Innehållsförteckning för Issue 243 från The Week Junior US

On December 2, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) began hearing a climate case for the first time in its history. The case will determine whether international laws can be used to address climate change. What is the International Court of Justice? Located in the Hague, a city in the Netherlands, the ICJ is the main legal branch of the United Nations (UN, a group of 193 nations). It was created by the UN in 1945. Its purpose is to settle disagreements between countries and give opinions on legal issues brought before it by UN departments. The ICJ, nicknamed “the world court,” is composed of 15 judges from around the world. What is the case about? The court will give its opinion on two main questions: Do international laws require…

A WELCOME ARRIVAL A rare giant eland, the world’s largest antelope, was born at Zoo Miami on November 27. The male calf weighs 65 pounds and could weigh as much as 2,000 pounds in adulthood. Zoo officials say he is “healthy and doing well.” BEING THE BEST Vito the pug has become the first of his breed to win the National Dog Show. The 2-year-old pup beat out nearly 2,000 other dogs from more than 200 breeds to earn the title of best in show. One judge described Vito as “everything a pug should be…lots of dog in a small package.” A REASON TO CHEER A 97-year-old woman in Michigan got the surprise of her life when Merrill High School’s cheerleading squad came to visit. Ilagene Doehring, who helped start…

Ami Vitale is an award-winning National Geographic photojournalist—as well as a judge for The Week Junior’s annual Nature Photo Contest. She is also the founder of Vital Impacts, a nonprofit that supports conservation through art. She spoke to The Week Junior about her career. Did you study photography in college? I studied international relations and had a minor in journalism. Later, I returned to school to study filmmaking to better capture the stories I wanted to tell. When did you become interested in nature photography? I began my career with a focus on war and human conflict, but I soon realized that nearly every story of human struggle is rooted in environmental issues like resource shortages and climate change. At that point, I shifted my focus to stories about the…

Cats don’t always respond when people talk to them, but they may be listening more closely than we think. According to the results of a new study, our feline friends can learn to associate spoken words with images. A research team led by Saho Takagi of Azabu University in Japan ran an experiment with 31 cats. They gave the cats a word and picture test that is typically given to human infants. Researchers played a recording of the cats’ owners saying a meaningless word: either “parumo” or “keraru.” While listening to each word, the cats were shown either a picture of a red sun or a blue-and-white unicorn on a screen. The pictures grew and shrank in order to hold the cats’ attention. The word-picture combinations were repeated several times…

Siamese crocodiles In Southeast Asia, Siamese crocodiles have made a comeback from the brink of extinction. Farmers who once hunted them helped experts identify them and start a breeding program. Now about 1,000 crocs live in the wild. Dolphins Researchers found microplastics in the breath of dolphins in Florida and Louisiana. They think the animals inhale tiny plastic particles when they come up for deep breaths of air. Experts are concerned that this could harm the dolphins’ health.…

Soaring into the skies above Alaska, Denali is the tallest mountain in North America and an icon of the natural world. What is Denali? The mountain formed about 60 million years ago. It is located in the middle of Alaska, as part of a 600-mile-long group of mountains called the Alaska Range. A 2015 measurement based on GPS data found that Denali has a height of 20,310 feet. It is the third highest of the “Seven Summits,” the highest mountains on each continent. From its mountain base, the summit is about 18,000 feet tall. Today, Denali is part of the 6-million-acre Denali National Park and Preserve. History of exploration Native Alaskans have lived in the area around Denali for thousands of years. The first non-Native record of the mountain was…

Although traditional plastic wrap blocks bacteria, it doesn’t kill the germs that can grow on food. A new material does that and more—and it’s made from avocado seeds. Scientists in Singapore chose avocado seeds because they contain three natural compounds. Two of them kill harmful bacteria that grows on food, while the third changes color, from yellow to brown, as food spoils. They tested the wrap on prawns and noted that the film changed color even before the shellfish started to look or smell bad.…

More than 30 Star Wars–related films and TV series have been released since the franchise began in 1977. Now the first live-action story revolving around kids in that universe, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, is making its debut. The first two episodes were released on Disney+ on December 3, and the next six will come out weekly. Skeleton Crew follows adventurous Wim (played by Ravi Cabot-Conyers), caring KB (Kyriana Kratter), tech wiz Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), and alien Neel (Robert Timothy Smith). After they find a mysterious object, they’re transported into deep space, where they run into odd creatures, pirates, and other dangers. As they try to get home, they are guided by a mentor played by Jude Law. The series, which was made for Star Wars fans as well as…

Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. (Disney+) “This series is set in Hawaii and follows a 16-year-old girl, Lahela ‘Doogie’ Kamealoha, who is a doctor. Because she is supposed to be in high school like other people her age, she struggles with navigating friendships, relationships, and work. In each episode, there is a new problem for her to solve at home, the hospital, or both. I love this show because it’s relatable and each episode has a meaningful message, such as the importance of making time for yourself, being mindful of others, and staying connected with your family. I highly recommend it!” Maggie, 11, Illinois Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

By Alex Thayer (Aladdin) Dee has no friends in her sixth-grade class, so she hides in the bathroom during snack breaks. She and Juniper used to be good friends, but Juniper is in a different class this year and has grown distant. One day in the bathroom, Dee overhears someone describe her as smelly, weird, and gross. When Dee’s mom embarrasses her in front of the class during a special day at school, Dee flees to the bathroom again—only this time she hears a clanging sound behind the grate in the wall. It’s her classmate, Harry, who is also hiding. His father made him upset. They agree to talk through the opening the next day during snack break. Dee shows up, but in Harry’s place is a second grader whose…

The Adventures of Penguin and Panda: Winterfest By Brenda Maier, illustrated by Fanni Mézes (Marble Press) In this graphic novel, best friends Penguin and Panda shop for a Christmas tree, go sledding, and bake cookies. They also run into some obstacles. The last few pages include fun facts about penguins and pandas. Ages 7–10 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever By Jeff Kinney (Amulet Books) This new collector’s edition of the sixth book in this best-selling series comes with a paper ornament of Greg. The story takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas and covers many holiday antics of the Heffley family. As Christmas nears, a surprise blizzard traps Greg and his family inside. Ages 8–12 Juniper’s Christmas By Eoin Colfer (Roaring Brook Press) Eoin Colfer, best-selling author of the Artemis Fowl series,…

Ingredients For the bread • 1 stick butter, melted, plus more for greasing the pan• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar• 2 teaspoons ground ginger• 2 teaspoons cinnamon• 1 teaspoon cloves• 1 teaspoon allspice• ½ teaspoon nutmeg• ½ teaspoon salt• Two 16-ounce cans store-bought refrigerated homestyle biscuit dough (such as Pillsbury Grands) For the glaze • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature• 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature• 1 cup powdered sugar• 1 teaspoon vanilla• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger• 3 to 4 tablespoons milk Instructions 1. Heat oven to 350˚ F and generously butter a Bundt pan. In a shallow bowl, combine the brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well. 2. Cut the biscuit dough into quarters. Working a few pieces at a time, dunk them in…

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 Like a squirrel’s tail or Einstein’s mustache 4 Elegant Viennese dance popular with couples in the 1800s 7 Game played on a lawn with mallets 8 Wet alternative to a broom 9 Areas in an atlas not colored light blue 10 ___ Appleseed (true-life American legend) 13 Planet known for its rings 15 Vessel that carries blood toward the heart 18 Animal that outwits a crow in a fable 19 Meat sometimes served with breakfast 20 Male singing voice 21 In “Peanuts,” a tree eats these items belonging to Charlie Brown DOWN 1 ___ up (puts on a seat belt)…

Each time we survey our readers about the stories they like best in The Week Junior, our coverage of animals emerges toward the top. If that subject is a favorite of yours, you’ll have plenty to enjoy in this issue! In our news pages, we report on two new wolf packs that were discovered in California—a positive development for the species (p3). In our animals section, we highlight recent studies about cats’ ability to recognize language (p10) and how riflebirds use their beaks to drum on their feathers (p11). Elsewhere in the issue, we cover the winner of this year’s National Dog Show, a pug named Vito (p3), plus a parade of sweater-wearing dogs in the UK (p6). And on our back cover, we bring you an image of a rabbit…

Smart, fun, educational. Each week, The Week Junior presents 32 colorful pages full of thought-provoking articles, eye-catching photos, and big ideas to get kids ages 8-14 reading! There’s something to delight and inspire every child-from sports and science to nature and culture-plus how-to craft projects, recipes, and puzzles. Perfect for holidays or anytime you want to delight a child you love. Free Holiday Gift Cards We'll send you a festive card to personally announce each gift. Discounts available online Visit theweekjunior.com/lovetoread SCAN TO ORDER…

