Cymphonique Interview

Cymphonique How to Rock Interview

You know 16-year-old Cymphonique Miller as Kacey Simon in the Nickelodeon show How To Rock (also starring Rags actor, Max Schneider). We got to interview her to ask about her favorite episode of the show, her advice for dealing with bullies, and the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to her.

The Hunger Games Readalikes

The Hunger Games 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 Hunger Games (for ages 12 and up) by Suzanne Collins. The Hunger Games: 24 teenagers are forced to enter. Only the winner survives. Survival is second nature for 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting beyond the fences of District 12. But when Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence.

You might be too young to read The Hunger Games, or see The Hunger Games movie rated PG-13, but still want to read some thrilling dystopian books about futuristic worlds gone wrong. These books are perfect for ages 10-14. Click on the book cover below to see a whole bunch of other The Hunger Games Readalike books you might also love.

Hope you enjoy our Readalikes!

—Jen, Scholastic Booktalker

Back-to-School Word Scramble

Back-to-School Word Scramble

Howdy, Splotters! Now that you're all settled in to school again, you're used to catching the school bus, freshly sharpened pencils, and pizza day, and you've worn all your new outfits. . . you are ready for our Back-to-School Word Scramble. See if you can unscramble these school-themed words. Hints provided!  

You Know You're Back to School When. . .

Back to School Writing Prompt

*BRRRRIIIINNNNGGGG!!* The school bell, a sound that inspires boredom at the beginning of the day or joy at the end of one. Still, the extremely loud sound that echoes through hallways and classrooms is one of many sure signs that you’re back in school. And then there’s the freezing cold wait at the bus stop to remind you of a long day of learning.

But you really know you're back to school when. . .

• the alarm goes off before the sun is even up!
• you spend days decorating binders and books with brand-new highlighters and Sharpie markers.
• your mom says you’re not allowed to play video games on school nights.
• you can't identify the hot lunch on your plate. What *is* that?? Yuck.
• epic recess basketball games carry over for days!
• you are reading a book not for fun but for a book report. (If you’re lucky, it’ll be on a book you can choose by yourself!)
• you start to break your day down by periods instead of hours.

What reminds you that you’re back in school? Jot your thoughts down in the Comments!

—Elysse, STACKS Writer