New Monopoly Token Writing Prompt

New Monopoly Token Writing Prompt: Goodbye to the iron, and hello, kitty!

Fans of Monopoly voted out the iron player token, and voted to add a new player token, a cat. The cat beat out a robot, guitar, diamond ring, and helicopter with 31% of the vote. The lowly iron came in last with 8% of the vote, with the wheelbarrow and the shoe just squeaking through the elimination to remain in the game.

So today's Writing Prompt puts the vote to you. Which token would you choose to eliminate from the current Monopoly game, and which token do you think should be added?

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Photos courtesy of Hasbro

Little Mix Interview

Little Mix Interview

Originally auditioning as solo performers, Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall became Little Mix during the 2011 series of The X Factor UK, and went on to be crowned the show’s first ever victorious group. Their single "Cannonball" shot straight to No.1 in the UK & Ireland, and they released their debut album DNA in December 2012. Their story sounds similar to One Direction's, and in fact, Perrie Edwards and Zayn Malik are dating! Find out more about this lucky group of women.

Pajama Program Valentine

Pajama Program Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! As you're reading your Valentines and eating heart-shaped candy, please remember to think of the less fortunate children living in shelters all across the United States. YOU can help make them smile. "How?" you ask. Send new pjs to the Pajama Program!

• WHAT: New set of pajamas, top and bottom for any age 0-17. Print this form and include it with your donation.
• WHERE: Send pajamas to:
  Pajama Program 
  171 Madison, Suite 1409 
  New York, NY 10016
• WHEN: By February 28, 2013. Hurry up! Do it now!

Please do it today and show your love to these children. If you make your donation by February 28, you will get an invite to a virtual party on the STACKS!* 

Send an e-card to everyone you know to spread the word about the Pajama Program. 

Thank you!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

*Obviously you don’t have to be a STACKS member to donate, but only members will be invited to the virtual party. It’s super-easy to become a member. Join now.

Photos courtesy of Pajama Program

New Harry Potter Covers?!!

New Harry Potter Covers

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, Scholastic has unveiled the first of 7 all-new book covers illustrated by Amulet artist Kazu Kibuishi.

Kibuishi is a longtime Harry Potter fan who called this opportunity, "more than a little surreal. The Harry Potter covers by Mary GrandPré are so fantastic and iconic," he says. "When I was asked to submit samples, I initially hesitated because I didn't want to see them reinterpreted! . . . As an author myself, I tried to answer the question, 'If I were the author of the books - and they were like my own children - how would I want them to be seen years from now?'"  

Well, here is the answer to that question for Book #1: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

All 7 new covers will appear on U.S. paperback editions coming in September 2013 and will depict a "distinctive and memorable moment" from each book. This one obviously depicts Harry Potter's first visit to Diagon Alley with Hagrid.

We are curious to hear what you think should appear on the covers of Books #2-7. Leave your most distinctive and memorable moments from each book in the Comments. And tell us what you think of the new cover for Book #1! Personally, after my first reaction (which was a loud gasp!) I can now say that I LOVE it!!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Cover art by Mary GrandPré c 1998, and Kazu Kibuishi c 2013

Valentine's Day Confessions from Confectionately Yours

Valentine's Day Confessions from Confectionately Yours

Do you look forward to the "love"-liest day of the year? Or does all of that pink and red make you want to puke? According to Hayley Hicks, star of the Confectionately Yours series, sometimes it can be a little bit of both.

Confession: I Love Valentine’s Day! (Except For When I Hate It)

In second grade, Carrie Conway showed up in class with a GIANT pink heart-shaped box topped with a rose. The box was filled with chocolates, and it was from her father, and Carrie didn’t share any of it. She just kept taking the box out of her desk and looking at it, and smiling, and then putting it back in her desk, and I just KNEW that she was going to go home and eat that candy and smile at that beautiful box forever! And that was when I started hating Valentine’s Day. I admit it. It turned into annual Envy Day for me.

I told my friend Meghan this story at lunch yesterday, and she said, “Hayley, you’re looking at it all wrong! It’s better to give than to receive!”

