Innehållsförteckning för Issue 127 från The Week Junior US

On September 8, Queen Elizabeth II, who served as monarch of the UK for 70 years, died at Balmoral Castle, her home in Scotland. She reigned longer than any monarch in UK history and any female monarch in world history. What was the queen’s role? The UK consists of Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland. It is a constitutional monarchy (government with a monarch who shares power with elected officials). The queen was head of the monarchy and also head of the Commonwealth of Nations, a group of 56 countries that includes many former British territories, such as Canada, Australia, and South Africa. Though she had no official political power, Elizabeth advised 15 prime ministers (similar to Presidents) during her reign, served as a diplomat to other…

A FAVORITE BREED Queen Elizabeth II’s love of corgis has been highlighted in recent days. She got her first corgi companion, Susan, at age 18. Over her lifetime, she raised dozens of Susan’s puppies and other dogs. Each had its own Christmas stocking. PERFECT TIMING After the queen’s death on September 8, a rainbow appeared over Windsor Castle, one of her homes, where people had gathered to honor her. About 20 miles away, in London, a double rainbow stretched over her official residence, Buckingham Palace, as a crowd sang “God Save the Queen.” A SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP “Thank you Ma’am, for everything,” Paddington Bear, the cherished children’s character, said on social media after the queen’s death. During a celebration of her 70-year reign in June, the two starred in a humorous…

Many people know Solange Knowles as the younger sister of music icon Beyoncé. But the 36-year-old is an icon all on her own as an award-winning singer-songwriter and now a ballet composer. For the New York City Ballet’s Fall Fashion Gala, she composed an original score (instrumental music written for an artistic performance). The event, which debuts on September 28 at Lincoln Center in New York City, brings renowned choreographers and fashion designers together to produce an elaborate ballet performance. Knowles is the first Black American woman to compose an original score for the New York City Ballet. She follows Lido Pimienta, a Canadian of Colombian descent, who, in 2021, became the first woman of color to compose a score for the same ballet. Knowles grew up in Houston, Texas,…

A recent study has revealed that there could be many more types of mammals on Earth than we had thought. In addition, many unidentified species could be right in front of us—we just don’t know it. Currently, more than 2 million species have been identified. Scientists believe, however, that between 90% and 99% of all species haven’t been identified yet. In the past, scientists would decide which category an animal belonged to by studying its physical features. This method is not always reliable, though, because it depends on the scientist’s own ideas and point of view. Research published in New Scientist shows that groups of animals can be divided into more species than was previously believed. Professor Bryan Carstens of Ohio State University looked at 4,310 types of mammals to…

Fin whales About 150 fin whales were filmed off the coast of Elephant Island, near Antarctica. This is the largest recorded gathering of the animals and a positive sign for the recovery of the species from near-extinction after years of protection efforts. Cicadas Temperatures this summer were too high for cicadas to make their chirping songs in Provence, in the south of France, where the insects are a beloved part of the culture. If summers remain this hot, the cicadas may leave the region entirely.…

Gaming company MSI has developed a sturdy foot pedal that can be used to play PC games, freeing up the user’s hands. The Liberator has a super-fast response time and comes with three buttons, one under the player’s foot and one on both sides. Users can designate a function for each button, such as accelerating in a driving game. The buttons come in a range of sizes, so players can find the right fit for their feet. The Liberator has other uses, too, such as hands-free audio recording and video editing.…

DID YOU KNOW? The first US public school was established in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1635. Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? is a new trivia quiz show video game. It is now available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation platforms, Xbox consoles, and PC. The game is based on a TV show that first aired in 2007. It featured a host quizzing adults on information that is taught to kids in grade school. Only a few contestants ever won the grand prize of $1 million. The show aired for several seasons, then returned to TV in 2019 in a version on Nickelodeon hosted by John Cena. Contestants in the original game were asked 11 different questions, two each from first through fifth grade and one from sixth. Every player was…

