James Maslow's Christmas Puppy

UPDATE: Read the entire interview with Big Time Rush here.

Big Time Rush came to the Scholastic offices for an interview last week, and James just happened to mention that he is getting an Alaskan Klee Kai puppy for Christmas. Marie Morreale did a formal interview, which I will post here later, but when James showed me this picture of the puppy, I had to show you guys right away. It's just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. James is thinking about naming it "Fox." Perfect name for such a cutie, right?

Who do you think is the cutest: Kendall, Logan, Carlos, James, or James' puppy? Leave a Comment!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Holiday Gift Idea

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.

I love buying gifts for my friends and family, but it gets expensive. Luckily, homemade presents are better than anything you can buy. But OMG, the holiday deadline is coming really soon and I'm so busy! How am I going to make all those gifts in time?

Here is a cool idea: gift "coupons" with things you can make for the giftee all year long. It's genius if you think about it. You get to make amazing personal gifts from the heart, but you don't have to deliver the actual gifts until after the holiday when you have more time. The recipients can use the coupons like money to redeem all the amazing gifts you have planned for them.

Here are some ideas of what I will be putting on "Sonja Smackaroonies" for my friends and family.

• Fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies
• Breakfast in bed
• Cat-sitting
• Movie night (candy and popcorn included)
• Unlimited free hugs (no restrictions or expiration date)
• Homemade, 3-course dinner

What about you? What are you giving to friends and family this holiday? Let us know your ideas in the Comments!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Pie by Sarah Weeks

Welcome to Scholastic Booktalks where we recommend brand new Scholastic books that we think you will love. Today's booktalk is: Pie by Sarah Weeks.

Aunt Polly makes an incredible pie. Apple, rhubarb, peanut butter raspberry . . . the entire town of Ipswitch is absolutely nuts for them. Alice adores her aunt as well as the delicious pies that she's so famous for. When Aunt Polly passes away, Alice not only mourns her loss, but the loss of her world-famous pie crust recipe that no one knows how to duplicate.

Strangely, Aunt Polly leaves that world-famous secret recipe to her cat Lardo, and leaves Lardo to Alice! Alice and her friends begin to see just how much Aunt Polly's pies meant to everyone, and realize that Lardo's life may be in danger as the entire town wants to be the next pie contest winner. It's up to them to get to the bottom of the mystery without getting themselves in trouble. They have to figure it out - for the sake of Aunt Polly, for the sake of the cat, and for the sake of those delicious pies.

Will they be able to solve the mystery and reclaim this very special pie crust recipe? Read Pie to find out.

— Emily, Scholastic Booktalker

End of the Year Celebrity Video Vote

The end of the year is the time when people start thinking about the best movies, the best books, the best you-name-it that happened over the last year. So here on the STACKS, we want to hear what you think is the best STACKS celebrity video. We have some amazing videos of Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Bella Thorne, and China Anne McClain, just to name a few.

Here are my all-time favorite STACKS celeb videos.

Do you agree? Take a look at all the STACKS celeb videos, and leave a Comment telling us YOUR fave celeb video!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Holiday Song Lyrics Trivia Quiz Answered

The Answers are Here!

Last Tuesday I posted a special quiz all about Holiday Songs and now it's time to sing the answers! I hope this quiz helped get everyone in the holiday spirit by spreading some cheer and music. Let's see if you are singing the correct lyrics! Check the answers below to find out.

Three New Writing Prompts

Write On! Another Triple Play

This week, we are featuring a triple play for our Write On! Writing Prompt. We did a previous Triple Play, featuring 3 different Splotters. But this week, a certain Splotter who shall be known as RedWolf31 gives us three great questions! Pick one and write on! Or if you are an overachiever, answer as many as you’d like!!

1. Write the title of your favorite poem, and then write your own.
2. Who’s your hero, and why?
3. What would you save in 5 minutes before your house burns down?

Great questions RedWolf31! I love them all.

Leave your answers in the Comments. I can’t wait to hear what you guys come up with. Until next time.

—Ratha, Stacks Writer