Innehållsförteckning för Issue 135 från The Week Junior US

When The Week Junior went to press on November 8, millions of Americans were casting their ballots in the midterm elections. Millions of others had voted in the days leading up to Election Day. A midterm is the election held halfway through a President’s four-year term. Hundreds of federal, state, and local races were on the ballot, and their outcome will play an important part in shaping the nation’s future. What is happening? Americans went to the polls to decide who should hold positions in Congress (branch of government that makes laws) and many other key offices. Candidates have been campaigning hard for months, and many races across the US were extremely close going into Election Day. That means a small number of votes could put one candidate ahead of…

When Madhur Jaffrey was growing up in Delhi, India, she wanted to be an actress. She caught the acting bug at age 5, when she played a mouse in a school play, and later grew up to star in theater, on television, and in movies. But Jaffrey also had a love for cooking. When she was an adult, she moved to London, UK, and cooked Indian dishes as a way to feel less homesick. It inspired a best-selling cookbook, An Invitation to Indian Cooking, which brought classic Indian food, from chutneys to butter chicken, to thousands of Western readers. More cookbooks followed, as well as a hit British TV show titled Madhur Jaffrey’s Indian Cookery. Jaffrey reached wide audiences with a simple culinary style with lots of flavor. (She has…

A project to dig more ponds in a part of Switzerland has caused a big increase in the number of amphibians (animals that live both in water and on land). The project, which took place over 20 years, boosted the populations of more than half of the endangered species of frogs, toads, and newts. Amphibians all over the world have been in trouble for years because of habitat destruction, disease, and invasive species (species that come from somewhere else and take over). In Aargau in Switzerland, amphibians couldn’t live in some of the area’s ponds because they were too small and had too many predators. European tree frogs like a very particular type of habitat: shallow ponds created by winding rivers. They also like to travel, jumping from pond-side shrubs…

Sea otters Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium has taken in two rescued female southern sea otters. The aquarium will raise them to be foster mothers for sea otter orphans. The moms will teach baby otters life skills that will help them return to the wild. Mountain lions California wildfires have caused mountain lions to take more risks crossing busy roads, putting their lives in danger, a study has found. After a large fire in 2018, lions increased road crossings from three to five times, on average, per month.…

Held every four years, the FIFA World Cup is the biggest tournament in men’s international soccer. This year, 32 countries will compete in Qatar from November 20 to December 18. Find out how the event began and which teams to watch. History of the World Cup Soccer became an Olympic sport in 1900, but since the Olympics featured only amateur athletes, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the global governing body for soccer, created its own championship for professionals. The first World Cup in 1930 featured 13 teams and was held in Uruguay, which also won and was honored with a gold medal. From 1958 through 1970, Brazil, led by superstar Pelé, won three World Cups. In 1986, Diego Maradona scored the greatest goal in World Cup history while…

Engineers have designed the first high-speed, all-electric passenger ferry. The EF-24, nicknamed Zero, uses a “foiling” system with underwater wings to push it up and out of the water. This makes it appear to fly over the surface and creates a smoother ride for passengers. The ferry is designed to reduce air pollution, congestion, and even noise. It can hold up to 150 passengers and reach 38 knots, which is about 44 miles per hour. Zero is also cheaper to operate than traditional ferries. It is set to begin running in Northern Ireland in 2024.…

The US women’s gymnastics team made history in Liverpool, England, on November 1. That day, they won a record-breaking sixth consecutive team gold at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. They proved their strength and talent even without superstars Suni Lee and Simone Biles participating. The members of the US team were Tokyo Olympic medalists Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey, along with Leanne Wong, Shilese Jones, and Skye Blakely. They beat Great Britain, who won silver, by more than three points. Canada took bronze. All three countries qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Because of the war in Ukraine, Russia was not allowed to have a team at the meet. On November 3, Jones and Carey competed in the all-around competition. The favorite to win was Rebeca Andrade of Brazil, the…

Sir Elton John, a legendary British singer and composer, is ending his final North American tour and giving people across the world a chance to watch his last US concert from home. On November 20, Disney+ will live-stream Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium from Los Angeles, California. The special event will remain on the platform after the premiere. John, age 75, is well known for catchy pop and rock songs and his flashy style. Over more than 50 years, he has released 31 studio albums, sold more than 300 million records worldwide, and won five Grammys (top music award). He recently had a number one hit, “Cold Heart,” with pop star Dua Lipa. John credits much of his success to his longtime songwriting collaborator, Bernie Taupin. The singer…

