Sara Adibi

Professor Chris Jackson and Tom Hiddleston discuss the events at Pompeii from atop Mt. Vesuvius (photo credit: National Geographic/Paolo Verzone). 

Nearly 2,000 years ago, people in Pompeii lived ordinary lives. They worked, cooked, and spent time with family. Then Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., burying the city in ash. Now, centuries later, the stories of Pompeii and the people who lived there continue to capture the imaginations of kids around the world. 

Connecting Experiences Through Time 

Pompeii is famous because ash preserved much of the city. Archaeologists have found bakeries, artwork, tools, and even writing on walls. These discoveries provide a glimpse into daily life in ancient times. 

A new National Geographic docudrama, Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston, explores the disaster through a fusion of cinematic scripted drama and investigative documentary storytelling. Hiddleston guides viewers through the series and Kevin R. Wright serves as an executive producer. 

For kids, the show makes history feel less like memorizing dates and names, and more like a story being told about real people in ancient Rome. 

“If you read a great [fiction] book, you feel less alone in the world,” Hiddleston said. “I believe that the study of history is exactly the same. The only difference is that you are looking into the hearts and minds of real people as opposed to fictional people … What you discover is that their experience is very similar to your own, and it makes you feel connected to the common experience of being alive that we all share, and it makes [you] feel less alone in the world … it invigorates your empathy, it inspires your compassion and your understanding of human experience on this planet is richer and deeper.” 

The 10th book in Lauren Tarshis's I Survived series follows protagonist Marcus who must escape his city when Vesuvius erupts (photo courtesy of Scholastic). 

Pompeii from a Kid’s Perspective 

Author Lauren Tarshis, Senior Vice President and Editor-at-Large at Scholastic, knows what it takes to bring a historical event to life. The books in her New York Times bestselling I Survived series are packed with drama and action, allowing kids to experience historical events through the perspective of another child. The 10th book in the series, I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, 79AD, follows protagonist Marcus who must escape his city when Vesuvius erupts. 

Tarshis traveled to Italy, to the ruins of the city of Pompeii, to research for the book. She describes her writing process as “messy”. It involves reading countless books, searching for more personal belongings like diaries, and traveling to the parts of the world that she writes about. Tarshis explained that the most important part of her research is building connections with people who have been affected by the events or disasters she documents to understand their perspectives. 

This human connection was important to Wright and the team working on the series as well. They focused on details that would help viewers remember the real people who were impacted, not just the eruption. 

“We were playing with facts and documentary and Tom working with experts and getting information directly, and then we’re trying to bring it to life with drama,” Wright said. “I think what was most important, and the way that we were able to find the right balance of how to integrate those things and to figure out what was on screen was [deciding] ‘What is the most clear and honest way to tell this person’s story.’ That idea of constantly reminding yourself … this was a real person who really experienced this, and wanting to get their story right.” 

Personal Stories Driving an Understanding of History 

The series, like a book, is striving to share a story with the audience. 

“I think human beings are hardwired for story. We just love them,” Hiddleston said. “All of us have a unique story to tell … My role in Pompeii, as I saw it, was to be the storyteller for the lives of ordinary people who lived in this extraordinary moment and to allow their stories to live so that we could connect with who they were. We take three people, a young teenage boy … a mature and responsible businesswoman … and an elite soldier … and I try to tell those three stories with as much detail as I can so that the audience can connect to them. So that their stories, which existed so long ago, can live as if they happened yesterday. And hopefully you see yourselves in them and their stories resonate with you.” 

Scholastic Kid Reporter Evy Bingle interviews actor Tom Hiddleston and executive producer Kevin R. Wright about their new docudrama Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston.

Historical storytelling proves why ancient places still matter, reminding kids that history is about people, not just buildings or battles. Hiddleston said these stories also speak to the present, because disasters and challenges can connect people across time. 

