Personality Quiz: Which Pro Athlete Are You?

Time for another revealing Personality Quiz. This week we will find out which professional athlete you most resemble. So even if you are not athletic in the slightest, take the quiz to find out which sports star you would most relate to.

1. What's your favorite sport?  
   A) Basketball. B) Anything fast! C) Baseball. D) Tennis.
2. You like sports that are . . .
   A) Lots of running and exercise. B) Daredevilish and dangerous. C) Played in a big stadium with the crowd chanting your name! D) Individual.
3. Your wardrobe after the game is . . .
   A) Shirt and tie – you like to look sharp off the court. B) Flannel shirt and jeans. C) Expensive and snazzy. D) Funky and stylish.
4. Who is your role model?
   A) Michael Jordan. B) An Olympic gold-medalist. C) Babe Ruth. D) Your sister or brother.
5. The first sport you liked as a kid was . . .
   A) Basketball. B) Sled riding. C) Baseball.  D) Lacrosse.
6. Which accomplishment would make you most proud?
   A) International superstardom! B) Winning Olympic gold. C) Championships – yeah baby! D) Paving the way for others like me.
7. What kind of music do you listen to before a big game?
   A) Rap or hip hop. B) Indie rock. C) Radio hits. D) Techno.
8. When you make $1 million, the first thing you’ll buy is . . .
   A) A house for my mom. B) A shelf for all my medals. C) A small Caribbean island. D) My own personal shopping mall.
9. Before you made it to the big leagues you were . . .
   A) Spotted by scouts while you were still in high school. B) Groomed from a young age by professionals to succeed and climb the ranks of your sport. C) Debating whether to finish college or go pro. D) Facing down prejudice for being different in your sport.
10. How do you start off your day?
    A) You can barely make it out of bed – you are exhausted from the game last night!  B) 5am wake up – you’ve got to get training! C) With a big bowl of Wheaties. D) You pick out an awesome outfit to make you feel good.
11. Where do you go to celebrate after a big win?
    A) A fancy restaurant. B) A mountain chalet in the Alps. C) Disney World. D) Home – your mom makes the best lasagna.

Count up your results and come back next week to find out which pro athlete you are most like.

—Ratha, STACKS Writer

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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!

1. This author would go to a costume party dressed as The Invisible Man. (Spooky!)  
   ANSWER: R.L. Stine 
2. This author has a phobia of mice. (Hint: one of the books this author wrote is titled Be Nice to Mice.)  
   ANSWER: Nancy Krulik  
3. If this author could meet anyone dead or alive, it would be Harry Houdini.  
   ANSWER: Anthony Horowitz 
4. This author likes to end a meal with cookie dough ice cream.  
   ANSWER: Gordon Korman 
5. This author loves fairy tales and loves the movie Enchanted (rated PG).
   ANSWER: Nancy Krulik 
6. This author’s favorite books include: Holes, I am the Cheese, and Cirque du Freak.  
   ANSWER: Anthony Horowitz 
7. This author has a phobia of the number 13!
   ANSWER: Gordon Korman 
8. This author's favorite books are silly poetry books by Shel Silverstein. (A Light in the Attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends)
   ANSWER: R.L. Stine  

BONUS! Check out the personal mottos of each author:

“Never give up. Just take it slow, slow until you get there. (My grandmother used to tell me that all the time and she was a very wise woman.)” Nancy Krulik

“Work hard. Play harder.” Anthony Horowitz

“Every passing hour brings the solar system forty-three thousand miles closer to Nebular Cluster M13 in Hercules – and still there are some misfits who insist that there is no such thing as progress.” Gordon Korman

“Have a very scary day.” R.L. Stine

Inspiring, huh? Let us know what you think, and your personal mottos or quotes YOU might have in the Comments below!

—Ratha, STACKS Writer

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New Monopoly Token Writing Prompt: Goodbye to the iron, and hello, kitty!

Fans of Monopoly voted out the iron player token, and voted to add a new player token, a cat. The cat beat out a robot, guitar, diamond ring, and helicopter with 31% of the vote. The lowly iron came in last with 8% of the vote, with the wheelbarrow and the shoe just squeaking through the elimination to remain in the game.

So today's Writing Prompt puts the vote to you. Which token would you choose to eliminate from the current Monopoly game, and which token do you think should be added?

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Photos courtesy of Hasbro

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Little Mix Interview

Originally auditioning as solo performers, Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall became Little Mix during the 2011 series of The X Factor UK, and went on to be crowned the show’s first ever victorious group. Their single "Cannonball" shot straight to No.1 in the UK & Ireland, and they released their debut album DNA in December 2012. Their story sounds similar to One Direction's, and in fact, Perrie Edwards and Zayn Malik are dating! Find out more about this lucky group of women.

Q: How has your life has changed since The X Factor? 
Jesy: Oh gosh. Um, it has just been completely epic and dramatic, and…ahhhh . . . It’s just been absolutely amazing and we couldn’t have wanted anything more.

Q: Where were you when you first heard "Cannonball" on the radio?
Jade: Ooooh, I think we all were together, weren’t we, like traveling in the car when we first heard it for the first time. And I remember it was such a weird moment. It was the first time we’d ever heard our music on the radio and it was so special. I’ll never forget that really. It was weird feeling. 

Q: What is the inspiration for your song, “Wings?" I was reading that it’s about bullying. Have you guys ever been bullied?
Jesy: I think we’ve all been through a bit of bullying like growing up, but I think you just have to surround yourself with people that love you and your friends and just kind of ignore it. During The X Factor, we got a bit of hate, but you just have to learn to ignore it because at the end of the day, for every bad comment you get there’s like a thousand good comments. That’s what the song “Wings” is all about, you know, like when we say, “Don’t let what they say keep you up at night,” and “We don’t let nobody bring us down.” When wrote it, we definitely thought of all the things that we’d be feeling and also what we could write to inspire our fans as well. So yeah, we definitely can relate to that song a lot.
Jade: When we did the album, we just really wanted to relate to our fans and kind of make them all feel really positive and stuff. If we can achieve that, then that will be a job well done really.

