The Denver Post •

CK Reporter of the WeekTalia Schanman, Cherry Hills Village

February 12 , 2019

Holmes and Watson don’t dare slip up this time!

“The Great Shelby Holmes and the Coldest Case,” by Elizabeth Eulberg, is about a 6th grade supersleuth named Shelby Holmes

and her partner John Watson, who goes by his last name.  

The two have made themselves well-known around their school and their hometown of Harlem, New York, where the story takes place.

This time, the pair go undercover as figure skaters

to uncover a plot of threatening notes intended to ruin the great skater, Jordan Nelson.  

The worst part for Shelby, who runs on candy, is that her parents have banned her from eating it.

On top of that, Shelby and Watson can’t skate and the culprit has decided to make things even more difficult by writing the notes in cipher, a secret code.

The book has some ironic parts like when Watson discovers that he is going undercover in a case that involves his two favorite things: Sports and going undercover itself, but of all sports it has to be one of his least favorite, ice skating!

Meanwhile, everybody’s a suspect until Shelby says they’re not.

This includes Jordan’s former skating partner, her coach’s ex and skaters who rival her.

Of course, Shelby and Watson still have to go to school, do homework, deal with friends and with Watson’s father, who came to visit from Kentucky and then leaves unexpectedly.

Then more notes come in and the case gets both harder and easier at the same time.

Will Shelby and Watson solve the case or will it be too late?

I would rate this book a nine out of 10 because it wasn’t right for my age, but it was still a good read, though I would recommend it for ages eight to ten.

This book is great for kids who like a challenging mystery or something to entertain them over a school break.

“ The Coldest Case” is the third of Elizabeth Eulberg’s  “The Great Shelby Holmes” series that includes “The Great Shelby Holmes,” and “The Great Shelby Holmes Meets Her Match.”

You don’t have to read the other books first to understand this one.

Writing Is Fun!How Would You Like To Be A Real Reporter?

Find out about all the cool benefits when you apply to be a Colorado Kids reporter at Colorado NIE.com

or by emailing dplewka@denverpost.com.

By Christopher Smit,12, a CK Reporter from Boulder

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Alamosa’s Rio Frio Ice Fest is a 3-day special event involving various winter-based activities such as a 5K run on a frozen river, a faux

snowman contest, and a very surprising bonfire.Many of the events this year were based on the

pirate theme. “Last year, our theme was superheroes, and the year

before that it was a Hawaiian-beach theme,” explained Jes Jolly, the city’s recreation division manager.

Most of the events took place Saturday, January 26th, but the event started the day before with cross-country skiing at the golf course.

The second day began with the “Rio Frio 5K on Ice,’ a three-point-one-mile-long walk-run held entirely on the Rio Grande.

People of all age groups are allowed to enter, and some people even bring their dogs.

“My family and I are running together, so I just

wanted to make some memories with them,” Luke Brown, one of the younger runners, said.

An hour after the race, the live ice sculpting and faux snowman contest begin.

At this time, different shops along Main Street and downtown Alamosa are decorated with either a life-size pirate ice sculpture or a snowman made from just about anything except snow.

“We stacked the ice all day Thursday, cut it yesterday, and I’ll finish today,” said Thomas Barlow, who has been making ice sculptures for over 30 years. “This is actually my first year at Alamosa, but I do big events around the state,” he said, using a chainsaw to shape the final form of a pirate walking the plank.

In the evening that same day, the Fire & Ice Bonfire is held.

As the name suggests, a bonfire is lit inside a large chimney … of ice.

These are just a handful of examples of everything that takes place in this winter festival: Some of the others include a pirate costume contest, a fat tire bike race, and even an ice carousel on the river.

With all of these activities and more, the Rio Frio Ice Fest is a great event to attend by yourself or with your whole family.

Celebrating winter Alamosa-style

Participants in Alamosa’s “Rio Frio 5K on Ice” take off running, or walking, or whatever they’d like.(Photo/Gary Strieker)

Thomas Barlow works on his ice sculpture in downtown Alamosa. (Photo/Gary Strieker)

By Nandi Strieker,12, a CK Reporter from Antonito

This book is great for kids who like a

challenging mystery or something to

entertain them over a school break.

The Denver Post •

When scientists first began to study climate change, they called it “global warming.”

That is an accurate term, because, on average, the entire Earth is becoming warmer.

But “global warming” confused people, because, while we certainly see warming in the melting of polar ice, there are other changes that involve colder weather as well.

“Weather” is what happens on a particular day: Today it might snow and tomorrow it might be sunny.

“Climate” is the average over a season, or over a year. The Front Range has a desert climate, which is why you have to water lawns in summer and why winter there is not so snowy as it is in the Midwest.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has announced the figures for 2018, and the news is not good.

2018 was the fourth hottest year since records began to be kept in 1880.

