SPONSORED BLOG POST: 42 Movie

This post is sponsored by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Hero is a word we hear often in sports, but heroism is not always about achievements on the field of play. 42 tells the story of two men—the great Jackie Robinson and legendary Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey—whose brave stand against prejudice forever changed the world by changing the game of baseball.

In 1946, Branch Rickey put himself at the forefront of history when he signed Jackie Robinson to the team, breaking Major League Baseball's infamous color line. But the deal also put both Robinson and Rickey in the firing line of the public, the press, and even other players. Facing unabashed racism from every side, Robinson was forced to demonstrate tremendous courage and restraint by not reacting in kind, knowing that any incident could destroy his and Rickey's hopes. Instead, Number 42 let his talent on the field do the talking—ultimately winning over fans and his teammates, silencing his critics, and paving the way for others to follow.

In 1997, Major League Baseball retired the number 42 for all teams, making it the first number in sports to be universally retired. The only exception is April 15th—Jackie Robinson Day—commemorating the date of his first game as a Brooklyn Dodger. On that day alone, players from every team proudly wear Number 42 to honor the man who altered the course of history.

Opening on April 12, 2013, the 42 film will commemorate the 66th anniversary of Jackie Robinson Day.

Watch the trailer.

NanoDays 2013

NanoDays 2013 are coming!

The festival of nanoscience programs created by Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network takes place March 30-April 7, 2013 in over 200 science museums, research centers, and universities across the country.

OK, but . . . uhh. . . what is nanoscience? Nanoscience explores the miniscule world of atoms, molecules, and teeny, tiny forces that can affect them. Here’s an example. You know how when it rains, your clothes get soaked, but water just rolls off the leaves? Scientists looked at the tiniest particles of leaves and discovered how they repel water. Then, they used this information to invent a coating with similar properties to keep the water out, and now we have amazing coated fabric that can do what leaves do naturally.

This coating actually has lots of uses. It is used to make graffiti-resistant paint, a clear coating that makes it impossible for paint to stick to a wall, so no grafitti. It is used to make a protective coating for eyeglasses, cell phones, and electronic tablets so they don’t get scratched or dirty. It is even used in “Magic Sand,” that crazy sand you can buy that doesn’t get wet when you put it in water.

So that’s just one aspect of nanoscience. If you want to find out more cool ways scientists and inventors are using nanoscience, check out your local Science Museum during NanoDays March 30-April 7!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

March Books of the Month

March Books of the Month

The Books of the Month series continues! Here's how it works. You write the titles of the books you are reading right now, and I make a word cloud out of all your recommendations. So here they are! You gave me a ton of awesome books for this month's word cloud. Remember, the more votes a title gets, the bigger the print.The top 3 continue their dominance: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and The Hunger Games (for ages 12 and up). It seems like no other book can touch them. Dork Diaries is the only other book that comes close!

Are these the books YOU are reading right now? Keep the Comments coming for next month's Book Wordle! Leave a Comment with the title of the book you recommend, and I will make a new word cloud of all our reads for the whole month. 

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

The 39 Clues: Day of Doom

The 39 Clues: Day of Doom

Greetings, Clue-hunters!

I'm writing to you from the Command Center, the secret stronghold hidden inside the Scholastic headquarters. At least, that's what I call it. Some of my non-Cahill colleagues might refer to it as a "desk," but I know better. They have no idea that I have poison antidotes hidden in my pencil sharpener, or that my stapler is protected by fingerprint recognition. (That'll teach Peter Lerangis to hide my office supplies . . .)

Tasmanian Devil Trivia Quiz Answers

Last week we posted some wild 'n' crazy Tasmanian Devil Trivia. Did you guys dig up the answers about these furry, ferocious little guys? Here they are, below!

STACKS Word Scramble

BrainyAthena30 from the STACK Back Message Board created this STACKS-themed word scramble game for you. Can you unscramble these words? Think STACKS! 

Sorry if they're hard ^_^

March Writing Prompt

March Writing Prompt

There is an expression about March that goes like this: March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb.

I think what this means is that the beginning of March is wintry, cold, and blustery . . . In other words: ferocious like a lion. But by the end of March, spring is in the air, and the weather is calmer, warmer, and less windy, i.e. more like a lamb.

That is usually the case here at the STACKS offices in New York City, but I wonder if this is true everywhere. Maybe in Australia, March comes in like a kangaroo, and goes out like a Tasmanian devil. In Alaska, maybe March comes in like a polar bear, and goes out like a caribou.

