Innehållsförteckning för Issue 231 från The Week Junior US

A major new study examined how the world’s plastic waste creates harmful pollution. The report, which was published in the journal Nature on September 4, draws attention to the millions of tons of plastic pollution that end up in Earth’s ground, water, and air every year. What was the report? Conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Leeds in the UK, the study was the first to look closely at how plastic waste is handled and why it becomes pollution. The research focused on plastic that goes into the open environment—including oceans, rivers, and mountains—rather than being recycled or properly disposed of in landfills or elsewhere. The team examined waste created locally in more than 50,000 cities and towns around the world. They then used artificial intelligence…

LOVING THE LIBRARY September is Library Card Sign-up Month, when anyone who doesn’t have a card is encouraged to get one. People who already have a card can try something new at their local branch, like joining a book club, tinkering in the makerspace, or listening to audiobooks. A SWEET CELEBRATION In honor of Barbie’s 65th anniversary this year, Krispy Kreme is serving four special doughnuts inspired by the famous doll. They’re “the perfect blend of flavor and style, with nods to Barbie sprinkled into every bite,” said a spokesperson for Mattel, the company that makes the dolls. DRAWING FOR DEMOCRACY In Michigan’s contest to design “I Voted” stickers for the 2024 elections, a drawing created by a 12-year-old earned howls of appreciation—and the most votes of the nearly 500…

The Adirondack Mountains cover 6 million acres of land in northern New York. It’s the largest protected natural area in the continental US, one of the first of its kind when it was created in 1892. The Adirondacks are made up of 12 counties, which include hiking trails and lakes (including Lake Placid, where the Winter Olympics have been held twice). More than 100 types of birds, including saw-whet owls and black-backed woodpeckers, live in the region. Black bears, coyotes, beavers, and moose can also be found throughout the mountains.…

Poweshiek skipperling The John Ball Zoo in Michigan has released more than 1,200 Poweshiek skipperling butterflies into the wild as part of a conservation program. The endangered insects were once found across the Midwest, and experts hope they will recover. Japanese pavement ants A honeybee species in Japan has a new strategy to defend itself against hive invasions by Japanese pavement ants. Researchers found that when an ant approaches, the bees use their wings to give the ant a powerful slap.…

Scientists may have solved the mystery of how Egypt’s oldest pyramid was constructed thousands of years ago. A new study concluded that ancient Egyptians used a sophisticated water system to build the Step Pyramid of Djoser, which is named after the Egyptian pharaoh (ruler) Djoser. Built about 4,700 years ago, the pyramid is made of stone and clay and stands 197 feet tall. It is designed in six layers arranged like steps. Researchers have never been able to confirm how it—or any of the Egyptian pyramids—were built with heavy materials in a time before construction equipment, like cranes, existed. A team of scientists led by Xavier Landeau of the CEA Paleotechnic Institute in France used a computer program to model different construction methods. They also studied maps and a nearby…

The US Open tennis tournament took place from August 26 to September 8 in Queens, New York. It is one of the four most prestigious tennis competitions in the world, known as Grand Slams. This year, the women’s singles champion was Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, the second-ranked women’s player in the world, and the men’s singles champion was Jannik Sinner of Italy, the number one men’s player. It was the first time either had won the US Open singles title. Although an American did not win a US Open title this year, US players had a great showing. For the first time since 2003, two American men and two American women made a Grand Slam singles semifinal. Those that advanced to the final were sixth-seeded (ranked) Jessica Pegula, who had…

An exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is giving movie fans a chance to learn how computer-animated films are made. The Science Behind Pixar takes visitors through every phase of production and highlights how the films incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The exhibit has been touring the US and will be in Pittsburgh until January 5. The Science Behind Pixar was developed by the Museum of Science, Boston, and Pixar Animation Studios, the company that created films such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles. In the exhibit’s introductory movie, visitors learn that one animated scene can be lit by 230 virtual lights. “You never think about how much work and detail go into these films until you see something like this,” Carnegie Science…

