Innehållsförteckning för Issue 171 från The Week Junior US

On July 11 and July 12, members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) gathered at a summit meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania. Leaders from all 31 member countries, including US President Joe Biden, were in attendance. What is NATO? NATO is a military alliance of 29 European countries and two North American countries (the US and Canada). The organization was founded in 1949 by the US, Canada, and 10 nations in western Europe. The goal was to work together to ensure safety and security across Europe by uniting against the Soviet Union (USSR). From 1922 to 1991, the USSR was one massive country made up of what are now 15 individual nations, including Russia. The USSR wanted to take over parts of Europe that were not under its control. Today,…

DOUBLE THE EXCITEMENT A giant panda named Ai Bao gave birth to a rare set of twin cubs at a zoo in Seoul, South Korea. The newborns weighed less than half a pound each. The panda family “will deliver hope and joy to the public,” a zookeeper said. A SURPRISING DISCOVERY A man in Kentucky found a stash of more than 700 gold coins from the Civil War era buried on his land. The “Great Kentucky Hoard,” as it’s been called, is worth millions of dollars. Historians said someone probably buried the money to keep it from being stolen during the war. A HAPPY RETURN Library books are often returned late, but few as late as An Elementary Treatise on Electricity, which was turned in to the New Bedford library…

TV journalist and children’s book author Markette Sheppard has always been a storyteller. In her new picture book, Ninja Nate, which comes out in September, she has written an inspiring story that helps children find courage. Ninja Nate is about a young boy named Nate who has a robotic leg due to a recent accident. Because he is afraid of being teased by other kids, he wears a ninja costume to hide his leg. In the story, Nate realizes that if he wants others to accept his difference, he has to embrace it first. Sheppard grew up in Los Angeles, California, and wanted to be a news reporter from a young age. She told The Week Junior that she would create news reports and ask her dad to film her…

Have you ever had your lunch stolen by a seagull at the beach? Whether it’s a sandwich, french fries, or an ice cream cone, seagulls seem to love swooping down and snatching a human’s food. A study has now shown that this is not a myth: Seagulls really are more likely to steal food if they see humans eating it first. Scientists from the University of Sussex in the UK carried out their research at Brighton Beach, on the south coast of England. They found a clear patch of beach and taped two different potato chip bags to flat tiles placed near some herring gulls. The team used a green bag of chips (salt and vinegar) and a blue bag of chips (cheese and onion). The scientists then moved about…

One of the world’s most endangered primates has been born at the Chester Zoo in the UK. The monkeys live in groups, so several females are parenting the new baby together. In the wild, the animals live only on a few islands in Indonesia. • LIFE SPAN: 18 to 20 years • HABITAT: Rainforests, mangroves, and fields • SIZE: About 2 feet long and 12 to 22 pounds • DIET: Fruits, plants, insects, and small animals • FUN FACT: These monkeys spend most of their time on the ground but like to sleep in trees.…

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has broken many barriers in science and space discovery since it was founded in the summer of 1958. A race to be first In the 1950s, the US and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR, a former country that included Russia) were competing to see which nation could explore space first. The USSR pulled ahead of the US when it successfully launched a satellite called Sputnik in 1957. In response, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act into law on July 29, 1958, creating NASA. The agency officially opened on October 1, 1958, and sent the first American, Alan Shepard, into space on May 5, 1961. In a famous speech three weeks later, President John F. Kennedy challenged NASA…

On July 16, the Wimbledon Championships concluded in London, England. It is one of the four most important international tennis tournaments, known as Grand Slams. Each year, it is held at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club. In the women’s singles final on July 15, Marketa Vondrousova from the Czech Republic, who was not seeded (ranked) in the tournament, upset sixth-seeded Ons Jabeur, from Tunisia, 6–4, 6–4. Vondrousova became the first unseeded woman to win the Wimbledon championship in the Open Era (1968–present). She was 42nd in the world entering the tournament and had played in only one other Grand Slam final in her career. It was a close match, and both sets went to 4–4 until Vondrousova broke Jabeur’s service game and then held her own serve…

Coach’s Name: Jesse Stanley Team: The Bryant Bears (soccer) “My favorite thing about Coach Jesse is that he’s funny and really knows how to help us play soccer. I used to be nervous about playing goalie, but he helped me build confidence by teaching me when to let the ball roll and when to go for the save. When I miss a ball, he’s still encouraging. He does this for all the players and even cheers up the parents. He’s just fun to be around.” Noah, 10, Washington 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.…

