Innehållsförteckning för Issue 163 från The Week Junior US

From May 19–21, world leaders attended the annual Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima, Japan. Members of the G7 are the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Italy. The European Union (EU, a group of 27 nations) sends representatives to the summit, and eight other countries—including Australia, India, South Korea, and Vietnam—attended as guests. What is the G7? The G7 is made up of democratic nations with the world’s largest economies. (Democratic means that a government’s leaders are chosen by the people.) Each year, a different country hosts the meeting, where members and guests strengthen their relationships and seek common ground on global affairs. They address issues such as the economy, trade, climate change, healthcare, human rights, gender equality, and war. What is the history of the G7?…

A TOP-SELLING SEQUEL Nintendo’s new game The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom sold 10 million units in its first three days. That makes it the fastest-selling of all 20 Zelda games. The adventure series started more than 35 years ago. COMPETING CLIMBERS Two mountain-climbing guides from Nepal scaled Mount Everest twice each within eight days, as they pursued the record for the most ascents to the top. Kami Rita Sherpa currently holds the record at 28 summits, and his friend Pasang Dawa Sherpa ascended for the 27th time. A NEW STATE FRUIT A group of fourth grade students in Madison, Mississippi, led a successful campaign to have blueberries named the official state fruit. They started the project on their own and wrote letters to state leaders. Several stood…

Last week, we asked if taking selfies is bad for nature. Three quarters of you said selfies are OK if you’re careful, while one quarter of you said it’s too risky. What do you think? Now that you’ve read a bit more about this issue, visit kids.theweekjunior.com/polls so you can vote in our debate. Vote YES if you think shouting at youth sports is acceptable or NO if you don’t. We’ll publish the results next week. The goal of the big debate is to present two sides of an issue fairly and objectively in order to stimulate discussion and allow our readers to make up their minds. The views on the page do not reflect those of The Week Junior, and the page is not funded by third parties.…

“Why do cats have two layers of eyelids?”Susanna, 12, Virginia Leigh Pitsko Assistant curator, Smithsonian’s National Zoo Cats (and many other species!) have a third eyelid (called a nictitating membrane). The upper and lower eyelids can blink and protect the eye, as well as keep the eye moist. The third eyelid can also protect the eye from scratches during fights and pokes from tall grasses while hunting. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the Smithsonian’s National Zoo at nationalzoo.si.edu.…

Body surfing Body surfers use no equipment. They let waves pick them up and carry them in a straight line as they steer with their arms. Bodyboarding In bodyboarding, also called boogie boarding, riders lie down on the board the whole time. Boogie boards were invented in the 1970s by surfer Tom Morey, who named them after his love of music. Wakeboarding In this sport, a rider stands on a wakeboard and holds a rope while being pulled behind a boat. The rider performs board tricks, such as jumps, in the wake (path) that is made by the boat. Stand-up paddle boarding Paddle boarders use a single paddle to steer themselves around. This sport can be done on calm, flat water, like the surface of a bay or lake, or…

On May 19, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) started its 2023 season. This year, each of the league’s 12 teams will play 40 regular season games, the most ever. The biggest moment from opening night was the return of Phoenix Mercury forward Brittney Griner, a top WNBA player. She did not compete in the WNBA last year because she was being wrongfully detained in Russia, where she played in the 2021 off-season. She was released in December. In her first game, on the road against the Los Angeles Sparks, she received a standing ovation from the crowd. The Sparks won, 94–71, but she had a strong game with 18 points, six rebounds, and four blocked shots. In the Mercury’s second game, at home on May 21 against the Chicago…

Coach’s Name: Gary Robinson Team: Orange Vipers (soccer) “My dad is Coach Gary. He coaches me and my twin brother, Rhys, in soccer, baseball, and basketball. In soccer, he helped us so that we never even lost a game! He helps improve our shooting and helps me improve my non-dominant foot. He pushes you so you work harder and understand the game. He always tells us, ‘Only one team wins their last game.’ He is proud of his team, encourages us, and teaches us how to be better players.” Brooks, 8, 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.…

