Choose a faction that micromanages your life, or have your whole life planned ahead of you by some old people who spy on you. Which one would you choose? Have you heard of the books The Giver and Divergent (both for ages 12 and up)?  Most of you are going to have some of those lazy summer days when time feels so slow. I would totally recommend these books to anyone looking for great summer reads.

These are incredibly good books, full of plot twists and suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat until you finish them. Both of them have been made into movies, but books are (almost) always better than the movies, so make sure you read the books first. Both of these books are first books of series, The Giver is followed by Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son, and Divergent is followed by Insurgent and Allegiant.

The setting in The Giver and in Divergent are dystopian societies where everything is bad or unpleasant and there is something huge about the characters’ lives and their societies that is being kept from them.

Jonas and Tris are the protagonists of The Giver and Divergent. A big day is upon Tris at the start of Divergent. She must take an aptitude test to see which faction she fits into. Then she must choose her faction. Jonas is turning 12, and must receive his future career chosen by the Council of Elders. When both Jonas and Tris find out their society’s secrets, their lives are changed forever and they both try to help fix the rest of their civilization.

Both Jonas and Tris stand out from the others in their societies. Tris is “divergent”, while Jonas doesn’t have the most normal job. Tris is born into the faction Abnegation, which is all about selflessness and caring about others before you think about yourself. Both societies are trying to implement selflessness, but go way too far. For example, if you are a member of Abnegation, you cannot look at yourself in the mirror. Jonas is given lots of power after receiving his job, while Tris finds herself in danger.

So, would you rather read Divergent, The Giver, or both? Leave your thoughts in the Comments!

Alex, Scholastic Kids Council

Which magical book character would you be: John Midas from The Chocolate Touch, Harry Potter from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Felicity Pickle from A Snicker of Magic, or Percy Jackson from Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief? Find out by answering these questions:

1. What do you think about the most? a) The present. b) The past. c) The future. d) None.

2. What is your personality type? a) You’re an idealist. b) You’re the protector. c) You’re a thinker. d) You’re the doer.

3. If you saw a lost kitten with a collar, what would you do? a) Bring the kitten to an animal shelter. b) Feed the kitten food. c) Take the kitten home and make posters. d) Return the kitten to the address on its collar.

4. What is your favorite sweet? a) Chocolate. b) Jelly beans. c) Ice cream. d) Honey.

5. Choose your favorite board game. a) Taboo for Kids. b) Chess. c) Scrabble. d) Battleship.

6. What would you do on your last day on Earth? a) Eat your favorite ice cream. b) Hug your friends and say good bye. c) Tell your mom you love her. d) Worry about the afterlife.

7. Do you have a lot of friends? a) I’m friends with everyone. b) I have two best friends and the rest are acquaintances. c) I have one solid bestie and I wouldn’t trade her for the world. d) I’m more of a loner and I like it that way.

8. What kind of movie would you pick for a sleepover? a) A documentary. b) A fantasy movie. c) A romantic movie. d) An action movie.

9. You are about to take a test! How prepared are you? a) Not prepared at all! b) I didn’t study, but I’m confident I’ll pass. c) Very prepared! I always study at night for fun. d) What subject is this again?

10. If two of your best friends got into a fight, what would you do? a) Wait for them to hash it out on their own. b) Don’t take sides but be there for both of them. c) Try to help them settle the argument. d) Tell them fighting isn’t what friends do and they need to stop it right now.

11. What is your ideal way to relax after a long day? a) Sit down with a cup of hot chocolate. b) Lounge around with friends. c) Have a spa day. d) Go for a swim at the beach.

Results:

If you answered mostly A’s, you are the deliciously irresistible John Midas! Everything you touch turns to chocolate and it’s pretty much everyone’s dream come true.

If you answered mostly B’s, you are Harry Potter! No, you’re not “Just Harry”… You’re a wizard, and a thumping good one, I’d wager.

If you answered mostly C’s, you are Felicity Pickle! Your power is special because don’t just hear words, you SEE words and you see them everywhere.

If you answered mostly D’s, you are Percy Jackson! You are part human and part god. Not just any god, you’re Poseidon’s child.

Sandy

Everyone has problems, but if you’re obsessed with the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series (as we know many of you are) this list is for you! See if you can identify with . . . 

10 Problems Only Percy Jackson Fans Understand

10. You can’t decide on naming your goldfish Artemis or Poseidon.

9. You get in trouble for telling people to go to Hades.

8. You call your blanket your “Golden Fleece.”

7. You keep thinking that creepy tree in your backyard is Thalia’s tree and she’s trapped inside.

6. You tell people that you’re “half-blood” when you are half-Irish and half-Italian.

5. You imagine what it would be like to never age past 16 if you were inducted as one of Artemis’s lieutenants.

4. You are desperate to go to Camp Half-Blood. (This is actually a real camp that my friends do! We’re talking daily missions, battle training, sword fighting, and more.)

3. You keep calling your half-brother “Tyson” and pretending he is a Cyclops.

2. You can’t stop harassing your friends to read the series.

1. You wander aimlessly around your house because you finished all the books.

Are you obsessed with Percy Jackson? Tell us in how bad it is in the Comments below!

