Innehållsförteckning för Issue 123 från The Week Junior US

On August 16, President Joe Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the most significant climate legislation in US history. The signing took place in a small ceremony in the State Dining Room at the White House. What is in the legislation? The law provides about $370 billion to combat climate change (the long-term changes in weather patterns, largely due to human activities). That is the largest amount of money the US government has ever committed for this purpose. One of the law’s main goals will be to help the US reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere and warm the planet). It provides financial incentives to Americans who buy electric vehicles and upgrade their homes to use clean energy such as…

MAKING KIDS SMILE At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, a man who makes casts for kids turns them into art. Luis Ruiz has decorated thousands of casts since a boy asked him to draw a happy face 10 years ago. The best part, he says, is “bringing those smiles.” GOOD SPORTS A video taken at a Little League tournament game in Texas went viral. After pitcher Kaiden Shelton accidentally hit batter Isaiah Jarvis on his helmet, Jarvis was OK but saw that Shelton was upset. So after reaching first base, Jarvis walked to the mound, hugged Shelton, and said, “Hey, you’re doing great. Let’s go.” A WINNING NAME Meet Fritz, a baby hippo born this month at the Cincinnati Zoo. The public was invited to submit and vote on names for…

In many countries and cultures around the world, it has been a tradition for thousands of years for people to take off their shoes when they step inside. Removing shoes is a sign of respect and helps keep homes and other indoor spaces clean. As awareness of the practice and concerns about dirt and germs increase, the custom is becoming more common in the US as well. Many people are asking visitors to take off their shoes at the door. However, plenty of other people think requiring a visitor to remove their shoes is awkward or even rude. What do you think? Should people take off shoes indoors? Yes—there’s no such thing as clean shoes Outdoor shoes bring in more than just mud. One study showed that 96% of shoe…

When wildlife experts in Australia came upon a nest that is home to a family of pygmy possums, they found a surprise—a spiny-tailed gecko living with them. Pygmy possums typically live in tree hollows, but their homes have been disappearing as a result of logging (cutting down trees for profit). To replicate the natural habitat of these tiny marsupials (mammals with a pouch), Bush Heritage Australia, an organization that works to protect the country’s natural landscape and native species, has 103 nest boxes at its Monjebup Nature Reserve. Spiny-tailed geckos, however, usually live in shrubs. The gecko and the pygmy possum family shared a nest box that measured about 8 inches by 8 inches. The pygmy possums brought eucalyptus leaves inside the box to nest. The gecko, which eats spiders…

Madeline, 9, Indiana Marco Wendt Wildlife ambassador, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance The Arctic tern makes the longest migration of any animal on Earth. They migrate from the North Pole to the South Pole, a journey of about 24,000 miles! During the Arctic tern’s 30-year life span, it can fly about 620,000 miles, about three times the distance from Earth to the Moon. Do you have a question for a zookeeper? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the San Diego Zoo at sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org.…

Scientists have discovered that the skull of a human ancestor found in South Africa is a million years older than previously thought. The discovery solves a puzzle about modern humans and changes what we know of human history. The famous skull, which scientists have named “Mrs. Ples,” is from a species called Australopithecus africanus, which was an ape-like human relative. It was found near Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1947 and, based on evidence from its surroundings, was thought to be between 2.1 and 2.6 million years old. This puzzled scientists because Mrs. Ples looked like a possible early ancestor of early humans. But if she had lived when they thought she did, she would have been born after the first true humans had already evolved. Instead, scientists decided that Australopithecus…

Over the past few weeks, there have been big announcements about superhero, science-fiction, and action-adventure films and TV shows. Although DC Comics fans recently heard news that a planned Batgirl filmed will not be released, Marvel fans have a lot headed their way. At Comic-Con in late July, Marvel Studios debuted a teaser for Wakanda Forever, the sequel to Black Panther. Chadwick Boseman, who played King T’Challa/Black Panther in the first film, died in 2020, but studio president Kevin Feige said the new film “not only brings the same level of joy and inspiration that the first Blank Panther film did, but it also is a tribute to what Chad brought to the world.” Marvel also revealed there will be a new saga featuring the villain Kang the Conqueror and…

