Why did you decide to revisit these characters in your new book?
Ann: A lot of readers wrote to me and asked for a sequel to the series describing the girls when they were older. But I wanted to write a prequel because the slightly younger age group appeals to me. I wanted to delve more deeply and go back in time to think about what led the girls to come together and form the Baby-sitters Club. What was going on with their families? Where were they in their lives, and where were they literally because Stacey hadn't moved to Stoneybrook yet.

Sonja: Are the characters based on real people? Did any of things that happen to them in the books happen to you in real life?
Ann: Most of the characters are made up. But Kristy is based on my best friend, Beth, and Mary Anne is based on me. Growing up Beth and I were complete opposites. I was the much shier, quieter one, and Beth was much more outgoing. Yes, a few of the incidents that happen in the books are real. One of the most horrifying babysitting incidents I ever experienced happened when the kids I was babysitting asked if they could wash the car. By the time I got outside, they had already started, but they were washing the car with brillo pads, and they scratched all the paint off the car!

Sonja: Which character do you relate the most to?
Ann: Of course I relate most strongly to Mary Anne since she is based on me, but Kristy is the most fun character to write about. After all, the Baby-sitters Club was her idea!

Sonja: Do you have any advice for kids who want to write?
Ann: It is important to be a reader and become familiar with all kinds of writing. I also recommend that kids keep a journal. Kids think they have to have some incredible experience to write about, but keeping a journal is a good way to keep track of the everyday experiences that can make your stories more real.

Sonja: I read that you are very shy. It can sometimes be difficult for shy people in a world of outgoing people. (I know because I'm shy too!) Do you have any suggestions for other shy people?
Ann: Even some people who don't seem shy are really shy underneath! My advice is to become familiar with the situations that make you uncomfortable. I do better in small groups — 2 or 3 instead of 10 or 12 so I try to avoid being in big groups of people if I can. I hate public speaking but I realized that I feel more comfortable doing it when I have a PowerPoint presentation to work from. You have to know what makes you feel more comfortable and try to put yourself in those situations instead of the situations that will make you feel worse.

Sonja: You are so loved by so many readers. That must be such an amazing feeling. Do you get lots of fan mail? What are some of the most moving things your fans tell you?
Ann: It is a wonderful feeling. I love hearing from readers. It helps me feel more connected with them. The most moving thing is hearing about kids who were not into reading until reading one of my books. . . and now they are avid readers. It's wonderful to hear from adult readers who read my books when they were kids and were inspired to become writers, librarians, teachers, editors or bloggers. That is very gratifying.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

It's Almost Summer!

To celebrate the arrival of warm weather and unlimited free reading time, the Scholastic Summer Challenge will be kicking off soon with the Ultimate Author Showdown Webcast.

Four amazing authors will compete in the Ultimate Author Showdown, a game show all about books. Each author will represent a different category, and YOU can help make up the questions. Think you can stump the authors? Submit your question.

WHO:

• Representing People & Places: Christopher Paul Curtis, author of Elijah of Buxton, Bud Not Buddy, and The Watsons Go to Birmingham.
• Representing Fantasy & Adventure: Gordon Korman, author of The 39 Clues: One False Note, Swindle, and Zoobreak
• Representing Thrills & Chills: R.L. Stine, author of Goosebumps and Goosebumps HorrorLand
• Representing Friends & Fun: Lisa Yee, author of Millicent Min Girl Genius, and Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time

WHEN: Friday, April 30th at 1:00pm (ET)/10:00am (PT)
I know it's during the school day, but try to convince your teacher to sign up. It's about reading! Your teacher can sign up in advance at www.scholastic.com/summer

WHERE: Scholastic Summer Challenge Website

Hope to see you there!

39 Clues Live Chat with Gordon Korman

The 39 Clues Book #8: The Emperor's Code is here, and time is running out to read it before our live chat with the author, Gordon Korman!

WHO: Gordon Korman, author of The 39 Clues Book #2: One False Note and Book #8: The Emperor's Code
WHEN: Thursday April 8, 2010 6-7 PM E.T. (3-4 PM P.T.)
WHERE: THE STACKS (Read below for sign-in instructions.)
TOPIC: The 39 Clues!

While you're waiting, check out the chatter and make new friends on The 39 Clues Message Board. 

And if you don't have Book 8 yet, here is a video preview from Gordon Korman.