“I think we can learn a lot from the past. People made a lot of mistakes in the past and we can learn to not repeat those mistakes … This Earth that we live on has been home to billions of people who have all lived in different ways, in different times, and faced different challenges and this happens to be our time, but there were times before, and there will be many times after. It makes us more connected to each other. It makes us realize we’re all in this together,” Hiddleston said. 

Tarshis hopes her readers will ask, “What do I want to learn next?” after reading her books. “The more things you’re interested in, the more interesting life is,” Tarshis said. 

Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston premieres on National Geographic on July 22 and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu the next day. To read I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, 79AD, visit your local library, bookstore, Scholastic Book Fair, or the online Scholastic store. Tarshis’s 26th book in the series, I Survived the Night of the Lions, 2025, will hit shelves September 2026. 

Temple University Police Officer Arashdeep Bawa visits a local elementary school to read to students. Photo credit: Matt Petrillo.

The Temple University Police Department has found a unique way to bond with the local students in North Philadelphia – through books. Last fall, the department launched “Cops in the Classroom,” a community-centered program that encourages students to find joy in reading. Each week, a police officer from the department visits a local classroom to read to the students and facilitate conversations about important topics covered in the stories such as safety and kindness. 

The goal of the program is to foster a love of reading and to build connections between the students and officers, who can serve as reading role models. According to the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report™, having adults in a child’s life who prioritize reading is key to developing frequent readers. Six in 10 kids say that a lot or nearly everyone in their life enjoys reading, with children who are frequent readers more likely than those who are infrequent readers to say that a lot or nearly everyone in their lives enjoys reading (80% of frequent readers vs. 26% of infrequent readers). 

The program inspires the kids to love reading, but it is also a positive experience for the officers who bring the stories to life by using different voices, making funny faces, and coming into the classroom with a lot of energy. Captain of Community Engagement Enoch McCoy said his favorite part of the program is the connection that forms between the officers and the students. 

“We want to achieve positive engagement, and we want to allow our community to know that we are here for their children; we are here for their families.” McCoy continued, “The officers also benefit from being involved in something different and having the fulfillment that they are setting an example for someone who is young, and someone who might take that interaction and allow it to help them develop a better understanding of our police officers.” 

Mrs. Angela McCrea and Ms. Linnea Hunter are teachers from Paul L. Dunbar Elementary School, one of the schools the officers regularly visit. When asked their favorite part of the program, Mrs. McCrea responded, “The interaction between the officer, literature, and the children is delightful. I am happy to see the positive interaction between them.” 

The teachers explained that the books read are often centered around community and character, all while promoting positive self-esteem, encouraging students to thrive, and fostering cognitive skills. After they finish the book, the officers talk with the students about what they read and sometimes share their favorite childhood books and stories. 

The central message from both Captain McCoy and the teachers was consistent: this program both motivates students to read and allows them to build connections with their local officers. “The children request that the officers return,” Mrs. McCrea said. “The students want to talk and ask questions.” 

Kid Reporter Sara Adibi with actor Tom Felton

Entering its seventh year on Broadway, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child welcomed actor Tom Felton to the Lyric Theatre in New York City this November. On November 16, the show rolled out the red carpet to welcome Felton back to the wizarding world as he reprised the role of Draco Malfoy, the character he portrayed in the Harry Potter movie series for 10 years. 

The audience buzzed with excitement as Felton brought a new level of magic to the highest-grossing non-musical Broadway show in history since its debut in 2018. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne, and is set 19 years after the famous battle in which Harry defeated his arch nemesis, Voldemort. The show explores Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco as parents, raising the next generation of wizards and witches. 

Several cast members and VIP guests walked the red carpet for interviews to celebrate the occasion. Felton said, “Honestly, I’ve missed having a wand in my hand. It turns out, after all the years, I’m still fairly handy with it.” He shared that the main difference between performing on Broadway and in the movies is the immediate response from the audience that the show provides. 

Felton made it clear that the Harry Potter book series was the “single reason why reading became cool again” and cites the series as his impetus to start reading again. 