A popular series of advice books has inspired a new podcast. The Smart Girl’s Podcast, based on American Girl’s Smart Girl’s Guides, just launched on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms. Like the books, each episode will be filled with wisdom, facts, and short quizzes meant to help listeners learn how to handle different challenges. The hosts are 16-year-old actress Shay Rudolf (The Baby-Sitters Club) and author Jess Weiner. Weiner told The Week Junior that the podcast is a fun and safe space filled with “solid, important advice.” Each show begins with the hosts sharing their own experiences about the episode’s topic. The first season of the podcast will cover some of the book series’ most popular subjects. Listeners will hear conversations about friendship, race and inclusion, peer pressure,…

Depending on where you live, you may be heading back to school soon or have already started. It’s normal to feel both excited for a new academic year and sad that the summer break is ending. You may also feel a little nervous about having new classrooms and teachers to meet. If so, you’re not alone! Here are some ways to prepare for the year ahead. Focus on the positive There are many great aspects to going back to school. You may get to see friends more frequently, for example. If you didn’t see your classmates much this summer, now you will. If you developed a new interest in anime or chess over the summer, you could find out whether there is a club you could join at school. If…

Ingredients • Cooking spray• 4 slices bacon, chopped• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese• 10 eggs• 6 tablespoons heavy cream• ¼ teaspoon black pepper• ½ teaspoon kosher salt• tablespoon chopped parsley Instructions 1. Heat the oven to 375° F. While it preheats, coat 10 wells of a muffin tin with cooking spray. 2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate, then toss in a small bowl with the cheese. 3. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, pepper, and salt. 4. Evenly distribute half of the bacon and cheese mixture into the 10 muffin wells. Add the egg mixture to the wells, filling each about two-thirds full. Sprinkle the remaining bacon mixture and parsley on…

On August 9, Nagasaki, Japan, honored the victims of a bombing that devastated the city 77 years ago. The US dropped the nuclear bomb on August 9, 1945, shortly before the end of World War Two (1939–1945). During the war, Japan and the US were enemies. Japan belonged to the Axis Powers, which included Nazi Germany and Italy, while the US was part of the Allied Forces, with the UK, Russia, and France. The bomb killed about 70,000 people immediately and released enough poisonous radiation to kill thousands more people in the months and years that followed. About 1,600 people attended the ceremony, including survivors of the bombing, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and other leaders. The event was held at Nagasaki Peace Park, which was created after the war…

A new poll from the Pew Research Center found that most Americans support the idea of electing US Presidents by popular vote rather than the Electoral College, the system currently used. What is the Electoral College? The Constitution (highest US law) established the Electoral College as the method for choosing a President. It is a group of 538 people, called electors, from every state and the District of Columbia. Each state has the same number of electors as it does representatives in Congress. States with higher populations have more electors. Each elector has one vote and usually gives it to the candidate who receives the most votes in the state. It takes at least 270 electoral votes to win. What did the survey find? In the Pew poll, 63% of…

American alpine climber Jimmy Chin has scaled some of the world’s most challenging mountains and skied some of its steepest hills. He has also reached great heights in the film industry as a documentarian. Chin, age 48, grew up in Mankato, Minnesota, with parents who were university librarians. After finishing college, he headed west, where “climbing really took hold of me,” he told The Week Junior. Over the years he has climbed Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, several times and was one of the first Americans to ski down it. During his adventures, Chin developed a love of photography and filmmaking. He has taken photos for National Geographic for years and has directed commercials for brands such as The North Face and Apple. With his wife, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi,…

Populations of humpback whales that live in different regions can learn long, complicated songs from one another, according to new research. Scientists at the University of Queensland, in Australia, focused on two populations of humpback whales, one by Australia’s east coast and the other off New Caledonia—a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean about 900 miles away. These populations may share feeding grounds or come across one another while migrating. Only male whales sing. Their songs are known to be made up of a wide variety of different sounds arranged into patterns and can last for hours. The researchers listened to samples of male humpback songs from 2009 to 2015. They determined how complicated the songs were based on the number of sounds and how long the patterns lasted.…

Two clouded leopard cubs, a male and a female, were born at the Nashville Zoo in June. They are the first such animals born there since 2019. There are now 16 clouded leopards at the zoo, but they are at risk of disappearing from the wild. • LIFE SPAN: Typically 12 to 15 years • HABITAT: Southeast Asia, mainly in rainforests • SIZE: Between 25 and 50 pounds • DIET: Monkeys, squirrels, deer, and pigs • FUN FACT: The clouded leopard is one of only two cats that can climb down trees headfirst.…