Why did you make your book interactive? I think what’s appealing about “choose your own path” books is that they are a fun way to fantasize about all the freedom you could have. What draws you to medieval times? I like that I can introduce fantastical elements, such as sea monsters, without the reader questioning whether they’re real or not. I was also influenced by the video game The Legend of Zelda. Were you scared of anything growing up? Yes, I was scared of clowns. How did you get your start in comic writing? I started reading comics when I was studying mathematics in college. After that, I began making comics. Do you have a starting word for Wordle? I have two starting words: ”arise” and “youth.”…

Keyword crossword Once you have completed the crossword, transfer the letters in the yellow boxes, in order, into the boxes below to get the answer to the Keyword question. ACROSS 1 Young royal women like Jasmine, Elsa, and Belle 7 Each one usually contains six or seven peas 8 Warning word to help avoid danger 9 It can hold a multi-page document together 10 The _____ of Capri (Italian resort completely surrounded by water) 12 A young sheep 14 These are indicated along the sides of swimming pools 17 One may shine through a skylight on a cloudless day 18 The “smoke” that rises from a volcano is actually this 20 Mount Rushmore shows four of them DOWN 1 Young dog or seal 2 Country whose capital is New Delhi…

“In February 2021, I was in The Week Junior, where I shared about my book review podcast, Hook of a Book. At the time, I was 11 years old, and there were only about four episodes available. Since then, Hook of a Book has released more than 80 episodes and donated more than $250 to the Malala Fund. It has been shared by middle grade book authors, including Tony Award–winning actress Ali Stroker, and has listeners in many countries. I am so passionate about helping kids find new books to read. Even if you don’t really like reading, the right book can change your mind. My dream is that every child discovers the joy of reading!” Have you done something interesting or raised money for a cause you care about?…

Teacher’s Name: Mr. Ashjian School: Middle School at Pine Crest “Mr. Ashjian is funny, creative, and kind. He makes learning way more fun than just doing problems. I learned so much about math, all thanks to him. Also, instead of just doing random math problems, he teaches us about math in the real world and how it can improve our day-today lives. He is by far my favorite teacher and the best one I’ve ever had!” Aviv, 12, Florida 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.…

When you give a gift of The Week Junior, you inspire a child in your life to explore interests, read about the world around them, and learn something new every week. Smart, fun, educational. Written for kids ages 8-14. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or anytime you want to delight a child you love. They'll thank you every week. Give 25 weekly issues, save 66% off the cover price, and get a FREE GIFT. ORDER ONLINE AT THEWEEKJUNIOR.COM/SPACE or scan to subscribe…

Beavers Bend State Park, Oklahoma Spread across 3,482 acres with 180 miles of shoreline, and lined with hardwood and pine trees, this state park is located in southeast Oklahoma. It is nestled in the hills surrounding Mountain Fork River and Broken Bow Lake. The 22-mile, 14,220-acre lake, in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, is popular for its smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and sunfish, and also attracts scuba divers. The Beavers Bend State Park Nature Center offers free programs, such as hikes to enjoy the wilderness and spot local wildlife, like red-headed woodpeckers.…

Jubilee, 9, Wisconsin Megan Fox Bird keeper, Nashville Zoo Flamingos spend their entire adult lives standing, so standing on one foot gives each leg a rest! Flamingos can lock their joints, making it easy to stand on one leg for long periods. Scientists also believe keeping one foot tucked in their warm feathers helps them conserve body heat. Do you have a question for a zookeeper? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the Nashville Zoo at nashvillezoo.org.…

For The Week Junior's second annual Nature Photo Contest, we invited readers to submit photographs they have taken oft he natural world. We received more than 1,100 amazing entries, including images of flowers, trees, animals, mountains, and landscapes. We were delighted by each entrant’s creativity, curiosity, and skill. The contest was divided into two categories: one for children ages 8 to 10 and one for ages 11 to 14. It was judged by Editor-in-Chief Andrea Barbalich, Creative Director Dean Abatemarco, Photo Editors Nata ki Hew ling and Lily Alt, and award-winning professional photographers Jesse Burke, Christa Renee, and Michael Rowe. The judges’ task was to choose 10 finalists in each age category, then select a grand prize winner and two runners-up in each group. “Wow1 There were so many fantastic…

