Innehållsförteckning för Issue 161 från The Week Junior US

On May 6, the UK monarch, King Charles III, was formally crowned in an elaborate ceremony called a coronation. His wife was crowned Queen Camilla. The grand event was held in Westminster Abbey, a cathedral in London, England, where kings and queens have been crowned since the year 1066. Why was the coronation significant? This is the first coronation to take place in the UK in 70 years. Charles’s mother was crowned Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. When she died in September 2022, Charles became king. The coronation was held to formally recognize him as the monarch of the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) and the Commonwealth (56 nations, including many former British territories). What happened? The Archbishop of Canterbury (top religious leader) led the two-hour ceremony…

HONORING A LEGEND The toy company Mattel has released a new Barbie doll honoring trailblazing actress Anna May Wong during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Wong was Chinese American and a major film and TV star beginning in the 1920s. She was the first Asian American to play the lead role on a TV show. The doll is part of Barbie’s “Inspiring Women” series. ART TO HELP ANIMALS A group of 100 renowned nature photographers have joined forces for the 100 for the Ocean campaign. They are selling prints of their work to raise money for ocean conservation. Art can “give voice to the creatures who depend on the ocean for survival,” said the campaign’s organizers. AN INSPIRING DUET Superstar singer Lizzo performed a surprise flute duet with…

Arezzo province, Italy Historian claims to solve art mystery An Italian historian said he has found the location depicted in the painting Mona Lisa. Silvano Vinceti believes it is a valley near the village of Laterina, in the province of Arezzo. Vinceti’s theory is based on a bridge pictured in the background, which he says is the Roman Romito bridge. Other researchers have said the painting shows different bridges in Italy, but Vinceti claims this one has the correct number of arches. Mexico City, Mexico Turkey gives rescue puppy to Mexico Turkey has given a three-month-old German Shepherd puppy to the Mexican army’s canine unit, which helps locate survivors of natural disasters, like earthquakes. The dog named Arkadas—meaning “friend” in Turkish—is a gesture of appreciation to honor Proteo, a Mexican…

This national preserve was born from a volcanic eruption 1.25 million years ago and the 13-mile depression it created. Today, the park still has many volcanic features such as fumaroles (openings that release steam and volcanic gases) and bubbling mud pots. The forests, streams, and mountain meadows support threatened and endangered species such as the Mexican spotted owl and the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse, as well as elk, mountain lions, and coyotes. The area has a human history dating back 11,000 years and is sacred to many Native American peoples.…

Sumatran elephants The number of human-elephant conflicts in the Indonesian region of Riau is down to zero after a conservation group attached GPS collars on local elephant herds. Volunteers now alert village residents when an elephant is approaching. Colorado checkered whiptails A new study has found that these tiny creatures, which live only in southeastern Colorado, are spending more time eating due to stress. The all-female lizard species is disturbed by the sound of military aircraft from a nearby base.…

Mona Lisa An Italian handyman took Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa from the Louvre in Paris, France, in August 1911. Recovered 28 months later, it hangs in the Louvre today. Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence In 1969, thieves stole this work by the Italian painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio from a museum in Italy. More than 50 years later, nobody knows who took it or what happened to it. The Scream Two versions of this painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch were stolen from separate museums in Oslo, Norway—one in 1994 and another in 2004. Both paintings have been recovered. The Green Vault heist In 2019, thieves stole jewelry, including a diamond-encrusted hat clip, from the Green Vault museum in Germany. The robbers were later arrested, and many…

Children born into households with cats or dogs appear to be less likely to develop food allergies, according to a new study. The research team was led by Hisao Okabe of the Fukushima Regional Center for the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. Okabe’s team looked at 66,215 children and what kind of pets, if any, they were exposed to as young infants or while their mothers were pregnant with them. Children exposed to indoor cats and dogs were much less likely to develop food allergies. Kids who grew up with outdoor dogs did not appear less likely to develop food allergies. In particular, children who grew up with indoor dogs were less likely to develop egg, milk, and nut allergies. And children exposed to cats were less likely to have…

On May 7, Formula 1 (F1) Grand Prix racing came to Miami, Florida, for the second year in a row. F1 is a top class of international auto racing and features cars that are built for one driver and have an open cockpit and uncovered wheels. The winner of the race was Dutch driver Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing. He is the top driver this season and is also the reigning F1 champion. The Miami Grand Prix was the first of three races that will be held in the US this season. The event took place at the Miami International Autodrome at Hard Rock Stadium, where the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League play. A temporary 3.36-mile circuit (race course) was built on the grounds around the stadium…