-Ratha

Summer Camp Bunk’d Style!

Just in time for summer camp season, we thought it was the perfect time for some Bunk’d Would You Rather! If you went crazy over Disney Channel’s Jessie, then you’re a fan of Bunk’d which is the spinoff TV show. The cast (minus Jessie and Luke – boo hoo!) make their way to Camp Kikiwaka, the summer camp their parents met at when they were teenagers.

There are new characters like the heartthrob camp counselor Xander, and the outdoorsy farm girl Lou. Add in campers Jorge who claims he was abducted by aliens, and Tiffany who is super-smart and has over-protective parents. Throw these city kids into the wild – and it makes for some pretty funny episodes!

To get you in summer camp survival mode, tell us Would You Rather . . .

1. Sleep-away camp OR day camp?
2. Tell ghost stories OR see a bear?
3. Tug of War OR Canoe Race?
4. Get poison ivy OR be bitten by a swarm of mosquitoes?
5. Be bunkmates with Emma OR Ravi?
6. Have a cute camp counselor OR “survival-expert” camp counselor?
7. Step in bear poop OR get sprayed by a skunk?
8. Camping on the beach OR the forest?
9. Give up your phone/device all summer OR give up candy?
10. Get attacked by an angry chipmunk OR angry bald eagle?

Let us know what you’d rather . . . and what you think of Bunk’d in the Comments below. Happy Camping!

-Ratha

Photo courtesy of Disney Channel

Basketball

Basketball has had a huge impact on my life since I was in kindergarten. My mother and father told me that, when I was little, I would ask to sleep with my basketball and that I went through a couple of months where I bounced my basketball everywhere I went!

I play for a summer team, a travel team, a school team, and an A.A.U. team. I love all four of them. When I am having a bad day, and I know I have basketball practice later, it makes my day so much better.

One reason why I love basketball so much is because the game never stops. The ball is always moving, and the game moves fast. I play point guard, which means I have to work on my ball handling skills a lot. I have lots of fun practicing, even when I am alone.

I love to watch basketball too. It is so entertaining to watch. My favorite team is the Golden State Warriors. I love to watch Stephen Curry play, and try to imitate his moves. So make sure that you try out basketball soon because I know you will have lots of fun.

Leah, Scholastic Kids Council

If you can’t get enough of Shark Week, here are some books to fuel your obsession.

10 True Tales: Surviving Sharks By Allan Zullo for Ages 8–12

Can you imagine getting bitten by a shark? Or having an elephant try to trample you? Or running for your life from a cougar? This book contains ten true stories of real-life survivors of attacks by some of the animal kindgom’s scariest predators!

Into the Killing Seas By Michael P. Spradlin for Ages 8–12

Stranded in the war-torn Pacific, Patrick and his younger brother Teddy are finally homeward-bound. They’ve stowed away on one of the U.S. Navy’s finest ships, and now they just need to stay hidden. But Japanese torpedoes rip their dream apart. And the sinking ship isn’t the worst of it. No, the real danger circles beneath the surface. And it has teeth . . .

Deep Dive #4: Kraya the Blood Shark By Adam Blade  for Ages 7-10

Max and Lia have tracked the evil Professor to his lair in the Black Caves. Neither of them is ready for what awaits them there. Kraya the Blood Shark, with his razor sharp teeth and laser cannons, is the most vicious of all the Robobeasts. Max must survive if he wants to finally come face-to-face with the Professor to save his father and retrieve the fourth and final piece of the Skull of Thallos. But there are still some secrets Max has not uncovered, and they could lead to Max’s defeat.

Jack Gets a Clue #4: The Case of the Loose-Toothed Shark By Nancy Krulik, Illustrated by Gary Lacoste for Ages 7-10

When a giant shark tooth fossil went missing during my little sister Mia’s birthday party at the aquarium, I found myself in really deep water—the aquarium staff accused me of stealing it. No way would I steal something, even if it was a cool fossil. What I could do, though, was talk to the animals at the aquarium to find out who the real thief was. My brainiac detective partner Elizabeth and I would have to work fast to clear my name before the end of the day.

Scholastic Discover More: Sharks By Penelope Arlon  for Ages 7-10

Sharks are incredible creatures and we are just beginning to understand their complex lives. Thorough, up-to-date information is combined with cutting-edge facts about sharks’ amazing memories, shark no-go zones, and cleaners and clingers-on: fish that travel with and attend sharks. The book encourages an active response: sharks are endangered and here’s what you can do about it.

I Survived #2: I Survived the Shark Attack of 1916 By Lauren Tarshis for Ages 8-12

In the summer of 1916, ten-year-old Chet Roscow is captivated by the local news: a Great White shark has been attacking and killing people up and down the Atlantic Coast, not far from Chet’s hometown of Springfield, New Jersey. Then one day, swimming with his friends, Chet sees something in the water. . .

Happy Birthday to Dobby the House Elf! Celebrate with Quotes!

In honor of our favorite house elf, Dobby, from the Harry Potter series and his birthday on June 28^th,  we would like to take a moment to reflect on his awesomeness and wisdom.

