Innehållsförteckning för Issue 211 från The Week Junior US

One tenth of the world’s population has started voting in an election that is taking place over 44 days in India. During that time, the nation with the world’s biggest population will conduct the largest exercise of democracy (government in which the people choose leaders) in history. What is happening? Polling places opened across India on April 19 in the first stage of a six-week process. Of India’s 1.4 billion people, about 969 million are eligible to cast ballots. The election will determine the next prime minister (PM, whose role is similar to a US President) and the 543 representatives in the Lok Sabha, one half of India’s parliament (similar to Congress, the branch of US government that makes laws). Who is running? In India, people do not directly elect…

In 2023, three people were caught carving their initials into the Colosseum, a 2,000-year-old structure in Rome, Italy. Overtourism on the island of Bali, Indonesia, has harmed beaches, killed coral, and scared wildlife. Some of the 30 million people who visit Venice, Italy, each year block the sidewalks and leave trash in the ancient city’s canals. While tourism can boost a local economy, it can also cause lasting damage. Venice now charges an entrance fee and bans pedestrians from sitting in public places. Kyoto, Japan, has closed streets to tourists. Some people say these solutions aren’t enough. What do you think? Should famous landmarks ban tourists? Yes—enough is enough already People travel to learn about other cultures and places, but what good does that do if they destroy cultural landmarks…

June, 11, Pennsylvania Sarah Carotenuto Professor, University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine Humans domesticated ferrets to help us hunt small animals and control pests like moles and rats. Ferrets can turn around in tunnels as wide as their bodies, which makes them very good at chasing small animals out of burrows. They are truly furry Slinkys, like Slink in the movie Toy Story! 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 have identified a previously unknown extinct turtle species that was about the size of a sofa, making it one of the largest freshwater turtles ever to live. It was also one of the youngest, living between 40,000 and 9,000 years ago, when it may have crossed paths with ancient humans. Turtles have existed for more than 230 million years. Today, there are at least 350 known species that live on land, in salt water, and in fresh water, like ponds and lakes. The newly identified species is named Peltocephalus maturin, after a fictional giant turtle named Maturin that appears in the work of author Stephen King. A team of researchers identified it based on a jawbone fossil that was discovered in the Amazon in Brazil in 2007. To learn…

Turbo Golf Racing is a new hybrid racing game. It is was recently released for the PlayStation 5, Xbox platforms, and PC. Real-world golf requires concentration and precision, which can make it feel slow. However, the sport becomes a lot more thrilling when it involves super-charged vehicles, giant balls, crazy courses, and extreme power-ups, which are all part of Turbo Golf Racing. In the game, you take the wheel of fast, tricked-out cars in a battle to see who can sink giant balls. The action is intense and nonstop, with vehicles shredding up courses in a race to finish three rounds. To add to the fun, there are two ways to compete: Be the player who sinks three balls first, or be the one who can sink them in the…

The Door Is Open Edited by Hena Khan (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) The stories in this book are set at a community center in a fictional town in New Jersey, and they are written by different South Asian authors. The center is a place where South Asian kids like to hang out, but now it’s in danger of being shut down. Can their favorite place be saved? Ages 8–12 The Doorman’s Repose By Chris Raschka (NYRB Kids) This is the new paperback version of a collection set in a New York City apartment building. The stories each have elements of fantasy. For instance, the building’s elevator is a matchmaker and a mouse is a jazz musician. Black-and-white illustrations are sprinkled throughout the book. Ages 8–12 A Little Bit…

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 Items found on a shirt or in an elevator 5 Atlas page 7 Enjoy a glass of something 8 Slightly compressed circles 9 Person who chooses not to eat meat or fish 12 Area around the Earth that includes its air and weather 16 Perform a hora or can-can, for example 17 Synonym for “large” sometimes used to describe eggs 18 A dog may raise this when you speak to it 19 Person in the running to win an award DOWN 1 Word that can replace “one” in everyone and someone 2 Strong, thin rope of twisted fibers 3…

I learned a great deal while reading this week’s news story about the election underway in India (p2). Voting takes place in seven phases over 44 days, for example, and election officials use camels and elephants to reach some voters in remote areas. What an incredible effort they are making to ensure that as many people as possible can cast a ballot! By June 1, nearly a billion people are expected to vote, which makes it the world’s largest election. Also in this week’s news sections, I enjoyed reading about the start of the Olympic torch relay, which will make its way to Paris, France, in time for the 2024 Summer Games (p3). And I smiled when I read that giant pandas will be coming to the San Francisco Zoo…

