Innehållsförteckning för Issue 130 från The Week Junior US

A powerful storm called Hurricane Ian hit Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina with strong winds, heavy rain, and major flooding. It was one of the most destructive storms ever to strike the US, forcing more than 40,000 people to evacuate and causing billions of dollars in damage What happened? Ian formed over the Gulf of Mexico, where the water was warmer than usual, which made the storm stronger. It struck the southwest coast of Florida as a category 4 hurricane (5 is the highest) on September 28, with sustained winds of 150 mph. Rainfall hit record highs of 30 inches in some places. The heavy rains and storm surge (when water is pushed ashore by wind) caused extensive flooding. As Ian headed out over the Atlantic Ocean, it weakened…

Since 2019, despite his love for meaty dishes like fried chicken and pulled pork, basketball player Chris Paul has lived a plant-based lifestyle. With a new line of plant-based snacks called Good Eat’n, he’s ambitious about getting more people interested in doing the same. Paul, 37, point guard for the Phoenix Suns, has been in the NBA since 2005. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in basketball history. When he started eating vegan, it was to improve his athletic performance, Paul told Men’s Health. “Then it changed my lifestyle,” he said. While growing up in North Carolina, a state known for its barbecue, many of his family members suffered from heart disease. He believes a lack of education about healthy foods is a part of…

A new study of ladybugs has revealed that not enough attention has been given to the spotty insect, which is an important pest controller and is under threat. There are more than 6,000 species of ladybug around the world, including nearly 500 in the US. They are helpful in protecting plants, including crops eaten by people. The ladybugs do this by eating smaller insects, like aphids, that can damage the crops. Scientists say populations of ladybugs may be on the decline globally. The new study was done by an international group of researchers, including scientists at the UK Center for Ecology and Hydrology. They found that not enough is known about the insects and how they are responding to threats like climate change (long-term changes in world weather patterns, including…

Kemp’s ridley sea turtles Baby sea turtles, called hatchlings, have been observed on Louisiana’s Chandeleur Islands for the first time in at least 75 years. Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, which are the sea turtles most at risk of disappearing, were among the hatchlings. Dolphins and porpoises A strain of bird flu was found in a bottlenose dolphin in Florida and a porpoise in Sweden. This strain has been seen in other animals besides birds, but this is the first evidence that it has infected these species, and there could be more cases in the future.…

Most of the major laws that govern our lives are made in the halls of Congress. Find out more about this important branch of the US government. What is Congress? The US Constitution (the nation’s highest law) established Congress as the legislative branch of the federal government, in balance with two other branches—executive (President) and judicial (courts). Congress is made of two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each state sends two people to serve in the Senate, for a total of 100 senators. The number of representatives a state can send to the House depends on its population. Montana has one, while California has 53. In total, the House has 435 representatives (and six nonvoting members). Besides making laws, Congress can approve treaties, oversee taxes, and declare…

Scientists in the UK created an artificial floating leaf that uses photosynthesis (when plants turn sunlight and water into energy) to create clean energy. It also captures carbon dioxide (a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and warms the planet). The leaf is made up of thin layers of a light-absorbing material protected by water-repellent layers. Scientists believe these low-cost, lightweight, flexible devices could create power and energy anywhere there is water, without taking up space on land…

On October 1, the US women’s basketball team beat China, 83–61, to win their fourth straight FIBA Women’s World Cup. (FIBA is the International Basketball Federation.) The World Cup was held in Sydney, Australia. The victory earned the US a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The World Cup takes place every four years. The event features 12 national teams from around the globe. Team USA has now won the FIBA gold 11 times. They have only lost one game in Olympic and World Cup competitions since 1994. The Americans had a “new look” team, which means the roster had many different players than in the past. Every member of Team USA also plays for the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), including A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Chelsea Gray, who…

The classic children’s book Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile has been turned into a live-action movie musical of the same name. The film, which features a computer-generated crocodile, is in theaters now. The character of Lyle was created by author Bernard Waber, who introduced him in the 1962 picture book The House on East 88th Street. Lyle, Lyle Crocodile was published in 1965, followed by other books about Lyle. In the film, Josh Primm and his parents move to New York City. He struggles to make friends but then finds Lyle in his attic and they form a connection. The biggest departure from the books is that Lyle can sing in the film. In fact, it’s the only way he can communicate. The film’s directors, Will Speck and Josh Gordon, grew up…

