Willow Smith Video Interview

Scholastic Kid Reporter, Damien Murphy, interviewed Willow Smith and asked her to talk about her hairstyles and the message of her music video, "Whip My Hair."

If you are a Willow fan, you will not want to miss this exclusive video!!

Words in the Dust, A Story of Afghanistan

Welcome to Scholastic Booktalks where we recommend brand new Scholastic books that we think you will love. Today's booktalk is: Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy.

Imagine living in a world where you've never been to school, never ridden in a car, or seen a TV. Zulaikha's life as a girl in An Daral, Afghanistan is difficult enough between all the chores she must do every day and the way her stepmother orders her around. But Zulaikha also must live with a cleft lip and twisted teeth that stick out enough for all the neighborhood boys to torment her. They call her "Donkeyface" and throw dirt at her. Even her own brothers, whom she cares for every day, disrespect her.

All Zulaikha wants is to be normal, maybe even pretty like her sister, and marry a handsome man who will take good care of her. But when American soldiers notice her and offer to fly her in a helicopter and give her an operation to fix her lip, will all of Zulaikha's problems immediately be solved?

This book is actually based on a true story. Here is the author, Trent Reedy, describing his inspiration for writing the book.

"In 2004 and 2005, when I was serving with the army in support of the reconstruction effort in western Afghanistan, I was often dismayed when I saw the aftermath of the terrible injustices women and girls had suffered under the oppression of the brutal Taliban. . . When my unit encountered a young girl named Zulaikha who suffered from a cleft lip and crooked teeth, we knew we had to help. My fellow soldiers and I pooled our money to pay for her flight to our main base in Afghanistan, where an army doctor had volunteered to conduct the needed corrective surgery. I was happy, feeling that we had really made a direct, positive difference. Throughout all of my encounters with Zulaikha, I was impressed by her courage and dignity. She covered her birth defect, but otherwise she met our gaze, answered our questions, and did not shy away from us, even though I imagine we could be quite frightening with our body armor and weapons. For me, Zulaikha began to represent the indomitable spirit of all Afghans and of Afghan women in particular.

After her surgery, Zulaikha's problems with her upper lip, teeth, and nose had vanished almost as if she had always been completely normal. Her physical transformation was amazing, but perhaps more striking was her emotional change. She no longer hid her mouth in shame. The very best moment of my time in Afghanistan was seeing Zulaikha smile."

Read Words in the Dust for an honest and brutal look into the human faces behind the war in Afghanistan.

— Melissa, Scholastic Booktalker

Would You Rather. . .?

Today's Trivia Tuesday quiz is really more of a game than a trivia quiz, but it's Winter Break and I didn't want you to have to work too hard! It's a "Would You Rather. . .?" game from GinnyW123 on the Reading Buzz Board. Leave your answers in the Comments. And go to the Message Board to see other people's answers.

Would you rather. . . 

Answers: 'Tis the Season for TV Trivia

HOLIDAY TV & MOVIES: ANSWERS

Last week I posted trivia on holiday TV specials and movies. I named 3 characters from each, and you guys had to come up with the name of the TV show or movie. How'd you do? Check out the answers below!

New Year's Resolutions

People always talk about New Year's Resolutions, but what does that really mean and how do you do it? A resolution is when you resolve or promise yourself that you will do something. The new year is a perfect time to think about changing some bad habits and making a fresh start for 2011. But how?

Well, here is my advice for making your 2011 New Year's Resolutions.

• Choose something you really care about. You have to actually want to do it in order for the resolution to work. If you really like your room messy, there is no point in resolving to keep it clean.
• Choose something you can actually achieve. Getting straight A's is a totally worthy goal, but if you're failing every subject, you might first aim for B's and C's.
• Make a step-by-step plan for achieving your goal. For example, to improve your grades, make a study schedule for each subject. List all your homework and tests and check it every day so you'll be prepared.

So here is my New Year's Resolution for 2011: I resolve to train my cats not to scratch me.

• Is it something I care about? YES. I know they don't mean to hurt me, but I'm sick and tired of getting accidentally scratched!
• Is it something I can actually achieve? YES. I have been spoiling my cats and letting them get away with bad behavior, but if I change and show them that I don't like it, then they will change, right?
• Step-by-step plan:

1. Buy a spray bottle and fill it with water.
2. Spray the sweet little monsters every time they come at me with their claws out.
3. Repeat as necessary.

By Valentine's Day, I will be scratch-free. . . I hope. How about you? What are your New Year's Resolutions and how will you achieve them?

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer