Whales gettangled, freed

on East and West coasts Self-reliant

A pair of humpback whales -- one in the Atlantic and the other in the Pacifi c -- had close encounters with commercial fi shing equipment

recently and were lucky to get untangled before they drowned.The whale pictured here managed to combine head movement and fi n

slaps to get free of deep-sea fi shing line off the coast of California near Monterey while a rescue team waited in case their help was needed.

But rescuers near Bar Harbor, Maine, had to work through an afternoon and most of the next day before they were able to free a humpback so badly entangled that it was breathing hard and had worn a wound on its back from the thick line, which was also wound around its tail 30 times.

They recognized the whale as one they call “Spinnaker,” whom they had freed from another tangle in 2006. Photo/Kate Cummings

2013

ColoradoKids CK ReporterMargaret Vogelpohl,

Englewood

aDaptation captuRes BooK’s actionBest-selleR on the silveR scReen

Imagine waking up in a dark box, with no knowledge at all, not even your name.

That’s what happens to Thom-as, the main character in “The Maze Runner,” the movie based on the fi rst of a trilogy of best-selling books by James Dashner.

The box is an elevator. Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) fi nally

reaches the top to fi nd roughly 20 kids staring down at him in the blinding light of the sun.

He is in a huge enclosed space, kind of like a village, while out-side is a huge maze with walls 100 feet high, that may be their way into the outside world.

Every day, people called “run-ners” go out into the maze to explore, and map it.

One of them is stung by a “griever,” a type of monster that roams the maze.

He and another runner, Mihno, try to make it back before the walls close.

Thomas runs out to try to save them before the walls close, but

he fails and must try to survive the night in the maze with Mi-hno (Ki Hong Lee), while con-stantly running from grievers, who try to take his life at any chance.

The next day, he and Mihno head out to try to fi nd a way out of the maze, while avoiding the terrible grievers.

Follow Thomas and Mihno as they try to fi nd a way out of the maze, save the inhabitants from the grievers and fi ght dissent.

The fi lmmakers didn’t com-pletely follow the plot of the book, but the changes are not to a point where someone who read the book will be disap-pointed in the movie.

Because of graphic content, this fi lm deserves its PG-13 rat-ing and should not be viewed by children under that age.

On the other hand, if you like action and adventure, then “The Maze Runner” is the movie for you!

In June, we reported on “plas-tiglomerate,” a new form

of litter on Hawaiian beaches that combines stones, sand and plastic ocean trash, into semi-artifi cial rocks that geologists fear may be permanent.

Now tiny pieces of plastic like those shown above are turning up in people’s mouths.

Dental hygienists reported fi nding bits of blue plastic stuck in their patients’ gums, and, as a result, formulas for Crest toothpaste are being changed to take out the fl ecks of plastic called “microbeads.”

Microbeads are also found in some brands of body wash, and the problem, environmen-talists say, is that they are too small to be caught by water treatment equipment.

Microbeads go down the drain and then into rivers and oceans to be swallowed by fi sh, and then into our food chain.

Links to information about microbeads can be found at ColoradoNIE.com. Photo/5 Gyres

noW plastic is moRe than ocean litteR: it’s

even in ouR BoDiesBy Logan Butler,13, a CK Reporter from Littleton

freed from another tangle in 2006.

September 23, 2014

Realistic, humorous, touching novel

One of the most well-known sayings is “Life is like a Roller Coaster.” There are ups and downs, the worst and the best. There

are disappointments, then there are victories, and sometimes, there are both.

Most of the time, there are things that none of us understand, yet at the same time, we do.

That’s why Peter Johnson’s “The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez” is such a relatable novel and touches readers, making them feel sad yet joyful at the same time.

Benny Alvarez is a pessimistic boy who is trying to survive the void that is seventh grade.

He has a father even more cynical than he is, a brother who’s playful, tough, and annoying, a sister who’s as pure as a crystal lake glistening in the sun, and a mother who is the exact opposite of him.

He and his friends enjoy looking up words in a thesaurus and competing with each other to see who can find the best word.

With a grandfather who’s already gone through two strokes and a know-it-all enemy and her army of girls, he doesn’t know where his life is going.

In this novel about acceptance, he has to decide: Is the glass half empty or half full.

“The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez” is clearly a realistic fiction novel.

There are not any elements of fantasy, and it could almost be mistaken for a true story.

People who only like fantasy/science fiction books will not enjoy this book. For someone who will be fine with any genre or realistic fiction

however, this is an astounding novel. Peter Johnson has a story that in-

corporates the humor and quirks of a seventh grader’s life together with the difficulties and adversities of life in general.

Because Benny Alvarez (the main character who the book’s point of view is from) is a pessimist, an adolescent, and a boy, a lot of the jocularity of the novel comes from just his point of view.

