Summer Reading at Scholastic!

Summer Reading at Scholastic!

The Scholastic Summer Challenge is on! Starting today, you can compete in the ULTIMATE summer reading challenge to set a new reading world record! Log your reading minutes every day, earn virtual badges, and participate in weekly challenges to win extra prizes. What could be more fun?

As you log your minutes, you’ll also read around the world as you move up the Reading Meter! The more you read, the farther you travel— from the Coliseum to the Taj Mahal to Mount Everest! With each landmark, you can watch fun videos from Scholastic News Kid Reporters, who share interesting facts about each place.

Plus, check out your summer reading profile page to track your personal reading stats and your school’s status, watch book trailer videos, and enter sweepstakes for a chance to win awesome prizes throughout the summer, including: a Harry Potter box set, a signed copy of The False Prince and The Runaway King by Jennifer A. Nielsen, a 39 Clues prize pack, and a Dear Dumb Diary prize pack.

Be sure to log your minutes for your school. The school that logs the most minutes will win a visit from Captain Underpants author Dav Pilkey! How cool is that?!

Go now to log on to the Scholastic Summer Challenge!

Star Wars Costume Pageant

Star Wars Costume Pageant

Ever wanted an excuse to dress up as Luke Skywalker, Padme Amidala, Han Solo, or Darth Vader on a day that's not Halloween? We've got just the thing for you: the Star Wars Costume Pageant! A part of the Star Wars Celebration (a convention for Star Wars fans of all ages), the Star Wars Costume Pageant is being held on August 24th and 25th in Orlando, Florida. It is a chance for super-fans to show off their dress-up skills. There will be Ewoks, Jedi knights, Sith Lords, Emperors, Wookies, Princesses, and maybe even some George Lucases! If photos from past years are any indication, the costumes are gonna be excellent. 

Just look at this adorable Princess Leia! Isn't she precious? She's SO ready to save the galaxy!

If you could throw your own costume pageant, what theme would you choose? Would you pick a movie, book, or something else entirely? What would you dress up as? Share your ideas in the Comments.

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

Images Copyright © 2012 REED EXHIBITION COMPANIES, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with the permission of REED EXHIBITION COMPANIES.

Shark Week Trivia Quiz Answers

Shark Week Trivia Quiz Answers

Last week, I posted a Shark Trivia Quiz in honor of Discovery Channel's Shark Week. This August 12th marks the 25th Anniversary of Shark Week, although sharks have been around for over 400 million years! Did you sink or swim with your answers? Check out the real shark facts below.

Shark Week Trivia Quiz

Shark Week Trivia Quiz

Get ready to take a bite out of August because August 12th marks Shark Week. Not only that, but it's the 25th Anniversary of Shark Week! The Discovery Channel has all sorts of shark-infested fun on TV and their website. If you're obsessed with sharks, or morbidly curious, there's something for everyone. So brave the waters, and sink your teeth into our Shark Week Trivia Quiz!

Who Would Win? Olympics Edition

Olympic Athletes vs. Book Characters: Who Would Win?

It's Olympics time! We're all abuzz about our favorite athletes and events here at the STACKS, and it got us thinking . . . we should do a Who Would Win post about the Olympic Games!

So we'd like to know . . . who do YOU think would win in a competition?

More Funny Olympic Athletes Photos

I have been having so much fun watching the Olympics all week! Like last week, I captured some of my favorite moments to share with you, dear STACKERS, and included my official and very serious captions, because the Olympic Games are all about serious competition and intense rivalry.

Writing Prompt: Olympics Closing Ceremony

The Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games will be titled "A Symphony of British Music." While the details of the August 12th spectacle are still being kept super-secret, the organizers have said that they "will work with some of the country's most globally successful musicians, along with some of the industry's stars of tomorrow." There are TONS of rumors flying around – One Direction? Jessie J? QUEEN?

Sounds AWESOME!

Personally, I would be excited to see the John Lennon tribute and Take That's performance of "Rule the World," my favorite song of all time (I really hope The Wanted make an appearance, too; I'm a huge fan)! Darcy Bussell, the famous British ballerina, will be dancing with 300 other members of the Royal Ballet in a grand performance while the Olympic torch is put out. I can't wait for that, either!

So, I want to know. What rumors are you hoping are true? More importantly, what's YOUR dream lineup? Would you have a laser light show, flying acrobats, holograms, colored mist, fireworks? Share your Closing Ceremony wishlist in the Comments below!

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

Image courtesy London 2012

Paralympics Power!

Oscar Pistorius: first double amputee runner at the Olympic Games!

I'm sure by now you all know about the 2012 Olympics taking place in London this week. But do you know about the Paralympic Games? They will take place immediately following the close of the Olympic Games. "Para" is the Greek word meaning "beside," used to emphasize how the two Games exist side-by-side. Paralympians are athletes with physical disabilities (such as vision impairment, limb deficiency, or intellectual impairment) that would otherwise prevent them from equally competing with other athletes. They compete in the same sport events (swimming, volleyball, rugby, archery, etc.) as other athletes, but in their own league.

Olympic Games Trivia Answers

The 2012 Summer Olympic Games are in full swing! Last week you had the chance to test out your Olympic Games trivia knowledge. Here are the answers:

Olympic Athletes Funny Photos

The Olympics are now underway, and we are eager spectators of every thrilling minute! We've saved some of our favorite photos from the first few days in London. View below the athletes battling for Olympic gold, giving their all in practice and competition. I include the official "serious" captions for each photo, but you can have fun creating your own captions in the Comments.

U.S.A. Women's Olympic Gymnastics Team

Today's post is written by Donna Freitas, author of Gold Medal Summer.

 In Gold Medal Summer, Joey Jordan's best events are Beam and Floor. In order to fulfill her dream of winning gold, Joey has to find routines on both events that play to her strengths, not just what her coach values, and that means valuing artistry over tumbling, at times. 

Interview with Olympic Swimmer Lia Neal!

Olympic Swimmer Lia Neal

The Olympics are almost upon us, and we here at the STACKS are SO EXCITED!

I'm extra-excited because my friend, Lia Neal, has made the U.S. Olympic swimming team! At the U.S. Olympic Trials she made the women's team for the 4x100 freestyle relay. After beating out her competition – a number of them past Olympic medalists, like Natalie Coughlin – Lia, at only 17 years old, was 4th to the wall in the event, securing a spot as a member of the 2012 team. It was so incredible! She immediately burst into tears. Called a "source of inspiration for a younger generation" by The New York Times and "Official 2012 Olympic Athlete of The Sports Section" by New York Magazine, the teenage girl from Brooklyn, New York is making a name for herself as an athlete to watch! She's also one of the nicest people I know. Now training in France with the rest of the U.S. swim team, she was kind enough to take a break from her rigorous training schedule to answer a few questions for the STACKS.