I don't know, but YOU do! STACKers live all around the world, so for today's Writing Prompt, fill in the blanks to describe March where you live!

March comes in like a ____________, and goes out like a _______________.

Leave your answers in the Comments.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Mindless Behavior Interview

Mindless Behavior Interview

American boy band, Mindless Behavior's new CD All Around the World released this month, and Marie Morreale got to talk to 17-year-old Ray Ray, 17-year-old Prodigy, 16-year-old Princeton, and 16-year-old Roc Royal about their new album, their upcoming movie, and other details about their personal lives.

LEGO City: Detective Chase McCain

LEGO® City: Detective Chase McCain: Stop That Heist! 

Have you met Detective Chase McCain yet? If you’ve played LEGO® City Undercover (rated E10+) on Wii U or LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins (rated E10+) on Nintendo 3DS, then you already know about Chase. You can read about his hilarious adventures in LEGO City: Detective Chase McCain: Stop that Heist!

Chase McCain is not only LEGO City’s most distinguished detective, but he’s also a master of disguise. You should know something else. Chase always gets the bad guy; he always does so in style, and he always has a few laughs along the way.

LEGO City: Stop that Heist! is just the first of many adventures. When the smartest crooks in LEGO City plot to rob the museum of its priceless blue diamond, it is up to Detective Chase McCain and the Elite Police to save the day!

Want a sneak peak? You got it! Check out Chase here.

Earth Hour

Earth Hour 2013

On March 23, 2013, at 8:30 pm, hundreds of millions of people around the world will turn off their lights for one hour to celebrate Earth Hour. Turning off the lights for an hour will save energy, keep some harmful greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere, and help slow down climate change. It is also a time to think about what everyone on this planet all has in common: Earth!

Earth Hour is a worldwide event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). It first took place in 2007, when millions of Sydney, Australia residents turned off all non-essential lights. Following Sydney's lead, many other cities around the world adopted the event in 2008, and now it's a worldwide thing!

WWF says,  "It is easy to forget how much we depend on the planet for so many things like food, fuel, water and fresh air and that the actions we take—from the energy we use to the food we buy—have an effect on the world. Earth Hour is our chance to make and show our commitment to protect our planet not just for one hour a year, but every day."

Earth Hour 2013 will be held on March 23, 2013 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at your local time. If you want to do something to protect the earth, then make a pledge to join now!

Leave a Comment with this pledge: I, [state your first name], pledge to turn off the lights on March 23, 2013 at 8:30 pm for 1 hour.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Lincoln's Grave Robbers Book Review

Lincoln's Grave Robbers by Steve Sheinkin

Question: How are master counterfeiter Benjamin Boyd and Abraham Lincoln connected?
Answer: The friends of one guy tried to steal the other guy's dead bones.

Counterfeiting was a big problem in the United States during the Civil War when the U.S. Treasury began mass-producing paper currency, and people began using paper money instead of just coins. Crafty people figured out how to make copies of dollar bills, and then criminals spent the “coneys” (counterfeit money) just like real money.

Benjamin Boyd was a highly talented engraver, notorious for his nearly perfect copies of real money. Once Boyd was arrested, many criminal networks crumbled without Boyd’s expert handiwork. Criminals, Jack Hughes, Terrence Mullen, and James Kennally decided that something needed to be done, so they came up with a crazy plan. They would steal President Lincoln’s remains out of his coffin, and ransom them for $200,000 and Boyd’s freedom. But first, they had to get a team of body snatchers to do the job. . .

This book tells the thrilling true story of how 3 men plotted and nearly executed a plan to break into Abraham Lincoln’s tomb and steal his remains. If you’re looking for a juicy, action-filled bit of American history, this book is certainly worth checking out. It’s full of mystery and suspense, and it reads more like an adventure story than a history lesson. (It has cool pictures too!) Sheinkin switches perspectives between the crooks and the Secret Service agents, so readers get to see both sides of the law as the great Abraham Lincoln grave robbery takes place.

Let us know in the Comments if you like this book, and suggest other fun history reads as well!

— Elysse, STACKS Writer

Tasmanian Devil Trivia Quiz

Tasmanian Devil Trivia Quiz

Not only does the Tasmanian devil exist inside Bugs Bunny's world of Looney Tunes, but did you know there are REAL Tasmanian devils? This sort-of-cute but deadly creature comes from the island of Tasmania off the coast of Australia. Tasmania is the only place Tasmanian devils exist! How much do you know about the Tasmanian devil? Feeling quizzy? See if you can guess the answers to the trivia questions below.