Original story In Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, none of the characters have names, and the story is darker than the Disney version. A twist of events results in the mermaid having to kill the prince. Famous statue At a pier in Copenhagen, Denmark, near Andersen’s hometown, is a bronze and granite mermaid sculpture that was inspired by his tale. It has been there since 1913 and is a big tourist attraction. Stage versions In the 1900s, a Little Mermaid ballet was performed at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen. The story was also turned into a Broadway show that ran from 2007 to 2012.…

Prehistoric Planet (Apple TV+) The award-winning series that depicts dinosaur life 66 millions years ago is back for a new season. The episodes once again mix computer-generated 3D imagery and real nature footage. They explore life in five habitats, including a land filled with active volcanoes in India. Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge (NBC) (Peacock) Inspired by the best-selling toy cars, this new competition series offers Hot Wheels superfans a chance to give real cars epic makeovers. In each episode, two contestants face off to create high-tech masterpieces. The winner is chosen by a panel of judges and receives $25,000. Mummies (Hulu) This animated film follows three Egyptian mummies—a princess, a former chariot rider, and his younger brother—and their pet crocodile who live in a secret ancient Egyptian city. When they…

Black Beauty By Anna Sewell “This is a novel about a young horse named Black Beauty as he experiences different homes and families. It is like an autobiography about a horse. Beauty is continuously being sold and taken away from his new homes. In the end, he finds a nice home to peacefully rest. I love this book because it made me learn more about horses, their feelings, and how to understand them.” Nadia, 11, Florida Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Animation is when drawings are shown in a quick series so they appear to be moving. It has existed since the 1800s and was originally done only by hand. Today, many animated films and shows are created with help from computer programs. Animation combines activities you might already enjoy, like storytelling and making art. If you’d like to try it, here’s how to get started. Learn the basics on paper You can get a feel for how animation works by making a paper flip book. This is a small stack of drawings (called “frames” in animation) that appear to be moving when you quickly flip through them. First, grab a small sticky notepad or blank pad of paper and a pencil. Go to the last page and draw a simple…

If you think airports are a drag, think again. On May 3 at the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, Georgia, Delta Air Lines employees competed to pull a huge Boeing 757 airplane with a 25-foot rope. A record 150 teams from across the country, each with about 25 people, took turns tugging the 255,000-pound jet to see who could move it the farthest. The annual Jet Drag raised more than $740,000 for the American Cancer Society. “It’s crazy to think you can pull a 757 jet,” said one participant, “but it is exhilarating.”…

Lydia, who is 10 years old and from Maryland, told us she will plant more trees and help them grow to do her part in protecting the Earth. In the years to come, she hopes everyone will start growing plants. She believes that “every little bit counts” when it comes to helping the environment. 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.…

1 In the video game Lego 2K Drive, who is the older driver who mentors new players? 2 New York City’s 7th Street Ukrainian Festival was first held in what year? a) 1976 b) 1986 c) 1996 3 What figure from Chinese literature is featured in the new TV series American Born Chinese? a) Lion King b) Monkey King c) Dragon King 4 True or false? A six-year study found that plants make clicking and popping noises. 5 About how long was Game 1 of the hockey playoff series between the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes? a) 2 hours b) 4 hours c) 6 hours 6 Which US state recently became the first to ban the social media platform TikTok? a) Mississippi b) Missouri c) Montana 7 True or false?…

If you have a dream, “manifest it.” That’s the advice Noah Matthews Matofsky, a 15-year-old actor from the UK, shared with The Week Junior. His dream of starring in a film came true when he was cast in the new Disney film Peter Pan & Wendy. He is the first actor with Down syndrome (a genetic condition that can affect development) to play a lead role in a Disney feature film. Peter Pan & Wendy is a live-action remake of the 1953 Disney animated classic about a boy who can fly and takes others on adventures to Neverland. In the film, Matofsky plays Slightly, a key member of Peter’s friend group called the Lost Boys. Matofsky said he related to Slightly because he is “funny, kind, generous, and a prankster—…

