Innehållsförteckning för Issue 200 från The Week Junior US

A historic case came before the US Supreme Court, America’s most powerful court of law, on February 8. The nine members of the court, called justices, heard arguments about whether former President Donald Trump can be disqualified from appearing on ballots in the 2024 Presidential election, to be held on November 5. Trump is currently running for a second term in office and is expected to be the Republican nominee for President. What was the case about? In September 2023, voters in Colorado filed a lawsuit to prevent Trump from appearing on the ballot in that state. They said he is ineligible because he violated Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution (highest US law), which says that no person who has engaged in an insurrection (open…

WELCOMING A NEW YEAR Lunar New Year celebrations are underway at Disneyland in California. Mushu from Mulan leads a parade through the park, Minnie and Mickey wear festive clothes, and Meilin from Turning Red poses for photos. A BIG BIRTHDAY Bibi the hippo marked her 25th birthday at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio. She became famous in 2017, when her baby Fiona was born prematurely and overcame major medical issues. For Bibi’s birthday meal, the zoo gave its “special lady” cantaloupe, lettuce, and cauliflower. A MAGICAL BOOK RELEASE A previously unpublished book by Maurice Sendak—the beloved author and illustrator of Where the Wild Things Are and other children’s titles—has been released nearly 12 years after his death. In Ten Little Rabbits, a young magician pulls rabbits out of a hat…

Illustrator Howard McWilliam creates political cartoons for the cover of The Week, the parent magazine of The Week Junior. Now he’s written and illustrated his first picture book, Just Snow Already!, about a child hoping for snow. He spoke to The Week Junior about his love of drawing. How did drawing become your career? I always enjoyed illustrating, but after college I got a job working as a financial journalist in London, England. I got to know a lot of editors in the office. One day, they were in need of an illustrator for the magazine cover. They knew I had an art background, so they asked if I would do it. I jumped at the chance. What inspired you to create Just Snow Already!? The little boy is basically…

Dogs are well-known for wagging their tails when they are happy or excited. Recent research has revealed, however, that canine tail-wagging is more complicated than many people believe. A group of scientists analyzed more than 100 studies on how and why dogs wag their tails. They found that dogs’ tails wag more to the right when the pups are experiencing positive feelings, such as joy at seeing their owner. Tails wag more to the left when dogs encounter something that makes them nervous or uncertain, such as another dog that is acting aggressively. When a dog’s tail is wagging low to the ground, it is a sign that the pup is being submissive (obedient) or trying to please or calm someone. Dogs seem to understand that different manners of tail-wagging…

Scientists have learned that the pink fairy armadillo, the smallest armadillo species, has two layers of skin—one covered in white fur and the other in bony plates. This unique double layer has not been seen in any other mammals. • LIFE SPAN: 5 to 10 years • HABITAT: Central Argentina • SIZE: About 6 inches long • DIET: Includes ants, snails, worms, and plants • FUN FACT: Enormous claws help these “sand swimmers” navigate their underground habitat.…

The Brooklyn Bridge, which stretches over New York City’s East River to connect Brooklyn and Manhattan, is traveled by thousands of people every day. One of the city’s most stunning sights originated as one man’s bold idea. A plan forms In 1831, engineer John Roebling immigrated from Germany to the US. He was a pioneer builder of the suspension bridge, a type that features a roadway hanging from wires called cables. One day in New York City, Roebling was riding a ferry across the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan when he had an idea. To city lawmakers, he proposed a bridge with cables made of steel, connected by two stone towers, to make it stronger than any bridge ever built. Above the road would be a pedestrian path “to…

A new, simple smartphone is designed to reduce distractions and increase comfort and productivity. The Minimal Phone resembles an e-reader and can be used for calls, texts, emails, and basic apps, including ride-sharing and navigation. One of Minimal’s features is a black-and-white display, which is best for reading but discourages social media use. A large touchscreen offers better visibility, and a traditional keyboard allows for efficient typing. It will be made with eco-friendly materials.…