Vintage toys and games The museum’s collection includes the first Monopoly game, a talking doll made by famous inventor Thomas Edison, and Hall of Fame toys such as the Jack-in-the-Box. A new park The Hasbro Game Park is an outdoor play garden with elements from different games, such as giant Scrabble letters, a Jenga climbing area, and a fire-breathing dragon from Dungeons & Dragons. Superheroes The American Comic Book Heroes exhibit covers 70 years of history. In the space, visitors can take part in Super Powers School and pose for photos that will look like they are flying or climbing buildings (right).…

Steph Curry: Underrated (Apple TV+) Steph Curry is one of the best players in the NBA (National Basketball Association), but he’s only 6 feet, 2 inches, which is small for a pro. This documentary, which includes footage of a young Curry, tells the inspiring story of how he shocked the world and became a star. It is rated PG-13. Wild Hope (PBS.org) (PBS App) In this new series of short documentaries, you’ll meet people from around the globe who are protecting nature in extraordinary ways. They include a team using oysters to help restore New York Harbor and scientists in Australia who work with dogs to save koala habitats. Supa Team 4 (Netflix) Netflix’s first-ever African animated series centers on four teen girls living in a futuristic version of the…

Angie Thomas’s new book is a fantasy novel full of twists and turns. Use these questions to get the conversation started with family and friends who have also enjoyed the book. Are Nic and JP more alike than they realize? What revelation about Nic surprised you the most? What are three adjectives that you would use to best describe Nic? How do you think Nic grows as a person throughout the story? What aspect of the folklore did you find the most interesting? How did reading this book affect how you feel about power and responsibility? What fantasy element from the story do you…

Lemon balloons Inflate yellow balloons, and tape a few “leaves” cut from green construction paper to the ends. Bunch the balloon “lemons” together and attach them to your stand. Citrus garland Cut a lemon into rounds with an adult’s help. With their permission, bake on a cookie sheet at 200° F for two to three hours until dried. Let cool. Use a sewing needle to thread slices on a long string. Hang in front of your stand. Festive straws A cup of old-fashioned paper straws with mini flags can be a fun addition to your table. Cut washi tape into 2-inch pieces. Write a saying on each (like “So sweet!”) and wrap one around each straw. Bouquet of flowers With an adult’s supervision, slice a lemon into rounds, then place…

Do you love taking photos of flowers, trees, and wildlife? If so, now is your chance to use your creativity, curiosity, and skills to enter The Week Junior’s Nature Photo Contest. The entry form for 8- to 10-year-olds is at tinyurl.com/TWJUS-2023PhotoContest-8-10 and 11- to 14-year-olds at tinyurl.com/TWJUS-2023PhotoContest-11-14. Winning entries will be featured in a September 2023 issue of the magazine. See official rules at theweekjunior.com/photocontestrules.…

The latest image NASA has released from the James Webb Space Telescope, depicting what’s known as a “star nursery,” certainly is stunning (p3). The telescope, which has been capturing and sending incredible images from space for the past year, is a marvel of technology and just one way in which the US space agency has changed the world since its founding 65 years ago (p12). Many other countries have space agencies, too, and this week we’re also highlighting India’s successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, an uncrewed spacecraft expected to land on the Moon’s surface in late August (p7). If all goes well, India will become the fourth nation—after the US, Russia, and China—to accomplish that mission. I hope you enjoy reading the space-related news in this issue. If you’d like to…

At The Week Junior, we’re planning our back-to-school coverage now for the magazine’s August and September issues! This year, we want to publish ideas from kids to kids about managing school life. What advice would you like to give parents, teachers, and administrators for making school days even better for students? With an adult, go to tinyurl.com/TWJUS-SchoolSurvey to answer a few questions and share your opinions. Your ideas could appear in an upcoming issue when we publish the results of the survey! 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 magazine, please include your full name, age, and state with your submission. By emailing your submission to…

Formed by a volcanic eruption nearly 1,000 years ago, Sunset Crater Volcano is one of the youngest features in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in northern Arizona. Visitors can see age-old lava flows, the San Francisco Peaks, and one of the largest ponderosa pine forests in the world. A diverse group of wildlife has learned to adapt to the harsh landscape that formed after the eruption. Bird species include Steller’s jays and black-chinned hummingbirds. Mammals (such as pronghorns and jackrabbits) and reptiles (such as Hopi rattlesnakes and many-lined skinks) also live there.…