As many of you know, Dobby started as a house elf enslaved to the Malfoy family. He loved Harry, and Harry eventually helped Dobby earn his freedom when he tricked Lucius Malfoy into giving him his freedom. He then worked at Hogwarts, giving us tons of hilarious one-liners and escapes until the bitter end. But enough about that! Let’s now celebrate Dobby with some of his most memorable quotes!

1. “Dobby will have to punish himself most grievously for coming to see you, sir. Dobby will have to shut his ears in the oven door for this.” (Chamber of Secrets)
2. Harry: ”You’d better clear off before my bones come back, Dobby, or else I might strangle you.”
   Dobby: ”Dobby is used to death threats, sir. Dobby gets them five times a day at home.” (Chamber of Secrets)
3. “Harry Potter mustn’t be angry with Dobby. Dobby did it for the best.” (Chamber of Secrets)
4. “Socks are Dobby’s favorite, favorite clothes sir! But sir… they has made a mistake in the shop, Harry Potter, they is giving you two the same.” (Goblet of Fire)
5. “And if Dobby does it wrong, Dobby will throw himself off the topmost tower, Harry Potter!” (Half-Blood Prince)
6. Bellatrix Lestrange: ”You stupid elf! You could have killed me!”
   Dobby: ”Dobby never meant to kill! Dobby only meant to maim, or seriously injure!”(Deathly Hallows)
7. Dobby’s last words whispered before death, “Harry Potter…” (Deathly Hallows)

I can’t say how much I loved Dobby’s character. What about you guys? Share your deepest thoughts in the Comments below!

-Ratha

Dobby clay model by Jim Kay

Photo courtesy of Kayla

Create a Caption for Moustache Girl!

What would you say if you woke up one morning and you had grown a moustache while you were sleeping?

Leave your caption for Moustache Girl in the Comments!

Sofia Carson Answers Our Would You Rather Questions

In the Disney TV movie Adventures in Babysitting, goody two-shoes Jenny (played by Sabrina Carpenter from Girl Meets World) and artsy rebel Lola (played by Sofia Carson from Descendants) accidentally swap phones. As a result of the swap, Lola ends up babysitting for one of Jenny’s clients and getting into BIG trouble. The night turns into a chaotic adventure as Jenny and Lola hunt for one of the kids who snuck away.

Watch my video with Sofia Carson as she answers my Would You Rather questions. Would you rather . . .

Be best friends with Evie from Descendants OR Lola from Adventures in Babysitting?

Be best friends with Prince Charming from Descendants OR Jenny from Adventures in Babysitting?

Be a world-famous photographer OR a straight-A student?

Babysit the worst kids in the world OR owe $1000 in parking tickets?

If you could accidentally switch phones with anyone in the world, who would you choose and why?

Do you have any babysitting rules or tips for a first-time babysitter?

Photo credit (Disney Channel/Ed Araquel)

Adventures in Babysitting airs tonight at 8 p.m. on Disney Channel. Will you be watching? Leave a Comment and answer the Would You Rather questions for yourself!

Sonja

8 Books for When You Are 8

Eight is great! Hooray for the great year eight! We’ve put together a list of the eight best books to read when you’re eight. From silly to magical, these books are perfect for any eight-year-old. How many of these have you read?

The Year of Billy Miller
Starting second grade is nerve-wracking enough. Now imagine starting it with a big lump from a concussion on your head! Billy Miller can’t seem to catch a break, and that’s just the beginning of the school year. There are lots of ups and downs to his year, and Billy Miller is really nervous — but sometimes the best support comes from where you least expect it.

Where the Sidewalk Ends
These poems range from funny to wild to simply bizarre, and you won’t be able to put this book down! Have you ever wondered how long it takes to eat a whale? What happens when a crocodile goes to the dentist? If you ever wanted to know the answer to these questions — or just love silly stories — you HAVE to read this book. It’s the best!

Ramona Quimby, Age Eight
Of COURSE this book is a must-read for every eight-year-old! For bouncy, loud Ramona, turning eight is yet another great adventure. But with things at home kind of rocky, and Ramona having her own problems with bullies and annoying little kids, year eight is proving to be anything but easy. With her upbeat attitude, though, Ramona is going to show age eight who’s boss!

Amelia Bedelia
Housekeeper Amelia Bedelia means well, but takes every instruction she gets literally — like “dressing” the chicken in tiny clothes! What will happen when the Rogers family, who hire her to clean the house while they’re out for the day, returns to Amelia’s version of completed chores? You’ll have to read this super-silly book to find out!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
If you’re into magical adventure, the Chronicles of Narnia is a journey you simply can’t miss. Four siblings find themselves mysteriously transported to the magical land of Narnia, where centaurs roam, animals talk, and a terrible spell by the sinister White Witch has left the land in winter for one hundred (!!!) years. But these special children have been brought to Narnia for a reason, and they’re about to discover why . . .

Nate the Great
Nate, a young detective who loves (LOVES) pancakes, is on his biggest case yet: his friend Annie asks him to help her find a missing portrait of her dog, Fang. Sleuthing his way from clue to clue and suspect to suspect, Nate also solves several other mysteries along the way. Now how’s THAT for being a kid detective?