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a new puzzle-driven platform game that is a remake and upgrade of a 2004 game of the same name. It is out now exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. The characters of Mario and Donkey Kong first appeared together in the original Donkey Kong arcade game that was released in 1981. Back then, Mario was simply called Jumpman. Over the years, the pair have been both friends and rivals. In Mario vs. Donkey Kong, they do not get along. The story in the game is that Mario runs a toy factory that produces wind-up Mini-Marios. When Donkey Kong finds out that the local toy store is sold out of them, he smashes his way into the factory and steals the entire supply. Mario sets off to…

Fablehaven By Brandon Mull “Mythical creatures, like fairies and demons, live in a secret preserve called Fablehaven to protect themselves. Seth and Kendra don’t realize their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. When the barriers that kept the creatures safe disappear, Seth and Kendra must try to save Fablehaven and their family. How will they rescue everyone?” Zaylen, 11, Florida Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Crisscross Each of these words associated with detectives fits into this grid. Can you find where each one goes to complete the grid? 5 letters ALIAS CASES LEADS THEFT 6 letters ARREST MOTIVE SLEUTH 7 letters MYSTERY WITNESS 8 letters EVIDENCE 9 letters DISCOVERY FOOTPRINT QUESTIONS 12 letters INVESTIGATOR SURVEILLANCE ALL THE SAME Each answer contains the letters A-B-E. Those letters have been placed for you. Can you figure out the words? (NEED A HINT? Check the bottom of the page.) Take five Five 5-letter words associated with George Washington or Abraham Lincoln 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? SUDOKU To complete the…

Vote for your favorite books! Have you read any books you’ve enjoyed so much you wish all kids knew about them? Contribute to our 50 Books Kids Love Most list for 2024! The reading list, with quotes from readers, will be published in The Week Junior in June. We’re looking for at least 100 kids to fill out our voting form. If you’d like to vote, have an adult email us at hello@theweekjunior.com with Books Kids Love in the subject line, and we’ll send the form to them. Happy reading! RIDDLE OF THE WEEK What do you fill each morning and empty each night? Your shoes 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,…

How much of this week’s news can you remember? 1 What animal did Emily Roebling carry the first time she crossed the Brooklyn Bridge? 2 In the video game Mario vs. Donkey Kong, what kind of toys does Donkey Kong steal? a) Donkey Kong dolls b) Mini-Marios c) Banana balls a □ b □ c □ 3 In the book Unstuck, what type of contest is Lyla hoping to enter? a) Acting b) Painting c) Writing a □ b □ c □ 4 True or false? Dogs only wag their tails when they are happy or excited. True □ False □ 5 The world’s biggest inflatable castle is an attraction in what country? 6 In Avatar: The Last Airbender, which country launched a war while Aang was frozen? a) Earth…

Bandelier National Monument was established in 1916, but its history goes back thousands of years. The land was home to the Ancestral Pueblo people about 11,000 years ago. Ancient rock carvings are a highlight for visitors, who can explore the grounds by walking trails and loops. The area has more than 55 species of mammals—including bats, deer, and mountain lions—and a variety of bird species, such as the Western scrub jay. Nature lovers can hike through canyons to see waterfalls, which freeze during the colder months. Find out more at nps.gov/band.…

African elephants After significant decreases in the population of African elephants over the past century, data shows that their numbers have finally stabilized. Experts say this is partly because protected areas were created for the animals. Sharks According to a new study, about 80 million sharks are dying each year due to human activities such as overfishing. Researchers say the laws that currently exist are not doing enough to protect threatened and endangered shark species.…