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) Peacock This is the fifth film in the Despicable Me franchise. Because of its major success this summer, Despicable Me is now the highest-grossing animated movie franchise in history. The film, set in the 1970s, tells the origin story of supervillain Gru. Young Gru is plotting world domination from his mom’s basement with help from the Minions, his tiny yellow helpers. Gru is a huge fan of the supervillain group the Vicious 6, who recently stole an ancient magical stone and ousted their leader. He interviews for the open spot in the group, but they laugh him off because of his age. Feeling hurt, he steals their stone and runs away. With the Vicious 6 after him, Gru will need all the help he…

By Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends) During a storm, Odder, a baby sea otter, gets pulled ashore. Scientists rescue her and nurse her back to health. They teach her skills so she can return to the ocean. After months of practice, a diver brings her to a bay and she swims off with other otters. Now, three years later, Odder is a daredevil. She and her otter friend are playing in waters slightly outside their safe area when a great white shark swims by and wants to eat Odder’s friend. Odder hurls herself at the shark. This novel is told in verse (poetry) and is loosely based on sea otters that have been rescued by the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. Part of the story is told…

Dad Jokes for Kids! By Jimmy Niro (Sourcebooks Wonderland) Filled with 350 jokes, this book includes chapters on animals, sports, monsters, and more. It even gives you pointers on how to write your own jokes. Here’s one you can try out: “What time is it when the clock strikes 13? Time to buy a new clock!” Ages 7–12 Space Jokes By Macmillan Children’s Books (Macmillan) Shaped like a rocket, this book contains hundreds of jokes about planets, astronauts, aliens, and other things associated with space. An example that might crack you up: “How does an astronaut get their baby to sleep? They rocket.” Ages 7 and up Laugh-Out-Loud: The Big Book of Knock-Knock Jokes By Rob Elliott (HarperCollins) Hundreds of knock-knock jokes are divided into four chapters: people, places, things,…

How to enter 1. Remove this page and create a cover design. Submissions will be judged on creativity, originality, and how well they reflect the winter theme and The Week Junior. Try to picture your artwork on our cover! Be sure it’s in color, and indicate the title of your drawing at the bottom of the page. If you need another form to complete your design, you can print one out at theweekjunior.com/activities. 2. When you’re finished, a parent/guardian should go to theweekjunior.com/activities to print, fill out, and sign the consent form. To officially enter, the consent form and a digital image of your artwork should be emailed to covercontest@theweekjunior.com. 3. The deadline to apply is November 4, 2022. Finalists will be notified on or about November 14. Full contest…

All of us at The Week Junior are concerned about the millions of people affected by two major hurricanes that have struck within the past two weeks. As we reported last week, Hurricane Fiona caused extensive damage from Puerto Rico to Canada. A few days later, Hurricane Ian struck Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina (p2). If you live in an area that has been damaged by the storms—or if you have loved ones or friends in those areas—please know we are thinking of you. We hope our article helps you understand what happened and how people are being helped. We also hope you enjoy the rest of this issue, which includes the announcement of our Winter Cover Contest (p25). The winning drawing will appear on the cover of Issue…

“We had a great time making this dessert and an even better time eating it!”Dahlia and Flore, 13, New York “I’d like to introduce my domino creation to The Week Junior! I’m always excited when The Week Junior is delivered to my house!”Jackson, 10, Nevada “I read The Pear Affair (book of the week for August 12), and it made me very hungry!”Cecile, 9, Oklahoma…

1 Pop singer Lizzo recently played a crystal flute once owned by which US President? a) John Adams b) Thomas Jefferson c) James Madison a □ b □ c □ 2 Workers in ancient Egypt may have moved stone blocks on the Nile River to build what monuments? 3 True or false? The new video game FIFA 23 is the first in the series to feature women’s teams. True □ False □ 4 The Andes mountain range is located on which continent? a) Africa b) South America c) Australia a □ b □ c □ 5 Electronics company Samsung designed a waterless version of what plumbing fixture? 6 In the new film Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, Lyle communicates by doing what? a) Talking b) Dancing c) Singing a □ b □…