Coach’s Name: Matthew Hall Team: Manhattan Soccer Club Magic 2013 “Coach Matt is a fun, funny, and inspirational coach. He has taken our team of very beginner-level, timid players and made us confident and strong. He is fair but also pushes us to be the best we can be. Coach Matt makes every practice fun. At one tournament he even did TikTok videos with us! He always makes us laugh and wants the best for us. He’s great at letting everyone play and feel like they belong and are contributing to the team.” Annie, 10, New York 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.…

Treasure of the Caribbean (PBS.org) A group of scientists did research on a massive, previously undiscovered coral reef in the Caribbean Sea a decade before the public knew about it. This documentary gives a never-seenbefore peek at the underwater wonder as the researchers talk about their discoveries. The Muppets Mayhem (Disney+) This musical comedy series is about the Muppets’ famous Electric Mayhem band. With help from a young music executive, they go on a chaotic journey as they attempt to record their first album. Real-life music stars, such as Lil Nas X, make appearances. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (In theaters) Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy are a band of misfits, protecting the universe in outer space. In this third installment of the franchise, they are shaken from the…

What is Hà like? She is based on me but much funnier. In the first novel, Vietnamese is her primary language. In this book, she’s picked up more English, and I think readers will notice. What do you enjoy about writing in a lyrical style? It’s second nature. My mom speaks only Vietnamese to me, and for some reason I have decided that her Vietnamese sounds like poetry. So when I think of a Vietnamese character, it’s naturally in a poetic form. Did you read a lot when you were a child? Reading books was hard. I had to look up every word in the dictionary. I wasn’t a reader until college. Best advice you’ve gotten? Be generous, which is advice from my mom. If you could live anywhere, where…

Apply sunscreen Put on broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher at least 15 minutes before going outside. Reapply as directed. Cover up Lightweight clothing can help block the sun too. Just make sure you can’t see your hand through it. (You may still get burned through sheer fabrics.) Baseball caps or wide-brimmed hats can also help protect your face. Shield your eyes You also need to protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays. Make sure your sunglasses come with a label that says they block UV rays, and always wear them in the sun. Keep hydrated Your body can lose water quickly from sweating when it’s hot outside, so be sure to drink plenty of water before you go sailing and fill a large water bottle to bring…

GROW PLANTS TO HELP BUTTERFLIES Butterflies are important to the environment because they are pollinators. These insects drink nectar from flowers, collecting pollen and spreading it as they flutter from plant to plant. This helps plants—and fruits and vegetables—to grow. However, butterflies are under threat from habitat loss, climate change, and pesticides. One way you can help is to grow plants and flowers that attract butterflies. Pick a sunny area, and plant a mix of host plants and nectar plants. Host plants, where butterflies lay their eggs, include milkweed and parsley. Nectar plants are typically wildflowers that butterflies like to feast on, like aster, echinacea, and black-eyed Susans.…

The Week Junior offices are located in New York City, not far from the American Museum of Natural History. Each year, millions of people step inside its doors to see dinosaur fossils, planets, gems and minerals, and a gigantic blue whale. Now the museum has a new building called the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation (p20). Our features editor, Joey, was invited to tour the addition before it opened to the public—and she was impressed! “It was amazing,” she said. “From the insectarium to the butterfly room to the beautiful architecture of the building itself, there was so much to see that I was thinking I could spend days there.” She also loved how interactive and engaging the exhibits were. You can find out more at tinyurl.com/TWJUS-Gilder—and…

Camille, who is 8 years old and from New Jersey, told us she plants flowers, fruits, and vegetables in her garden to help take care of the Earth. Some of her other ideas include turning old scraps of fabric into napkins and passing books you no longer need onto others who might enjoy them. If you’d like to share your ideas for protecting the Earth, go to kids.theweekjunior.com/activities to print out a form, like the one at right. After you fill it out with your ideas and drawing, have an adult email it to us at hello@theweekjunior.com. We’ll feature some of the submissions on this page in future issues. IT’S YOUR TURN Email your news, views, and photos to hello@theweekjunior.com. We want to hear from you! To have your letters,…

Teacher’s Name: Mrs. Boisseau School: Bethlehem Elementary School “Mrs. Boisseau is a great teacher. She handles sixth grade and was with us in fifth grade as well. She has taught us so much over the last few years, including about the American Revolution and the Civil War, and we are all going to miss her next year. This year we learned about mythology. She is so passionate while she’s teaching. That’s what makes her a great teacher.” Astrid, 11, New Hampshire 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.…