As an architectural icon, the Brooklyn Bridge has been a setting for many movies. In the 1988 Disney animated film Oliver & Company, an epic chase scene ends on the bridge. In another animated film—The Secret Life of Pets from 2016—a Jack Russell terrier named Max finds himself in a tricky situation on the bridge until Gidget, a fluffy white Pomeranian, comes to his rescue. In the world of live-action movies, the bridge appears in Disney’s Newsies, a 1992 musical based on the true story of the 1899 newsboys’ strike in New York City. In one scene, the newsboys stand on the bridge gazing at the skyline. In another Disney movie-musical, the 2007 hit film Enchanted, Giselle and Edward—who were transported from a fairy-tale world to New York City—take a…

A study of the emoji database Emojipedia found that there are currently 92 animal emojis, 16 plants, one fungus, and one single-celled organism thought to be a type of bacteria. Scientists say this does not accurately represent the diversity of living things in real life and should be addressed. More than three quarters of animal emojis are vertebrates. There are very few arthropods (animals without a backbone but with a hard outer shell), which make up the majority of animal life on Earth. While there are multiple species of ants and crocodiles, there is only one emoji for each of those animals, and creatures such as flatworms are not shown at all. The study did find that the number of animal emojis has increased from 45 in 2015. The types…

2023 CLOSE-UP PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS…

A popular animated show for kids on Netflix has been turned into a live-action series. Avatar: The Last Airbender, which originally aired on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008, is a fantasy inspired by Asian and Indigenous (first people known to have inhabited a place) folklore. The newly reimagined show will premiere on Netflix on February 22. It is rated TV-14. Avatar is set in a world with four nations that correspond to the universe’s four main elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. The main character is Aang, a 12-year-old who can control all four elements. After being frozen for 100 years, he learns the Fire Nation has started a war and he is the last surviving Air nomad. He then sets off on a journey with two Water tribe members…

Yes Day PG (Netflix) “This is a family-friendly movie about parents who let their three kids do whatever they want for 24 hours. I was glued to it. Sometimes movies can be too long, but Yes Day is the perfect amount of time. Once the parents started to agree to their Yes Day, I kept wondering what was next. Some of the activities the kids choose are to go through a car wash with the windows open, visit a theme park, eat a giant sundae, and play a giant game of capture the flag. I loved the movie so much that I asked my aunt if we could do a Yes Day when I visited her in New York City. She said yes!” Leah, 11, Michigan Do you have a…

By Barbara Dee (Aladdin) Lyla wants to write a fantasy novel—or maybe even a whole book series. It’s going to be about a quest that a girl embarks upon through a haunted swamp to rescue her sister. As luck would have it, Lyla’s seventh-grade English teacher gives a creative writing assignment to the class. Lyla writes down the first sentence but decides she doesn’t like it. Day after day, she either doesn’t write anything or crosses out her words with her blue gel pen. Lyla grows frustrated because she wants to enter the story in a writing contest and doesn’t understand why the words aren’t coming to her. She’s also preoccupied that her best friend is going to a new middle school and making a bunch of other friends. After…

Farewell to Manzanar By Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston (Clarion Books) Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston lived with her family at Manzanar, a camp where the US imprisoned Japanese Americans during World War II. This is the 50th-anniversary edition of her incredible memoir. Ages 8 and up I Shook Up the World By Maryum “May May” Ali, illustrated by Patrick Henry Johnson (Beyond Words) This is the 20th-anniversary edition of a book about boxer Muhammad Ali (1942–2016), written by his daughter. It’s divided into “rounds” about his life, including when he won an Olympic gold medal. It also describes his role in the civil rights movement. Ages 6–10 The Tale of Despereaux By Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering (Candlewick) The Newbery Award–winning fantasy book contains a new short…

A hopping good time The bouncy fun seems endless at a tourist attraction in Pakistan, which has just claimed the Guinness World Records title for the world’s biggest inflatable castle. The Jumbo Jump in the city of Karachi measures more than 15,200 square feet in area and stands 40 feet tall. As many as 200 people can fit into Jumbo Jump’s “four corners of pure, inflatable fun.” The bouncy castle contains climbing walls and a slide. It took six months to build, but only 10 minutes to inflate. Its founder, Safeer Khan, says it’s “a celebration of the extraordinary.” Making armor for animals Canadian artist Jeff de Boer has been working in a unique trade for 36 years as the world’s first—and only—mouse and cat armorer. First inspired by a…

