You Know It's Football Season When

You Know It's Football Season When. . .

When I was growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, there was one thing our Sundays revolved around: Steelers football. We'd go to an early church service, make sure the grocery shopping was done, and all our homework was completed. This left the rest of the day for our most important task on Sundays: rooting for the Steelers.

Not much has changed with my family in Pittsburgh, and I'll admit -- I still drop whatever I'm doing to catch the game (sorry Jets and Giants!) just like many of you guys all across the country. Whether you're a college ball fan, or NFL afficionado, you know it's football season when . . .

• Putting on your makeup means painting your face in team colors.
• You think the lunchroom should have stadium seating.
• You never leave home without shoulder pads.
• When you get a raise in your allowance, you try to body slam your parents and slap them on their butts.
• You break down play-by-play of a bug crawling across the floor.
• You don't feel silly wearing a big block of cheese on your head (Green Bay fans!).
• You ask your parents if you can tailgate before you do your homework.
• You feel the sudden urge to throw your mother's favorite vase across the room for a touchdown.
• When your teacher is done giving your class a classwork assignment, you yell, "Hut 1! Hut 2! Hike!"
• You don't even THINK about doing anything else when the big game is on. 

Do you guys go crazy for football season? What are the telltale signs for you that it's football season? Tell us in the Comments below. Until the next game day!

— Ratha, Stacks Writer

Goosebumps Create a Caption

Goosebumps Create a Caption

He's the evil puppet everyone loves to hate! Slappy has been scaring readers since the release of Goosebumps: Night of the Living Dummy in 1993. With his painted-on grin and beat up bow-tie, Slappy looks like an ordinary ventriloquist dummy. But looks can be very deceiving. This troublemaking block of wood is anything but dumb! He's a walking, talking, trash-talking terror!

Leave a Comment with your caption for this menacing Slappy pic!

--Amabel, Scholastic Media

Embarrassing Writing Prompt

Embarrassing Writing Prompt

Are you ready to bare all your secrets? Or at least your most embarrassing moment? Today's Write On Writing Prompt comes to us from Shannon and she wants to know:

Think of the most embarrassing/silliest thing you have ever done in your lifetime. Would you change it or leave it be? Why or why not? (Make sure the event in your life is not inappropriate! Have fun writing!)

I remember once when I was in middle school, I was trying to impress my crush while dancing (what I thought was) cool at a school dance. I wiped out and fell on the floor right in front of him! I don't think I would change it though, because I was having a great time dancing with my friends. Even though it never did work out with my crush . . .

Let us know your most embarrassing or silliest moments in the Comments below. And to read more ambrrassing stories, check out the Middle School Survival Hall of Shame. Misery loves company! 

—Ratha, Stacks Writer

DIY Halloween Costumes

DIY Halloween Costumes

A while back, we did a post on book-inspired Halloween costumes. Well, it's Halloween again, and we've got some budget-friendly, super-creative ideas for an awesome Halloween costume . . . or a wacky, everyday disguise. Check out these DIY Halloween costumes!

ONE DIRECTION ZOMBIES

Goosebumps You Know You're Obsessed When

You know you're obsessed with Goosebumps when. . . 

You don't even have to open a Goosebumps book to know that it's going to be scary. The cover of You Can't Scare Me creeps me out so much I don't want to read it! You can expect a twist and turn on every page of a Goosebumps book, but if you are a real Goosebumps fan, there are certain tell-tale signs that you share with other people who live and breathe the horror-filled world of Goosebumps.

You know you're a truly obsessed fan of Goosebumps when . . .

• you won't buy a Halloween mask because you are afraid it won't come off once you put it on.
• if anything strange happens during play rehearsal, you automatically blame it on the new boy in town.
• vacation to Egypt is totally out of the question; no way you're going ANYWHERE near mummies!
• on the full moon, you look for signs that your new friend might be a werewolf.
• you won’t go near dummies or dolls because you’re afraid they’ll come to life!!!
• it seems quite possible that your boarding school is hiding aliens.
• you are SURE the plants in the backyard are talking to you.
• you know better than to mess with a cuckoo clock.
• the words “Yohhhhhhh Spirits!” send shivers up your spine.

