Innehållsförteckning för Issue 248 från The Week Junior US

Multiple wildfires have devastated parts of Los Angeles, California. Nearly 40,000 acres have burned and entire neighborhoods have been destroyed in one of the worst natural disasters in US history. What happened? At 10:30 a.m. on January 7, a brush fire was reported in the hills above Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood near the Pacific Ocean. By noon, strong winds had caused the fire to tear through densely populated areas. Residents were ordered to evacuate. Just after 6 p.m., the Eaton fire broke out about 35 miles to the east and spread quickly in the Altadena and Pasadena neighborhoods. Over the next three days, six other fires broke out in the region. In total, more than 150,000 people were ordered to evacuate and 87,000 were given evacuation warnings. About 9,000 firefighters…

The US Department of Transportation has announced that it will spend $125 million to create 16 new wildlife crossings in 16 states. These structures are usually bridges or tunnels that allow local animals to safely bypass busy roads. The new crossings will be built as part of the federal government’s Wildlife Crossings Program, which was established in 2021 and distributed its first grants last year. In total, the program plans to award $350 million over five years. One of the projects will involve constructing a wildlife overpass bridge in Oregon to enable bears, deer, elk, and cougars to cross a highway. Another project, a highway underpass in Florida, will protect Florida panthers, white-tailed deer, and American alligators. The Pueblo of Santa Ana, a community of Indigenous people (first to inhabit…

Julian Shapiro-Barnum, creator and host of the popular kid-focused web series Recess Therapy, has a new show, Celebrity Substitute. It features well-known actors, athletes, and musicians at New York City’s public schools teaching kids their unique skills. It made its premiere last fall and now has more than 75 million views across social platforms. Shapiro-Barnum, age 25, grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and studied acting at Boston University. In 2021, he graduated and launched Recess Therapy, where he interviews kids ages 2 to 9 about topics ranging from friendship to aliens. The show later evolved to feature discussions with kids with help from stars, including former First Lady Michelle Obama. Celebrity Substitute was inspired by Shapiro-Barnum’s own life. In elementary school, he saw two comedians lead an improv workshop and…

Avisionary in modern dance, Alvin Ailey was a Black American who broke through racist barriers to become a cultural icon. Early life Alvin Ailey Jr. was born on January 5, 1931, in Rogers, Texas, in the Jim Crow era (a long period in US history when racial segregation was legal). He grew up in a single-room cabin that had only a bed and a stove for furnishings. His mother, Lula, was a single parent who raised Ailey while earning a living by cooking, cleaning, and picking cotton. When Ailey was about 10, they moved to Los Angeles, California. There, a teacher introduced Ailey to ballet and he saw his first theater show. But he couldn’t find any Black artists performing. Meeting a mentor At age 17, Ailey was introduced to…

Lindsey Vonn of the US, who is one of the greatest ski racers in women’s World Cup history, has come out of a six-year retirement and is making a promising comeback. Over the weekend of January 11 and 12, she competed in two races at an Alpine Ski World Cup event in St. Anton, Austria, and placed sixth and fourth. Vonn, age 40, holds the record for the most World Cup downhill victories with 43, the most for men or women. During her career, she won four overall World Cup titles and 82 World Cup races, the second most of all time. She also won Olympic gold in the downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Games and multiple World Championship medals. Vonn retired in 2019 after racing injuries took a toll…

Big Cats, Small World (PBS app) (PBS.org) (PBS) January 22 at 8 p.m. ET This new two-part documentary is about families of lions, cheetahs, and leopards in Botswana. The storylines include an aging lion defending his pride, lionesses raising cubs as a group, and a cheetah helping her cubs gain independence. The Six Triple Eight (Netflix) The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was the first all-Black Women’s Army Corps unit to serve overseas during World War II (1939–1945). This inspiring new drama is about the work they did to ensure that US troops didn’t lose touch with people back home. It is rated PG-13. Goosebumps: The Vanishing (Disney+) (Hulu) In the newest chapter of the spooky anthology series based on R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books, teen twins Devin and Cece move…

