Innehållsförteckning för Issue 252 från The Week Junior US

New types of bird flu, a virus that has affected animals around the world, have been found in ducks and cows in the US for the first time. The discovery raised concerns about a wider outbreak. What is bird flu? Bird flu spreads mostly through birds like chickens, ducks, and turkeys and is transmitted through animal droppings or saliva. A version of the virus, known as H5N1, first appeared in the US in January 2022. Since then, it has affected more than 153 million birds in the wild, at commercial farms, at zoos, and in people’s backyards. It has also been detected in cats in the wild and in homes, as well as in wild animals like raccoons, bears, and sea lions. Several dozen people have been infected. While the…

A SWEET DEBUT The complete soundtrack to the 1975 animated TV special Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown was released for the first time and shot to the top of the music charts. The award-winning show was one of 45 specials starring the Peanuts gang. MAKING A COMEBACK After an outpouring of requests, Crayola said it will bring back eight retired crayon colors for a limited time. The colors—Dandelion, Blizzard Blue, Magic Mint, Mulberry, Orange Red, Violet Blue, Lemon Yellow, and Raw Umber—date as far back as 1990. Crayola said it hopes the move “will delight and surprise consumers.” FINDING A FRIEND When Kynlee Rogers, who lives in Kentucky, adopted a Boston terrier, she didn’t just get a pet —she also found a friend who is like her. Kynlee, age 10, and…

A my Schneider is the most successful woman ever to compete on Jeopardy!, holding the record for the second-longest winning streak in the quiz show’s history. Now she is sharing her journey with young readers in Who Is Amy Schneider?, an adapted version of her 2023 memoir In the Form of a Question. Schneider, age 45, grew up in Dayton, Ohio. Her mom was a teacher and encouraged her to ask questions and seek answers. She fell in love with learning early on, taking summer classes at the Dayton Natural History Museum and collecting minerals. When Schneider was in eighth grade, her classmates voted her“most likely to appear on Jeopardy!” Still, she never imagined she would go on to win $1.3 million across 40 consecutive games from November 2021 to…

For years, scientists have been mystified by the way some frog species appeared to glide across the surface of a body of water in a movement they called “skittering.” Recently, a team observed one of these frogs more closely and found there’s more to it than meets the eye. The frogs do a series of “belly flops” so quickly that it creates the illusion that they are walking on water. The researchers studied the northern cricket frog, a species found throughout eastern North America, including in US states such as Kentucky and Virginia. As one of the smallest North American frog species, these animals can easily fit on a human thumb. Their tiny size and rapid movement have made it difficult to see exactly how they travel. To find out…

Florida manatee New research has found that Florida manatees, also known as sea cows, are not actually native to the state. Scientists now think the animals probably started moving to the area from the West Indies in the 18th century. ● LIFE SPAN: Up to 60 years in the wild● HABITAT: Florida’s warm waters● SIZE: About 9 feet long, 1,100 pounds● DIET: Aquatic plants, such as seagrass● FUN FACT: Unlike humans, manatees lose teeth and grow new ones throughout their whole lives.…

Located in the Milky Way galaxy, the Sun and planets of our solar system formed together about 4.6 billion years ago. What is a planet? Definitions of the planets date at least as far back as the year 150, when Greek astronomer Claudius Ptolemy famously documented them. A more recent definition came in 2006, when the International Astronomical Union (IAU) said that a planet in our solar system must orbit the Sun, be large enough that gravity has shaped it into a sphere, and have no objects of similar size near its orbit. This description is not universally accepted, however. In July 2024, a group of scientists proposed a new standard, with stricter qualifications for size. The new definition, if accepted by the IAU, would classify more celestial bodies as…

A new nasal swab can identify the type of asthma a person has, according to the scientists who created it. That information could help doctors improve treatment. Asthma is a disease that makes breathing difficult. There are two different kinds of asthma: T2-high and T2-low. The two subcategories of T2-low are called T-17 high and low-low. Historically, making an accurate diagnosis of asthma type required taking samples of lung tissue during a difficult, invasive surgery. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania found another way. They analyzed nasal samples from 459 young people and identified certain genes (chemical instructions in the body for how a living thing develops) that revealed the patient’s asthma type. The team found that 23% to 29% of patients had T2-high asthma, 35% to 47%…

