Innehållsförteckning för Issue 119 från The Week Junior US

On July 16, the government of Sri Lanka began the process of choosing a new leader after months of protests drove its president to flee the country. The South Asian nation faces the task of rebuilding from a devastating economic crisis. What happened? In March, millions of Sri Lankans began protesting the government and calling for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is known as Gota. The next month, his entire cabinet (top advisers) resigned, but Rajapaksa did not. Protests continued, and on July 9, people chanting “Gota, go home” broke into the president’s offices and residence. Rajapaksa quickly left the country on a military plane and resigned before appointing Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as acting president. The capital city of Colombo returned to a relative calm. Why is…

Fourth Covid vaccine approved The FDA, the US agency that monitors the safety of food and medicine, has approved a fourth Covid vaccine. People ages 18 and up who are not vaccinated will be eligible to receive the vaccine, made by drug company Novavax. As with other Covid vaccines, two shots of the new one are needed. The US government has purchased more than 3 million doses of the vaccine, and it is expected to be available within weeks. Comic book sales have soared Sales of comic books and graphic novels increased by nearly 63% from 2020 to 2021, a new industry report revealed. Total sales were about $2 billion, the most spent in a year on comics, graphic novels, and digital comics. Manga, a comic and graphic novel style…

The world came to know Selena Gomez years ago as a Disney Channel star. Since then, she’s had a vast career in singing, acting, producing, and, more recently, philanthropy (working to help others) and advocacy. From launching businesses to working with government leaders, Gomez, now age 30, has become a leading voice in the effort to raise awareness for mental health. In May, Gomez took part in the first-ever youth mental health forum, held at the White House. The event came at a time when levels of anxiety and depression are increasing among children and teens. The forum focused on turning awareness into action and invited leaders of 18 mental health nonprofits to speak. As part of the event, Gomez sat down with President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill…

Researchers have identified a previously unknown population of polar bears in southeast Greenland. The area is seemingly not suitable for polar bears because it lacks sea ice, which the animals typically rely on to hunt. Scientists say the discovery of this population offers insight into how polar bears might be able to adapt as the planet warms and sea ice melts. Most polar bears hunt by walking on floating platforms of sea ice, which is made up of frozen seawater. However, because the Earth’s atmosphere is heating up, sea ice in the Arctic is melting. About one third of the Arctic’s winter sea ice has disappeared in the past 20 years. Polar bears are currently considered vulnerable to extinction (when a species no longer exists), and previous studies have warned…

Mustangs Three mustangs in Maine are being sent to a sanctuary for wild horses in Oregon. They had been part of a group of neglected horses that were rescued by wildlife officials. These three mustangs were best suited to life in the wild. Canada geese The government of Foster City in California is considering culling (killing) some of the Canada geese that live in the area. The birds’ population has swelled, and they produce large amounts of poop, which may pose a public health risk.…

Every summer, people fire up the grill to enjoy barbecue, one of the oldest cuisines in the US. Different parts of the country are known for their regional flavors and cooking methods. Grab a napkin and take a bite of food history. What is barbecue? Barbecue is food cooked slowly on a grill or over a fire pit. The word “barbecue” comes from the Taíno, Indigenous people who inhabited the Caribbean from 1200–1500 AD. Barbacoa was their word for grilling on a high wood grate. In the 1500s, European explorers learned the method and brought it to what is now the southeastern US. The origin of regional specialties As people moved west across America, they took barbecue with them and experimented with meats, sauces, and rubs (spice mixtures). Four main…

French scientists are rushing to study and preserve an ancient boat before it crumbles. If they work quickly and carefully, the shipwreck could reveal secrets from about 1,300 years ago. The boat was made between the years 680 and 720, during a period known as the Middle Ages. At the time, a tribal people called the Franks ruled many areas of western Europe, including much of what is now France. Only a few boats from the period have ever been found in Europe. The ship was first found in 2013, buried in silt (sand, soil, or mud in water) in the bed of a stream near the Garonne River in southwestern France. Scientists have started digging it out and taking it apart to study its design and contents. The 40-foot-long…

The 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, came to an end on July 17 after 10 days of competition. The Games are an Olympic-style event that brought together about 3,375 top athletes from more than 100 countries. They featured 34 sports, most of which aren’t part of Olympic competition. Italy earned the most medals with 49, Germany won 47, and Ukraine took home 45. Team USA collected 44 medals, including 16 golds, the second most of any country. Members of Team USA had several big wins during the Games’ final weekend. On July 17, Aaron Ortiz won a gold in men’s muaythai (a martial art and combat sport), while Charlsey Maner won a gold on the women’s side. In gymnastics that day, Kaden Brown won in men’s tumbling. Unlike floor…

