Innehållsförteckning för Issue 131 från The Week Junior US

Between October 3 and October 10, the 2022 Nobel Prizes were announced. They recognize groundbreaking achievements in six categories and are regarded as some of the world’s most prestigious awards. What are the Nobel Prizes? The prizes were created by Alfred Nobel, an inventor, entrepreneur, scientist, and businessman who provided money to create the awards after his death in 1896. The prizes celebrate world-changing advancements in chemistry, literature, peace, physics, economics, and medicine or physiology (the study of living systems). Between 1901 and this year, the prizes have been handed out 615 times to 989 people and organizations. The awards are presented by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. How are winners chosen? Each year, the Nobel Foundation asks thousands of prominent people from around the world to submit nominations…

The remains of a statue more than 1,800 years old have been found in northeastern Greece. Archaeologists (scientists who study objects left by people long ago) announced that the statue depicts the mythical hero Hercules. The archaeologists, from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, were excavating (digging up) the ruins of the ancient city of Philippi when they found pieces of the sculpture. Philippi was founded in 356 BCE and later became part of the Roman Empire. It was abandoned after the Ottomans conquered the area in the 14th century. The statue was found at the intersection of two streets in what was likely a town square. The team thinks the statue stood on a building or fountain as decoration. They said the sculpture was unusual because of its quality…

Lake Texcoco, Mexico Farmers try to save traditional food Mexican farmers are trying to keep a traditional dish alive. Ahuautle consists of eggs harvested from an axayacatl, a type of water fly. People have been eating the dish, also known as “Mexican caviar,” for hundreds of years. The delicacy is under threat, however, because Lake Texcoco, where the eggs are found, is starting to dry up and collecting the eggs is difficult work that many people aren’t willing to learn. Peru Bird poop used as fertilizer The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to shortages around the world of imported fertilizer used to help grow crops. In Peru, farmers have turned to using poop (called guano) from fish-eating seabirds on coastal islands as an organic fertilizer instead. One farmer, Segundo…

Salem, Massachusetts, was originally the home of Naumkeag, a tribe of Native American people, before it was established as a town in 1626 by English settler Roger Conant. Every October, the city comes alive with Halloween celebrations, such as the Haunted Happenings festival, which draws more than half a million visitors. The city got its spooky reputation because of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, where people were wrongly tried for practicing witchcraft. Salem is also known for the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which was the first National Historic Site in the US.…

1970s After the movie Star Wars came out in 1977, Darth Vader, Princess Leia, and other characters from the film became in-demand costumes. 1980s Outer space and science fiction were big inspirations. Ghostbusters led to supernatural costumes, and when Alf became a hit on TV, many people wanted to dress like the furry cat-loving extraterrestrial. 1990s Characters like Bart and his dad, Homer, from The Simpsons were top costume picks in the ‘90s, along with the teen superheroes from the live-action show Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. 2000s Under the spell of Harry Potter, kids began to dress as the boy wizard and his friends Ron and Hermione. Another top choice: SpongeBob SquarePants, the yellow sponge that lives in a pineapple under the sea.…

A new research study found that a deep breathing technique can make people healthier in the same way exercise does. Study participants used a handheld device while taking 30 breaths a day for six weeks. The device provided resistance so that each breath required more effort than usual—like sucking air through a straw. This technique, known as inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST), strengthens the muscles used in breathing, such as the diaphragm. The researchers found that IMST had additional benefits. It increased the function of cells that line blood vessels and promoted blood flow through the body by about 45%. The deep, forceful breaths may have also calmed the sympathetic nervous system, which deals with fear and stress. Participants’ blood pressure decreased, lowering their risk of heart disease and stroke.…

On October 7, women’s national soccer teams from the US and England faced off in an exciting exhibition (friendly) match at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The US team (USWNT) is currently number one in the world. England’s team, the Lionesses, are ranked fourth and recently won the European Championship. For the first time in five years, England beat the USWNT, with a final score of 2–1. Nearly 77,000 fans attended the match. There was so much anticipation that when tickets went on sale, the UK’s Football Association website crashed and the match sold out within 24 hours. It was the largest crowd the USWNT has ever had for an exhibition. Days before the match, a report about abuse within the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the US was…

Coach’s Name: Jocelyn Elliott (Master Instructor) Team: Omniform Martial Arts at Carson Elementary “I have been taking karate for a year with Coach Jocelyn, and she is awesome! She makes me excited to jump rope more, so I can get better at karate and earn jump roping badges. Coach Jocelyn is a kind and caring teacher who helps me feel strong and makes me want to help the world in a fun way. I want to make peace in the world so everyone can be in their rightful home.” Judah, 8, Colorado 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.…

