New York, NY (January 9, 2006) -- Students nationwide have selected Jessica Knudsen, a 6th grader from Plymouth Meeting, PA, as the grand-prize winner in the first-ever Scholastic Book Clubs National Book Report Contest. The 11-year old, who was one of ten finalists, received the most votes and will receive an all-expense paid trip, along with a guardian, to Scholastic’s New York City headquarters to be a Scholastic Book Clubs editor for a day. Jessica wrote a book report on “Zlata’s Diary” by Zlata Filipovic.
 
“Although a book is merely a cover and some paper with words, it can grab you in unexpected ways. It can make you feel like nothing you’ve ever felt, and Zlata made it happen. This book gave me a very strong picture of where she was and what she was going through, causing me to realize just how many people were suffering. Zlata also expressed her feelings in such a deep, meaningful way that it made me feel as if I were there, struggling, with her. As I read, the detail and emotion wrapped itself around me, flooding my mind with fear, love, and joy. Also as I read, I laughed. I cried. Zlata made an old diary into an exciting war tale that I just couldn’t put down.”
- Jessica Knudsen, book report on “Zlata’s Diary” by Zlata Filipovic   
 
The National Book Report Contest, created by Scholastic Book Clubs, a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, media and education company, was featured in the September and October Arrow® Book Club catalogs, as well as online at www.scholastic.com/clubcontests. Students in grades 4-6 nationwide were asked to pick up a book they love and write a complete book report that is so persuasive that it will make other kids want to read the book too. Students were provided with writing tips, as well as an example of a book report written by acclaimed author Cornelia Funke. Scholastic Book Clubs received over 5,500 entries. Then, from December 12-23, students all over the country judged the 10 final entries and voted online for their favorite book report. The 10 finalists collectively received over 100,000 online votes.
 
“We are thrilled with the wonderful response and the quality of entries that we received in this contest,” said Ann Marie Resnick, Vice President, Marketing and Promotion, Scholastic Book Clubs. “We congratulate the grand-prize winner and we hope that becoming a Scholastic Book Clubs editor for a day will serve as a great learning experience and will inspire her to continue to read and write.”     
 
The grand-prize winner will also receive a 100-book library for her classroom. The nine runners-up will each receive a 100-book library for their classroom and a 10-book library to take home.
 
For 56 years, Scholastic Book Clubs have provided monthly catalogues offering top quality books and reading materials from all publishers to teachers and students in pre-school through junior high. Today eleven different Scholastic Book Clubs reach over one million teachers each month, providing the most sought-after titles at affordable prices for children in classrooms nationwide.               
 
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology.  Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys.  The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.

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