Chefs Wanted! By Allegra McEvedy (DK Children) Written by a famous chef who was born in London, this cookbook contains 45 recipes for meals and snacks. Some recipes show you how to make common British foods, such as scones, while others help you make popular Japanese dishes, like ramen. Ages 7 and up Cooking Class 10th-Anniversary Edition By Deanna F. Cook (Storey Publishing) The“Snack Attack” chapter of this newly updated cookbook features recipes for guacamole, hummus, tortilla chips, and cheesy crackers. There are 73 recipes in all, including ideas for breakfast and dessert. Step-by-step photos make the directions easy to follow. Ages 8 and up Rebel Girls Cook By Rebel Girls Inc. (Ten Speed Press) The 100-plus recipes in this kid-tested cookbook span a variety of cuisines, and many are…

Word search Can you find all these words that mean“excellent” in the grid? They are hidden horizontally, vertically, or diagonally and can be forward or backward. When you’re done, read the remaining letters to get a bonus message. AMAZING AWESOME COOL DANDY DOPE FAB GLORIOUS GREAT GROOVY NEAT NIFTY OUTSTANDING PEACHY PHENOMENAL RADICAL SUPER SWELL TERRIFIC TREMENDOUS FILL IN THE BLANKS Fill in the blanks in each sentence with two words that are spelled identically but have two different pronunciations and meanings, like TEARS in your eyes and TEARS in a cloth. (NEED A HINT? Check the bottom of the page.) 1. At the end of the concert, the violinist lowered her ——— to her side and took a deep ———. 2. The dentist gave my father a —————— of…

As The Week Junior went to press on January 14, wildfires had been burning in the Los Angeles area of California for a week (p2). The devastation caused by this natural disaster—one of the worst in our nation’s history—has been difficult for all of us to comprehend. We hope the courageous workers who have been battling the fires nonstop since they began will soon have them under control. We also offer our appreciation to the thousands of people who have stepped in to provide food, shelter, and supplies to those in need. It has been inspiring to see the outpouring of kindness during this emergency, and I know it will continue. If you live in the area—or if you have family or friends who do—we want you to know we…

As 2025 starts, so does a new generation. A generation is a group of people born during a specific period of time, typically 15 to 18 years (though there is sometimes overlap between generations). People born on or after January 1, 2025, through the year 2039 will be called Generation Beta (also known as Gen Beta). The grouping before Generation Beta is called Generation Alpha (2010–2024). Before that was Gen Z (1997–2012), Millennials (1981–1996), Gen X (1965–1980), Baby Boomers (1946–1964), and the Silent Generation (1928–1945). Grouping people into generations is useful for researchers who use age when studying trends in peoples’ attitudes and behaviors. Although the specific characteristics of this new generation are not yet known, experts have made some predictions. For example, they think the use of artificial intelligence…

For many years, scientists have debated whether the planet Venus could have supported life since its formation 4.6 billion years ago. A new study suggests it probably has never been habitable. Venus, which is our closest neighbor, is sometimes referred to as “Earth’s evil twin.” The planets are similar in size and made of the same materials. But Venus is referred to as “evil” because it is the hottest planet in our solar system, with an average surface temperature of nearly 932° F. It also has the most volcanoes of any planet in our solar system and is covered with thick clouds of acid. Some scientists believe Venus might have once had oceans on its surface. This would be an important indicator of the planet’s habitability because liquid water is…

Golf fans now have a new way to enjoy the sport, thanks to two famous players. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy teamed up to create the TGL, which stands for “Tomorrow’s Golf League.” It features top golfers competing indoors, creating a very different format compared to when the game is played outdoors on traditional courses. The TGL is made up of six teams representing six cities. There are 24 pro golfers participating in the league, and 13 are winners of major championships. Three of each team’s four players compete in two-hour matches in a venue built specifically for the TGL inside the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The league’s matches are a mix of virtual and physical gameplay, making them entertaining to watch. For example, there is a…