 Matilda
Matilda is a super-genius. Too bad her family is super-terrible, and can’t appreciate her special mind! Thankfully, Matilda finds an ally in her teacher at school, Miss Honey. But even together they are no match for Matilda’s selfish parents and the horrible headmistress Ms. Trunchbull . . . that is, until Matilda discovers her magic power that may just be her ticket to a happily ever after. This modern-day fairy tale is bound to be a book you can’t put down and will want to read over and over again!

The Magic Treehouse
This AWESOME series is one that is perfect to start at age eight (and with 55 books in the series so far, it’ll be a while before you run out of books to read). Jack and Annie are two siblings who discover a magical treehouse that sends them across time and space to solve mysteries and collect clues. From the North Pole to Ancient Egypt, Jack and Annie meet all sorts of fascinating people and creatures and learn amazing things. Extra awesome: It was recently announced that The Magic Treehouse is going to be turned into a live-action movie!

Which books from this list have you read? Which books do you think every eight-year-old should read? Share your thoughts in the Comments below!

En-Szu

Find the Squid!

You know those pictures where everything looks the same, but you have to find the thing that is different? Well, we’ve got one for you that I drew myself!

Look at this big bunch of eggs and see if you can find the squid hiding in there.

Click the image for a larger view.

Did you find it? Tell us in the Comments what you think of my picture puzzle!

En-Szu

Create a Caption for Smarty Kiss Puppy!

Grr! This puppy looks like he just woke up from a nap! What would you say he might be thinking?

Here’s my caption: “I was having the best dream, there were doggy bones everywhere and I could dig all the holes in the yard that I wanted!”

Write YOUR caption in the Comments below!

Megan, STACKS Intern

Jack Griffo (a.k.a. Max Thunderman) Would You Rather

I met 19-year-old Jack Griffo and we chatted about The Thundermans, superpowers, his best guy friend who plays Link, and his real-life girlfriend who plays Allison on the show. He was super-sweet and fun.

Watch the video!

It’s your turn to answer The Thundermans questions.  Would you rather . . .

Be best friends with Henry Danger OR Link Evilman?

Be slimed OR be turned into an animal with the animalizer?

Be world famous OR have a secret superpower that no one knows about?

If you could only have 1 of Max’s superpowers, which would you choose and why?

Leave YOUR answers in the Comments and tell us what you think of The Thundermans!

Sonja

Which Dress Would You Wear to the Tony Awards?

The Tony Awards ceremony (officially known as Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre) was on Sunday. The awards recognize actors and singers in live Broadway shows, and Hamilton fan that I am, you KNOW I was watching! Which dress would YOU wear if you were nominated for a Tony?

Photos by Larry Busacca, Theo Wargo, and Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Vote for your favorite dress in the Comments.

Sonja

10 Books for When You Are 10

Yeah for double-digits! If you’re new to the double-digit club, or even if you’ve been a member for a little while, be sure to check out this list of books that every ten-year-old has GOTTA read.

Walk Two Moons
Salamanca’s mother has gone missing, so Sal and her grandparents set off on a road trip from Ohio to Idaho to look for her. During the trip, Salamanca tells a series of fanciful stories about her friend Phoebe whose mother, coincidentally, also went missing. But the real story is the one being written by Sal during this life-changing trip, as she learns more about herself . . . and what really happened with her mother.

The One and Only Ivan
Ivan the gorilla has spent 27 years behind glass walls in a shopping mall. He doesn’t really remember his life before in the jungle, and is used to his everyday routines living in captivity. That all changes the day he meets Ruby a baby elephant, and his whole world is turned topsy-turvy! This Newbery Medal-winning book is a MUST-read. It’ll make you laugh; it’ll make you cry. Don’t miss out.

Wonder
Ten-year-old August Pullman is starting fifth grade and he’s really nervous because he’s never been to a regular school before. Though he likes playing video games and Star Wars like other kids his age, August was born with a facial difference that makes him look unlike other kids. Auggie is about to have a life-changing year, but he’s not the only one who is going to be transformed–everyone he meets is about to learn what it means to be human, to fit in, and to be extraordinary.

Wings of Fire
An ancient treasure has kept seven dragon tribes at war for years, but a prophecy involving five baby dragons — or dragonets — could bring an end to the endless fighting. So five dragonets are collected and raised in hiding, trained to fight and bring about the end of the war. However, they are held against their will, and when they escape, they unwittingly redefine their destinies . . . and the destiny of dragons everywhere.

Number the Stars
For ten-year-old Annemarie, who lives in Nazi-occupied Copenhagen in the year 1943, things are getting steadily worse. She loses her older sister, Lise, in a car accident, and now her best friend Ellen is in danger. Ellen and her family are Jewish, and as the Nazis begin rounding up the Jewish people to send them to concentration camps, Annemarie and her family take in Ellen and pretend that she is Annemarie’s sister . . . but how long can they keep up the act before they are discovered?

Bud, Not Buddy
In Flint, Michigan, ten-year-old orphan Bud Caldwell only has a few objects to remember his mother by as he gets sent from foster home to foster home. One of these objects is a flyer for the famous jazz musician Herman E. Calloway and his band, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression. Convinced that Herman must be his father, Bud runs away to find him — and ends up on one hilarious, heartwarming journey! (Check out our book trailer.)