Hearing that TOTALLY turned the whole thing around for me. I love to make my friends smile—and that’s what I’m going to do. So I’m baking some red velvet cupcakes with pink white-chocolate frosting, and dropping a little candy heart on top. If baking isn’t your thing, you could write funny poems, hand out candy, or write a little friendship note and fold it into an origami heart. (You can find origami instructions online.) Also — everyone likes a heart-shaped box of chocolates. ;-)

So I’m going into this Valentine’s Day with a whole new attitude! What are you planning for your friends?

Read Hayley’s Back-to-School Confessions here.

Read the first chapter from Sugar and Spice, the latest book in Lisa Papademetriou’s Confectionately Yours series! 

--Vanessa, Scholastic Staffer

Shadow Breakers Book Review

Shadow Breakers by Daniel Blythe

A year after her father's death, Miranda May finds herself in the tiny coastal town of Firecroft Bay, but things are not going well. Her sleep is disrupted by nightmares of "The Shape," an ominous shadow that calls out to her, "ring around the rosie. . . " Freaky! Her mother is too busy working and taking care of her baby brother to notice Miranda's behavior becoming more erratic. Why Miranda, and why this song?

Then things get really weird. On the way to school, ice appears out of nowhere and coats the interior and exterior of the bus. Then the computers in the lab explode. Miranda thinks she knows where she can get answers. Her science teacher, Miss Bellini, and four of the brightest students at her school, have formed a group that want to figure out the truth just as much as Miranda does. Lyssa, Cal, Josh, and Ollie use a mixture of science and technology to hunt down this mysterious apparition that is causing havoc, dragging Miranda along for the ride.

Is Miranda going crazy, or is something really strange going on in Firecroft Bay? Find out in Daniel Blythe's thrilling new book Shadow Breakers, and leave a Comment to let us know what you think!

—Elysse, STACKS Writer

Author Trivia Quiz

Beyond the Book Author Trivia Quiz!

We nabbed some amazing authors for this week's Trivia Tuesday. We're talking . . .

• R.L. Stine (Goosebumps, HorrorLand)
• Nancy Krulik (How I Survived Middle School, Katie Kazoo)
• Gordon Korman (The 39 Clues, Swindle)
• Anthony Horowitz (The Gatekeepers, Alex Rider)

How well do you know these authors? Can you guess the answers to this Author Trivia Quiz? All the answers will be one of the authors above. Ready? GO!

Naked Mole Rat Trivia Quiz Answers

Naked Mole Rat Trivia Quiz Answers

Last week we asked you to take a good, long look at the naked mole rat in our Naked Mole Rat Trivia Quiz. Now, we reveal the answers.

1. The naked mole rat is not a mole or a rat, but is most closely related to which species?
   ANSWER: B) Porcupine. I don't see a resemblance. Do you?

Kid Submitted Valentine's Day Would You Rather

Kid-Submitted Valentine's Day Would You Rather

It's that time of the year when true love is in the air. Yes, Splotters, Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so make sure to stock up on candy hearts and finish writing those Valentine's cards. To celebrate this loving holiday, the Scholastic Kids Council has put together an amazing Would You Rather Quiz for you. So without further ado, here are the questions you've all been waiting for!

Would you rather . . .  

1. Eat chocolates that taste like sauerkraut OR toothpaste?
2. Wear the same hot pink sweater for an entire year OR hot pink pants for a whole year?
3. See your friend dating your crush OR your bully dating your crush?  
4. Receive a large box of bad candy OR a small box with good candy?  
5. Spend Valentine’s Day in Paris OR Rome?
6. Receive flowers that smell like garbage OR a box of chocolate-covered crickets?
7. Kiss a frog OR a slug?
8. Send people store bought cards OR make cards yourself?
9. Get a box of rotten chocolate from your secret crush OR get a box of sweet chocolate from someone you don't like?
10. Eat a Valentine’s candy that you are allergic to OR eat candy that your dog licked?
11. Get a kiss from your dog OR your grandma?
12. Get a valentine from a vampire OR a werewolf?  
13. Get 20 valentines from your friends OR one valentine from a mystery admirer?  
14. Have your crush sing a Justin Beiber song OR a One Direction song to you in the cafeteria?  
15. Dress up as a chocolate kiss OR wear cupid wings?

Post your answers in the Comments below and have a happy Valentine’s Day!