“Making our own snacks for the Super Bowl was a lot of fun! The Ritz churros were my favorite! Thank you to The Week Junior for the recipes!” Aria, 10, Washington “I used The Week Junior article to plan a Super Bowl party with my best friend and uncle. Thank you for the tips on food and games!” Varin, 8, Massachusetts “We were watching the Super Bowl, and I made the Super Bowl commercial bingo board game from The Week Junior. I love the magazine.” Teddy, 12, New York…

February 21, 1878 First telephone directory published On February 21, 1878, the first telephone directory was published in New Haven, Connecticut. It listed the names of the 50 businesses and homes that had telephones—an invention by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. Later in 1878, New Haven expanded the directory and included rules: Calls were to be limited to two minutes, and only two calls could be made per hour per telephone.…

A stack of logs burning in a fireplace is a classic symbol of warmth, coziness, and comfort. However, some people say that while wood-burning fireplaces might be toasty, they’re unhealthy and they contribute to climate change. Many people are calling on local governments to set stricter rules when it comes to log fires—including, in some cases, getting rid of them entirely. Others argue that wood-burning fireplaces have come a long way, as newer versions are designed to generate less pollution while still providing heat and a pleasant experience. What do you think? Should we phase out wood-burning fireplaces? Yes—there’s no need for them Burning wood is harmful for animals, humans, and plants. People should be trying to protect the planet, not harm it. Wood-burning fireplaces create smoke and release carbon…

Rebecca Roland Public affairs specialist, National Park Service Most otters give birth in dens on the banks of rivers or the shores of lakes. Sea otters are the exception—they give birth in the water. Baby otters are called pups or kits. Sea otters typically give birth to one pup at a time, whereas river otters may have litters of three or five. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the National Park Service at nps.gov.…

Giant apes that stood nearly 10 feet tall and weighed more than 600 pounds once roamed southern China. These creatures, which were the largest apes ever to walk the Earth, ate plants, fruits, and flowers before they went extinct. New research shows they vanished between 295,000 and 215,000 years ago due to a limited diet and an inability to evolve (change very slowly over time) as their habitat shifted. The apes, named Gigantopithecus blacki, lived for more than one million years in the Pleistocene epoch, which lasted from 2.58 million years ago to about 11,700 years ago. “Normally when you think about a giant, you think about a dinosaur, but this was a giant in the primate family,” Kira Westaway of Macquarie University in Australia, a co-author of the study,…

On February 11, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers, 25–22, in overtime (OT) to win the Super Bowl, the championship game of the NFL (National Football League). The Chiefs, who won last year, are the first back-to-back champions since the New England Patriots in the 2003–2004 season. It’s the Chiefs’ third Super Bowl win in five years. Super Bowl LVIII (58) was played at Allegiant Stadium, just outside Las Vegas, Nevada. It was a rematch of the Super Bowl in 2020, which the Chiefs won. The last time the 49ers won a Super Bowl was in the 1994–1995 season. The contest began as a hard-fought defensive battle, and the first quarter was scoreless. The 49ers opened the scoring in the second quarter when Jake Moody made a…

Coach’s Name: Katie Shull School: Skyline Middle School “Coach Katie is the best cheer coach because she makes cheer so fun and enjoyable. She helps us do the right thing, and when we make mistakes, she helps us see what we did wrong. I like how she tries new things whether or not it goes well. If we don’t feel like doing it, she doesn’t force us to, so after every single practice everybody goes home with pleasure. That is why she is the best coach I have ever had in my whole entire life.” Sarah, 12, Virginia 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.…