Running with the Beest (PBS Nature) The great wildebeest migration in East Africa is the largest herd movement of animals on Earth. This documentary gives viewers an up-close look at the event as it follows two guides who have spent the past 10 years tracking wildebeest as they travel through Kenya. Wolfboy and the Everything Factory (Apple TV+) This animated series follows William Wolfe, a boy who discovers the magical, Spryte-filled realm where everything on Earth is made. While there, he assumes the identity of Wolfboy. In the new second season, he and his Spryte friends must unite forces of creation and destruction. Floor Is Lava (Netflix) The hit competition series—where teams of three people navigate rooms of obstacles without touching the fake lava-covered floor—is back for a third season.…

“This book is about Sal, a girl on a road trip with her grandparents. They are going to visit her mother in Lewiston, Idaho. As they drive, Sal tells the story of Phoebe, the friend she met when she moved to Ohio with her father. As Sal tells the story, she and her grandparents go on adventures throughout the US. This book is interesting and entertaining, but it has a bittersweet ending.” Hannah, 10, New Mexico Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Carving a pumpkin is a popular way to celebrate Halloween, but you can also enjoy decorating one without carving it. You can get even more creative with your pumpkins when you use paint, paper, markers, and natural items, said Jodi Levine, a professional crafter who creates The Week Junior’s crafts. She shares her favorite tips here Choose an awesome pumpkin Classic round pumpkins are reliably fun to decorate, but Levine also recommends considering pumpkins that have unusual shapes. If you have a tall pumpkin, you could paint it white and add a face to create a spooky ghost. If you come across a “snake squash,” you could paint it to look like a snake, which could be creepy to put by your front door. Raid your craft bin When you…

Ingredients ● 12 plain cupcakes, baked● 1¾ cups white frosting● 1 cup green candy melts● 4 teaspoons vegetable oil● Candy eyes● Green pearl sprinkles● Green nonpareils Instructions 1. Cover the top of each cupcake with frosting. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the candy melts with the vegetable oil. Microwave the mixture at half power for 1 minute. Stir it, then continue to heat it in 10-second bursts, stirring vigorously between each heating, until the candy is melted. 2. Working with one cupcake at a time, spoon some of the melted candy onto the top of the cupcake, creating a blob shape. If you like, use a pointed tip of a toothpick to gently spread and smooth the surface of the melted candy. 3. Scatter candy eyes, sprinkles, and nonpareils onto…

If you would like to see your artwork on the cover of The Week Junior, now is your chance! At right is the winning cover from our 2020 contest. The drawing form and consent form that are needed to enter can be found at theweekjunior.com/activities. Entries will be judged on creativity, originality, and how well they reflect the winter theme and The Week Junior. Be sure your artwork is in color! When you’re done, have a parent fill out the consent form. The consent form and a digital image of your artwork should be emailed to covercontest@theweekjunior.com. The deadline to apply is November 4! JOKE OF THE WEEK What school subject do witches do best in? Spelling IT’S YOUR TURN Email your news, views, and photos to hello@theweekjunior.com. We want…

We asked: What is your favorite musical instrument? “The piano, because it is calming and smooth.” “Drums. I like the beats that they make.” “Cello, because when I was little, I used to listen to it to help me fall asleep.” “Violin, because I love playing it.” In the big debate, we asked: Should online games be used in classrooms? “Yes. Games help us enjoy class!” “Only if they are school-appropriate, but they don’t necessarily have to be educational.” “Yes, if we finish our work.” Now tell us: Do you think candy corn is yum or yuck and why?…

On October 4, the European Union (EU) passed a law requiring a standard charger for all small electronic devices, such as mobile phones and tablets. The EU is a group of 27 nations, mainly in Europe. The law would require that all devices sold there have a USB Type-C charging port. Consumers would no longer need multiple chargers for different devices and brands, and could choose to buy a device with or without a charger. The EU said the move is meant to “make products…more sustainable, to reduce electronic waste, and make consumers’ lives easier.” Chargers create about 11,000 to 13,000 tons of electronic waste and cost consumers about $247.3 million every year, said EU officials. Some technology companies, including Apple, argued that the new law will affect their product…

Two US holidays that take place on the second Monday in October were celebrated on October 10 this year. Columbus Day is a federal holiday observed in 37 states. Indigenous Peoples Day is observed by 24 states but not by the federal government. What is Columbus Day? This day marks the arrival of Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer, in the Americas in 1492. He was seeking a direct water route from Europe to Asia and instead became the first European since the Vikings to land in America. He was hailed as a hero for many years, and a federal holiday in his name was established in 1934. It is celebrated with parades and other events. What is Indigenous Peoples Day? This day recognizes the contributions of people native to North…