Actress and singer Phillipa “Pippa” Soo is best known for playing Eliza Hamilton in the original cast of the musical Hamilton. Now she has written her first picture book, Piper Chen Sings, with her co-author and sister-in-law Maris Pasquale Doran. It is about a Chinese American girl who must tackle stage fright in order to pursue her love of performing. Soo, age 33, grew up in Libertyville, Illinois, and started in the performing arts as a dancer at about age 4. She later took singing lessons and acting classes and auditioned for school plays. After high school, Soo moved to New York City to study acting at the Juilliard School. For her work in Hamilton, the musical and the film version on Disney+, Soo earned nominations for a Tony (top…

From pumas prowling through cities in California to jackals venturing into parks in Israel, the Covid-19 pandemic prompted many animals to change their behavior. It seemed as though animals were thriving while people had to stay home. However, a new study has revealed a more complex picture of what happened in the animal kingdom when the human world shut down. Scientists looked at images from more than 5,000 camera traps around the world. (These cameras automatically photograph animals when their movement or body heat is detected.) The researchers then used these images to study the activity of 163 mammal species both before and during the Covid-19 lockdowns. This showed how the animals reacted to changes in human activity. Overall, the activity of carnivores (meat-eating animals), such as wolves and bobcats,…

Chester Zoo in the UK has welcomed two snow leopards. Yashin and Nubra came from two separate zoos, but they’re getting along well. The zoo hopes the pair will mate and have cubs of their own. ● LIFE SPAN: 15–18 years in the wild● HABITAT: Mountains in Central and South Asia● SIZE: 29–59 inches long, plus their tail● DIET: Large mammals such as deer and sheep● FUN FACT: Unlike many big cats, snow leopards can’t roar. Instead, they make a high-pitched yowl.…

The 148th edition of the Westminster Dog Show, one of the largest dog shows in the US, will take place on May 11, 13, and 14 in Queens, New York. A tradition begins Dog shows have a history that stretches back more than 150 years. The world’s first known dog show took place in Newcastle, England, in 1859. The Westminster Kennel Club was founded in 1877 in New York City, named after a hotel that the club’s founders liked to visit. The club’s first show, held the same year, featured 1,201 pure-bred dogs (those bred from parents of the same breed or variety). The competition lasted four days and became a hit. The Best in Show award, the event’s highest honor, was first presented in 1907. How the dogs are…

A new dress made with heat-activated yarn changes shape and size when heat is applied to it. Created by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the garment is designed to keep people from throwing out clothes and buying new ones. To achieve the desired fit and design, the dress is placed on a mannequin, where a robotic heat gun can add tucks, pleats, and more. When the wearer wants a new style, they can repeat the process to transform the design without any cutting or sewing.…

The Intrepid Museum in New York City, located on the aircraft carrier the USS Intrepid, celebrates history and innovations related to the air, space, and sea. One of the museum’s famous attractions is a Concorde aircraft, a type of commercial airplane that was in service from 1976 to 2003 and could fly at more than twice the speed of sound. Last August, it was removed from the site to be refurbished, but it is now back and open to visitors. A total of 20 Concorde planes were made, and 14 flew commercially. The Concorde had powerful engines and a sleek design that allowed it to fly at 1,350 mph. “As the world’s only successful supersonic passenger airplane, it holds a unique place in history,” Kate Good, associate aerospace curator at…

The Slumber Party (Disney+) “This movie is sooooo good. I’ve watched it only a few times, but I’ve memorized it all. It’s about a girl named Anna Maria who hosts a slumber party and invites two of her friends to it. Her mom also invites Anna Maria’s soon-to-be stepsister, and then Anna Maria starts to get short-tempered. A hypnotist comes over and hypnotizes the girls, and in the morning, Anna Maria is missing. The other three girls form an unexpected friendship and try to find her. This movie is so thrilling, and if you like adventure, silliness, romance, and mystery, then I’d say to give it a try.” Gaia, 8, Illinois Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

By Adam Borba (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) Noah wants to follow in his older brother’s footsteps and win the election for class president of the 8th grade. In fact, he hopes to win every year in high school and go to a prestigious college, just like his brother. Even though Noah has campaigned a lot, he’s not sure how many votes he can count on from his classmates. One night, when Noah is at a bowling tournament with friends, he sees a boy who looks exactly like him. It turns out that the boy is Noah—only he’s from a week or so in the future. Noah’s parents, who are scientists, invented time travel within the last week. Future Noah travels back in time to help Noah win the…