Reading sparks a lifetime love of learning, gets kids on track for success, and helps them identify and follow their passions. There are stories in The Week Junior that speak to every child and inspire them to keep reading. Give The Week Junior and save 66% off the cover price. For less than $2 an issue, less than the cost of a full-size candy bar, your child can be inspired to read every week! Plus, if you subscribe today, your child will receive a free puzzle magazine! Order online at theweekjunior.com/pumpkin or scan to subscribe…

Established in 1911, this national monument in western Colorado is characterized by its imposing mesas (hills with flat tops) and red rock canyons. The 23-mile Rim Rock Drive winds through the heart of the 32-square-mile monument and has rock layers dating back 1.7 billion years. Among the interesting formations is Balanced Rock, a 600-ton boulder that sits precariously on a sandstone column. A favorite with rock climbers, the monument is home to animals such as desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, and collared lizards.…

A Masai giraffe calf was born at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio at the end of August, while another healthy Masai giraffe calf, named Tisa, was recently born at the Virginia Zoo. Masai giraffes are considered endangered in the wild. • LIFE SPAN: About 10 to 15 years in the wild • HABITAT: Savannas in Kenya and Tanzania • SIZE: Up to about 18 feet tall and 3,000 pounds • DIET: Includes leaves, twigs, flowers, and bark • FUN FACT: Giraffe calves can stand upright 30 minutes after birth.…

Capitol subway In the early 1900s, a train system was built under the Capitol to help members of Congress move quickly between the chambers. There are two lines to the Senate (north) side and one on the House (south) side. Each ride takes less than a minute. Candy desk Desk 80 in the Senate is nicknamed the “candy desk.” Senator George Murphy of California was assigned the desk in 1968, and he had a sweet tooth. Senators have been stocking the drawer with free candy ever since. Baseball game Every summer, Republican and Democratic members of Congress put aside their differences to play a baseball game for charity, with the winning team receiving a trophy. Representative John Tener organized the first game in 1909.…

Major League Baseball (MLB) ended its regular season on October 5. The teams heading to the playoffs were set by October 4, but when The Week Junior went to press, the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves of the National League (NL) East were battling for first place in their division. The Braves, who won the 2021 World Series, needed one win or a Mets loss to win the title. The second-place team goes to the playoffs as a wild card. Starting this season, MLB has expanded its playoffs to include 12 teams instead of 10. Under the new format, the winners of the East, Central, and West divisions in both the NL and AL qualify for the playoffs. They get the top three seeds based on their records.…

Coach’s Name: Allen Yap Sport: Tennis “Allen teaches me a lot of cool tricks, tips, angles, and shots that help me when I play matches and tournaments. He is always so patient and willing to work with me, and he helps me so I get better and better each day I have a lesson. He is always so positive and cheerful. He has a great sense of humor and awesomeness. Allen motivates me to be the best I can be and is overall the best tennis coach ever!” Juliet, 12, 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.…

The Greatest Showman Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote the original songs for the 2017 film inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum. The pair won a Golden Globe Award for the song “This Is Me.” Dear Evan Hansen The songwriters created the music and lyrics for the Broadway hit about a high school boy with severe social anxiety. In 2017, they won their first Tony Award for the show’s original score (composed music). Snow White The pair have written original songs for Disney’s live-action version of the fairy tale starring Rachel Zegler. Wonder Woman’s Gal Gadot will play the Evil Queen. It is set to be released in 2024.…

Abominable and the Invisible City (Peacock and Hulu) In this follow-up series to the 2019 film Abominable, Yi, Jin, and Peng discover a world full of magical creatures existing right around them. With their new lovable yeti friend, Everest, they embark on a series of adventures to help creatures in need. Rivers of Life (PBS) Explore some of Earth’s famous rivers with this documentary series. See African elephants battling rapids in the Zambezi, trace the Danube through Europe’s epic landscapes, and find out about the people who have lived near the Yukon in North America for centuries. Oddballs (Netflix) This new animated comedy series follows James, a bubble-shaped boy who is always ranting about things that annoy him. His best friends are a talking crocodile and a girl claiming to…