Every Halloween, Americans buy about 600 million pounds of candy to give out—that adds up to nearly the entire weight of the Empire State Building. From M&M’s to Milky Way bars, Skittles to Starburst, there are a ton of different choices for trick-or-treaters (who are sometimes known to dig around in the candy bowl to find their favorite). And at the end of the night, kids across the country count, sort, and trade their candy haul. Many are excited about the chocolatey treats they received, while others are in it for the sour or fruity goodies. What do you think? Is chocolate the best Halloween candy? Yes—it has everything a candy needs Chocolate is the classic Halloween candy. In a poll of children ages 8 to 14, nine of their…

Grace, 12, Texas Stephanie Hylinski Zookeeper, Potawatomi Zoo There are many kinds of rabbits. In the wild, there are 29 species of rabbit around the world. Most are brown and have short fur. There are 49 recognized breeds of domestic (pet) rabbit in the US alone and an unknown number worldwide. They come in many different colors and fur lengths! Do you have a question for a zookeeper? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, at potawatomizoo.org.…

Scientists in Zimbabwe have discovered the bones of the oldest dinosaur ever found in Africa. Mbiresaurus raathi, which lived more than 230 million years ago, was first uncovered on an expedition to the Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe in 2017. Christopher Griffin, who led the expedition, said he found a femur (thigh bone) sticking out of the ground, so he dug around it and noticed a hip bone. “I kept digging, got more of the team to help out, and we recovered nearly the entire skeleton,” Griffin said. The skeleton is almost complete and is only missing part of its skull and some of one hand. This has allowed scientists to learn about the dinosaur and the life it lived beside an ancient river. The dinosaur was a type of sauropodomorph,…

Author Chris Colfer is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his best-selling book series The Land of Stories. The books follow twins who go to a magical land filled with fairy tale characters. The Week Junior’s Junior Council member Poppy, 10, spoke to Colfer about his journey as an author and a new, special illustrated edition of his first book, The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell As a child, what were your favorite stories and how did they inspire your books? I had a very hard time reading because I was dyslexic. [Dyslexia is a learning disability that makes it more challenging to read and spell.] I had to focus really hard. Books like the Harry Potter series and The Chronicles of Narnia series captivated my attention and made it…

Trombone Champ is a unique new music rhythm game for the PC. It is similar to the hits Guitar Hero and Rock Band, where gamers play an instrument by following scrolling “notes” on a screen. Since its release last month, Trombone Champ has gone viral on social media thanks to players posting videos of their performances online. A trombone is a brass instrument made of tubes bent into an S shape. To play one, a trombonist (not “tromboner,” a term in the game) blows air into the mouthpiece while sliding a tube to make it longer or shorter, changing the notes. Trombone Champ creator Dan Vecchitto said he came up with the idea for the game because he thought it would be funny to see someone play a rubber trombone…

Growing up, were you like Ravani in any way? Sometimes I was very much like Ravani when I was a child. I was quiet and introverted, and my family moved around a lot. So I was the new kid in school, and I would feel friendless and lonely. What’s one writing tip that has helped you? Don’t worry about a story being good. Have fun writing. If you like how the story is coming out, then you can work on making it good. What was your favorite book as a child? Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. It’s just a classic. What do you enjoy most about fall? Taking a fall hike. We have really beautiful falls after having had hot summers. Favorite thing to cook? Tacos—everyone likes them.…

Inspect the outside. A fresh pumpkin should feel solid to the touch. Pumpkins that have soft or sunken spots may already be starting to decay. Try to avoid pumpkins that have cracks on the skin, too. Assess the stem. The pumpkin’s stem is a good indicator of freshness. Look for a pumpkin that has a firm and bright green stem. A dry, shriveled stem could mean the pumpkin was picked a while ago. Check for color. If you choose a traditional orange pumpkin, look for one that’s a deep shade of orange. The color should be mostly the same all over the vegetable, which shows it was picked at peak ripeness. Carry it with care. After selecting your pumpkin, hold your pumpkin at its base with your arms. Avoid carrying…