Wadjda (2013) Available to rent or buy on all major platforms This was the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia. It was directed by that country’s first female filmmaker and follows 10-year-old Wadjda, a girl from Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. She attends a strict Islamic school, where she must wear a long robe and a headscarf. She really wants a bike so she can race a boy in her neighborhood, but girls are not allowed to ride bikes where she lives. Still, Wadjda has her heart set on a green one from a local shop and she finds ways to make money so she can buy it. She sells bracelets, runs errands, and enters a school competition. Her parents, meanwhile, are feeling pressure from their family…

(Quill Tree Books) MomDoc, a veterinarian, rescues a three-legged dog from an animal shelter. She names him MahDi, which means “good dog.” MahDi and MomDoc help out at the shelter, and they have a knack for matching dogs and owners together. When the shelter’s manager becomes ill, his replacement, Huck, doesn’t take good care of the animals. The situation gets worse when MomDoc is out of town. MahDi embarks on a mission to free the animals and find them new homes. This suspenseful book is told mostly from the perspective of MahDi, who talks to the other animals. One of the best chapters is a flashback that explains how MahDi lost his leg. The author’s note describes the real-life rescue dogs that inspired this story.…

Michaels Desserts: Sweets for a Cause By Michael C. Platt (Get Creative 6) This book was written by the 16-year-old founder of a baking business that helps children in need. You’ll find recipes for cupcakes, tarts, and more. Apple hand pies or sweet potato pie cupcakes would be perfect for Thanksgiving. Ages 8 and up Kids Can Cook Anything! By America’s Test Kitchen Kids (America’s Test Kitchen) More than 15,000 young cooks tested this book’s recipes. Flip to the chapter on side dishes to find fall recipes, such as Roasted Carrots and Chive Biscuits. There are also some dishes you could make using Thanksgiving leftovers. Ages 8 and up Super Good Cookies for Kids By Duff Goldman (HarperCollins) Cookies aren’t a common Thanksgiving dessert, but they could become a tradition…

What you need Grapes, berries, candy corn, dried mango or apricot, and almond slivers, for the various features Toothpicks Apples or clementines, for the body Nonpareil sprinkles, poppy seeds, black sesame seeds, or a black food coloring marker (for eyes) Paring knife (optional) Instructions 1. Choose a piece of fruit or candy to be tbe turkey’s head. Push the blunt end of the toothpick into the head. Attach the head to the turkey’s fruit body (clementine or apple) using the pointed end of the toothpick. Carefully break the toothpick in half if it’s too long. 2. With a toothpick, make two holes in the head for eyes. Choose small black items (see list at left), and press them into each hole to make eyes. You could also draw the eyes…

Students make anti-cheating hats Mary Joy Mandane Ortiz, a professor at an engineering college in the Philippines, challenged her students to make cheating-proof hats to wear during their exams. Her students delivered, coming up with funky headgear that blocked their vision with egg cartons, tubes, bubble wrap, and paper wigs. “I was surprised, because I simply requested [they make] a very simple one, but they made very creative ones,” she said. Ortiz added that cheating had never been an issue in her class, so the challenge was “just for fun.” Garbage is on the menu At a San Francisco restaurant, one person’s trash is another person’s dinner. The restaurant, called Shuggie’s Trash Pie, gets many of its ingredients from farmers who would otherwise throw them away. Every dish has at…

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. As a reader of The Week Junior, you may have opinions about the results of Election Day on November 8 and America’s democratic process. We want to hear them! Download a form at kids.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 did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? A no-bell prize 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 inclusion in the…

Teacher’s Name: Mrs. Smith School: University School “Mrs. Smith is our social studies teacher for seventh and eighth grade and the pre-algebra teacher. She used to be a language arts teacher, and that shows that she really knows her stuff. She teaches me social studies and math and is always cheerful and thinks about people’s feelings. She encourages students to do their best and is understanding. Mrs. Smith is amazing!” Evelyn, 12, Oklahoma 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…

On November 3, Benjamin Netanyahu was elected as Israel’s next prime minister (head of government, similar to a president). He had previously held this office from 1996 to 1999 and from 2009 to 2021 and is the longest-serving prime minister in the country’s history. This is the nation’s fifth election in less than four years. In Israel, the main branch of government that makes laws is the Knesset (which is similar to Congress and means “Assembly” in Hebrew). The Knesset has 120 members. Instead of voting for candidates, citizens vote for parties to the Knesset, and the party that gets the most votes chooses the prime minister. Netanyahu, who is widely known by the nickname Bibi, is the leader of the Likud party. His administration is expected to take a…