So, are you obsessed with Goosebumps? Tell us how you recognize another Goosebumps fan in the Comments below!!!

—Elysse, STACKS Writer

SPONSORED POST The 39 Clues Essay Contest

This post is sponsored by People to People Ambassador Program.

Enter for a Chance to Win a Summer Trip to England and France.

Open to kids currently in grades 5–8

Hey, middle schoolers! Check out this creepy contest! Just read the story starter available here and then create a suspenseful adventure story all your own. The contest is open to all 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. One winning writer will be selected to participate in an exciting People to People Ambassador trip during the summer of 2013.

Download the official entry form here. Get writing today and enter for a chance to win the adventure of a lifetime! 

Create a Caption: Liddia the Boxer Puppy

Create a Caption: Liddia the Boxer Puppy

Look at how cool this Boxer puppy named Liddia is. She looks way too cool for school, just chillin' at the park, letting it all hang out.

She looks like a trend-setting pooch to me. If I had to come up with a caption for this, I think Liddia would say:

"Blue leashes? Blah! So last year. It’s all about the purple now."

What caption would you give this photo? Share away in the Comments!

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

Characters' Fave Books Writing Prompt

Characters' Fave Books Writing Prompt

Imagine visiting your local library and finding Evan Ross from Goosebumps checking out the Ripley's Believe It Or Not Encyclopedia. On the other side of the room, Hugo Cabret from The Invention of Hugo Cabret is pouring over his father's notebook. Ron Weasley wanted to learn about the ancient broomstick games, so he is reading Quidditch Through the Ages. Hermione thinks it’s probably the only book he’s ever read from back to front, but if he keeps spending time at the library, he may prove her wrong!

So, if you ran into your favorite character at the library, what book would s/he be checking out? What do you think is his/her favorite book of all time? Let us know what you think in the Comments!

—Elysse, STACKS Writer

Guinness World Records 2013 Create a Caption

Guinness World Records 2013 Create a Caption

It's Guinness World Records time again -- that crazy time of year when we post a Create a Caption for the new Guinness World Records book. 3 years ago, we had the photo of the guy who holds the record for wearing the most T-shirts at once. 2 years ago, it was the kid who holds the world record for balancing the most spoons on his face. Last year, it was dogs skipping rope.

 Let's continue the dog theme with this photo from the brand new Guinness World Records 2013 of the world's tallest dog. Prepare to be amazed. . . 

You Know You're Back to School When. . .

Back to School Writing Prompt

*BRRRRIIIINNNNGGGG!!* The school bell, a sound that inspires boredom at the beginning of the day or joy at the end of one. Still, the extremely loud sound that echoes through hallways and classrooms is one of many sure signs that you’re back in school. And then there’s the freezing cold wait at the bus stop to remind you of a long day of learning.

But you really know you're back to school when. . .

• the alarm goes off before the sun is even up!
• you spend days decorating binders and books with brand-new highlighters and Sharpie markers.
• your mom says you’re not allowed to play video games on school nights.
• you can't identify the hot lunch on your plate. What *is* that?? Yuck.
• epic recess basketball games carry over for days!
• you are reading a book not for fun but for a book report. (If you’re lucky, it’ll be on a book you can choose by yourself!)
• you start to break your day down by periods instead of hours.

What reminds you that you’re back in school? Jot your thoughts down in the Comments!

—Elysse, STACKS Writer

Pinkie the Pink Puppy

Create a Caption: Pinkie the Pink Puppy

Pinkie's owners must sure like pink. Not only is Pinkie named, well . . . Pinkie, that's also the pinkest little doggie jacket I've ever seen. You can spot that from a mile away. So for today's Create a Caption, let's talk about Pinkie the Pink-Jacketed Puppy.

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)

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