In Japan, a fish originally brought from the US has caused problems for more than 60 years. A new technique is being tried to get rid of the fish and restore the country’s biodiversity (variety of living things). When Crown Prince Akihito of Japan visited Chicago, Illinois, in 1960, he had no idea that he was about to set off a crisis in his country’s waterways. The prince, who would later become emperor, was an ichthyologist (scientist who studies fish). As a gift, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley gave Akihito 18 bluegills, the Illinois state fish, to add to his private collection at the palace where he lived. But upon returning home, Akihito asked Japan’s Agency of Fisheries to introduce the bluegills, nicknamed the “prince fish,” into the wild for…

Bontebok An African bontebok has been born at the Oregon Zoo. These antelopes were nearly wiped out by hunters in the 1700s and 1800s but were saved with conservation programs. Today, about 3,000 live at zoos, preserves, and farms. North American bats According to a new report, 81 of North America’s 154 known bat species face threats from climate change (long-term changes in weather patterns). Bats have to contend with extreme temperatures, storms, diseases, and droughts.…

Surfing has evolved from a hobby practiced by native Hawaiians to one of the most popular water sports in the world. Origin of surfing The sport of surfing dates back to early Polynesian and Hawaiian cultures. Riding waves on a heavy wooden board was common among men and women in Hawaii, before Europeans discovered the islands. Surfing began to catch on around the world in the early 1900s. George Freeth, who was born in Hawaii, helped make the sport popular in California at that time. Duke Kahanamoku, also from Hawaii and a US Olympic gold medalist in swimming, is often called the father of modern surfing. In 1914, he traveled to Australia and provided surfing demonstrations. Tom Blake was the first surfer to add a fin to a board, in…

Ancient humans living on the Tibetan Plateau drank milk 3,500 years ago, a new study found. That’s more than 2,000 years earlier than previously believed. The Tibetan Plateau is a cold, mountainous region that crosses southwestern China and neighboring countries. The land wasn’t suitable for farming or growing crops, but it did allow for animals like goats, sheep, and yak to graze. Milk from these animals likely helped ancient humans survive. Scientists studied the skeletons of 40 people from 15 different sites on the plateau. The bones dated from 3,500 to 1,200 years ago. To determine what the people ate, the scientists used a new technique called palaeoproteomics. This involved analyzing plaque (a sticky material that forms on teeth) preserved in their teeth. Plaque is partly made up of leftover…

A small device that goes under the skin may help people with type 1 diabetes. People with this condition have too much glucose (sugar) in their blood, which can cause health problems. Their bodies don’t make enough of the chemical insulin, which regulates glucose levels. People with type 1 diabetes use an external source of insulin, often from a device that requires batteries or electrical power. The new implant provides insulin and powers itself. Glucose flows into the implant, which resembles a tea bag. The glucose triggers artificial cells inside the device to produce and release insulin. It also provides an electrical current that powers the implant, so no external power source is needed. Once the implant senses that glucose levels have stabilized, it stops producing insulin until it’s needed…

Lego 2K Drive is a new hybrid racing and adventure game. It is out now for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation systems, Xbox platforms, and the PC. The game is set in Bricklandia, a vast world where racers compete for the famous Sky Cup Grand Prix Trophy. It combines exploration, collaboration, and high-speed action. Players start as rookie drivers being mentored by the famous old racer Clutch Racington and his robotic assistant, S.T.U.D. Clutch offers driving tips, while S.T.U.D. helps rookies navigate the long road to the top. The game’s story mode is filled with various missions and tasks. Each of them brings you one step closer to competing with the best and taking on Shadow Z, the game’s main villain, who wins his races by cheating. Bricklandia is broken up…

What inspired this book? I love museums, especially quirky ones. I’ve been to a pencil museum and a chocolate museum. As a child, I used to take items in my room and arrange them as though they were in a museum. If you had a museum, what would you display? I have a collection of My Little Ponies. So the first thing I would do if I had my own museum would be to display all of them. How would you describe a big theme of this book? A big theme is that change is inevitable and it doesn’t have to be bad. But sometimes it feels bad because it’s hard. What did you want to be when you were young? I wanted to be a writer, a singer, or…

Family connection Animators working on Moana partially based Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s character Maui on Johnson’s real-life grandfather. Soaring high During the making of How to Train Your Dragon, the animators behind the scenes attended flight school. They used what they learned to make the flying dragon scenes as realistic as possible. Under the sea Some of the characters in The Little Mermaid are based on real people. For example, animators sketched Ariel based on an actress performing her scenes. Hidden mice In many Disney films, animators hide images of the original Disney character Mickey Mouse. For example, in Encanto there are hidden cactus plants in the shape of Mickey’s ears.…