Tuesdays at the Castle
Eleven-year-old princess Celie lives in Castle Glower, a magical castle that sprouts a new secret passageway or room each day . . . and it decides who gets to be king. When Celie’s parents are declared dead and her older brother becomes king, Celie is suspicious. Are they really dead, or is there something more sinister afoot? With the aid of her siblings and the castle itself, Celie is about to find out!

Flora and Ulysses
When ten-year-old Flora, lover of comics, rescues the squirrel Ulysses after an unfortunate run-in with a vacuum cleaner, the last thing she expects for the revived squirrel to do is develop superpowers. But that’s exactly what happens, and Ulysses (who can now fly and has super-strength, and can write poetry) is about to open up a world of possibilities for super-cynical Flora. This Newbery Medal-winning book is bound to open your eyes and warm your heart, too!

El Deafo
Cece loses her hearing when she is just a toddler, and has to wear a very bulky, embarrassing hearing aid called The Phonic Ear. Cece’s worried The Phonic Ear is getting in the way of her making a real friend, but she soon discovers that The Phonic Ear is a lot more powerful than most people realize . . . and it may not just only be her “superpower,” but a way for her to find her inner superhero. Watch the video!

Warriors
Do you ever wonder what your pet cat gets into when he’s running around outside? Wonder no longer! In this exciting and excellent series, cat Rusty finds four clans of wild cats living in the forest near his home. As he is taken in by the Thunder Clan to train as a warrior apprentice, he discovers the deception and deceit that threaten to overthrow clan order . . . but all of that pales in comparison to the greater threat lurking just beyond the forest.

Which books from this list have you read? Which books do you think every ten-year-old should read? Share your thoughts in the Comments below!

En-Szu

Quiz: How Well Do You Know Bugs?

1. Which story does NOT feature a ladybug as a main character? A) James and The Giant Peach. B) A Bug’s Life. C) Pokémon. D) Harry Potter.

2. The fear of spiders is called: A) Arachnophobia. B) Acrophobia. C) Acarophobia. D) Agoraphobia.

3. Which insect builds a cocoon and transforms itself into a butterfly? A) Ant. B) Mite. C) Caterpillar. D) Ladybug.

4. Which bug harbors the bacterium in its stomach that causes Lyme Disease? A) Roaches. B) Deer ticks. C) Bees. D) Crickets.

5. Which insect’s lifespan depends mostly on temperature, humidity, and its ability to successfully obtain blood for food? A) Wasps. B) Maggots. C) Mosquitoes. D) June beetles.

6. Which insect lives among human hairs and feeds on extremely small amounts of blood drawn from the scalp? A) Lice. B) Termites. C) Worms. D) Pill bugs.

7. How many eyes do spiders usually have? A) Eight. B) Seven. C) Three. D) None.

8. Which insect has earned the nickname “pincher bug”? A) Earwigs. B) Yellow jackets. C) Fleas. D) Ants.

9. Which insects create societies most closely paralleling those created by humans? Hint, this insect has roles nicknamed: “workers,” “soldiers,” and “queens.” A) Silk worms. B) Centipedes. C) Ants. D) Flies.

10. A firefly is part of which family of insects? A) Beetles. B) Flies. C) Bees. D) Butterflies.

Read on for the answers.

1. D) Harry Potter.
2. A) Arachnophobia.
3. C) Caterpillar.
4. B) Deer ticks.
5. C) Mosquitoes.
6. A) Lice.
7. A) Eight.
8. A) Earwigs.
9. C) Ants.
10. A) Beetles.

Flickr photo by Zhao

Which Hamilton Song Are You?

There are a lot of things we can’t get enough of: books (of course), chocolate, puppies, and…the Hamilton soundtrack! In case you aren’t familiar with the amazing-ness that is Hamilton, it is a Broadway musical about the life of Alexander Hamilton (one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and the face on the $10.00 bill). If you haven’t heard the soundtrack yet, don’t delay—it’s pretty incredible. I’ve spent a long time listening to the soundtrack on repeat.

All the songs on the Hamilton soundtrack are too good to have just one favorite, but take this HAMILTON SOUNDTRACK PERSONALITY QUIZ to find out which song most matches your personality. Which song are you? The sweet and sentimental “Helpless”? The daring “Guns and Ships”? Find out below!

You would most like to live in this time period: a) the 1950s. b) the 1980s. c) Ancient Rome. d) the future. e) the present.

Your friends would best describe you as: a) silly. b) driven. c) daring. d) confident. e) sweet.

If you were an animal, you would most likely be: a) a sloth. b) a wolf. c) a cat. d) a parrot. e) an otter.

Out of these book series, your favorite is: a) Diary of a Wimpy Kid. b) Dork Diaries. c) Percy Jackson and the Olympians. d)Harry Potter. e) Whatever After.

Your worst trait is: a) being too possessive. b) being jealous. c) being too recklessly daring. d) being conceited. e) being too sensitive.

Of these deserts, your favorite is: a) an ice cream sundae. b) cake. c) brownies. d) cookies. e) pie.

Your favorite is: a) Language Arts. b) Math. c) Science. d) Art. e) Music.

If your life were made into a movie, it would most likely be: a) a comedy. b) a soap opera. c) an action movie. d) a sci-fi adventure. e) a romance.