The TV series Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock is known for its good-natured puppet characters, wacky humor, and catchy songs. Now fans can experience it all in person. Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live is a new stage show inspired by the series that is touring the US. It runs through May 11. Fraggle Rock was created in the 1980s by Jim Henson, who also created the Muppets. Back to the Rock premiered on Apple TV+ in 2022, and the second season came out last year. The show centers on the Fraggles, creatures living in a cave network called Fraggle Rock. A main theme of the show is how everything in the world is connected. Back to the Rock Live has 18 existing Fraggle Rock songs…

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete is a cozy mobile game that is part of a popular Nintendo series. It is out now for Android and iOS devices. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp first came out in 2017 as a free mobile game. Like other games in the series, it put players in charge of building a community for chatty dogs, cats, birds, and other creatures. Pocket Camp was set at a campsite with locations that players could customize with items such as buildings and furniture, as well as activities. In the old version of the game, players would have to make in-game purchases with real money to get certain upgrades and items. In the Complete version, you pay once to download the game and everything in it is free. The change…

On January 9, world leaders joined the family and friends of former President Jimmy Carter for his funeral at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC. The service ended a week of tributes to the longest-living former President in US history, who died on December 29 at age 100. How was Carter honored? Services for Carter, who was President from 1977 to 1981, began on January 4 in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. A bell at his childhood farm was rung 39 times to honor the 39th President. The service then moved to the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta before continuing at the US Capitol building in Washington. As Carter lay in state in both cities, tens of thousands of people walked past his casket to pay their respects. A…

If you have ever heard the words “Clean up your room!,” you’re not alone. It’s not uncommon for kids and teens to be a little messy because they’re still learning how to be organized. But a desk piled high with papers and books or a floor cluttered with sneakers and sports equipment can be stressful for you and the rest of your family. Studies have shown that a messy or disorganized living space can cause anxiety and even prevent people from thinking clearly. On the other hand, research has also found that some untidiness may be the sign of a creative mind. What do you think? Is it OK to have a messy bedroom? Yes—it’s really not a big deal It’s important for young people to have their own space…

Delle, a solitary male dolphin living in the Baltic Sea, has mystified experts by making a symphony of sounds. Bottlenose dolphins usually live in groups called pods and love to “chat” with one another. But Delle, who is originally from a pod in Scotland, has traveled hundreds of miles to an area with no other dolphins. When researchers lowered an underwater microphone, they were surprised to find he emitted 10,833 sounds in 69 days. “If we hadn’t known that Delle was alone, we might have concluded that a group of at least three dolphins were engaged in various social interactions,” lead researcher Olga Filatova told Live Science. At first the team thought Delle was trying to reach out to humans nearby, but he also made noises when he was alone…

Cows are a major source of greenhouse gases (gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere) because they burp and fart—a lot. When they do that, they release a greenhouse gas called methane. Scientists are hoping to solve the problem by feeding the cows seaweed. Cows have four chambers in their stomachs. The first chamber ferments the food to make it easier to digest. The process not only creates methane but also makes the cows burp and fart. Scientists have previously fed seaweed pellets to cows being raised for their milk or to be eaten, with positive results. Seaweed contains a compound called bromoform that reduces methane production in cows. In the new study, scientists gave seaweed to steers (male cows) that graze on grass. They produce more methane than other…

Coach’s Name: Kaha Tavadze Team: Gjøa Solbakken (soccer) “Coach Kaha is an inspiring leader! He is a great influence on me and my team and is always there for us. He makes us laugh in our scrimmages, but when it is time to focus, he becomes serious. He gives amazing pep talks, and before games he always says, ‘If we win, we win as a team. If we lose, we lose as a team.’ Kaha has also taught me a lot of skills and positions and how to be a strong defender. He has made me a better soccer player.” Nils, 9, New York 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…

