Innehållsförteckning för Issue 149 från The Week Junior US

As the world prepared to mark one year since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, to affirm America’s ongoing support. The visit came days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged world leaders to speed up their assistance as a new phase of the war approaches. What is the war about? The war is the largest in Europe since World War II (1939–1945). Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion because he believes Ukraine is part of Russia, not an independent country. Both nations were part of the Soviet Union (a group of 15 countries run by Russia) from 1922 to 1991. As the Soviet Union collapsed, Ukraine declared its independence. Putin has said that the two nations…

NAMING A NEW SPECIES Scientists in Ecuador named a new species of stream frog after JRR Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The research team said the frog, Hyloscirtus tolkieni, reminded them of creatures from Tolkien’s “universe of fantasies.” GOING MEATLESS A vegetarian version of McDonald’s chicken McNuggets is now available in Germany. The company’s 1,400 restaurants in that country will offer McPlant Nuggets made of peas, corn, and wheat. Diners there can also order a McPlant Burger. Neither option is available in the US. A FEAT OF ENDURANCE A UK woman set a record in an annual boat race across the Atlantic Ocean. Miriam Payne, age 23, rowed 3,000 miles from Spain to the Caribbean in 59 days, 16 hours, and 36 minutes—the fastest…

Ottawa, Canada World’s largest ice rink may not open The largest ice rink in the world is in danger of remaining closed for the winter for the first time in 50 years due to warm weather. Ottawa’s Rideau Canal Skateway is 4.8 miles long and winds through the city. In recent years it has attracted an average of 22,000 people a day during winter. It needs two weeks of very cold temperatures to freeze, and Ottawa is having its third warmest winter on record. Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico Ancient homes discovered Researchers have discovered structures in the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza that they believe were homes for the city’s wealthiest people. The city was founded in the 5th century, and the structures include an entrance arch and two houses…

Scientists have known for a long time that humans and other apes, such as gorillas and chimpanzees, have many physical similarities. New research shows that we may also share a language—because we use the same physical gestures (signs) to communicate. Researchers already knew that great apes (a family of apes that are very closely related to humans, including bonobos, chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas) use more than 80 gestures to communicate with each other. Scratching their chests is a way to say “groom me” to another ape, while pointing their fingers down beside them means “come here.” The apes might also ask for food from each other by cupping a hand under another ape’s chin. To test whether humans can understand these gestures, scientists from the University of St Andrews in…

Fender’s blue butterfly The Fender’s blue butterfly, a species found only in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, is no longer considered endangered by the US government. The population has recovered, rising from fewer than 4,000 butterflies in 2000 to about 29,000 in 2016. Polar bears Scientists are concerned that global warming could lead to an increase in potentially dangerous encounters between polar bears and humans, The Washington Post reported. As sea ice melts, polar bears spend more time on land, near people.…

Holi is an ancient festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists in India, Nepal, and other countries around the world. This year Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, will be observed on March 7 and March 8. The history of Holi Holi (pronounced HOE-lee) has been celebrated in India since at least the 4th century. There are several Hindu legends about the holiday’s origins. One of the most popular involves the legend of a demon king, Hiranyakashipu. The god Lord Vishnu, in the form of his ferocious half-lion avatar Narasimha, kills the king. This symbolizes the triumph of good over evil that is celebrated during Holi. Holi also marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. How Holi is celebrated Holi is observed on…

A widely used 3D digital platform that teaches human anatomy to healthcare providers will now include racially diverse models. Elsevier, the company that created the program, said its goal is to tackle racial bias in healthcare. Called Complete Anatomy, the platform currently has more than 3.4 million active users. It will feature “the most expansive set of skin tone selections ever available in global health education,” Elsevier said. For decades, medical instructional materials almost exclusively featured white bodies. In 2018, a study found that fewer than 5% of pictures in general medical books or instructional websites included people with darker skin tones. Studies have shown that this can mean illnesses don’t get correctly diagnosed as often, or as quickly, in patients with darker skin. A broader representation of people will…

From February 16 to February 22, US Soccer hosted the eighth annual SheBelieves Cup in Florida, Texas, and Tennessee. The US Women’s National Team (USWNT) competed in the four-team tournament against Brazil, Japan, and Canada. All four teams are ranked in the top 11 in the world. The US is number one. The SheBelieves Cup is part of US Soccer’s initiative to inspire and empower women and girls. This year, it also served as a way for teams to prepare for the World Cup, which begins in July. The US, Canada, Brazil, and Japan have all qualified for the competition. In the SheBelieves Cup, each team plays one match against every other team. The winner of a match earns three points. If a match ends in a tie, each team…

Coach’s Name: Terry Marino Team: Yucaipa Mountain Bike Team “Coach Marino is very passionate about mountain biking and coaching us to be the best we can be. He encourages us to not only try our best but to treat others respectfully and kindly instead of just being competitive. At a race, he waits at the finish line until everyone has completed it. He wants us to enjoy learning and building ourselves as a team so we can succeed together. Our main mottos are #werideasone and #character>speed.” Paige, 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.…

Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl (Disney+) Last December, the cast of Encanto was filmed as they reunited for a concert event at the Hollywood Bowl, a famous open-air theater in Los Angeles, California. The performance features the film’s hit songs, an 80-person orchestra, 50 dancers, special effects, and more. Ruthless: Monopoly’s Secret History (PBS.org) Learn the story behind one of the world’s most popular games. This new documentary delves into the mystery behind who invented Monopoly and explains how the game reflects America’s economic system, which is based on private ownership of property and accumulating wealth. Oddballs (Netflix) This comedy series follows James, a bubble-shaped boy who is always ranting about what annoys him. In season two, he once again tries to fix the world along with his best friends…

Did you love folktales? Yes, but growing up as a fourth-generation Chinese American, I knew mostly Western fairy tales. I didn’t read many Asian ones until I became a parent. Why did you feature a broom in the book? In traditional Chinese culture, there are superstitions about brooms, and they should only be used for sweeping. I thought a broom would make a good place for hiding magic. What’s the best advice you have ever received? Don’t give up. My dad always told me that, and he’s right. Also, my advice to young writers is to take walks. It’s good for your body, and moving your feet helps move the gears in your mind. If you could open a store, what would it be? A cozy bookstore that serves boba…

Indoor rock climbing is a sport that’s growing in popularity every year, with approximately 6 million people in the US now participating. This adventurous activity involves ascending an imitation rock wall while secured in a harness and attached to a rope. It’s a great way to build strength, coordination, mental focus, and problem-solving skills. And because it’s an indoor sport, you can do it any time of year. Here’s how to get started. Understand the basics Indoor rock climbing is typically done at a special rock climbing gym, though some local recreation centers and schools also have climbing programs. You’ll climb up and across an imitation rock wall. Climbing walls may be between 30 and 60 feet high, with hand grips and footholds all the way up. You climb while…

BUILD A ZERO WASTE KIT Avoiding the use of single-use plastics like straws and takeout containers helps protect the environment and keep items out of landfills. This is easy to do at home, when you have access to all your kitchen items, but harder when you’re out with your family or eating at a restaurant. One way to prepare for these situations is to keep a zero waste kit in your family’s car. Grab a small box or tote bag and fill it with metal straws, cloth napkins, reusable flatware, and a food container with a lid. This way, if you get a to-go drink or take home leftovers from a restaurant, you have your own reusable straws and containers instead of the disposable plastic ones offered to you.…

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Miele School: Arizona School for the Arts “Ms. Miele is the best. My school had a lockdown, and she handled it calmly and helped everyone feel better. She always explains science problems in a way that everyone can understand. She is the best 6th grade teacher. She always makes sure that all her students are taken care of.” Rose, 12, Arizona 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 What name won this year’s Name a Snowplow contest in Minnesota? a) “Yer a Blizzard, Harry” b) “Blizzo” c) “Han Snowlo” a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 2 A recent survey showed that Japan consists of about how many islands? 3 What do great apes mean when they point their fingers down by their sides? a) “Sitdown” b) “Comehere” c) “Groomme” a ☐ b ☐ 4 True or false? In the video game Kerbal Space Program 2, players can visit galaxies outside Kerbin’s solar system. True ☐ False ☐ 5 NASCAR’s Daytona 500 race is also known as what? a) All-Star Race b) Great American Race c) Greatest Race on Wheels a ☐ b ☐ 6 True or false? The majority of Americans prefer electronic books to print books.…

For the first time, global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) topped more than $1 trillion. This number includes all EV sales since the cars became available about 10 years ago. According to a new report by BloombergNEF (a global research firm), EV sales rose by 53% from 2021 to 2022. EVs have grown in popularity in recent years as the cost of the vehicles has dropped and more charging stations have been built. Other reasons for the increase in sales include the higher cost of gas, which EVs don’t use, and concerns about the environment. Unlike gas-powered cars, EVs don’t burn fossil fuels, which emit harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Although the EV market is growing, it is still a small percentage of the overall automobile market. By the…

Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, a town of about 4,700 people near the Pennsylvania border, are calling for protection after a freight train derailed there, leading to the release of large quantities of chemicals into the water, air, and soil. What happened? On February 3, a 150-car train loaded with toxic chemicals and flammable materials went off the tracks in East Palestine. Thirty-eight of the train cars derailed, starting a massive fire that damaged 12 other cars and blanketed the town in smoke. The train, operated by Norfolk Southern, was traveling from Illinois to Pennsylvania when a wheel bearing (a set of steel balls that help wheels spin) overheated. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. No one was injured. What was the damage? About 1,500 to 2,000 people were…

Dr. Seuss once wrote, “You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book!” Back then, of course, he meant a book printed on paper, but today that’s not the only way to read one. People can choose to read a traditional hardcover or paperback, or they can read a digital version on a tablet, e-reader device, or computer. No matter what format people prefer, they still need to pay to buy books or sign up to “borrow” them from the library. Many people say e-books are convenient and easy to carry, but others like the feel of a physical book. What do you think? Are e-books better than real books? Yes—they can easily go anywhere If you like to take a book…

This collection of 34 islands and peninsulas stretches from downtown Boston into the Atlantic Ocean. It is a national and state park, featuring rocky shores, hiking trails, and a 274-acre conservation area called World’s End, designed by the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Visitors can see jellyfish drifting near the docks, lobsters underwater, hawks soaring above, and colorful birds flitting among the trees—including bright blue-green tree swallows, red-winged blackbirds, and the American goldfinch. The park also attracts nearly 1,000 shorebirds.…

Smalleye stingrays Scientists have tagged 11 wild smalleye stingrays to learn about their behavior and movement. It’s the first time smalleyes—the ocean’s largest stingray—have been tagged. The new data may guide future efforts to conserve the rare species. ● LIFE SPAN: Estimated to be at least 15 years ● HABITAT: In the Indian and Pacific Oceans ● SIZE: Up to 10 feet long ● DIET: Likely worms, crustaceans, and small fish ● FUN FACT: Each smalleye stingray has a unique pattern of white spots on the top of its body.…

Scientists in Europe have discovered that the world’s largest flower fossil encased in amber is a different species of plant than it was previously believed to be. The team said their discovery provides further evidence of how different Europe’s climate was millions of years ago. Amber was formed when a sticky substance called tree resin oozed out of trees and hardened. Plants and animals could get trapped in the resin and be preserved in the amber as fossils (impressions or traces of ancient plants and animals). This particular fossil is about an inch long, which is about three times bigger than the next largest plant fossils in amber that have been found. Believed to be 34 to 38 million years old, it was discovered about 150 years ago in what…

Two museum exhibitions are making links between the art world and the computer and digital worlds. Coded: Art Enters the Computer Age, 1952–1982 recently opened at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in California, and Never Alone: Video Games and Other Interactive Design is being shown at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. The LACMA exhibition focuses on the way computers changed the way people make art. It covers a time period when most computers were mainframes (giant machines that filled rooms). They were not designed to make art, but innovative artists saw them as tools to help expand their visions, Leslie Jones, a curator (person who selects art) at LACMA, told The Week Junior. To make a work of art, an artist would…

Kerbal Space Program 2 is a new space flight simulation game. An early edition of the game is out now for the PC. After players give feedback to the game’s developers, an updated version will be released for Xbox systems and PlayStation platforms at a later date. Versions of the first Kerbal Space Program came out in 2011 and 2015. The game is rooted in rocket science and physics (the science of energy and matter) and was a big hit. The sequel, which fans have been waiting for since 2019, has better graphics and design and an expanded gameplay and story. In the new game, like the original, you run a space program on the planet Kerbin. It is populated by Kerbals, friendly green aliens who are the astronauts and…

“In this story, a young girl detective, Friday Barnes, wins $50,000 for solving a bank robbery. She decides to use the money to invest in her education by sending herself to an elite boarding school. Once she is there, she discovers that it’s a hotbed of crime! I love this book because it’s both mysterious and funny, and I can’t put it down.” Nisha, 10, New York Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Surfing This sport increases confidence and endurance as you stand on the board and ride ocean waves to shore. Many coastal vacation areas offer lessons for kids. Mountain biking Riding a mountain bike on dirt trails through the woods is an exhilarating experience. See if there’s a park in your area with easy dirt bike trails to try. If you like it, do another lap and work up to more technical trails. Parkour The goal of parkour is to get through an obstacle course as fast as you can. Expect to run, climb, and jump over obstacles to get to the finish. Ninja obstacle courses Similar to the TV show American Ninja Warrior, this athletic challenge can be found at gyms that offer obstacle courses. You might have a chance…