Q: What American city would you most want to visit?
Perrie: I'd love to go to L.A.!! It always looks sunny and beautiful in the movies. I can’t wait to see it in person!

Q: Who are your musical influences? 
Leigh-Anne: I’m really, really into old-school R&B and like slow jams and stuff. I literally just love anything that’s slow and R&B really. Um, I also love Usher as well. I’d love to collaborate with Usher. 

Q: What’s your all-time favorite book?
Jesy: My all-time favorite book is A Child Called It (for ages 12 and up). I love that book. It was so interesting and I just really, really got into it and I literally couldn’t put the book down. And it’s just a really sad story.
Perrie: Any of the Dr. Seuss books. I loooved those growing up.

Q: Who was your very first celebrity crush?
Jesy: Ooh. Justin Timberlake. Unfortunately I haven't met him yet. Oh, I couldn’t take it anyway.

Q: How did your friends react when you got on The X Factor?
Leigh-Anne: I think most of them were just so proud. All my friends knew from day one how much I wanted to be a singer. So when they saw me up there, I think they were bursting with pride really. I’m so lucky to have the friends that I do because they’re just so supportive and amazing, and none of them have changed like since me doing The X Factor and stuff. They’re all always there for me. I think a lot of them as well were just so shocked by everything. I mean, it’s so crazy. Like even now I’m still trying to let it sink in and still trying to pinch myself because it just doesn’t seem real. 

Q: What has been your most embarrassing moment? 
Perrie: I have embarrassing moments all the time because I'm clumsy! But to be honest, I just laugh at myself most of the time so I don't really get that embarrassed!

Q: What would an absolute perfect date would be for you?
Jade: Oooh, I think a perfect date for me would be something quirky and funny. I love Disney, so if my date took me to Disneyland Paris or Disney World, Florida that would be really nice. And Italian as well. I love Italian food. If somebody did something really little and thoughtful, whether it was like, I don’t know, getting a nice little present or saying something really complimentary then I’m quite easily pleased.

Q: What is your favorite motto or a quote that you live your life by?
Jesy: Just be yourself, and never let anyone tell you that you can’t be.
Leigh-Anne: Just believe. I’ve got “Believe” tattooed on my neck.
Jade: My favorite motto is “No day but today.” One of my friends passed away and ever since then, that’s been my motto in life.
Perrie: I believe everything happens for a reason, and good things come to those who wait but faster yet to those who take.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Interview by Marie Morreale

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Pajama Program Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! As you're reading your Valentines and eating heart-shaped candy, please remember to think of the less fortunate children living in shelters all across the United States. YOU can help make them smile. "How?" you ask. Send new pjs to the Pajama Program!

• WHAT: New set of pajamas, top and bottom for any age 0-17. Print this form and include it with your donation.
• WHERE: Send pajamas to:
  Pajama Program 
  171 Madison, Suite 1409 
  New York, NY 10016
• WHEN: By February 28, 2013. Hurry up! Do it now!

Please do it today and show your love to these children. If you make your donation by February 28, you will get an invite to a virtual party on the STACKS!* 

Send an e-card to everyone you know to spread the word about the Pajama Program. 

Thank you!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

*Obviously you don’t have to be a STACKS member to donate, but only members will be invited to the virtual party. It’s super-easy to become a member. Join now.

Photos courtesy of Pajama Program

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Valentine's Day Confessions from Confectionately Yours

Do you look forward to the "love"-liest day of the year? Or does all of that pink and red make you want to puke? According to Hayley Hicks, star of the Confectionately Yours series, sometimes it can be a little bit of both.

Confession: I Love Valentine’s Day! (Except For When I Hate It)

In second grade, Carrie Conway showed up in class with a GIANT pink heart-shaped box topped with a rose. The box was filled with chocolates, and it was from her father, and Carrie didn’t share any of it. She just kept taking the box out of her desk and looking at it, and smiling, and then putting it back in her desk, and I just KNEW that she was going to go home and eat that candy and smile at that beautiful box forever! And that was when I started hating Valentine’s Day. I admit it. It turned into annual Envy Day for me.

I told my friend Meghan this story at lunch yesterday, and she said, “Hayley, you’re looking at it all wrong! It’s better to give than to receive!”

Hearing that TOTALLY turned the whole thing around for me. I love to make my friends smile—and that’s what I’m going to do. So I’m baking some red velvet cupcakes with pink white-chocolate frosting, and dropping a little candy heart on top. If baking isn’t your thing, you could write funny poems, hand out candy, or write a little friendship note and fold it into an origami heart. (You can find origami instructions online.) Also — everyone likes a heart-shaped box of chocolates. ;-)

So I’m going into this Valentine’s Day with a whole new attitude! What are you planning for your friends?

Read Hayley’s Back-to-School Confessions here.

Read the first chapter from Sugar and Spice, the latest book in Lisa Papademetriou’s Confectionately Yours series! 

--Vanessa, Scholastic Staffer

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Shadow Breakers by Daniel Blythe

A year after her father's death, Miranda May finds herself in the tiny coastal town of Firecroft Bay, but things are not going well. Her sleep is disrupted by nightmares of "The Shape," an ominous shadow that calls out to her, "ring around the rosie. . . " Freaky! Her mother is too busy working and taking care of her baby brother to notice Miranda's behavior becoming more erratic. Why Miranda, and why this song?

Then things get really weird. On the way to school, ice appears out of nowhere and coats the interior and exterior of the bus. Then the computers in the lab explode. Miranda thinks she knows where she can get answers. Her science teacher, Miss Bellini, and four of the brightest students at her school, have formed a group that want to figure out the truth just as much as Miranda does. Lyssa, Cal, Josh, and Ollie use a mixture of science and technology to hunt down this mysterious apparition that is causing havoc, dragging Miranda along for the ride.

Is Miranda going crazy, or is something really strange going on in Firecroft Bay? Find out in Daniel Blythe's thrilling new book Shadow Breakers, and leave a Comment to let us know what you think!