“This super-cool movie is based on a novel by Louis Sachar. It is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats, whose family has been cursed because of his ‘no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing great-great-grandfather.’ After Stanley is mistakenly blamed for stealing expensive sneakers, he gets sent to Camp Green Lake. Kids there have to dig huge holes in the desert, allegedly to build character. He meets kids with nicknames like Zero, X-Ray, and Armpit. My favorite is Squid because he’s tough but also funny. Holes is an awesome movie with lots of adventure, mystery, and cool characters.” David, 12, Wisconsin Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Gracie convinces her parents to take the family on a snorkeling trip to Honduras, a country in Central America, over school break. Even her younger brother, Ben, who didn’t like the feel of a snorkeling mask a few years ago, is excited to see the colorful fish near the coral reefs. When they arrive in Roatán, an island off the coast, they snorkel at a small reef and spot several species of fish, including the vibrantly colored Fairy Basslet. But when they’re snorkeling the next time, Ben accidentally bumps into Gracie and she cuts her leg on the coral. The wound becomes infected and she needs to spend a few days out of the water. Her family travels to a nearby marine park, where they learn that the coral reefs…

Benny Ramírez and the Nearly Departed By José Pablo Iriarte Benny is the only person who can see the ghost of his grandfather, who was a famous musician. He teaches Benny how to play the trumpet, and the results will have you laughing out loud. This ghost story is more heartwarming than scary. Ages 8–12 The Daggers of Ire By J. C. Cervantes (HarperCollins) The author of the popular Storm Runner series has written a new fantasy novel. Esmerelda is the descendant of a witch, and she wants to find a spell that will make her father less sad about her mother’s death. But then a storm hits the town and all the magic disappears. It’s up to Esmerelda to save the place she loves. Ages 8–12 Doña Fela’s Dream…

A home that looks like a real-life Barbie Dreamhouse was recently put up for sale in New Jersey. The house was fully decorated in bubblegum pink and had three bedrooms, a home theater, and a gaming and craft room. Homeowner Kate Gabrielle said movies from the 1960s inspired the decor. Although the property didn’t immediately attract a buyer, its colorful style was popular on social media. One fan said, “I feel like it would be impossible to have a bad day living here.”…

Many people say their pets are part of the family. If they need to go somewhere for work or vacation, they often want to take their animals along, which can affect where, when, and how they travel. In the past, owners traveling by air had to put their pets in the cargo hold, a separate area in a plane that’s underneath where passengers sit. In recent years, more airlines have started allowing pet owners to bring small cats and dogs into the passenger cabin, as long as the animals are inside a special carrier. Many people are allergic to animals, however, and others don’t feel comfortable around pets. So what do you think? Should pets be allowed on flights? Yes—they’re cute and bring joy Veterinarians say flights can be distressing…

Bradley Lawrence Animal curator, Phoenix Zoo Albinism is a fairly rare condition in which an animal’s body does not create melanin, a compound that produces color in skin, hair, scales, and feathers. In the wild, this poses challenges because most animals with albinism don’t have the advantage of using their coloration to blend into their habitats. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Learn more about the Phoenix Zoo at phoenixzoo.org.…

Most bottled water is taken from underground sources, which are a limited resource. But a new type of canned water is pulling moisture from thin air at a solar-powered “water farm.” SKY WTR uses “hydropanel” technology. Solar panels power fans that draw in air and push it through a material that absorbs moisture. The moisture is collected as clean, filtered water. Because the process is powered entirely by sunlight, it can take place in remote, dry locations. The company that makes SKY WTR hopes it could help address a global water shortage.…

Coach’s Name: Fred Egerer Team: State College Warriors Lacrosse “Coach Fred is the best coach for lacrosse you could ever have! If we are having problems, he takes time to help us. During games, when we are on the sidelines he helps us improve! He takes risks, but it always works out. He worked on playing goalie with me and made it really fun! He got people to play positions they didn’t know they would love. Last but definitely not least, he lets us scrimmage or play something else really fun!” Katrina, 11, Pennsylvania 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.…

Early days The studio was founded in 1986 by Edwin Catmull (right), Alvy Ray Smith, and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. There were 40 employees at the start, and Pixar now has more than 1,200. Historic hits Pixar’s first feature film, 1995’s Toy Story, was the world’s first entirely computer-animated movie. This summer, the studio’s film Inside Out 2 (right) became the highest-grossing animated feature of all time. It has earned more than $1.6 billion worldwide. Star symbol Luxo Jr. was a lamp character in Pixar’s 1986 short film Luxo Jr., the first 3D computer-animated film nominated for an Oscar (top film award). The lamp became an icon for Pixar and appears at the start of its films.…

Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy (Disney+) In this new Lego Star Wars special, nerf-herder Sig Greebling uncovers a powerful artifact in a hidden Jedi temple. It thrusts him into a warped galaxy where heroes are villains and villains are heroes. Sig must become the unexpected savior who can restore balance and set things right. Uglies (Netflix) Based on the best-selling sci-fi books by Scott Westerfield, this new film is set in a future where everyone has mandatory cosmetic surgery at age 16 to become “Pretties.” When teen Tally Youngblood’s friend goes missing, she uncovers dark truths about her world. It is rated PG-13. Big Cats 24/7 (PBS) Travel to Botswana’s Okavango Delta for an up-close look at the daily lives of lions, leopards, and cheetahs. In this documentary, cameras follow…

