Leaning Tower of Pisa Fun Facts

Leaning Tower of Pisa Fun Facts

The Scholastic Summer Challenge continues. Have you logged your minutes for this week yet? You could have a chance to win prizes!

This week's reading milestone is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Did you know these true facts about this tilty tower in the city of Pisa, Italy?

• The tower was completed in about 1350. During construction, the ground under the building settled unevenly and caused the building to lean toward the south. Oops!
• There are other towers in Pisa with the same tilting problem, but not as noticeable.
• Throughout its history, the tilt of the tower has gradually gotten worse, about 0.25 inch (0.1 cm) every year.
• It was closed to the public in January 1990, because the structure was dangerously close to collapse.
• For much of the 1990s the tower was wrapped in steel and anchored by steel suspenders holding it in place. Soil was carefully removed under the tower to even the land underneath.
• In June 2001, engineers announced that the Leaning Tower was "secure," and although the lean is still apparent, it is 17 inches (44 cm) less than it has been for 150 years.

Do you trust that the tower is now secure? Would you dare to climb up to the top? Let us know in the Comments!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

"Leaning Tower of Pisa." Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Grolier Online, 2013. Web. 1 May. 2013.

Niagara Falls Fun Facts and Anagram

Niagara Falls Fun Facts and Anagram

The Scholastic Summer Challenge continues. Have you logged your minutes for this week yet?

This week's reading milestone is Niagara Falls! Did you know these true facts about Niagara Falls?

• More than 10 million people visit the falls every year.
• Niagara Falls consists of three waterfalls—the Horseshoe (or Canadian) Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil (or Luna) Falls.
• Niagara's waters are one of the world's greatest sources of hydroelectric power. Power plants on both sides of the falls harness the falls' power to produce nearly 4.5 million kilowatts of electricity.
• 41 million gallons of water flows over the Horseshoe Falls every minute. These falls are about 175 feet (53 meters) high and about 2,500 feet (762 meters) wide.
• You can spell the words flan, grain, and Niall from the letters in N I A G A R A  F A L L S. 

What other words can you find? Leave them in the Comments!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Matthai, James P. "Niagara Falls." Reviewed by Paul Gromosiak. The New Book of Knowledge. Grolier Online, 2013. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

Mother's Day Activities

Mother's Day Activities

Mother's Day in the U.S. is on May 12. Are you ready to shower your mother with gifts and praise? Make her feel really special because you know she does a lot for you! And don't forget the other "moms" in your life, too: grandmothers, aunts, step-mothers, even teachers. 

Here are some videos, articles, and activities to get you inspired to give your mom a perfect day.

• Mother's Day Trivia Quiz
• Disney Stars' Favorite Recipes from their Moms
• Best TV and Book Moms
• Best Mother and Son Dance EVER!!!
• Freaky Friday Writing Prompt
• Make Mom a Recycled Egg-Carton Flower Bouquet.

Now, go plan a perfect day for all the moms in your life!

The 39 Clues Guess the Book Trivia Quiz Answers

The 39 Clues Guess the Book Trivia Quiz Answers

Last week, I challenged you to figure out the book titles from just the itty-bitty pieces of these 39 Clues covers. Did you get them all? Read on for the answers.

1. The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book #5: Trust No One by Linda Sue Park
   Read Chapter 1.
2. The 39 Clues: Unstoppable Book #1: Nowhere to Run by Jude Watson
   OK, this was kind of a trick because the book is not out yet, but it is the first book in the brand new 39 Clues series Unstoppable! Look for it to come out in October, 2013.
3. The 39 Clues Book #1: The Maze of Bones
   The book that started it all, written by Percy Jackson author, Rick Riordan. . . 
4. The 39 Clues: Cahills vs.Vespers Book #6: Day of Doom by David Baldacci
   This is the 6th and final book in the Cahills vs. Vespers series. Read Chapter 1.
5. The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book #2: A King's Ransom by Jude Watson
   Read Chapter 1.

Did you get them all? If you did, including Unstoppable, then you are a 39 Clues superfan and legend!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

The 39 Clues Guess the Book Trivia Quiz

The 39 Clues Guess the Book Trivia Quiz

For today's Tuesday Trivia Quiz, your challenge is to figure out the book titles from just the itty-bitty pieces of their covers shown below.

Here's a hint: Fans of The 39 Clues should have no trouble recognizing most of these book covers. 

Leave your answers in the Comments, and make sure to come back next week to check your answers.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

STACKS Word Scramble Answers

STACKS Word Scramble Answers

Last week, BrainyAthena30 from the STACK Back Message Board created this STACKS-themed Word Scramble game for you. Were you able to unscramble the words? 

Read on for the answers. . .

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 ^_^

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.

St. Patrick's Day Activities

St. Patrick's Day Roundup

On March 17, everyone wears green and becomes a little bit Irish to celebrate old Saint Patrick. Here are a few other things for you to do to celebrate your Irish heritage (whether real or fake)!

• Test your knowledge in the St. Patrick's Day Trivia Quiz.
• Take a quick video tour of Ireland.
• Play the St. Patrick's Would You Rather Game.
• Do an Irish jig in honor of the Irish member of One Direction, Niall Horan!!

Isn't Ireland beautiful? What is your favorite thing about St. Patrick's Day? Tell us in the Comments. 

 

Author Trivia Quiz Answers

Beyond the Book Author Trivia Quiz Answers!

Last week we posted a super-exclusive Author Trivia Quiz with . . .

• 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)

From their biggest phobias to favorite books – we got the scoop. How many did you guess correctly? Answers are below!

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!