Daylight saving time (DST) ended on November 6 at 2 am. In most of the US, clocks were turned back an hour to resume standard time. Lawmakers, sleep experts, educators, and others are debating whether this practice should change. What is happening? All US states except Hawaii and most of Arizona follow DST from March to November and standard time from November to March. This year, the Senate (one half of Congress) passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make DST permanent and end the need to change the time. The bill wasn’t taken up by the House of Representatives (other half of Congress), however, so the official discussion at the federal (national) level ended. What does the research show? Most sleep doctors say standard time is healther for people.…

Yukon, Canada Climbers recover cameras from 1937 A team of mountain explorers has discovered cameras that were abandoned by climbers 85 years ago. In 1937, Bradford Washburn and Robert Bates hit bad weather on Mount Lucania and hiked 100 miles to safety. They left their cameras, which were too heavy to carry. The team studied maps, old photos, and satellite images to find the equipment. Some cameras have film in them, and experts plan to see if they can recover any images. Algiers, Algeria Arab League meets after two years Leaders of the Arab League, a group of countries in the Middle East and North Africa that work together, met for the first time in two years in Algiers (Algeria’s capital). They discussed problems in the region, including rising food…

Spread across 70,000 acres, this nature reserve straddles two states: New Jersey and Pennsylvania. There are 150 miles of scenic trails, passing through beautiful rhododendrons and hemlock trees, and Dingman Falls, one of the most popular waterfalls in the park. The park has 62 campsites along the Delaware River with views of the pristine night sky. History buffs will enjoy visiting Millbrook Village, a former agricultural settlement. While in the park, keep an eye out for black bears, raccoons, wild turkeys, and ruby-throated hummingbirds.…

● LIFE SPAN: About 40 years ● HABITAT: Lakes and lagoons in South America ● SIZE: About 31 to 57 inches long ● DIET: Includes algae, shrimp, and water plants ● FUN FACT: Baby flamingos are gray or white at first before turning pink from the food they eat.…

Brazil, 1970 The bright yellow team jerseys (called kits) worn by Brazil dazzled almost as much as their play when the team won the 1970 World Cup. West Germany, 1990 Lothar Matthuas led West Germany to World Cup glory in Italy in 1990 while wearing this look. The stripe running across the chest later inspired the design of one of Germany’s jerseys for the 2018 World Cup. The US, 1994 The US made quite a style statement for the first World Cup it hosted, with shirts made of denim (the material used to make blue jeans) and decorated with white stars. Some fans loved them; others did not. Nigeria, 2018 Inspired by the team’s 1994 and 1995 jerseys, the Super Eagles’ kit was so popular it sold out before the…

For a long time, scientists have believed the Moon formed slowly, over thousands of years. But new research has found that it may have formed in a matter of hours. Since the 1970s, astronomers (scientists who study stars and objects in space) believed the Moon was created about 4.5 billion years ago after Earth collided with what they think was a planet. The collision would have smashed the planet, which scientists call Theia, into millions of pieces. Those pieces, along with a little bit of material from Earth, could have eventually gathered into a molten sphere that gradually cooled to become the Moon. However, no one is sure exactly how this happened. An international team of researchers simulated collisions between Earth and Theia, with hundreds of variations in the planets’…

On November 5, the Houston Astros won Major League Baseball’s World Series for the second time in six years. They played the Philadelphia Phillies in six thrilling games, with the final one ending in a 4–1 Astros victory at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. Houston is the first team to clinch the World Series on their home field since the Boston Red Sox won at Fenway Park in 2013. The Astros have been a top team in the American League (AL) for the past several years. They won their first World Series in 2017, but an investigation revealed they had been stealing signs between their opponents’ pitchers and catchers, which is cheating. Since then, the team has been trying to repair its image. They ended the 2022 regular season…

Coach’s Name: Nicole Chapman Team: Royalty (U13 girls soccer) “Coach Nikki is the best coach ever! She is helpful and kind, and she always makes you feel like your best is good enough. She never puts anyone down if they miss shots or a pass and she always makes us feel like we are learning. She is the most supportive coach and makes everyone on our team feel good about themselves and their game.”Sienna, 10, Oregon 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.…

Early years The singer was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in the UK. He taught himself to play piano at age 3 and began attending the Royal Academy of Music in London at age 11. Career range John has written original music and lyrics for musicals including The Lion King, Billy Elliot, and the Broadway show Aida. In 1995, he won an Oscar (top film award) for Best Original Song for The Lion King’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” Major honor In 1998, he was awarded a knighthood (highest British civilian honor) from Queen Elizabeth II. It was for his contribution to music and his Elton John AIDS Foundation, a global charity.…

Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous Hidden Adventure (Netflix) This interactive special is set between seasons two and three of the popular series about teens trapped on a dinosaur-filled island. You’ll use your TV remote to make decisions and unlock clues on a quest for food after a big storm. Woodpeckers: The Hole Story (PBS.org) There are 239 species of woodpeckers in the world, and this episode of Nature reveals what makes some of them so special. Find out about acorn woodpeckers making tree holes to store nuts, gila woodpeckers carving nests in the desert over several months, and more. Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars (The CW) World-famous magician Criss Angel hosts this new competition series filled with mind-blowing illusions. Stars such as Corbin Bleu (High School Musical) and Olympic figure…

“I would like to recommend this book series to all the readers. It has four books in the series. The series follows a group of kids who can do extraordinary magic. Each book is told in the voice of one of the main characters. These books show you that even when you’re young, you can do extraordinary things.”Liam, 11, New Jersey Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

A friendsgiving is when friends gather together to show thanks for their friendships. The name is a blend between friends and Thanksgiving. Hosting a friendsgiving can be a wonderful way to celebrate with people you care about. Here’s how to get started. Choose a date A good time to hold this party is either the weekend before or the weekend after Thanksgiving. You’ll want to avoid the actual holiday of Thanksgiving, since most of your attendees will most likely have plans with their family for that Thursday. Ask a parent to help you settle on a date that is best for you to host and when most of your friends are available. Make a menu A friendsgiving meal is similar to a Thanksgiving meal, except it’s more casual. For example,…

When this issue of The Week Junior went to press on November 8 at 6 pm Eastern time, voting in the midterm elections was still taking place across America (p2). Millions of people had cast their ballots for their preferred candidates already, and many more were set to do so in the hours that remained before the polls closed. We will be paying very close attention to the results of the races for the US Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the many additional races at the state and local level, and will have a full report on the results next week. Voting is an important right and a vital part of our democracy, and I’m excited to find out what happens! If you’d like to have a…

“My friends and I had a fun time making the lanterns and cupcake blobs from How To for Halloween.”Theo, 10, California “My goats try to eat The Week Junior because it’s full of delicious news!”Mabel, 8, North Carolina “I made the Halloween lanterns from your last issue and thought you might like to see!”Catherine, 10, Washington…

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 animal would you want your teacher to adopt as a class pet? “A rabbit because it could hop around the classroom.” “An amphibian like a frog or salamander would be cool!” “Probably a lizard, if someone has an allergy. If not, then a bunny.” “A hamster. It is easy to care for and would be a good pet.” In the big debate, we asked: Should people be eating more insects? “People can if they want, but it shouldn’t be forced.” “Although insects have protein, eating them could wipe out a lot of the population.” “No, as it probably sounds disgusting to…

1 Which US city has been named the best for sandwich lovers? a) San Francisco b) Sarasota c) Wilmington a □ b □ c □ 2 A UK dog named Marlo helps his owner chase down lost balls used in which sport? a) Baseball b) Golf c) Soccer a □ b □ c □ 3 Do European tree frogs prefer to live in ponds that are deep or shallow? ———————— 4 True or false? New research found that the Moon formed in a matter of hours. True □ False □ 5 The movie Wadjda is the first feature film to be shot completely in what country? ———————— 6 The Houston Astros are the first baseball team to clinch the World Series at home since which team won in 2013? a)…

A WELCOME ARRIVAL Rhubarb, a rare and colorful Francois’ langur monkey, was born at the St. Louis Zoo in Missouri. The zoo said Rhubarb is the first langur ever born there, calling her arrival “an important birth for this endangered species.” PRIZE-WINNING CHEESES The world’s best cheese was crowned at the 2022 World Cheese Awards held in Wales, UK. On November 2, an international panel of judges sniffed and sampled 4,434 entries from 42 countries. The winner was a Swiss Gruyère, which they described as “a cheese with a lot of taste.” STAYING IN THE GAME The Texas 2 Steps is the latest team to join the Granny Basketball League, a national league for women over age 50. Games are played in 1920s-style bloomers (a type of pants). “You instantly…

When The Week Junior went to press, the US was set to observe Veterans Day. Held each year on November 11, the holiday honors the nearly 20 million people who have served in the US military. Schools and government offices are closed, and parades and celebrations are held. The holiday came about in 1919 to mark the end of World War 1 (1914–1918). It was called Armistice Day because November 11 was when an armistice (truce) was signed.…