Mark of the Thief By Jennifer A. Nielsen “This fantasy book is about Nic, a slave working in the mines outside Rome. He is forced to enter a cavern containing the lost treasures of Julius Caesar. But he finds much more than gold and gemstones. He discovers an ancient amulet that is filled with magic once reserved for the Gods. It is magic some Romans would kill for. Will Nic get away with it, or will he get captured?”Boyi, 11, California Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Drawing is a great activity because you can basically do it anytime and anywhere. Plus, the possibilities of what to draw are endless. You could start by sketching your favorite animals, making portraits of family members, illustrating your own graphic novel, or even submitting your work to our Winter Cover Contest (see the next page). “Drawing can be a great way to share your creativity with others,” says artist Gabrielle Brickey. Here’s how you can learn more about this art form. Start with basic supplies You can start drawing right away with paper and a pencil you already have. As you get more involved in this activity, you might want to pick up a few more supplies, such as an eraser, a sketchpad, and various writing utensils. (Colored pencils, charcoal…

Word search Can you find all these names from Greek mythology in the grid? They are hidden horizontally, vertically, or diagonally and can be forward or backward. When you’re done, read the remaining letters to get a bonus message. ACHILLES ADONIS AJAX APHRODITE APOLLO ARACHNE ARES ARTEMIS ATHENA ATLAS CHARON CRONUS DEMETER ECHO ELECTRA HADES HELEN HERA HERMES HESTIA ICARUS JASON MEDEA MEDUSA MIDAS NIKE PANDORA POSEIDON PROMETHEUS RHEA TRITON ZEU FILL IN THE BLANKS Fill in the blanks in each sentence with two words that are the same except for a different first letter, like GEAR and PEAR. The two words will not rhyme. Spot the difference These two pictures of a spacewalk appear to be the same, but take a closer look. There are actually five differences. Can…

Teacher’s Name: Mr. Santosa School: Katherine Delmar Burke School “Mr. Santosa is kind and helpful, and most of all he is creative. He is our makery teacher, and he always has fun activities for us to do! Each week I look forward to having makery class because he makes it so fun. He is definitely one of my favorite teachers. He totally deserves to be nominated!”Tallula, 9, California 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.…

EARNING EVERY BADGE Ben Hayes of Michigan has earned all 139 Boy Scouts merit badges—an achievement only 0.5% of Scouts ever attain. “Not everything is easy,” said Hayes, who is 14 years old. “But if you work hard, you will get to your goal.” HONORING A CANINE HERO After retiring at age 10, a UK police dog named Luna was honored with an award for saving 38 lives during her eight-year career. The German Shepherd also experienced her first beach vacation. She will now live out her retirement with her handler, officer Linda McBride. “I’m very proud of her,” McBride said HIGH-TECH RUNNING A robot named Cassie set a world record for the fastest 100 meters run by a bipedal (two-legged) robot, with a time of 24.73 seconds. Cassie was…

The use of online games for learning has steadily increased in recent years, with students of all ages using platforms such as Kahoot!, GeoGuessr, BrainPOP, and the Minecraft Education Edition in class. Many of these digital tools focus on strengthening math, reading, and analytical skills, while others help with social studies, geography, and STEM topics. Some teachers and experts say these games make learning interactive and engaging. But many parents and others say that kids already spend too much time on devices and learning should be live, not on screen. What do you think? Should online games be used in classrooms? Yes—they make learning fun Kids learn more when they’re having a good time, and what’s more fun—reading about ancient Greece or building a 3-D monument to the Greek gods…

“What is the difference between a leopard and a jaguar?”Anwesha, 11, Texas Mary-Kathryn Mitchell Field supervisor of carnivores, Naples Zoo Leopards are smaller in weight and stature compared to jaguars. Both cats have groupings of spots, but jaguars have black spots within those while leopards do not. Jaguars are found in Central and South America, and leopards are found in Africa and Asia. Do you have a question for a zookeeper? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the Naples Zoo at napleszoo.org.…

Scientists are one step closer to solving the mystery of the ancient pyramids of Giza, in Egypt. The pyramids have stood as amazing examples of human achievement for more than 4,500 years. To build the massive structures, workers had to transport 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing about two tons, without the help of modern technology or equipment. For many years, experts have believed that workers might have created a small canal extending from the Nile River to the construction site and used the power of the water to move these blocks. However, a research team has found that a canal might not have been necessary. A long-lost arm of the Nile known as the Khufu Branch once flowed very close to the pyramids, and it could have been used…