In 2005, the world was introduced to Percy Jackson in the fantasy fiction novel The Lightning Thief. With a new TV adaptation being filmed now, it’s a perfect time to explore a literary hero who is based on Greek mythology. Who is Percy Jackson? Perseus “Percy” Jackson is a 12-year-old boy who one day learns the shocking truth about who he is. Percy is a demigod (half god), the son of the Greek god Poseidon and a mortal (human) named Sally Jackson. Percy enters a world of gods and goddesses, immortal beings with powers, and discovers he has special abilities too. He can make hurricanes, breathe underwater, and talk to horses. With his friends Annabeth and Grover, Percy goes on quests to fight monsters and save the world. The origin…

A Swiss company designed a wearable harness to help people who are visually impaired move around their environment. The harness, called Biped, is worn over the shoulders and connects to wireless headphones. On the front of Biped, 3D cameras capture a wide view of the street ahead. Software using artificial intelligence (AI, a program that imitates human learning) analyzes what the cameras see and determines whether anything is an obstacle. If so, it sends a warning through the headphones. Biped can also be used as a GPS system.…

The Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game was played on August 10 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Unlike other leagues’ all-star games that feature two teams of their own top players, the MLS match was against all-stars from Mexico’s Liga MX league. MLS won, 2–1. The first MLS All-Star Game took place in 1996. Originally, the competition was between players from the league’s two conferences, but after 2004, the format changed to feature an international opponent. Starting in 2021, the matchup was changed again to focus on the soccer rivalry between the US and Mexico. About half of the MLS all-stars were voted on by fans, players, and soccer reporters, and the rest were chosen by coaches and the commissioner. The team scored two minutes into the match, after Diego Palacios of…

People may think of Maurice Sendak as the author and illustrator of Where the Wild Things Are, but an exhibition at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum in Boston, Massachusetts, shows a different side to his work. Drawing the Curtain: Maurice Sendak’s Designs for Opera and Ballet features his costume and set designs for an operatic version of Where the Wild Things Are, a version of The Nutcracker that later became a film, and more. The Gardner holds the private art collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner, who died in1924. Diana Seave Greenwald, the collection’s assistant curator (person who selects art), told The Week Junior that one reason the museum wanted to host the show is because Gardner and Sendak were both major fans of the opera The Magic Flute by 18th-century…

The Emperor’s New Groove (2000) Disney+ PG This comedy is set in an ancient South American empire ruled by arrogant Kuzco. He has recently fired his adviser, Yzma, and is planning to build a new summer home. He doesn’t care that it requires demolishing a village. Yzma wants revenge and power, so she plots to poison Kuzco, but her assistant, Kronk, mixes up a batch that turns him into a llama. When Kuzco wanders off from his castle, he ends up in the village he was going to destroy. There, he asks the kind chief, a peasant named Pacha, to help him get home and reverse the effect of the poison. Pacha agrees, but only if Kuzco promises to leave his village alone. Meanwhile, Yzma and Kronk set out to…

BOOK OF THE WEEK Fenris & Mott By Greg van Eekhout (HarperCollins) When Mott is filming a video about root beer outside her apartment, she hears a sound coming from a recycling bin and finds an abandoned white puppy. She’d love to keep him, but her apartment doesn’t allow dogs. Mott takes him to a shelter and learns he’s a wolf! She agrees to care for the wolf until someone from an animal rescue organization can pick him up. The wolf runs away, and Mott chases him and meets a mysterious man. The man tells Mott that the wolf is actually named Fenris and there’s a prophecy that Fenris will destroy the world and eat the moon. Later, she meets Thrudi, Fenris’s guard, who confirms what the man told her.…

Lockers can be tough to use. If you have a locker this year, you may need a few days to learn how to open it. Some schools allow students to come in to practice before school officially opens. If you have trouble opening your locker between classes, head to class and explain the situation. Your teacher will know how to help. The hallways can be confusing. If you can’t find your classroom or aren’t sure of the quickest route to the cafeteria or playground, speak up! Remember that you don’t have to figure everything out yourself. Ask a teacher for help. Everything may feel new. Even if you’re not new to your school, you might find yourself in a class or activity where you don’t know many other students. This…

Word ladder To change the word HEAT into the word WAVE, 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 chemical element. To find each one, start anywhere and move in an unbroken path through letters that share a border (no jumping!), using each letter once. (NEED A HINT? Check the bottom of the page.) DETOURS Draw one continuous path from START to END that goes through every single square without crossing itself. For squares with signs, you may only enter at the arrow’s base, and you may only make a turn in the direction of an arrow shown. Crossmath…

