Steven Spielberg Talks About Tintin

A few months ago I posted Part 1 of an interview with the world-famous director, Steven Spielberg. His new movie, The Adventures of Tintin (rated PG), based on the comic books by Belgian artist, Hergé, is in theaters. Spielberg discovered the Tintin books because a French film critic said they were like his movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark. OK, that makes ME want to know more about Tintin! So we now present Part 2 of the interview to give you the scoop on the new movie from Spielberg himself.

What did you admire most about the original Tintin comics?

Kid Power Winter Coat Drive

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.

Do you have a winter coat that doesn't fit you anymore? Don't throw it away! Donate it to One Warm Coat, an organization that gives away free coats to families who need them. Here is a great way to bring some warmth into someone's life AND recycle at the same time, making the world a better place in 2 ways!

• What
  New or gently used coats
• When
  Now through January 16
• Where
  There are collection boxes at all Burlington Coat Factory stores, but other organizations in your community may also be collecting coats. Ask your parents or teachers or youth group leaders if they know.

Go check the back of your closet to see if you have coats that you won't be wearing this winter. Or you could go one step further -- organize a coat drive and get everyone in your school to donate their coats. Someone can definitely use them!

 

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

SPONSORED BLOG POST: War Horse Movie

This post is sponsored by War Horse.

Big holiday parties at my house are always about sharing stories. The one about the time my brother knocked himself out by running into the gym wall has been told about a thousand times, and I never get tired of hearing about the restaurant my grandparents ran when they were first married.

This holiday break, write down your favorite family stories, and see if you can uncover some amazing new ones! Use this War Horse-themed activity sheet to discover how these great stories have helped shape you and your family!

Don’t forget that Steven Spielberg’s new movie, War Horse (rated PG-13), based on the book by Michael Morpurgo, hits theaters on Christmas Day. Check it out and start creating some new holiday memories!

Image courtesy of DreamWorks Pictures

Ghosts in the Fog: The Untold Story of Alaska's WWII Invasion

Ghosts in the Fog: The Untold Story of Alaska's WWII Invasion by Samantha Seiple

A soldier stood with a loaded gun in front of a locked steel door. He was guarding the secrets buried below from spies and thieves. No one was allowed to talk about what went on in the "dungeon," and if anyone did, his life was at stake. The armed guard stopped anyone who tried to enter. If necessary, he would shoot to kill.

This story begins with highly classified cryptographers—code-breakers—deep underground behind a guarded door during World War II. Why were they being watched under such strict security? They were the first to find out classified information about the movements of enemy forces, including one of the most deadly (and secret) attacks on American soil—an attack that many people today still don’t know about.

Did YOU know that just months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese also attacked and occupied the Aleutian Islands in Alaska? American citizens were killed and captured as the islands were assaulted by land and sea. U.S. airplanes bombed their own country to try to drive out the invaders. Americans from the mainland and native Aleuts were taken prisoner, packed together in ships and practically left to die. . . And on May 29, 1943, American and Japanese soldiers clashed in Attu, Alaska, in one of the deadliest battles in the entire war.

Read this story of bravery and perseverance to find out more about the code-breakers, soldiers, pilots, sailors, and ordinary Americans who experienced an invasion in their own town.

--Melissa, Scholastic Booktalker

Holiday Gifts Would You Rather

'Tis the season for giving . . . and receiving. So grab some hot chocolate, stir it around with a candy cane, and answer our Would You Rather . . . Holiday style!

Would you rather get . . .

1. $200 OR 200 mystery presents?
2. A cute puppy OR exotic lizard?
3. iPad OR Kindle Fire?
4. Tastless fruitcake OR tasteless fuzzy sweater?
5. 101 Science Experiments With Bloody Leeches book OR 101 Science Experiments With Reindeer Droppings book?
6. Angry Birds swag OR real birds that are REALLY angry?
7. Video games or a cell phone?
8. Dinner with J.K. Rowling OR dinner with Suzanne Collins?

Leave your answers in the Comments below! And tell us know what’s on YOUR holiday gift list. Inquiring minds want to know.

—Ratha, Stacks Writer

Kids' Favorite Holiday Traditions

You met our Scholastic Kids Council on Halloween when they showed us their awesome Halloween costumes. This month, we wanted to find out what their favorite holiday traditions are. Everybody has different traditions but they all sound so cool!

Marlo, age 11, New Jersey