Justin Bieber Purple Carpet Exclusive

How loud would you scream if you found out that you were going to the premiere of the new Justin Bieber movie, Never Say Never (rated G), AND you were going to interview Justin Bieber on the Purple Carpet? When Scholastic Kid Reporter Cassandra Hsiao found out she got that assignment, she "screamed out loud and jumped with joy, turning the whole house upside down."

Watch her exclusive video from the Purple Carpet, read all about her experience, and find out why the carpet was purple instead of red!

WW II Adventure, Phantoms in the Snow

Welcome to Scholastic Booktalks where we recommend brand new Scholastic books that we think you will love. Today's booktalk is: Phantoms in the Snow by Kathleen Benner Duble.

Noah lives on a farm in a small Texas town during World War II. But when both of his parents die from smallpox, Noah has to go live with his uncle at a military base in Colorado. His uncle, along with the other men who serve at Camp Hale, are part of the Tenth Mountain Division. They are called "phantoms" because they are specialized soldiers who can ski and hike better than anybody else.

When the General discovers that Noah has arrived at the camp, he gives Noah's uncle eight weeks to prove that Noah can ski and become part of the Phantom squad. If he can't, Noah will be sent to foster care. Noah is hesitant to begin training, but he realizes that it's the only way to keep him from losing the one relative he's got. He learns difficult skiing techniques, gets shot at and run over by a tank. Noah can't believe that this is all normal training for combat!

When the call comes that the Phantoms are needed in Europe to fight the Germans, Noah has a big decision to make. Will he join the Phantoms and go to war?

Find out by reading Phantoms in the Snow by Kathleen Benner Duble.

—Jen, Scholastic Booktalker

Captain Underpants Scavenger Hunt

A comic book superhero based on undergarments. An army of carnivorous toilets. Naughty cafeteria ladies from outer space. A diapered baby superhero who fights a villain named Deputy "Doo Doo." I can only be talking about one thing: the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey.

How well do you know one of the most popular potty humor series of all time? Find out with our Scavenger Hunt! All the answers can be found by exploring the Online Adventures of Captain Underpants (ie the Captain Underpants website).

1. What happens when you press the red button that says DO NOT PUSH?
2. In which Arcade Game can you turn up your speakers to create a symphony of belches?
3. When you watch the Captain Underpants Movie – what does the billboard say gym teachers smell like?
4. What is your silly name according to Professor Poopypants' Name Change-o-Chart 2000?
5. In the Click-o-Rama "George Saves Harold" what does George do?
6. Under the Games section, what can you "Make Your Own" of?
7. What happens when you click on "Romance?"
8. In the "Epic Novels" section, the anniversary edition of The Adventures of Captain Underpants is celebrating how many years?

So scavenge around, and let us know your answers in the Comments. Then check back next week for answers. Until then!

—Ratha, Stacks Writer

Trivia Answers: Inventions by African Americans

Last week's Trivia Quiz was in honor of Black History Month. Did you guess which of these incredible inventions were created by African Americans? Here are the answers.

1. Peanut Butter invented by George Washington Carver
2. Gas Mask invented by Garrett Morgan
3. Traffic Light also invented by Garrett Morgan
4. iPod
5. Cataract Surgery to Cure Blindness first performed by Dr. Patricia E. Bath
6. Super Soaker Water Gun invented by Lonnie G. Johnson
7. Roller Coaster
8. Potato Chips invented by George Crum
9. Skittles
10. 3-D Glasses invented by Kenneth J. Dunkley
11. Blood Bank first started by Dr. Charles Drew
12. Plastic Surgery

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Ask a Wild Animal Expert

Have you ever wondered what it's like to put a diaper on a baby orangutan? Or feed a baby elephant from a bottle, or have its trunk in your face? How much do elephants weigh when they are babies? Are orangutans as intelligent as humans?

Well, we invited some world famous animal experts to answer YOUR questions about these two amazing endangered species. Leave your questions in the Comments and we will post the answers here on April 8.

Who are these experts who will be answering your questions?

1. Dr. Birute Galdikas is a world-renowned primatologist who works with orphaned baby orangutans in the Pacific island of Borneo to reintroduce them into the wild.
2. Dame Daphne Sheldrick is a celebrated elephant authority who rescues and rehabilitates orphaned baby elephants in Kenya, Africa.

They are both featured in the IMAX movie, Born to be Wild 3D coming to theaters on April 8. It is "an inspired story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals". . . in other words, absolutely full of cuteness!!! Just look at this behind-the-scenes video.

CUTENESS ALERT CUTENESS ALERT CUTENESS ALERT CUTENESS ALERT

So leave your questions in the Comments and come back on April 8 to read what the animal experts have to say.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Video Courtesy Warner Bros.