Kid Reporter Sara Adibi with John Skelley, who plays Harry Potter

It became evident to the cast that Felton's joining the show generated a buzz for those on stage and in the audience. Trish Lindstrom, who plays Ginny Potter, mentioned Felton’s positive effect on the cast. “His enthusiasm is infectious; he’s so excited to be here. It’s a real treat and gift to have him.” Daniel Fredrick, who plays Ron Weasley, added, “He’s such a lovely guy, and obviously, he’s so incredible in the part. The audience gets so excited: they get to see him, and they get to see the story come alive to them in a totally different way, so it’s been an incredible ride.” Aidan Close, who plays Draco’s son Scorpius Malfoy, added, “With Tom here, the air is electric!” John Skelley, as Harry Potter, added, “Getting to do this with Tom Felton is unbelievable.” He mentioned how Tom brings a knowledge of theatre and experience to the show, and every night, the audience practically lights up to see him. “The first time he says Potter, it’s just incredible to watch the audience cheer!” 

The Harry Potter series proved to an entire generation the power of adapting books for the screen and stage. Lindstrom said if she could see another series adapted, she would like to see either the Ramona series or The Velveteen Rabbit on stage. Fredrick selected The Fabled Stables, and Felton said, “Any Roald Dahl book.” 

A common theme amongst the cast members was a shared love for reading. Close confessed he was a huge Percy Jackson fan as a kid, but was motivated to read Harry Potter when he was cast in the show. He reminisced that when he was reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on the subway, a passenger tapped him on the shoulder and asked him if it was his first time reading the series. “They said, ‘I would kill to read these books for the first time again,’ so I actually felt very lucky to read them for the first time.” 

Kid Reporter Sara Adibi on the red carpet of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

The red carpet and gala performance were a celebration of the Harry Potter story and the impact it continues to have on fans across the world. Felton will play Draco on Broadway through November 1, 2026. 

This article has been updated to reflect Felton's extension in the production. 

Scholastic Kid Reporter Sara Adibi pictured with Alan Gratz, author of War Games

At the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference, authors are invited to speak about their critically acclaimed novels and bestselling books in hopes of inspiring aspiring writers. Their novels present a variety of characters that can help readers feel connected and open their eyes to what’s going on or what has happened around the world.

Diving into Alan Gratz’s War Games

First, I was able to interview Alan Gratz, who shared more about his new book, War Games, coming out October 7, 2025. War Games follows 13-year-old American gymnast Evie Harris during the 1936 Berlin Olympics. At the Olympics, Evie finds herself in the middle of a plan to rob the Reichsbank, the German national bank, to steal Nazi gold.

Gratz began War Games with an extensive research process. He spent over eight months researching Germany before WWII, the Summer Olympics, how to rob a bank and other topics that appear in the book. He explained that he often begins his research by checking out numerous books from libraries, watching different documentaries and learning about the topics from people who experienced them firsthand.

Gratz’s inspiration to write War Games came from Jesse Owens’ remarkable performance at the Berlin Olympics. A Black American track and field star from Alabama, Owens won four gold medals and became a global icon during the Summer Games. There were two major themes that Gratz wanted to portray in his novel. The first that “all that glitters is not gold” — in other words, appearances, like that put on by Nazis, can be deceiving. For example, during the Olympics, there were Nazi flags positioned all across Berlin hiding anti-Jewish propaganda underneath the flags. The second theme is: it’s not about winning or losing; it’s how you play the game and how you treat people.

When asked if he believed there was a benefit to young readers being exposed to real-world experiences through literature, Gratz responded, “Books are, in a way, windows into the world. Readers learn to understand others' points of view through literature.”

Gratz concluded, “I hope for future generations to realize that we are stronger when we work together and for those generations to develop empathy for people different from them.”

Discussing The Freedom Seeker with Ruchira Gupta

Next, I had the opportunity to sit with Ruchira Gupta for her novel, The Freedom Seeker, published on August 5, 2025. The Freedom Seeker follows 12-year-old Simi who lives in India with her parents who are from two different faiths — Hinduism and Islam. In some countries, marriages between faiths can lead to judgment and unjust treatment. Because of this, Simi and her parents ultimately leave India to pursue the long and difficult journey to citizenship in the United States.

