First Youth Olympic Games Ends

Hats off to Singapore for a job very well done.

After 12 days of hard-fought competition, the first ever Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore concluded on Thursday with another spectacular ceremony at Marina Bay.

So much happened in those 12 days! The athletes were spectacular of course, and their stories and achievements will live on forever. But as I step away from the Games and make my way to the airport, what strikes me the most is what went on behind the scenes: all the details, big and small, that made it all possible.

“I did not expect this level of perfection,” said Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee. “Hats off to Singapore for what they’ve done. I now have 22 Olympic Games under my belt and the YOG is ranking at the very top.”

I've walked a lot in the city and I don't think I saw a single street without a banner or billboard advertising the Games. For 12 days, the official buses of the Youth Olympic Games roamed the city. The mascots—Lyo and Merly—have become celebrities. The spirit of the Youth Olympic Games was everywhere!

One point of controversy was that most venues were sold-out long before the finals, and not enough tickets had been set aside for anyone—especially Singapore residents—wishing to attend at the last minute. That should be addressed in future Games, but there are worse problems than to have too much success.

In the end, 370,000 spectators attended the Games.

"We have made Singapore proud," declared Ng Ser Miang, Chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee, during the Closing Ceremony.

He, too, recognized that the Games would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the more than 20,000 volunteers.

"What can I say to you?" he told volunteers. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your passion and your total devotion. This is a dream come true for many of us. So dear friends, wherever you are, please stand up, take a bow and be recognized."

And the crowd recognized them! They gave the volunteers a well-deserved standing ovation.

This is my last post from Singapore, and it's been an amazing experience. Being a Kid Reporter and seeing kids barely older than me achieve so much—wow! That was truly inspiring.

I loved it all—even you guys at the Media Accreditation office! Thank you for the opportunity!

—Charlotte Samson

PHOTO: Young athletes enjoy a party on stage during the closing ceremony of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, August 26, 2010. (Photo Courtesy ©2010 Youth Olympic Games)

Reporter Skills Equal LIfe Skills

From celebrities to hard news, this Kid Reporter has done it all.

What I learned the most from being a kid reporter was how to conduct a good interview.

Conducting an effective interview is one of the key skills to being a good journalist. Knowing what questions to ask and how to ask them will help you get better information and better quotes—whether you’re working on an article, blog post, or video.

As a Kid Reporter this 2009-2010 school year, I’ve gotten a lot of practice and coaching at interviewing. For me, however, learning how to conduct a good interview isn’t just a skill I need as a reporter. Knowing how to get information from people by asking good questions is a skill that can help you socially and academically.

I’ve also learned how to be more comfortable talking to people. I remember that when I was 9 years old, my step-dad took me to the premiere of the movie Tale of Despereaux and I met Emma Watson. She portrays Princess Pea, but is better known for her role as Hermione Granger in Harry Potter.

Looking back on it, I remember being very shy and nervous, which is really embarrassing. That was before I was a Kid Reporter. Things are different now. Recently, I was complimented by actor Keke Palmer—whom I’m a fan of—after a recent interview.

“You’re so well spoken,” she said.

My experience as a Kid Reporter has been absolutely wonderful. I’ve gotten the opportunity to go to cool events such as the Kids Choice Awards and the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. And I've met a ton of interesting and fun people.

I know the next set of Kid Reporters will be just as fortunate as I am. Want to be one of them? The application process just started! You can find instructions for how to enter here.

—Miranda Rector

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Miranda Rector at one of the many movie press days she covered during the last year. Los Angeles Kid Reporters get to do a LOT of fun events like the press day for Fantastic Mr. Fox. (Photo Courtesy Miranda Rector)

Take a Chance: Apply Now!

Applications for 2010-2011 Kid Reporter program under way.

When I read the e-mail from Editor Suzanne Freeman asking the members of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps to write about our experiences as kid reporters, I knew exactly what I wanted to write about. This week, I was interviewed by a local newspaper reporter about that very subject and I’d been thinking about it all day.

When I stop to reflect on all the amazing experiences and opportunities I’ve had as a Kid Reporter, it stuck me that the most valuable lesson was this: I learned how to push my doubts aside and push myself ahead.

By doing that, I think the thing I’ve learned the most about is myself. Each new assignment had new challenges, and I’ve grown in different ways from them all.

Sometimes I was a little scared or nervous before a big assignment. Would I do a good job? Would be able to think on my feet? Would I get enough information to write a good story?

I’ve learned how to be prepared and organized, to communicate well, to meet a deadline, to be responsible, and to be patient. (Once I waited three hours to interview someone and it turned out to be well worth the wait.)