Coach’s Name: David Pierce Team: Red Sox 1A—West Springfield Little League “Coach David is a really awesome coach. He cheers us all on and supports us. He is really kind, always helps, and teaches our team how to keep trying and never give up. Even when I think I can’t do something or am frustrated, he always tells me I can do it. He believes in all of us on the team. I think he knows more about baseball than anyone. He is my favorite coach.” Miles, 8, Virginia To nominate a Coach of the Week, send your coach’s name, photo, sport, and team to hello@theweekjunior.com. Include your name, age, state, and a few reasons why your coach is great.…

Storyteller At age 6, Josh Sundquist wrote a newspaper by hand and tapped out short stories on a typewriter. He has published two memoirs, a young adult novel, and a new book about celebrity. Costume creator He is known for coming up with creative Halloween costumes that make use of his single leg. Some of them have included a partially eaten gingerbread man, a football goal post, and a jumping Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. Athlete At age 16, Sundquist took up ski racing and eventually made the US Paralympic Ski Team. In 2006, he competed at the Paralympics in Torino, Italy. He has been a member of the US Amputee Soccer Team since 2014.…

There’s no question, when you can find a book that a child loves, it can engage them in a magical way. I think it can ultimately encourage them to read independently when they’re older. The books my oldest child, age 12, would recommend to other kids are Ghost by Jason Reynolds and Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Ghost is the first book in a series, and it’s about a boy called Ghost who wants to be the fastest sprinter on his middle school track team. Wonder is about a boy who was born with a severe facial difference and wants to be treated like an ordinary kid at school. My twins are age 9, and they told me their favorite books are City Spies by James Ponti and Slider by Pete…

We spoke to Dwayne Reed, who wrote this issue’s Book of the Week. He is one of The Week Junior’s Summer of Reading Author Ambassadors. Besides writing books, he has taught fourth grade in Chicago. Were you on the debate team at school? I wanted to be, but I was afraid to speak up in front of people. What do you wish you could tell your younger self? Be you, do you to the 10th degree. So often we’re afraid to tell the truth about ourselves out of fear of what people might say or if they might treat us differently. It’s your right to tell people who you really are. When did you start rapping? In fifth grade, when I was Simon’s age, I made a rap out of…

What you need ● Kraft paper or newspaper ● Heavy paper, like cardstock or watercolor paper ● Masking tape ● Acrylic craft paint ● Paint scraper, a putty knife, or an old credit card ● Scissors ● Hole punch and ribbon (optional) Instructions 1. Cover a table with kraft paper, newspaper, or other materials to keep it from getting messy. Tape cardstock or watercolor paper to the kraft paper or newspaper to keep the paper steady while you paint on it. 2. Squeeze some small blobs or droplets of paint onto the cardstock or watercolor paper. You can use a few colors, if you wish, and squeeze the blobs in a few areas of the paper. 3. Hold the paint scraper at the top of the paper, with the edge…

Bruised bananas become art Anna Chojnicka, an artist based in the UK, has been creating artwork by bruising the skins of bananas. She doesn’t use pens, pencils, or paints but instead lightly presses into the skin with an object that isn’t sharp. Over time, these invisible lines slowly start to become black, revealing her artwork. She has created more than 800 pieces of banana art, with subjects ranging from cartoon characters to animals. After taking photographs of the results, Chojnicka always finishes her work by eating the banana. Real OR fake? A hamster’s adventure in space A hamster was sent on an epic balloon trip 14 miles above the Earth’s surface. Japanese space company Iwatani Giken put the hamster in a special airtight cabin and attached it to a flying…

Teacher’s Name: Mr. Beutel School: Ramapo Ridge Middle School “Our social studies teacher, Mr. Beutel, is always kind and loves what he does! He listens to us have discussions and has thoughtful input on what we have to say. He is understanding toward students and gives everybody a chance. In the afternoon when I walk into his class, I feel happy to learn! He makes learning a fun experience, and when it gets hard, he’s there to help!” Alexandria, 13, New Jersey Nominate your teacher for Teacher of the Week! Send your reason for the nomination, a photo of your teacher, and your school’s name and address to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

