SPONSORED BLOG ENTRY: Peace One Day!

Hi, everyone! My name is Jeremy Gilley. Eleven years ago, I had the idea to create an annual day of global ceasefire and nonviolence: Peace Day. I wanted it to be like Mother's Day or Valentine's Day. I just couldn't understand all the fighting and suffering happening around me and I wanted to do something about it. I'm a filmmaker, so I decided to make a film about my journey to get this day recognized. Other people might have written a book, but I see the world through images and stories as told in films, so for me it made perfect sense. I had no idea what would happen, but I knew I had to try.

LIVE CHAT with Joey King

 If you love the Beezus and Ramona books by Beverly Cleary, then I know you're psyched for the new movie Ramona and Beezus (rated G) coming to theaters on July 23. But we've got something even better coming to THE STACKS for our next Live Chat -- Ramona herself! . . . er, well, the actress who plays Ramona. Obviously, Ramona is not a real person; she's a fictional character!

WHO: Joey King, the actress who plays Ramona
WHEN: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 6 - 7 PM E.T. (3 - 4 PM P.T.)
WHERE: THE STACKS
TOPIC: Ramona and Beezus movie!

Yes, Joey King will be here for our next Live Chat! Yay! Don't miss your chance to ask her all about the movie and what her life is like as an actress!

We have fun Live Chats here every month. Sign up for our Live Chat reminders and we will send you an e-mail a couple days before future chats to remind you to join!

And to get the latest news about everything happening on THE STACKS, sign up for our monthly STACKS Blast Newsletter.

Photo courtesy 20th Century Fox

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Thanks for joining the chat. Joey King was awesome! You can read the transcript here and read everything she said!

LIVE CHAT: Summer Reading!

Summer! Summer! Summer! Whether your school has already let out, or if you still have three more weeks to go, it's not too early to start planning your summer reading. Summer can be tragically looong and boring if you run out of good books to read. Here at THE STACKS, we want to make sure that doesn't happen. So, the next Live Chat will be about Summer Reading. What books are you excited about reading this summer? What books are you REQUIRED to read this summer? What are your best summer reading recommendations?

WHEN: TODAY 6-7 PM E.T. (3-4 PM P.T.)
WHERE: THE STACKS (See below for instructions to join.)
TOPIC: Summer Reading!

We have more awesome Live Chats planned for the summer. Sign up for our Live Chat reminders and we will send you an e-mail a couple days before all future chats to remind you to join!

And if you haven't already signed up for the Summer Challenge, you should go check it out. Once you're signed in, you can choose your favorite genre; find new friends, and read for the world record!

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Hi! This chat has already happened, but you can now read the whole entire transcript here.

Summer Movies LIVE CHAT

Summer is almost here, and for some of you lucky people, school is out already. *sigh* That must be nice. . .

Well, with summer, there always comes a whole bunch of great new summer movies, and this year’s crop is looking really good! Ramona and Beezus, Eclipse, The Last Airbender, and lots more (including Diary of a Wimpy Kid on DVD). Come to our Live Chat to talk about the movies you are most excited about seeing this summer — and maybe find out about some movies you haven't heard of yet!

WHEN: Wednesday May 19, 2010 6-7 PM E.T. (3-4 PM P.T.)
WHERE: THE STACKS
TOPIC: Summer Movies!

And to get the latest news about all the celebrity, music, TV and movie happenings covered on THE STACKS, subscribe to our monthly Pop-Corn Celebrity Newsletter!

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Thanks for joining the chat. Here's the transcript!

39 Clues LIVE CHAT with Gordon Korman

The 39 Clues Book #8: The Emperor's Code is here, and time is running out to read it before our live chat with the author, Gordon Korman!

WHO: Gordon Korman, author of The 39 Clues Book #2: One False Note and Book #8: The Emperor's Code
WHEN: Thursday April 8, 2010 6-7 PM E.T. (3-4 PM P.T.)
WHERE: THE STACKS (Read below for sign-in instructions.)
TOPIC: The 39 Clues!

While you're waiting, check out the chatter and make new friends on The 39 Clues Message Board.

And if you don't have Book 8 yet, here is a video preview from Gordon Korman.

We have fun Live Chats here every month. Sign up for our Live Chat reminders and we will send you an e-mail a couple days before all future chats to remind you to join!

— STACKS Staffers

 

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This chat already happened, but you can enjoy reading the transcript.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie Live Chat

You have been asking us for a Wimpy Kid chat, so since the movie is coming out on March 19 (have you seen our exclusive and hilarious movie preview?), we are planning an AMAZING Wimpy Kid chat with 2 extra special guests. Who are these splendiferous guests coming to Scholastic to chat online with YOU? I'll give you a hint, one is an author and one is a twelve-year-old actor. Can you guess who they are?

WHO: Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series PLUS Zachary Gordon, the kid who plays Greg in the movie
WHEN: TODAY 5:30-6:15 PM E.T. (2:30-3:15 PM P.T.)
WHERE: THE STACKS (See below for sign-in instructions.)
TOPIC: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie!

That's right. Jeff Kinney and Zach Gordon will be both be joining us for this Live Chat, so you will definitely not want to miss this one!

Tell the world you're excited for the chat by logging in to your profile and changing your mood to "Wimpy!"

We have fun Live Chats here every month. Sign up for our Live Chat reminders and we will send you an e-mail a couple days before future chats to remind you to join!