—Brian, STACKS Staffer

Valentine's Day Roundup

Valentine's Day Roundup

Valentine's Day is coming! After all your Valentine's cards and candy are ready to give out to your friends, here are a few other things for you to do to celebrate this wonderful day of love!

• Donate pajamas to kids in need.
• Play the Create a Crush game.
• Answer the Valentine's Would You Rather questions.
• Make this Heart Bookmark Craft from the Scholastic Teacher site.

Materials:
Paint chip samples from your local home improvement store.
Heart-shaped paper punch
White ribbon cut into 8-inch strips.

Instructions:

1. Use the paper punch to punch heart shapes into each of the different colors on the pink or red paint chip samples.
2. Use the paper punch to cut a heart shape at the top of the paint chip sample.
3. Tie the ribbon through the heart shape at the top of the bookmark.

Isn't that cute? What is your favorite thing about Valentine's Day? Tell us in the Comments.

February Pop-Corn

TV, Movies, and Music you won't want to miss this February!

Great news, Victoria Justice fans: The Victorious star is going on tour this summer! She’s taking her "Here's 2 Us Tour" to over 30 cities across the U.S., beginning June 19th in Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale February 2.  "I'm so excited to be going out on tour again this summer. I can't wait to sing your favorites and share some new ones from the latest Victorious soundtrack," says Victoria. "Here's 2 Us Tour" is dedicated to all of you. 2013 is our year!" Victoria will also making several autograph signing appearances before the tour, in Birmingham, Alabama on February 9, Louisville, Kentucky on February 23, and Houston, Texas on April 7.

This year's Grammy Awards show is going to be truly star-studded! Among the performers on the February 10 live telecast are Rihanna, Taylor Swift, The Black Keys, Fun, and Mumford & Sons, all of them nominated for multiple awards. LL Cool J is the host of the program, which begins at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

In other awards news, Cartoon Network will present its Hall of Game Awards honoring stellar athletes on February 11 at 7 p.m. ET/PT. Celebrity presenters will include Jessica Alba, Rico and Raini Rodriguez, Mario Lopez, Bridget Mendler and Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Ryan Lochte.

iCarly star Jerry Trainor, who’s also the voice of Dudley Puppy on Nickelodeon’s T.U.F.F. Puppy, has a new comedy series on Nick at Nite called Wendell & Vinnie, about a single and carefree bachelor and memorabilia store owner who suddenly becomes the legal guardian of his nephew (Buddy Handleson). The premiere is February 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

R5, featuring Ross Lynch from Austin & Ally and his brothers Riker, Rydel and Rocky, and best friend Ratliff, will release their debut EP Loud on February 19. Besides the title tune, songs include “Fallin’ For You,” “I Want You Bad,” and “Here Comes Forever.” The guys plan to announce tour dates soon.

Lab Rats is back for its second season on Disney XD on February 25. Among the guest stars coming up: Madison Pettis of Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

The animated Peanuts specials Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Valentine will air back-to-back on February 9 from 8-9 p.m. ET/PT.

Hope you have a happy Valentine's Day!

—Gerri, STACKS Writer

This Valentine's Day, Send Pajamas!

This Valentine's Day, Send Pajamas!

Here in New York, the temperatures are dropping, and it's c-o-l-d. But there are children who don't have warm pajamas to wear or books to snuggle down with at night. That's why the STACKS is working with Pajama Program, a nonprofit organization that delivers books and pajamas to children in need all over the United States.

This year, there is an extremely long wait list for pajamas and books. Want to do YOUR part to help? Here's how to send new pjs to the Pajama Program.

• WHAT: New set of pajamas, top and bottom for any age 0-17. Print this form and include it with your donation.
• WHERE: Send pajamas to:
  Pajama Program 
  171 Madison, Suite 1409 
  New York, NY 10016
• WHEN: By February 28, 2013. Hurry up! Do it now!

While you are getting your cards and gifts ready for Valentine's Day next week, don't forget these children. Please send them pajamas and a smile, and you will get an invite to a virtual party on the STACKS!* 

Send an e-card to everyone you know to spread the word about the Pajama Program. 

Thank you!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

*Obviously you don’t have to be a STACKS member to donate, but only members will be invited to the virtual party. It’s super-easy to become a member. Join now.

Photos courtesy of Pajama Program