New York,
NY (October
7,
2004) --
Just in time for the back-to-school season, the National Football League (NFL) and Scholastic, the global children's publishing and media company, announce an enhanced relationship for 2004 that includes five new football titles for readers ages 7 - 12, an exciting Super Bowl essay contest, events with NFL clubs in local markets, and an education program for teachers and parents that encourages cross-cultural understanding. Scholastic programs reach nearly every school in the U.S.
Young football fans can immerse themselves in this season's football action with Scholastic's newest NFL titles. In
NFL Megastars (Scholastic; September 2004; $5.99; Ages 7-10), readers meet fourteen of the hottest players in the NFL -- from New England's star kicker Adam Vinatieri to Minnesota's celebrated quarterback Daunte Culpepper -- these are the fastest runners, top passers, and best kickers in the league. With
NFL Super Bowl: Inside the World's Greatest Game (Scholastic; September 2004; $5.99; Ages 7-10) readers go behind the scenes and get an up-close look at what it takes to become one of the two season-ending championship teams. Packed with exciting photographs, this is the ultimate insider's guide to the big game. The
NFL Team Tracker 2004-5 (Scholastic; September 2004; $7.99; Ages 7-10) comes complete with a full season standings chart where readers can track their favorite teams, a playoff grid to follow the action right up to the Super Bowl, and a pen to record it all. Fans can also learn more about all 32 NFL teams, including each team's latest stats, playoff history and their chance for success in the new season.
Two new NFL-Scholastic readers this season include
Quarterback Power (Scholastic; September 2004; $3.99; Ages 7-10), written by Tim Polzer, which profiles six of the NFL's hottest quarterbacks, and
Playoff Sensations (Scholastic; September 2004; $3.99; Ages 7-10), written by Craig Ellenport, that tells the stories of eight players who have made their mark in the NFL playoffs.
In addition to the new books, the NFL and Scholastic will award two elementary school students (and their chaperones) an all-expense paid trip to the biggest sports event of the year, Super Bowl XXXIX as winners of the “
It Should Be Me” writing contest.
New York Giants Running Back TIKI BARBER and
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cornerback RONDE BARBER will judge the contest, which was created to encourage kids to read and write. The contest is included in the November order forms for Scholastic Lucky® Book Club (grades 2-3) and Arrow® Book Club (grades 4-6) that also include a special offer for two new NFL paperbacks. Students are asked to write a letter of 250 words or less to their favorite NFL player explaining why they should be chosen to go to the Super Bowl in Jacksonville, FL on February 6, 2005. While at the game, the two grand prize winners will report on their experiences for
www.playfootball.com, the NFL's web site for children, and for Scholastic News Online (
www.scholastic.com/news ), America's leading news source for kids.
The NFL and Scholastic have also partnered with Facing History and Ourselves, a nonprofit educational organization, to create
One World: Connecting Communities, Cultures, and Classrooms, a unique program for students in grades 4 to 6, designed to encourage cross-cultural understanding and tolerance. The program, which helps educators and parents address issues such as diversity, prejudice, and the post 9/11 fears of today's young people, is available free of charge at
www.scholastic.com/oneworld .
“Kids get more excited about reading when they are offered books about subjects that interest them,” said Ellie Berger, Senior Vice President of Trade, Publisher of Licensed Products, Scholastic. “We are delighted to partner with the National Football League to create books and educational programs that tap into kids' interest in football and encourage them to be avid readers and learners.”
“Our goal in working with Scholastic is to help children discover the excitement of both football and books,” said Chris Russo, the NFL's Senior Vice President of New Media and Publishing. “This expanded partnership will reach millions of kids with a message that reading, writing, and an understanding of diversity are important, not only to their parents and teachers, but also to their athlete heroes.”
Twenty-two NFL teams used and donated Scholastic NFL Books as part of reading programs in their communities last season. Showcasing the commitment of the NFL and its players to kids' literacy development, some of the NFL's biggest stars will participate in local events in their communities this season to meet their fans and encourage them to become good readers and writers. New York Giants defensive end
MICHAEL STRAHAN, who is among the players featured in the new “NFL MEGASTARS”, will make an October appearance at a New York City bookstore.
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.