As summer approaches and the weather heats up, your family may be tempted to crank up the air conditioning. But air conditioning uses a lot of electricity, which can be harmful to the environment because it depletes natural resources and causes pollution. One solution is to try natural ways to cool your home so you can run the air conditioning less frequently. During cooler afternoons and at night, open windows to bring in a breeze. On hot days, try to avoid using appliances that generate heat. For example, instead of turning on the oven, talk with your family about making no-cook meals. Rather than running towels in the clothes dryer, hang them on a line to dry in the sun.…

“The results were astonishing,” said Richard Parkinson, the head of Magellan, a deep-sea mapping company based in the UK. He was describing the newly released images of the Titanic, the famous ship that sank during its first voyage from England to America in 1912. Magellan led an extraordinary six-week effort to capture more than 715,000 images of the ship’s wreckage from its location 12,500 feet deep in the Atlantic Ocean. The researchers overcame difficulties ranging from bad weather to technical complications to produce a 3D view of the ship that is startling in its clarity. “I’m seeing details that none of us have ever seen before,” said Parks Stephenson, who has studied the Titanic for more than 20 years. You can see an image in this issue (p3)—and more images…

“I eagerly check the mailbox for the newest issue. I love snorkeling and even took my magazine with me on spring break.”Giorgio, 11, Michigan “We made the cheesy onion pasta from your April 7 issue. It was delicious.”Carina, 9, Pennsylvania “Our grandma gave us a subscription and we look forward to getting the mail and finding The Week Junior! The puzzles and crafts are awesome!”Emi, 11, with Ian, 7, Tennessee…

Give a gift of The Week Junior for a smart start on summer reading fun! Our Summer of Reading program includes book lists, author interviews, and an exclusive three-book reading challenge with a chance to win an amazing bundle of books! It’s a wonderful way to support a child’s literacy over the summer and to continue to develop a love of reading that will last a lifetime. Perfect for birthdays, graduation, or anytime you want to delight a child you love. To order, SCAN HERE: To order a 25 weekly issue subscription of The Week Junior and save 66%, visit theweekjunior.com/smartfun…

Across the US, millions of children and teens take part in school, club, and league sporting events. In recent years, some adults have become more emotional and aggressive as they support their kids from the sidelines. Some shout instructions to their kids or other players. Shouting can lead to arguing, using rude language or gestures, and even threatening coaches, game officials, the opposing team, or other parents. Occasionally, the fights get physical. Adults who yell say they’re just supporting athletes. But other sports spectators think enough is enough. What do you think? Is shouting at youth sports acceptable? Yes—sports are noisy and exciting You can’t tell parents not to cheer when their child is competing. They’re proud of their kids and want to encourage and support them. Besides, shouting encouragement…

Red rocks, beautiful wildflowers, and rugged cliffs characterize this remote wilderness in the Coconino National Forest. The area extends up a steep canyon, ranging in elevation from 3,700 feet to 6,800 feet. This difference in elevation contributes to a wide range of climates in different parts of the forest. Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees are found near the southern rim, where the temperatures are cooler, while sycamore, willow, and wild grape trees grow at the bottom of the canyon. Many creatures live here, including javelinas, coyotes, ringtails, bald eagles, and scorpions.…

Scientists have found that dwarf reed snakes don’t just slither away to avoid being captured by predators—they cartwheel. The non-venomous snake curls its body into an S before using its tail to launch itself into the air and roll away to safety. • LIFE SPAN: Unknown• HABITAT: Forested areas in Southeast Asia• SIZE: About 9 inches long• DIET: Animals, including lizards and worms• FUN FACT: The tiny snake can dash six times its length in five seconds.…

A new set of motorized skates lets skaters control their speed and movement with a simple tap of the toe. The JoyEriders are the first motorized skates that don’t require a handheld remote control. Users adjust the bindings to attach the two-wheeled skates over their own footwear. They can program an app to customize which foot and how many taps it takes to activate four functions: start, speed up, slow down, and stop. The JoyEriders can travel up to 12 mph, and a rechargeable battery runs for up to three hours.…