Your favorite pair of shoes are: a) cowboy boots. b) a well-loved pair of canvas sneakers. c) a pair of high-tech running shoes. d) flip flops. e) classic and a little dressy.

You just found out that your parents got you tickets to see Hamilton for your birthday. Your reaction is: a) That’s all? You wanted a unicorn! b) You make sure you’re allowed to do whatever you want with the tickets, and then sell them to some kid at school for $8,000. c) You make your best friends compete in a backyard talent show. The winner gets to go with you to see Hamilton! d) Scream and faint. When you revive, run into your Hamilton-themed room to blast your favorite Hamilton songs on repeat for the next 24 hours. e) Put on your own musical presentation to thank your parents for their unbelievable generosity, and tell them you finally forgive them for giving you a baby brother instead of the puppy you asked for.

Ready for the results? Read on.

If you got mostly A’s, you are “You’ll Be Back”!
You are sunny, upbeat, a little silly, and 10000% confident that everything is going to turn out just fine. People are drawn to your cheery attitude, but, like King George, you might be a little too eager to believe in happily ever after. You also have a tendency to make light of serious situations. And though you hate to admit it, you can be pretty set in your ways. If you remember to show a little more compassion every now and again, you really will succeed in inspiring everyone you see to be just as happy as you are!

If you got mostly B’s, you are “Wait for It”!
Like Aaron Burr, you don’t let a temporary setback keep you from trying your best. You are quiet and thoughtful. You like to set goals and will work hard to achieve them, and you are a very passionate person. That can mean that you take failure a lot harder, too, so don’t be so hard on yourself! You might not be in the spotlight right now, and you might feel a little jealous sometimes of those that are, but you have a great can-do attitude. You’ll be acknowledged for your talents in due time . . . if you don’t let your emotions get the best of you!

If you got mostly C’s, you are “Guns and Ships”!
You are a daring (and sometimes hardheaded) force to be reckoned with! You like to live life in the fast lane, and your energy is infectious. You are drawn to other people who also like to move at a near-reckless pace. There’s never a dull moment with you! You are a great team leader, but remember to slow down every now and again so you don’t get ahead of yourself. Remember to breathe and live in the present!

If you got mostly D’s, you are “My Shot”!
You are funky, confident, and bold. You have an effortless cool factor that people really admire. There’s just something about you: the way you walk, the way you talk . . . it’s all so natural. You’re a trendsetter without even trying. You understand the value of teamwork—and whether it’s a pool party or a group project at school, you’re a pro at making sure everyone feels welcome.

If you got mostly E’s, you are “Helpless”!
You are a starry-eyed romantic and you believe in the good in everyone. Even in the face of cruelty, you find the strength to be kind. Some may dismiss you as unrealistic, but don’t pay attention to them: people like you are so important. The world needs sweet people like you to remind us to be kind to one another!

Which song did you get? Did we miss your favorite song from the Hamilton soundtrack? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments below!

See ya later,

En-Szu

What Is Your Bunk’d Summer Style?

The Ross kids from Jessie are at Camp Kikiwaka in Maine for the summer. Are you going to camp this summer? Which Bunk’d character best reflects YOUR summer style? Are you more like Tiffany, Zuri, or Emma?

Photos courtesy of Disney Channel

Vote for your favorite outfit in the Comments.

Sonja

Start Your Own Coins for Cancer Campaign

Cancer is a pressing issue around the world right now, and we need to do something to stop it. All cancers are a problem, but there are some that are more lethal than others. Brain Cancer is one of these cancers that are very harmful and lethal. Researchers and scientists are doing everything they can to find a cure, but even with over 60 years of time, we haven’t made enough progress.

 A lot of people hear stories about young people being diagnosed with cancer, and they fight through it and survive, but that isn’t everyone. Most patients diagnosed with cancer end up succumbing to it. This is why we need to find a cure. Researchers and scientists can help exterminate this horrible disease by receiving increased funds that help them conduct more research, increase clinical trial studies, and upgrade their equipment to assist with developing a cure.

Citizens like you can help this cause by donating money to researchers, scientists, non-profit groups and proton therapy centers. You can also help by raising awareness about this disease around your community, and by supporting patients that have been diagnosed with this disease. I think that everyone needs to play a part in this fight against cancer. Even if it is something small, like having a bake sale where funds go to cancer research, everything counts.

Ask your parents and teachers to help you start your own campaign to help raise money and donate it to a research organization!

Alex, Scholastic Kids Council

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Ever read a book where the main character lives with mean relatives because something happened to his or her parents? That’s how Harry Potter’s life has been for all of his eleven years. He must endure life with his aunt’s family, the Dursleys, who make him sleep in the cupboard under the stairs. He only has extremely faint memories of his parents, whom he was told died in a car crash.

One day, he gets a letter addressed to his cupboard. Before he can read it, his uncle tears it up. But the letters keep coming, and Harry’s aunt and uncle become terrified. They run from the letters to a small hut on a small rocky island.

Harry realizes that his eleventh birthday is coming up tomorrow. He counts down the minutes and seconds as he tries to fall asleep.

