New York, NY (October 28, 2004) -- This football season, NFL super stars New York Giants running back Tiki Barber and Tampa Bay Buccaneers corner back Ronde Barber have teamed up with Scholastic Book Clubs, a division of Scholastic, the global children's publishing and media company, and the National Football League (NFL) to get kids reading and writing in the Scholastic Book Clubs/NFL “It Should Be Me” Writing Contest. The Barber brothers will judge the contest entries, selecting two grand-prize winners (one in grades 2-3, and one in grades 4-6). The winners (and a parent or guardian) will receive an all-expense paid trip to the biggest sports event of the year, Super Bowl XXXIX on February 6, 2005 in Jacksonville, FL, as well as $500 worth of sports equipment for their schools.
 
To enter the “It Should Be Me” contest, students are asked to write a letter (250 words or less) to their favorite NFL player explaining why they should be chosen to win the hottest ticket in football. Details of the contest are available online at www.scholastic.com/clubcontests , and in November order forms for Scholastic Lucky® Book Club and Arrow® Book Club, which also include a special offer on two new NFL paperback titles. (No Book Club purchase is necessary to enter or to win). The deadline for entries is November 30, 2004. Winners will be notified by January 4, 2005.
 
Tiki and Ronde Barber decided to judge the 2004 “It Should Be Me” writing contest after meeting last year's Lucky Book Club grand prize winner, Rafe Tangorra, in a surprise meeting arranged by WABC-TV in New York City. The fifth grader from Woodside, NY, had written a heart-warming letter to his favorite football hero, Tiki Barber, celebrating the memory of his grandfather.
 
“We are delighted to partner with the NFL to encourage kids to work on their writing skills with the powerful incentive of a Super Bowl adventure,” said Judy Newman, President, Scholastic Book Clubs and Scholastic At Home. “The support of Tiki and Ronde Barber sends a persuasive message to kids that not only do their parents and teachers encourage reading and writing, but also their favorite sports heroes value these important, life-long skills as well.”
 
“With the Super Bowl essay contest and our new offerings with Scholastic, we continue to bring our youngest fans closer to the game,” said Chris Russo, NFL Senior Vice President of New Media and Publishing.
 
In addition to the writing contest, Scholastic also partnered with the NFL to publish five new football titles, “NFL Team Tracker 2004-5,” “NFL Megastars,” and “NFL Super Bowl: Inside the World's Greatest Game” as well as “Playoff Sensations” and “Quarterback Power.”
 
For 56 years, Scholastic Book Clubs have provided monthly catalogues offering top quality books and reading materials from all publishers to teachers in pre-school through high school. Today thirteen 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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