More than 30 years ago, the animated musical The Little Mermaid was released. Now the beloved film has been reimagined as a live-action movie. It features the original songs plus three new ones that were co-written by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. It is playing in theaters. The fairy tale that inspired the Little Mermaid films was written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen in 1837. The movies are set in the Caribbean in the 1830s and center on teen mermaid Ariel. After she falls for a human, Prince Eric, she makes a deal with an evil sea witch, Ursula, and it ends up putting her life and the water world at risk. Parts of the new film are slightly different from the animated version. Singer Halle Bailey, 23, plays Ariel.…

Making Fun Netflix “This is a really funny show about five guys making really pointless things that kids come up with, such as a Pirate Pizza Canon or a catapult that throws cat poop. To make it even funnier, the host, Jimmy, doesn’t really like kids. He doesn’t hate them, but to them he’s ‘Mr. Grouch.’ The show is hilarious, and the kids will make last-minute changes to their ideas that make building them more complicated. In one episode, for example, a girl made a change so that instead of wanting plain old unicorn bicycles, the team needed to make unicorn bicycles that had to fart glitter!” Natalie, 9, Maryland Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

(Amulet Books) Vanessa and Bailey, friends since second grade, did everything together until middle school started. Bailey is becoming more distant, and Vanessa doesn’t know why. Spending more time by herself, Vanessa explores the woods near her house and finds an abandoned museum. She cleans it up and makes an exhibit about her friendship with Bailey, including items like a Halloween costume and friendship bracelet. Some of her classmates create their own exhibits at the museum. When they see the exhibit about Bailey, they make comments that put Vanessa’s friendship with Bailey in a new light. This book is a good reminder that friendships are complex and you may not know what’s going on in a friend’s life.…

A Flag for Juneteenth By Kim Taylor (Neal Porter Books) It’s almost Huldah’s 10th birthday, and her life is about to change. Soldiers in Texas just announced that all enslaved people will now be free. The story follows Huldah and her community as they celebrate. The artwork by Taylor, an expert quilter, is stunning. All ages The History of Juneteenth: A History Book for New Readers By Arlisha Norwood, PhD (Rockridge Press) This chapter book covers the events preceding Juneteenth, the first celebrations, the challenges, and what the holiday means today. The maps, timelines, and vivid illustrations make the information easy to understand. Ages 6–10 The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story By Glenda Armand, illustrated by Corey Barksdale (Crown Books for Young Readers) A grandma tells about her first…

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 A knight’s important and difficult search 4 Precise 7 Cube to make a drink cold 8 “Regular” people in Harry Potter’s world 9 Occupant of a crib 10 Device to tell you what something weighs 13 Where you might see bull riding and lasso demonstrations 15 ½ 17 Kind of show that SpongeBob SquarePants is 19 Word between “happy” and “year” 20 Aries and Sagittarius, for example 21 Periods of 365 days (on Earth) DOWN 1 Teacher’s method for seeing how well students know the material 2 Green gemstone that the city of Oz was built with 3 Non-medical…

“I was inspired by your magazine to stand up and voice my opinion in front of the Board of Education in my county. We need a new high school. Our current high school was built in 1963 and it’s literally falling apart. The construction of our new high school was approved before Covid-19 and was supposed to start this year. However, it has been pushed to 2033. I stood up for all future generations because we are hardworking and we deserve and need a new high school that will match our capabilities and help us to become the best we can be.” Have you done something interesting or raised money for a cause you care about? Whatever you’re up to, we want to hear about it at hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Teacher’s Name: Mark Robb School: Forest View Elementary “Mr. Robb is the type of teacher who makes learning fun. Every Friday, after our math lesson, we do a fun math activity. He has us do cool experiments and simulations in science. He won’t move on from something until all 25 students understand it. If someone misses a day of school, he meets them and helps them catch up. Overall, he is the best fifth grade teacher a student could get.”Krish, 11, Washington 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. We want to hear from you! To have your letters, photos, nominations, recommendations, or ideas considered for inclusion in the magazine,…