What inspired this book? My love of snorkeling and my concern for the planet. Do you share characteristics with Gracie? Like Gracie, I love planning things, and we are both older sisters. But my little brother was not quite as difficult as hers! How can kids help the environment? Talk about it and think about it every day. Keeping the environment front of mind will help you spread the word about its importance to others. What’s your favorite vacation memory? It was the first time I saw the ocean. I grew up in Illinois, and when I was 8 years old, we went to Massachusetts. I thought the ocean was so cool. Dream vacation spot? My favorite trip was snorkeling in the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean.…

Now is a great time of year to take a hike—which is really a long walk in nature. The weather is cooler, the days are still fairly long, and trees may be just beginning to change color. Choose a weekend morning or afternoon, and ask family and friends to head out for a hike with you. Here’s how. Pick a path The first step is to choose where you’re going. You can keep it simple and walk around a local park. Or you could make the walk more of a hike and head to a trail at a local nature preserve or state park. To find family-friendly trails near you, go to alltrails.com. You can search for trails by different criteria, such as how close they are to home, length,…

Offering a kind word to someone can make their day. So why don’t people do it more often? Research shows that many people underestimate the positive impact their words have on others. If you want to brighten someone’s day, try giving a compliment. Be sincere. For example, you might tell a friend that you noticed something amazing they recently did or said. You can also make someone feel better with encouragement when they need it, such as, “Hey, you’ve got this!” You could also offer a gesture to brighten a friend’s day, such as by sharing a special playlist or simply reaching out to make a plan to spend time together.…

Every year when the entries to our Nature Photo Contest start coming in, our staff is amazed by the quality and quantity of the submissions. This year more than 1,400 children from across the US sent in an image, and each one was impressive. We spent hours deciding on the finalists, the runners-up, and the winners—and it wasn’t easy! Ultimately, the grand prizes went to Twyla in the 11–14 age group and Aayush in the 8–10 age group. You can see their winning photos on our front and back covers as well as in our full coverage of the results, which includes the runners-up and finalists in each group (p12–15). Our most enthusiastic congratulations to all of them and to every child who entered. Thank you, also, to our esteemed…

“We met Malia Maunakea, the author of Lei and the Fire Goddess, at our library! We thought it was cool that she has ADHD like us.”Aubrey, 11, and Charlie, 11, Hawaii “I enjoyed reading The Lost Rainforest because it has a magical world with exciting, edge-of-the-seat twists.” Rayan, 8, California “The Last Fallen Moon is an exciting and adventurous book about a girl whose life changes and how she deals with it.”Dayna, 9, Texas…

“It helps in school by keeping me up to date with news.”—Elizabeth Reading sparks a lifetime love of learning, gets kids on track for success, and helps them identify and follow their passions. There are stories in The Week Junior that speak to every child and inspire them to keep reading. Get them ready for back to school with a subscription to The Week Junior. When you give a gift of The Week Junior, confidence grows and learning becomes fun. Give 25 weekly issues and save 66%, plus get a free gift! Order online at theweekjunior.com/firstday Order NOW! Scan This…

Arjun Venkataswamy is a former high school math teacher now shaping technology that children use to learn. He’s a lead developer of Amazon’s Alexa Kids, a special version of the company’s popular voice assistant, and he spoke to The Week Junior about his work. How did you begin your career? I always loved building things, so I studied engineering in college. Then I became a high school math teacher. I was inspired by the great teachers I had growing up. What led you toward product development? I think we all need to make sure kids have a great education, and with my engineering background, I was drawn to the intersection of education and technology. I went from teaching to consulting on software projects. Now I focus on creating engaging and…

The ocean covers about 70% of Earth’s surface, but only about 25% of the vast seafloor has been explored. To get a more complete picture of what lies under the waves, scientists in Australia have enlisted the help of sea lions wearing waterproof cameras. Scientists typically use remotely operated vehicles and cameras to map the ocean floor, but this can be expensive, dangerous, and time-consuming. Sea lions, however, can dive 300 feet deep and cover distances quickly. They live partly on land but tend to swim out to sea for several days at a time, visiting different habitats across large areas of ocean. For a new study, eight adult female sea lions from two colonies near South Australia were fitted with trackers and underwater video cameras. Each sea lion then…