DID YOU KNOW? Nevada became the 36th US state on October 31, 1864. After more than 50 years of construction, City, a vast complex of dirt mounds and concrete pyramids in the Nevada desert, opened on September 2. The mega sculpture by pioneering artist Michael Heizer cost $40 million to build and is being described as possibly the largest work of contemporary art on Earth. Heizer, age 77, grew up in California. As a child, he would build small-scale cities in his schoolyard using found objects such as rocks and cans. His father was an archaeologist (scientist who studies objects left by people long ago), and Heizer joined him on expeditions to Mexico and Peru. Those trips became major inspirations in his life. Heizer is a land artist—someone who makes…

Petite Maman (2022) Available to rent or buy on all major platforms This French language film (Petite Maman means “Little Mother”) follows an 8-year-old girl named Nelly. After her grandmother on her mother’s side dies, Nelly and her parents head to the grandma’s house to clean it out. While Nelly is there, she explores the surrounding woods where her mother, Marion, used to play as a little girl. One day, Nelly encounters a girl around her age who is building a treehouse similar to the one her mother had told her about. The two girls form a friendship as they work on the structure together. The same day Nelly meets her new friend, Marion abruptly leaves the house for a few days because she needs to grieve. Is the timing…

(Amulet Books) Leviathan, a sea monster, is causing trouble in the waters near a medieval village. The main character, who isn’t named, wants to protect the villagers from the monster. Because this graphic novel is written in the choose-your-own-adventure format, you get to determine whether the main character is successful or not. Beginning on the first page, you make choices that lead to different places and endings. One path, for example, takes you to a wizard who has a Starlight Wand that could control the monster. Other choices may take you to a dead end. Along the way, you may meet villagers who reveal useful information. You may want to re-read this book to compare endings. It’s the first of a new series. WIN A BOOK! We’re giving away five…

Isla to Island By Alexis Castellanos (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) In this graphic novel, set in the early 1960s, Marisol’s parents don’t think it’s safe for her to live in Cuba, so they send her to the US. The author’s note explains that the book is based on a real event when more than 14,000 Cuban children immigrated to the US. Ages 10–14 The Story of Lin-Manuel Miranda By Frank Berrios, illustrated by Marta Dorado (Rockridge Press) Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Puerto Rican heritage and performances he saw as a child have had a big influence on the work he creates, including the Broadway musical Hamilton. This biography reveals the shows and movies that inspired his love of theater. Ages 9 and under Forest World By Margarita Engle (Atheneum Books for…

Little arms, big strides in T. rex race It was a dino dash on August 21, as the Emerald Downs racetrack in Washington hosted a T. rex race. More than 150 competitors ran 1/16 of a mile while wearing Tyrannosaurus rex costumes, with the fastest adult and child named as winners. After the event was first held in 2019, a video went viral and it became a huge success. Three times as many people signed up this year for what track officials called“the biggest dinosaur race in the past 233 million years.” A hot dog that isn’t hot Oscar Meyer, the meat company that created the“bologna” face mask, has introduced a hot-dog-flavored popsicle. The frozen innovation looks and tastes like a hot dog, complete with a drizzle of“mustard.” It was…

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 is your favorite sandwich? “I live for salami sandwiches.” “Mozzarella, tomato, and olive oil on a baguette.” “Ham, egg, and cheese. The perfect combination.” “A BLT is so good!” In the big debate, we asked: Should school dress codes be eliminated? “Dress codes are OK, just not crazy ones.” “No, because dress codes are more comfortable than uniforms.” “Some things about dress codes should be eliminated, but other things should stay.” “People should be able to express themselves through their clothes.” Now tell us: What is your favorite dog breed and why? We want to hear from you! To have your…

You sit down to watch a streaming TV show that really grabs your attention. Just one more episode, you think…and before you know it, hours have gone by and your eyes are still glued to the screen. This is a phenomenon known as binge-watching. Streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ make it possible to watch several episodes back-to-back, whether it’s an old show with many seasons or a new show that releases all of its episodes at once. Some people believe that bingeing leads to episode overload. Others think it’s perfectly fine to watch a show for hours at a time. What do you think? Should people stop binge-watching? Yes—binge-watching is not healthy Once people start binge-watching, they can have trouble stopping. Getting drawn into a show this…