—Elysse, STACKS Writer

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Naked Mole Rat Trivia Quiz Answers

Last week we asked you to take a good, long look at the naked mole rat in our Naked Mole Rat Trivia Quiz. Now, we reveal the answers.

1. The naked mole rat is not a mole or a rat, but is most closely related to which species?
   ANSWER: B) Porcupine. I don't see a resemblance. Do you?

They are naked because . . .
ANSWER: B) They live underground so they don’t need hair to protect them from the sun. I don’t know this for a fact, but I bet they like their hairless look, too. I bet when they pass each other in the tunnel, they give each other high-fives and say, “Lookin’ good, bro!”

Naked mole rats live in tunnels attaching different rooms. Which of the following is NOT a part of the naked mole rat tunnel complex?
ANSWER: B) Game room

One female in the colony is the queen naked mole rat. How do the other naked mole rats show respect to their queen?
ANSWER: B) They bring her food all day long. It sounds like a sweet life, but the queen has to have all the babies for the colony, up to 100 babies a year! Imagine taking care of 100 babies!

How does a female naked mole rat get to be queen?
ANSWER: C) She has to fight other females to the death. Even after she becomes queen, she still has to fight off challengers who want her position – and watch the babies at the same time! By the way, there is no king. The queen rules the naked mole rat colony alone!

Not only do naked mole rats eat their poop, they also roll around in it. Why?
ANSWER: C) So they all smell the same. They identify the members of their own colony by their smell, so they can tell right away if someone has been rolling around in a different colony’s poop pile. Intruder alert!

I hope you enjoyed learning about the naked mole rat and can now see past their looks to appreciate the truly bizarre and fascinating creatures they are. To be honest, I think they are actually kind of cute! Do you? Leave a Comment.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer
Facts and images courtesy of San Diego Zoo

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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!

1. This author would go to a costume party dressed as The Invisible Man. (Spooky!)  
2. This author has a phobia of mice. (Hint: one of the books this author wrote is titled Be Nice to Mice.)  
3. If this author could meet anyone dead or alive, it would be Harry Houdini.  
4. This author likes to end a meal with cookie dough ice cream.  
5. This author loves fairy tales and loves the movie Enchanted (rated PG).  
6. This author’s favorite books include: Holes, I am the Cheese, and Cirque du Freak.  
7. This author has a phobia of the number 13!
8. This author's favorite books are silly poetry books by Shel Silverstein. (A Light in the Attic, Where the Sidewalk Ends)

Leave your answers below, and check back next week for the official word!

—Ratha, STACKS Writer

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Valentine's Day Would You Rather

It's that time of the year when true love is in the air. Yes, Splotters, Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so make sure to stock up on candy hearts and finish writing those Valentine's cards. To celebrate this loving holiday, the Scholastic Kids Council has put together an amazing Would You Rather Quiz for you. So without further ado, here are the questions you've all been waiting for!

Would you rather . . .  

1. Eat chocolates that taste like sauerkraut OR toothpaste?
2. Wear the same hot pink sweater for an entire year OR hot pink pants for a whole year?
3. See your friend dating your crush OR your bully dating your crush?  
4. Receive a large box of bad candy OR a small box with good candy?  
5. Spend Valentine’s Day in Paris OR Rome?
6. Receive flowers that smell like garbage OR a box of chocolate-covered crickets?
7. Kiss a frog OR a slug?
8. Send people store bought cards OR make cards yourself?
9. Get a box of rotten chocolate from your secret crush OR get a box of sweet chocolate from someone you don't like?
10. Eat a Valentine’s candy that you are allergic to OR eat candy that your dog licked?
11. Get a kiss from your dog OR your grandma?
12. Get a valentine from a vampire OR a werewolf?  
13. Get 20 valentines from your friends OR one valentine from a mystery admirer?  
14. Have your crush sing a Justin Beiber song OR a One Direction song to you in the cafeteria?  
15. Dress up as a chocolate kiss OR wear cupid wings?

Post your answers in the Comments below and have a happy Valentine’s Day!

—Brian, STACKS Staffer

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Valentine's Day Roundup

Valentine's Day is coming! After all your Valentine's cards and candy are ready to give out to your friends, here are a few other things for you to do to celebrate this wonderful day of love!

• Donate pajamas to kids in need.
• Play the Create a Crush game.
• Answer the Valentine's Would You Rather questions.
• Make this Heart Bookmark Craft from the Scholastic Teacher site.

Materials:
Paint chip samples from your local home improvement store.
Heart-shaped paper punch
White ribbon cut into 8-inch strips.

Instructions:

1. Use the paper punch to punch heart shapes into each of the different colors on the pink or red paint chip samples.
2. Use the paper punch to cut a heart shape at the top of the paint chip sample.
3. Tie the ribbon through the heart shape at the top of the bookmark.

Isn't that cute? What is your favorite thing about Valentine's Day? Tell us in the Comments.

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TV, Movies, and Music you won't want to miss this February!

Great news, Victoria Justice fans: The Victorious star is going on tour this summer! She’s taking her "Here's 2 Us Tour" to over 30 cities across the U.S., beginning June 19th in Los Angeles. Tickets go on sale February 2.  "I'm so excited to be going out on tour again this summer. I can't wait to sing your favorites and share some new ones from the latest Victorious soundtrack," says Victoria. "Here's 2 Us Tour" is dedicated to all of you. 2013 is our year!" Victoria will also making several autograph signing appearances before the tour, in Birmingham, Alabama on February 9, Louisville, Kentucky on February 23, and Houston, Texas on April 7.