The president of Brazil officially recognized six territories as land belonging to Indigenous people (first people known to have inhabited a place). The decision by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, will protect nearly 800 square miles of land, most of which is in the Amazon rainforest. The Amazon is one of the most important places on Earth because it is home to a huge variety of species and absorbs a significant amount of carbon dioxide, a harmful gas that contributes to climate change. The forest is at risk, however, due to deforestation (cutting down trees) and other human activities. Under Brazil’s previous president, deforestation rose sharply. Lula’s decision grants Indigenous people the right to manage the land in their traditional manner, which is less harmful. Mining, commercial…

On May 2, members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA), a union made up of 11,500 writers for TV shows and movies, went on strike (stopped working in protest). The strike came after six weeks of discussions between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents Hollywood companies, failed to produce a new work agreement. What happened? Hundreds of writers walked off their jobs and marched with signs in New York City, Los Angeles, and other locations, demanding higher pay and additional changes to their contract. Most will not be paid during the strike. Actors, who said they would not be able to do their jobs without writers, showed their support by walking with picketers. What is the disagreement? The WGA said that…

The first movie theater in the US opened in 1896, and for more than 100 years, people who wanted to see a newly released film had to buy a ticket to watch it at a movie theater. Going to the movies was a fun event. You got to sit in the dark and enjoy a shared experience with family, friends, and strangers—laughing, crying, or getting scared together. But since the pandemic, more people are choosing to settle into their sofas and watch movies at home, saying it’s comfy, convenient, and less expensive. Others say staying home makes the movie-watching experience less exciting. What do you think? Is it better to watch movies at home? Yes—convenience and cost win out By the time you pay for tickets and overpriced snacks and…

Like children on a playground who twirl around in glee, apes appear to enjoy spinning. Researchers in the UK believe that great apes (bonobos, gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans) spin for fun. Researcher Marcus Perlman noticed in videos from two different zoos that a gorilla appeared to be repeatedly spinning in circles. Perlman searched online and found hundreds of videos of the behavior. He worked with Adriano Lameira, a primatologist (scientist who studies primates), to analyze some of the videos. The researchers watched great apes doing rope twirls—hanging from a rope or vine with their hands and spinning through the air. On average, the apes rotated about five times in a row at 1.5 spins per second, similar to the speed of some professional dancers. Some spun up to 28 times…

“Why do dogs and all their relatives always have wet noses?” Anastasia, 11, Colorado Katelyn Stache Assistant Curator of Carnivores, Denver Zoo Dogs rely heavily on their sense of smell. A wet nose helps because particles stick to it better. Having a wet nose also helps them cool off. Their nostrils secrete mucus that helps keep it wet. They also have long tongues to lick their nose so it is damp and working efficiently. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about Denver Zoo at denverzoo.org.…

Scientists at Cardiff University in the UK are studying whether honey can be used as an alternative to antibiotics. Antibiotics are medicines that are used to treat infections caused by bacteria (tiny living things). Antibiotics were invented in 1928 and, when used properly, can fight serious and even life-threatening infections. In recent years, however, as antibiotics have been used more frequently, bacteria have gotten used to the drugs. When that happens, the drugs no longer work to kill off the bacteria, which leads to an increase in infections that can’t be treated. This is called “antibiotic resistance,” and it’s a major concern for doctors who no longer have an effective way to treat certain infections. A recent study revealed that more than 1.2 million people died worldwide in 2019 because…

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a new action-adventure game. It is out now exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. It is a sequel to 2017’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. In the Zelda games, you play as Link, an elfin hero who protects the mythical land of Hyrule. He’s often helped by Princess Zelda, Hyrule’s kind ruler. In Breath of the Wild, Link needed to rescue Zelda so that together they could save Hyrule from Ganon, the main villain of the franchise. In the end, he died—or so it seemed. Tears of the Kingdom takes place on land and in the sky. The game starts in an underground tunnel, where Ganon is brought back to life and sends Link flying to a sky island,…

Lasagna Means I Love You By Kate O’Shaughnessy (Knopf Books for Young Readers) After her grandma dies, Mo has to live in foster care. She builds a recipe website, hoping it will lead her to a long-lost family member. Told through journal entries to her grandma, this book features recipes for lasagna, buttermilk pie, and more. Ages 8–12 Morning Sun in Wuhan By Ying Chang Compestine (Clarion Books) When her hometown of Wuhan, China, locks down because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mei and her friends cook and deliver meals to neighbors. It’s a good distraction from worrying about her dad, who works at the hospital. Many chapters have illustrated recipes for dishes like spicy egg ramen and pan-fried dumplings. Ages 8 and up A Spoonful of Time By Flora Ahn…

