Innehållsförteckning för Issue 183 från The Week Junior US

On October 7, a Palestinian militant group called Hamas launched a massive surprise attack against Israel, in the Middle East. It was some of the worst violence in Israel in 50 years. In response, Israel declared war against Hamas. What is the history of Israel and Hamas? Israel was created in 1948 as a Jewish state, after 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust during World War II (1939–1945). Palestinians are Arab people who have lived in the region since before Israel was created. Hamas is one of two major Palestinian political parties and is considered a terrorist group by Israel, the US, the European Union, and other nations. In a 1967 war, Israel seized control of two territories, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Israelis and Palestinians…

MEERKAT MANIA Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, DC, announced that its “meerkat mob” has grown, with three new pups born to parents Sadie and Frankie. They are the second litter of meerkat pups to be born at the zoo in 16 years. A SWEET BIRTHDAY Milky Way candy bars are celebrating their 100th birthday. In 1923, chocolatier Frank Mars’ 19-year-old son, Forrest, suggested making a candy bar based on a malted milkshake. They created the malt-flavored nougat and caramel treat, and today, millions are sold each year. EXPANDING THE DICTIONARY Merriam-Webster recently added 690 words, including “doggo” (dog), “mid” (neither very good nor very bad), and “GOATED” (thought to be the greatest of all time). “Signs of a healthy language include words being created,” dictionary officials said, and “we are…

Besides being an award-winning actor, Reese Witherspoon is the founder of a production company, Hello Sunshine, and an author. Her new picture book, Busy Betty & the Circus Surprise, is about how being creative and determined can help young people achieve their dreams. She spoke to The Week Junior about how she followed her passions as a child. What is your new book about? Witherspoon: The main character, Betty, has big ideas on how to start a business. When she faces failure, she has to make the most of a messy situation. I hope readers are inspired by how Betty picks herself up and keeps trying. What was your first business? Witherspoon: In third grade, my older brother bought me hair barrettes at the mall and suggested I bring them…

For the first time in about 100 years, a rare bird called the takahē is roaming the Lake Whakatipu Waimaori Valley in New Zealand after 18 captive birds were released into the wild. The area is also home to a Maori tribe called Ngāi Tahu, which has spent years campaigning for the birds to return to their land. The Maori are New Zealand’s Indigenous people (first people known to live there), and they consider the takahē bird to be “taonga,” meaning a treasure. Takahē are large, round, flightless birds with red legs, and they have lived in New Zealand since prehistoric times. Like many New Zealand birds, takahē evolved to be flightless because there were no mammals to compete with. When Europeans arrived in New Zealand, however, predators such as…

Coral Researchers have successfully preserved and revived corals by freezing them—a technique called cryopreservation. Experts say this strategy could be used to prevent the world’s coral reefs from disappearing as the oceans heat up. Glaciers in Washington Mount Rainier—the most glacier-covered mountain in the 48 contiguous (connected) US states—is now losing its glaciers due to global warming. According to a new report, one glacier has disappeared and two are in “serious peril.”…

If the weather forecast is among the first things you look at in the morning, you have meteorology to thank. Find out more about this fascinating branch of science. What is meteorology? Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and its phenomena. It focuses on the lowest parts of Earth’s atmosphere, such as the troposphere, where most of the processes of weather take place. People have been trying to predict and understand weather for centuries because it affects many aspects of life on Earth, from what we wear to the activities we do. The name “meteorology” comes from the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who wrote a book about weather and climate called Meteorologica in about 340 BCE. He based the name on the Greek word “meteoron,” which meant “a thing high…

Many people sit at a desk for hours a day, which can be harmful to their health. LifeSpan Fitness has a solution. The company, based in Utah, designed the Ampera, a stationary bike that replaces a desk chair and lets people pedal while they work. The Ampera also converts their activity into electricity. Pedaling generates about 65 watts of power per hour, which can charge smartphones and laptops. The bike is designed to maintain good seating posture, and riders can connect to an app that tracks fitness levels.…

Author R.L. Stine’s popular Goosebumps series has been scaring and entertaining kids for more than 30 years. Now a new TV series of the same name is taking elements from five of Stine’s most loved stories and delivering a new spooky tale. The show, which is rated TV-14, is out now on Disney+ and Hulu. Stine published the first Goosebumps book in 1992. Some of the books that helped inspire the new show are Say Cheese and Die! and The Haunted Mask. In the TV series, weird things start happening to high school students after they attend a Halloween party at a house where a teen who died once lived. The kids team up to investigate what is going on so it stops ruining their lives. “R.L. Stine read and…

