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.

Create a Caption: Snow Dog

Create a Caption: Snow Dog

Here's one fabulous looking pup! Killy looks like she enjoys the snow, but her natural environment is definitely center stage. Look at the sass in that pose. There's definitely a lot of diva in this dog.

My caption for this photo would definitely be the following:

“Ooh, snow! I love snow. It brings out my eyes. I think this would be the perfect backdrop for my glamour shots!”

What do YOU think Killy is doing here? What’s she thinking? What’s she trying to say? Give us YOUR caption in the comments below!

— En-Szu, STACKS Intern (a.k.a. MidnightMagic5)

Kids' Choice Awards 2013

Vote for the Kids' Choice Awards!

Some of our very favorite books were nominated for the 2013 Kids' Choice Awards, and YOU get to choose the winner! Go vote!

Of course, here at Scholastic, we are thrilled that two of our titles were once again nominated in the Favorite Book category. The Harry Potter series and The Hunger Games trilogy (for ages 12 and up) are both in the running. While Harry has actually won in this category before, The Hunger Games trilogy has never won. Diary of a Wimpy Kid has taken the prize for the last 3 years!

FUN FACT from Nickelodeon: Harry Potter won the Favorite Book category 7 times during the years 2000-2008, losing twice to A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket.

FUN FACT from Nickelodeon: In 1998, the Favorite Book of the year was Goosebumps Deep Trouble II, and the Favorite Movie was Titanic. There was some kind of underwater theme going on that year.

Winners will be announced on the Kids' Choice Awards Show on March 23! Make sure you vote! 

And PS, One Direction is nominated for Favorite Music Group, so that's another reason to go vote!

Freaks

Freaks by Kieran Larwood

These freaks aren't your ordinary crime fighters. First there's Sheba the Wolfgirl, whose eyes flash orange, whose nose puckers into a snout, and hands strongly resemble claws whenever she gets angry or excited. Then there's Monkeyboy, who can hang by his tail and loves to drop stink bombs on his unsuspecting victims. And who can forget Sister Moon, the mysterious ninja who never misses her targets? These three misfits are part of a traveling sideshow, but they take on a side job as detectives when they find out children have been disappearing at the London riverbank!

Read about their exciting adventures in Freaks by Kieran Larwood.

Get the Book

Or try these other online stores:
Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million Hastings IndieBound Target Walmart

Find a Local Bookstore
Enter your address, city, or zip code to find bookstores near you using Google Maps:

Are YOU a Freak? Take this poll to find out!

St. Patrick's Day Would You Rather

St. Patrick's Day Would You Rather

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner! March 17th to be exact. So whether you plan to wear green, eat Irish soda bread, or press on a fake shamrock tattoo, I hope you’ll have good luck after completing our St. Patrick’s Day Would You Rather!

Would you rather . . .

1. Be kissed by a lucky leprechaun OR Irish dreamboat Niall Horan?
2. Have to eat a pound of Lucky Charms until you throw up OR a pound of green icing?
3. Find a pot of gold OR a million dollars?
4. Win a trip to Dublin, Ireland OR Dublin, Ohio?
5. Dress up like a leprechaun OR get a green mohawk?
6. Carry giant bagpipes uphill for a mile OR a pile of sweaty bagpipers' socks?
7. Have to dance a jig in front of your crush OR have your mom play "You Are My Sunshine" to you on the bagpipes in front of your school?

Leave your answers in the Comments below! And did you know that in Chicago, they dye the river green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Although the river is colored using an eco-friendly (“green!”) vegetable-based dye, it takes several days for the color to fade away. Cool!

Until next time!

—Ratha, Stacks Writer