CLOSE-UP PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS…

Top athletes from around the world gathered from February 6 to February 9 at the Olympic Jumping Complex in Lake Placid, New York, for an FIS (International Ski Federation) Ski Jumping World Cup competition. The event was historic because it was the first time an individual women’s ski jumping World Cup competition was held in the US and the first World Cup where the prize money was the same for women and men. Men have competed in ski jumping for more than 100 years, while women’s competitions have taken place for about 25 years. Today, women earn about 30% of the prize money awarded to men, and at one recent event, the top female qualifier received shampoo instead of money. In Lake Placid, the FIS provided about $14,000 in prizes…

The combined landmasses of North America and South America make up the most biodiverse continent on Earth, and a new 10-episode documentary series, The Americas, presents the region as it has never been seen before. The show is narrated by actor Tom Hanks (Woody in Toy Story) and will premiere on NBC at 7 p.m. ET on February 23. Episodes will also stream on Peacock. To make The Americas, film crews went on 180 expeditions to areas that included the Arctic, the Atlantic Coast, the Gulf Coast, the American West, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Amazon rainforest, and Patagonia. Mike Gunton, the executive producer of the series, told The Week Junior that the show was made “to feel like an incredible safari to the greatest places in this supercontinent.” He said…

Carmen Sandiego (Netflix) “This action-packed series follows the adventures of Carmen Sandiego, a former student of the criminal organization V.I.L.E., and her friends. In each episode, they travel to locations around the world to stop V.I.L.E. from stealing artifacts such as a priceless mask from a museum or a samurai sword from a castle. As they meet new friends and enemies, Carmen’s mysterious past is slowly uncovered. The animation is simple but full of detail, and the story is full of secrets and twists. I love how every episode ends on a cliffhanger. This is my absolute favorite show!” Haley, 12, North Carolina Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

This graphic novel tells the story of the author’s childhood growing up near San Francisco, California, with her mom and two older sisters. Cindy, a sixth grader, needs to keep the secret that her dad moved back to Taiwan four years ago and pretends to her friends that she lives with both parents. When her teacher suggests that she enter an art contest with the theme“What Family Means to Me,” she plans to sketch a perfect family and keep her parents’ separation a secret. Not long after, her grandmother passes away, and Cindy and her family travel to Taiwan for the funeral. Cindy sees her father a few times during the trip and desperately wants to know what happened between him and her mom. Eventually, her father reveals a secret…

Monsterious: Escape from Grimstone Manor By Matt McMann (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers) The first book in this series takes place at a theme park’s haunted house. Three kids get trapped inside for the night and stumble upon a mysterious hidden staircase. The story is scary and funny at the same time. Ages 8–12 Foreverland By Nicole C. Kear (Imprint) When Margaret gets upset about problems with her best friend, she runs away to Foreverland, an amusement park. At first, she has fun, staying overnight in the park’s haunted house. But eventually she figures out she must deal with her problems rather than run away from them. Ages 8–12 Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark By Ridley Pearson, illustrated by Tristan Elwell (Disney Hyperion) Five teens who work at…

Ingredients • 1 cup mini marshmallows• 4 ounces (½ cup) heavy cream• 1 (14-ounce) can condensed milk• 1 teaspoon vanilla• 1 (24-ounce) bag bittersweet chocolate chips Instructions 1. Arrange 2 silicone jumbo ice cube molds (ours were 2-inch molds) on a sheet pan. Put the marshmallows in a small bowl. Next, make a double boiler: Fill a saucepan with 1 inch of water. Place a large, heat-safe bowl on top of the saucepan, making sure the bottom of the bowl is at least 1 inch from the water. 2. Combine the heavy cream, condensed milk, and vanilla in the bowl and whisk until smooth. Add the chocolate chips. Keep the bowl fixed in its place and heat the water in the bottom pan to a simmer. With an adult’s help…

Taking a stroll through the sky Two daredevils from Germany journeyed more than 1.5 miles upward to break the world record for the highest slackline walk. A slackline is a thin piece of fabric stretched across a gap, similar to a tightrope. Friedi Kühne and Lukas Irmler crossed a line suspended between two hot-air balloons hovering about 8,200 feet above the German town of Riedering. They had to brave the swaying of the balloons, which moved up and down as they walked. Once the feat was complete, Irmler called it a“glorious moment.” A diary of hand-sewn memories Every day, Sophie O’Neill keeps a diary—but instead of a pen and paper, she uses a needle and thread. O’Neill, who lives in Scotland, traces a symbol that represents her day onto an…