Johnson has made it so that Benny isn’t a humorous character, yet he makes the reader burst out laughing.

Other characters, such as Benny’s younger brother, father, grandfa-

ther, and sister’s boyfriend, bring comedy into the story just because of the type of people they are; sometimes annoying, sometimes cynical, and often just plain hilarious.

However, even with the element that keeps you bright, upbeat, and chuckling, there is also a deep-ness that inhabits the book.

In the novel, each character seems to have his or her own story relating to love and loss. It could even be called inspirational.

Serious concepts, such as death, love, friend-ships, and enemies are scattered throughout the novel.

In conclusion, “The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez” by Peter Johnson is a book for adoles-cents of both genders.

It is for ages 10 to 14, and people who are looking for a bit of comedy, as well as a bit of seriousness.

And, in the end, the novel will reach deep within you and soften your heart.

ck Kids and adults can find live links to information about stories in Colorado Kids at www.ColoradoNIE.com

The story on Page One about whales tells of one whale who was able to save himself while rescue workers looked on, and another who needed help from the rescue experts.

Look through today’s paper for stories about people who were able to escape danger. What types of experts were there to help them? Did they need the help or not?

Beyond these four pages

A

BC

D

Upcoming ‘Mockingjay’ splits readersWhen the last book in the

Hunger Games trilogy came out, CK’s reviewer mostly discussed how grim it was.

Now the first of two films based on “Mockingjay” is about to be released, so we asked readers if they were going.

A third don’t care about the movie, not a surprising number.

But, while over half want to see it, they aren’t all sure they’ll be allowed to go. And 14 percent

said they had read the book and that was enough for them.

Here’s what we asked you and what you told us:

The first part of the movie ver-sion of “Mockingjay” will be out soon. Are you going?

A. I can’t wait! 38%B. Maybe, if my folks let me go

to a PG-13 movie. 15%C. The book was way too grim.

I’m going to pass. 14%D. Not on my radar. 33%

Here’s our next question:How comfortable are you in

the kitchen?A. I can make a real dinner

pretty much without help.B. I can do simple stuff like

ramen or spaghetti.C. I haven’t gotten much

past PB&J or a bowl of cereal.D. I’d starve to death if I

were on my own.To answer this question, go to

www.nextgen.yourhub.com

we asked, you answered

By Sanya Bhartiya ,11, a CK Reporter from Centennial

Colorado Kidsis produced by

Denver Post Educational ServicesExecutive Editor: Dana Plewka

dplewka@denverpost.comCK Editor: Mike Peterson

coloradokidseditor@gmail.comWe welcome your comments.

For tools to extend the learning in this feature, look under“eEdition lessons” at:

www.ColoradoNIE.com

eEditions of the Post arefree of charge for classroom use.Contact us for information on all

our programs.

Denver Post Educational Services101 W. Colfax Ave.Denver CO 80202

(303) 954-3974(800) 336-7678

Stories without bylines werewritten by the editor.

Visitors could try crepes, samosas and many more multicultural foods at

the Denver Sister Cities Festival the first weekend of this month.

The festival included booths, and information from Denver’s Sister Cities, Axum, Ethiopia; Brest, France (the first of Den-ver’s sister cities); Chennai, India; Cuernavaca, Mexico; Karmiel, Israel; Kunming, China; Nairobi, Kenya; Potenza, Italy; Takayama, Japan; and Ulaanbaatar, Mongo-lia, and “Friendship Cities” like Akureyri, Iceland.

Denver has had Sister Cities since 1975, but this festival was the first of its kind.

Gayle Stalling, head of the Denver Sister Cities Interna-tional Board, told me the festi-val was aimed toward families

with younger kids, as Sister Cities has too long been known just for exchange programs for adults and high schoolers.

They seemed to be reaching that younger audience, as Zayla, a 7-year-old Kenyan dancer, told me that she loved learning about other cultures, and that the festival had made her very interested in Chinese culture.

And a volunteer on the Ke-nyan council said that the Den-

ver Sister Cities Festival shows people there are other cultures out there that are important, which fit Stalling’s explanation that it was to showcase cultures to younger children.

Activities offered included having your name written in Chi-nese characters, learning about a trip to Tamayama, eating Kenyan samosas, watching shockingly strong, flexible Mongolian con-tortionists, and sampling crepes

and French onion soup. We also learned about a

student exchange trip to Brest, France: Isabella Fawson said that her French teacher worked with Denver Sister Cities, and was one of the teachers asked to nominate students for the trip.

Denver Sister Cities provides opportunities to learn about other cultures, and, as they expand their focus, many more are expected to follow.

Festival showed younger kids the world

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BrainteaserOn this date in 1642, America’s first college graduated its first class, so our answers today will begin with “H” for Harvard.