We have fun Live Chats here every month. Sign up for our Live Chat reminders and we will send you an e-mail a couple days before all future chats to remind you to join!

— STACKS Staffers

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This chat already happened, but you can enjoy reading the transcript.

New Twilight Book? YES!

BREAKING NEWS! Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight series (for ages 12 and up), is releasing a NEW book in the Twilight series on June 5, 2010! Titled The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, it will be shorter than the other Twilight books - only 192 pages, and told from the perspective of Bree, a character originally featured in Eclipse.

Here's a quick summary:
"In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion."

It sounds really cool, but wait there's more! The book will go on sale on June 5, but if you can wait until June 7, you can read it online in English for free until July 5, 2010. It's Stephenie Meyer's way of saying thank-you to her fans. On her website she says, "You all have bought a ton of my books, and I wanted to give you this story as a gift."

Thanks, Stephenie!

Trivia: Three of a Kind for the Second Time

Since you guys rocked it last time, I've got some more Three of a Kind trivia for today's Tuesday Trivia.

In case you missed it last time, here's how this will work. I'm going to give you three things. You post a comment telling me what the three things have in common. If you're right, you win*.

For example, I might give you "Kevin," "Joe," and "Nick," to which you would answer "Jonas Brothers."

Now, without further ado, today's Three of a Kind trivia questions:

1. Let's Dance, Wake Up America, Good and Broken

2. Phoney, Fone, Smiley

3. Neytiri, Tsu'tey, Eytucan

4. Iron Man, Killer Queen, Godzilla

5. On the Banks of Plum Creek, By the Shores of Silver Lake, The Long Winter

6. Cardinals, Blue Jays, Indians

7. Scarlet Scorchdroppers, Glumptious Globgobblers, Fizzy Lifting Drinks

8. Aang, Zuko, Katara

9. Tisdale, Olsen, Greene

10. Speed, Figure, Short Track

I'll be back next week with the answers.

—Carly H., STACKS Staffer

*Prizes include absolutely nothing and the satisfaction of knowing the right answer.

Trivia Quiz Answers

Okay, we're back with answers from last week's Trivia Quiz on series books. Are you a serial reader? Let's find out. Click on the links for more fun stuff related to the series like a Message Board, Profile Widget or Game.

1. Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey are members of this club. The Baby-sitter's Club
2. This series doesn't have 38 Clues. . . but close. The 39 Clues
3. Katniss navigates a love triangle while trying to stay alive and defeat The Capitol. The Hunger Games (for ages 12 and up)
4. You might have to brush your teeth after taking a bite out of this girls' series. Candy Apple
5. Brendan Frasier starred in the movie version of this series. Inkheart
6. This series is written in the form of a diary and has the word “Diary” in the title. (Note – multiple answers!) Dear Dumb Diary, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dork Diaries
7. The main character, Alexa, manages to break free of her city's walls after 12 years. The Land of Elyon

And thanks for all the series recommendations you guys left last week! I have quite a few new books to add to my library request list. As for now, I'm still working my way through The Sisters Grimm by Michael Buckley. It's totally addictive, especially if you like twisted fairy tales. Actress Sammi Hanratty likes it too. Check out her video booktalk! Until next time, happy reading! 

— Ratha, Stacks Writer

Writing Prompt: Dream Vacation

As April approaches, a lot of you have a spring break coming up. When I was in school, some of my friends would be going to Disney World, or the Caribbean, or some cool exotic location. I, on the other hand, would usually be going. . . to my grandma's. She lived down the street would babysit me while my mom had to work.

But a girl can dream right? So when I was actually old enough to do some traveling on my own – I visited such places as the rain forests of Costa Rica, the ruins of Greece, the jungles of Vietnam, and the pyramids of Egypt. (A lot of this was helped along by a college program called Semester at Sea by the University of Pittsburgh!) Check out the picture of me in Egypt with the pyramids.

I'd love to take my next vacation somewhere where I could veg out in the sun, and people-watch. Maybe a tropical island where all the movie stars go, like St. Lucia. Or maybe France. I've never been to Paris, and would love to sit in one of those little sidewalk cafés drinking a fancy cocoa, looking sophisticated, and saying, "Bonjour monsieur." I'm not sure if I'll ever get there, but like I said, a girl can dream, right?

What about you? What is your dream vacation? Let us know in the Comments!

— Ratha, Stacks Writer