This year's Grammy Awards show is going to be truly star-studded! Among the performers on the February 10 live telecast are Rihanna, Taylor Swift, The Black Keys, Fun, and Mumford & Sons, all of them nominated for multiple awards. LL Cool J is the host of the program, which begins at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

In other awards news, Cartoon Network will present its Hall of Game Awards honoring stellar athletes on February 11 at 7 p.m. ET/PT. Celebrity presenters will include Jessica Alba, Rico and Raini Rodriguez, Mario Lopez, Bridget Mendler and Olympic Gold Medal swimmer Ryan Lochte.

iCarly star Jerry Trainor, who’s also the voice of Dudley Puppy on Nickelodeon’s T.U.F.F. Puppy, has a new comedy series on Nick at Nite called Wendell & Vinnie, about a single and carefree bachelor and memorabilia store owner who suddenly becomes the legal guardian of his nephew (Buddy Handleson). The premiere is February 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

R5, featuring Ross Lynch from Austin & Ally and his brothers Riker, Rydel and Rocky, and best friend Ratliff, will release their debut EP Loud on February 19. Besides the title tune, songs include “Fallin’ For You,” “I Want You Bad,” and “Here Comes Forever.” The guys plan to announce tour dates soon.

Lab Rats is back for its second season on Disney XD on February 25. Among the guest stars coming up: Madison Pettis of Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

The animated Peanuts specials Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Valentine will air back-to-back on February 9 from 8-9 p.m. ET/PT.

Hope you have a happy Valentine's Day!

—Gerri, STACKS Writer

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This Valentine's Day, Send Pajamas!

Here in New York, the temperatures are dropping, and it's c-o-l-d. But there are children who don't have warm pajamas to wear or books to snuggle down with at night. That's why the STACKS is working with Pajama Program, a nonprofit organization that delivers books and pajamas to children in need all over the United States.

This year, there is an extremely long wait list for pajamas and books. Want to do YOUR part to help? Here's how to send new pjs to the Pajama Program.

• WHAT: New set of pajamas, top and bottom for any age 0-17. Print this form and include it with your donation.
• WHERE: Send pajamas to:
  Pajama Program 
  171 Madison, Suite 1409 
  New York, NY 10016
• WHEN: By February 28, 2013. Hurry up! Do it now!

While you are getting your cards and gifts ready for Valentine's Day next week, don't forget these children. Please send them pajamas and a smile, and you will get an invite to a virtual party on the STACKS!* Send an e-card to everyone you know to spread the word about the Pajama Program. Thank you!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

*Obviously you don’t have to be a STACKS member to donate, but only members will be invited to the virtual party. It’s super-easy to become a member. Join now.

Photos courtesy of Pajama Program

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Game Changers Book #2: Play Makers by Mike Lupica

Attention, sports fans! For those of you who love a good sports story, the latest book in Mike Lupica's Game Changers series is out now! It's called Play Makers.

Ben McBain and his friends are still riding high after winning their football championship, but basketball season isn’t going as smoothly, especially when their cross-town rival, Chase Braggs, starts causing trouble on AND off the court.

Read an excerpt.

Head over to the STACKS Sports site to play the new Game Changers basketball game! How many shots can you make?  

-- Vanessa, Scholastic Staffer

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Naked Mole Rat Trivia Quiz

I don't like to be mean, but the naked mole rat is quite possibly the ugliest animal I have ever seen. But looks aren't everything. These guys may not be pretty, but they do amazing things, like they can move their teeth back and forth like chopsticks! And. . . uhh. . . they eat their own poop to get extra nutrients into their diets. Two meals for the price of one! (I'm pretty sure it doesn’t work for humans, so do not try that at home, boys and girls.) Do take this quiz to find out more about the naked mole rat.

1. The naked mole rat is not a mole or a rat, but is most closely related to which species?
   A) Porcupine B) Rabbit C) Elephant D) Walrus
2. They are naked because . . .
   A) They can’t find clothes that fit them. B) They live underground so they don’t need hair to protect them from the sun. C) They lick off all their hair. D) They like the hairless look.
3. Naked mole rats live in tunnels attaching different rooms. Which of the following is NOT a part of the naked mole rat tunnel complex?
   A) Toilet room B) Game room C) Nursery D) Pantry
4. One female in the colony is the queen naked mole rat. How do the other naked mole rats show respect to their queen?
   A) They perform a ritual dance. B) They bring her food all day long. C) They gnash their teeth at her. D) They bow and curtsey to Her Royal Highness.
5. How does a female naked mole rat get to be queen?
   A) It is an inherited position. The queen’s daughter automatically becomes the next queen. B) Whoever has the biggest teeth gets to be queen. C) She has to fight other females to the death. D) The king naked mole rat chooses the most beautiful lady mole rat for his queen.
6. Not only do naked mole rats eat their poop, they also roll around in it. Why?
   A) To annoy their parents. B) To keep cool. C) So they all smell the same. D) It makes a comfy bed.

Leave your answers in the Comments and come back next week for the answers.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer
Facts and image courtesy of San Diego Zoo

 

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Writing Prompt: A room without books is like . . .  

Do you know this guy? Meet the ancient philosopher and political statesman, named Marcus Tullius Cicero, Cicero for short. He lived in the 1st Century B.C.E., yet he was not so different from you or me. He had a great quote that people who love books . . . well . . . love! He said:

"A room without books is like a body without a soul."

So true, right? But if you were going to update this quote for the 21st century, what would you say? Complete this sentence in the Comments with YOUR deep thoughts:

--Ratha, STACKS Writer

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China Anne McClain "influANTces"

On Friday, February 1, 2013, A.N.T. Farm will celebrate African American History Month in the new episode titled "influANTces." Chyna and the ANTs are tasked with creating a special project. As Chyna struggles to write a song for her presentation, she decides to lock herself in a recording booth until she comes up with a great song. After accidentally falling asleep, Chyna takes a dream journey back in time where she becomes famous African American music icons from the past: Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, and Janet Jackson. Using her dream as inspiration, Chyna writes a new version of the A.N.T. Farm theme song with lyrics that pay tribute to the great women who came before her.

We talked to China Anne McClain, the actress who plays Chyna, about her life and what African American History Month means to her.

Q: Can you tell us about "influANTces?"
China: The A.N.T. Farm episode "influANTces" is about my character, Chyna Parks, struggling with a Black History Month assignment for school. She wants to write a song about all of the amazing African American female singers for her project, but can't seem to fit it all into a two-minute song! She then goes on a journey that takes her throughout the lives of Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, and Janet Jackson - showing her just how big of an impact they made on her life and others!

