Blindness Awareness

Keep the Blind in Mind all year around.

October is Blindness Awareness Month (BAM) in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Louisiana (so far). The initiative to declare October as an awareness month began when Rocco Fiorentino, 13, petitioned the Assembly of New Jersey to make the declaration. He was only 12 years old at the time! Fiorentino is blind and an acclaimed musician.

“It is my goal to take this campaign across the country,” says Rocco, who is a good friend of mine. I’ve written other stories about Rocco and also about Helen Keller. Having a blindness awareness month and stories about blindness helps the sighted realize what the blind must face every day. This year’s slogan for Blindness Awareness Month was Keep The Blind in Mind. I like to do that all year.

Recently, the Little Rock Foundation, which Rocco and his family started, held a fundraising walk dedicated to assisting and improving the lives of blind and visually impaired people. The walk took place in the woods at the YMCA Camp Matollionequay in Medford, New Jersey.

The location allowed both the sighted and unsighted a sensual experience. Walkers could feel the warmth of the sun peaking through the trees and hear birds singing and a gentle waterfall cascading. They clomped over wooden bridges and could smell the earth and grass throughout the trek.

“My whole family came out to participate in the walk for Blindness Awareness Month,” said 11-year-old Julia Elisen. “We had such a great time!”

Some sighted walkers wore blindfolds as a challenge. They were guided by friends or used canes to experience what it’s like to be visually impaired. They gained even more appreciation for the challenges visually impaired people have to face every day.

“I have to say it was scary,” said participant Amy Darlington. “I was afraid to take a step.”

Even four-footed friends got involved, including seeing-eye dogs from Seeing Eye Puppies Raisings. Families were encouraged to bring along their pets and even provided bandanas for the dogs, which read “Leading the Way to Blindness Awareness Month one PAW at a time.”

I asked Rocco how people can help promote the cause of blindness awareness. You can volunteer your time for one of the organizations events or programs, he said. You can also donate an item for auction or pledge money to directly impact Camp Little Rock, an amazing camp for blind and visually impaired kids.

For more information on upcoming events or programs, visit www.tlrf.org or www.blindnessawarenessmonth.org.

Keep The Blind in Mind all year around!

—Danielle Azzolina

PHOTO: Rocco Fiorentino on a walk to promote Blindness Awareness in New Jersey, October 2010. (Photo Courtesy The Little Rock Foundation)

A Midterm Storm!

Democratic incumbent feeling the heat in congressional race in New Jersey

It feels like an electrical storm has spread across America, charging up voters everywhere. Does that mean ominous skies for incumbents?

In New Jersey the race for the 6th congressional district has drawn national attention. Democratic incumbent Frank Pallone is seeking his 12th term in office. Republican Anna Little, who is backed by the Tea Party, is running against him in what has traditionally been a Democratic district.

Last year's Governor's race may have changed that, however. Since 2004, Pallone has won his bid for that seat with more than 65 percent of the vote. Republican candidate Chris Christie won in the sixth congressional district by 15.5 percent in 2009. This year, popularity polls show Little closing the gap among likely voters.

I recently spoke with Ms. Little about the race.

“Jobs and the economy are what most people are worried about,” she said. “They’re worried that their children and grandchildren will not have an acceptable quality of life or a chance at the American Dream.”

Pallone, who has been in Congress for 19 years, is also campaigning on jobs and the economy. Getting American back on track economically has to be done on a national basis, he said.

 “That would mean a national manufacturing policy to try to create jobs, plugging up loopholes in the tax code that encourage jobs to go overseas, looking at new areas where we could compete with other countries,” he told a reporter for a local paper.

This is a closely watched race, and I’ll be watching it, too, as results come in on Tuesday night! Check back to find out what happens.

—Danielle Azzolina

PHOTOS: TOP: Republican candidate for the 6th congressional district in New Jersey, Anna Little. (Photo Courtesey Anna Little) Bottom: Democratic House Member Frank Pallone of New Jersey's 6th Congressional District. (Photo Courtesy Frank Pallone)

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)

Inside The Last Airbender

Kid Reporter on the red carpet of latest M. Night Shayamalan movie.

Nickelodeon’s animated series Avatar is one of my favorite shows of all time. When I heard it was going to be made into a movie I couldn’t wait! And now I don’t have to. I saw The Last Airbender last night at its premiere. It opens nationwide on Friday, July 2.

In the animated series, the characters control elements of air, water, earth, and fire. That’s easy to show in animation, but how will the filmakers ever bring that to life on the big screen I wondered? It was certainly the major task facing director M. Night Shyamalan who turned the animated TV show into a live-action 3D movie.

Everything I loved in the animated series came to life in the movie. The characters of Aang (played by Noah Ringer), Katara (Nicola Peltz), Sokka (Jackson Rathbone) and Prince Zuko (Dev Patel) are portrayed perfectly by the actors. It almost seems that the movie came first and the animated characters were created from the cast!

I found the movie beautiful and exciting. Seeing the Northern Water Tribe Village, the Air Temple and the Fire Nation come to life on the big screen was amazing. 