1 In Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, what is Po trying to stop two weasels from stealing? a) A belt b) A boot c) A glove a ⬜ b ⬜ c ⬜ 2 What style of barbecue is known for its cuts of beef called brisket? a) Carolina b) Memphis c) Texas a ⬜ b ⬜ c ⬜ 3 The James Webb Space Telescope has 18 mirrors covered in a layer of what material? 4 How many orphaned cheetahs were taken in by the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia? a) 36 b) 76 c) 86 a ⬜ b ⬜ c ⬜ 5 True or false? In the Apple TV+ series Best Foot Forward, the actor who plays Josh has a prosthetic leg. True ⬜ False ⬜ 6 Starting July…

Art experts in the UK uncovered a previously unknown self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh on the back of another painting by the artist. Staff at the National Galleries of Scotland were x-raying van Gogh’s painting Head of a Peasant Woman in preparation for an upcoming exhibit when they spotted the hidden work. Van Gogh was a famous Dutch painter who lived from 1853 to 1890. His best-known paintings are landscapes, self-portraits, and flowers. He often reused canvases to save money, turning them around and painting on the back. The self-portrait shows a bearded van Gogh in a wide-brimmed hat and was covered by layers of glue and cardboard. Experts hope to remove these materials to reveal the painting without damaging the canvas. For now, visitors to the exhibit, which is…

Students in California’s public middle schools and high schools will have a later start to their school day when classes resume for the 2022–2023 year. Because of a new state law going into effect, first period classes can’t begin before 8 am or later. The law is the first of its kind in the US. What happened? In 2019, California lawmakers passed a bill requiring that school days begin no earlier than 8:30 am at public high schools and 8 am at public middle schools. The law went into effect on July 1. The change means that California high schools will open about 30 minutes later than the average US start time. The new hours will apply to the state’s 1,314 public high schools and 1,274 middle schools. What led…

United Kingdom Temperature soars to record high During a heat wave that has swept through Europe, the UK broke its record for highest temperature ever recorded. The temperature hit 104.4 °F in London on July 19, breaking the record of 101.7 °F set in 2019. The UK is known for having mild weather, and air-conditioning is rare. Government officials declared a national emergency and urged people to avoid public transportation and to work from home. Spain Free travel offered on trains Passengers in Spain will soon be able to travel on certain trains for free. The government announced that from September to the end of the year, there will be no charge for some tickets for some train lines. The aim is to encourage maximum use of public transportation and…

In the Cascades, a mountain range in western North America, the Columbia River rushes through the 80 miles of this gorge, past steep cliffs and spires and over stunning waterfalls. Sea lions live at the mouth of the Columbia River, which is home to fish like sockeye salmon, Pacific lampreys, and white sturgeons. Bobcats, deer, and black bears also live in the area, as do numerous species of lizards and salamanders. The local Discovery Center and Museum is home to seven raptors, including bald eagles, great horned owls, and a red-tailed hawk.…

Scientists have discovered a massive tooth from an enormous fish-like animal that lived about 205 million years ago. The creature—a marine reptile called an ichthyosaur—may have been one of the largest of its kind. Ichthyosaurs were aquatic (water-dwelling) reptiles that lived between 251 million and 65.5 million years ago. They belonged to the same large animal group that includes today’s crocodiles, lizards, and turtles. About 250 million years ago, in a prehistoric period called the Triassic, reptiles began to split into animals with different lifestyles, giving rise to plant-eating and meat-eating dinosaurs on land and flying hunters called pterosaurs in the air. Others took to the seas, evolving and adapting over millions of years into many forms. Ichthyosaurs, whose name means “fish lizard” in ancient Greek, were the earliest of…

It’s been six years since hilarious actor Jack Black voiced the lovable warrior panda Po in the Kung Fu Panda animated franchise. Now he is back as the character in Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, a new series streaming on Netflix. Audiences first met Po in 2008. He is a large, clumsy panda in ancient China who proved himself to be a kung fu master. Executive producer Peter Hastings told The Week Junior that Po is a fan favorite because he is “a lovable loser who can kick butt. He’s able to be an underdog and a hero.” In Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, Po is a Dragon Master. But after he accidentally allows two weasels to steal a powerful glove, his prestigious title is revoked. An English…

Stray is a new puzzle platform adventure game set in a cyberpunk world. Cyberpunk is a science fiction genre that has run-down cities filled with technology. The game is now available for PlayStation systems and PC. In Stray, gamers play as a cat that has been separated from its family. It has ended up in a mysterious city full of robot people that have old computer monitors for heads. Luckily, the cat is clever, has great reflexes, and knows how to get out of a tough situation. To make it through the game, players need to think and act like a cat. Much of the exploring and puzzle solving requires pushing and pulling things with the cat’s claws and using its small size to find hidden secrets. There are 25…