Q: Which African American woman in history inspires you the most?
China: First Lady Michelle Obama inspires me the most. She is so classy and never passes up an opportunity to help people. She is also very humble and is nice to everyone! She is an amazing person all around and I want to be like her when I grow up.

Q: Why do you think it's important to recognize African American History Month?
China: It is very important to recognize African American History Month because African Americans have been through so much. We deserve recognition for the amazing accomplishments that we've achieved. You would probably be surprised at all of the incredible contributions African Americans have made to America throughout its history, like Garrett Morgan inventing the gas mask and George Washington Carver inventing peanut butter!

Q: Can you describe each of your costars (Sierra, Jake, and Stefanie) in three words or less?
China: Sierra is crazy and social. Jake is artistic, free-spirited, and fun. Stefanie is stylish and loves skirts! Haha - we are all friends in real life.

Q: What are you working on now in addition to A.N.T. Farm?
China: The biggest thing that I'm working on now other than A.N.T. Farm is an album with my sisters Sierra and Lauryn! We have been recording it for a while, so we are all excited for it to come out this year! Other than that, Grown Ups 2 comes out this year! I am so excited because I actually sing in this movie! It was such a great opportunity and I had so much fun seeing everyone from the first Grown Ups (rated PG-13) again.

Q: What is your all-time favorite book?
China: I am in love with The Hunger Games and The Lying Game books (both for ages 12 and up). Both series are so brilliantly written! I heard very positive things about both books from some of my friends, so when I visited the book store one day, I picked them both up. I definitely recommend them to teens!

Q: What literary character would you like to portray in a movie?
China: It would have been fun to play Rue from The Hunger Games! She is such a cool and cute character and I loved her in the movie. Amandla Stenberg did an amazing job!

Aww. Poor Rue. Leave a Comment with your A.N.T. love!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer
Photos courtesy of Disney Channel

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Pajama Program

You know that feeling of getting into bed at the end of a long day in your snuggly, warm pajamas and an awesome book? I looove that feeling! But there are lots of kids in the U.S. who don't ever get that snuggly, warm pajamas, good book feeling at night. These kids live in various situations including group homes, shelters, and temporary housing facilities where they are waiting and hoping to be adopted. Many have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. For these kids, owning their own books or new pajamas is a rare luxury.

We want to work together with you to help these kids. Scholastic’s got the books to donate, but we need pajamas. That’s where you come in. Let’s show these kids that STACKers care! Scholastic has already donated 200,000 books to Pajama Program. I am challenging you to donate one set or a bunch of sets of pajamas. Every STACKS member who sends in pajamas will be invited as a special guest to the biggest virtual party the STACKS has ever had!* If everyone who reads this contributes (that means YOU!), we can at least make it to 2,000 sets of pajamas!

• WHAT: New set of pajamas, top and bottom for any age 0-17. Print this form and include it with your donation.
• WHERE: Send pajamas to:
  Pajama Program
  171 Madison, Suite 1409
  New York, NY 10016
• WHEN: By February 28, 2013. Hurry up! Do it now!

Thanks for your support of the Pajama Program, but don’t stop there. Send an e-card to everyone you know, encouraging them to send pjs too. Why not host a pajama party and ask all your friends to donate a pair of new pajamas to send? Or ask your principal if you can have a box to collect new pajamas from everyone in school. Depending on how cool your principal is, maybe you can even have a fun pajama day when you get to wear your pjs to school!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

*Obviously you don’t have to be a STACKS member to donate, but only members will be invited to the virtual party. It’s super-easy to become a member. Join now.

Photos courtesy of Pajama Program

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No Name-Calling Week

Jan. 21-25 is officially "No Name-Calling Week." No Name-Calling Week was inspired by a book The Misfits by James Howe. It is the story of four friends who run for student council on a "No Name-Calling" platform. Awesome, right?

In high school, people made fun of my name and I hated it. Having glasses and braces was hard enough, not to mention a weird name! I just tried to ignore the people who would make fun of me, and focus on my real friends. It only made me work harder at school, sports, and activities, and want to succeed even more. It's like that Taylor Swift lyric, "One day I’ll be living in a big ol' city, and all you’re ever gonna be is mean." I think that would have been one of my high school mottoes!

It’s important to remember if you’ve been called a name that it’s not your fault. It’s a reflection of other people’s insecurities. They want to get attention or make themselves feel bigger by making someone else feel small. Always remember you are AWESOME, not small. And you're not alone. Many, many people have been bullied and called mean names. 

Even famous celebrities once had to deal with mean people. Jake Short from A.N.T. Farm was made fun of in 4th grade because his last name was “Short” and he was short. He gives this advice: "Sometimes if you talk to the bully. . . they become at a loss for words. And have a friend back you up if you need it." 

Cymphonique from How to Rock also has some good advice. "Ignore any of those types of comments, and just be yourself."

Band together with your friends, and take a stand against name-calling. Here are some things you can do in your school.

• If you encounter a name-caller (whether the mean name is directed at you or someone else), give a withering look and say, “Not cool.” That might make the name-caller stop and think about what she said. Maybe she just didn't realize it was hurtful when she said it.
• Learn everyone's name in your class, and call them by their right names. This is important. Don't call someone "the short kid with braces" just because you don't know his name.
• Think before you speak. If you are about to say something that you think is funny or cool, make sure it won't hurt someone else's feelings.
• Make No Name-Calling posters to hang up in your school.
• Make a No Name-Calling T-shirt and wear it proudly all year long.
• Read The Misfits. It's really good and will totally make you think differently about the cliques in your school.

Each time you stand up for yourself or someone else, you make the world a little better. Go forth, be cool, and make a difference! And let us know in the Comments what you will do for Name-Calling Week.