But the five hottest years on record are also the five most recent years.

Just as some people believe that vaccines are bad for you, there are people who don’t believe climate change is real. But, just as biologists and medical experts agree vaccines are safe and effective, so, too, scientists who study weather and climate agree there is genuine climate change.

For some places on Earth, like Canada’s Prairie Provinces and Central Russia, climate change has meant slightly cooler average temperatures.

But for most places, it’s slightly warmer and Earth’s average is likely to keep getting warmer each year unless people find a way to reduce pollution.

Coastal areas could be flooded, and crops like coffee and bananas might not grow in the new climate.

Records put 2018 at fourth hottest year

“Megabat And Fancy Cat,” by Anna Humphrey, is a fairly short book that addresses an issue that all ages face.

The story starts off on Christmas morning. Megabat is looking forward to all his favorite Christmas traditions.

Daniel (Megabat’s owner) allows Megabat to come inside and open presents with him under one condition: his mother cannot know he is there.

Daniel’s mother has a huge phobia of bats. Megabat agrees to these terms and sneaks in.After all the presents are unwrapped, Megabat is sure

that Christmas is over. Now he and Daniel can watch Star Wars and paint the

new toy train! But when Daniel’s parents surprise him with a cat

named Priscilla, Megabat is not happy. After all, Daniel only needs Megabat, right?Wrong. Daniel is spending so much time with Priscilla

that he barely has any time for Megabat! And this new cat seems to be so boring, too!Megabat is eager to get rid of her, especially after she

continually shames him in front of Daniel.

Finally, he and Birdgirl come up with a plan. It’s time to take action.

This book was a very easy read. It was a little young for me, but I still liked the message.

One thing that really got on my nerves though was that Megabat knows how to talk, but he uses improper grammar. I would have preferred him to speak correctly.

I think this is a terrific book for younger kids, especially ones with siblings. It is a book all about Megabat wondering if Daniel still loves him.

I think that kids of all ages can relate to that feeling, whether it’s with newer siblings or a new kid at school.

This is the second book in the Megabat series, but you can understand it without reading the first

Leave it to Megabat to introduce the problems of siblings and friendships and approach it with a light style.

Sequel is entertaining but touches on real issue

photo/Ranjith66

By Izzie Intriago,11, a CK Reporter from Aurora

Abraham Lincoln was born on this date in 1809, so our answers this week will begin with the letter “L.”

1. Medium-sized wild cat known for tufted ears, and large feet for running on snow.

2. Largest town in Lincoln County, I-70, US highways 24, 40 and 287, plus Colorado highways 71 and 94 all pass through it.

3. Author of “The Chronicles of Narnia”

4. The “voicebox” in your throat

5. Region in Eastern Canada known for a breed of hunting dog that has become a favorite service dog, assistance dog and family pet.

6. Types of this vegetable include romaine, bib and iceberg.

7. Author of “Number the Stars” and “The Giver.”

8. Baltic nation between Lithuania and Estonia, also bordering Russia

9. Paris art museum where you’d see the Mona Lisa and many other famous works

10. Primates found only on the island of Madagascar(answers on Page Three)Rules: Every row across, every column down and each of the six smaller boxes must

contain numerals 1,2,3,4,5 and 6, one time and one time only.The solution to this week’s puzzle is on Page 3.

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Big Nate

The Denver Post •

is produced by Denver Post Educational Services

Executive Editor: Dana Plewkadplewka@denverpost.com

CK Editor: Mike Petersoncoloradokidseditor@gmail.com

We welcome your comments.

For tools to extend the learning in this feature, look under “Youth Content” 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 Services5990 Washington St.

Denver CO 80216(303) 954-3974(800) 336-7678

Stories without bylines were written by the editor.

(see Page Two)

10 right - Wow!

7 right - Great!

5 right - Good

3 right - See you next time!

1. lynx 2. Limon 3. C.S. Lewis 4. larynx 5. Labrador 6. lettuce 7. Lois Lowry 8. Latvia 9. Louvre 10. lemurs

Hot Links to Cool Sites!

NASA’s Space Placehttp://tinyurl.com/ckspace

NIE Special Reporthttp://tinyurl.com/ckniereport

Headline Geographyhttp://tinyurl.com/ckgeography

Pulse of the Planethttp://tinyurl.com/ckpulseplanet

How to become a Colorado Kids Reporter!tinyurl.com/COkidsReporter

To read the sources for our story on

2018 Climate Figures

go to http://www.tinyurl.com/ckstorylinks

Chapter Eleven – Family Reunion(Our story so far: Their progress halted by an accident, the brigade has been discovered by a hunting party of Beaver men. When they return with horses, Antoine recognizes the bearded white man they brought along to translate for them.)

The translator looked back at Antoine with a shocked expression and stared intently

at him.“It’s me: Antoine,” Antoine said.