People enjoy camping for many different reasons. Spending time outdoors, including overnight, helps you appreciate all the sights and sounds of nature. It’s a fun way to catch up with family and friends. It’s also an affordable option for taking a vacation. If you and your family want to try camping, here are some suggestions for getting started. Locate a campsite If you’ve never camped before, you could start off by camping in your backyard or a nearby area. You’ll get the experience of sleeping outdoors in a tent under the stars, but it won’t require as much time or gear. Many county and state parks allow people to camp overnight on their grounds. Contact the park office to find out. If you’d like to venture farther from home, websites…

The average person in the US throws away more than 200 pounds of uneaten food a year. This food waste is harmful to the environment because it contributes to landfills and wastes natural resources, such as water, that were used to produce the food. One way your family can reduce food waste is to eat leftovers before they spoil. You could designate one dinner a week as “leftover night,” when you and your family make a meal from leftovers. Leftovers could also be packed to have for lunch. Try getting creative! For example, leftover chicken could be chopped up and added to a green salad or used in a quesadilla.…

When NASA released the first images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, many people were amazed by the quality (p3). Others, though, didn’t immediately see the improvement over images taken by the Hubble telescope, which launched in 1990. That’s when John Christensen, a software developer who was fascinated by space as a young boy, stepped in. He created an app that compared images from the Webb with images from the Hubble. As you can see at webbcompare.com, the difference is striking! If you had a space telescope, what would you want to see first? Tell us on PopJam (see box on the next page). While you’re thinking about that, I will express my gratitude to the Hubble for so many years of excellent work, to the Webb for its…

A SUMMER COMEBACK A Pennsylvania grandmother has gotten an old summer job back. When local pools closed due to a lifeguard shortage, Robin Borlandoe, age 70, became a lifeguard again—a job she’d had at age 16. It’s “for our kids, our community,” she said. A STUFFED ANIMAL SLEEPOVER Children in Goleta, California, dropped off their stuffies for a special overnight library event. At the stuffed animal slumber party, librarians took photos of the toys making s’mores, playing games, and goofing around on library equipment. It “put smiles on the kids’ faces,” said one parent. HONORING A LEGEND A new Barbie doll modeled after Dr. Jane Goodall, a naturalist who became famous for her work with chimpanzees, has been released by the toy company Mattel. The doll, made of 90% recycled…

July 29, 1958 President Eisenhower establishes NASA On July 29, 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, creating NASA, the US space agency. The Soviet Union, which Russia was then part of, had launched the first satellite into space, and the US also wanted to compete in space exploration. About 10 years later, in 1969, NASA launched Apollo 11, a mission that put the first human on the moon.…

The reality show Old Enough!, which has been airing in Japan for 30 years, made a splash when it began streaming in the US in April. In the show, Japanese kids ages 2 to 5 run errands alone, without knowing a camera crew is following them. While the show exaggerates—most kids in Japan don’t go out alone quite that young—it’s true that by age 10 or 11, Japanese children are more independent than American children. The same is true in other countries, like Finland, where most 7-year-olds can walk or ride bikes on their own to nearby shops. In the US, many tweens and teens don’t do this, though some say they should. What do you think? Should kids run errands alone? Yes—kids should be more independent Children deserve the…

A program in Namibia has successfully rescued and returned orphaned cheetahs to the wild, a recent study shows. The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), an organization dedicated to saving cheetahs, took in 86 cheetahs that were orphaned due to conflicts with humans. Older cubs that had spent more time in the wild had learned survival skills from their mothers. However, cheetahs younger than six months old were grouped with older cats to learn these skills. “If you bring them in at a young age, they will bond and become like family,” said CCF executive director Laurie Marker. The cheetahs got daily exercise so they would be strong when returned to their native habitat. Thirty-six cheetahs were eventually released back into the wild. CCF continued to monitor them with GPS tracking collars…

Alyssa Lind Marine science interpreter, Seattle Aquarium Jellyfish are one of the oldest species on Earth. They are related to corals and sea anemones. Their ancestors were polyps, which resemble small sea anemones. They gained the ability to swim more than 500 million years ago. That makes jellyfish at least twice as old as the dinosaurs! Do you have a question for a zookeeper? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the Seattle Aquarium at seattleaquarium.org.…

A light fixture that turns seawater into clean drinking water could help residents of Mejillones, Chile. Clean water is expensive in the seaside town. The light works by separating salt from seawater, which is pumped into it through a small tube. As the seawater trickles through pipes in the lamp, the process of evaporation separates the salt and leaves behind drinking water. The lamp can produce about 1.7 cups of water a day. It can be powered by a solar panel or a special battery that runs on leftover salt.…