—Ratha, Stacks Writer

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Taylor Swift "Read Every Day" Live Webcast October 2012

Q: Moving from Philadelphia to Nashville, how did that influence you as a writer?
Taylor: I became obsessed with poetry really early on because my favorite books were the Dr. Seuss books and Shel Silverstein and the books where you have the stories come together through rhyming. That was always my favorite kind of book to read because it sounded like a song. Like when you have a line of poetry where the rhymes hit at the right ends of the sentences, it sounds kind of like lyrics. English class was always my favorite class because of the reading, the writing, and mostly because of the poetry.

Q: Did you have teachers who recognized your creativity early?

Taylor: There was a teacher who said to my mom – I think it was first grade actually – she said, “We asked everybody in the class to write an essay, and she turned in four pages front and back. So we’re just letting you know that might be her area that she’s interested in. She wouldn’t stop writing.” I’ve just always loved telling a good story with interesting characters, and that’s why so many of my songs are story songs.

Q: What was the first song you wrote?
Taylor: The first one that I really finished that wasn’t like a structureless, eight-minute song was when I was 12 and I wrote this song called “Lucky You” about this girl who’s different. She believes in herself. It somehow got leaked online and it is a terrifying experience when people bring it up because I’m like, “I sound like a chipmunk. I’m 12 in that.” But you look back on your first experiences with writing and every one of those experiences turns you into who you’re going to be. And so I don’t think you can ever discount the creations you make when you’re really young.

Q: Have books been a huge source of inspiration for your music and your life?
Taylor: Books have been a huge inspiration for my imagination. I was a big fan of a fairy tales growing up, and you’ll see a lot of references to like Romeo and Juliet and The Scarlet Letter, and that’s from my reading. That’s from the stories that I was brought up with. So, you know, it definitely rubs off to read.

Q: Ms. Fisher, a teacher in Michigan, wants to know, “How has reading influenced your choices in life, especially your career?”
Taylor: There are a lot of books I loved to read when I was younger that kind of teach you lessons - funny ones like Amelia Bedelia, or The Giving Tree, which teaches you about being kind to others. Those stories that really have a moral to them are hopefully the first ones that we’re presented with by our parents or teachers. If those are the first things you start reading, it can really affect your character. Being good to other people was the main concept I really loved in books.

Questions from students in the audience.
Danny: What was your childhood like?
Taylor: I grew up on a Christmas tree farm. We grew Christmas trees for other people to put in their houses. And we had all kinds of animals running around, and I remember having a lot of room to run and just come up with wild stories, and I feel like it was a time for me to really let my imagination run wild. But, you know, I don’t necessarily think you have to have a lot of wide open space in order to let your imagination run wild. You can see beauty and fantasy and things that aren’t real and things that are magical in any place you grow up if you think hard enough and reach into your mind. But my childhood was really fun. It was a blast, so thank you for asking about it. That was a good question.

Q: This next question comes from Ms. Zeidler’s third grade class. They want to know, “What’s your favorite book that your parents read to you?”
Taylor: It started out when I was really little. It was Big Bird on the Farm, and then it was Winnie the Pooh and then all the classic children’s poetry books and stuff like that and fables and fairy tales. It’s fun to escape from where you are in your life and jump into somebody else’s character. You know, when you’re reading a book, if you can really identify with one of the characters, it’s like you can escape and go somewhere else. It’s kind of like one of the thrills people get from going to the movies and seeing a story play out. But there’s really nothing like reading. You can find such a quiet space and just kind of go to a different world.

Q: This next question is from Chris Tweedie’s fourth grade class in Singapore. They want to know, “How do you choose the books you want to read?”
Taylor: I choose the books I want to read if I’ve heard really cool things about them, or if they have anything to do with a historical figure that I’m really interested in. When I was younger, they had these diaries of a Civil War soldier or a Revolutionary War daughter of a solider. They had all these kinds of historical books, and I would really get into those because I’ve always loved the idea of going back in time and learning about what things were like hundreds of years ago.

Alexandra: What are some of the things you had to do when you were our age to become a successful artist?
Taylor: Ok, middle school is kinda tough sometimes. Getting through middle school and just realizing that everybody has kind of a crazy time in middle school and it’s so hard to fit in and you’re trying to figure out who you want to be friends with and just who to be, how to act. . . Middle school was one of the toughest times for me as far as fitting in. So if you’re ever having any trouble with that, just know that pretty much everyone else is too. You can feel really alone when you don’t know who your friends are and you don’t know who to talk to or who to sit with at lunch. Nobody understands how dramatic and critical those decisions are, like who to sit with at lunch. That’s a really stressful moment for me, like looking back at middle school. If you focus on learning as much as you can and finding that thing you love, that can be an escape from bad days. I would have really difficult days at school and I would wait all day long to go home and play my guitar and write lyrics in my journal. To me, that made it feel ok. So if you can find something that can help you to express yourself, middle school doesn’t have to be as hard if you have something to look forward to after school. That’s a great question. Ugh, it’s so hard, you guys. Just hang in there.

Marnie: You once wrote a novel and also won a poetry contest. Can you tell us about that?
Taylor: I won a poetry contest for a poem called “Monster in My Closet.” I was in fourth grade and I wrote this long, long, long poem like, “There’s a monster in my closet and I don’t know what to do. Have you ever seen him? Has he ever pounced on you?” It had, like, 12 stanzas. I put it into this national poetry contest and it won and they sent me this book in the mail, and I got to read all the other kids’ poems. So that was really fun. Then a couple years later when I was about 12 or 13, my family spent the summer at the shore. I missed my friends back home so much that I would spend all my days locked in the den at a computer just writing a novel. I included all my friends from school as characters in the novel so I didn’t miss them as much, and I would send them back chapters of it. It ended up being like 400-something pages long. Writing in every sense has always been an escape for me, not just in songs. If you can come up with a story and you have a way you want to tell it, sometimes that can absolutely brighten your world if you can just get it out and write it down. Thank you for your question.