“I got a 3D printer for Christmas, and when I heard about the Los Angeles fires that broke out in January, I knew there had to be something I could do to help. I have since started selling 3D prints. At first, I expected to raise $100, but, to my complete surprise, I have raised $1,000! I am so glad I was able to help, and I hope other people will try to raise money to help people in Los Angeles too.” Have you done something interesting or raised money for a cause you care about? Whatever you’re up to, we want to hear about it at hello@theweekjunior.com. RIDDLE OFTHE WEEK What’s always right ahead of you but can’t be seen? The future…

“I enjoyed making the festive paper lanterns. It was fun!”Zaynab, 10, Texas “We like to read The Week Junior everywhere and anywhere.”Talia, 10, and Benjamin, 8, New York “I love the video game section. Thanks for sharing these exciting games with us.”Hriday, 10, Michigan…

Name: Javier Dominguez School: Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School “Dr. Dominguez, or Dr. D. as we call him, is an amazing teacher! He is not too strict but just strict enough that there is not too much goofing off. He makes class really fun, and he is really nice and very good at teaching. One thing I love about him is that he always tells us funny stories. He is the best teacher ever!”Mira, 10, Pennsylvania 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.…

1 Who won the Most Valuable Player award in this year’s Super Bowl? 2 True or false? Scientists have found that speedcubing is good for people’s well-being. True ☐ False ☐ 3 People can play as which galactic hero in the remastered game Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles? a) Ashoka Tano b) Luke Skywalker c) Mace Windu a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 4 True or false? The new movie Flow has no dialogue. True ☐ False ☐ 5 High-speed cameras showed that northern cricket frogs moved similarly to which other animal? a) Porcupines b) Pumas c) Porpoises a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 6 A new museum in Zagreb, Croatia, is the first to be dedicated entirely to what? 7 True or false? Jupiter has the most moons…

Australia has made jail time mandatory for people convicted of hate crimes. The decision was made after a recent increase in antisemitic (hostility or prejudice against Jewish people) attacks on synagogues, schools, and other places used by Jewish communities in the nation. People will now serve minimum sentences that range in length based on the seriousness of their crime. The punishment for less-serious crimes will be at least 12 months in jail. These include such offenses as painting racist graffiti or giving a salute used by the Nazis (German political party that killed 6 million Jewish people and millions of others during the Holocaust from 1933–1945) in public. People who commit more serious crimes, such as terrorism (use of violence to reach a goal), will be punished with at least…

Thousands of people across the country marched in the streets last week to protest the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration. The first weeks of Trump’s second term have ushered in sweeping new policies that represent a departure from how the nation is typically run. What happened? On February 5, people gathered in all 50 states—including in large cities like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and at state capitols in California, Minnesota, Michigan, Texas, Wisconsin, and Indiana—chanting and holding signs. The protests were organized online under several hashtags, including #50501, which stands for 50 protests, 50 states, one day. What were people protesting? Demonstrators rallied against numerous policies and budget cuts Trump has announced. Many people objected to his plan to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which…

Virachey National Park, established in 1993, is Cambodia’s largest national park. Measuring about 1,284 square miles, the park is filled with trees that are more than 1,000 years old. It provides habitats for hundreds of species of birds, including the great hornbill and red-collared woodpecker, and large mammals such as tigers and elephants. While much of the park remains unexplored by humans, a recent study revealed several rare species living there, such as the clouded leopard, the sun bear, and the Sunda pangolin, an unusual mammal with scaly skin.…

Turtle doves There are 25% more turtle doves in western Europe now than there were four years ago. Experts think this is the result of a temporary ban on hunting the doves in some countries, along with conservation efforts. Koalas in New South Wales A forest where koalas live in New South Wales, Australia, has lost 17,700 acres of trees since 2023. The head of the state’s government once promised to create a national park to protect the koalas, but this hasn’t happened yet.…

A team of experts uncovered the tomb of a royal doctor, who may have treated pharaohs (kings) in ancient Egypt before his death about 4,100 years ago. The tomb was found at Saqqara, where many tombs and pyramids were built. The doctor’s tomb was behind a secret door and decorated with intricate carvings and colorful paintings. The artwork helped archaeologists (scientists who study objects left by people long ago) learn about the doctor. His name, which was carved on a stone coffin inside the tomb in hieroglyphics, was Tetinebefou. Hieroglyphics are an ancient Egyptian writing system that used symbols and pictures. The tomb was a“mastaba,” a flat-roofed building that Egyptians used for important people. A man of Tetinebefou’s status would have been buried with many beautiful objects. Like many ancient…