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 Object with six square sides 3 Spirits in a haunted house 8 Common response to the question “What’s new?” 9 What a plus sign instructs you to do 10 “Button your ____” (phrase that means “Don’t say anything”) 12 Witch’s harsh laugh 15 Relative who is the child of an aunt or uncle 16 Opposite of peace 18 It fills a balloon or your lungs 19 Dangerous weather event sometimes called a twister 21 Devils 22 Structures built by spiders DOWN 1 You might light one during a blackout or put one in a jack-o’-lantern 2 Cave-dwelling flying mammal…

SMASHING A RECORD New York farmer Scott Andrusz and his sons squashed the competition in a pumpkin weigh-off. Their 2,554-pound entry broke records for heaviest pumpkin in the state and in all of North America. Andrusz said the win felt “incredible.” A HAPPY SIGHT Drivers on a stretch of highway 18 in northwest Oregon are being greeted by a hillside with a gigantic grin. Two local men created the nearly 300-foot-wide face in 2011 by planting larch trees—which turn yellow each fall—among fir, cedar, and hemlock trees, which stay green. FINDING AN OLD FRIEND After going missing nine years ago in central California, a cat named Harriet was found on a road in Idaho, more than 1,000 miles away. Rescuers tracked down her owner using Harriet’s microchip. The amazed owner,…

Robert Costa first became interested in political reporting in his high school newsroom, located in the basement. It was the year 2000, and Costa was the editor of his school paper, covering the Presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore. Today, Costa covers politics from the CBS newsroom as the network’s chief election and campaign correspondent. Costa, age 36, grew up in Pennsylvania. As a teen he worked for a local newspaper, interviewing rock bands in the Philadelphia area and a member of Congress about the Iraq War. Costa earned a degree in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame and then a master’s degree in politics from Cambridge University, in England. He went on to write for top newspapers such as The Washington Post. In describing…

Leopard seals are one of the top predators in Antarctica, yet little has been known about them until recently. The animals have been difficult to research because of their remote location—the most southern point on Earth—and their solitary nature. Now, though, a team of scientists led by Sarah Kienle of Baylor University has put together the first study comprehensively describing leopard seals’ behaviors and physical characteristics. The results show that leopard seals could be well suited to adjust to changes in their environment. Kienle and her team spent two years studying 22 leopard seals off the Western Antarctic Peninsula. They weighed and measured the seals and used trackers to monitor their movements. The researchers found that female leopard seals are 1.5 times the size of male seals. It is unusual…

Blue whales A major shipping company has changed its routes in the Indian Ocean, near the coast of Sri Lanka, to avoid an area where blue whales gather year-round. Collisions with shipping vessels are a threat to blue whales worldwide. Tricolored bats Tricolored bats are at a high risk of disappearing from the wild. The biggest reason for the species’ decline is white-nose syndrome, a type of white fungus that grows on a bat’s nose and wings. It has killed millions of US bats.…

Every October, people wear costumes—from silly to spine-tingling—to celebrate Halloween. Step back in time to see how this creative custom began. Earliest Halloween costumes The origins of Halloween go back about 2,000 years to the Celts, a collection of tribes across Europe. They celebrated a festival called Samhain (pronounced SOW-in) on October 31, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that the barrier between the living and the dead overlapped on Samhain, and they dressed as ghosts and witches to keep away spirits. In the 11th century, Christians adopted the holiday and named it All Hallows’ Eve. Costumes catch on in the US In the 1840s, as Europeans immigrated to the US, they brought the All Hallows’ Eve costume tradition with them.…

A group of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Japan are testing out smart glasses that could help with emergency medical care. The Vuzix M400 smart glasses enable EMTs to video chat with doctors, who can observe patients while they’re being taken to the hospital. This could help doctors and other health care professionals save valuable time in urgent medical situations. They can recommend treatment options that EMTs can provide while in transit and prepare additional treatment options at the hospital before patients arrive.…

The first two games of the new National Hockey League (NHL) season were played on October 7 and 8 between the Nashville Predators and the San Jose Sharks at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic. The games were part of the NHL Global Series, which are international regular season games. There had not been any since 2019. The games boost the NHL’s profile abroad and give the league’s European players a chance to play closer to their hometowns. The Predators won the first game, 4–1, and the second game, 3–2. In the first game, Predators left wing Kiefer Sherwood opened the scoring one minute into play. Less than 10 minutes later, Sharks forward Tomas Hertl, who is from Prague, evened the score at 1–1. Just over a minute into…