Wolfwalkers PG (Apple TV+) “In an Irish town, humans are cutting down a forest where a wolf pack lives. The pack includes wolfwalker Mebh, a girl who becomes a wolf when she sleeps. A wolf hunter comes to the town to kill the animals, and he brings his daughter, Robyn, who wants to be a hunter, too. One day, she stumbles into one of her father’s traps. Mebh, in wolf form, tries to set Robyn free and accidentally bites her. Later, when Robyn goes to sleep, she becomes a wolf. This movie has messages about seeing things from someone else’s point of view, and the animation and music are wonderful.” Freja, 13, California Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to…

(Amulet Books) After Nat played a lead role in the musical Wicked at camp, she thought she’d have to wait until next summer to be onstage again. But now her new middle school is putting on the musical Footloose. She decides she wants to audition for the role of Ariel, the main female character. The school is also planning to enter the show in a new theater competition, and the finalists will get to perform on Broadway! Trouble is, Footloose includes many dance numbers. Nat uses a wheelchair, and she’s worried that the complicated choreography may prevent her from landing the role. She knows she has to wow the director at the audition and plans to sing a duet with her friend Malik. Their friend Hudson helps them work on…

You may already be planning to celebrate Halloween by wearing a costume and going trick-or-treating. Another fun activity to try this season is hosting a spooky movie night for friends or family. Here are some tips for planning a fun event. Schedule a date With Halloween happening on October 31, a date between now and then will work for your movie night. Decide whether you want it to be a family event, or talk to an adult about inviting friends. A Friday or Saturday night might be a good option so you can start the movie after dark—making the mood more eerie—and not have to worry about staying up too late on a school night. Once you have a date and time picked out, reach out to anyone you would…

The Week Junior is conducting a national search for 12 students, ages 8 to 14, who want to have their voices heard about the issues and causes that matter to them. This will be our fifth session of Junior Council, and council members will meet directly with The Week Junior editors and mentors. There will be about six virtual workshops held from January through May 2024. A project created by council members may appear in a future issue of the magazine. To apply, go to juniorcouncil.theweekjunior.com to download the application. The deadline to enter is October 23. 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…

1 In which US state is candy corn the most popular Halloween candy? a) Pennsylvania b) Idaho c) Utah a □ b □ c □ 2 True or false? Scientists re-created the scent of a mummy that was buried more than 3,500 years ago. True □ False □ 3 The US Postal Service has unveiled a new stamp honoring which Supreme Court justice? a) Antonin Scalia b) Ruth Bader Ginsburg c) Sandra Day O’Connor a □ b □ c □ 4 What is the technique of freezing corals in order to preserve and revive them called? ________________________ 5 The evil dummy who appears in the new Goosebumps TV series goes by what name? a) Slappy b) Shaky c) Slippy a □ b □ c □ 6 True or false? Six…

Candy corn comes around once a year—along with some very strong opinions about the seasonal treat. In a recent national poll, Americans were almost evenly split on whether they love or hate the three-color triangular candy. Those who love it look forward to the Halloween season and say candy corn is a vital part of the holiday tradition. There are children’s books and even cookbooks devoted to candy corn. Others, however, hate the super-sweet sugary confection. They’re so opposed to candy corn that they’ve written articles and appeared on TV to speak out against it. What do you think? Is candy corn yum or yuck? Yum—it’s a fun and tasty tradition What’s not to love about candy corn? It’s sweet, buttery, colorful, and the perfect compact size. It’s also fun…

This area was once part of Yosemite National Park but was established as a separate national monument in 1911. Devils Postpile is a striking formation made up of columns of volcanic rock, formed 80,000 to 100,000 years ago, which stand up to 60 feet high. About 115 bird species and several mammals, including black bears, pine martens, coyotes, and brush mice, live in the surrounding wilderness. Visitors can hike to Rainbow Falls, named as such because rainbows are visible in the mist on clear, sunny days.…

An African wild donkey foal was born at Marwell Zoo in the UK. The species, a member of the horse family, is critically endangered. Today, fewer than 200 of these donkeys live in the wild in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia. • LIFE SPAN: 25 to 30 years• HABITAT: Shrub and grassland in eastern Africa• DIET: Grass and leaves from bushes and trees• SIZE: About 6.5 feet long and 600 pounds• FUN FACT: They can go three days without water, then rehydrate in two to five minutes.…

Cumulus These puffy clouds look like fluffy cotton balls floating low in the sky. The tops of cumulus clouds are mostly bright white when lit by the Sun, while their base is darker. They can usually be seen on a beautiful day when the weather is fair. Cumulonimbus Watch out for rain, hail, or even tornadoes when you see these dense, towering storm clouds. Often referred to as the “King of Clouds,” tall cumulonimbus varieties often form as warm, wet air rises up through the sky. Cirrus Thin, feather-like cirrus clouds are mostly made up of ice crystals that are twisted and shaped by wind. These delicate, wispy clouds appear high in the sky, and seeing them means a change in the weather is coming.…