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 Occupation that involves pounding heated iron to make things like horseshoes 8 Opponent you try to defeat 9 Where a watch is worn 10 Dinosaur “bones” in a museum display are actually these 12 Space between two front teeth 14 Ocean 16 Quartz, potassium, or the answer to 3-Down, for example 18 Common playground equipment 20 Subject chosen to write or talk about 2 1 ___ party (gathering where guests wear fancy costumes and face coverings) DOWN 2 One of the four words some say while pulling petals off a daisy 3 Milk and other dairy products provide this…

Have you read any books you’ve enjoyed so much you wish all kids knew about them? Contribute to our 50 Books Kids Love Most list for 2023! The reading list, with quotes from readers, will be published in The Week Junior in June. We’re looking for at least 100 kids to fill out our voting form. If you’d like to vote, have an adult email us at hello@theweekjunior.com with Books Kids Love in the subject line, and we’ll send the form to you. Happy reading!…

When Bobbi Wilson, a 9-year-old from Caldwell, New Jersey, learned that spotted lanternflies in her area were damaging trees, she decided to do something about it. The insects, an extremely harmful species that feed on fruit crops and trees, have infested New Jersey trees so much in recent years that officials have asked citizens to kill them on first sight. To help, Wilson created a homemade repellent that would allow her to kill and collect the insects. After a wrongful incident drew national attention to Wilson and her project, the 27 lanternflies she collected became part of Yale University’s database of animal research. Making headlines When Wilson was spraying lanternflies in her neighborhood last fall, a neighbor incorrectly reported Wilson to the police as a suspicious person. The neighbor is…

Around the world, animals and humans have adapted their own ways to keep themselves cool in the heat. New research has revealed that one mammal species in Australia, the echidna (also called the spiny anteater), uses two unusual methods: snot bubbles and belly flops. Echidnas aren’t as good at dealing with heat as other animals. They’re covered in spines that act like a blanket, and they don’t sweat, lick themselves, or pant to cool down. To find out how echidnas were coping with Australia’s hot weather, scientists studied them with infrared cameras, which use colors to show how hot or cold the surface of an object is. The study found that echidnas blow bubbles of snot, which then burst and wet the tips of their snouts. This cools the blood…

Vivaan, 11, North Carolina Shelby Burns Animal Keeper, Smithsonian’s National Zoo Parrots can perfectly imitate the pitch and expression of a person speaking. They can also understand the meaning of a sound and reproduce it to communicate with humans. This process is called “vocal learning.” Some parrots can learn hundreds of words! Do you have a question for a zookeeper? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about Smithsonian’s National Zoo at nationalzoo.si.edu.…

A wearable airbag for cyclists will protect the head, neck, chest, and back in case of an accident. The Stan is worn like a backpack and contains sensors to predict and detect accidents. An airbag deploys within a tenth of a second and wraps around the rider’s head and torso. A French company called In & Motion designed the Stan to appeal to everyday commuters, with space to carry belongings like a laptop and phone. The company’s goal is to reduce the risk of head trauma by 80% compared to cyclists who are wearing a helmet alone.…

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) kicked off its 75th season on February 19 with the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The winner of the competition, known as the Great American Race, was Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Until that day, he had not had a victory in 199 races. In the Daytona 500, drivers race 200 laps around a 21⁄2-mile oval track, meaning that each car drives a total of 500 miles. This year, two late crashes sent the race to double overtime. A record 212 laps and 530 miles were driven in the race, which was the longest Daytona 500 in history. The race featured 40 drivers. The lead changed 52 times, and 21 different drivers were in first place at…

Each year, a new class is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The list of nominees for the class of 2023 is out, and it includes 14 artists including country legend Willie Nelson, the R&B vocal group the Spinners, and electro-pop artist Kate Bush, whose 1985 song “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” was on Netflix’s Stranger Things last year. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame, based in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the biggest achievements in music. The first class was inducted in 1986 and included rock and roll pioneers Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. Many people wonder why the Rock Hall, as it is often called, honors artists who don’t play rock and roll. Chairman John Sykes has said the hall’s selections…

