Debby Ryan Is an Introvert?

Do you love Debby Ryan? Ever since I saw her video from the Camp Ronald McDonald fundraiser, I have become her biggest fan. She is in the new Disney show, Jessie, where she plays a nanny for 4 kids. In this interview, she talks about her new role, and how she deals with being an introvert. (Her advice: "Own it!" even if people think you're shy and nerdy.) Reading this interview makes me love her even more!

Q: Describe what Jessie is like.

Operation Santa Paws

Kid Power! Kids can make a difference! Every Thursday on Ink Splot 26, we'll show you a new idea for how YOU can make the world a better place.

During the holidays, we try to help the less fortunate people in our communities, but what about the less fortunate animals? We can't forget the poor dogs and cats living in shelters! Many of them have been abused or abandoned and need our love and care.

Here's what you can do to make it a happy holiday season for an animal this year:

• Adopt an animal from a shelter. If your parents are looking to add a new pet to your household, instead of going to the pet store or a breeder, visit your local animal shelter and take home an animal who needs your love more than anyone.
• Volunteer at your local shelter. OK, getting a new pet is a huge commitment, so if you can't actually bring a dog or cat home to live with you, you may be able to visit the animals in the shelter. Your local shelter may need a dog walker, or someone to play with the kittens and give them the extra love and attention they need. Find out if your community has an animal shelter and ask your parents to take you there for a visit. There may be lots of ways you can help out there!
• Make a donation to your local shelter. Operation Santa Paws is just one example of an organization that sponsors a canine/feline toy drive to benefit less-fortunate pets this season. (Click here for their Wish List.) But you can help wherever you live. Purchase a new dog/cat toy or treat, and drop it off at your local animal shelter. The simplest toys can make the animals much more comfortable. Cats enjoy rolling toys, such as small plastic balls or other "batting" toys that can be hung from cage doors, while dogs prefer heavy-duty rubber chew toys.

I love reading your Comments to our past Kid Power blog posts because I know you guys are making a difference. Please leave a Comment and tell us how you can help make it a happy holiday for the animals in your community!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Animorphs Writing Contest

Do you want a chance to win a Nintendo 3DS™ and a set of signed Animorphs books? Enter the Animorphs Writing Contest and you could win both!

For those of you not familiar with the Animorphs series, they're action-packed books about five friends who morph into animals in order to defeat the alien Controllers that have invaded Earth.

To enter the contest, all you have to do is write an essay (250 words or less) explaining which animal morph you would choose for yourself and why. The best part is the winner will be picked by K.A. Applegate, the author of Animorphs!

Find out more about the contest on the Animorphs website. While you're there, you can morph the characters into animals yourself and add them to your friends in your STACKS profile.

And just 'cuz I'm curious, leave a Comment here to tell us which morph you would be. Good luck!

—Vanessa, Scholastic Staffer

Trivia Tuesday: Holiday Songs

Happy Holidays! I love this time of year, the snow on the ground, the holiday cheer, and most of all, the songs! Nothing makes me happier than singing some of my favorite holiday classics with friends and family. So, for this Triva Tuesday, your quiz is holiday-themed. Below are 10 unfinished lyrics to holiday songs, and your job is to finish the line of the song! On your mark, get set, and start singing!

1. “He's making a list, and checking it twice,”
2. "With a corncob pipe, and a button nose,”
3. “What a bright time; it’s the right time”
4. “I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus,”
5. “Oh, the weather outside is frightful,”
6. “Where the treetops glisten and children listen”
7. “What fun it is to ride and sing”
8. “Rudolf with your nose so bright,”
9. “A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight”
10. “Later we'll have some pumpkin pie,”

 Can you figure them all out? Post your answers in the Comments below!

— Brian, STACKS Writer (a.k.a. BlackBird268)

Authors Trivia Quiz Answers

THE ANSWERS ARE HERE! THE ANSWERS ARE HERE!

Last Tuesday, all you Ink Splotters worked really hard on this Authors Trivia Quiz. Now the answers are here!!! Check below to see how much you know about your favorite authors!

Nickname Writing Prompt

Write On! Nicknames

This week's Write On! Writing Prompt comes to us from CrimsonCat5 who poses a great question:

If you could give yourself a new nickname, what would it be? Why?

Hmm. That’s tough. Maybe R-Mac. It would be the first initial of my first name, and part of my last name. I always thought doing that was kind of cool. And my friend and I once saw a Julia Styles movie (Save the Last Dance, rated PG-13) where there was a character named Snook. So for some reason, we both got silly and decided to call each other Snook.

What about you guys? Let us all know about your made-up nickname in the Comments below!

—Ratha, Stacks Writer