“Antoine Guilbault!”“Antoine!” Alexis said, and in a

moment they were hugging each other. “Antoine, you were just a little boy!”

Alexis pulled back to look him over, then turned and spoke excitedly to the Beaver. They all broke out in smiles and surrounded him, speaking at once and joyfully patting both him and Alexis on the shoulder.

“This is my neighbor from St. Sulpice,” Antoine explained to the mystified voyageurs. “We have not seen each other in more than seven years!”

“You were this tall,” Alexis held his hand out at his waist. “My family? They are well? My parents? Louise and Maurice?”

“Yes, yes, all well,” Antoine said. “They wonder what has happened to you,” he added, and Alexis lost his smile.

“We will talk about that,” he said, but then looked around. “For now, we need to sell some horses. Monsieur?”

Campbell walked over to the four horses and looked at them, sliding his hand along their flanks. “We should open a cask of rum,” he suggested, but Alexis waved away the offer.

“We don’t need that,” he said. “Rifles, powder and shot, traps, tools, flour and sugar, tobacco, no liquor.”

“Are you translating for these people, or are you telling them what to do?” Campbell asked.“This is my family,” Alexis responded, “but I will ask them.” He spoke briefly to the others, and they replied with gestures that made their feelings clear.

He turned back to Campbell. “We have seen what liquor does. Let us talk about things we need.”The voyageurs began to spread blankets for everyone to sit on, and to lay out samples of

their trade goods. The discussion went on for some time and included talk about where the voyageurs were

headed and the possibility of trading with the band later for furs and for game.In the end, not only had the horses been traded, but it was agreed that Antoine and Marcel

would be the voyageurs who, with the Beaver as guides, would bring the laden horses to Campbell’s fort.

“Our village is on the way,” Alexis said, as they started through the forest, “you will be our guests and you can tell me all about home.”

“What happened to you?” Antoine asked. “Why did you never send word? Your family doesn’t even know you’re alive!”

“They were supposed to get a message,” Alexis said. “But you know how messages are out here. I’m sorry they didn’t know.”

Antoine thought about it as they followed a narrow deer trail through the pine. He had no right to be angry; Alexis had sent a letter to tell his family he was staying behind, and he had no way to know the message hadn’t gotten through. Even if they had written back, the letter might never have arrived and, if it had, how would anyone know where to deliver it?

But Antoine felt better now about having sent three letters instead of just one.“I was en dérouine with a different band, a little larger band, farther up river towards the

permanent trading post,” Alexis said over his shoulder as they walked along. “Has anyone explained ‘en dérouine’ to you? I stayed with them over the winter, setting up trade. Some of the bands came together for a moose hunt and I met the man who is now my father-in-law. You’ll meet him tonight; he is a very good man.”

The path had been winding up the side of a hill. Now it came to a steep, rocky place where there were no trees and Alexis paused to look out over the valley and the river below.

“Have you ever seen more beautiful country?” he asked. “Anyway, by the time my contract with the company was over, I had a wife and family here, so I stayed.”

Towards evening, they arrived at the Beaver’s collection of small lodges. It seemed most of the men in the band had come along for the trading, and those who greeted them now were mostly women, children and a few older men. A toddler ran up and threw his arms around Alexis’ leg, but then stared shyly up at Antoine and Marcel.

“This is my son, Joseph,” he said.“Named for your father,” Antoine observed. Alexis lifted the toddler up and put a playful finger on the tip of the boy’s nose. “His

grandmother gave him another name,” he said, “but he answers to either.” A young woman had come up and Joseph leaned towards her. “This is my wife, Small Owl.”

Alexis handed Joseph off to her, and gestured to Marcel and Antoine, explaining to the crowd who they were.

They responded politely, but then he said something else, putting a hand on Antoine’s shoulder and they became even more friendly, approaching him with excited smiles, and Small Owl gave him a hug.

“I told them you are going to marry my sister when you go back,” Alexis explained. “Who knows? You might!”

Antoine looked flustered, but Marcel said, “Good idea!” and explained to Antoine: “Being part of the family matters here. He just made your life much easier.”

“I want you to stay with us,” Alexis said. “En dérouine. It makes sense: As my brother-in-law, you’ll have more influence than anyone else in your brigade ever could. I’ll teach you the language and we can supply the fort with furs and meat. Not by ourselves, but we know other bands in the area.”

“And,” Marcel added approvingly, “you’ll spend the winter hunting and trapping with them, instead of working for our dear friend, Monsieur Campbell.”

Text c. 2014, Mike Peterson – Illustrations c. 2014, Dylan Meconis

For a teaching guide, go to http://tinyurl.com/ckserial

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Au Pays d’en Haut (To the High Country)

CorrectionDespite the answer given in last week’s Brainteaser,

Mt. Rushmore remains in South Dakota, not Montana.We regret the embarrassing error.