Scientists in Norway have created an underwater robot that can identify different kinds of pollution at the bottom of the sea. The robot will help cleanup teams locate trash and place a priority on removing the items that can cause the most harm to the environment. The robot, which weighs nearly 100 pounds and uses special cameras to capture 3D images, was created by a team at Skarv Technologies. Another Norwegian company, Ecotone, developed a spectrometer—a device that can determine what material an object is made of, even in murky water. The researchers put their work to the test at a bay in the city of Bergen, on Norway’s southwest coast. First, the robot swam up and down in rows about six feet above the seabed, collecting data. Then a…

WOW! At the US Open, Carlos Alcaraz played for a total of 23 hours and 40 minutes, a Grand Slam record. This year’s US Open tennis tournament, which ran from August 29 through September 11, delivered historic and unforgettable moments. The US Open is held in Flushing, New York, and is one of the four most important international tennis tournaments of the year, known as the Grand Slams. It attracted a record-setting 776,120 spectators over the course of the tournament.In the women’s final on September 10, number one player Iga Świątek, age 21, faced fifth seed Ons Jabeur, age 28. Jabeur is from Tunisia and was the first African and Arab woman to make a US Open final. Świątek, who is from Poland, took the first set, 6–2. In the…

Coach’s Name: Adam Clement Team: Baltimore Stars (ice hockey) “Coach Adam has been our ice hockey coach for three years. He is such an amazing coach because he truly cares about us and the team as a whole. He leads us with love and teaches us with passion. He goes above and beyond for each player and makes sure we are not only improving our game but having fun! He treats each of us like we are his own kids. He is such a special guy, and we respect and love him very much.” Tanner, 8, Maryland 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.…

Double Negative Among Michael Heizer’s famous works is this “negative sculpture” in Nevada’s Moapa Valley. It is made of twin trenches carved into the landscape. Sun Tunnels This large work by artist Nancy Holt is located in Utah’s Great Basin Desert. It features four cylinders that align with the sunrise and sunset. During planning, Holt used cardboard tube models to help her study shadows and patterns. Star Axis Artist Charles Ross is creating this earth sculpture in New Mexico. It will include the 11-story Star Tunnel, a stairway that runs parallel to the Earth’s axis. The work is due to open in 2025.…

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise “Coyote and her father Rodeo have been living in their school bus for five years, ever since Coyote’s mom and sisters died in a car crash. Coyote’s grandma calls to tell them a park in their town is being ripped up. It’s the park where Coyote’s family buried a memory box. Coyote knows her father will not want to go back, but she wants to get him there. This book is funny and sweet.” Lucia, 10, California Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

I greatly admired and respected Queen Elizabeth II of the UK, who died last week at age 96 (p2–3). Although she became queen at the young age of 25, it seemed to me that she was wise from the start. She will be remembered for being one of the longest-reigning monarchs in world history and for her steadfast devotion to her responsibilities and her family—along with her fondness for corgis, horses, and colorful hats. I hope our coverage will help you understand more about her long and influential life. This week we also want to congratulate our Nature Photo Contest grand prize winners, runners-up, and finalists (p14). We received more than 1,100 entries, and the judging was not easy! Thank you to all the young photographers who entered. We applaud…

“I tried decorating a notebook from the How To section. I loved it!”Ava, 9, Connecticut “We enjoy reading The Week Junior, even in other countries!”Hayden, 8, Harrison, 10, and Henry, 10, Oregon “It was cool to see the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in The Week Junior because my family comes here everysummer!” Evelyn, 9, New York…

1 How old is Eebers, a security dog who recently retired after working at an airport for nearly 10 years? 2 What is the title of the mega sculpture in Nevada that was created by artist Michael Heizer? a) Land b) City c) Earth a □ b □ c □ 3 True or false? In the choose-your-ownadventure graphic novel Leviathan, the main character is not named. True □ False □ 4 How many US presidents did Queen Elizabeth II meet in person? a) 13 b) 14 c) 15 a □ b □ c □ 5 True or false? A new study found that cats prefer the company of people who are cat lovers. True □ False □ 6 When did the first official recognition of Hispanic heritage begin? a) 1968 b)…