Highlights for Children (November 2017)

NOVEMBER 2017

www.Highlights.com
































































What’s a
BLIPPO? Follow


FUN!
Page 30 the




Spinning

Superheroes


Page 36

Fun This Month Word





Cupcake Puzzler Art



Daisy is selling cupcakes at her school’s You’ve probably
written a story
bake sale. All of the cupcakes have before, but have
something in common except for you ever written
one. Can you spot the cupcake a drawing?
that’s different? Using only


words, see what
clever images
you can create.



Send
us your
drawings!







Answer on page 38.

Tongue Twister
King Cauliflower. Mystery Photo











Veterans
Answer on page 38.
Day is
Find the Pictures Veterans November
11.
Can you find each of these 12 pictures Day
at another place in this magazine? photo of a
Decoration service member


By Edna ribbon
Harrington


Make this
star frame
to honor a
veteran.
craft foam

Dear Reader By Christine French Cully

Editor in Chief
NOVEMBER 2017 • VOLUME 72 • NUMBER 11 • ISSUE NO. 793
Founded in 1946 by Garry C. Myers, Ph.D.,
and Caroline Clark Myers
Editor in Chief: Christine French Cully
Vice President, Magazine Group Editorial: Jamie Bryant
Creative Director: Marie O’Neill
Editor: Judy Burke A Helping
Art Director: Patrick Greenish, Jr.
Senior Editor: Joëlle Dujardin
Associate Editor: Linda K. Rose
Assistant Editor: Allison Kane
Copy Editor: Joan Prevete Hyman Hand
Editorial Assistant: Channing Kaiser
Senior Production Artist: Dave Justice
Contributing Science Editor: Andrew Boyles
Earlier today, I was coming to work
Editorial Offices: 803 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431-1895.
E-mail: [email protected]. with my hands full of books and bags.
To submit manuscripts, go to Highlights.submittable.com.
(Writers younger than 16: please use the postal address above.) One of our editors, Joan, was walking
CEO: Kent S. Johnson behind me. She called “Wait!” and rushed
Vice President, International: Andy Shafran
Senior Editor, International: Julie Stoehr ahead to open the door for me. I was glad I didn’t have to put
Business Offices: 1800 Watermark Drive,
P.O. Box 269, Columbus, OH 43216-0269. everything down and pick it all up again.
Copyright © 2017, Highlights for Children, Inc. It was a small gesture, but it put a big smile on my face.
All rights reserved.
If you read “Goofus and Gallant” every month (page 10), you
HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN is published monthly.
ISSN 0018-165X (print) know that’s how Gallant acts. He’s always ready to lend a
ISSN 2330-6920 (online)
Designed for use in the classroom. hand. Joan is that kind of person, too.
Sometimes we make our list of customer names and addresses I believe most of us want to be kind and helpful—even
available to carefully screened companies whose products and
services might be of interest to you. We never provide children’s Goofus. Sometimes we just need to be reminded to pay
names. If you do not wish to receive these mailings, please contact
us and include your account number.
attention to others and what they might need. The more
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we practice kindness, the easier it becomes.
Periodical postage paid at Columbus, Ohio;
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U.S. Postmaster: Send address changes to Highlights for Children,
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Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065670. Return miss this month’s “Gallant
undeliverable Canadian addresses to P.O. Box 99 Stn. Main, Milton,
ON L9T 9Z9.
Challenge” (page 11). And to
To order, make a payment, change your address,
or for other customer-service needs, such as changing learn what other kids think
your contact preference, please contact us:
about kindness, be sure to visit
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Your friend, Writetome!
AWARDS Highlights has been given awards by The Association
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This magazine of wholesome fun
is dedicated to helping children grow in basic skills and knowledge,
in creativeness, in ability to think and reason,
in sensitivity to others, in high ideals and worthy ways of living—
for children are the world’s most important people .
®

VOLUME 72 • NUMBER 11 • ISSUE NO. 793

Dear Highlights,

YUM!

November 28
—Ross, Texas French Toast
is National
It’s easy to get excited when we want to share Day.
something, Ross. We hope these tips help.
1 When you 2 Would the 3 Take deep 4 For more

feel like blurting teacher want you breaths or count ideas, talk to
something out, to share it? If so, silently as you wait your parents
write it down. raise your hand. to be called on. or teacher.


32 12











28




6 BrainPlay 8 You’re the
What do you think Cover Artist!
puppies dream about? Highlights covers from kids.

7 Autumn 10 Goofus and Gallant ®
When runaway leaves Where are those cleats
dance in the when you need them?
breeze.
11 Gallant Challenge
Brighten someone’sday!
16 A Final Touch
12 The Way Things of Color
Used to Be Red autumn leaves posed
Thanksgiving will be a mystery to scientists.
different for James this year.
18 Your Own Pages
14 Hidden Pictures ® See more drawings from
Puzzle creative kids like Elliot.
Talk about a feast!
20 The Sweet-Treats
15 Jokes Schoolhouse
A strange dream about School in a gingerbread
adoorthatwon’topen. cottage isn’t always easy.

4 NOVEMBER 2017

TOASTY

What’s the
sea otter’s secret
to staying warm
in chilly waters?
A thick coat
of fur!






22 Gobble Up 34 Standing Strong
the Garden U.S. Army veteran
Know your veggies? Dig Melissa Stockwell
into this quiz and find out. loves a challenge.
24 Game On! 36 Crafts
Devin has a tough decision Make Pinecone Owls, a
to make. 28 My Sci Thankful Turkey, Spinning
A giant dino from Argentina, Superheroes, and more.
27 Divvy Up Desserts black holes, and more.
Help Katie Cater rearrange 38 Riddles
the Thanksgiving treats. 30 Planet Zlippo’s What is a hot dog’s
Blippos favorite hairstyle?
How many Blippos are
in the space garden? 39 Paws and Think
Working in a car factory.
31 The Timbertoes ®
The kids want to reach the 40 Ask Arizona ®
last good apple on the tree. Is it possible to outgrow
a friend?
You Can Be Cool,
Too! 32 Balancing the Books
Bike riding with a basketful 42 Dear Highlights
Elliot Park Feeling out of place.
of books can be tricky!
Age 7 • Colorado
NOVEMBER 2017 5

Why do people

keep plants
indoors?


What is the
START
smallest dot or
Which decisions
spot you see
Take your brain
on a hike!
every day?
are EASY
to make?
WHAT Which are
IS THE difficult?
LARGEST
ONE? These food
words rhyme:

BEETS


CAN A MEATS
DRIPPING
FAUCET MAKE
MUSIC?

WHY OR SWEETS
WHY NOT? Can you name
rhyming
“She’s as quick things in other
A pen categories?
can run as lightning!”
out of What else could
ink. someone be
Name “as quick as”?
other THE
things END
What name that can
would you create run out.
for a funny monster
character?
For a scary one?


What do you Why might If your
think puppies
engineers
dream about?
put pipes
for a town’s
water system family had a
underground? theme song,
what would
it be?

Autumn



By Charles Ghigna
ArtbyEdwardianTaylor

When owls hide in the treetops,
Whenfieldsarestubblyandbare,
Whengeeseflyhighinthecool,clear sky,
And the days are sunny and fair,



When pumpkins appear on the porches
Andshadowschaseaftertheday,
When runaway leaves dance in the breeze—
Autumn is on display.























































NOVEMBER 2017 7

You’re the




Cover Artist!











We asked you what you’d draw if you could illustrate a
Highlights cover. Here are some of your fantastic creations.


