Animated original There were 62 episodes of the show, which was created by Michael DiMartino and Brian Konietzko. In 2007, it was nominated for an Emmy Award. Book series In 2012, DiMartino and Konietzko began publishing a series of graphic novels that dive deeper into the story. The books pick up where the series left off and have spin-off stories that revolve around different characters and past avatars. Spin-off The animated series titled The Legend of Korra premiered in 2012. It takes place 70 years after Aang restored order to the world and centers on a female Avatar, Korra, a waterbender.…

Self (Disney+) This new short film from Pixar’s SparkShort series follows a stop-motion animated wooden doll who wishes she could look like people from the computer-generated world. When she has a chance to make changes to her body, she discovers the value of being herself. Patrick and the Whale (PBS) (PBS App) (PBS.org) Cameraman Patrick Dykstra has traveled the world to dive with and study whales. This new documentary is about his bond with a sperm whale in the Caribbean that he named Dolores. Breathtaking underwater footage shows how the pair learn to communicate with each other. A Hero’s Journey: The Making of Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+) Go behind the scenes of the new TV series Percy Jackson and the Olympians. You’ll see interviews with Percy author Rick…

What’s your advice for kids trying to solve a problem, like Lyla in the story? Don’t keep it in your head, where it can get tangled up. Figure out who can help, and talk it out. Be open to different solutions. Did you always enjoy writing? Yes! Growing up, I wanted to be an author. I wrote my first book when I was 5. It was about a boy whose robot smoked a pipe. Favorite book genre? Realistic fiction! I’m so glad that today’s middle-grade novels explore such a wide range of real-world topics. What do you hope readers take away from the book? Every writer gets “stuck” at times. Try to enjoy the writing process without worrying about getting published or winning an award. Dog or cat? We have…

Whether you’ve outgrown the theme of your bedroom or just want to make a few changes to give it an updated look, you don’t need a big budget to make it happen. With a few smart strategies, you can give your room a whole new feel. Here’s how you can get started. Clear out the clutter Before you start freshening up your space, take a look around to see what you have that you could give away to someone who could use it. Ask an adult for two bags or boxes, one for items you want to donate and one for anything that can go directly in the trash. Once your room is neat, you can see what kinds of changes you might want to make. Think about light One…

REPURPOSE A BROKEN OBJECT If someone at home accidentally breaks a treasured possession—like a ceramic vase or a favorite coffee mug—see if you can try to fix it instead of throwing it away. (Talk to an adult before you attempt to make any repairs.) If the item can’t be repaired for its intended use, consider other ways you might repurpose it instead of sending it to a landfill. For example, a tall vase with a crack in it can be used to hold paintbrushes. Chipped cups or mugs with broken handles can become a place to put pens, makeup brushes, or metal straws. A picture frame with missing glass can be turned into a jewelry holder if you string a few pieces of wire from one side to the other.…

It’s been an exciting week in sports! In an extremely close and tense game on February 11, the Kansas City Chiefs football team won the 58th Super Bowl (p18). Earlier that day, Team Ruff won the 20th Puppy Bowl, also by a narrow margin (p5). Even better, puppies from Team Ruff and their opponent, Team Fluff, as well as other puppies from shelters across the US, were adopted because of the publicity generated by the game. In other news, FIFA (the global governing organization for soccer) made an announcement about the World Cup, the most-watched sports event worldwide (p5). The final match of the 2026 tournament will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The highlight for the editorial team at The Week Junior was receiving so…

Teacher’s Name: Mrs. Prelosky School: Llewellyn Elementary “Mrs. Prelosky is so nice! When we’re doing math or someone is confused, she’s always happy to help. She is constantly cracking jokes and is so kind. Though all teachers encourage learning, she makes learning fun. Sometimes on Fridays, she lets us spend time on our computers and play board games. Mrs. Prelosky is an amazing teacher, and she is wonderful.” Josie, 9, Oregon 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.…