Al's Book Club Pick: 39 Clues

Book 5, Kid Re[porter on Today Show Book Club

Author Patrick Carman is:

     a.) Very nice

    b.) Very funny

    c.) An awesome author

    d.) Very tall

    e.) All of the above

The answer is E: all of the above!

Best selling author Patrick Carman appeared with yours truly on The Today Show at NBC studios in New York City on Friday. Mr. Carman was the featured author on Al’s Book Club for Kids and I’m one of Al’s kids—at least on the show.

The featured book was Book 5 of The 39 Clues series, The Black Circle, by Mr. Carman. Different authors are writing the different books in the 10-book series.

Before we went on the air, I waited in the green room with five other members of “Al’s Kids.” We shared information on clues we thought we had cleverly discovered in the books.

“Did you notice this little M on the key?” I asked my fellow readers from the show.

“Yeah, and did you see some of the pages are numbered in an unusual way? Maybe that’s a clue!” we confided to each other. It was obvious we all enjoyed this book!

The band Honor Society was also on the Today Show that day. We all shared the green room with them. A green room is where guests on a show can relax and get a bite to eat or something to drink before they go on the air. (Note: it's not green.) I was impressed that Mr. Carman already knew all about the upcoming young pop band!

My first observation of Mr. Carman was that he is very tall! When I spoke with him after the show he kneeled down on one knee so we could see eye to eye—something I appreciated very much.

Secondly, I noticed that Mr. Carman is very funny and really nice. He gave each of us a book about Walla, Walla Washington, his home state. He had signed each book and added something else funny. In the book there is a photo of downtown Walla, Walla that looks like a typical city with tons of office buildings. On one window high up on a building in the center of the picture he had drawn a small circle. Mr. Carman wrote “me” next to the circled window. That is his office in down town Walla, Walla.

On the set for Al’s book club the kids all plopped down in beanbag chairs. Mr. Carman loved the chairs and laughed at seeing us all squirming around in them in anticipation for the show to start. I think he enjoys being around kids. He also thought the Russian hats we wore in celebration of the book, which is set in Russia, were pretty cool.

After the show I wanted to ask Mr. Carman a couple of questions. We walked into the lobby of 30 Rockefeller Center to talk. It was so noisy with so many people walking and talking around us that for a minute I forgot my question.

“That’s OK,” he said. “I forgot the answer.”

After I stopped laughing I remembered what I wanted to ask: what was the first book he’d ever written and when did he write it.

His first book was The Dark Hills Divide, the first in the Land of Elyon series. Scholastic published the series about seven years ago. The series is based on bed time stories Mr. Carmen told his daughters every night at bedtime. Lucky kids!

Mr. Carman is working on a top-secret story now. All he would tell me is that it takes place in New York City.

Mr. Carman is really fun to be around. His wife, who was also super nice, told me he’s really just a big kid. Maybe that’s why all of us on the show liked being around him. Hey, Mr. Roker, how a beanbag chair for Mr. Carman next time?

—Danielle Azzolina

PHOTO: (TOP) Three of the six young readers on Al Rocker's Book Club for Kids who appeared—wearing Russian Hats—with Danielle Azzolina (right) on the NBC Today Show September 25. (BOTTOM) Danielle Azzolina sees eye-to-eye with author Patrick Carman. (Photos Courtesy SKPC)

Extra! Extra! Apply Now!

October 5 is deadline to apply for the 2009-2010 Scholastic Kids Press Corps.

As a Scholastic Kid Reporter, I have learned that reporting is not just an interesting and fun after-school activity. It’s a responsibility. People rely on you and you have to act professionally at all times. It’s like a real job.

For instance, if you have the opportunity to interview a really famous entertainer or other celebrity, you can’t act like a crazed fan—even if you are! You have to focus on the job and remain calm. (Later, when it’s over, you can freak out!)

Once, I interviewed stars from the Disney Channel games. While interviewing the Jonas Brothers I was jumping up and down—on the inside. I still had to be a professional journalist, asking questions with a straight face. I had to get my story. Afterward, when no one was looking, I sneaked out of sight and SCREAMED!

The picture you see on this page is me being a profession while interviewing Super Bowl super stars last year. (I was better at it than my dad was!)

I’ve also learned that while reporting is exhilarating, it also involves hard work and dedication. Before you conduct your interview, cover an event, or write your story, you have to research the topic, write out your questions, and practice your interviewing skills!

When conducting an interview, you must be prepared and attentive. You have to make eye contact with the person you are interviewing and listen carefully to the answers.