Back in March, the flagship building of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, closed for renovations. On October 14, the museum’s West End reopened to visitors. It is filled with eight new and updated galleries. The Air and Space Museum contains artifacts related to aviation and space exploration. Major objects on display include the Wright Flyer (the first successful powered airplane with a pilot) and the Apollo 11 command module, Columbia, which carried the Apollo 11 astronauts to the Moon and back. Jeremy Kinney, the museum’s head curator (person who selects objects), told The Week Junior that the museum is now “a much more vibrant place” and said the new exhibition spaces are very interactive. Among the open exhibitions are Early Flight, Destination Moon, and a…

The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022) Netflix This new Halloween movie blends comedy with light horror. It follows Emily and Howard Gordon and their 14-year-old daughter Sydney, who have just moved from Brooklyn, New York, to the small town of Bridge Hollow. The town goes all out for Halloween, which is bad news for Howard, who doesn’t like the holiday. Sydney, however, loves it, and she is excited when she learns that their new house may be haunted by a witch named Madam Hawthorne. While searching for the ghost, Sydney finds an old lantern and lights it. She accidentally activates a curse that allows an evil spirit to bring spooky Halloween decorations to life. She enlists her dad for help, but he’ll need to get over his issues. Can the…

(Henry Holt and Company) It’s the middle of the night, when Ravani looks out his window. He sees several children with suitcases get out of a truck and go to the house across the street. One child stays on the sidewalk, and Ravani can tell she’s crying. The next day, Ravani leaves a present on the doorstep for the girl, who is named Virginia. Ravani, who has never had a friend and is bullied by kids, becomes friends with Virginia. She has a way of knowing what Ravani is feeling inside. Virginia entrusts Ravani with a family secret. If it’s exposed, her family will have to move again. Ravani keeps his word, but the secret comes out. He hatches a plan to avoid losing his only friend. Like the author’s…

Spooky Sleuths: The Ghost Tree By Natasha Deen, illustrated by Lissy Marlin (Random House Books for Young Readers) In this first book of a new series of ghost stories, an evil tree takes control of Asim’s teacher. Will he and his friends be able to save the teacher—and their town? The book contains many eerie illustrations. Ages 7–10 1-2-3 Scream! By R.U. Ginns, illustrated by J. Espila (Delacorte Press) This collection of short stories is both silly and scary. One is about a girl who ages in dog years. Other stories feature an evil bobblehead and a killer candy machine. The book would be fun to read aloud at a campfire or sleepover. The humor may remind you of Roald Dahl’s stories. Ages 8 and up The Glass Witch By…

Residents of Iceland’s Westman Islands have an uncommon tradition: puffin tossing. And it’s helping to save a species. Baby puffins, called pufflings, are born on land and rely on their instincts to follow the moonlight to sea. However, lights from a nearby town can confuse them. So a puffin patrol helps redirect them to their destination. Adults and children walk around looking for lost pufflings, then gently toss the birds off a cliff into the ocean. One rescuer said that, for the locals, “it’s as normal to do as recycling cans.”…

In October 2020, we published a Big Debate that asked a key question about a controversial Halloween treat: “Is candy corn yum or yuck?” We couldn’t wait to see how our readers would vote. When we tallied the results, we discovered that candy corn is a hit: 72% said yum vs. 28% for yuck. In this issue’s debate, we pose another crucial query: “Is chocolate the best Halloween candy?” (p8). What do you think? I hope you’ll read both sides of the debate and cast your vote at theweekjunior.com/polls. I also hope you’ll enjoy the rest of this issue’s Halloween content, marked with our “Boo! 2022” icon. We have a special feature on costumes (p12), a list of spooky books (p23), and two pages of festive activities (p24-25), including a…

Teacher’s Name: Mrs. Gaines School: Southport 6th Grade Academy “Mrs. Gaines is always showing us fun connections to our math. She is a super-fun teacher to have, and she made going into sixth grade super fun. She has her own fitness club for girls, which is awesome. She is super organized and helps you be organized. She’s one of the best teachers I’ve had!” Sadie, 11, Indiana 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 People in Iceland’s Westman Islands have a tradition of tossing what birds? a) Ducks b) Loons c) Puffins a ◻ b ◻ c ◻ 2 New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge broke a home run record that was set in what year? 3 The European Union will require all small devices to have what same component? a) Screen b) Headphones c) Charging port a ◻ b ◻ c ◻ 4 True or false? Leopard seal females are bigger than males. True ◻ False ◻ 5 The 2023 Super Bowl halftime show will be Rihanna’s first onstage performance since what year? a) 2021 b)2020 c) 2018 a ◻ b ◻ c ◻ 6 The oldest dinosaur fossil ever found in Africa was discovered in what country? 7 What brass instrument…

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! Save 66% Order online at theweekjunior.com/pumpkin or scan to subscribe…