When I asked Gupta why it is important for younger readers to be exposed to topics that she writes about in The Freedom Seeker, she shared that young people must understand what others their age are going through and that it can help them understand the world.

Gupta said that the main theme throughout her novel is how small acts of kindness can have a huge effect on others. She explained that when a nurse at the refugee shelter gave Simi information, it might have been a small act of kindness, but to Simi, finding someone who cared enough to help her in her journey left a huge impact on her. There are countless other times in the story where this theme can be applied.

When asked what stories inspired her to write this novel, she stated that there were a few articles in the news cycle that piqued her curiosity. One of them was about an Indian family that was separated after trying to cross the border from Mexico into the United States. Gupta wondered: What made them risk so much to cross the border? Another story that inspired Gupta was about a family that froze to death crossing the Canadian-American border.

Sara pictured with Ruchira Gupta, author of The Freedom Seeker

Talking about Outside with Jennifer Holm

Then, I had the chance to speak with Jennifer Holm about Outside, which will be published on October 7, 2025. Outside is a chilling but heartfelt story of a girl being raised in a compound, in total isolation from the outside world.

In the novel, Razzi, the main character, gets a heart transplant from a greyhound dog. Holm told me she was always interested in medicine, and animal transplants always fascinated her. For her novel, she had to research organ transplants from different animals to fully understand how this could affect Razzi. This research took Holm about a year.

Holm drew from her own experiences, which inspired her to write this book. She gave an example of a little white lie her dad would tell her, as many parents do, that she discovered when she was older.

When asked about the reaction she hopes readers will have from her novel, she said, “I want readers to first be startled and then I want them to learn to ask questions, and not always accept things as they are.”

Sara pictured with Jennifer Holm, author of Outside

Braided Roots by Pasha Westbrook

My last interview was with Pasha Westbrook, author of Braided Roots, coming out on November 4, 2025. Braided Roots is Pasha Westbrook’s first book and is a picture book that follows a father braiding his daughter’s hair and, while braiding her hair, sharing stories of their culture and ancestors.

Westbrook told me this was based on a similar experience with her father who shared stories of their heritage, particularly of their ancestors, who walked the Trail of Tears.

Westbrook told me that the message she wants to convey in her book is that no one is truly alone because everyone has thousands of ancestors with them at all times.

When asked about the illustrations, Westbrook said that the illustrations capture the love between Pasha and her father beautifully. She also shared, “As a child, I didn’t have books about my culture, and I desperately needed them to feel as if I belonged. Now we have so many, and it’s so beautiful for children everywhere to learn that they have a place in this world.”

The story emphasizes the strong connection everyone has with their ancestors, heritage and culture, but it also emphasizes a father’s deep love.

Sara pictured with Pasha Westbrook, author of Braided Roots

Overall, the ALA and the author events were amazing opportunities to learn about soon-to-be-published books.

Scholastic Kid Reporter Sara Adibi at The American Library Association's (ALA) annual conference in Philadelphia

The American Library Association (ALA) hosted its annual conference in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center this summer. Librarians, book lovers, authors, editors and publishers gathered in the convention center to celebrate their shared love of reading and writing.

This year marked the 149th anniversary of the ALA’s creation in 1876. The ALA promotes libraries and library education, and it is the oldest and largest global library association. The ALA hosts numerous events during the year, including events during Banned Books Week, National Library Legislative Day, Youth Media Awards, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance, Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R), and many more.

The conference included events advocating against censorship, in which attendees had a chance to publicly speak out about a specific banned book, signings by best-selling authors and panels where authors and speakers shared insights into their books. During the event attendees were also given the opportunity to collect free, new books from stations throughout the venue.