And you have to be patient. There is often a lot waiting involved. I use my waiting time to go over my questions once again and become even more familiar with them. I sometimes even memorize them.

Deadlines are another part of the job you have to take seriously. No matter how tired you are after an event or interview, you sometimes have to write the story and submit it to the editor right away. (And you still have to do your homework!)

I hope I haven’t scared you. Reporting isn’t ALL hard work. I LOVE being a Kid Reporter.

One fun part is making friends with other reporters, both your fellow Kid Reporters, and the grown-up kind you meet along the way. They can make great friends AND help you with your assignments. I learn a lot of good tips from the adult reporters. After all, we share a profession.

Are YOU interested in being a Scholastic Kid Reporter? You can apply for the job right now! Deadline to send in your application is October 5.

To apply you have to write a short biography of yourself, and a 400-word story about what makes your community special. (Get the details by clicking here.)

My advice is to show your personality through your writing. Use descriptive words, details, and rich vocabulary.

Also, pick a specific topic and stick to it.  No matter where you live, there is something unique about your community. Focus on that rather than writing out a list of tourist attractions.

In your biography, let the editors know who you are and why you REALLY love reporting.

Can’t wait to see you online!

—Shelby Fallin

Photo: Kid Reporter Shelby Fallin talks with Arizona Cardinals center Lyle Sendlein at the Super Bowl XLIII Media Day in Tampa, Florida. (Photo courtesy Shelby Fallin)

Put On Your Dancing Shoes!

Breje teaches Kid Reporter the dance moves to Twist Wit It.

This summer, I met Breje, a 13-year-old entertainer, who came to the Scholastic Headquarters in New York City to promote his new album, called Scene 1.

Just like a regular kid, Breje (pronounced bre-zay) enjoys playing soccer and hanging out with his friends. One difference, is that he has to keep a daily schedule to find time for writing songs, performing, and doing social things like sports as well as schoolwork. He also makes time to read. He recommended some great books like the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson. Maximum Ride is young adult science fiction.

I asked Breje if he had any advice for kids. Turns out he has a whole philosophy!

“You can’t get it if you don’t try,” he told me.

He defined failure as not trying. He said as kids, we should all keep trying and not give up our dreams. Kids need to “work hard, get good grades in school and practice,” he said.

That is what he plans to do to become a famous pop star. From what I can tell by his music and personality, he is definitely on his way!

“Instead of waiting on the world to change, make a change yourself,” Breje said. “Don’t wait for someone else to do it. We each can make a difference.” Some good words to live by!

Breje started dancing and rapping with his sisters' group when he was 8 years old. He really loves performing, he told me. The famous part, he’s still getting used to. Recently, after singing at a concert in a school, he was going backstage and suddenly a group of people rounded the corner with papers and pens screaming his name. He looked around wondering what they wanted. Then he realized it was his autograph! He thought that was pretty funny!

He may be modest about his popularity, but there is no reason for him to be modest about his talent. I saw him dance at Scholastic. In fact, he made me try it with him. There’s nothing easy about dancing, especially in front of a camera.

Breje is an awesome dancer. I was reluctant to try, but Breje convinced me to come up on stage and dance with him. He taught me some of his great moves to his new song Twist Wit It.

Check out the video above and try it yourself. It was fun, but I think I need more practice before I take it on the road.

It was a blast meeting Breje at Scholastic headquarters and dancing on stage with him. It was certainly a first for an interview: I had to take off my journalist’s hat and put on my dancing shoes for this one!

—Matthew Spana

Scholastic Summer Challenge Shout Out

Purple Sea Stars win the reading challenge.

From May to August I logged in my minutes on the Scholastic Summer Challenge. The Summer Challenge was perfect for me because I love to spend my time reading a great book. Since it was a very rainy, cloudy, and cool summer where I live, I had a lot of time on my hands and a wonderful excuse to read.

The books I enjoyed reading the most during the Summer Challenge were Little Women and the Harry Potter series. I could relate to Little Women because I have three sisters and the book is about the lives of four sisters. It was a heartwarming story and I highly recommend it. I enjoyed Harry Potter because it was a magical enchanting book! (I enjoy magic!)

I also enjoyed writing a book review on Chasing Vermeer when I was captain. I was lucky to be the Purple Sea Stars team captain during the month of May. I am extremely proud of everyone on the team! The Purple Sea Stars clocked the most reading minutes in May, June, July, and August and won the Summer Challenge! The team also earned a total of four participation awards. I think all the teams did very well and placed very close to each other.

Each month was dedicated to a different program from Save the Children. May was Early Childhood, June was Physical Activity and Nutrition, July was Literacy, and August was Emergency Relief. The program that got an extra bonus that everyone voted for was Emergency Relief!