What I’ve learned most is confidence. If you never take a chance, try something new, or accept challenges, you will never know what you can accomplish. You’ll never know if you can fly unless you jump! You can apply today to be a Kid Reporter. All the instructions on how to enter the competition are right here!

—Danielle Azzolina

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Danielle Azzolina shoots footage at the red carpet premiere of The Last Airbender in New York City. (Photo Courtesy Danielle Azzolina)

Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions!

Once shy reporter leans to speak out—and get the scoop.

Before my experience as a Kid Reporter, I was very shy. I was hesitant to interact with other people and always got major butterflies when I had to give a presentation! Now I get major scoops!

I soon learned that I get the most out of my interviews when I am unafraid to ask more questions than I prepared. I also learned not to be afraid to repeat myself,or ask the person I am interviewing to speak more slowly.

When I interviewed author Pam Muñoz Ryan, I asked her about any upcoming projects. She said I was one of the first to find out about her soon-to-be-released new novel! All because I thought to ask.

You’ll find that when you ask the questions, you can gain access to awesome information and be able to write articles chock-full with fun facts that YOU discovered yourself!

Communication has other benefits as well. As a writer, I have to communicate effectively through emails and phone calls with my editor. She’s an important part of my job, and without her to answer my various questions, I’d be lost and unorganized.

In my first days as a reporter, I was constantly asking myself how long my article should be or when the next interview was scheduled. It never occurred to me that I should stop asking myself and instead ask someone who could really answer my questions! 

Over the last two years, being involved in journalism has combined my love of writing with practice in communication. Good communication is a key skill for everyone, not just reporters!

Is journalism not your thing? It doesn’t have to be to learn from it. Whenever you’re confused about an assignment at school, ask your teachers. They’re always willing to help you succeed, just like the staff at Scholastic is for me!

—Anjali Bhat

PHOTO: Once shy, Kid Reporter Anjali Bhat now reports every chance she gets, even when on vacation at Mount Titlis in Switzerland! (Photo Courtesy Anjali Bhat)

Summer Reads: Scorpions

A book so well done you'll forget you're reading!

Scorpions

Author: Walter Dean Myers

Publisher/Date: Harper and Row, 1988/Amistad, 1990

Number of Pages: 216

Recommended age of readers: 12 and up

It's not a classic—yet—but Scorpions by Walter Dean Myers sure reads like one. The book has already been named a Newbery Honor Award book and author Myers has received the Coretta Scott King Award five times. He has also won the Margaret A. Edwards Book Award. After reading the book this summer, I can see why. I got so lost in the story, I would forget I was reading.

The setting is the urban jungle of Harlem, New York. Jamal is a normal 12-year-old boy, whose brother Randy is in jail for armed robbery and murder. Randy needs $2,000 for his court appeal, but Mama just doesn't have the money.

The only way to get the money is for Jamal to become the leader of Randy's gang, The Scorpions. Randy's friend Mack gives Jamal a pistol and tells him to think about it. Jamal is confused and under even mor pressure because another boy is bulling him at school. Jamal's best friend Tito adds to the stress when he tells Jamal he isn't too sure about the whole Scorpions thing.

The way Myers puts his words together makes me feel like I'm in the story, and it's a great feeling. As you follow the story, you go through a variety of feelings—from happy, to sad, to confused, to excited. I even felt some of these feelings at the same time as I was reading Scorpions.

Scorpions is a great book and I highly recommend it.

—Andre Baker-Harris

PHOTO: Book Cover Courtesy Harper Collins/Amistad

NOTE: What books have you read this summer? Use the blue comment link below to make your own book recommendations or add your thoughts about Scorpions.

Tips for Stressed Reporters

If at first you don’t succeed…

So there it was: My first assignment as a Scholastic Kid Reporter! I was asked to cover an event at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. The story was for an online Special Report for Native American History month.

I was told I could choose between two events: participate in a gala dinner or attend a special movie screening that would include an interview with the lead actor. Both sounded great.

Upon further inspection, however, it turned out that dinner was very late and very far away (on a school night), and the movie topic was, well let's say, less than appropriate for kids. Oh, great. Now, what to do?

Tip 1: Don’t Panic, Research!

OK, so, no dinner and no movie. Time to propose another aspect of Native American history to cover: To the Internet!

I looked at the Smithsonian museum’s website to try to find another idea and eventually stumbled upon “Upcoming Events.” Turns out, the museum was featuring a major art exhibit by a modern Native American artist that same month! It was the first time the museum would showcase a living artist’s work.