The 2023 Ig Nobel Prizes were awarded for scientific research on topics like nose hair, electrified chopsticks, and rock licking. The prizes are given out annually for “research that makes people laugh…then think,” according to their creators. The Ig Nobels were inspired by the Nobel Prizes, which are among the world’s most prestigious awards (see page 3). Nobel Prizes in science celebrate research that benefits humankind. Ig Nobels, on the other hand, “celebrate the unusual, honor the imaginative—and spur people’s interest in science, medicine, and technology.” They do this by making science accessible, and even funny, while also demonstrating that odd research can be important. This year’s 10 winning projects included an exploration of how licking a rock is useful for assessing its mineral makeup. Another used electrified chopsticks and…

From September 30 to October 8, the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships were held in Antwerp, Belgium. The event featured top athletes from around the globe and gave a preview of what fans may see at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. The gold medalists in the team competitions were the US women and the Japanese men. It was the seventh consecutive team gold at Worlds for the US, which is a record. After that, US gymnast Simone Biles went on to win four individual medals, including three more golds. She now has 37 medals from the Olympics and Worlds combined, making her the most decorated male or female gymnast in history. The US women’s team was made up of Biles, Skye Blakely, Shilese Jones, Joscelyn Roberson, and Leanne Wong.…

Coach’s Name: Kimberly Nitschke Team: Kingsgate Skating Club (figure skating) “Coach Kimberly is awesome! She has been teaching me for more than a year. She helps me correct my moves and teaches me new things to keep me challenged. She inspires me and encourages me to make things better. Sometimes I have a class with my friend and she teaches us how to learn from looking at other people. She makes the class go by in a blur and makes our learning so fun! She told me I always have the next chance.” Carolyn, 8, Washington To nominate a Coach of the Week, send your coach’s name, photo, sport, and team to theweekjunior.com. Include your name, age, state, and a few reasons why your coach is great.…

The original Goosebumps TV show This kids’ series ran from 1995 to 1998 and was a top show in the US. Each episode told a different story. R.L. Stine was the host of season one. The Haunting Hour A collection of 10 tales written by Stine inspired this award-winning show that premiered in 2010. Episodes revolve around werewolves, clowns, life-size dolls, and other creepy subjects. Goosebumps movie In this 2015 film, R.L. Stine is a character who is played by comic actor Jack Black. After creatures from his books become part of the real world, his daughter and two boys have to save their town.…

Predators (Netflix) This new documentary series allows viewers to see life through the eyes of lions in Botswana, polar bears in Canada, and other predators in their natural habitats. Each episode uses up-close footage to show how these powerful hunters dominate and also fight to survive. Monster High 2 (Paramount+) Friends Clawdeen, Draculaura, Frankie, and Deuce from the live-action movie musical Monster High are back. As they enter their sophomore year of high school, there are new students, new powers, and a new threat that forces them to travel to the human world. Lego Masters (Fox) Thursdays at 9 pm ET It’s season four of the popular competition series. As usual, pairs compete to win a grand prize of $100,000 and see one of their Lego builds become a real…

Cut Loose! explores the challenges of middle school friendships and going after your dreams. These questions can help you talk about the book with friends and family who have also read it. Some of Nat’s castmates think she landed the part of Ariel because of her disability. What’s your take? Do you think Hudson should have told Nat right away that he felt left out? After reading this book, what have you learned about challenges people who use wheelchairs may face? In what way did some of the adult characters in this book display poor behavior? Does this book inspire you in any way? If so, how? Are you satisfied with the ending? Why or why not?…

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Halloween is a big night for the Peanuts gang. Even if you’ve already seen this fan favorite, it can be fun to rewatch it with a group. Hocus Pocus When three witches are accidentally freed by a teenage boy named Max in this comedy fantasy movie, Halloween night suddenly gets interesting! Frankenweenie In this animated stop-motion film, mayhem ensues when a young scientist named Victor Frankenstein brings his beloved pet dog back to life—as the bionic Frankenweenie. Hotel Transylvania The guests at Hotel Transylvania are like a who’s who of Halloween lore: Dracula runs the hotel, and a Frankenstein mummy and werewolves round out the guests. Find out what happens when the townspeople get word of this creepy vacation destination.…