There was so much to do on the Scholastic Summer Challenge Web site that I did not even come close to exploring every nook and cranny of it. I loved taking quizzes, changing my profile, sending shout outs and playing games. I also enjoyed reading kids’ posts and comments on the message board. I hope that there will be another program like this during the school year or next summer.

When I went on the Summer Challenge Web site a smile always lit up my face. The Web site is so colorful and cheery that it affects your mood! You’ll never get bored if you keep on exploring. I especially love how you’re not just reading for the sake of reading, but you’re reading for a good cause.

—Chloe Conway

Kid Reporter Deadline Near

Apply to be a Kid Reporter by October 5!

Hi everyone, I’m Danielle Azzolina, and I’ve been a kid reporter for Scholastic for almost two great years now.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that Scholastic has changed my life. Why do I feel this way? Because through Scholastic I’ve had once-in-a-life time opportunities and memories that I will never ever forget! I’ve had the chance to practice something I love: to write and to interview interesting people. And I’ve interviewed some very interesting people!

Whether or not you want to pursue a career as a journalist, as a Scholastic Kid Reporter, you will learn a lot of skills that will help you to become a better writer, researcher, and interviewer.

One thing I learned was that thinking fast and having questions prepared in advance are important.

When I went to cover the most recent Harry Potter movie premiere in New York City, the actors were coming down the red carpet pretty quickly. There wasn’t much time to go over my questions before I talked to each person, so it was important to have questions already in my head. I had written out a variety of questions in advance and then practiced asking them before I even got there. I didn’t need to read them out each time a new person came up to me on the red carpet.

This proved helpful when I had about a 10-second advance notice that director David Yates was coming my way. I was so familiar with my questions, that I had time to think up a new one for him—one I thought would get an interesting response. And it worked! That’s why thinking on your feet is important. It’s something I’m getting better at with each new experience.

For your application, I’d suggest writing about something you care about or know a lot about, because that makes your stories more interesting. Don’t be afraid to express yourself, that’s what makes your work different from all the rest. I’ve learned that the best applications have a lot of detail and specifics.

If you’re going to apply, get to work now! Deadline for the applications must be postmarked or emailed to kidspress@scholastic.com no later than October 5!

For specifics on how to apply, click here. You have to have ALL the elements they ask for in on time. Remember: Details and Deadlines are the keys to being a good reporter.

—Danielle Azzolina

PHOTO: Scholastic Kid Reporter Danielle Azzolina interviews Daniel Radcliffe, star of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, at the premiere in New York City. (Photo Courtesy of Scholastic Kids Press Corps.)

Cloudy Meatballs: Book vs. Movie

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs—the book and the movie—are ingenious tall tales with lots of action. Which do you prefer?

Learning about the movie version of one of my favorite books, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, turned out to be a day of fun in candy land. Recently, I attended a press day for the movie at one of the biggest candy stores in New York City: Dylan’s Candy Bar!

One of the best parts was getting to load up my gift bucket with all the free candy I could cram in. And then there was the chocolate fountain with strawberries, marshmallows, graham crackers, and pretzels. AND the miniature teeny tiny hot dogs, hamburgers, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Yum!

The most bizarre give-away had to be the movie-themed bacon-flavored chocolate bar. Several people told me it tasted terrible, so I saved room for my favorites and left the chocolate bar to my dad.

More to the point, reporters were given copies of the book and video games based on the book. The day before we watched the 3-D version of the movie. Each medium very different with different things to draw in the reader, watcher, or player.

It all started with a 30-year-old book of the same name about food falling from the sky. Both the directors of the movie and the author and illustrator of the book were all on hand to talk to the press.

Making the children’s picture book into a feature-length movie was no easy task. While the book took two years to write and illustrate, the movie took six years!

For one thing, a feature-length movie needed more elements than the book offered. The story in the book is a tall-tale narrated by a grandfather and his two grandchildren. There are no main characters driving the events of the small town of Chewandswallow. The weather in the form of falling food is the main character.

The movie, however, is full of colorful characters, all trying to do something to help their town. None of them fully succeed in being good at what they want to do, until….well, you’ll just have to watch! But will you read the story first? I promise it won't spoil the movie.

Both mediums tell fun and interesting stories that are definitely related, but they are two very different experiences. I began to wonder: which do I prefer?

With so many books now being made into movies, is it better to just watch the movie and save your reading time for books that you can’t see in two hours? Or does reading the book help enhance the experience of the movie?