— STACKS Staffers

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Update: Thanks to those of you who joined today's live chat. We had an amazing time hanging out with Jeff Kinney and Zachary Gordon, and we hope you did too! Here's the transcript so you can read every word that Jeff and Zach said!

February Live Chat: Fantasy Books!

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Fantasy fans, the next Live Chat is for you! We will be chatting about all your favorite fantasy books: Harry Potter, Inkheart, Percy Jackson, and all the others that you are completely, absolutely, positively obsessed with! Join us at the Live Chat and tell us about the fantasy books you just could not live without!

WHEN: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 6-7 PM E.T. (3-4 PM P.T.)
WHERE: THE STACKS
TOPIC: Fantasy Books!

Sign up for our Live Chat reminders and we will send you an e-mail every month a couple days before the chat to remind you to join!

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UPDATE:  — Thanks for joining the chat you awesome peoples! Check out the transcript!

January Live Chat: Future Writers

We know that many of you are amazing writers and plan to be authors when you grow up. The STACKS supports you 100%! So the topic for the next live chat will be writing tips for all you future authors (and current authors!) out there. Come to the chat and share your tips and ask your questions for other kid writers. Where do you get your inspiration? How do you come up with good plot and character ideas? What do you do when the dreaded writer's block hits? Come to the chat and talk about writing with us.

BTW, STACKS staffers have met lots of published authors — it's one of the perks of working at Scholastic — and we will be sharing some writing tips that we've picked up from them.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 6-7 PM E.T. (3-4 PM P.T.)
WHERE: THE STACKS 
TOPIC: Writing Tips

NEW!!! Sign up for our Live Chat reminders and we will send you an e-mail every month a couple days before the chat to remind you to join!

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UPDATE: Thanks for joining the chat! Here's the transcript. We will be announcing the date and time of the next chat very soon!

December Live Chat: Books for Winter Break

Aah, winter break! A much needed vacation from the pressures of schoolwork, and finally, some free time to read WHATEVER YOU WANT! For our December chat, we want to hear from you what your plans are for winter break. What books are you saving up for an all-day-long reading marathon while wrapped up in blankets by the fire, snow falling outside, and some kind person constantly refilling your mug of hot chocolate? Or maybe you are escaping winter to go on a tropical vacation - lucky you! What books will you bring to read on the beach? Come to the chat and let us know your recommendations for the perfect Winter Break book.

WHEN: Saturday, December 5, 2009 4-5 PM E.T. (1-2 PM P.T.)
WHERE: THE STACKS 
TOPIC: Winter Break!!!

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UPDATE: 12/10: Thanks for joining the chat. Here's the transcript!

LIVE CHAT with Author Nancy Krulik!

Nancy Krulik, the author of the How I Survived Middle School series will be joining us in our November Live Chat. Here is your chance to ask her all your burning questions about the series, about middle school, and about what it's like to be a real live published author! (Believe me, she knows. She's written more than 150 books!)

WHEN: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 6-7 PM (E.T.)
WHERE: THE STACKS
TOPIC: Chat with author Nancy Krulik!

To find out more about Nancy and read her books before the chat, visit the How I Survived Middle School website. There are also some very fun games and quizzes there. Hope to see you at the chat!

Also, write your questions for Nancy in the Comments now, and we will make sure to ask those during the chat!

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UPDATE: 11/20 — Thanks for joining the chat. In case you missed it, or want to relive the memories, here is the transcript! Please come join us on December 5 for the next Live Chat.

October Live Chat: Get Goosebumps!

DARE to chat with us?
Join our LIVE CHAT on the Goosebumps series, other spooky books & more!

WHEN: Tuesday, October 27, 6-7 PM E.T.
TOPIC: Scary books!
HOW: Follow the instructions below.

Halloween is right around the corner! And to celebrate, our October Live Chat will be about the Goosebumps series and other spooky scary books. Join in the chat to talk with other kids about the books that give YOU goosebumps!

For more about the Goosebumps series by R. L. Stine, visit the Goosebumps site and learn more about lots of other Halloween Goosebumps events!

And if you're in New York City on October 24, stop by the Scholastic Store in SoHo at 3pm for a demo of the Goosebumps HorrorLand Wii game, and more Halloween fun!

— STACKS Staffers

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UPDATE: 10/30 — Thanks for joining the chat! Read the transcript here. We'll be announcing the date and topic for our next chat soon!

LIVE CHAT TODAY! Kids' Choice

I had such a blast last Wednesday at my very first Stacks Live Chat! A whole bunch of you guys were there talking about The 39 Clues and it was so fun! (The transcript is here, AND we are sending Patrick Carman some of your extra questions that he didn't have time to answer. We'll keep you posted on that!)

If you weren't there, we missed you!! But you should definitely come join the next one in September, ok?

WHEN: Tuesday, September 15 6-7 PM E.T.
WHERE: The STACKS (Click here on 9/15 for instructions on how to join the chat.)
TOPIC: Top 3 Books from the Kids' Choice Poll

Here's how it will work. First, vote in our Kids' Choice Poll:

The poll is now closed.

Then come to the chat on September 15th. You'll get to talk online with lots of other Splotters about the 3 books with the most votes.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

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UPDATE 9/3: Here is some info about the books in case you haven't read them all!

UPDATE 9/23: Thanks for joining the chat! Read the transcript here!