On February 9, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs met in the Super Bowl, the championship game of the NFL (National Football League). The game was played at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, and was a rematch of the 2023 Super Bowl, which the Chiefs won. This time, the Eagles dominated and came away with a 40–22 victory and their second NFL championship title. Heading into the game, the pressure was on the Chiefs, who were the Super Bowl champions in 2023 and 2024. They were attempting to become the only team to win it three years in a row. They began the playoffs as the top-seeded (ranked) team in the AFC (American Football Conference). The Eagles, meanwhile, were the number two seed in the NFC…

Coach’s Name: Paula Wagner Sport: Figure skating “Coach Paula is amazing because she would do anything for her students. She wakes up at 4:45 a.m. each morning to teach us our choreography. She makes sure we have the opportunities we need to be great, from organizing shows to bringing in guest coaches. Even when I am struggling in a lesson, she turns on her favorite songs and dances to make us smile. She believes that the sky is the limit and has taught me to do the same.”Grace, 11, Florida 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.…

Goldie (Apple TV+) This new animated series is based on a 2019 animated short of the same name. It follows Goldie, a giant girl with a big heart who lives in the town of Boysenberg. Each short episode finds her embarking on adventures with her best friends and learning to embrace their differences. The Lion King at the Hollywood Bowl (Disney+) Last May, there was a special concert in Los Angeles, California, for the The Lion King’s 30th anniversary. Now audiences at home can see the performance featuring a 70-person orchestra, dancers, puppets, and Lion King stars. Museum Alive with David Attenborough (PBS.org) (PBS app) Take a tour of the Natural History Museum in London, England, with world-famous naturalist David Attenborough. Along the way, computergenerated imagery (CGI) will bring creatures…

What inspired this book? I wanted to share my own story about my life growing up. I was excited and scared, but I knew I had to find a way to do it. What was the hardest part about writing it? The hardest part was taking my childhood memories and figuring out how to turn them into a story. I was surprised at how often I had to rewrite scenes. What do you and the character Cindy have most in common? We both love drawing, pineapple buns, and looking for sea cucumbers at aquarium touch pools! Did you love to draw growing up? Yes, I’d fill sketchbooks with drawings while listening to music in my room. Favorite winter activity? Baking cookies and having a hot drink. So comforting!…

Most tweens and teens need about 9 to 11 hours of sleep to be their healthiest and do their best in school. However, studies consistently show most kids aren’t getting enough sleep. That can affect everything from your ability to concentrate in class to your mood around your family and friends. Here are some ways you can get your sleep habits on track. Set a regular bedtime When you go to bed around the same time every night, your body gets used to the schedule and you fall asleep more easily. To figure out what your bedtime should be, think about when you have to wake up and work backward, counting the hours to pinpoint what time you need to be in bed. If you want to get 10 hours…

Spring migration season for birds is right around the corner. Birds can fly for thousands of miles, and you can do your part to help them travel safely. Many migratory birds, like the indigo bunting, common yellowthroat, and Swainson’s thrush, get confused by artificial light and glass, which causes them to collide with windows. One way you can help minimize that hazard at home is to talk to your family about dimming or turning off any unnecessary outdoor lighting. You can also set lighting on timers so any outdoor lights aren’t on all night. Besides benefiting birds, your family will also be saving energy—and money on electricity!…

Congratulations to Mac Barnett, who has been selected as the new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature (p5)! Every two years, an author who has excelled at creating literature for young people is chosen for this honor, and Barnett certainly qualifies. He has written more than 60 children’s books that have sold millions of copies around the world and been translated into more than 30 languages. We have featured him in past issues of The Week Junior, and we are big fans! Barnett said he was “speechless” when he received the news of his appointment and that he’s excited to talk to young people and adults about the power of children’s literature as he travels the US during his tenure as ambassador. Schools, libraries, and community organizations can submit a…