The artist, Brian Jungen, takes common objects like sneakers and golf bags and turns them into natural works of art. I was all for it, and so was my editor when I suggested the idea. In fact, one of the magazines decided they wanted the story for a cover! I researched all about the artist, prepared my interview questions and got them approved.

I eagerly awaited my first big interview with Mr. Jungen, which was canceled by the museum at the very last minute. Oh, great. What to do?

Tip 2: (Same as Tip 1) Don’t Panic, Research!

Back I went to the museum website. There I found that I could get permission to view the artwork before the show officially opened. The Assistant Director agreed to let me to look around for a "few minutes." That’s when Tip 3 came in handy.

Tip 3: Be Polite, Show Genuine Interest (and make use of all that research)!

The Assistant Director let me into the exhibit and (thanks to tip 3), we ended up talking for nearly an hour. I got a complete tour, and he even introduced me to the museum’s director. He seemed to appreciate how much I knew about the artist and he shared some unique insights with me about Jungen’s art and the art world in general—most of which came in very handy for my article.

It was a tricky first assignment, but I learned a lot. Just one thing to remember: when in doubt, RESEARCH! 

My last tip is to apply to be a Kid Reporter. The application process just opened up for the 2010-2011 school year. Enter the competition here.

—Nick Berray

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Nick Berray at a Washington Wizard's basketball game, one of the many cool assignments he covered as a member of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps. (Photo Courtesy Nick Berray)

All the Lovely Bad Ones

To all the little children: This is one scary book!

All The Lovely Bad Ones

Author: Mary Downing Hahn

Publisher/Release Date: Sandpiper/Reprint edition August 17, 2009

No. of pages: 192

Reading level: 9-12 years

When I was scanning the shelves at my school’s spring book fair, I saw the name, All The Lovely Bad Ones. I wondered what it could possibly be about, so I read the information on the back.

It sounded creepy, and as soon as I saw the words "ghost story," I knew I just had to read it! Nothing interests me more than a good book about mysteries and ghosts, and this book was no disappointment in that category.

I really enjoyed this book because introduces you to the characters so well that it makes you feel as though you know them. The suspense also builds and builds, keeping you turning the pages.

The main characters are Travis, 12, and his younger sister, Corey. The are spending the summer at their grandmother’s farm in Vermont, which is reportedly haunted. When they decided to pull some pranks, they unintentionally stir up the real ghosts of young children who were killed on the farm by the evil Ms. Ada. Now Travis and Corey have to find a way to release the children's tortured spirits.

Author Mary Downing Hahn provides just enough detail—yet leaves just enough out—for your imagination to go wild filling in the blanks. From learning about the ghastly “lovely bad ones” to almost feeling evil Ms. Ada grab you with her stone cold bone hands, the story provides entertainment and an educational experience.

It’s a good ghost story and an opportunity to learn about poor houses in the 1800s. You also learn about poet James Whitcomb Riley, whose inscription to his famous “Little Orphant Annie” poem is the basis for the book’s title and the inspiration for the story:

To all the little children: -- The happy ones; and sad ones; The sober and the silent ones; the boisterous and glad ones; The good ones -- Yes, the good ones, too; and all the lovely bad ones.

—Kiera Fobb

PHOTO: Book Cover Courtesy Sandpiper

Olympic Windsurfing Sails!

Champions crowned at the Youth Olympic Games windsurfing regatta.

The conclusion of the windsurfing regatta at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore was thrilling! The competition lasted for nine days. That's really exhausting.

First, it's exhausting mentally, because you have to stay sharp the whole time and handle the distractions.

It is also physically tough. Windsurfing can be done in every wind condition, but contrary to what you might think, it's harder physically with very little wind. That was certainly the case in Singapore this week.

In light conditions, competitors need to continuously move their sail around to propel their board. That’s called 'pumping' and it's a tough test of endurance.

The last race counted double-points, but that didn't change who won the gold medal in either the girls’ or boys’ fleet. Siripon Kaewduang-Ngam from Thailand and Mayan Rafic from Israel dominated the regatta throughout.

The last race did, however, decide the silver and bronze medals. In the girls’ fleet, Italy took the silver, while Singapore won bronze. For the boys’, silver went to Hong Kong and the bronze to Great Britain.

It's always difficult to spot the action from the shore in a windsurfing regatta, but for that last race, groups of people gathered around the few who had binoculars. We were all on the edge of our seats!

When it was over, all the boats—including the officials, technical teams, and coaches—came back honking! It was really loud and playful. Everyone on shore was cheering, especially for Audrey Yong from Singapore, who clawed her way into the medals with that last race. The whole scene gave me goosebumps!