“This single-season show is based on a book series by soccer star Alex Morgan. It’s funny, heartwarming, and inspiring. It’s about Devin, a girl who loves soccer. She is pretty good at it, too. When she and her family move to California, she joins a new soccer team. At first it sounds like they’re really awesome, but it turns out they’re terrible. Devin must turn bullies into friends and conquer her fears to make the team unbeatable. She may even create a few prank wars in the meantime. This show is packed with cliff-hangers, comedy, action, tech-loving little brothers, and more!” Vidya, 12, Virginia Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

By Stacey Lee (Disney Hyperion) On his way home from cooking class, Winston falls off his skateboard. The pie he was holding splatters on two men who planned to rob Mr. Pang’s Shop of Whimsies. The men run away, so the owner allows Winston to select an item from the shop as a reward. The store is packed with unusual objects, like Eggs of Truth and Far-Seeing Eyeballs. Winston ends up taking a broom and a dustpan. He doesn’t think much about them until cherished items begin to go missing at home. It turns out the broom and dustpan are possessed by spirits from Chinese folklore. When Winston’s sister, Coco, vanishes, he has five days to get her back. Weird weather, a flying canoe, and a unicorn piñata all play a…

Ask a Pilot By Justin Kelley (Bushel & Peck Books) In this nonfiction book, the author, who is an airline pilot, answers more than 25 questions kids have asked him about flying. You’ll find out why airplane windows are tiny and what it’s like to be a pilot. The glossary at the end is helpful for any words you don’t recognize. Ages 8–12 Fly Girls (Young Readers’ Edition) By Keith O’Brien (Clarion Books) In the late 1920s, women who flew airplanes were often ridiculed and excluded from opportunities. But Amelia Earhart (1897–1939) and the four other female aviators featured in this nonfiction book fought for the chance to be pilots. Their stories are empowering. Ages 10 and up The Explorer By Katherine Rundell (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) When…

What you need ● A camera (you can use a phone camera) ● Computer and printer ● Tape ● Two different colors of paper, such as scrapbooking or origami paper ● Scissors ● White glue ● Small paintbrush ● Frame Instructions 1. Stand against a blank wall with one shoulder against it so you’re facing toward the side and your profile is visible. (If you have long hair, you might want to wear it in a ponytail or bun so that it doesn’t hide your neck.) Have a friend or family member shoot a photo of the side of your head, including your neck and shoulders. 2. Upload the photo to your computer and print it out in a size slightly smaller than your frame. (Ask for help from an…

The tour operator Antarctica21 is searching for someone to fill a rather unusual position: chief flying penguin officer (CFPO). To mark the 20th anniversary of its first expedition, the company will select one lucky candidate for a free weeklong trip to Antarctica. The CFPO’s only duties will be to explore and “share in our passion for the continent,” the company said. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and answer three questions about penguins. The winner will be chosen in mid-March and travel to the frozen land in December.…

As we were putting this week’s issue together, it was announced that Jimmy Carter, the 39th US President, was nearing the end of his life. At age 98, he has lived longer than any other former President. He was elected in 1976 and served one term before going on to have what has been described as “one of the greatest second acts in American history.” He devoted himself to helping people in need and resolving conflicts around the world — “untiring effort” that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. When this issue shipped to the printer on February 21, tributes were pouring in for Carter and he was receiving compassionate care at his home in Georgia. You can read about him in our story on page 5, and…

“We love the puzzle section. I brought the magazine to our hotel when we traveled. The extra big crossword puzzle was so much fun. I did it by myself!” Elisa, 12, New Jersey “I had to take a break from building a snow fort when the mailman brought The Week Junior!” Lachlan, 12, New York “We loved making the Valentine’s Chex mix from the February 10 issue. It was yummy.” Madelyn, 11, and Sylvie, 9, Maine…

We asked: What is your favorite sport to watch? “Swimming! It’s suspenseful and fun!” “Soccer, because you never know what is going to happen next.” “Basketball. Fun to see people dunk!” “Gymnastics! I love the gymnasts’ ability to flip!” In the big debate, we asked: Is it OK to sell fossils for big bucks? “I think it is OK if you use the money in a good way.” “No, because it should be able to be used for science and research without a price.” “It depends on who you are selling it to, and the circumstances.” “That money could go toward museums or discovery of more fossils.” Now tell us: What is your favorite meatless meal and why?…