Teen Choice Awards 2012 Giveaway

Teen Choice Awards 2012 Giveaway

You too can be a star! If you subscribe to the free STACKS Blast e-mail newsletter, then you already know about our monthly sweepstakes. Well, this is just to announce that in the next STACKS Blast sweepstakes, you can enter for a chance to win some of the same gift bag items celebrities like Demi Lovato, Jason Derulo, Victoria Justice and Jordin Sparks received at the Backstage Creations Celebrity Retreat at Teen Choice 12.

You need to sign up for the STACKS Blast newsletter to enter the sweepstakes, but don't worry. It's free. And tune in to watch the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday, July 22nd at 8:00-10:00 PM ET on FOX.

Jennette McCurdy iCarly Interview

Jennette McCurdy iCarly Interview

You know Jennette McCurdy as Sam on iCarly, the one who kidnapped Zayn in that awesome episode with One Direction. Sadly, this is the last season of iCarly, so after the finale on November 23, we will have to survive with only reruns. We got to talk to Jennette to find out what her life outside the show is like.

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