Vaquitas Experts have been working to protect marine life from getting caught in fishing nets in Mexico’s Gulf of California. A report found that the danger has decreased by more than 90% and critically endangered vaquitas are surviving there. Cheetahs in India Seven cheetahs from a recent reintroduction effort have died. India’s native cheetahs died out in 1952. Recently, 20 cheetahs from Africa were released in Kuno National Park. Some have already left the park, which may be too small for them.…

Scientists in the UK digitally re-created the legs of a prehistoric human ancestor and determined that it could walk upright like humans do. To do this, they used remains from a skeleton discovered nearly 50 years ago. The skeleton was found in Ethiopia in 1974 and was named Lucy after the Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” About 40% of Lucy’s skeleton was intact. At the time, it was the most complete skeleton of an early human ancestor ever discovered. Lucy was eventually determined to be a previously unidentified species of early human called Australopithecus afarensis. This species lived in East Africa from 3.7 to 3 million years ago and would have dwelled in tree-filled habitats and open grassland areas. Lucy was about 3 feet, 3 inches tall,…

Pikmin 4 is a new strategy-adventure game, out now exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. It is the fourth main game in the popular Pikmin franchise, which was created by Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto, the video game designer who also created Super Mario Bros. Each Pikmin game begins with an alien explorer named Olimar crashing his ship onto the planet PNF-404. It is filled with little plant-headed creatures called Pikmin, which were inspired by ants. The Pikmin are hardworking and good as part of a team. They also assist Olimar by finding pieces of his ship and helping him solve puzzles and beat enemies. There are many different species of Pikmin, and they all have different powers and skills. For example, Red Pikmin can withstand fire, and Rock Pikmin can break things.…

Angie Thomas has written young adult award-winners, such as The Hate U Give. The Week Junior spoke to her about Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy, her first book in a trilogy for 8- to 12-year-olds. Why did you decide to write for younger readers? Kids told me, “My parents said I’m not ready for your books and I wish you would write something that I could read.” Now I have! The books I read when I was 8 to 12 years old had the biggest impact on me. What’s your favorite book? Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor—it’s about a 12-year-old. Growing up, I also loved series like The Baby-sitters Club, Goosebumps, Chronicles of Narnia, and Harry Potter. You’ll see bits and pieces…

Crisscross Each of these things associated with restaurants fits into this grid. Can you find where each one goes to complete the grid? 3 letters TIP 4 letters CHEF COOK DISH MEAL MENU TRAY 5 letters PLATE ROLLS SHARE 6 letters ENTREE SERVER 8 letters A LA CARTE SIDE DISH SPECIALS 9 letters WAITSTAFF 10 letters TABLECLOTH 11 letters DESSERT CART RESERVATION ALL THE SAME Each answer contains the letters T-A-N. Those letters have been placed for you. Can you figure out the words? (NEED A HINT? Check the bottom of the page.) 1. Too messy to comb easily 2. Usual or normal 3. Regular, plus, and premium gasoline have different levels of this 4. Superhumans like the X-Men 5. Large ape with reddish hair Take five Five 5-letter words…

NASA (the US space agency) released a new image from the James Webb Space Telescope on July 12, to celebrate Webb’s one-year anniversary. It is the most powerful telescope that has ever been put into space. NASA, with support from the European and Canadian space agencies, launched Webb in December 2021. The telescope was designed to help scientists see farther into space and farther back in time than ever before and to observe faraway planets for signs of life. After months of preparations, Webb began sending images back to Earth on July 12, 2022. The telescope specializes in detecting infrared light, which cannot be seen by the human eye. Webb can also gather detailed information about the chemicals in a planet’s atmosphere. In its first year, Webb helped scientists study…

July 28, 1868 US ratifies 14th amendment On July 28, 1868, US Secretary of State William Seward proclaimed that the 14th amendment was ratified and would be added to the Constitution, the highest US law. The amendment declared all formerly enslaved people to be US citizens and guaranteed all people “equal justice under the law.” It became ratified after it was approved by 28 of the 37 states that made up the US at that time.…

There was a time when teenagers couldn’t wait to get a driver’s license. Driving meant freedom, independence, and getting where they wanted to go with ease. Now, though, when teens want to go somewhere by car, they can open a ride-sharing app—no driver’s license required. The number of young people getting behind the wheel of a car has dwindled in the past decade, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. Some people say that’s not ideal and people should be required to know how to drive. Others feel it’s unnecessary when there are so many other options for getting around. What do you think? Should everyone learn to drive? Yes—it’s a good skill to have Even if you don’t plan on driving a car daily, or even on a regular basis, it’s…