Crisscross Each of these things associated with hotels fits into this grid. Can you find where each one goes to complete the grid? 3 letters BED COT 4 letters MAID MAPS SAFE 7 letters KEYCARD UPGRADE 8 letters CHECKOUT ELEVATOR REGISTER 9 letters CONCIERGE 11 letters KITCHENETTE RESERVATION 12 letters DO NOT DISTURB HOUSEKEEPING Take five Five 5-letter things made of wood are hidden in this grid. For each one, the first letter is somewhere in the first column, the second is somewhere in the second column, and so on. Can you find all five? ALL THE SAME Each answer contains the letters M-A-Y. Those letters have been placed for you. Can you figure out the words? (NEED A HINT? Check the bottom of the page.) SUDOKU To complete the…

Throughout the month of May, the US is celebrating the heritage of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Known as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month or Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the observance takes place every year. The month recognizes people in the US who are from countries across the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. In 1977, Congress (the branch of government that makes laws) declared the first 10 days of May to be Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week. In 1990, Congress expanded the event to last one month. In 2021, President Joe Biden officially included Native Hawaiians. May was chosen for the timing due to two historical events. In May 1843, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the US. In…

Since the first episode of the animated series Rugrats aired nearly 32 years ago, actress E.G. Daily has voiced its main character, a courageous 1-year-old boy named Tommy Pickles. Now Daily is the voice of the same character in the Rugrats reboot on Paramount+, which recently premiered its second season. The show is about a group of babies who embark on imaginary adventures together. Daily, age 61, grew up in Los Angeles, California. She began acting in high school and continued with it after graduation, landing roles in TV shows and movies. One day, an audience member from a play Daily was performing in suggested she try voice acting. Her first audition was for the role of Tommy. Daily came up with the voice for him on the spot and…

For centuries, people thought that fish did not feel pain or emotions. Now research has shown that fish not only have feelings but can also sense one another’s moods. When a human understands and shares the feelings of another person, this is called empathy. Scientists have found that a chemical in the brain called oxytocin is involved in our ability to connect with others in this way. A basic form of empathy, known as emotional contagion, happens when an individual sees someone else displaying an emotion (such as happiness or fear) and reacts by displaying the same type of behavior. An international team of researchers tested zebrafish with a series of experiments. First, they placed the fish in two separate tanks and gave one group a substance that caused them…

At the UK’s London Zoo, a critically endangered Rüppell’s griffon vulture has hatched for the first time in more than 40 years. Staff hatched the egg in an incubator, and baby Egbert is doing well. Experts hope his birth will help the species. ● LIFE SPAN: 40 to 50 years ● HABITAT: Woodlands and grasslands in Africa ● SIZE: 33 to 38 inches tall, wingspan of 8 feet ● DIET: Carrion (dead animals) ● FUN FACT: These birds can fly 36,100 feet above sea level—the highest of any bird.…

The largest unsolved art heist (robbery) in modern history happened on March 18, 1990, at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. The museum’s founder Isabella Stewart Gardner, an American art collector who lived from 1840 to 1924, wanted a place to display the thousands of paintings, sculptures, rare books, and other works she’d collected on her travels around the world. She had a museum built in Boston, Massachusetts, where she lived, and opened it to the public in 1903. After her death, she left the museum to the city of Boston “for the education and enjoyment of the public forever.” There was one condition—that the art there be displayed exactly as she had left it. Since then, millions of visitors have passed through its galleries and lush garden courtyard.…

The XTURISMO Limited Edition is the world’s first flying motorbike. Made by a Japanese company, Aerwins Technologies, it has two large propellers and several smaller ones. The “luxury air cruiser” has a gas-powered motor and an electric battery, which allow it to run for about 40 minutes and at speeds up to 62 mph. XTURISMO weighs about 661 pounds and has a navigation system and sensors to detect any obstacles in the air. The company hopes it can be used to assist in disaster relief and exploration, as well as for entertainment.…

From May 5–7, rival softball teams from the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) met in a three-game series in Stillwater, Oklahoma, home of OSU. OU, the number one team in the country, swept the series. Whenever OU and OSU compete against each other in any sport it is known as a Bedlam Series. Bedlam is a word that means “a scene of chaos and confusion.” The nickname for the competitions is thought to have originated at a wrestling match between the rivals. The softball teams first met in 1975, and OU has now won 99 games, while OSU has won 72. OU entered this year’s Bedlam Series with a record of 46–1. OSU, which is ranked sixth, has had a strong season as well, and entered…