Samantha Patton Ella Gardner Auri Marcrum
Age 9 • Minnesota Age 11 • Virginia Age 7 • Missouri

























Chayne Shevalier Rowen Harary Owen Smalley
Age 7 • Colorado Age 9 • New Jersey Age 9 • Kansas





8 NOVEMBER 2017

Sawyer Reed Aubrey Hairr Alessandra Canzoneri
Age 11 • Montana Age 10 • North Carolina Age 9 • New York

























Leslie Garcia Kaitlynn Masson Alexander Tallentire
Age 10 • Texas Age 9 • Virginia Age 11 • Colorado

























Mia Zielinski Olivia Jensen Winston Zhuang
Age 7 • California Age 9 • Utah Age 8 • Kentucky





NOVEMBER 2017 9

Goofus



and There’s some of Goofus and Gallant in us all.
When the Gallant shines through, we show our best self.
Gallant ®





“Be right there. I’ll just grab my
skates,” says Gallant.
















“Dad, help me find my cleats!”
says Goofus.







Gallant tries not to stare so that he won’t
make others feel uncomfortable.
















Goofus stares at people.







YOUR Goofus and Gallant Moments



“I felt like Goofus when I “I felt like Gallant when
got into the chocolate chips I didn’t pout after the

after Mom told me not to.” other team scored.”
Carolina, Age 8, Ohio Zan, Age 7, New York


10 NOVEMBER 2017 Art by Leslie Harrington.

GALLANT
CHALLENGE Kindness Day

World



is November
13.
I’m

getting worried
about soccer
I can
tryouts.
help you
practice.
















Brighten


Someone’s Day!





A kind word,athoughtful “I’m not ready for my
gesture, or a helping hand can math test!”
be all it takes to make someone’s “Want me to help you study?” Did You
day a little brighter. Give it a Brighten
try! Notice the people around “I’m having the worst day.”
you, think about what you can “I heard the funniest joke. Someone’s
do for them, and take action. Maybe it’ll cheer you up.” Day?

Tune In and Help Out “ ’ll be finished with this work What did you do recently to
I
As you go about your day, in a half hour.” help out a friend or a family
challenge yourself to “tune “I’ll play with the baby member? We’d love to know!
in” to your friends and family. to keep him quiet.” Send your response, along
Notice what they’re doing and with your name, age, and
how they’re feeling. Then ask Everybody Wins address, to
yourself if there’s something The more you think about
you can do for them. Here are what you can do for others, Brighten Someone’sDay!
some ideas: the easier it becomes. And
803 Church Street
when you lend a hand, two Honesdale, PA 18431
“ Just four more bags of things often happen: the
groceries to go.” people you’ve helped feel In a future issue, we’ll
“I’ll carry these two in.” good, and you do, too! publish a few responses.



Art by Keith Frawley. NOVEMBER 2017 11

The Way “Imiss
Grandma
Things so much!”





Used to Be



By Susan Kneib Schank
Art by Andy Elkerton


















Jamesheavedabagofgroceriesinto while picking pumpkins for pie.
the car. “So much food for one meal!” That night, Mom and James started
“I know. Imagine if we were having a preparing food for the next day’s feast.
real turkey, too,” said Mom. “Why don’t you make the corn
“We’re not?” said James. muffins?” said Mom. “Grandma always
“Aunt Amy is a vegetarian. She’ll said you made them best.”
make ‘turkey’ out of tofu,” said Mom. “I miss her so much!” James said.
James groaned. “Tofu turkey?” “I do, too,” said Mom. “But she’d be

Mom smiled. “You might like it.” happy to know we were cooking her
favorite recipes, right?”
James didn’twanttotry “I guess,” said James. But what about

vegetarian Thanksgiving at Grandma’s turkey recipe? he thought.
Aunt Amy’s house. Mom chatted while they worked.

James stayed quiet.
James didn’t want to try vegetarian

Thanksgiving at Aunt Amy’s house. He “Will you tell me Grandma’s story
wanted things to be the way they used about Thanksgiving when she was a
to be, at Grandma’s. James would kid?” James said before he went to bed.
always help Grandma cook the meal, Mom smiled. “You would tell it better.
and she’d tell him about Thanksgiving And I found something at Grandma’s
when she was a girl. He’d laugh as she that might help you.” She left the room
told about the time she fell in the mud and came back with a small book.


12 NOVEMBER 2017

“Why
don’tyou
James read the tag on the journal.
write her
It said: For James, who loves stories as
much as I do. Write what’s in your story in
heart. Love, Grandma. here?”
“She meant it for your birthday, but I
think you need it early. Why don’t you
write her story in here?” said Mom.
James opened the journal and stared

at the blank page for a while. Then he
began to write.
politely. “I keep thinking about it.”
“Happy Thanksgiving!” Mom sang James felt a lump in his throat when
the next morning. he saw the table set with Grandma’s
James sat up. “Tofu turkey. Yippee.” china. Soon the family sat down. Food
“We’ll have lots to eat,” Mom said. was passed. Plates were filled. James

James got ready slowly. He was looked at the tofu turkey Aunt Amy put
about to head downstairs when he on his plate. It didn’t look like turkey.
saw the journal. He slipped it into He took a small bite anyway and was
his pocket. surprised. “It’s not bad,” he said.
Amber smiled. “Glad you like it.”
James’s cousin, Amber, answered the James looked around. It wasn’t
door. “You’re here!” she cried. “We can’t Grandma’s house, but it was family. He
wait for you to try our tofu turkey!” patted the journal in his pocket. “Hey,
“I can’t wait either,” James said Amber. Want to hear a story later?”






He took
asmall
bite.

Want a
challenge?

Fold back page 15
to hide the
picture clues.
Scarecrow’s Night Off


By Neil Numberman


































































In this big picture, find the artist’s brush, straw hat, waffle, canoe, ruler, teacup, tent, caterpillar,
high-heeled shoe, pitcher, golf club, cauliflower, megaphone, drinking straw, and candle.

14 NOVEMBER 2017 Check out our Hidden Pictures app!

K
J O E
Picture Clues S



artist’s
brush “Knock, knock.”
straw hat
“Who’s there?”
“Annie.”

canoe “Annie who?”

“Annie body home?” St ep he n : I h ad a d re a m a nd I d on ’ t
waffle
Stephen: IhadadreamandIdon t
ruler Tatum, Oregon know what it means.
Grace: What was it about?
Doctor: How are you feeling? Stephen: There was a door with
teacup Doughnut: Well, kind of empty. a sign on it, and no matter how
Doctor: Hmm, that’s unusual.
hard I pushed, it wouldn’t open.
You’re a Boston cream!
Grace: What did the sign say?
Emma Duerr, Massachusetts
Stephen: “Pull.”
tent A book never written: Walking to Jaelyn Lindquist, Wisconsin
School by Misty Bus.
high-heeled Darby, Iowa Make us laugh!
shoe
caterpillar Dangling Earring #1: Want to go Send a joke or riddle, along with your
name, age, and address, to
to the movies?
Dangling Earring #2: No thanks.
803 Church Street
Let’s just hang around.
Fernando Farfan, Quebec, Canada Honesdale, PA 18431
pitcher


golf club


cauliflower

megaphone



Walking

drinking
candle straw the Dog


Eachafternoon,Iwalkmydog.
DidIsaywalk?Imeanwejog.
BONUS
DidIsayjog?Imeanwerun,
Can you also Sixfeetflying!Oh,whatfun!
find the envelope, Everyday,justafterthree,
needle, peanut, Iwalkmydog—andshewalks me.
and hairbrush?
—Sandi Leibowitz



Answers on HighlightsKids.com. NOVEMBER 2017 15

A Final Touch of plants green is chlorophyll
PRONOUNCE
THE PIGMENTS
The pigment that makes

COLOR colors are carotenoids
(KLOR-oh-fill).
Yellow and orange

(kah-RAWT-en-oyds).

Reds are anthocyanins
(AN-thoh-SIGH-ah-nins).


Why does nature paint some autumn leaves red?
?
h
By Andy Boyles
Contributing Science Editor









The red
maple tree is
named for the
anthocyanins in
its fall leaves
andinits
spring flowers.










WhenMissyEppeswas green and why they change chlorophyll. These lighter
young, she loved to climb her to yellow or orange in the colors help catch sunlight
family’smapletreeduring autumn. But autumn reds and pass the energy to
thefall.“Itturnedthemost are different. Some leaves chlorophyll. In the autumn,
amazingcolorsoforange turn red. Others don’t. It’s photosynthesis stops, and
andredandyellow,”she a mystery. the green chlorophyll breaks
says.“Iwouldsitupinthat Inside all leaves, all down. Then the yellow and
treeinthefallandfeellike summer long, a green orange carotenoids show
I was sitting inside the sun.” pigment (colored chemical) through in the leaves.
Today, she is Dr. Eppes, a called chlorophyll catches But for most plants, the
scientist at the University of energy from sunlight for red color, anthocyanin, has
North Carolina at Charlotte. photosynthesis, a process not been hiding. The leaf
She and her students have that makes food for the doesn’t start making this
worked to help solve a puzzle plant. Yellow and orange red pigment until the fall.
about autumn leaf colors. chemicals called carotenoids Dr. Eppes says, “Trees use
Scientists understand are there through the up a lot of energy to make
why summer leaves are summer, hidden by the anthocyanin. So it has

16 NOVEMBER 2017

Sweet-gum
leaves may turn
yellow, red, or some
hue in between,
depending on how
much sunlight
hits them.












Watch
Leaves of
for Reds
the yellow birch can’t
Notice how sunlight
make anthocyanin. When
the green chlorophyll
helps give a touch of red,
even on a single plant. For
breaks down, the yellow
carotenoids show
through. plants that make anthocyanins,
the leaves that get more sun tend
to turn redder than those in shade.


always been a mystery why found more birches, beeches, says. “Trees that make
they would go to all of that and other trees that can’t anthocyanins seem to live
trouble at a time when they make anthocyanins. These in places that don’t have
should be ‘going to sleep’ for trees have yellow or brown this buffet.”
the winter.” fall leaves. On the hilltops, Dr. Eppes suspects the
Anthocyanins may help most of the trees were red anthocyanins may lie in the
a leaf save nutrients that maples, sweet gums, and soil after the leaves drop,
it stored up in the growing others that can make fertilizing the tree in the
season. Dr. Eppes and her anthocyanins, giving them spring. Other scientists think
students ran a study to test red leaves in the fall. the chemical works like
that idea. In a protected area “Trees that don’t make sunscreen, protecting the
in North Carolina, they anthocyanins seem to leaf while it moves nutrients
counted the kinds of trees naturally live in places with into the tree and stores them
that live in rich soil low on lots of ‘food,’ like floodplains for the winter.
the hillsides, and the types where nutrients get added The mystery isn’t solved
that live in poor hilltop soils. to the soil each time the yet, but scientists are a few
Low on the hillsides, they river floods,” Dr. Eppes steps closer!

NOVEMBER 2017 17

Your Own


Pages Age 6 • New York
Jacob Katz















Tess Dunphy
Age 7 • Massachusetts




Seashore
the salty ocean air surrounds me
waves swirl and crash
beach days
end
so
fast
but i stare at

thieving seagulls playing,
salty air smelling good

my heart grows
and a saltwater tear drips
down my cheek onto my sandy Flower
legs. Rowan Hassler
farewell, Deer Age 6 • Illinois
seashore Branson Rhone
Mia Vakoc Age 12 • Texas
Age 10 • Massachusetts



Rosy Mama

Mama is a rose. Baseball
Her face is the flower. I play ball.
Her body is the stem. A mitt waiting for a fly ball.
A bat waiting for a home run.
Her hands are the leaves. The bases waiting for players.
Her feet are the roots. Home plate waiting for runs.
Mama is a rose. Pitcher waiting for strikes.
Fans waiting for wins.
Abhijeet Ghosh And that is what I like about ball.
Age 7 • Georgia
Ben Wiltrout
Hailey Smith
Age 7 • Indiana
Age 11 • Washington
18 NOVEMBER 2017

A Galaxy

Skating at the Rink
Far away, I wonder what
Lies beyond the Milky Way. I see the skates in different colors.
Red, black, and blue.
Do aliens live? I see the lights dancing.
Does another race exist? I love to skate with you!
I hear music in the air,
I wonder when And just smile at the rink,
We will know. Thinking of things
Or if we will ever know. No one else can think.
Madison Stringer
Alex Hancock Age 8 • Louisiana
Age 9 • Kentucky



Cats
I love cats, they’re so sweet.
They keep themselves so nice and neat.

Ahnna Rogalewicz They have such nice paws and feet.
Age 8 • Pennsylvania They always take a seat next to the creek.
They always love to meet!
James Athos
Peaceful Valley Age 6 • Oregon New England
Picture yourself in a faraway valley. Patriots Helmet
The air smells of nice jasmine Age 7 • Rhode Island
Jack Ragosta
And the grass is glazed with morning dew
And the flowers are so bright.
You, running through the endless valley.

Your spirit full of joy Olives are juicy,
And your heart open wide. Olives are sweet,
Gabriel Sasse And I love to have
Age 9 • California Olives for a special treat.
My friend does not like them,
But I surely do.
And if you try them,
You might like them, too.
If I Were a Bear . . . Natalie Miner
If I were a bear, Age 8 • Missouri
I would eat fish and
I would hunt for honey.
But, Share Your
If I were a bear, Creative Work
What kind of bear would We’d love to see it!
I be? Artmustbeonunlinedpaper.
If I were a bear, Poems must have fewer than
75 words. All submissions
I would not dare to be scared,
And I would sleep in my lair, “Meat We can t must be created by you.
And I would like to hibernate. You return y r Include your name, age,
I would be a There” so o u and address. Mail to
ght wa t
Cuddly bear. Alex Harvey keepac p to
Sohana Gulati Age 9 • Tennessee y. Your Own Pages
Age 6 • California 803 Church Street
Honesdale, PA 18431

“In here, all I can
think about is
eating cookies.”
































The


Sweet-Treats



Schoolhouse





By Maggie Murphy • Art by Scott Soeder



Little Pig sat on a shortbread Little Pig agreed. “We had to Mama Bear looked around.
bench, trying to ignore his move! Who wants to nap during “Where are you, darling?”
schoolhouse’s mouth-watering recess? And I’m glad everyone “Over here!”
fresh-baked smell. He turned is awake to see the model of my Sharp-eyed Little Pig spotted
to his brother Middle Pig and playhouse.” Happily, he peeked his tiny classmate and pointed.
said, “I can’t wait until Big Pig into a bag that held a small, “She’s on the lemon-drop
starts building our new school. fancy straw house. lampshade, Mrs. Bear.”
In here, all I can think about is “Quiet for roll call, please,” “Hop to a front desktop, would
eating cookies.” said their teacher, Mama Bear. you, Belina? Good. Baby Bear?”
“Resisting the treats is better “Red Riding Hood?” Baby’s shaggy paw waved
than watching the whole class “Here,” said Red Riding Hood. wildly. “Grrr. I mean, here! Mama,
yawning all day,” said Middle “Hang up your pretty scarlet someone’s sitting at my desk.”
Pig. “The weird sleeping spell cloak on a candy cane, dear,” said “Baby, you know that in this
that hit the castle near our old Mama Bear. “Thumbelina?” temporary location, students
school sure was strong.” “Here!” said a small voice. share desks. Of course Goldilocks

20 NOVEMBER 2017

is allowed to sit with you.” Jack whipped out a harp. quiet, kids! I’m busy making a
“But she’s eating my desk “Look, everybody, at this neat very special product from straw.”
all up!” cried Baby Bear. magic harp I . . . uh, found. Shyly, Little Pig said, “I like
“Now that is a problem,” Harp, play!” to make things out of straw, too,
Mama Bear admitted. To Little Pig’s delight, the Mr. Rumpel—um, sir.”
“Goldilocks, dear, if you break harp plucked out a tune. Soon “But mine is a rare talent,
off one more chocolate square Mama Bear was leading the young pig. I spin straw into
from that desk’s lid, I’ll have class in a lively song perfect for precious gold.”
to give you a timeout in the growling and oinking. “You do? Wow.” Little Pig
sugar-free corner. Students, I But Little Pig’s merry oink looked at his model thoughtfully.
know it’s a great temptation to rose to a squeal as the door flew Should he? It had taken ages to
sip the gummy-fish aquarium’s open so hard that—bloof!— save up for the straw to build his
lemonade, to snap pretzels off powdered sugar puffed like playhouse, but . . .
the picture frames, and to sneak a genie’s smoke. A short man Little Pig cleared his throat.
jelly beans from the beanbag clutching a fistful of straw “Mrs. Bear, I have an idea. Let’s
chairs. Still, you mustn’t. Right ran in, yelling, “I’m mad have Rumpelstiltskin spin the
now, Fairywoods School District enough to stomp through straw I bought for my playhouse
has no other classroom available this peanut-brittle floor!” into gold for us. We can pay
but this abandoned gingerbread Rumpelstiltskin for his work
cottage. Until money is somehow with some of the treasure—”
raised to purchase the materials “Mine is a rare talent,” “Half,” Rumpelstiltskin said.
Big Pig needs to build a brick said Rumpelstiltskin. Little Pig nodded. “Half. Then
schoolhouse, we can’t eat we could use the rest of the gold
this one.” “I spin straw into to buy the bricks for our school.”
Mama Bear finished roll call, gold.” So that’s exactly what
then said, “Who would like to happened. And that’s why,
share for show-and-tell?” in honor of Little Pig’s straw
Just before Jack eagerly “Rumpelstiltskin! Good playhouse, the new yellow brick
raised his hand, Little Pig’s hoof morning, neighbor,” said school has everything from
shot up. Mama Bear. towers to balconies.
“Go ahead, Little Pig,” said “Don’t call me
Mama Bear. Rumpelstiltskin! My name is a
Beaming, Little Pig held up secret. What’s all this ruckus?”
his pint-sized house. “This is “Jack has brought his magic
a model of the awesome straw harp for show-and-tell,” said
playhouse Big Pig will build Mama Bear.
for me. I saved my pennies for Rumpelstiltskin shook
months to buy the straw, and his hat in the air. “I need it
I even helped Big Pig with
the design.” “I have
“My, what a wonderful an idea.”
playhouse,” said Mama Bear.
“It will have everything from
towers to balconies. You’re lucky
your oldest brother is a master
craftspig. I hope it won’t be long
before we can get him that load
of bricks. Thank you, Little.
Jack, it’s your turn now.”

3 Unreal!

Just two of these answers are
Gobble Up
vegetables. The other is a sweet
“dough” made with almond meal.

A. Rutabaga (ROOT-uh-BAY-guh)
the Garden Which word is the impostor?
Art by Helena Bogosian
Chomp B. Marzipan (MAR-tzih-pan)
through C. Kohlrabi (coal-ROB-ee)
these
Market questions!
Which seed packet would you
Mix-Up
buy to plant cucumbers?


B. C.
A.





4


Rah-Rah
2 Veggies that grow a thick,
Roots
Sprouter
include
underground, edible root
Space
Which of these has been
A. asparagus and cabbage.
grown in space, on the
B. carrots and beets.
International Space Station?
A. Let us say lettuce!
B. Orange you thinking
it’s oranges? C. sweet and hot peppers.
C. Positive it’s popcorn.






























NOVEMBER 2017
22

7



Rate
Your Plate
According to experts,
how much of your
plate should contain
a colorful variety of
fruits and veggies?
A. All of it.
5 Fido C. None. Put them
B. Half of it.
in a bowl.
Fifi and

No-Nos
These foods that many
humans eat are unsafe
for cats and dogs:
A. onions and garlic.
B. chocolate.
C. both A and B.








6 Food




Coloring
Plants get their colors
from natural pigments.
8
Chlorophyll (KLOR-oh-fill)
gives vegetables
A. the scientific name “Phil.”
B. camouflage to hide from
wild rabbits. C. peanuts. Dig In
Legumes (LEG-yoomz)
beans, and
C. green coloring.
can pack a protein punch.
A. onions.
Some examples are peas,
B. bananas.





















Answers on page 38.

GAME Jordan Devin Tara Bryan

ON!






Bright




Lights




Devin has led his

team to the big
game. Now he

faces a tougher


challenge.



By Rich Wallace
Art by Gerald Kelley







Devin’s heart sank.







“Corner kick!” Devin yelled “Right here!” Devin called. Seconds later, the referee
as the ball rolled out of bounds. Tara nudged the ball in blew the whistle. Game over.
He rushed to the corner of the Devin’s direction. He outraced “We won!” hollered Jordan,
soccer field. a boy in blue and swept the ball leaping into the air.
Players in red jerseys and to the side. For a split second he “Championship game, here we
players in blue bunched up saw a clear opening to the goal. come!” said Tara, slapping hands
near the goal. A few seconds He struck the ball hard and held with Devin. “Can’t wait till
remained in the game, and the his breath as it flew toward the Thursday.”
score was tied. upper corner of the net. Devin grinned. Thursday
Devin kicked the ball hard Goal! would be huge—the big soccer
and watched it loft toward the game in the afternoon, and the
“Championship
goal. He sprinted onto the field. school’s autumn concert in the
Tara trapped the ball and evening. Ms. Poltis had chosen
pivoted. A swarm of opponents game, here we Devin to sing a brief solo.
come!”
blocked her path. “Great work,” Coach said as

24 NOVEMBER 2017

Devin sat on the bench game was a perfect excuse. His
and pulled off his cleats. His team was counting on him.
teammates were super excited. But so was Ms. Poltis.
They were on the verge of a title, Devin crawled back into bed.
and Devin was a big reason why. It was a long time before he
He led the league in scoring, and fell asleep.
his soccer knowledge made him
like a coach on the field. He In the morning, Devin hardly
couldn’t let his team down by ate any breakfast.
skipping the game. “Feeling all right, honey?” his
Jordan patted Devin’s mother asked.
shoulder. “You’re the MVP,” he Devin shrugged. “I’m just not
said. “You kept us in that game that hungry.”
and then you won it.” “You had a big day yesterday,”
“Thanks, but no player wins Mom said. “And you’ll have a
anything alone,” Devin said. bigger one tomorrow.”
“Eleven of us were on the field. Devin nodded and took a bite
Remember that.” of toast.
Devin frowned. He’d tell At school, he went straight
Ms. Poltis in the morning. There to the music room. He felt
were other kids who could sing sorry to tell Ms. Poltis that
the solo. He wasn’t the best he’d miss the concert.
singer anyway, and he knew it. “Good morning, Devin,”
said Ms. Poltis.
That night, Devin lay in bed, “Good morning.” Devin looked
staring at the ceiling. Finally, at the floor.
he turned on his light. Trophies
and ribbons from races, baseball (Continued on next page)
leagues, and free-throw contests
lined his shelves. He looked at
them for a moment, then picked A Tip from
up a sheet of paper from his
desk. After reading the words, the Author
he shut his eyes and sang them:
Develop your soccer skills
the team gathered. “Be here by “‘No matter how hard the
by juggling the ball. Bounce
6:30 on Thursday to warm up.” struggle, I will never let you
it up a few inches with the
“Six thirty?” Devin said. down. . . .’”
top of your foot, then put
That didn’t sound right. The solo was only four lines your foot under it and pop
“It’s a night game,” Coach in the middle of a song the it up again. You may be
explained. “Under the lights.” entire choir would sing. Devin able to do only one or two
Devin’s heart sank. The knew the words by heart, but juggles at first, but you’ll
concert was at 7:00. Same time the thought of singing alone improve quickly. Practice
as the game. He couldn’t made him shiver. Sometimes he this skill with both feet!
possibly do both. was nervous about participating
Rich Wallace is the author of
“Playing at night will be so in sports, too, but that always
dozens of sports novels for
cool,” Tara said. “It’ll feel like went away as soon as a game
kids, including the books in the
a pro game.” started. He’d never sung a solo
Winning Season and Kickers
“Yeah,” said Bryan. “Under before. It was a relief to know he series. He has played and
the bright stadium lights.” didn’t have to now. The soccer
coached a lot of sports, too.
NOVEMBER 2017 25

“I chose you because you work hard.”




(Continued from page 25)


“All set for tomorrow night?”
Ms. Poltis asked.
Devin squirmed. He was
ready, but not for the concert.
“You look worried,” Ms. Poltis
said. “You’ll do fine, Devin.”
“I ...” Just tell her, Devin
thought. Be brave.
“Would you like to practice
some more?” she asked gently.
“Maybe once,” Devin replied.
He liked the song, and he
appreciated how kind Ms. Poltis
always was. He looked up at her
and his eyes filled with tears.
“Sit down for a moment,”
Ms. Poltis said. “You know, I
didn’t choose you for the solo
because you’re the best singer.”
She smiled warmly.


Alleyeswould
be on him.


Devin smiled, too. It was no
secret that several other choir
members had stronger singing Once those bright lights
voices than he did. come on, you’ll be fine, he told A Tip from a Kid
“I chose you because you work himself. Like always.
hard, like the person in the song. Devin took a deep breath. When playing a team
And you have a very nice voice. So many people had come sport, always look out
So don’t be nervous. Be proud.” to watch tonight. In a few
Devin stood taller. He and Ms. moments, all eyes would to help your teammates,
Poltis sang together, and Devin be on him. and always be ready to
handled the solo perfectly. Then He’d made a difficult choice. receive a pass.
his heart sank again. He hadn’t There would be other concerts. Nina Ramsumair
told her about the soccer game. And other championship Age12•Pennsylvania
The one under those bright games.
stadium lights. The bright lights came on. Share a sports tip!
Devin stayed calm. He sang
On Thursday evening, Devin with confidence. “‘No matter Send it to
warmed up slowly. He was very how hard the struggle . . .’”
excited, and he needed to contain Devin finished the solo and
Sports Tips
that energy or he’d start too fast smiled at Ms. Poltis. He was 803 Church Street
and run out of steam. proud of the choice he’d made. Honesdale, PA 18431

26 NOVEMBER 2017

Divvy Up



Desserts




By Clare Mishica • Art by Josh Lewis
Katie Cater is hosting a big Thanksgiving
meal for her friends and family, and
it’s time for dessert! Katie wants to
rearrange the treats on the trays
so that each of the red trays has the
same number of cookies, each of the
yellow trays has the same number of
pumpkin-pie slices, and each of the
orange trays has the same number
of caramel apples. How many treats
should be on each tray?


















Katie Cater’s cousins Ava,
Brayden, and Carter made
the desserts for their
Thanksgiving gathering.
Katie wants to write thank-
you notes, but she can’t
remember which cousin
brought each treat. Use the
clues to help her figure out
who made each dessert.
CLUES
•Carter’s dessert starts with
the same letter as his name. BONUS!
Find two
• Ava did not make cookies. matching
•Brayden’s treat is served on caramel
apples.
a stick.
Answers on page 38.


NOVEMBER 2017 27

MYSC Otter The sea otter, unlike its smaller cousin, the
river otter, is almost always in the water. It
Hair even sleeps in the sea, floating on its back.

The Pacific Ocean waters where sea otters
Traps live are often very cold. Otters don’t have
a layer of blubber, as seals and other sea
A sea otter can close
mammals do, to insulate them from the cold
its ears and nostrils water. Instead, they have a special blanket:
when it dives Air a thick fur coat with two layers to trap air.
underwater to find
food or to play.
Barbs (jagged edges)
on each hair make the
fluffy undercoat tangle
together, trapping air
that keeps the skin
warm and dry. Long,
thick “guard” hairs
clump together to form
a waterproof outer coat.













The sea otter spends a lot of its Its dense undercoat has more
time cleaning and fluffing its hairs in a square inch than you
fur to keep air in it. have on your whole head!



By Dougal Dixon
Art by Robert Squier


Sarmientosaurus Large eye sockets,
sahr-me-EN-toe-SAWR-us so probably had
“Lizard from Sarmiento” (the town
near where the fossils were found) large eyes
More than 60 different species of The head and neck
titanosaurs (a late group of large were found, but
plant eaters) have been discovered in the rest of the
Argentina, but most of them included body was
very little of the skull. Sarmientosaurus not.
was found with a nearly complete skull.
That gave scientists a better idea Thick teeth,
of what a titanosaur head was like. good for

slicing tough
plants
28 NOVEMBER 2017

Where

do

things

that go into

ablackholego?


When its feet
A Highlights Reader (by e-mail)
are held out of
Things that are pulled into the it collapses, which means
the water, they
enormous gravity of a black hole that it squeezes its core tightly
stay warmer become part of it. together and crushes down
and can absorb Unlike a hole in your sock, a to almost nothing. In the small
heat from black hole is not an opening; it’s region around this super-dense,
the sun. thetermforadeadstarwitha super-small object, nothing
very strong gravitational pull. can escape. Things
When a big star—much more pulledinbyitsgravity
massive than our Sun—uses up becomepartofthe
all its fuel after a few million years, compressed mass.





Thinking Challenge
Murray is in a hurry! He’s dashing out the door,
but he wants to give two friends matching lollipops.
He has five lime lollipops and five strawberry BONUS
lollipops in a jar, but the wrappers all look alike. To be sure he
gets two lime
What’s the fewest he should grab to be sure he’ll lollipops, what’s
have twopopsofthesameflavor? the fewest he
Answer on page 38. should take?



Based on its inner-ear cavity,
scientists believe Sarmientosaurus
may have heard low rumbling sounds
better than its relatives did.

WHERE: HOW LONG: WHAT IT ATE:
Argentina 40 feet Low-growing
plants







WHEN:

l
Likely held its 95 million years ago
d
d
head facing down,
252 201 145 66 Present
based on neck
Triassic Jurassic Cretaceous Cenozoic
bones and position
of ear canals

Planet Small creatures called Blippos live on Planet
Zlippo. When it rains, each Blippo splits into
two every hour. When it snows, each Blippo
Zlippo’s splits into three every hour.


One day, it rained for six hours. Before the rain
Blippos began, there was only one Blippo in the space Word
garden. How many were in the garden after the
rain stopped? How many would have ended up Hide-
By Clare Mishica
in the garden if it had snowed instead?
and-Seek

By Teresa A. DiNicola


Within each pair of
words below, there are
two words that sound
exactly alike but have
different spellings and
meanings. Can you
find them?

Example: chair share





























BONUS!
1. seed seal
Are there more
2. date weight
Blippos with polka
3. planet explain
dots or without
4. bleak sleek
polka dots?
5. mildew duel
6. jewel your
7. learn turn
8. wonder bone


Answers on page 38.
Answers on
30 NOVEMBER 2017 page 38.

The

The apples had fallen.
Timbertoes ®




By Rich Wallace • Art by Ron Zalme

There’s Itwasuptoohigh.
a good
one!

















They shook the tree. They threw old apples.



It’s too
strong.

How can
we get it?









Wait right Mabel had an idea.
here.








It was as good as it looked.





It worked!