Being a true fan of the TV show, I noticed some slight changes in the movie version. But the changes added to the effect of live action and added drama to the story.

Covering the red carpet I got to talk with most of the key actors, as well as the director. Mr. Shyamalan told me about a practical joke he played on Dev during filming. Mr. Patel, who plays Prince Zuko, is encased in ice in one scene. Mr. Shyamalan said that after filming the scene he told everyone to go get some lunch.  They all pretended to leave the set with Mr. Patel still encased in the ice. Just his head was sticking out!

Mr. Patel called and called in desperation, thinking everyone had forgotten him. Then they all stepped out from behind the ice, laughing. Even Mr. Patel got a good laugh once he realized he was saved!

—Danielle Azzolina

PHOTO: Kid Reporter Danielle Azzolina at the premier of The Last Airbender with Director M. Night Shyamalan. (Photo Courtesy Danielle Azzolina)

The Writers are Rock Stars!

Scholastic kicks off Summer Challenge with live webcast and popular authors.

Summer reading got off to an electrifying start at the Scholastic World Headquarters in New York City recently.

Kids packed the comapany's auditorium for a live webcast that kicked off the annual Scholastic Summer Challenge. The four-month-long campaign challenges kids around the world to read for the world record. You can register and log in your minutes to participate at the Summer Challenge website: www.scholastic.com/summerreading.

Excited students cheered and waved colorful signs touting favorite book titles and authors as they waited for the book trivia game to begin. Right in front of me I saw a purple and green sign that read Goosebumps: R.L. Stine Rocks!

Students were thrilled to see the award winning authors on stage to test their literary trivia knowledge. Participating were Lisa Yee, R.L. Stine, Gordan Korman, and Christopher Paul Curtis.

Reactions from the students when questions appeared on the large screen behind host Jon Scieszka proved this was a well-read crowd! If one of the authors answered a question incorrectly, the crowd moaned. When one was answered correctly, the crowd ignited with cheers even before the answers were revealed.

Laughter erupted when a question came up asking for the title of the very first Goosebumps book and Lisa Yee buzzed in ahead of R.L. Stine, who wrote the series!

Yee looked to Stine for help. “Why don’t you try answer D,” he said. She unfortunately took his advice. BZZZZZ! WRONG ANSWER! Everyone roared with laughter, including me!

Stine then buzzed in and answered correctly—of course!

Another funny moment was when Gordon Korman buzzed in to answer a question about his own series, The 39 Clues. Host Jon Scieszka didn’t think Korman sounded too sure of his answer.

“I haven’t read it in a while,” he said. Did he get it right? DING! YES, HE DID!

After the show, students rushed to greet their favorite authors and get autographs. The authors were happy to oblige. Rock stars have nothing on these guys as far as enthusiastic fans!

What I noticed most about being at the Summer Challenge webcast was that the students were smiling, laughing, cheering, waving signs, and having a blast. Their reactions to both authors and questions made it obvious that a lot of joy has come from the work of these writers!

And I’m sure the kids who watched from across the world felt the same way, too. After all, reading really is fun!

You can watch the whole webcast on the web site at www.scholastic.com/summerreading.

And don’t forget: you can join Scholastic and Reading is Fundamental to break the summer reading world record! Log on today and register.

What are you planning to read this summer? Use the comment section below to send in your summer reading plans!

—Danielle Azzolina

PHOTO: Authors (from left) Lisa Yee, R.L. Stine, Host Jon Scieszka, Gordan Korman, and Christopher Paul Curtis. (Photo Courtesy Scholastic)

Young Helper for Health Care Bill

How an 11-year-old became an advocate for the new health care bill.

When I interviewed 11-year-old Marcelas Owens today, I wondered what it was like to be standing next to the President of the United States at the White House, when he signed the historic health care bill. Marcelas seemed so calm as he stood there while history was being made. I asked him what he noticed as it was happening.

“Well he used 22 pens to sign the bill, and I also noticed that he was good with people,” said the young man from Seattle, Washington. He added that he was really excited to be there and to meet the President.

Marcelas has been traveling the country to help promote passage of the health care bill. He talks about how his mother died because she did not have access to health care. I asked Marcelas what was one of the most important things his mother taught him and he said, “To never give up.” That’s a very good lesson I’d say.

I also was curious how Marcelas got involved with traveling and telling his family’s story. He said he approached an organization called Washington Community Action Network and asked if he could get involved. They helped him set up public speeches and interviews. Marcelas’ mom was an advocate for health reform and Marcelas wanted to carry on her work.

To me, Marcelas seems very much like his own description of Obama. I asked him what Obama was like, now that he has gotten to know him.

“He’s sets his mind to something and then he works on it until he gets it,” Marcelas said. “He worked really hard for health care.”

What would Marcelas like to tell other kids who went through what he did? “That they can turn it into something good and try to help other people not go through that,” he said.

I told Marcelas that I thought his mother would be very proud of him right now and he said, “Thank you.”

I’m proud of him, too. It takes a lot of courage to do what Marcelas Owens has done!

