Kid Power: Wild Pets!

Kid Power: Wild Pets!

When I was 7 years old, I begged my parents for a pet dolphin.  "Pretty please? We can keep it in the bathtub!" I pleaded. But alas, my dad pointed out that dolphins need a lot more space than a bathtub. They need a lot more space than just a swimming pool, too – they need a whole ocean!

Sadly, however, many dolphins are endangered in the ocean. Pollution and dangerous fishing gear have made the waters, where they used to roam freely, unsafe. Dolphins, like many other animals, are finding that their homes are no longer livable. It's really sad, because dolphins are the most amazing creatures. They’re super-smart team players that travel in groups, fishing together and communicating through a complex system of sounds and whistles. They're playful animals that love people and have, many times, saved them from shark attacks!

Hatchet Readalikes

You know when you find an amazing book, and you never want it to end? How do you find another book to read after that? Our answer: Readalikes to the rescue! We hope our Readalikes will rescue you from the what-to-read-next question, and help you find lots of new amazing books.

Today's Readalikes are for Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. When his plane crashes while flying over the Canadian wilderness, 13-year-old Brian is the only survivor in the middle of nowhere! The only thing he has to help him survive is a hatchet.

There are a bunch of books in that series. But once you've finished all those, what to read next? If you liked Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, you should read these other adventure survival stories for ages 10-12. Click on the book cover below to see a whole bunch of other Hatchet Readalike books you might also love.

 Hope you enjoy our Readalikes!

—Melissa, Scholastic Booktalker

Harry Potter Birthday Quiz

Harry Potter is one of the most famous book characters in the world. The 7-book series has been translated into 67 languages! In honor of Harry Potter's birthday on July 31st, here's some trivia to test your wizardly knowledge of Harry's universe.

 

Inventions by Kids Writing Prompt

Writing Prompt: Kid Powered Invention

Did you know a 15-year-old boy invented earmuffs back in 1858? Chester Greenwood needed to keep his ears warm during bitter Maine winters, and made 2 ear-shaped loops from wire, and asked his grandmother to sew fur on them. He later patented the design and made a fortune selling them to soldiers during World War I.

There's also a 6-year-old from Singapore, Peh Yong, who invented a cooling umbrella to be used in the hot weather.

And Krysta Morlan, a 10th grader with cerebral palsy, invented a device to relieve irritation while wearing a cast called the Cast Cooler.

These kids all used their hearts and their smarts, and started somewhere! If you could think of any invention to change the world, and make it a better place, what would you invent? Would your invention tackle things like pollution, hunger, poverty, world peace, or diseases? Big or small, this week’s Writing Prompt prompts YOU. Let us know your invention in the Comments below!

— Ratha, Stacks Writer

Austin Mahone Interview

Austin Mahone Interview

Austin Mahone is an average 16-year-old 10th grader from San Antonio, Texas. . . except that he has a massive number of fans on his video channel where he puts up his own music videos. He now has 2 original songs, "11:11" and his newest song which I am addicted to, "Say Somethin." Marie Morreale, famous for her interview with One Direction, met Austin a few weeks ago and got the scoop on this all-American hottie. Read on for the interview and the adorable picture of Austin in his room with all his fan mail plastered all over the walls.

Dumbledore's Army

Dumbledore's Army

In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry, Ron, and Hermione form a secret organization called Dumbledore’s Army (D.A. for short). Its purpose is to stand up against High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge, and practice Defense Against the Dark Arts (which she has forbidden). Harry, Ron, and Hermione recruit members from all the Hogwarts houses, bringing everyone together for this common purpose. Together they prepare to battle against and defeat Voldemort.

This got us thinking . . . what if YOU could form your own Dumbledore's Army? If you could start a real live group to deal with the problems of the world, what would you fight against? Would you want your army to bring food to hungry countries? Work on cures for certain diseases? Find homes for all abandoned animals? Clean up the earth, and punish corporations who do damage? The sky is the limit.

What kind of change would you want to see in the world? We want to know what's most important to you. Let us know what your Dumbledore's Army would do in the Comments below.

— Ratha, Stacks Writer

The 39 Clues Readalikes

You know when you find an amazing book, and you never want it to end? How do you find another book to read after that? Our answer: Readalikes to the rescue! We hope our Readalikes will rescue you from the what-to-read-next question, and help you find lots of new amazing books.

Today's Readalikes are for The 39 Clues series. When their grandmother dies, Amy and Dan Cahill find out that they are members of the most powerful family in the history of the world, descendants of people like Thomas Jefferson and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart! But the secret to that power lies in 39 clues hidden around the world, and Amy and Dan must find them -- before they fall into the wrong hands.