After years of construction, the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York City has opened. It adds new exhibition spaces and high-tech classrooms to the museum, which was founded in 1869. The six-story building was designed by famous architect Jeanne Gang and her firm, Studio Gang. Its curved walls and walkways are made of concrete that was sprayed onto cages of bent steel rods. The look was inspired by canyons that have been shaped by wind and water and by the way water shapes ice. The person who oversaw the expansion was Ellen V. Futter, who recently retired after nearly 30 years as the museum’s president. She said one goal of the expansion was to add more and…

Ella Enchanted (Hulu, TBS or TNT on demand, rent on demand) “This movie is an exciting fantasy about Ella of Frell, a young woman whose fairy godmother gave her the gift of doing everything she’s told, no matter how horrible. Ella’s stepmother and stepsisters take advantage of her, so she sets off to find her godmother to return her ‘gift.’ Along the way she meets an elf and falls in love with Prince Char. When her curse gets in the way of her happy ending, she has to overcome challenges. The movie has elements of the fairy tale Cinderella with a modern twist and is a perfect mix of humor, magic, emotion, action, and music.” Annemiek, 14, California Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids?…

By Thanhhà Lai (HarperCollins) Hà is finally feeling settled in Alabama. It’s been two years since her family fled Vietnam because of war. Hà has a best friend, and they’re planning to celebrate their birthdays together. But Hà’s mom is struggling to find enough work to support the family. They barely have enough money for food. Her mom learns of a better job in Texas, and six weeks before fifth grade ends for Hà, they move. Being the new kid at school again isn’t going to be easy. But Hà and her family find that their hard work may give them the chance they want. Although there are some sad parts, the story is also joyful. Written in verse (poetry), this book is the sequel to the Newbery Honor–winning Inside…

More than 3 million people in the US sail each year. With some lessons and practice, you could be one of them. Sailing a boat is great exercise, can be enjoyed with family or friends, and is a new adventure every time. You don’t need to live near the ocean or another large body of water to learn—there are sailing programs, many on small lakes or bays, in all 50 states. Lessons are also offered in many vacation spots. Here’s how to get started. Understand the basics When you’re starting out in sailing, you’ll likely begin on a small dinghy made for kids or for one or two people. It operates like any sailboat—with sails to catch the wind and propel the boat forward. The sailor, the person operating the…

What you need ● 1 or more used envelopes to use as templates ● Pencil ● Newspaper, wrapping paper, sheet music, or any used colorful printed paper ● Scissors ● Glue stick (or white glue and a paintbrush to apply it) ● Adhesive labels or stickers (optional) Instructions 1. Carefully open an envelope to create a template. Open up the top flap, then gently separate the two seams that create the pocket of the envelope. You should now have a flat template, which is square or rectangular in the middle and has a triangular flap off the top, bottom, and each side. 2. Position your template over your choice of colorful paper, making sure that the image or pattern on the paper will line up where you’d like it to…

A cartoon character in real life A beloved Peanuts cartoon character seems to have come to life. Photos of a dog named Bayley with a white face, a round nose, and big, black ears have been making the rounds on social media ever since someone noticed she looks just like the Peanuts dog, Snoopy. While Snoopy is a beagle, Bayley is a mini sheepadoodle, and her owner is not named Charlie Brown. But the internet loves her—and not everyone is convinced that she isn’t the famous character. One person commented, “Snoopy! You’re real!” Mystery dolls appear in mailbox It was a special delivery for a Michigan man who found that a doll couple had taken up residence in his mailbox. The mailbox outside Don Powell’s house is a replica of…

“After reading Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, we were so excited to get the magazine with it on the cover! We can’t wait to see the movie.” Alaina, 10, and Brielle, 10, Massachusetts “It’s 92° F in Arizona, so I made this fun and yummy Fruit Blast Smoothie for my mom and dad!” Aaru, 10, Arizona “We brought The Week Junior along to pass time while waiting in line to tour the US Capitol.” Maggie, 12, and, Liam, 11, Illinois…

1 Where in London, England, have kings and queens been crowned since the year 1066? a) Buckingham Palace b) Westminster Abbey c) Canterbury Cathedral a □ b □ c □ 2 A ban on single-use plastic bags was recently found to be a success in what US city? 3 Actress E.G. Daily voices which character on the animated television show Rugrats? a) Dil b) Tommy c) Chuckie a □ b □ c □ 4 True or false? Rüppell’s griffon vultures fly higher than any other bird. True □ False □ 5 When did Congress first declare Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week? a) 1869 b) 1977 c) 1990 a □ b □ c □ 6 True or false? Fish can’t feel emotions. True □ False □ 7 In the book When Clouds…