I know if it’s not done well, a movie can ruin the story in a good book! What’s your favorite book made into a movie? And which do you prefer? Click on the blue comment button below and tell us what you think!

—Alexis Wiseman

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Alexis Wiseman tries out the chocolate fountain at Dylan's Candy Bar at the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs press day in New York in September. Photo by Suzanne Freeman

Education Town Hall Tonight!

Tune in online as the Secretary of Education answers parents' questions about school.

Being the U.S. Secretary of Education is hard work and one of the most challenging jobs in the country. After all, the kids of today will be the future of America. You don’t have to be good at math to realize that our success equals America’s success.

So it must be a big responsibility for Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education, to help kids get a great education. Tonight is a good chance to see how he’s doing that job.

Secretary Duncan has invited parents to give their input and hear what he has planned for the future during a live Web cast tonight. Duncan is holding a national town hall meeting on the Web from 8 to 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

He has been traveling around the country so that he can reach out to parents, teachers, students, principals, and school district leaders. Tonight he is extending his reach nationwide online.

You can reach him by phone, email, or video, during the one-hour live Web cast. I’ll be watching and reporting on the event, so be sure to check back to the Scholastic Kids Press Corps site for complete coverage from a kid's perspective.

I also submitted a video question to the Department of Education for the broadcast, but I don't know if it will be used. I asked Secretary Duncan about the lack of technology in schools, because aside from the computers that we rarely use in class, there is not much learning happening through technology.

Maybe one day, soon, we will all use computers or have interactive white boards in the classrooms. White boards might help make the teacher’s lessons come alive.

But for now, we leave our personal computers at home and turn off our cell phones before walking through the time warp at school. Then we pull out our pencils and a piece of paper. I sure hope the dinosaurs don’t come out at lunch!

If you are interested in watching and learning about the future of education in this country, you can find information about where to watch and when to watch at the Department of Education Web site.

Join me! I’ll be watching and I'm only 11 years old! There’s nothing more important than education for people my age.

—Mariam El Hasan

VIDEO: Kid Reporter Mariam El Hasan submitted a video question to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for his September 15 Town Hall Meeting. The questions was not used.

Tips for Applying to be a Kid Reporter

Make your application personal and use lots of details, says this veteran Kid Reporter.

Being a Scholastic Kid Reporter is probably the biggest honor I have had yet in my life. The job as a reporter has taught me how to be a better writer, handle my time wisely, and appreciate my surroundings.

Ever since I sent in my application to the Scholastic Kids Press Corps three years ago, I started to realize how lucky I am to be a part of my community in Portland, Oregon.

One part of the application is to write a story about what makes your community special. My application focused on the biking community in Portland. One reason I wrote about that topic was because Portland is the nation’s cleanest city, meaning with clean air there are more activities you can enjoy outside.

But the biggest reason is because bike riding and being outdoors is important to me. The rush of the wind blowing through my hair carries away my worries or troubles. So many people bike to work or school every day, the town recently added designated lanes and “stop boxes” for bicycle riders.

If something in your community makes you feel the way I do about my hometown, then that would be a great topic to write about. Try to relate your topic to your own life. And remember to add why you think it makes your community special.

Details, details, details! My editor told me she picked my application because I made it personal and added lots of details.

As a Scholastic Kid Reporter, you’ll get so many cool assignments, that it will be hard to choose your favorite! However, I know what my favorite one has been so far. That would have to be flying to Vancouver, Canada, to visit the movie set of Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. I also visited the set of the movie Ramona and Beezus. I met all the lead actors and got to conduct interviews. I also got to see what goes into making a movie. I really enjoyed it.

You could be a Kid Reporter and get lots of cool assignments, too. Just apply before October 5. You can get the details here!

—Grace Choi

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Grace Choi with actor Logan Lerman, who plays Percy in the upcoming movie Percy Jackson and the Olympians:The Lightning Thief. (Photo courtesy Grace Choi)

Want to be a Kid Reporter?

Research and detail are keys to good reporting. Use those tips in your application!

I have been a Kid Reporter for Scholastic News for almost two years. It has been a lot of fun and a great learning experience.

I have learned many things as a Kid Reporter. I have learned that when writing an article it is important to make the reader feel like they are with you experiencing the moment. Don’t just state facts—use a lot of descriptive words to make your article interesting.

I have also learned that you should use different writing styles depending on the type of article you are writing. For example, writing a book or movie review is different than reporting about a special event.

However, the most important thing I learned while being a Kid Reporter is that you should do your research before you go out on an assignment. To do a good job, you have to know who you are going to interview and find out some background information about them. This will help you to ask good questions.