As Halloween approaches, a set of famous witch sisters have been brought back to life. Hocus Pocus 2, a sequel to a popular comedy film from 1993, is now streaming on Disney+. In the original Hocus Pocus, 17th-century witches Winifred, Mary, and Sarah Sanderson are conjured up in modern-day Salem, Massachusetts, and have to be stopped by local kids. Over the past 29 years, the film has become a holiday classic. Kathy Najimy, who plays Mary, compared it to The Wizard of Oz because it’s something today’s parents watched as kids and have introduced to their own children. “It becomes this part of the fabric of the history of the family,” she said. In the sequel, which reveals how the sisters became witches, the trio return to modern-day Salem. They…

FIFA 23 is a new edition of the world’s most popular soccer video game. It is out now for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation platforms, Xbox systems, and the PC. This is the 30th edition of the series and the biggest one yet. FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) is the organization that governs the soccer world in real life. In the game, you can play with virtual versions of more than 700 pro teams from leagues across the world. FIFA 23 is the first edition that includes women’s clubs: UK’s Barclays FA Women’s Super League and France’s Division 1 Arkema. They are accessed in Tournament Mode. Sam Kerr, a striker for Chelsea FC’s women’s team, is one of the game’s cover stars. The other is Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappé.…

Did you love animals growing up? Growing up, I was absolutely sure I was going to be a veterinarian. I worked for a vet in high school. I realized as I got older that I was more interested in what animals might be thinking than what was going on inside their bodies. Have you been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium? I have, and I was enchanted by it. What does poetry bring to middle-grade books? It brings the possibilities of language. You can have a lot of feelings in a very small space, which is cool. What is your favorite sea creature? I obviously have to go with otters. They’re just magical, the way they move. But I’m also fascinated by whales. Pool or ocean? Ocean for sure, but I…

Bowl of fruit Arrange a few types of fruit, such as apples, pears, and bananas, in a bowl, then draw them. Fruit is great to start with because the shapes are less complicated than other foods. Eyes Drawing portraits of people’s faces takes practice. One way to start is by drawing eyes. This will help you learn to focus on details (like lids and lashes), as well as shading around the eye. Birds Look at pictures of birds in books or online, then try to draw them. Practicing with many different shapes of birds will help you when you begin drawing other animals. Butterfly Drawing a butterfly is a good way to practice details. Sketch out the basic shape and then focus on adding patterns and color to the wings.…

Greedy bear shocks party guests As a boy named Cyrus celebrated his second birthday in Connecticut, an unexpected guest crashed the party. A black bear walked into the family’s yard, sniffed a surprised party guest, then went straight to the food. The bear ignored most of the treats on the table—and the shouting adults—but happily helped itself to the birthday cupcakes. Afterward, it wandered back into the woods, leaving the party guests unharmed. In an amazing coincidence, the family said the Disney song “The Bare Necessities” was playing when the animal came by. Flying car takes to the skies The first model of a new flying car has been revealed to the public. Created by the Swedish company Jetson, the vehicle sells for more than $90,000 and can reach speeds…

A founding principle of the United States is that it’s a democracy—meaning that citizens hold the power to elect the people who govern them. This year, Election Day will be on November 8. As a reader of The Week Junior, you may have opinions about America’s democratic process. We want to hear them! Ask a parent or guardian to download a form at theweekjunior.com/activities. Fill it out, then have an adult email it to us at hello@theweekjunior.com. We’ll feature some of the submissions on this page in future issues. JOKE OF THE WEEK What sound do porcupines make when they kiss? Ouch! IT’S YOUR TURN Email your news, views, and photos to hello@theweekjunior.com. We want to hear from you! To have your letters, photos, nominations, recommendations, or ideas considered for…

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 fall activity and why? “Seeing autumn leaves change color.” “Baking apple crisp with my grandma!” “Going on walks, because I love the smell of the air and the wonderful weather.” “Trick-or-treating on Halloween!” In the big debate, we asked: Should Election Day be a national holiday? “It should. It will give people a chance to think and reflect.” “No. Kids should not get a day off school for something they aren’t allowed to do.” “Yes, because it’s an important event that should have a celebration.” Now tell us: What is your favorite musical instrument and why?…