Thanksgiving is almost here, which means many families are getting ready to enjoy a tradition that goes back hundreds of years: baking and eating delicious pie. At this time of year, two of the most popular flavors are pumpkin and apple. Both pie fillings typically include spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, but their taste and texture are totally different. Some people insist on the smooth custard of a classic pumpkin pie after a holiday meal. Others prefer chewy chunks of tart and sweet apples for a fall-friendly fruit pie. Which one would you want on your table? Is pumpkin pie better than apple pie? Yes—pumpkin is perfect Pumpkin was one of America’s first crops, and it had a place on the fall table by the early 18th century. Even 300…

Gorillas and chimpanzees may be different primate species, but they can be friends, according to new research. In a forest in the Republic of the Congo, in central Africa, researchers from Washington University studied the animals for 21 years. In that time, they noted 285 interactions between chimps and gorillas—some lasting several hours. The apes spent most of their time eating together, chasing one another, wrestling, and play-fighting. Interactions often occurred when a group of chimpanzees found a good meal and their excited noises attracted a family of gorillas. In 34% of the encounters, the animals proceeded to eat or look for different food together. Some relationships lasted for years, with apes going straight to their friend whenever two groups met. They had disagreements, like any friends, but they rarely…

Sam Ehinger Biologist, Adventure Aquarium Yes! Sharks have excellent hearing, but their ears are much different than ours. Their ears are located inside their heads and rely on vibrations in the water to sense movement. Sound travels faster underwater than on land, and hearing is often the first sense sharks use to detect prey. Do you have a question for a zookeeper? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the Adventure Aquarium in New Jersey at adventureaquarium.com.…

Have you ever seen someone scratch an itch and suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to do the same? Scientists call this experience “contagious itching.” A team from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, studied it in mice and found that the behavior could have evolved to protect them. The same team had previously studied how mice behave when it comes to itching. In 2017, they discovered that an area of a mouse’s brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) responds when they see other mice scratching. In the latest study, the scientists found that the SCN was one part of a brain pathway that is involved with contagious itching. The researchers were surprised to find, however, that the itching response did not include the part of the brain that processes what…

A new TV series is combining science fiction with middle school life. Circuit Breakers is set in a not-too-distant future where kids try using high-tech solutions to deal with relatable issues such as wanting to be better at sports or having divorced parents. The series is now on Apple TV+. Circuit Breakers is an anthology series, which means each episode features its own story and main characters. Almost all of them take place in the same time period and location. The show’s creator, Melody Fox, told The Week Junior she decided to make an anthology series because each episode is like a mini-movie with its own predicament. “You can change the tone a little bit from episode to episode,” she added. Some are mysterious, some are funny, and some are…

Lego Bricktales is a new adventure game that combines puzzle-solving and building. It was recently released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation platforms, Xbox systems, and PC. In recent years, Lego characters have starred in animated films and video games, such as the Lego Star Wars franchise. Lego Bricktales, however, is an original video game with new characters. In the game, you play as a Lego minifig kid who has to help his wacky grandfather revive his struggling theme park. The park is powered by happiness crystals, which are produced by helping a person solve a problem. The grandfather doesn’t have crystals, but he does have a teleportation machine. The grandson and his robot, Rusty, use it to travel to different biomes (environments) to assist people. Lego fans will recognize many…

What inspired you to write this book? I have had one rescue dog after another. And every one of them has a different story. I’ve always been passionate about caring for animals in shelters. How did you write from a dog’s point of view? It was super hard. I piled dogs around me while I was writing. There’s a fine line between what a dog does or doesn’t know. Does a dog know what an elbow is? I had to determine what a dog would understand and translate that to the page. What animal would you most want to be? A dog. I know it’s not a very creative answer, but they are so easy to love. Starting Wordle word? I think I’m the only person on the planet to…

Remember special events Keep a calendar with your friends’ birthdays on it. When you see a birthday coming up, think of something special to do for them, such as making a card or buying them their favorite snack. Get together If you often spend time with friends in a larger group, making a plan with just one of them can be a great way to get to know them better. You could meet at your home or a park. Be supportive An important part of being a good friend is supporting each other. If they are playing a solo in a concert, try to attend. If a family pet died, ask them how they’re doing or if they want to talk about their emotions. Tell them how you feel You…

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 Like 2, 4, 6, or 2022 3 Word on many packages of peanuts 8 ____ events (things happening now) 9 Line of auditorium seats 10 Thief who might steal things out of your coat 13 Voice amplifier 17 One of the bones that form the “cage” around your heart and lungs 18 Obtain the newer, better version of a device 20 Animal that represents Thanksgiving 21 Word from a clerk who has finished helping one customer DOWN 1 Break out of confinement 2 Part of the body that rhymes with what it can do 4 High space in a…

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