At midnight exactly, Harry and the Dursleys receive a surprise — a surprise that whisks Harry away to a world of magic. He learns about his parents and so much more.

But there’s a villain on the loose — the man who murdered Harry’s parents. The clock is ticking, and few know his plans.

My mom had trouble getting into the first book, and it took her a few tries. She’s very glad she stuck with it. If you don’t like it at first, just push through the first few chapters. The first time I read this book, I was in first grade. I have read it many times since, and have read all of the books in the series at least once. The last four are a little darker, but I was fine with them.

The book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling is amazingly well written, and expresses old concepts in new ways. It brings together bravery, friendship, and knowing whom to trust. This book would be great for anyone who wants to escape into another world.

Julie, Scholastic Kids Council

Cartoon Trivia Quiz

You have seen every animated movie there is, and you are obsessed with cartoons, but how well do you know the history of this art form? How well do you really know cartoons?

1. Which one of these things does NOT happen to Nemo? A) He gets lost. B) He earns the nickname “Shark Bait.” C) He gets flushed down the toilet. D) He befriends a fish named Gill.

2. Which animated movie was the first to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature? A) Toy Story B) Shrek C) Aladdin D) Nightmare Before Christmas

3. Jack Black voices which of these animated martial arts experts? A) Samurai Jack B) Aang the Avatar C) Kai from Ninjago D) Po the Kung Fu Panda

4. Which of these was a cartoon BEFORE it was a live-action movie? A) Avatar: The Last Airbender B) Batman C) Ghostbusters D) Star Wars

5. Which of these male cartoon characters is actually voiced by a woman? A) Bart Simpson B) Ash Ketchum C) Timmy Turner D) All of the Above

6. The only time Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny have shared the same screen is in which movie? A) Who Framed Roger Rabbit B) The Emperor’s New Groove C) Space Jam D) Lilo and Stitch

7. Which of these Disney villains was still alive at the end of his or her movie? A) Gaston B) Captain Hook C) Ursula D) Scar

8. This cartoon is the longest running animated TV show in history: A) The Flintstones B) Scooby Doo C) The Simpsons D) SpongeBob SquarePants

9. What was the very first full-length animated movie released in America? A) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs B) Pinocchio C) Fantasia D) Alice in Wonderland

10. Which famous director got his start as a Disney animator? A) Steven Spielberg B) George Lucas C) Joss Whedon D) Tim Burton

Read on for the answers.

1. C) He gets flushed down the toilet.
2. B) Shrek
3. D) Po the Kung Fu Panda
4. A) Avatar: The Last Airbender
5. D) All of the Above
6. A) Who Framed Roger Rabbit
7. B) Captain Hook
8. C) The Simpsons
9. A) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 
10. D) Tim Burton 

10 Problems Only Minecraft Fans Understand

Are you obsessed with Minecraft? Can you spend hours creating your world and visiting your friends’ worlds? Do you eat, sleep, and breathe Minecraft? When you get tired of playing, do you switch over to watching videos of other people playing Minecraft? If so, this is for you. Read on to see if you DIG:

10 Problems Only Minecraft Fans Understand!

1. When a zombie kills your dog (or cat or bunny or horse).
2. Your game glitches and you accidentally die.
3. You build a fireplace in your house . . . and your house accidentally catches fire.
4. You can’t decide who is better: Stampy Cat or Dan TDM. It is TOO HARD to decide.
5. When your sister plays your game and changes/damages/erases your world. Not cool.
6. Lava. It’s bad news.
7. You are constantly searching online how to build cool stuff like ender portals, pirate ships, mob traps, real stuff like the Empire State Building or Titanic . . . the list goes on and on.
8. You can’t stop blowing stuff up with TNT.
9. You have nightmares about a chicken jockey (a baby zombie riding on a chicken) attacking you.
10. You have nightmares about not being able to play Minecraft.

Are you a Minecrafter? Let us know your problems only fellow Minecraft fans would understand – in the Comments below!

-Ratha

How to make your own M.A.S.H. game

Want to know your future? All you have to do is gather your friends and play a game of M.A.S.H.  (In case you don’t know, M.A.S.H. stands for Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House.) You can play the online M.A.S.H. game here, but if you want to play without a computer . . .

STEP 1) Get a sheet of paper and write “M.A.S.H” at the top of the page in big letters. Then think of four categories. They can be anything you want, but most people choose: people to marry, future jobs, how wealthy they will be, and the number of kids they’ll have. Now pick four answers for each category. To make the game more interesting, have your friends pick the answers for you!

STEP 2) Draw a box at the bottom of the page with a dot in the middle. Close your eyes and have your friend draw a spiral in the box starting from the dot. After a few seconds say, “Stop!” Then open your eyes and count the spiral’s rings. That number is your lucky number.

STEP 3) Start at the “M” in M.A.S.H and count up to your lucky number. When you stop, cross out whatever you land on. (For instance, if your lucky number is three, start counting at “M” and when you land on “S” cross it out.) Keep counting up to your lucky number, going through each category before circling back to the beginning. When there is only one answer in each category, circle it. That is your future!

So what did you get? A mansion, with your crush, and four kids? Who knows? It may just come true (unless you ended up in a shack with someone you can’t stand)! Then, you can always play again! Good luck!