On July 18, the US Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) defeated Canada, 1–0, in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Women’s Championship at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico. With the win, the US earned a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This was the first time the teams had met since the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics last year. Canada won, 1–0, on a late penalty kick and went on to become the Olympic champions. Going into the CONCACAF final, the USWNT was ranked number one in the world and Canada was sixth. After 45 seconds of play in the first half, American forward Mallory Pugh forced Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan to make her first save. Throughout the match, both teams created scoring chances, but…

A new comedy series about a boy in middle school is now streaming on Apple TV+. Best Foot Forward is based on the best-selling memoir (book about a personal experience) Just Don’t Fall by Josh Sundquist. He is a comedian, motivational speaker, and paralympic athlete. When he was 9 years old, he was diagnosed with cancer and had one leg amputated. The show’s main character is a 12-year-old named Josh Dubin who has a prosthetic (fake) leg. After years of being homeschooled, Josh convinces his parents to let him attend public school. He isn’t insecure about his limb difference, but he also doesn’t want it to be what defines him when he meets new people. “He wants to make people see him for him,” Sundquist told The Week Junior. Josh…

Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) (Paramount+) The 13 best-selling books in the A Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket (the pen name for Daniel Handler) chronicle the lives of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire. This grim but funny film is an adaptation of the first three stories. It begins when the children lose their parents in a mysterious fire that also burns down their home. Now orphans, they are sent to live with a distant relative, Count Olaf. He puts them to work with unpleasant chores as he schemes to steal the fortune they inherited from their parents. The children expose his intentions and are placed with new guardians, but Olaf still wants their money and plots to get them back. Can the kids escape…

(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) It’s hotter than usual for October in Chicago, and the air-conditioning isn’t working at Simon’s school. Everyone is complaining except Simon’s best friend, Maria. She’s focused on the first debate club meeting that’s coming up. But her spirits are crushed when she learns that the school doesn’t have the money or the space for the team to compete this year. The school canceled the Art Club, Theater Club, and Karate Club too. Simon, Maria, and their friends want to fight to keep their favorite activities. With encouragement from their families, they come up with the idea to start a petition (a formal request to change or do something). Simon even makes a catchy rap about their petition and they get signatures from community members.…

Word ladder To change the word BACK into the word SEAT, use each clue to fill in a word that is only one letter different from the word before it. If you get stuck, try solving from the bottom up. STEPPING STONES Each figure hides the name of a seven-letter bakery goodie. To find each one, start anywhere and move in an unbroken path through letters that share a border (no jumping!), using each letter once. Spot the difference These two pictures of camping fun appear to be the same, but take a closer look. There are actually five differences. Can you see them? DO NOT ENTER Draw one continuous path from START to END that goes through every box except the ones containing obstacles. Your path may not cross…

“I decided I wanted to help the homeless. My mom helped me come up with the idea to make hygiene kits to give to Project HOME. She worked with the organization once at her work. I couldn’t have done this without my Girl Scout troop, also known as “The Havertown Helpers.” We made an assembly line so we could all make at least one kit. Some items that we put in the hygiene kits: toothpaste, toothbrushes, gloves, socks, tissues, hand sanitizer, foot cream, chapstick, and two snacks. I hope this inspires others to help people in need. If we want the world to eliminate homelessness, we can do it!”” Have you done something interesting or raised money for a cause you care about? Whatever you’re up to, we want to…

“California had a massive heat wave, so I was inspired to make popsicles. They were delicious, and I’ll make them again soon!”Sindhuja, 14, California “We loved reading the Fenway Park history because we were going to our first Red Sox game on July 4th!”Maya, 12, Ellie and Julia, 13, Massachusetts “I really love reading The Week Junior. I take it with me wherever I go.”Nicholas, 12, Texas…

Sign up and follow @theweekjuniorus on PopJam, a social media platform for kids 7–12. Ask an adult to download the app from iTunes or Google Play. We asked: Would you rather swim in a pool or the ocean? “Pool, because I don’t get salt water in my eyes.” “The ocean, there’s a bigger space to swim around in.” “Pool because you won’t disturb any ocean life and habitats.” “I like the ocean because of all the waves! But if I’m with a lot of my friends, the pool is better” In the big debate, we asked: Is artificial grass better than real grass? “No, I like real grass because it feels more natural.” “With artificial grass you can play after it rains.” “Real grass is probably better for local wildlife…