Our next question is from a seventh grader in California who asks, “Taylor, how often do you read? My teacher thinks we should read every day.”
Taylor: I think it is good to read every day. Definitely. Absolutely. Your teacher’s right about that one. I try to read as much as I can, and I read different things. I try to read like an article, like an informative article, every day. I’m trying to stay up to date with like human rights issues and what’s going on internationally and politics and just kind of our world issues because, you know, it’s just important. I think at this stage in my life being 22, it’s important to know what’s going on in the world. But as far as being in school, I think that’s the time you should be expanding your imagination, and if you want to go and escape to a different world or read a book about like history or read a book about science fiction and aliens, like do it. You know, wherever your mind takes you, I think it is important to read every day, and that doesn’t mean you don’t get to read what you love. You know, that’s the cool thing about there being so many different kinds of books you can read. I love to read books like The Hunger Games [for ages 12 and up] and Harry Potter. You guys are fantastic.

Kel: Do you remember the first book you read that you could hardly wait to get back to, and when you finished, did it make you say, “Wow, that was awesome!”?
Taylor: Wow, that’s a really, really good question. Oh my gosh. I think that there were a few books like that. There was a book called Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. And there was a book called To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee that really changed the way I looked at life. And after reading all the Hunger Games books, I was so sad they were over. I wanted to read them over and over again. So, a lot of books have a very addictive quality, and a lot of writers are really good at putting lines at the end of a chapter that make you want to read the next one. That’s something I really admire about writers.

Q: Ms. Lasko’s class in New Jersey wants to know, “Do you write only about your memories, or do you create ideas and stories from your imagination?”
Taylor: I draw inspiration from lots of different places. Sometimes, you know, one of my friends will be in a fight with her boyfriend and I’ll write about what they’re going through. Or I’ll see a really cool scene in a movie and I’ll think, “If I could write the soundtrack to that moment, what would it sound like?” and I’ll just get an idea for it. And then there are, you know, a lot of cases where I’m writing songs about my own relationship issues.

Cody: What is your writing process like? How long does it take to write a song, and what comes first, the music or the words? And then when you put them together, do you ever change them?
Taylor: My writing process is different every time. That’s why it’s really fun to write songs because it’s always unpredictable. You never know what’s going to hit you first. And it’s hard to explain how you get ideas. You know when you get a cool idea and you’re like, “I have no idea where that came from.” It’s kind of like this like little cloud floats down in front of you and it’s got like an idea on it. I like to think of those ideas as like the first piece to a puzzle. Maybe I’ll get like one line and I don’t know if that’s going to be the first line of the song or the last line of the song or part of the chorus or maybe that’s just a background vocal part. It’s then my job to figure out what the other pieces to the puzzle are, where to put them and how to create a full song out of this tiny little idea. And I write songs at like four in the morning, or walking through an airport, I’ll get an idea and I’ll just like write lyrics on a paper towel. There is no telling when I’m going to write a song, and my friends are so used to me getting an idea. My biggest fear when I get an idea for a song is that I’m going to forget about it, so I have a way to record little voice memos on my phone. My friends are so used to us like being in the car and they’re going on and on and on about their day, and they look over and I’m like recording into my phone, singing like [sings muffled into hand] and they’re like, “You’re writing a song again. You should just let me know when you’re going to go do that and I’ll stop talking. It’s fine.”

Q: You mentioned that you were a fan of The Hunger Games [for ages 12 and up] and you wrote a couple of songs for the movie. And we have a question from Jenna and Carly in Michigan. They wanted to know how the lyrics fit the mood of the books and the characters?
Taylor: I wrote two songs for The Hunger Games soundtrack and one of them is called “Eyes Open” and one of them is called “Safe and Sound.” I wrote “Safe and Sound” with a duo called The Civil Wars. When we sat down to write, we were talking about how we wanted to write a song about the relationship between Katniss and Rue, and we wanted to also represent the relationship between Katniss and Prim. So it became sort of a lullaby and sort of this song of compassion and it says, like, "It’s going to be all right. Just close your eyes. It’ll be fine. We’ll be safe and sound." The world that The Hunger Games takes place in is so catastrophic and filled with all this darkness. And so we wanted to write a song that was kind of reassuring that there’s a possibility that some day it could be ok and they could rise from that darkness. It was really interesting to write from someone else’s perspective who lives in such a different world than you do, and it really taught me a lot.

Evelyn: How many books have you read in your whole life?
Taylor: [Laughter] Umm, 4,522. No, I have no idea. You know, no matter what you’re reading you’re picking up some amount of knowledge and it’s influencing you whether you know it or not. It’s important that you read as many different kinds of books as you possibly can – the really small books that just, you know, you get to the end right away, and really, incredibly long books that sometimes it’s really hard to get through, and fiction and real, true stories. If you continue to always read different kinds of books, you’ll figure out what your favorites are, and that way you’ll just learn more. But that was a really interesting question. I really do probably have to think about that for a long time and I will never figure out the actual answer. [Laughter] Hardest question of the day. I’m proud of you.

Samantha: How has your life changed in the last few years, and how does it feel to be the person you are?
Taylor: Samantha, you’re so cute and I like you. My life has changed so much in the last six years because I put out my first album when I was 16, and once a lot of people knew about my music, you know, your life changes a lot. Like every time you leave the house you know that you’re going to talk to a lot of strangers. You know? Like when you’re growing up, what do your parents tell you? Don’t talk to strangers. So it’s sort of a mental reset because every time I leave the house I’m meeting these wonderful people who come up to me and say, you know, “I have this album,” or, “I like this song,” and, “Will you get a picture with me?” And that’s a different way to live your life because you have to schedule out things. Going to the grocery store takes a little longer, but just because it takes a little longer and you’re going to be talking to a few more people that day doesn’t mean that you can’t still live a normal life in a normal way. The whole fame thing is crazy, but it’s also really fun. I feel like I’m relatively the same person that I would’ve been if this hadn’t happened to me. My life is a lot different. I have a really, really abnormal life, but I feel like keeping my family really close to me has continued to make me stay who I would’ve been if I was, you know, in college right now or trying to find a job, wherever I would’ve ended up without music. I think it’s important if you have a good influence in your life, whether it’s a teacher or a parent or a friend who just has really great morals and really influences you in the right way, I think you should keep those people close to you. Thank you so much for your question.