The Week Junior will be marking its fifth anniversary in March. To celebrate, we’re asking readers to send us photos of themselves holding the issue they enjoyed most since they began subscribing. Some of the photos we receive will appear in Issue 257. If you’d like to participate, ask an adult to email your photo to hello@theweekjunior.com with Favorite Issue in the subject line. Thank you for helping us look back on an amazing five years of publication! 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, or ideas considered for inclusion in the magazine, please include your first name, age, and state with your submission. By emailing your submission to us, you give The…

Retired Lt. Col. Harry Stewart Jr., a pilot during World War II (1939–1945) who broke racial barriers in the US military and earned honors for his heroism, died on February 2 at age 100. Stewart was one of the last surviving combat pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen, the nation’s first Black military pilots. The group’s achievements helped pave the way for desegregating the military and the civil rights movement.…

Pet owners often say their furry friends are part of the family, and they treat them accordingly. In one recent poll, 83% of pet owners said they had thrown their animal a birthday party, while 80% reported sharing their food with them and 73% admitted to letting their pets sleep in bed with them. But not everyone agrees. Although pets bring a tremendous amount of joy into our homes, some people say it’s important to set boundaries with them. That can include keeping them off the furniture. Even animal behavior experts disagree on whether letting pets climb up on a sofa or bed is OK. What do you think? Should pets be allowed on the furniture? Yes—they’re part of the family Really, what’s better than having a cute animal curled…

Scientists have discovered that the hairy stems on tomato plants deter insect pests by shooting out a syrupy substance. Jared Popowski from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands made this discovery by mistake when he was studying a plant, capturing the moment on camera. He released small insects called western flower thrips and saw them crawl up the plant in search of fruit and leaves to feed on. As the insects touched the stalks’ tiny hairs, which are called glandular trichomes, it triggered the trichomes to release droplets of liquid in less than one thousandth of a second. These sticky droplets collected on the insects and weighed them down, making it difficult for them to move and stopping them from eating the plant. Eduardo de la Peña at the…

Ron Magill Wildlife expert, Zoo Miami The horn’s main purpose is to defend against predators and other rhinos during conflicts, such as territory disputes. Some rhinos also use it to break branches and dig up roots to feed on. It is not a true horn since it is made mainly of keratin, the same substance found in human hair and nails. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about Zoo Miami at zoomiami.org.…

Researchers have developed a “living battery” that uses fungi (a group of plant-like living things including mold, mildew, and mushrooms) to create electricity. Fungi survive by using decaying material or other living things for food, then turning those nutrients into energy. The new device is 3D printed and uses two types of fungi to capture some of this energy and convert it into electricity. The team that made it mixed the fungi into a 3D printer ink that is biodegradable (which means it breaks down naturally) and nontoxic (not poisonous).…

Hollywood is in its awards season, and Flow, an animated film from Latvia, has become one of the most acclaimed films of the year. It recently won a Golden Globe award for Best Animated Feature, and it is up for Best Animated Feature and Best International Feature at the Academy Awards, the most prestigious event in the movie industry, on March 2. The film is now streaming on Max. Flow follows a lone cat whose world is destroyed by a massive flood. When the cat ends up on a small boat with a dog, a lemur, and other animals, it must face two big fears: water and working with others. The movie was co-written and directed by Gints Zilbalodis, who based it on a short film he made about a…

A remastered version of the action platform game star wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles was recently released for the game’s 25th anniversary. It is available for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation systems, Xbox platforms, and the PC. The game is rated T for Teen. Jedi Power Battles is set in Star Wars’ “galaxy far, far away.” It originally came out a year after Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace was in theaters and has developed into a fan favorite over time. The latest version has been given a full graphical update and additional features for a new generation of fans. Jedi Power Battles follows the general story of The Phantom Menace, with gamers playing as its two main heroes, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, plus three other Jedi:Mace windu,…

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 2025! The 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 participate, 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!…

Word search Can you find all these words associated with sleep? 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. BEDTIME BLANKET CATCH SOME Z’S COVERS COZY DARK DOZE DREAM DROWSY FORTY WINKS MATTRESS NIGHTLIGHT PAJAMAS PILLOWCASE QUIET QUILT RELAX REM SLEEP REST SHEETS SIESTA SNOOZE SNORE SNUG TIRED YAWN FILL IN THE BLANKS Fill in the blanks in each sentence with two words that are anagrams of each other, like STAR and ARTS. (NEED A HINT? Check the bottom of the page.) 1. My little niece kept begging for an ice cream————, but———— it was in her hand, she dropped it. 2. There have been so many————— when I’ve bought things I thought…