Josh Hutcherson Talks About Peeta

Hunger Games Interview with Josh Hutcherson!

Some people disagree with me, but I think the most important character in The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins (for ages 12 and up) is Peeta. Therefore, I also think that the actor who plays Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) has the most important role in The Hunger Games movie (rated PG-13), in theaters March 23. In my eyes, for the movie to really work, Peeta has to be just right. That's why I am so excited to read this interview with Josh talking about Peeta because it sounds like he really gets him. It makes me even more excited to see the movie!

Q: How did you prepare for the role of Peeta, a baker who becomes a fighter? Did you have to train in baking and fighting before the movie?

Kid Power! Disaster Preparedness

March is American Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross does a lot to help victims of natural disasters, but it also helps educate people about preparing for disasters. Being prepared is definitely Kid Power!

Would you know what to do in an emergency? Are you prepared? See how you stack up with the Red Cross Ready Checklist. If you can answer "YES" to each of these questions, then you are ready for anything!

• I know what disasters or emergencies are most likely to occur in my community.
• I have a family disaster plan and have practiced it.
• I have an emergency kit (including extra supplies for my pets).
• At least one member of my household is trained in first aid and CPR.

If you're not sure about some of these, this poster tells you everything you need to know to be Red Cross Ready. Talk to your parents! Get your emergency kit together. Practice your disaster plan, and make sure you're all prepared!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

The Moon Over High Street by Natalie Babbitt

The Moon Over High Street by Natalie Babbitt, author of Tuck Everlasting

12-year-old Joe has a secret he has never told anyone. For as long as he can remember, Joe has wanted to study the moon. He's worried that something bad might happen to it and then it will have to go away, so he wants to learn how to protect it.

Joe will be spending the summer with his Aunt Myra in Midville. Joe is nervous about the visit. He doesn't want to leave his friends because he's worried that they will forget about him. But, upon Joe's arrival, he discovers that Midville isn't so bad. And it doesn't hurt that Aunt Myra's neighbor, 12-year-old Beatrice, is beautiful and wants to spend time with him!

One fateful day, Joe and Beatrice meet Mr. Boulderwall, one of the richest men in the world. Mr. Boulderwall also has a secret. He needs to find someone to run his company when he retires, and he decides that Joe is the perfect candidate! But this would mean that Joe wouldn't be able to help the moon. He would have to focus on business instead.

Can Joe admit that his love of the moon is more important than wealth? Or will Joe keep his secret for the rest of his life and never tell anybody about his dream? Find out in The Moon Over High Street by Natalie Babbitt.

Watch this video to get the scoop from the author herself!

—Jen, Scholastic Booktalker

Trivia Tuesday: March Madness

March Madness NCAA College Basketball Tournament!

It's time for the big dance! No, I'm not talking about Prom or the Sadie Hawkins Dance. I'm talking about the annual March Madness college basketball tournament. This tournament decides which college basketball team will be crowned the National Champion. I'm so excited to watch my favorite teams and root for the underdogs. But, since it's Trivia Tuesday, I thought I'd make a special March Madness Trivia Quiz just for you. Below are all questions about the March Madness tournament! On your mark. Get set. Start solving!

Random Bacon Trivia Quiz Answers

Bacon is gooooood!

Hi! I hope you liked my Bacon Trivia Quiz last week. I know it was random, so thanks for indulging me and playing along. Here are my answers. . .

Writing Prompt: Alien Planet

Writing Prompt: Alien Planet

This week's Write On Writing Prompt comes to us from MagicalGriffin3. It's actually perfect timing because the John Carter movie (rated PG-13) is out, and scientists recently discovered a brand new planet: Keplar-22b. It's the first Earth-like planet located in the "Goldilocks Zone," which is a habitable zone discovered in NASA's recent Keplar Mission. (Get it? Goldilocks - not too hot, not too cold, but just right for sustaining life!) Keplar-22b was previously too far away for scientists to find, but recent telescopes and missions have brought it to our attention. It could possibly have water, which means there could be life on Keplar-22b!!!

. . . which brings me to MagicalGriffin3's Writing Prompt:

Make up a story that takes place on a made-up/real planet. Where it is in the universe and who/what lives there is COMPLETELY up to you!

It could be Mars, and there is a colony of Martian wizards who see J.K. Rowling as their leader. Would Keplar-22b be ruled by these Martian wizards? Or maybe one-eyed, green, slimy aliens who regurgitate pizza, and feed it to their young?

Make up your own story. Let your imagination travel to infinity and beyond! Anything goes! Let us and MagicalGriffin3 know in the Comments below.

— Ratha, STACKS Writer