Teachers dedicate a tremendous amount of time and energy to their students. In addition to the hard work of creating lesson plans, assessing progress, and managing a classroom, they do so much more. National Teacher Appreciation Week, taking place May 6–10, is a great time to show your teacher you’re thankful for all they do. Here’s how you can get started. Learn the history Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded Congress to establish the first National Teacher Day in 1953. In 1985, the National Education Association established Teacher Appreciation Week, to be recognized every year during the first full week of May. Express your gratitude One way to show appreciation for your teacher is to write them a letter. (You can fill out the form on the next page and…

The Nationwide insurance company recently invited people to cast votes for the wackiest pet names submitted by pet owners who purchased pet insurance. Finalists included dogs named Mr. Pizza Puff and Lulu the Conqueror, cats named Meownnaise and Steph Purrrry, and exotic pets such as a ferret named Mumbo Jumbo and a snake named Boop Noodle. The public selected three winners (above), and they will each receive a gift card and a professional photo shoot.…

“The Week Junior recently featured the Pacific Coast Highway, our chosen destination for our spring break!”Adeline, 10, Illinois “We became interested in the upcoming Presidential election after reading about it in The Week Junior and decided to visit The White House during our spring break!”Kate, 10, with Emily, 7, California “I took my Super Bowl–winning Chiefs issue of The Week Junior on vacation to Big Ben in London.”Callan, 10, Missouri “I took my copy of The Week Junior to Machu Picchu in Peru and read it while walking around the ruins.”Guillermo, 11, California “I took a break with The Week Junior at the top of the Castillo San Cristóbal fort in Puerto Rico!”Olivia, 10, Arkansas “The Angel Oak Park in South Carolina was featured as a Place of the Week…

1 How many ballerinas stood on pointe in New York City to set a record? a) 306 b) 333 c) 353 a □ b □ c □ 2 True or false? The Concorde airplane on display at the Intrepid Museum holds a record for the shortest flight time across the Pacific Ocean. True □ False □ 3 In the book This Again, Noah hopes to become class president of which grade? a) 6th b) 7th c) 8th a □ b □ c □ 4 NASA plans to send a space vehicle named what to Saturn’s moon Titan? 5 The 2024 Olympic torch will sail from Athens, Greece, to what city in France? a) Lyon b) Marseille c) Nantes a □ b □ c □ 6 True or false? Spending time…

SAYING HELLO A Bornean orangutan was born at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida. In the wild, the endangered apes live only on the Asian island of Borneo. The zoo said the baby girl is a “milestone in orangutan conservation efforts.” A WELCOME CHANGE Starbucks is rolling out new cold drink cups that use up to 20% less plastic than the old ones. The company said the change will keep about 13.5 million pounds of plastic out of landfills each year. Producing the single-use cups will also use less water and create fewer carbon emissions. BREAKING RECORDS On the day of its release, Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, smashed multiple records—many of them set by Swift with her previous albums. The new release is officially the…

May 3, 1973 Sears Tower is completed On May 3, 1973, construction was completed on the Sears Tower in Chicago, Illinois. The 110-story skyscraper stood 1,450 feet tall and was the world’s tallest building for more than 20 years. In 2009, it was renamed the Willis Tower after the insurance company that purchased it. More than 1.7 million people visit the Willis Tower skydeck every year to enjoy views of up to 50 miles and four states.…

Cedar Breaks is a natural formation shaped like an amphitheater sitting 10,000 feet above sea level at the edge of the Colorado Plateau. From here, visitors can look down on arches, hoodoos (tall, thin rock formations), and towers made of sandstone, shale, and limestone. Along with the vibrant yellow, orange, red, and purple rock formations, many colorful wildflowers can be seen in the park. Wildlife in the area includes red foxes, black bears, house finches, and California condors. Visitors can enjoy the wilderness by hiking an easy, 30-minute nature trail.…

Andean bears Conservation experts have spotted Andean bears in a new area in Bolivia. The experts set up cameras and found 60 of these South American bears in the Tarija region, bringing hope that the vulnerable species has begun to thrive. Grassland earless dragons The number of wild grassland earless dragons in Australia has dropped from hundreds in 2019 to 11 this year. Conservationists are working to breed this critically endangered species, but they say its habitat must be protected to avoid extinction.…