A greater bamboo lemur was born in the UK’s Cotswold Wildlife Park as part of a breeding program to save this critically endangered species. Cotswold is one of two zoos in the world to successfully breed the rare creatures in 2024. ● LIFE SPAN: Up to 17 years in human care● HABITAT: Rainforests in Madagascar● SIZE: 16–18 inches plus a tail 17–19 inches long● DIET: Bamboo, fruits, and flowers● FUN FACT: Lemurs have a special claw on each foot that they use to groom their fur.…

The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs killed off about 75% of all living things on Earth, but according to a new study, it actually helped ants. Scientists at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, think the asteroid created the perfect conditions for a relationship between ants and fungi to develop. That turned the ants into farmers and helps keep them alive today. Modern leafcutter ants can’t digest leaves, but they need the nutrition that’s inside them. To solve this problem, the insects use farming skills. They gather leaves and feed them to fungi (living organisms like mushrooms, mold, or mildew that feed off rotting material from other living things). The fungi digest the leaves, and the ants eat the fungi to get nutrients from the…

One of the most exciting times in college football takes place every November: Rivalry Week. This year, from November 28 to November 30, many teams across the country faced their main rivals, and several of the games were unforgettable. The annual competition between the University of Michigan and Ohio State University is one of the biggest showdowns, and on November 30, more than 106,000 fans filled Ohio Stadium for the game. Ohio State, which were 10–1 and ranked second in the country, were heavily favored to win, but they lost to unranked Michigan, 13–10. It was the fourth time in a row that Michigan came away the winner. The game had been tied, 10–10, with six minutes remaining. At that point, Michigan received the ball and put together an 11-play…

Coach Name: Anné Lamas Team Name: Irvine Swim “Coach Anné is amazing! She always makes us feel good and pushes us to do our best. She teaches us different techniques and goes over them several times to make sure we understand. We love how she lets us choose games to play at the end of class and how she doesn’t mind if they’re a bit silly. We’ve improved so much and have become better swimmers because of her!” Riya, 13; Nishant, 11; Rishav, 10; and Anaiya, 9, California 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.…

Far, far away When Star Wars: The Last Jedi was released in 2017, the film was uplinked to the International Space Station so the astronauts on board could have the opportunity to watch it. Big army At the annual Star Wars Celebration in Chicago, Illinois, in 2019, there was a Lego Star Wars display featuring 36,440 Stormtrooper minifigures. It took 12 people 38 hours to build, with 16 hours spent assembling the minifigures. Starry stash Rancho Obi-Wan, located in Petaluma, California, is home to the world’s largest Star Wars memorabilia collection. It is owned by Steve Sansweet, who started his collection in 1976 and now has more than 500,000 items.…

Lego Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition (Disney+) The latest Lego special stars the Avengers in minifigure form. The action begins when superhero fan Dennis accidentally unleashes a villain who is set on taking down the heroes. After they are captured, Dennis has to save the day. Flow (In select theaters nationwide) In this new animated film from Latvia, a lone cat teams up with a dog, a lemur, and other animals after a massive flood. Together, they navigate a transformed world and learn to embrace their differences in order to survive. The story is told using only natural sounds and no dialogue. Rez Ball (Netflix) Basketball star LeBron James produced this sports drama, which is inspired by true events. It follows a basketball team from a Navajo Nation reservation trying to win the state…

What inspired this book? I came up with the idea of Dee, the main character, first. I couldn’t get her out of my head, and I started to feel like I knew her so well that I wanted to write a book about her. Why did you choose to write about middle school? Middle school is such a complicated time for kids. So much is changing and going on, but that’s also what makes it an interesting time to write about. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? I love to do yoga, play the piano, and read. What was your favorite school lunch as a child? Mini hot dogs with gravy, and peaches in syrup. What three words would you use to describe friendship? Kindness, understanding, acceptance.…

Winter is a special time of year to make plans to enjoy the season right where you live. You’ll soon have time off from school, and many attractions are less crowded and expensive than they are during warmer times of the year. With an adult’s help, taking the time to get to know your own town or city can help you learn its heritage and appreciate your surroundings in a new light. Here’s how to get started. Schedule it Just as you would if you were going on a trip out of town, you’ll want to plan your staycation for a time when you and your family members aren’t busy with commitments. Talk to everyone about which days would work best. Also try to complete any household chores or homework…