There are a bunch of books in that series. But once you've finished all those, what to read next? Look for these other adventure books about secret agents, danger, and intrigue for ages 9-12. Click on the book cover below to see a whole bunch of other The 39 Clues Readalike books you might also love.

 

 Hope you enjoy our Readalikes!

—Emily, Scholastic Booktalker

Summer Fun Would You Rather?

With all this hot weather we're having, there's nothing more fun than spending a day at the beach or the pool! The smell of sunscreen, the cool waves lapping against your feet, and the sounds of laughter all around are what summer is all about. That, and, of course, NO SCHOOL!!! This summer, while you are splashing around and cooling off with your friends at the pool. . .

Would you rather. . . .

Fruit Personality Quiz Results

Here are the answers to last week's Personality Quiz. What type of fruit are you?

Check your answers to the questions from last week, and count how many times you picked A, how many times you picked B, how many times you picked C, and how many times you picked D. You might be evenly split between all 4. That means you are pretty balanced between all these personalities like a perfectly blended fruit salad! But if you picked one letter more than the others . . . 

MOSTLY A's
You are most like an orange! Bright and energetic, you are very athletic and funny! Be careful though! You don't want to cross the line between energetic and annoying!

MOSTLY B's
You are most like an apple! The same flavor every time, you always fulfill everyone's needs and you are extremely friendly and loyal! Yet with your awesome personality, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself! You deserve respect!

MOSTLY C's
You are most like a banana! You are the average fruit. You have your ups and downs, but overall you're a good friend. Don't be afraid to stand up for your friends!

MOSTLY D's
You are most like a strawberry! You have a little orange in you, a little apple, and a little banana! You are equal of all skills. Be proud of that, and don't be afraid to show your feelings. You are a great person, and you should show that!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Writing Prompt: First Sentence

Write Your Own Mystery or Fantasy

Today's Write On Writing Prompt is a great call out to all you aspiring writers. It comes to us from Fulafuj (who has the most awesome Profile Avatar I've ever seen). Fulafuj prompts:

Write your own mystery. Or fantasy. It has to be adventurous.

Since we wouldn't have room to post an entire story, we challenge you to write the first line of your epic mystery or fantasy. There are some great first lines to stories that suck you in. Like . . .

"It was a dark and stormy night." (from A Wrinkle in Time)
Or
"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say they were perfectly normal, thank you very much." (from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

Got a great first line for a mystery or fantasy story? Or if you'd rather, post a summary paragraph for your story idea! Be as creative and crazy as you like. Thanks for the great prompt, Fulafuj!

—Ratha, Stacks Writer

Katy Perry Movie

Katy Perry Movie

The first woman in music history to have five Number One singles from one album, Katy Perry has scaled the heights of pop music stardom few have reached before her. So when the artist invited two filmmakers to tag along on her "California Dreams Tour," she thought it might produce something of interest to her fans. 

Katy said, "I could instinctively feel that something important was about to happen that year. It felt like this big wave was coming, and it felt like it was going to be a long one. So I reached out to two filmmakers and said, 'Hi, guys. I'd like to you come on the road and document the ride.'" That ride was a year-long world tour across the United States, Europe, South America and the Far East. Cameras caught her live concerts and also the reality of her day-to-day life away from the stage lights and candy-colored costumes.

The result is Katy Perry: Part of Me (rated PG), a backstage pass, front row seat, and intimate look at the real Katy Perry. Katy: "This movie is a journey. Last year, I had a year I'll never be able to recreate. . . amazing highs and some big lows, but that's life. Everyone goes through the good and the bad, but it makes you stronger. But no matter what, as with my live concerts, my ultimate goal with this movie is to make people smile."

Are you a fan of Katy Perry's music? Leave a Comment to let us know what you think.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Images courtesy Paramount Pictures

Girl Power Book List

Girl Power Book List

Anita begged her parents to let her go to the local school as one of the only girl students. They finally agreed, but after 5 years, school fees became too expensive and they were not able to pay anymore. So at just 10 years old, Anita decided she would raise money for her own school fees by tutoring other students. A few years later, her family found themselves in debt, so Anita learned how to be a beekeeper to make more money! Now Anita is 20 years old and paying her own college tuition. She's training other girls to be beekeepers too, and now that her story has been broadcast across India, millions of girls are being inspired by Anita.

Being a girl of the world is not easy, and it's especially hard if you’re growing up in a developing nation. Girls can't give back to their communities if they can't become doctors, political leaders, business owners, artists, writers, television producers, engineers, architects, teachers, librarians, beekeepers. . . the list goes on and on. And most importantly, girls are people, too! They deserve the same opportunity for a good life as everybody else. Today's Kid Power post is about girls who overcame hardships and changed the world in their own way. Here are some books to inspire you to make a difference: