Weekly Reader Publishing - Updates

Get Rid of That Gig

I cringe when I remember how I quit my first job.

The summer between 10th and 11th grades, I was a desk clerk at a swim and tennis club. The work was a breeze: answering the phones, greeting and checking in guests, and taking reservations for the tennis courts. Outside of these obligations, I was free to kick back, enjoy the sunshine, listen to whatever music struck my fancy, and eat frozen Charleston Chews from the snack bar. I could even take a dip in the pool in my off-hours. It was a pretty sweet job.

Dancing With the First Lady

First Lady Michelle Obama spent Thursday on the move. She was swinging her arms, pumping her fists, and marking the second anniversary of her “Let’s Move” campaign. The program aims to fight childhood obesity.

The first lady was joined by 14,000 sixth- to ninth-graders at a Des Moines arena. The event was a giant pep rally for eating right and exercising. Attractions included confetti, balloons, and a towering birthday cake made of fruit.

A Good Night for Rick Santorum

Rick Santorum shook up the Republican party’s presidential race on Tuesday, February 7. Santorum’s victories in the Colorado and Minnesota caucuses may have surprised some people. But they didn’t surprise the former Pennsylvania senator.

On Wednesday, Santorum said that Republican voters “are beginning to get” that he is the best candidate to win the White House.

Nevada Voters Say "Romney"

The results were late in coming after the Nevada caucuses. Turnout was low. But in the end, Republican caucus participants in the western state decided Mitt Romney was their choice for the Republican presidential nomination.

Romney also won Nevada in the 2008 caucus, though he did not go on to win the nomination that year. John McCain was the Republican nominee in 2008.

The former Massachusetts governor had 50 percent of the vote. Newt Gingrich took second place with 21 percent of the votes. Ron Paul had 19 percent. Rick Santorum finished last with 10 percent.

A Giant Victory!

At Super Bowl XLVI, there were so many people! To get there, we had to walk a long way around the stadium. Then we went to the security tent, where we went through metal detectors. Then we headed into the stadium. Inside, we followed a path of blue tape that led us to our seats in the media section.

Madonna, Media Magnet

I got to see Madonna!

With her children coming to Indianapolis on Friday, Madonna had a press conference on Thursday. It was the second-most attended press conference in the run up to the Super Bowl.

The singer is set to perform in the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday. Over the course of her career, she has sold more than 300 million records. She has also produced and directed movies.

Guard Duty

What’s one secret to a quarterback’s success? A great offensive line! An offensive line is made up of two guards, two tackles, and a center. Its job is to protect the quarterback and block for running backs.

The New Orleans Saints’ offensive line won the Madden Protectors Award on Wednesday, February 1. Tackles Zach Strief and Jermon Bushrod, guards Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans, and center Brian de la Puente accepted the prize.

Eyes on the Prize

Touchdowns aren’t the only thing LeSean McCoy and Drew Brees scored this season. The running back and quarterback both won FedEx Air and Ground Player of the Year awards on Wednesday, February 1.

McCoy took home the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Year award. The Philadelphia Eagles star ran for 17 touchdowns in 2011, more than any other running back in the National Football League. “I’m very honored that FedEx selected me,” he said. “I want to thank my teammates, friends, and fans.”

Weekly Reader Student Reporter Talks to Florida Voters

It was a pretty slow day for Republican primary voting in the Sunshine State, mostly because many voters in Broward County participated in early voting over the weekend. My family and I drove to the La Quinta Inn next to the public library in Coral Springs, Florida, to take an exit poll with some of the voters. Of the five people I polled, 3 for Romney and 2 for Gingrich. Nearly every voter I spoke with said the number one issue facing America is a sluggish economy that leads to a high unemployment rate.

Here are some voter comments.

Weekly Reader Goes to the Super Bowl

Weekly Reader's student reporter Catherine B. is in Indianapolis, covering Super Bowl XLVI.

Catherine is a fifth grader from Indiana. She kicked off her super assignment by winning a writing contest to become a Weekly Reader student reporter. This school year, she has written several pieces for Weekly Reader News, including a news debate on whether kids should be banned from certain restaurants.

Q&A With the Giants

Eli Manning, quarterback

Catherine: With you, and your dad, and your brother all [being] football stars, what does your mother think of all this?

Q&A With the Patriots

Tom Brady, quarterback

Catherine: How do you prepare mentally for a game?

Media Madness

My day began in front of a huge TV camera with a microphone clipped to my shirt and many friendly people around me. Scott Sander, who works for a local TV station, interviewed me. He wanted to know how I got this assignment and when I found out about it. He also asked what I would ask the players when I interviewed them.

Romney Wins Florida Primary

Voters in Florida have had their say in the Republican primary race. They voted for Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, as their pick for the Republican presidential nomination. The primary vote took place on Tuesday, January 31.