2021 Siba, a standard poodle in the non-sporting group, won Best in Show in 2020. A judge said she was “elegant” and “exquisite” with “an air of distinction.” 2021 A veteran dog show competitor named Wasabi took the top prize in 2021. The Pekingese from the toy group “stood as though he was a lion,” a Westminster judge said. 2022 A breakthrough came in 2022 when Trumpet became the first bloodhound in Westminster history to win Best in Show. A judge said Trumpet, a member of the hound group, had “a beautiful head” and praised his “flawless movement.” 2023 A petit basset griffon Vendéen named Buddy Holly, from the hound group, made history last year by becoming the first of his breed to win Best in Show. “Nothing bothers him,”…

Spending time in space makes astronauts more likely to get headaches, according to a new study. A total of 66 astronauts from NASA (the US space agency), the European Space Agency, and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency participated in the study. Of those, 24 astronauts reported their experiences with headaches before and during their space flights. The other 42 reported their experiences based on past space flights. While none of the astronauts reported regularly experiencing headaches on Earth, most of them got headaches in space. Fortunately, the headaches were mostly mild or moderately severe. Most occurred during the first week of an astronaut’s space mission, and they became less frequent as the missions went on. The types of headaches also changed. Migraines, a type of severe headache that often comes…

The 2023–2024 NHL (National Hockey League) regular season ended on April 18. Sixteen teams moved on to the Stanley Cup playoffs. While many of them secured their postseason spots before that day, some did not know if they would make the playoffs until the final games were played. The New York Rangers finished the regular season with 114 points, the most of any team, which earned them the President’s Trophy. Points are awarded for wins as well as losses in overtime. The Rangers entered the postseason as the top team in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the player who had the most regular-season goals was Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews, who finished with 69. He had been trying to reach 70, a feat only eight NHL players have accomplished. Entering…

Coach’s Name: Dean Villanueva Team: Junior Olympics at Nova Archery Club “My team is full of teenagers, and my amazing coach handles us very well. He not only helps us with our archery skills but also with our humor and dancing skills. He is a really fun and good guy to be around. He congratulates us when we get a bullseye or a medal. We really appreciate him at Nova Archery Club. He’s a really good coach.” Ris, 12, Washington, DC 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.…

Apollo: When We Went to the Moon This Intrepid Museum exhibit about NASA’s Apollo program is open until September 2. It includes a lunar rover model and a virtual moonwalk. The Flight Deck The top level of the Intrepid is covered with vintage and modern aircraft. Among the collection are famous fighter jets, helicopters, and a Lockheed A-12, a type of jet that holds records for speed and altitude. Submarine Growler Visitors can board this American nuclear missile submarine and discover what life was like for the crew that once lived and worked on it. Some areas to see are the control room, torpedo room (shown above), dining room, and bunks.…

Jane (Apple TV+) The series inspired by the mission of world-famous conservationist Jane Goodall is back for season two. In the new episodes, young environmentalist Jane goes on more imaginary adventures with her best friend David and stuffed toy chimp Greybeard. Surprise & Seek (Amazon Kids+) This new competition series is an elaborate twist on the game of hide-and-seek. In each episode, six friends work their way through outrageous courses filled with roaring dinosaurs, giant candy, and pirate ships, while also trying to avoid booby traps like slime and ball pits. Tiger (Disney+) The team that made this nature documentary spent 1,500 days filming in a forest in India where they followed a tiger named Ambar and her cubs. Indian actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas narrates the action as Ambar tries…

Is this book a fantasy? Yes, it’s a “grounded” fantasy. That means everything feels realistic except for one element. In this book, that one element is the time machine. Growing up, did you resemble Noah? Yes, I attempted to take on more than I could handle. I still do sometimes. But I try not to feel like I have to do everything at once. Favorite author as a child? I had so many, including Louis Sachar, Roald Dahl, Beverly Cleary, Jerry Spinelli, and Judy Blume. Best writing advice you’ve received? Write every day! Even if it’s only a few dozen words. Where would you go if you could time travel? I’d go back in time to last Monday at 3 p.m. when I forgot about a carton of ice cream…

Teacher’s Name: Mr. Nguyen School: Hazel Pattison Elementary “Mr. Nguyen is the best teacher ever! He was my kindergarten teacher. I am now in fifth grade, yet I still think he is the best teacher I have ever had. He is super nice, smart, and funny, and I will miss him when I leave elementary school.” Aiva, 10, Texas 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.…