When this issue went to press on August 16, the new school year had begun for some of our readers. The rest were getting ready to return within a few weeks. We hope the next nine months will be fantastic for you, with amazing teachers, fun times with friends, and lots of reading and learning! I also hope our special back-to-school section on pages 24 and 25 will be helpful. We’ve got some great ideas for getting off to a strong start, plus tips for handling common tricky situations. If you use our craft instructions to decorate your notebooks or follow our recipe to make breakfast frittatas, I invite you to take a photo and send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. As you can see on this page and the next one,…

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: What are you looking forward to about the new school year? “I’m excited to see my old friends and make new ones.” “Getting work that is more challenging.” “Getting good grades.” “Meeting my new teacher!” In the big debate, we asked: Should cities have car-free streets? “Yes, it would be more eco-friendly.” “No, it would cause more traffic in the already busy streets.” “Definitely. There need to be more places where people can walk around safely.” “No, because cars are a lot more convenient.” Now tell us: Who is your favorite character from mythology and why?…

1 Inthe Percy Jackson and the Olympians books, which Greek god is Percy’s father? a) Zeus b) Hera c) Poseidon a◻ b◻ c◻ 2 True or false? Serena Williams won her first US Open at 17 years old. True◻ False◻ 3 A group of pygmy possums in Australia were found sharing a nest with what type of lizard? _______________ 4 True or false? A poll recently found that most Americans support replacing the Electoral College with the popular vote. True◻ False◻ 5 A famous skull of a human ancestor named Mrs. Ples was found near what city in South Africa? a) Cape Town b) Johannesburg c) Pretoria a◻ b◻ c◻ 6 Costume and set designs on display at a Boston museum were created by what children’s author and illustrator? _______________…

August 24, 1814 British troops invade Washington, DC On August 24, 1814, British troops invaded Washington, DC, and set fire to the White House and the Capitol building. At that time, the US was fighting the British in a war that became known as the War of 1812. Alerted to danger, First Lady Dolley Madison fled the White House the day before with a portrait of George Washington and other valuables. The war ended in 1815, and the White House and Capitol were repaired.…

Turtles and tortoises New research has found that many species of turtles and tortoises do not age or age very slowly, meaning they do not show signs of physical decline as they get older. Researchers think the animals’ shells may help them avoid the effects of aging. Asian elephants Elephants in Asia are eating plastic products they find in trash thrown away by humans. The products contain chemicals that can harm the animals. The elephants are also spreading the plastic through their feces, putting more animals at risk.…

Zeus Zeus, also known as Jupiter, was the king of the gods and ruled from Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece. He was the god of law and order and of the sky, lightning, and thunder. Hera Zeus’s wife, Hera, was the powerful queen of the Olympian gods. She was also the goddess of marriage and family. When angry, Hera transformed her enemies into animals and monsters. Poseidon Percy Jackson’s father, Poseidon, was the god of the sea. He was also Zeus’s brother and the god of earthquakes and horses. Poseidon used a trident (spear with three prongs) to command the oceans. Demeter Demeter, a sister of the gods Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, was the goddess of nature and the seasons. The people of ancient Greece worshipped Demeter in…

A star in a distant galaxy survived the explosion that should have killed it, according to new research. In 2012, astronomers (scientists who study stars and space) spotted the star turning into a “Type 1a” supernova—an enormous explosion that marks the end for many stars. Scientists have a good idea of how these outbursts happen, so it’s possible to predict exactly how bright they will get. In this case, however, something strange happened. The eruption fell short of expectations, becoming a “failed” supernova. After the debris cleared, the researchers saw not only that the star was still there but that it was shining more brightly than before. “Nature tried to strike this star down, but it came back more powerful than we could have imagined,” explained Andy Howell from the…

From August 9 through August 15, girls from the US and other countries gathered in Greenville, North Carolina, to compete in the Little League Softball World Series (LLSWS), the largest youth softball tournament in the world. In the championship game on August 15, the Midway Little League All-Stars from Texas beat Delmar Little League from Maryland, 5–4, in a thrilling extra-inning contest. This year, the LLSWS featured 12 teams, two more than last year. They qualified by winning local and regional games. Eight teams were from the US and represented different parts of the country. Texas was the Southwest team, and Maryland represented the Mid-Atlantic. There were also teams from the Philippines, Canada, Italy, and Puerto Rico who were winners in international regions. All the players ranged in age from…