More than 1,400 young photographers entered The Week Junior’s annual Nature Photo Contest this year, sending in striking images of landscapes, trees, flowers, and animals. Every photograph displayed creativity, curiosity, skill, and an appreciation of the natural world. The contest was divided into two categories: one for children ages 8 to 10 and one for ages 11 to 14. It was judged by Editor-in-Chief Andrea Barbalich, Creative Director Dean Abatemarco, Photo Editors Nataki Hewling and Lily Alt, and award-winning professional photographers Jesse Burke, Angela Ledyard, and Ami Vitale. The judges had the challenging task of selecting 10 finalists in each age category, then a grand prize winner and two runners-up in each group. “The entries beautifully depicted just how stunning and astonishing nature can be when it’s truly focused on,”…

A new study found that a tiny human relative, nicknamed the “Hobbit,” was even smaller than scientists thought. Researchers examined 700,000-year-old fossils to gain insight into the species, called Homo floresiensis, which belonged to a group of human species called hominins. The first H. floresiensis fossils were found in 2003 in the Liang Bua cave on Flores island in Indonesia. Scientists believed it was about 3 feet, 6 inches tall, with big feet and a small brain about one third the size of a modern human’s. But they were puzzled by its place on the human family tree. The latest fossils, found in 2016 at a nearby site named Mata Menge, include eight teeth, part of a jaw, and an upper arm bone. Based on the arm bone’s measurements, the…

The 2024 Paralympic Games, an international sports event for athletes with physical, visual, or intellectual impairments, took place in Paris, France, from August 28 to September 8. The Games were held at the same venues as the Paris Olympics and featured 22 sports and 549 medal events. China won 220 medals, the most of any country. Great Britain finished in second with 124, and Team USA had the third most with 105, including 36 golds. Here is a look at some highlights from the competition. PARA SWIMMING Star swimmer Jessica Long earned two of Team USA’s 30 medals in the pool. First, she pulled off a big comeback to win the women’s 400-meter freestyle S8, the same event she won at the Paralympics in 2004 when she was age 12.…

Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions is a magical new sports game. It is out now for the PlayStation systems, Xbox platforms, and PC. The Nintendo Switch version will be released in the fall. As Harry Potter fans know, quidditch is a team sport played while flying on broomsticks. Players try to score points by throwing a ball called a quaffle through hoops, while another player chases a ball called a snitch. The last quidditch video game came out in 2003. Quidditch Champions features several different game modes, challenges, and competitions. As a free game, it kicks off with six distinct characters you can control, including Harry Potter, Ron and Ginny Weasley, and Draco Malfoy. More are likely to be made available, whether by earning them in the game or in paid…

“This book follows Frodo, a hobbit from the Shire, as he journeys to the Dark Lord’s realm to destroy the Ring of Power by throwing it into lava. At his side are many others, including his faithful companion Samwise. The constant action will keep you on the edge of your seat, and I admire Samwise’s unwavering loyalty and love for Frodo throughout the series.” Eliana, 11, Missouri Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

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 One of the theater masks represents this 4 Sport with a miniature version 8 Coating for an apple on Halloween 9 Item inside a shirt showing size or laundry instructions 10 The “smoke” that rises from a volcano is actually this 11 Fall suddenly and quickly from a great height 12 System of writing designed to be touched, not seen 13 Drink served hot in the winter and iced in the summer 15 Hooting bird 16 Preparing hot food 18 Bird of prey known for its long-distance vision 19 Roald Dahl or Judy Blume, for example DOWN 1 Powdered…

“This year I received a $250 grant from environmentalist Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program for my project idea “Pantry Packs.” With the grant money and other donations from my school and community, I made food packs for students who might go without something to eat on the weekends and during breaks from school. I was able to make about 140 packs for students. I was also able to provide extra boxes of snacks that local schools could distribute to students before spring break. My school and friends and family helped to make the project so much bigger than my original proposal. I really enjoy helping others and hope to do this again in the future.” Have you done something interesting or raised money for a cause you care about?…

Teacher’s Name: Mrs. Monchamp School: Chaffin Middle School “Mrs. Monchamp amazes me every day. She is my favorite teacher, and everyone loves her. She explains everything so well and makes honors social studies seem easy. She gives us study guides for tests because she wants us to succeed. She is an incredible teacher. We love her so much, and she is moving grades so she can teach us another year. I hope she knows that she is a very valued teacher.” Ava, 13, Arkansas 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.…