Balancing







the Books





By Teresa Bateman • Art by Susan Batori


On Monday, Becca biked to the many—that made FOUR.
library. She found a book on horses. Four books.
“Great!” she said. She checked it out One basket.
and home she sped. One girl on a bike—pedaling home

One book. with some books that she’ll like.
One basket. The books were so good, they seemed
One girl on a bike—pedaling home to fly. Then she waited and sighed until
with a book that she’ll like. a week had gone by.
The book was so good that she The next Monday, Becca biked back
finished it fast. Good books are like to the library. She hurried in, could
that. They just don’t last. hardly wait. Twice more again. She
The next Monday, Becca biked back checked out EIGHT!
to the library. She knew just what she

had to do. Get TWICE as many. She
found two. Mummies and monsters.
“Perfect!” she said. She checked them
out and home she sped.
Two books.
One basket.
One girl on a bike—pedaling home

with some books that she’ll like.
The books were so good that she
finished them fast. She waited around
until a whole week had passed.
The next Monday, Becca biked to
the library again. This time she knew
she would need more. TWICE as


32 NOVEMBER 2017

In three weeks,

Eight books. she’d need 128!
One basket. Then 256! What
One girl on a bike—pedaling home could she do?
with some books that she’ll like.
The books were so good that she
finished them fast. (Though she tried, she could just barely see. And the bike
really tried, to make the books last.) started weaving alarmingly.
The next Monday, Becca biked back She made it home—whew!—without

to the library. Reading was great! causing a crash. She read all the books
Amazing. Keen. She’d get TWICE as in sort of a dash.
many. She checked out 16. But now Becca thought of the two
Sixteen books. weeks ahead. Twice 16 would be 32,
One basket. and twice 32 would be so much more.
One girl on a bike—pedaling home Her bike basket just couldn’t hold 64!
with some books that she’ll like. Then it hit her. Her horrible fate. In

But with books stacked so high, three weeks, she’d need 128! Then 256!
What could she do? She thought and
she thought for a day, maybe two.
Finally, her sister decided to speak.
“Don’t you know that the library’s open
all week?”
The next day, Becca biked back to the
library. She loved to read. That much
was true. She found good books and

checked out . . . two.
Two books.
One basket.
One girl on a bike—pedaling home
with some books that she’ll like.
The books were so good that she
finished them fast. Good books are

like that. They just don’t last.
But now, when she’s done, Becca hops
on her bike and hurries to pick out
more books that she’ll like.
She’s there every day, her joy
guaranteed—for as everyone knows,
readers just have to read.


NOVEMBER 2017 33

STANDING STRONG




U.S. Army On a bright, warm day in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil, eight athletes
veteran Melissa from six countries sprint toward
Stockwell loves the finish line. The date is
September 11, 2016, and they
a challenge. are competing in the first-ever
women’s paratriathlon, a three-
By Marty Kaminsky
race event in the Paralympic
Games. They have completed
the 750-meter swim and the
20-kilometer bicycle race. Now
they are closing in on the finish,
the end of the 5-kilometer run.
Melissa Stockwell, whose
left leg was amputated above
the knee, is one of the
front-runners. Her
husband, Brian, and
their 18-month-old son,
Dallas, urge her on.
With her teammates waiting
at the finish line, she pushes
through her exhaustion and
pain. Melissa says, “I saw my
two teammates standing at the
finish line with an American
flag and told myself to GO, GO,
GO!” With a burst of energy,
she crosses the line, winning
a bronze medal to go with
Allysa Seely’s gold and Hailey
Danisewicz’s silver. Americans
have won all three top spots!
The three wave the flag and
share a joyous hug as the
crowd roars.

Proud to Wear the
Army Uniform
Growing up in Michigan,
Georgia, and Minnesota, Melissa
was a talented gymnast. As a
student at the University of
Colorado, she joined the United
States Army ROTC (Reserve
Officer Training Corps). “I was
born a patriot,” she explains.
“I was dedicated to serving
my country and to wearing an
Army uniform.”

Photos: page 34 by Getty Images/Raphael Dias; page 35 (left)
Getty Images/Harry How, (right) courtesy of Dare2tri.

She was wearing that saved her life. Eventually,
uniform on April 13, 2004, two Melissa found herself back
years after she graduated. She in the United States, where
was a second lieutenant, riding complications from her injury
in a Humvee in Baghdad, Iraq. required another 15 surgeries.
As the armored vehicle She received a Bronze Star for
drove under an overpass, it her bravery and a Purple Heart
struck a roadside bomb. The in recognition of her injury.
explosion spun the vehicle into
a guardrail, severely injuring Strength Through Sports
Melissa’s left leg. A helicopter Her spirit remained strong.
rushed Melissa to a hospital, “I could either accept the loss
where an emergency operation of my leg or live in a constant
state of ‘why me?’” she says.
“Continue to believe “But I knew I wouldn’t be
myself until I could get back
in yourself and find to athletics of some kind.” Inspiring Others
a way to succeed.” Melissa’s mother, Marlene, Melissa Stockwell coaches
recalls her daughter’s attitude with Dare2tri, an organization
as she regained strength she co-founded with Keri
through swimming. “Seeing so Serota and Dan Tun. Based
many patients with injuries far in Chicago, the nonprofit
worse than hers, she realized group encourages people with
that she was lucky to have the physical disabilities and visual
chance to live a life again and impairments to participate
became more determined to live in triathlons.
in honor of those soldiers who
would not.” Only 52 days after
her injury, Melissa took her
first steps on a prosthetic leg.
One day, Melissa saw Melissa was invited to try
a presentation about the paratriathlon. She loved the
Paralympic Games—athletic challenge. She trained and went
events for people with on to win the International
disabilities. Inspired, she Triathlon Union Paralympic
ramped up her swimming World Championships in 2010,
to a competitive level. 2011, and 2012. She won
Although she was considered numerous championships and
a long shot, Melissa made the was named the women’s USA
2008 USA Paralympic Team Paratriathlete of the Year in
and represented her country 2010 and 2011. She counts
in Beijing, China. She was her 2016 bronze-medal win
disappointed with her in Rio de Janeiro as one of the
performance but was chosen best moments of her life.
to carry the United States flag Today, Melissa keeps training
at the closing ceremonies. “It and gives inspirational talks
was a moment I want to relive based on her experiences. “Don’t
over and over, representing take no for an answer,” she says.
my country,” she says. “Continue to believe in yourself
After the 2008 Olympics, and find a way to succeed.”

NOVEMBER 2017 35

Crafts





Ma hi
Next Month!
t


















Locker


Organizer





By Heather Boltz

1. Cut the top off a snack box. Cut
3–5 inches off both sides and the
front. Leave a rectangular basket
at the bottom.
2. Glue magnets on the back.
Decorate the box with scrapbook
paper and stickers. Hang it in your
locker or on your refrigerator.



Did you hear
the one about
the owl? It was
a hoot!

Pinecone

Owls

By Anne Renaud

1. Cut wings, eyebrows, a beak, and
a face shape from craft foam.
2. Glue them to a pinecone. Add
wiggle eyes.

Spinning


Superheroes some feathers
Save

and have your
By Caroline Hatton
Thanksgiving guests
1. On an index write what they’re
card, draw the thankful
for!
pattern shown
at right. Draw
and color a
superhero
using
markers.
2. Cut along
the red
dotted
lines. Fold along the
black lines. Hold the Thankful Turkey
bottom panels back with
a paper clip.
By Jennifer Hill
3. Gently bend the cape—
one panel forward, one 1. Cut a turkey’s head, 2. Cut 15 feathers from
panel backward. Drop body, wings, and feet from cardstock. Write something
your superhero from poster board. Decorate you’re thankful for on each
up high and watch it them with cardstock, yarn, feather. Glue them onto
spin to the ground. and markers. the turkey.




Craft Challenge! Create a self-portrait out of colored paper and glue.


Craft samples by Buff McAllister. NOVEMBER 2017 37
Photos by Guy Cali Associates, Inc., except locker by iStock/RichLegg.