Always bring a little digital recorder with you so you can record their replies. Then you can use actual quotes in your article, which makes it more interesting.

One of my favorite assignments was to cover the red carpet for the premiere of the movie, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Before I set out on this adventure, I did some research on each of the actors in the movie as well as the director and the author of the books on which the movie was based.

I prepared questions for each one in advance. This was a tremendous help since I only had a few minutes with each person as they walked down the red carpet and spoke to all the reporters.

I love being a Kid Reporter! If you want to be a journalist, you should apply to be a Kid Reporter, too. Deadline is October 5!

When completing the application process, be sure that your biography includes interesting details about your life and your interests . Include some fun facts about yourself, things that make you special. It doesn't huyrt to explain why you want to be a reporter, too!

When writing your article about your community, think about what makes your community unique and different from every other neighborhood in America. Use details and do some research! You may even learn something new! Good Luck!!

—Jacqueline Minogue

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Jacqueline Minogue gets the scoop on The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants from America Ferrera at the world premiere of the movie, August 2008. (Photo courtesy Jacqueline Minogue)

President Obama' Speech on Twitter

Kid Reporter Gopa Praturi covered President Barack Obama’s Back to School speech in Arlington, Virginia, today. She wrote updates on twitter throughout the entire event. A twitter entry can only be 140 characters long. Every break you see in the copy below, indicates a different "tweet." You can follow her play-by-play below:

Hi. Kid Reporter Gopa Praturi here. I'm at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, for the President's Back to School speech.

By the way, the students here aren't allowed to talk to the press yet, but by their expressions, I'm pretty sure they're really excited!

The Secretary of Education is right here in front of us and he's going to do some interviews with the press.

I just interviewed Sec. of Ed. Arne Duncan. He said the President worked hard through school for his success. If you work hard, you can succeed, too.

Secretary Duncan also said to work hard at your goals, and you just might fulfill them.

We're in the high school gym. Football players are here in their uniforms today. The school colors are green and white.

The press has filled up one entire end of the gym. The podium is on the basketball court.

The hoop has been raised up to make room for the backdrop. It says "My Education, My Future" with the White House seal underneath.

We're sitting right behind the press riser, where the press is ready to broadcast this live on TV and on the White House Web site.

Lots of students are really excited that the President is here. Some are wearing purple ambassador T-Shirts. Today is first day of school.

We still have a whole hour until the speech, but we're already completely prepared.

The Wakefield High Principal is introducing herself and the school, just before President Obama's speech.

They are starting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem lead by students.

The principal is continuing to talk to the students about why President Obama probably chose Wakefield instead of any other school.

Wakefield's principal is talking about the teachers and encouraging them, saying that they are the best staff ever.

She is also asking the students to "live and feel" the moment because this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

By the way, “Obama is in the house,” she said. We are all waiting for him right now.

All the kids are chattering about the fact that Obama is actually coming to their school, and the principal's inspiring talk.

President Obama still hasn't come out, but we are pretty much ready. Everyone is waiting.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is going to speak with the students now. He's introducing the speech, too.

Sec. Duncan is talking about a student named Timothy Spicer. He's the President of the senior class. He is introducing him.

Timothy is talking to the students. He's introducing the President right now, just like Sec. Duncan introduced HIM.

President Obama is on stage at the moment, starting his speech. Kids are cheering like crazy. Stay tuned in for more info.

President Obama is talking about a student's responsibility for his/her education. He's starting with “responsibility to yourself.”

He said everybody is good at something, but you might not know that until you try it in school.

Obama is comparing the knowledge in science and math to real life, and how it relates to the nation as a whole.

The country needs every child to succeed. He's now talking about how kids have challenges in their lives and how it’s not that easy to do well in school without hard work and help.

"There is no excuse for not trying," Obama says.

Obama is talking about Jazmin Perez, and how she has been through so much. But she is very successful.

He is also talking about Shantell Steve, and how she succeeded too. He is giving examples of other kids around the nation who have overcome hardship.

Obama is saying that no matter how small your goals are, you must accomplish them.

Obama is saying how some people have failed so many times, and they finally they succeeded—such as JK Rowling (Harry Potter author) and Michael Jordan (star basketball player).

Mr. Obama is telling kids to ask for help – it’s okay.

Obama is giving examples about Americans who were sitting right where our students sit today, and founded great things. These kids will go on to do great things, too.

Obama has just ended the speech. Everyone is applauding Music is playing in the backround. That’s all for now!

—Gopa Praturi

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Gopa Praturi "tweets" from President Barack Obama's Back to School speech in Arlington, Virginia,September 8, 2009. Photo by Suzanne Freeman