Maura Davis Curator of Large Mammals, Denver Zoo Asian elephants are one of the biggest eaters at the zoo, which makes sense because they’re our biggest animals! Depending on their age, and whether or not they’re in a hormonal (chemical) cycle called “musth,” Asian elephants can eat 100 to 400 pounds of food every day! 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 have designed a comfortable, bite-proof fabric to protect people from mosquitoes. These insects use a long feeding tube to bite humans. Clothes made from thick material can block the bugs, but they are often too hot or stiff to wear in the summer. A team at the University of Auburn in Alabama found that knitted fabrics with interlocking loops blocked mosquitoes better than woven fabrics. To make the material thin and comfortable, they used thick thread, small stitches, and more of a stretchy material called spandex.…

The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, has expanded. The museum, which is also home to the National Toy Hall of Fame and the World Video Game Hall of Fame, now has more than 24,000 square feet of new space devoted to electronic games and their history, as well as an outdoor play area based on popular board games. The Strong, which opened in 1982, is “the only museum in the world dedicated to play,” vice president for exhibits Jon-Paul Dyson told The Week Junior. In addition to seeing and learning about toys, dolls, puzzles, and games, visitors can also play in the exhibits. One new interactive exhibit, Level Up, lets people feel like a character in a video game. Visitors wear a special bracelet, move through…

Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs (available to rent on streaming apps) “This is a funny movie that has Snow White as one of the main characters, but it isn’t the story most people know. In this fairy tale, Snow White has to defeat her evil stepmother with the help of the Fearless Seven. They are a group of princes who have been turned into dwarves and need to kiss a princess to break the spell. Throughout most of the movie, Snow White wears magical red shoes to make her look different, but in the end, the characters realize that beauty is about who you are on the inside.” Aly, 11, Massachusetts Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

(Balzer + Bray) On her 12th birthday, Nic hopes her dad will show her how to use her magical powers, but he tells her they should wait another year. Later, they go to a hidden place that only other “Remarkables” like them can see. Nic touches someone’s fingers, accidentally setting off wind gusts that transport her and her dad to different places. When they return, Nic’s dad takes her home and tells her to cancel plans to go to a book-signing event with her friend JP. When her dad steps out, Nic goes with JP anyway. Nic’s dad comes to the book signing, and the first of many major family secrets is revealed. As Nic learns that her whole life hasn’t been what it seems, she grapples with how she…

Lemonade stands are a classic summer activity—kids have been creating them for more than 100 years. They’re popular because they can help you learn about money, as well as how to advertise a business and work together with friends while having fun. Here’s how to get started. Mix up lemonade The first step to hosting a great lemonade stand is making homemade lemonade. Start with this basic recipe: Mix together 1 cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, 1 cup of sugar, and 11/2 quarts of cold water. Do a taste test, and add more water or sugar if necessary. Once you’re satisfied, make a few batches and keep everything cool in the refrigerator until you’re ready to open your stand. (Give the lemonade a stir before serving.) You could also consider…

Purple toothpaste proves popular A purple toothpaste designed to whiten teeth has become an international phenomenon. Hismile, the company that makes the toothpaste, says the purple color balances out any yellow stains to make teeth look whiter. The product gained attention on TikTok, with videos drawing hundreds of millions of views and promotions by several celebrities. The quirky company offers other unusual products, including colorful toothpastes in many different flavors—from coconut whip to mango sorbet. Hismile began in Australia in 2014 and has expanded to New Zealand, the US, and the UK. Clever dog cashes in on tricks Leo, a cocker spaniel from Scotland, has a world record in the bank. Using his mouth, the dog picked up 23 coins and dropped them into a piggy bank in one minute,…

“My favorite summer book is Willa of the Wood by Robert Beatty. Willa is living in the comfort of her clan, the Faeran, when she realizes her clan is changing. She is getting more and more uncomfortable in her home. Can she stop the destruction of her people, the forest, and the animals? Read the book to find out!” Josephine, 10, Pennsylvania “Exploring the White House by Kate Andersen Brower is one of my favorite books! I like that the author interviewed some of the staff of the White House. It feels like an honest look at living there. I loved reading about the bowling alley and the movie theater in the White House.” Ben, 9, California “The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga is about two girls named Cora…

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Sanders School: Barton Pond Elementary School “Ms. Sanders is the best music teacher because she makes sure we love music. She has made school fun from day one. She schedules concerts that parents are able to enjoy. She is nice and kind, and she puts in the time and effort to run music clubs for chorus and percussion, among other things, depending on our interests. She is the best music teacher ever.” Lincoln, 9, North Carolina 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.…