Clarissa: What has been the most memorable moment in your life so far?
Taylor: I’ll tell you a story about a song I wrote called “Mean.” It’s a song that I wrote about a critic. When you put out an album or you do a performance on TV, all these reviewers write what they thought about it. Sometimes they’re really nice about it, and then other times they’re not. And this one guy who wrote about me, he would say the most mean, cold-hearted things. And it wasn’t constructive criticism. You know, when your teacher says, “You could do better on this. You could do better on that.” It wasn’t that at all. It was like absolutely this guy hated me. And I wrote this song called “Mean” about how that made me feel really helpless like there was nothing I could do or say to make him stop picking on me. When I put that song out, it became sort of an anti-bullying anthem, and I had all these fans coming up to me and saying, “That song really helped me with this group of people that was picking on me at school.” And that really touched me. It really made me feel so unbelievably proud that it turned into that when it went out into the world. We actually ended up winning two Grammys for that song. So I think that’s my most memorable moment of my entire life. Thank you for your question. You’re absolutely adorable. And you’re so friendly. 

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As you know, the Super Bowl is almost here. The big game will be played on Sunday, February 3. The San Francisco 49ers will battle the Baltimore Ravens, so I thought we could round up some of the best Football facts and fun from the STACKS. Here are a few things for you to do to get ready for the big game next week.

• Take this Super Bowl Quiz.
• Play the Game Changers Football game.
• Get the latest Football books from Scholastic.
• Leave a Comment telling us which team you are rooting for in Super Bowl XLVII!

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2013 Newbery Medal Winner

The Newbery Medal is awarded every year by a committee of librarians to recognize "the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children." Past winners have included The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, The Giver by Lois Lowry, and Holes by Louis Sachar. Last year's winner was Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos.

This year's winner was just announced today, and the 2013 Newbery Medal goes to . . . The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.

Have you read it yet? Do YOU think it was the best American book published in 2012? If you were on the committee voting for the 2013 Newbery Medal, which book would YOU have chosen? (Remember, only books published in 2012 by writers in America are eligible.) Let us know in the Comments.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

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UPDATE: Congratulations also to the Newbery Honor Books for 2013: Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin, Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage, and Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Shlitz. All amazing books too!

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Personality Quiz Results: What type of reader are you?

Last week, we asked you a bunch of random questions to find out what type of reader you are. This week the results will reveal your reader personality! Count up all your answers and see where you fit.

Mostly A's: OMNIVORE
You read everything! Like the scientific Latin word (eating all things plants and animals to survive), you are a literary omnivore. From sci-fi to fantasy, drama to historical fiction, trendy series to offbeat authors, if it’s got a good hook, you’ll read it! You may go in spurts of reading one genre, and then take a break to read another. You may read several books simultaneously, and you may be caught late at night reading with a flashlight under the covers. You are the person everyone turns to for book recommendations, so wear your badge proudly: a true Book Omnivore.

Mostly B's: FAN READER
You love the latest popular series! You have your finger on the pulse of what’s hot now. You pick an author or series and become a fan follower. You follow the latest trends and when you find one you like, you are fiercely loyal. Camp out at midnight for the latest book release? Check. Dress like your favorite character? Check. See the movie version the day it comes out? Check. You might like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Baby-sitters Club, Percy Jackson, and other popular series. Wear your badge proudly: you’re a true Fan Reader.

Mostly C's: REPEAT READER
You read the same books over and over again! Once you find a good thing, you stick with it — because a good book never gets old. You treat your books with loyalty and care. You can quote memorable lines from your favorite books. You will probably pass down your favorite books to your kids! So wear your badge proudly: a respectable Repeat Reader.

Mostly D's: EXPERIMENTAL READER
You like to experiment with different types of books! After all, variety is the spice of life! You are not afraid to wander away from the norm. You seek out new and cool books - maybe based on a review you read, an off-the-beaten path bookstore you discovered, or a book you saw someone reading at school. You like books that surprise you . . . and sometimes make you cry. You might like books like The Giver, When You Reach Me, The Graveyard Book, or The Underneath. So wear your badge proudly: an exciting Experimental Reader.

Mostly E's: PICKY READER
A book better impress you . . . or it gets shelved! You are a very selective reader. You put a lot of thought into the books you pick. You can’t be bothered with a mediocre book – it’s a waste of your valuable time! If a book turns boring, you’ll shelve it. You only read books you know are great. People know if you recommend a book, it must be good. So wear your badge for the world to see: you are a proud Picky Reader.

Did this quiz accurately describe your reading personality? Leave a Comment and tell us your results.

— Ratha, Stacks Writer

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Fantasy World Would You Rather Quiz

I love to imagine what it would be like to live in a completely different world. If you think about it, there are so many ways that our world could be totally different from what it is now. The possibilities for creating a whole new fantasy world are endless!

Start your dreaming with this Would You Rather Quiz.

Would you rather live in a world where . . . 

1. Everyone can fly OR everyone can become invisible whenever they want to?
2. Everyone can do magic OR everyone has super strength?
3. Houses are made of candy OR it snows marshmallows?
4. Dogs can talk human language OR trees can talk human language?
5. Farts smell like chocolate OR pencils smell like French fries?
6. You can go back in time OR go forward in time?
7. There is no such thing as TV OR there is no such thing as books?
8. Every family must have only 2 kids in it OR every family must have 10 kids in it?
9. The only colors are black and white OR the only smells are seaweed and soap?
10. Reading a book makes the characters come to life OR listening to a song makes the singers appear in your room?

Leave your choices in the Comments and tell us what your fantasy world would be like!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

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January Books of the Month

The Books of the Month series continues! Here's how it works. You write the titles of the books you are reading right now, and I make a word cloud out of all your recommendations. So here they are! YOUR January book recommendations in Wordle-y wonderfulness! The more votes a title gets, the bigger the print. This month's winner looks like Harry Potter.

I need your help for next month's Book Wordle. Leave a Comment with the title of the book you are reading right now. In February, I will make a new word cloud of all our reads for the whole month. 

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

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