Steven Spielberg and E.T.

Steven Spielberg is one of the best known and wealthiest filmmakers in the world. So far he has directed 50 movies including Close Encounters, the Indiana Jones movies, Hook, Jurassic Park, and my favorite, E.T. We had the rare chance to talk to this busy, busy man about some of the highlights of his career so far, his favorite of all his movies, and his advice for future filmmakers.

Q: You have created so many sci-fi icons in your aliens and creatures. How do you decide what the alien is going to look like?

Kid Reporters Meet President Obama

Two Scholastic News Kid Reporters, 10-year-old Topanga Sena of Orlando, Florida, and 11-year-old Jacob Schroeder of Albuquerque, New Mexico, conducted an exclusive interview with President Barack Obama at the White House. The interview covered a wide range of topics including the economy, education for 21st century jobs, the environment, and the books that he reads with his daughters. The President also talked about the events of 9/11, telling the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps that it was a tragic moment for all of us, adding, “But. . . as terrible as that day was, it brought America together and it reminded us that we’re all one people, and that each of us have a responsibility as citizens of the United States, to try to make this country the best it can be.”

As the interview came to a close, a surprise visitor trotted into the room. Bo, the First Dog, greeted the Kid Reporters with a wag of his tail and earned a treat from the President.

How cool!! Click here to watch the complete video interview with the President.

Do you think YOU have what it takes to interview the President? The Scholastic News Kids Press Corps is a group of 50 talented young reporters, ages 10-14, from across the country, and it is now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 school year! Applications must be postmarked by October 11, 2011. Apply now!

Would You Rather. . . ?

Since it's technically still summer, we didn't want to make you use too much brain power for this week's Trivia Tuesday. So, just as much fun, we thought we'd do a "Would You Rather. . . ?" We've done these before on the STACKS and they were a lot of fun. Now, get ready for more.

Simply answer. . . would you rather. . .

1. Do a duet with Taylor Swift? OR Katy Perry?
2. Visit the Eiffel Tower? OR the Egyptian Pyramids?
3. Own an amusement park? OR a tropical island?
4. Sing with the Black Eyed Peas? OR Paramore?
5. Win the lottery? OR American Idol?
6. Have dinner with the Obamas? OR Prince William & Princess Kate?
7. Surf? OR snowboard?
8. Read a sequel to Percy Jackson? OR Harry Potter?
9. Coke or Pepsi?
10. Read a book? OR a Kindle?

Leave your answers in the Comments below. Inquiring minds want to know!

—Ratha, Stacks Writer

Percy Jackson Trivia Answers

Last Thursday was Percy Jackson's birthday and we asked you how well you know the world famous demi-god (those of you who haven't been living on another planet for the last 10 years, anyway). Here are the answers to last week's Percy Jackson Trivia Quiz!

And ArtemisHunting4 asked a good question: How old is Percy? Does anyone know?

Dude, What Would Happen

UPDATE: The Dudes replied! Read their answers to your questions here.

Have you ever asked yourself, "Dude, what would happen if you tied 375 helium balloons to a sumo wrestler?" Or, "What would happen if you filled a camper with popcorn kernels and torched it with 3 flame-throwers?" If you have, then you are very random and would fit right in on the Message Boards. Also, you would love the show Dude, What Would Happen (rated TV-PG). It's on the Cartoon Network Wednesdays at 8pm and it asks these kinds of random yet thought-provoking questions AND finds the answers each week. Armed with unlimited access to anything and everything, 3 dudes, CJ, Ali, and Jackson conduct extreme experiments that take sheer randomness to the next level.

Exhibit A: The Dudes pit the Snowman and Scarecrow against their most feared enemy, FIRE!

Is there something random that you have always wondered about? If you could ask the dudes your wackiest question, what would you ask? Finish this question in the Comments. . .

Dude, what would happen if ___________________? (Fill in the blank.)

The dudes themselves-- CJ, Ali, and Jackson-- will be reading your questions this week and responding to them! Leave your question in the Comments and check back here on September 2 to see if the dudes respond to YOUR question!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Images courtesy of Cartoon Network