Coach’s Name: Anne Marquand Team: Turtle Rock Tidal Waves (swimming) “Coach Marquand is the best coach I could hope for. This year, I joined our community swim team. When I first showed up, I was so far behind the other swimmers and very overwhelmed. She believed in me and works with me every morning to help me catch up. She has patience and faith in me, and because of this, I have faith in myself. She motivates me to be the best swimmer, and I love swimming because of her.” Brianna, 11, California 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.…

Favorite character As a child, he fell in love with Mickey Mouse and dreamed of becoming an animator. As an adult, he kept Mickey Mouse memorabilia in his home. Creative influence One of Sendak’s favorite artists was the British painter, poet, and printmaker William Blake, who lived from 1757 to 1827. Sendak referred to him as “my teacher in all things.” Major awards Sendak received numerous awards for his work as a children’s book author. In 1996, President Bill Clinton presented him with the National Medal of Arts, the most prestigious award for an artist.…

Inside the Mind of a Cat (Netflix) Cat experts and scientists discuss facts about the animals in this new documentary. There’s plenty to learn, as they examine topics such as the frequencies of meows, the magic of their whiskers, and what cats’ behavioral patterns say about decision-making. Dragons: The Nine Realms (Hulu) (Peacock) The third season of this How to Train Your Dragon spin-off series is out now. The show follows teens who ride and protect dragons in a world where everyone thinks the creatures are myths. In this chapter, they discover a new world, encounter mysterious creatures, and face new enemies. Surfside Girls (Apple TV+) Based on the best-selling graphic novel series of the same name, this new series follows best friends Sam and Jade. After a pirate ghost…

Flipping Forward Twisting Backward By Alma Fullerton (Peachtree) Claire is a fifth grader who excels at gymnastics. But she’s hiding a big secret: She can’t read. How long will she be able to cover it up? Written in verse, this illustrated story shows the power of advocating for yourself. Ages 8–12 Invisible By Christina Diaz Gonzalez, illustrated by Gabriela Epstein (Graphix) Five students, from different backgrounds with different personalities, are all assigned to complete their school’s community service hours together. They decide to fight for change and help a family in need. Written in English and Spanish (with translations in both languages), the story is told in a series of flashbacks. Ages 8–12 Golden Ticket By Kate Egan (Feiwel & Friends) Ash takes advanced classes at school, and she is…

What you need Washi tape in assorted colors and sizes Solid-colored notebooks or journals Scissors Black permanent marker (optional) Instructions 1. To make stripes: Cut pieces of tape that are a little longer than the notebook. Stick them to the front, folding the extra over the cover. 2. To make a burger: Cut a piece of yellow tape that’s a few inches long to make the top of the bun. Place it on your notebook. Next, add slightly smaller strips of Washi tape for other items on your burger, like pickles, lettuce, tomato, and meat. Finish with more yellow tape for the bottom bun. Snip tiny rectangles to make sesame seeds for the top bun. Spell out your name in tape letters too. 3. To make flowers: For tulips, overlap…

A very sweet job opportunity Candy lovers in search of work need to look no further: A Canadian company named Candy Funhouse is hiring a Chief Candy Officer (CCO). The duties of the $78,000-a-year job include presiding over company meetings and serving as head candy tester—all from the comfort of the CCO’s home. After tasting a candy, they can award it the official “CCO Stamp of Approval.” Applicants must be at least 5 years old and live in North America. The company said, “All you need is a passion for candy, pop culture, and a sweet tooth!” Where felines can dine in style A recent pop-up restaurant in New York City served a very exclusive clientele: cats. At Gatto Bianco (“white cat” in Italian), sponsored by the pet food company…

“It was one of the hottest days of the summer where I live, so I made the strawberry slushie. It was incredible!” Barrett, 11, Washington “We made the cool recipe for the strawberry slushie. It was delicious! The Week Junior is fun to read every week!” Cruz, 13, and Nina, 11, Louisiana “These slushies were amazing. My whole family loved them.” Benjamin, 11, New York “We loved the slushie from Issue 118! Yummy!” Isaac, 11, Corinne, 8, and Julia, 5, Ohio “We added blueberries as well as strawberries to the recipe. Yum!” Campbell, 9, Texas “The slushie was soooo good. We enjoyed it!” Aryan, 10, and Niya, 8, Florida “I got braces on and wanted a cold drink, so the slushie was just what I craved! This drink is very…