—Danielle Azzolina

PHOTO: Marcelas Owens at President Obama’s side as the President signs the health care bill into law. (Photo Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images/NewsCom)

All Aboard An Amazing Adventure

Let's have lunch on the circus train!

What is over one mile long, moves at about 35 miles per hour, and is home to elephants, clowns, and pie? It’s the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Train!

That seemingly never ending stretch of silver railroad cars was the first glimpse I got on Tuesday of my assignment to cover the Ringling Brothers new show Barnum's FUNundrum. I climbed up into the pie car with several other hungry reporters. We were there for lunch and interviews.

The pie car is a special part of the train that looks very much like the inside of a diner. It’s where the performers eat and gather to chat.

I was there to interview Nicole and Alana Feld, the producers of Barnum's FUNundrum. The Feld family owns the circus, and these two sisters are the first women to produce one of the company’s shows.

The ceiling over the booths is a shiny circus red with big round lights. Pink shades cover the windows. On the walls inside the train hang framed photos of the circus past and present. The tables were decorated with orange, red, and yellow flowers. I expected to hear circus music at any minute!

A very tall man dressed in a sparkling, mirrored outfit commanded everyone’s attention as he stepped into the car. It was Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson, the first African-American and also the youngest ringmaster ever for Ringling Brothers Circus.

But let’s get down to an unusual and exotic lunch. The meal included honey brushed scallops w/strawberry and pistachio risotto; spinach and goat cheese salad with blueberries, roasted cashews and pomegranate vinaigrette; and Hudson valley foie gras w/ sweet pea cream. Not so kid friendly, I agree, but maybe that’s what the peanut butter grits further down the menu were for!

We ate a lunch that could have been served in one of the world’s fanciest restaurants. I received a little special surprise from the chef who made me the most flavorful and delicious French fries I have ever had. (Now, that’s more like it! Thank you Chef Michael Vaughn!)

FUNundrum is a celebration of P.T. Barnum’s 200th birthday. You’ll see more about that story later from another Kid Reporter. Meanwhile I’m working on my story for Women’s History Month about Nicole and Alana Feld. Check back later for more from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus!

—Danielle Azzolina

PHOTO: Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson and Kid Reporter Danielle Azzolina aboard the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Train. (Photo Courtesy Danielle Azzolina)

“R” IS FOR ROCCO

Rocco Fiorentino rocks on Sesame Street tomorrow!

Hi everyone! I wanted to give you a heads up about one of my BFF’s, Rocco Fiorentino. I wrote an article about Rocco and his foundation, The Little Rock Foundation, a few months ago right here on the Scholastic Kids Press Corps Web site.

Rocco is blind and has been a very busy advocate for the visually impaired since he was 5 years old. He’s now 13 and he’s a great guy and an amazing musician and singer.

Rocco will be featured on Sesame Street this month helping to educate children and adults about blindness. On the PBS broadcast show he gets to do something he loves; sing!

The national air date for the show is January 21 (tomorrow!), and in Philadelphia it’s January 23.

To find out when you can see Rocco on Sesame Street in your area and to get a “Sneak Peek” of the episode, please check out his web site at www.musicbyrocco.com and click on video-showcase—it’s really, really great!

While you’re there, check out Rocco’s other songs, too.

Thanks for another awesome job helping kids understand each other, Rocco!

—Danielle Azzolina

PHOTO: Rocco and the Sesame Street cast. (Photo by Richard Termine)

My Friend Rocco

Rocco Fiorentino heads a foundation to help people like him who are blind.

After getting to know my friend Rocco Fiorentino, I have gained a new awareness and appreciation of what a visually impaired person can do.

When I am hanging out with Rocco, I sometimes forget that he is blind. We made a music CD together for fun and it was amazing to watch the way Rocco handled all the equipment. He was the sound engineer and worked the sound mixers and recording instruments with skill and confidence. He also beat me in Wii bowling 171 to 172!

Rocco is only 12 years old and he is already an accomplished musician. He plays the piano, drums, and saxophone. He also sings!

Knowing Rocco has shown me that one person’s life story can make a huge difference in the world. He has also shown me that the resources to help blind children be as accomplished as he is are scarce.

Rocco and his parents started an organization called The Little Rock Foundation to help kids who don’t have access to the education they need to live fulfilling lives. To me, Rocco, has the same spirit, strength, and determination as Helen Keller, who did so much in her lifetime to help the blind community.

You can read more about Rocco and check out an interview I had with Helen Keller's great grand niece Keller Johnson-Thompson, who is continuing Helen Keller’s legacy: 

• Helen Keller’s Legacy: Keller Johnson-Thompson discusses the life and contributions of her Great         Grand Aunt Helen Keller.

• In Helen Keller’s Footsteps: Rocco Fiorentino talks about how Keller inspires him to continue her legacy of education and assistance for the blind.

You can also find out how you can help by checking out Rocco’s website, The Little Rock Foundation. Thanks!

—Danielle Azzolina

PHOTO: Rocco Fiorentino (left) and Kid Reporter Danielle Azzolina (right) at the New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center in Trenton, New Jersey. (Photo Courtesy Danielle Azzolina)

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)