One of the panels, Scholastic Reader’s Theater Returns, was packed. During the event, renowned authors shared excerpts of their upcoming novels. New York Times Bestselling Author Alan Gratz read from his new book War Games; UN advocate for women’s rights and three-time author Ruchira Gupta read from her new book The Freedom Seeker; three-time Newbery Honor recipient Jennifer Holm gave a sneak peak into her upcoming book Outside; New York Times Bestselling and Award Winning Author Ryan La Sala read from his new horror fiction novel The Dead of Summer; and two time Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly read from the The Last Resort. The recitings of the snippets of the stories were dynamic and helped show a key defining moment of the story for the audience to grasp an understanding on what the characters were like and how the plot unfolded.

Attendees got sneak peeks into soon-to-be-published books during the Scholastic Picture Book Event. At this event, authors and illustrators were asked questions such as “Why did you choose to write about this topic?”, “How do the illustrations help bring this novel to life?” and “What inspired you to write this?” There were eight speakers at this event. The first two speakers were Nell Cross Beckerman and Kalen Chock with Forests. Next, Charles R. Smith and Evening Monteiro discussed their book Through the Telescope. After that, Pasha Westbrook and Madelyn Goodnight, the author and illustrator respectively, discussed Braided Roots. Finally, Tami Charles and Bryan Collier spoke about Together United. There were a few interesting moments during this discussion. First, Smith revealed that when he was a kid he was passionate about astronomy, which led him to want to write about Mae Jemison. Also, Charles expressed that the idea for her trilogy of books began during the COVID-19 quarantine when her young son was beginning to ask questions about the Black Lives Matter protests that were happening. Lastly, Westbrook explained that Braided Roots began as a poem for her deceased father and, over time, transformed into her book.

The ALA is a great way for anyone to collect new books as well as learn about the importance and impact books can have on one’s life. The ALA also opened my eyes to important issues across the U.S. related to library education including fighting censorship and the importance of reading books especially in this generation. The ALA provides a great option for both kids and adults to meet well-known authors, get books signed and collect new and upcoming novels.

Scholastic Kid Reporter Sara Adibi at the Museum of American Revolution

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Museum of the American Revolution, located in Philadelphia, PA, has opened its doors to special galleries highlighting the impact women had on our early revolutionary beginnings. Whether it's taking a tour learning different stories of prominent female figures, uncovering the women who worked behind the scenes, or aided the army, the museum emphasizes the different roles that women played during our country’s fight for independence.

Meg Bowersox, a Manager of Gallery Interpretation at the museum, shared more about the exhibitions in an interview, “Through our programming, website, and social media, we work to share a variety of perspectives of women from different places, classes, and races. During a program, we may compare two women’s experiences regarding an event.”

The gallery shown above depicts the story of how women gained the right to vote in New Jersey for a short period of time.

The programs are a great way to learn about lesser-known women, who played large roles in the war. One of the key programs is a 60-minute gallery tour examining these women’s roles including Mercy Oris, Elizabeth Freeman, and Deborah Sampson. Mercy Otis was an American activist and poet who used her writings to promote colonial resistance against royal authority. Elizabeth “Bet” Freeman was a formerly enslaved woman who sued for her freedom in 1781, arguing that slavery violated the Constitution based on the term, “all men are created equal.” She helped abolish slavery in Massachusetts and her contributions are highlighted in a 25-minute performance. Finally, Deborah Sampson was a female patriot who disguised herself as a man and fought bravely for her country. Each woman contributed to society in her own unique way, shaping the country in which we live today.

 The gallery also gives insight into the more mundane ways that women shaped the Revolution. This ranged from traveling with soldiers to take care of their daily needs and to tend to their injuries, to making their own goods to boycott British ones, and using their voice to sometimes shape men’s opinions about the war.

Visitors explored the different stories of how women helped shape the Revolution.jpg

 Even though the Revolution did not cause an immediate women’s rights movement, it did allow women to assert their political views in different ways. Meg Bowersox states, “I hope guests leave with more of an appreciation and understanding of women’s roles during the American Revolution. I hope that people feel inspired by these stories and continue to think about how they can make their own impact on the world.”