Littering Is Awful!

One way you can stop littering is by not throwing garbage and recycling everywhere. Every time I go on the highway, I see items such as soda cans and wrappers on the ground. Why can’t people just use a bag? Get a recyclable bag, and keep it in your car. Then you can just put your garbage or recycling into the bag instead of onto a highway. Or better yet, why don’t you wait until you get to your destination to throw out or recycle things?

Another way you can prevent littering is by picking up after others. You can organize or join an expedition to pick up garbage from places where people have littered near you. All you need to organize an expedition is volunteers, bags, and gloves. Or, you can use trash grabbers, if you don’t want to use gloves.

There are simple things that you can do to help stop littering. Find the right one for you. Start a club at your school or join the Save the Planet Message Board to talk about ways you can help make the world a better place!

Kayla, Scholastic Kids Council

11 Books for When You Are 11

Being eleven isn’t easy, but you’re in luck: we’ve got a great list of eleven classic books that every eleven-year-old should read. They’ll help you through the trickier moments, give you something to laugh about, and take you on some pretty wild adventures!

The City of Ember
Humankind has survived the end of the world in the city of Ember, protected by a dome overhead and surrounded by darkness. For 241 years, humans have lived in this city lit by lamps. There used to be instructions to get out, but they have been long lost . . . or have they? With blackouts happening more often and storerooms getting dangerously empty, it’s up to friends Doon and Lina to find a way to save humanity.

Holes
Poor Stanley Yelnats has been wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit and is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile disciplinary facility in the middle of the desert. This is no surprise to Stanley, who comes from a family seemingly cursed with really, really bad luck–but he’s not ready for the mystery that is Camp Green Lake. Each day, the boys at Camp Green Lake have to dig a hole that is 5 feet deep by 5 feet wide. It’s supposed to help them to “build character” . . . or is it? What are they REALLY digging for, and why?

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
After an extra-freaky incident (involving an algebra teacher turning into a man-eating monster during a school field trip), dyslexic Percy Jackson suspects that not everything in his life is as it seems . . . and he’s right. It is soon revealed that his father is the Greek god Poseidon, and Percy  flees to Camp Half-Blood and train with other demigods (half-god, half-humans) to prevent an all-out war from erupting between the gods!

Smile
Raina just wants to be a normal sixth-grader, but when she damages her front teeth during an accident, the next few years are anything but normal! Raina has to deal with painful headgear, braces, retainers, and surgeries on top of the regular drama of crushes, physical changes, and family problems. It seems like Raina can’t catch a break, but the valuable lessons she learns along the way just might make everything worth it.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963
When Kenny’s older brother Byron–who is always getting into trouble–takes his shenanigans too far, the whole Watson family of Flint, Michigan, heads south so that Grandma can teach him a thing or two. But as the Watsons fall into one hilarious misadventure after another, a very dark moment in American history suddenly strikes–one that will change not only the Watson family, but the entire nation.

Out of My Mind
Eleven-year-old Melody, who has cerebral palsy, can’t walk or talk. But on the inside, she’s a genius with a photographic memory and brilliant mind. When her family gets her a computer, she’s able to “speak” for the first time. But being able to share her mind with the outside world can be heartbreaking, and it’s going to take a lot of inner strength for Melody to finally find her voice.

Hoot
Roy is used to being the new kid at school, but this time around at Trace Middle School, things are going a little differently. Roy’s accidentally become arch enemies with the school bully, and he’s befriended misfits, Beatrice and Mullet Fingers. And then there’s the baby burrowing owls . . . and the pancake house that’s threatening to force them out of their habitat. Roy and his new friends are on a mission to save the owls, but when it’s their word against the grown-ups, they’re going to have to fight with everything they’ve got.

Stargirl
When Stargirl first arrives at Mica High, she is so strange that no one knows what to make of her. Her schoolmates fall in love with her quirky ways and happy attitude at first, but her popularity is short-lived, and it’s not long before she becomes the butt of every joke . . . for the same things that made her so lovable to begin with. Leo, who admires Stargirl still, wants to help her to fit in again. But will making Stargirl “normal” fix her problems?

Esperanza Rising
Esperanza leads a lovely life in Mexico, where she is treated like a princess and surrounded by love and kindness. But when tragedy strikes, Esperanza and her mother are forced to flee to the United States. Life in the U.S. is very difficult, as they have to take jobs as migrant workers. But in spite of the grueling work and poor living conditions, Esperanza begins to realize that happiness may, in fact, come from within . . .

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning
For the Baudelaire children, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, things keep going from bad to worse. After they are orphaned in a fire, the three siblings are sent to live with the sinister, greedy Count Olaf. Olaf is after their inheritance money, but the Baudelaire kids have a trick or two up their sleeves–and they are determined to foil his plans!

The Mysterious Benedict Society
Eleven-year-old orphan Reynie Muldoon, after answering an unusual ad in the paper and completing a series of competitive tasks, has been selected to join a secret society with three other gifted children. What he doesn’t anticipate is that he’ll be trained by a criminal mastermind to help him take over the world–not exactly what he signed up for!

Which books from this list have you read? Which books do you think every eleven-year-old should read? Share your thoughts in the Comments below!