1. A short-handled ax used with one hand

2. The Greek god whom the Romans called “Mercury”

3. Six-sided geometric shape

4. Computer game that involves Forerunners and the Covenant

5. European nation whose capital is Budapest

6. South Korean automobile that sells well in the United States

7. Animal whose name is Greek for “river horse.”

8. Johanna Spyri’s novel about a Swiss girl and her grandfather

9. School whose student beat players from Beauxarts Academy and Durmstrang Institute in the Triwizards Tournament.

10. Person who claims to be honest and moral but doesn’t really behave the way he or she says everyone ought to.

(answers on Page Four)

Teachers! regisTer your sTudenTs Today for The fall Trading session

Trading Begins September 22nd Registration Deadline October 10th

Colorado’s premier, semester-long, real-life stock market education experience for students in grades 3-12. A memorable opportunity for the next generation to engage in learning about financial and economic literacy by managing a virtual investment portfolio. CCEE provides everything needed for teachers and schools to offer the program including FREE teacher training.

Sponsored in part by:

Visit www.ccee.netfor more information

FREE to all public and

private Colorado schools

Supports State Academic

Standards in Personal Financial

Literacy, Math and Economics.

Presented by:

Sister Cities (1) Axum, Ethiopia, (2) Brest, France, (3) Chennai, India, (4) Cuernavaca, Mexico, (5) Karmiel, Israel, (6) Kunming, China, (7) Nairobi, Kenya, (8) Potenza, Italy, (9) Takayama, Japan, and (10) Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

By Thandi Glick,10, a CK Reporter from Denver

“Cavalia Odysseo” is a breathtaking performance that is

difficult to put into words.

There is spell-binding live music and a sense of resplen-dence with 62 horses of 11 different breeds and 46 per-formers from around the world, including riders, acrobats, and dancers.

Larger than two NFL football fields, with a stage the size of a hockey rink, the DIA-inspired big top is the biggest traveling tent in the world.

“The word Cavalia is built off of three words: The French word ‘cheval,’ meaning horse, the English word ‘cavalier,’ meaning a mounted soldier, and the Spanish word ‘caballo,’ meaning male horse,” explains

founder Normand Latourelle. “All put together the words cre-ate ‘Cavalia,’”

Latourelle, calm and casually dressed, complete with Chuck- Taylors, is not only the founder of Cavalia, but also a co-found-er of Cirque du Soleil.

With the use of three IMAX movie screens and 18 pro-jectors, the show leads you through time from places like the old West to Easter Island.

Performer and horse seem to move as one being as they illus-trate the bond between human and beast.

Each performance features something new and more amazing, including a 90-second scene in which 80,000 gallons of water are pumped onto the stage.

Cavalia leaves you in a state of awe and wonder and is a must-see for anyone.

The tickets may seem ex-pensive, but it is worth every penny.

You will not be disappointed!

captivating cavalia

BrainteaserSolution

(see Page Three)10 right - Wow! 7 right - Great! 5 right - Good

3 right - See you next time!

1. hatchet 2. Hermes 3. hexagon 4. Halo 5. Hungary 6. Hyundai 7. hippopotamus

8. Heidi 9. Hogwarts 10. hypocrite

By Clary Reichley,10, a CK Reporter from Denver

First you see the 22-foot curtain rise, then you are overcome with the sight

before you: singers, dancers, and acrobats sashay across the stage, an introduction to a performance now at full swing (literally)!

This is the musical “Pippin.”Pippin is a prince who is

growing up, but doesn’t want to be a scholar or a soldier.

He disagrees with the way his father rules the land and he feels empty inside from his lack of interest in life.

He runs away from home to find something completely fulfilling.

His first stop is to visit his grandma who explains her belief that if she refuses to grow old she will stay young and energetic until she dies; this points Pippin in the right direction.

He rejects the opportunity to become king and allows the circus-folk who opened the show to finally guide him

towards fulfillment. His many turns lead him to

a young widow, her son, their duck, and more.

Eventually Pippin must de-cide for himself what his fate will be.

Many people will enjoy the scale of it: There are so many colors and dances and props!

The costumes are almost as flamboyant as the acrobatics, and that’s saying something, because the acrobatics include ribbons, fire-poles, stairs, beams, hula hoops, and yoga balls! There are even magical

illusions!When you

see it, it’s hard to imagine that any human could do the amazing things that the actors and actresses in do in “Pippin.”

However, despite how fantastic it is, there are some sexual over-tones and adult

themes that you should know about before you buy tickets, because “Pippin” is genuinely PG-13.

However, for those old enough, Pippin is an exciting spectacle describing the beauti-ful journey of a young man with a flaming finale to his goals in life. This Tony Award-winning Broadway musical is not one to be missed!

‘pippin’ has exciting action, matuRe plot

By Brooklyn Webb,12, a CK Reporter from Littleton

Photo/Pascal Ratthé

Youth-written stories that appear here also appear on

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