A bear in the newly expanded and renovated exhibit funded by the W.P. Carey Foundation, the Philadelphia City, the William Penn Foundation, and various other independent donors. 

In early 2025, the Philadelphia Zoo, located in Philadelphia, PA, undertook a 20-million-dollar expansion and renovation of its bear exhibit. Expected to be completed sometime in March of 2026, the project was heavily funded by the W.P. Carey Foundation, the Philadelphia City, the William Penn Foundation, and various other independent donors.

According to Maggie Morse, Senior Director of Animal Care at the Philadelphia Zoo, “Bears are incredibly intelligent animals, so we are designing a habitat that is going to reflect their intelligence, their curiosity, and all their natural history. It will be a more natural environment that promotes climbing and exploring and all the things that bears like to do, increasing their quality of life.”

Some of the renovations for the new exhibit include an off-exhibit habitat for raising cubs and more opportunities for keepers to train with the bears. Trails will be added within the exhibit where young cubs can explore, climb, and forage like they would in their natural habitat. There will also be glass viewing areas to present guests with more opportunities to interact with the bears.

Zoo360

As part of the 20-million-dollar project, the Zoo also decided to create a trail, called Zoo360 for the bears. The Zoo360 trail allows animals, like bears, to explore and move around the zoo in exciting new ways, giving them long-distance exercise. At the same time, visitors get to experience the thrill of watching the bears up close, observing their natural behaviors and playful demeanor.

“The Zoo 360 trail is really exciting. The bears love to explore. They forage over great distances. They like to look at their environment; they’re not stationary. So, the 360 trail is going to allow them to explore more of the zoo just like our tigers get to do here,” Morse added.

What will happen to the bears?

The sloth bears that currently reside at the zoo, Kayla and Bhalu, have been temporarily transferred to other zoos while construction for the exhibit is in progress. The Andean bear, Sinchi, who calls the Philadelphia Zoo home, has been permanently moved to a different zoo where he has been paired with a female bear. When the bears are brought back to their enclosure after construction has terminated, the Philadelphia Zoo hopes to breed its bears.

“We’ll be able to increase our breeding efforts too. We’ll have more space for breeding opportunities for them because they are endangered species,” said Rachel Metz, Vice President of Animal Wellbeing and Conservation said. “The ultimate goal is to enhance animal welfare and to create a better guest experience.”

Philadelphia was buzzing with excitement and energy on Thursday, November 7th. More than 8,000 attendees, including myself, gathered at the National Convention Center to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Pennsylvania National Women’s Convention. The convention’s mission is to empower and inspire women to tackle their dreams and goals by listening to sessions and keynote speeches by various speakers with different careers.

The agenda for the day was filled with workshops, small group discussions, Q&A programs, and a plenary session that highlighted keynote speakers. Many of the speakers reflected on their path to individual success and how women and girls can advance in their personal and professional lives.

Robin Arzon, an instructor and Vice President of Fitness Programming at Peloton, gave a notable speech about female empowerment. She stated, “I just want to acknowledge ways in which we can turn our inner critics into inner advocates.” Additionally, she left the audience with three questions women can think about regarding their own success: what is your why, why not me, and what choice would you make if you were twice as strong and twice as confident?

I attended one of the Q&A sessions titled “Bright Futures in STEM Workplaces.” Female scientists, engineers, and businesswomen discussed numerous topics, including how to break barriers to succeed in STEM fields. When asked how female leaders can help girls maintain their interest in STEM, Jennifer McCafferty, Senior Vice President and Head of CMC-Regulatory and Quality Assurance at Merck Research Laboratories, said “Go into schools, be part of the science fairs, have the conversation, and be present. Encourage girls that they can do it.” Kenya Boswell, Senior Vice President of Community Affairs at Highmark Health remarked, “I would like to see more women in executive positions so that they can see that there are endless possibilities within this field.”

After a day filled with female empowerment and kinship, attendees left feeling inspired. Leslie Stiles who is the CEO of the convention concluded with, “When I look around the room and see all of the powerful women in here, it takes my breath away.”