R D E
Feathered Fun L S
I D







What do you call two
1 birds in love?
Lydia, California

Why did the robot cross 2
the road?
“I didn’t think they “I’ve been following Lucia Martin-McCann, Pennsylvania
could fly.” your tweets.”

What fish helped the
3 knight underwater?
grab three pops. That way, Leo Mohlenkamp, Ohio
Answer even if the first two he grabs
are different flavors, the third
will give him a matching pair.
BONUS: To be sure he gets two Why didn’t the dog 4
play football?
page 2 that are both lime, he needs to
grab seven pops. That way, even Jolee, Illinois
FunThisMonth if the first five he grabs are all
Cupcake Puzzler strawberry, he’llstillhavetwo What is
The frosting and pops that are lime. 5
wrapper don’tmatch.
page 30
Mystery Photo—Tree bark. a hot dog’s
Planet Zlippo’sBlippos
page 22 There were 64 Blippos in the favorite
spacegardenaftertherain. If it had
Gobble Up the Garden snowed, there would have been
1. A 2. A 3. B 4. B 5. C 6. C 7. B 8. C hairstyle?
729 Blippos in the space garden.
page 27 BONUS: There are more Blippos
without polka dots.
Divvy Up Desserts Sadie Zipser, Texas
Thereshouldbeeightcookieson Word Hide-and-Seek
each red tray, seven pumpkin-pie 1. see, sea. 2. ate, eight. 3. plane, How do you stay dry
,
nd
a
n
slices on each yellow tray and nine plain. 4. leak, leek. 5. dew, due. in the shower? 6
e
in
tr
low
y
a
caramelappleson 6. ewe, you. 7. earn, urn. Jenna Ross, New Hampshire
n
each orange tray. 8. won, one.
BONUS:
page 43
What do you get when you
Picture Puzzler 7 cross a frog and a rabbit?
Amber, Colorado
Thanks for the Treats
Carter made cookies, Ava made
pumpkin pie, and Brayden made How far can a fox run
caramel apples. into the woods?
8
page 28 Reagan Pettis, Alabama
My Sci
Thinking Challenge—To be sure he
getstwoofthesameflavor, he should Why don’t Dalmatians play
9 hide-and-seek?
Covers:FollowtheFun!byHowardMcWilliam;What’sWrong?®byDavidHelton Lincoln Cain, Missouri
Illustration credits: Page 2: Kevin Zimmer; 6: Erin Mauterer; 15: Jokes by Rich Powell, “Walking the Dog” by Lee
Cosgrove;29:(blackhole)VictorDavila;30:PlanetZlippo’sBlipposbyJoeRocco,WordHide-and-SeekbyJoey
Ellis. Photo credits: Page 2: iStock/ghostdom; 3: Gina Lenz; 4: (french toast) iStock/JMichl; 4–5: (otter) iStock/ woods. 9. Because they’re always spotted.
only_fabrizio; 6: (ladybug) iStock/Antagain, (plant) iStock/Chansom Pantip, (beets) iStock/pjohnson1, (meats) 8. Halfway. After that, it is running out of the
iStock/fcafotodigital, (sweets) iStock/Issaurinko, (girl) iStock/shapecharge, (pen) iStock/mludzen, (puppy) iStock/
master1305, (pipes) iStock/stuartbur, (boy) iStock/JBryson; 8–9: (bookshelves background) iStock/ikopylov; 6. Don’t turn on the water. 7. A bunny ribbit.
16–17: (background) iStock/Thanrada1988, (maple leaves) iStock/Ramaboin, (birch leaves) MiRafoto.com/Alamy 4. Because it was a boxer. 5. A bun.
StockPhotoandiStock/ginton,(sweet-gumleaves)Jochen Tack/AlamyStockPhoto,(leaveson branches) programmed like a chicken. 3. A swordfish.
iStock/Johnrob; 28–29: (otter) iStock/AKauroraPhotos; 29: (lollipops) iStock/mayakova. Answers: 1. Tweethearts. 2. It was

Paws and

Making Cars
Think




















































Why is it faster to make cars on an
assembly line than to make each
car separately from start to finish?
Why might people use robots to do
certain tasks?

Why do you think car companies
change the designs of their
vehiclesfromtimetotime? I’ll take a
convertible!
If you could design your own
vehicle, what features would
you give it?





Art by David Coulson.

Ask


izona ® I asked, opening my family’s
“What do you want to play?”

game cupboard.
“Let’s play Go Fish,”
said Sylvie.
“No way! Go Fish is a baby
game,” said Megan. “Let’s play
something with more strategy.”
“Ugh, strategy games are so
much work,” Sylvie grumbled.
“Can’t we please just play a
fun game?”
“I’m sorry. I happen to think
gamesthatmakeyoufigure
stuff out are fun,” Megan said.
“How about this memory
match-up game?” I suggested.
“It’skindofinthemiddle.Not
tooeasy,nottoohard.”
Sylvie shrugged. “How about
Growing Apart we take out your costume trunk
andmakeupaplayinstead?”
That sounded fun to me, but
Megandidn’tliketheideaatall.
“Youreallywanttoplaydress-
By Lissa Rovetch • Art by Amanda Morley
up?” Megan said. “I haven’t
Dear Growing Up, Megan and Sylvie arrived played dress-up in years.”
Ineededtochangethe
I never even thought about atmyhousearoundnoon.It subject. “Hey, look! The sun
that question until last week. hadbeenlongerthanusual
Andbelieveme,lastweekI sinceI’dseenthem,soIwas
thoughtaboutitalot.Acouple very excited. “You really want
of my mom’s friends have kids to play dress-up?”
my age, and we’ve been playing
together since the time we
were babies. Even though we
wenttodifferentschools,we
continuedtoseeeachother
everyfewmonths.Andformany
years, we got along great. Until
last Saturday.


For many years,
we got along great.
Until last Saturday.






40 NOVEMBER 2017

“Lunchtime! Who
wants spaghetti?”











































be growing up in different ways at
“We used to get along like three different rates. And since I seem
came out. Want to go kick the peas in a pod.” to be somewhere in the middle, I
soccer ball around for a while in “I know! This is the worst day should probably get together with
the backyard?” ever,” said Sylvie. “It’s like all each of them separately, at least
They both agreed, and for a few Megan wants to do is prove how for a little while.
minutes it seemed like the perfect cool and grown up she is.” So, dear Growing Up, I do
activity—until it wasn’t. “Well, it seems to me that all think it’s possible to feel as if
“Hey, ’Zona,” Megan said, Sylvie wants to do is prove she’s you’re growing up faster than
kicking the ball my way, “do you still a little kid,” Megan replied. your friend. If it’s too tough to
think your mom would be up for Luckily, that’s when my find activities you both enjoy,
taking us to the mall later?” brother, Tex, ran outside maybe you could take a little
“Ooh, that sounds great. My hollering, “Lunchtime! Who break from hanging out for now.
friend Maddy says Connor’s Toy wants spaghetti?” But remember, that doesn’t mean
Store is having a huge sale on I don’t know if Megan and your friendship has to end once
Puny Pets,” Sylvie said. Sylvie had run out of stuff to and for all. People change over
“To be honest,” said Megan, “I disagree about or if their mouths time, and in a few months or
was thinking more along the lines were just too full of spaghetti to even a few years, who knows?
of shoe stores than toy stores.” talk, but lunch was by far the best You might be best friends forever.
As you might imagine, I part of our visit.
was finding it hard to think of As soon as Megan and Sylvie Ciao for now,
an activity that would make left, I told my parents how the
everybody happy. “What visit had gone. We agreed that Arizona
happened to us?” I asked. Sylvie, Megan, and I all happen to