When the holidays are approaching and relatives are getting together, many families decide to take a group photo. You can help! First, gather your family members in a setting where they will be comfortable, like outside your home or in a nearby park. Position everyone in a spot where they are standing in full natural shade so the sun won’t be dappled across their faces or in their eyes. Ask everyone to relax and to avoid standing up perfectly straight—if they bend a knee or an elbow, they will appear less stiff and more natural. Vary poses, from smiling to silly. Finally, take a couple of pictures after the photo shoot is over—candid shots often make the best photos!…

Hotel looks like a barnyard bird A giant rooster stands over the town of Campuestohan, in the Philippines. It is the largest building in the shape of a chicken—and it’s also a hotel. The 114-foot structure contains 15 bedrooms and is part of a resort with swimming pools, a restaurant, and sculptures of dinosaurs and other colorful characters. Its creator, Ricardo Cano Gwapo Tan, said, “I had a vision to make something with a wow factor.” Tan said he chose a rooster because “it looks calm and commanding, imposing and strong, which reflects the attitude of our people.” Crowd flocks to smelly flower A stinky flower in Australia is fuming where it’s planted. The Titan Arum plant is better known as the “corpse flower” because of the odor it gives…

“Frindle was a very funny story, and I think others should read it too!” Declan, 9, Arizona “I love Allergic because it talks about struggles that people go through and how they can overcome them by trying new things!” Eden, 13, New Mexico “Hilo is about a boy who crashed on Earth. I love it because it’s hilarious, action-packed, and perfect.” Musa, 8, New York “I liked reading Heidi by Johanna Spyri. It’s about a sweet-natured girl who has to move out of her home, the mountains!” Sanjana, 8, Texas “My favorite sport is baseball, so I really liked reading Who Is Aaron Judge? by James Buckley Jr.” Adam, 8, Massachusetts “I read Finally Heard, one of The Week Junior’s book recommendations. It was great!” Vivian, 13, Oregon “I love…

In many parts of the US, students get a day off when snow makes it too difficult or unsafe to get to school. Snow days have traditionally been a time for sipping hot cocoa, building a snowman, sledding—and no schoolwork. Now that technology has made remote learning widespread, however, students have the ability to learn from home during any kind of weather. As a result, some school districts are canceling snow days for good. Others believe snow days should stay. They point out that they’re a break from the stress of schoolwork and time for kids to fully enjoy the wonders of winter. What do you think? Should schools still have snow days? Yes—they’re the most magical days One of the best things about living in a place that gets…

Kerry Nicholson Wildlife biologist There are many reasons wolves howl, but there is no evidence that it is linked to Moon phases. Wolves howl as a form of social communication, to find a mate, or to locate one another if they get lost or separated from their pack. When they howl, they raise their noses to the sky to help the sound travel farther. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about wolves at livescience.com/27909-wolves.html.…

Paintings and other forms of visual art can be beautiful and moving whether you see them in the pages of a book, on a poster, or in person. But a new study found that seeing a real work of art up close—instead of a photo of it—makes people more emotional. A team of neuroscientists (scientists who study the brain) conducted the research at the Mauritshuis museum in the Hague, a city in the Netherlands. The study included the museum’s most famous work, Girl with a Pearl Earring, painted in 1665 by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. Researchers observed how people reacted to five different paintings. First, participants were fitted with eye-tracking equipment and a brain scanner called an EEG (see box at right). They were asked to look at the real…

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is a new digital trading card game. It is out now exclusively for iOS and Android devices. The first Pokémon video game was released by Nintendo in Japan in 1996, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) was released in 1998—the same year they both arrived in North America. Originally, there were 102 cards featuring the colorful characters, but that number has grown with the introduction of new creatures. As of March, nearly 65 billion Pokémon cards had been produced worldwide. Fans collect Pokémon cards for fun and also to use in tabletop competitions, where players try to “catch” Pokémon and engage them in battles. Each card contains information such as the Pokémon’s type and what it takes for it to be knocked out. The…

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief By A.F. Steadman “Skandar is a 13-year-old boy who takes a quiz to determine whether he can ride a unicorn or not. He goes to the Eyrie, which is a training ground for kids to learn how to ride and race unicorns. When he gets there, he finds out that someone is stealing unicorns from the famous riders he has read about. Skandar joins up with friends to help stop the thief.” Addie, 14, Michigan Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…