You may remember from an earlier post that my big sister Margot also competed in windsurfing! She didn't finish among the leaders, but learned a lot and raced a great medal race.

She was beaming when she got back to the beach. I asked her about what this regatta meant to her.

“It was absolutely spectacular," she told me. "What we experienced here in Singapore’—the tough competition, the Olympic life, the organization, the friendships we made—I'll remember this forever!"

I talked to some other competitors after the race, asking them to summarize their experience in one word.

Here's a multi-lingual sample of what I heard: Great, Incredible, Amazing, Awesome, Fantastic, Inoubliable, Impressionnant, Fun, Divertida.

The competitor from Estonia summarized his experience as, "Suure parane." My Estonian is a little rusty, so I looked it up online. It means “big improvement.”

Here’s my one word for all the competitors: Bravo!

—Charlotte Samson

PHOTOS: (TOP) Margot Samson (USA) and Audrey Caron (Canada) congratulate each other after windsurfing competition ends. (BOTTOM) Hanna Idziak (Poland) is interviewed by Kid Reporter Charlotte Samson at the windsurfing competition in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. (Photos by Charlotte Samson)

Four States in 12 Years

This Kid Reporter learns from where she lives.

Living in a lot of different places can change you. Trust me, I’ve had my fair share of experience in this area. In my 12 years of life, I have lived in New York, New York; Detroit, Michigan; Denver, Colorado; and as of this summer, Cleveland, Ohio.

Each city has given me so much: new expectations, new ideas, and new challenges.

My first memories are of New York City—the Big Apple. The people in New York are amazing. Everyone has a thick skin. The streets seem to crackle with energy.

New Yorkers are not afraid to tell you what they think. No one can keep their opinions to themselves. I learned a lot in school with rowdy classroom debates and students unafraid to ask questions. People in New York respect you for sharing your opinions.

When I moved to Detroit, Michigan, the first thing I noticed is the population’s diversity. So many different people all living together happy and proud of it. Once I got past being shy, I made a lot of friends. Being weird in your own way is something to be proud of in Detroit.

In Denver I was surprised yet again. Everyone there is so active. People in Denver participate in year around sports in almost every league. They ride bikes to school no matter what the weather. Whole families walk and bike together.

Skiing is also a favorite sport, although I never learned. I was the most fit I’ve ever been in my life—and some of the most fun, too.

When life brought me to Cleveland, Ohio this summer, I didn’t know what to expect. I’m still not entirely sure, but I’m going to find out. And just like everywhere else I’ve been, it will leave its mark on me—probably for the better.

—Kayla Gough

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Kayla Gough. (Photo Courtesy Kayla Gough)

Fever Crumb: Dessert for Your Brain

Fever Crumb

Author: Philip Reeve

Publisher/Release Date: Scholastic Press/April 1, 2010

No. of Pages: 336

Reading Level: Grades 5-7

Reading the book Fever Crumb is like opening presents at a birthday party: there is one surprise to look forward to after another.

In the book by Philip Reeve, Fever is a 14-year-old girl who is told that she is an orphan and has been adopted by a man known as Dr. Crumb.

The story takes place in the future in London at a time when cities are mobile and able to move into different territories. Archaeologists dig to discover ancient technology, because they live in a low tech, post-apocalyptic world.

Fever is the only female member of the Order of Engineers and is very mature for her age. She is extremely intelligent and tries to avoid all things that serve no practical function. For example, she shaves her head every other day because she believes that growing hair is “irrational. ” Hair attracts lice, fleas, and other parasites, she says!

Despite her peculiar behavior, Fever seems like she really has her act together. She never really shows much emotion and strives to be a strong person.

However, Fever’s life is about to change. She is sent to assist Kit Solent, another member of the order, when strange things begin to happen. For some reason, people are out to get her and she doesn’t know why. And she keeps having memories of events that never occurred during her lifetime.

Why is she having these memories? And why do people think she belongs to an alternative species of humans known as the Scriven? Is she a human or does she actually belong to the mutated Scriven? Is her life nothing but a lie?

You will have to read the book to find out what happens. I would recommend Fever Crumb to kids who enjoy a good mystery and/or science fiction/action/adventure novels. Read this and you’ll experience many shocking surprises and unexpected twists that will keep you turning the pages for more. This interesting novel is dessert for your brain.

—Mariam El Hasan

PHOTO: (TOP) Cover Courtesy Scholastic Press (BOTTOM) Kid Reporter Mariam El Hasan takes her summer reading on a boat trip. Ahhhh, Summer! (Photo Courtesy Mariam El Hasan)

NOTE: What did you read this summer? Use the blue comment link below to send in your recommendations!