Your classroom or library reading group could win a virtual author visit (via Skype) from former Islander and author Bruce Hale, creator of the popular middle grade Chet Gecko mysteries. Creativity is key. The challenge: rewrite all 17 chapter titles from Chet Gecko's "Dial M for Mongoose." (For details, see the official rules at www.brucehale.com /MongooseContest Rules.pdf.) The contest runs from 12:01 a.m. Oct. 12 until Nov. 13 at midnight. Everyone who enters will win something.

— Jolie Jean Cotton

LIST YOUR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DISPLAY IN OUR ANNUAL GUIDE

Dust off that shaka-flashing Santa. Unpack the inflatable Christmas carousel. And untangle those strings and strings and strings of icicle lights.

The holidays are nearing and soon it will be time to work on those festive home displays that have become a tradition throughout the Islands.

Each year, The Advertiser publishes a listing of many of these exhibits, enabling an organized circle-island tour of holiday lights.

This year's guide will appear in the Island Life section on Dec. 6.

If you plan a home-lighting exhibit — simple or elaborate — get the following information to us by Nov. 30, and we'll include it in the guide.

Send your name, phone number, address and a brief description of the display to: Christmas Lights, Island Life, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; or e-mail it to zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com with "Lights" in the subject line; or fax to 525-8055.

We welcome photos — digital or prints — of your past displays, which may appear in print or online. Sorry, but photos cannot be returned.

— Zenaida Serrano