The popular Nickelodeon sitcom Henry Danger aired from 2014 to 2020 and followed Henry Hart, a regular teen who worked as Kid Danger, the sidekick to superhero Captain Man. The series wrapped up with Henry retiring from his life as a crime fighter, but his story hasn’t ended. He is back—as an adult—in Henry Danger: The Movie, the first feature film based on the show. It was just released on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon. In the movie, Henry gets pulled into his former role by a superfan, Missy Martin, who wants to fight crime as Kid Danger’s sidekick. After she ends up with a device that opens portals to alternate dimensions, she and Henry get trapped in worlds based on her fan fiction. The film stars original cast members Jace Norman…

BOOK OF THE WEEK Old School By Gordon Korman (Harper) On bingo night at the retirement community where Dexter and his grandmother have lived for the past six years, a school district official interrupts the game. He informs Dexter that he must attend seventh grade at the public middle school. Although Dexter pleads that he’s being homeschooled by great teachers, including an awardwinning author who lives in the retirement community, the official doesn’t back down. The next day, Dexter hops on the school bus with a briefcase instead of a backpack. While the school counselor is showing him around, Dexter notices there is a noisy radiator in a classroom. He bursts in and uses a quarter to fix it on the spot. After teaching some kids how to play shuffleboard…

Ingredients • 3 tablespoons olive oil• 2 medium sweet potatoes, halved lengthwise• Kosher salt• Black pepper• 1 medium broccoli crown, cut into florets• 1 small yellow or orange bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces• Half red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces• ½ cup cherry tomatoes• ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika• ¼ cup tahini• 1 tablespoon maple syrup• 1 garlic clove, grated• 1 lemon, half wedge• Pine nuts, for garnish (optional) Instructions 1. Heat the oven to 425° F. Use 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to brush the potato halves and season them with salt and pepper. Arrange on a baking sheet cut-side down. Bake on the middle rack for 20 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss together the broccoli, bell pepper, onion, and tomatoes with the smoked paprika…

All eyes on public art antics The town of Bend, Oregon, has been struck by a googly-eye bandit. A mysterious prankster has placed googly eyes on at least eight public art installations on the city’s Roundabout Art Route, including a large sphere and a sculpture of a deer family. Local officials recently pleaded for an end to the peeper pranks, explaining that the adhesives used to attach the eyes could damage the artwork and removing them can be expensive. But other residents were charmed by the guerrilla googlies. “This town is getting to be so stuffy,” one said. “Let’s have fun!” Shattering a freezing cold record Late last year, 15 runners traveled to Antarctica to compete in a firstever ultra-endurance race in-13º F temperatures. Competitors in the Antarctic Ice Ultra…

Meeting an icon “I read the Jane Goodall article in The Week Junior and really enjoyed it. I then also read her biography. When I found out she was coming near my home in Florida for her birthday tour, of course I went! I enjoyed listening to Goodall talk about her life. It was like reading the book and the article all at once. I got a chimpanzee stuffed animal named Kevin. He came with papers that said I had adopted him from the Jane Goodall Institute and that the donation would go to help him. He lives at the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center in the Republic of Congo. I really enjoyed learning so much about Jane Goodall and hope to learn more.” Have you done something interesting or raised…

1 What is the name of the chatty bottlenose dolphin who lives alone in the Baltic Sea? 2 Which planet is sometimes referred to as “Earth’s twin”? a) Mars b) Mercury c) Venus a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 3 True or false? In Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live, the Fraggles are hand puppets. True ☐ False ☐ 4 In the book Old School, what does Dexter use to fix a broken radiator? a) Penny b) Nickel c) Quarter a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 5 The US Department of Transportation recently announced funding for how many new wildlife crossings? a) 6 b) 16 c) 26 a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 6 What is the name of internet personality Julian Shapiro-Barnum’s new series? 7 True or…