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 The seventh planet from the Sun 4 In a Harry Potter costume, this is shaped like a lightning bolt 8 Water bird whose bill has a large pouch 9 Number of cents in the thinnest and smallest US coin 10 It’s felt along the edge of some coins 12 Yellow part of a chicken egg 14 Instrument that can sound like a beating heart 16 Chewy bread shaped like a doughnut 18 “The ___ and the Grasshopper” (fable about two insects) 19 Transportation associated with Venice, Italy 21 Skeleton ___ (items that can open any lock) 22 Soccer or…

When The Week Junior went to press on October 10, violence had broken out in the Middle East (p2). After a militant group called Hamas attacked Israel, Israel declared war on Hamas. What has occurred is upsetting to all of us on the editorial team and may be upsetting to you too. Many government leaders and individuals around the world have condemned the violence and called for an end to the fighting. I hope our article will help you understand what is happening and that you will speak to a trusted adult if you have questions or concerns. I also encourage you to talk to your family about what you can do to help those in need, whether in the Middle East or your own community. During difficult times, it…

“I love to read The Week Junior on a long car ride, especially before I hike.”Hudson, 12, Texas “I was so excited to see the Rubik’s Cube on the cover of The Week Junior.”Amiya, 12, New York “I had to improvise a few ingredients for the Green Goddess Pasta Salad from Issue 180, but it tasted amazing afterward!”Cecil, 9, Oregon…

Now that you’ve read a bit more about this issue, visit kids.theweekjunior.com/polls so you can vote in our debate. Vote YUM if you think candy corn is delicious or YUCK 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 in order to stimulate discussion and allow our readers to make up their minds. The views on this page do not reflect those of The Week Junior, and the page is not funded by third parties.…

Sarah Carotenuto Professor, University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine Dogs may lick your hands for several reasons. They can lick you because they like you, they may be showing submission (telling you that you are in charge), or you may have something tasty on your hands, like salty sweat, icing, or leftover mac and cheese. Yum! Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the UA College of Veterinary Medicine at vetmed.arizona.edu.…

Scientists re-created the scent of a mummy buried more than 3,500 years ago, and it smelled far better than people might imagine. When ancient Egyptians preserved the bodies of important people, they removed their organs and put them in clay urns. Many of those urns have been discovered in tombs in Egypt. A team of researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Germany studied two urns from about 1450 BCE that once held the preserved organs of a woman named Senetnay. She was a noblewoman who helped raise King Amenhotep II when he was an infant. Though the organs were gone, the urns contained the residue of different balms (pleasant-smelling ointments) that were used during the mummification process. The scientists closely examined the chemical makeup of the balms using a…

Transformers: EarthSpark—Expedition is a new action-adventure game out now for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation platforms, Xbox systems, and PC. The game is based on Transformers: EarthSpark, an animated series that is part of the popular Transformers franchise. The show stars two young new robot Transformers named Twitch and Thrash. They are the first-ever Transformers born on Earth and are known as Terrans. They are discovered by human siblings Robby and Mo Malto and join their family. Eventually, the Terrans are tutored by Bumblebee, a famous robot character in the Transformers universe. Twitch and Thrash train to help the hero Transformers known as Autobots and also work with a top-secret human organization in their fight against evil. The main villain in EarthSpark is Mandroid, a cyborg scientist. In the game, you…

Ali Stroker, the first actor who uses a wheelchair to win a Tony Award, co-wrote Cut Loose! with playwright Stacy Davidowitz. “After The Chance to Fly came out, we jumped on the phone to plan the sequel,” Stroker said. The Week Junior spoke to her about her childhood and more. Was middle school hard for you? Yes, I felt like an outsider and was worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up. How can a student help a classmate who feels left out? You don’t have to be their best friend—just talk to them. Ask them what they’re into right now or if they are doing anything fun after school. These kinds of questions may open a conversation that could change somebody’s day, week, or even life. Growing up,…

Guinness World Records called it a “pawsome” day when more than 200 dogs got together to watch a new film. On September 24, pups and their owners arrived at the lawn of a museum in Los Angeles, California, and settled in to watch Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. The event, which was held in partnership with an animal sanctuary, set a record for the most dogs attending a film screening. A Guinness World Records official said, “It’s not every day I get to enjoy…time at the movies with hundreds of furry friends.”…

“In 2021, I started Brooklyn Slime so I could donate to No Kid Hungry. I’ve been selling my homemade slime in our neighborhood parks, at playgrounds and craft fairs, and even online. I also host slime-making classes and birthday parties where I show other kids how to make it. I just love slime and I wanted to share that love while also helping kids who don’t have enough to eat. I’ve made over 1,000 slimes now, and I’m so proud to have raised more than $5,000 to support No Kid Hungry!” 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.…