« February 26, 2012 - March 3, 2012 | Main | March 11, 2012 - March 17, 2012 »
Taylor Kitsch Interview
Taylor Kitsch is a Canadian actor and former Abercrombie & Fitch model. You may recognize him from the X-Men: Wolverine movie (rated PG-13), the TV show Friday Night Lights, and most recently, the sci-fi, Martian Civil War movie, John Carter (rated PG-13). We interviewed Taylor to find out more about John Carter, Taylor's first date, his Swahili tattoo, and his charity work in Africa.
Vote for the Kids' Choice Awards!
Some of our very favorite books were nominated for the 2012 Kids' Choice Awards, and YOU get to choose the winner!
Of course, here at Scholastic, we are thrilled that two of our titles were nominated in the "Favorite Book" category. The Harry Potter series and The Hunger Games trilogy are both in the running. (Harry has actually won in this category before -- seven times already!)
FUN FACT from Nickelodeon: The last name Potter was inspired by J.K Rowling's childhood neighbors.
FUN FACT from Nickelodeon: The Hunger Games author, Suzanne Collins, used to write for the old school Nick show, Clarissa Explains It All.
Winners will be announced on the Kids' Choice Awards Show on March 31!
And PS, cutie boy band One Direction will be performing at the Awards Show too. Have you read our hilarious One Direction interview?
Pedestrian Safety
Everyone knows that texting, playing Angry Birds, or listening to music through headphones while driving is extremely dangerous. You know that, right? RIGHT?? Well, recently, people have been wondering if it's even safe to walk or ride your bike while using distracting gadgets. If it keeps you from paying attention to the traffic, it could be dangerous.
Here are some facts from Grolier Online. Did you know. . .
It's easy to get distracted and forget to look for cars, especially when your song comes on and you start singing it real loud and dancing. (Yeah, you know who you are! I've seen you!) If the driver hears HIS song at that moment while you're crossing the street, and he's singing real loud and not paying attention, and texting his friend too. . . well, the next thing you know, KABLAM!
I am saying this because I love you. I don't want to scare you, but Kid Power means being responsible for yourself and not letting your brains get confused. Now that you know about the dangers, please tell your friends. Make posters and hang them up at school. Don't let anyone you know get distractified by their tech toys! And that includes your parents. You could save a life.
OK. That's all for now. I'm glad we had this little talk.
This post is sponsored by Every Inkling Writing Contest from HP.
Write about how the story of The Lorax has changed you! If you're in grades 3–8, you can create a 20-page online book about how you, your family, or your community can be more like Dr. Seuss' Lorax and live more sustainably.
Prizes include a $10,000 scholarship and HP computers! Entries are due by April 6, 2012.
Download this PDF for registration information to share with your parents. All entries must be completed online. Click here for official rules.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. All students who are legal residents of the United States and who are currently enrolled in grades 3–8 are eligible to enter. Contest begins March 2, 2012, and entries are due by 11:59 PM on April 6, 2012. Entries will be submitted online at www.scholastic.com/thelorax. Prizing: One grand-, 2nd-, and 3rd-prize winner will be selected from students in grades 3–5 and 6–8 for a total of six winners. Winners will receive: Grand Prize—$10,000 Scholarship, HP Omni 120Z All in One Computer or equivalent, HP Envy All in One Printer, printed and signed copy of the winner’s submitted book (ARV: $10,700). Second place—$5,000 scholarship, Omni 120Z All in One Computer or equivalent, HP Envy All in One Printer, printed and signed copy of the winner’s submitted book (ARV: $5,700). Third place—$2,500 scholarship, Omni 120Z All in One Computer or equivalent, HP Envy All in One Printer, printed and signed copy of the winner’s submitted book (ARV: $3,200). See official rules at www.scholastic.com/thelorax for additional details about the scholarships. All entries must be a 20-page true story, including HP-provided images from the movie, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, on the following topic: Tell the true story of your environmental journey! Use words and characters from the movie The Lorax to explain what it has been like to explore the importance of making sustainable choices that will keep the earth healthy and safe for future generations. Entries must respond to the following questions and statements: What does it mean (to you) to live a sustainable life? What has it been like to learn about making sustainable choices? Describe one creative new idea for how you, your family, or your community could live more sustainably. Sponsors: Scholastic Inc., 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., 3000 Hanover St., Palo Alto, CA 94304-1185.
The Mastermind Plot: A Suzanna Snow Mystery
Last year, I read and loved the first Suzanna Snow mystery, The Midnight Tunnel by Angie Frazier, so I am very excited about this sequel, The Mastermind Plot. I haven't read it yet, except for this sneak peek of the first chapter.
What do you think? Who is that freaky man staring ominously at Suzanna as her carriage pulls away from the station? And how rude is her Uncle Bruce!? What is her grandmother up to - because you KNOW she's up to something!
Are you a fan of mystery and detective stories? Will you be checking this book out? Let me know in the Comments.
Bacon is gooooood!
Hi! Today's Trivia Quiz is inspired by my random love of bacon. It might not be the healthiest food out there, but it is soooo yummalicious! I even know a vegetarian who won't eat any other meat, but she can't resist bacon. So, whether you are a fan of processed pork deliciousness, or if you refuse to eat it, take our quiz to see how much you really know.
Happy birthday, Ron Weasley! Happy birthday to you!
Sorry, I just finished singing my last birthday song to Ron, who celebrated his birthday on March 1. We gave Ron the best gift we could think of, his very own quiz! Now, it's time for the answers! Did you correctly identify all the Ron Weasley quotes? Check below to find out!
Today's Writing Prompt is inspired by twelfth-grader Kaitlin Martin, who won a Silver Medal in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for her Portfolio. This Digital Art piece is titled "And They Got Away."
When you see this image, what do you think of? There is a man with a round Earth-like head, wearing a business suit and smiling in the background. There are two people who seem to be celebrating or waving, and there is a ghost-like image floating away trying to grab the Earth-like man.
My caption for this image would be:
People Celebrating: "No Pollution on Planet Green, Please and Thank You."
Earth-Like Man: "I want to be like the people on Planet Green, pollution free one day!"
Okay, now it's your turn to think of what this image means to you, and to write your own caption in the Comments!
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