NOVEMBER 2017 41

Dear


Highlights





I am the

shortest and

youngest I play in a homeschool
person in my orchestra where everyone
else is a different religion
class, and my than I am. Sometimes I

classmates call feel a little out of place.
me “Tiny Mouse.” What can I do to feel better?
Sydney (by e-mail)
How can I make Nobody likes to feel out of
them stop? place. Sometimes we’d rather

just blend in. But when you
Stella, North Carolina
think about it, the world would
We often hear from kids who are teased about their height, be boring if we were all the
whether they are short or tall. But there are advantages and same. Take your orchestra, for
disadvantages to being any size. If you start to feel upset example. If everyone played
about being small, it might help to make a list of the benefits the same instrument, the music
of being the shortest and youngest. For example, perhaps you would probably sound pretty
find that you bump your head less often! dull. Like an orchestra, life is
The next time someone calls you “Tiny Mouse,” try not to interesting because of its variety.
let it bother you. Your classmates probably don’t mean to We are all unique individuals
hurt your feelings. You might even play along and come up with our own talents, beliefs,
with a funny reply. However, if the teasing feels hurtful, try appearances, and personalities.
talking to a parent or teacher. When we work together, we can
make beautiful music.
When you feel out of place,
try thinking about the things
you have in common with your
I’m supposed to bring fellow musicians. You all share
my eyeglasses to school, a love of music, for instance!
It may also be helpful to talk
but sometimes I forget. to your parents about how
Can you help me? you’re feeling.
Jasper (by e-mail)


You might try leaving yourself glasses at the same time Write to us!
a note or a drawing of your every day, such as right after Please include your name, age,
glasses on your backpack, the breakfast or before putting and full address. Mail to
bathroom mirror, or some other on your shoes. It can take Dear Highlights
place you’re sure to see it before a little time to develop new 803 Church Street
school. You could also work to habits, but you can do it if Honesdale, PA 18431
develop a habit of packing your you keep working at it. Or e-mail us at [email protected].


42 NOVEMBER 2017 Art by Keith Frawley.

Picture Puz z ler Art by Kelly Kennedy Answers on page 38.

Things are amiss in the lobby at the Blunder Hotel. For example, the elevator
has two “up” arrows. What other things are not quite right in this scene?

What’s
Wrong? ®


Which things in this
picture are silly?
It’s up to you!

























































Visit our Web site! !



Find each object below in
the big picture. Number the
And a Silly Story! circles under the objects as
you find them. Then read
the silly story using the
Weird Science numbered objects!





Today was the school __________ fair, and I was so excited
1

to reveal the project I’d been working on for months: bird golf club


my Robotic __________ 2000—Robo for short. I had some
2

finishing touches to make. All I had left to do was tighten
mitten sailboat

the __________ and wind up the __________ on the left side of his
3 4

head and he’d be ready. But right then, something strange


banana envelope
happened. My friend Abby’s pet __________ went running by.
5
All of a sudden, Robo seemed to have a __________ of his own.
6

He set his __________ in motion and rolled off. “Stop, Robo!” I
7 pizza ruler

called. I pressed the green __________ on my remote, but Robo
8

kept on rolling. He bumped into a __________, then he ran over
9
car magnifying glass
my teacher’s __________. When he had crossed the room, I
10
thought he was about to run right into a __________. Ouch!
11

But, to the amazement of the whole room, he had caught
cane scarf

Abby’s pet and saved the __________. Go, Robo!

12
(Hidden objects are larger
than objects shown above.)

Art by Dave Klug.

Ask Mr. Pinsky, the Fall Fling


izona ® organizer, “we have a lot to do
and not much time. So you’ll need
to cooperate with your team.”
Unfortunately, cooperate and
team seemed to be foreign words
to one particular member of
my group. For the purpose of
this letter, I’ll refer to him as
Bossy McBossyboss.
“I’ll be the leader!”
he announced.
“We’re not supposed to
have leaders,” my friend
Mareya Becker reminded him.
“Remember what Mr. Pinsky
said? Each person is an equal
Bossy said Bossy. “I’ll just tell everyone
member of the committee.”
“OK, I won’t be the leader,”

what to do!”
I laughed, thinking that he
was joking.
“Should we start by making
McBossyboss a list of possible games?” said
Jackson. “How about that duck
pond one?”
Mareya took out a notebook
and wrote Duck Pond. “I always
By Lissa Rovetch • Art by Amanda Morley like Go Fish,” she said, adding it
to the list.
Dear Bothered, probably isn’t in the dictionary, but “Isn’t that a card game?” I said.
Mareya shook her head. “This
Firstofall,Ithinkyoujustset justwait—you’llseewhatImean. is a different kind of Go Fish. In
the record for most B wordsina this one, people put fishing poles
row! Second—and this is kind of “I won’t be the in the pretend water and pull
embarrassing to admit—my out surprises.”
little brother and sister could leader,” said Bossy. “That’s a game for babies!”
probably relate to your situation. “I’ll just tell everyone Bossy blurted. “We need
They were always saying that challenging games that test
Iwasbossy.Anditwasn’tuntilI what to do!” people’s skills.”
metaverybossyperson thatI “How about we have hard
understood how they felt! There were lots of committees games and easy games?”
My school was holding a fund- to choose from: music and suggested Jackson.
raiser called the Fall Fling Fair, entertainment; tickets and “Yeah,” I said. “Something
and everyone was going to help advertising; refreshments; party for everybody!”
out. I was pretty excited about decorations; games and activities. “Let me see that.” Bossy
it. But my excitement quickly I chose the last one because games grabbed the list, then put a big
turned into complete and utter and activities sounded like fun. X through Go Fish and wrote
miserability! I know miserability “OK, everybody,” said Balloon Darts.

“Excuse me,” said Mareya. add more blue ones.” but it’s not the right way for me.”
“Don’t you think that was a little “Feel free to go ahead and And that, dear Bothered, was
rude—just grabbing the list add them,” Mareya said. probably the best thing this little
without asking?” The best (or maybe the worst) girl could have said. Bossy people
“Relax,” Bossy said. “Everyone example of Bossy McBossyboss’s aren’t bad people—they just
loves Balloon Darts. Trust me. bossiness happened when the may not realize that their way
I’ve been to lots of fairs!” Fall Fling Fair finally started. doesn’t have to be the right way
Every time we got together, This adorable little girl was for everyone.
Bossy McBossyboss did the same fishing for a prize at our Go Fish The good part of this experience
thing. Whether we were choosing booth, and Bossy grabbed the is that it helped me understand
games, trying to figure out fishing pole right out of her hands! how my brother and sister felt
prizes, or setting up booths, when I told them what to do and
he never seemed to realize It took an adorable didn’t stop to be polite or consider
that he was part of a team their feelings. Now that I try to act
with three other people. little kid to put more patient and less bossy, we get
At last, it was the day Bossy in his place. along much better.
of the Fall Fling Fair, and So if I were you, I think I’d
we were all running around nicely ask your brother to stop
getting ready. “You’re holding it all wrong,” acting like Bossy McBossyboss
“You need to make the he told her. “Do it like this!” and remind him that you’re much
horseshoes sign hang straighter,” If that had happened to me more likely to listen when he
Bossy commanded. “It’s way when I was four or five, I would suggests things in a friendly way.
too crooked.” have stood there silent and
Ciao for now,
“Would you please do it confused. But this little girl
yourself?” I said. “I’m kind of looked up at him, took a big
busy organizing the prizes.” breath, and said, “That may be Arizona
“There are way too many the right way for you to do it,
pink balloons on the wall,”
Bossy complained. “You should
“You need to make
the horseshoes sign
hang straighter.”

Paws and Backstage at the Play


Think
























































What are these people
doing behind the scenes?

What do you notice about the
way members of the stage crew
are dressed? Why might they be
dressed that way? Is it time

What are some differences to take a
between the jobs people do bow-wow?
onstage and backstage? What
are some similarities?



Art by David Coulson.