Innehållsförteckning för Issue 279 från The Week Junior US

On August 7, tariffs established by President Donald Trump went into effect for dozens of nations, affecting global trading relationships. Tariffs are taxes imposed by the government on goods brought into the US from other nations. What are the tariffs? The new rates affect more than 90 nations, including some of the biggest US trading partners, like Canada and India. Tariffs on goods from Canada rose from 12.6% to 35%, while rates for India went from 2.7% to 50%. Several other countries also face particularly high tariffs, including Switzerland, whose fees jumped from 1.9% to 39%, and Brazil, which went from 1.3% to 50%. The US hit China with a 145% tariff in April, then reduced it to 30% while the countries are negotiating to try to keep the rate…

Former football star and two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora is making an impact off the field as the NFL’s lead ambassador in Africa. He is dedicated to helping teens chase their sports dreams. Born in England, Umenyiora moved to Nigeria at age 7. Four years later, his family moved to the US, settling in Alabama. He began playing football in 11th grade and quickly stood out for his strength, speed, and determination. Umenyiora went on to play at Troy State University in Alabama, where he set college records and was named an All-American player. In 2003, Umenyiora was drafted by the New York Giants as a defensive end. He became one of the NFL’s top defensive players and was selected to the Pro Bowl (the league’s all-star game) in…

A new study has laid out what world leaders must do to save the most endangered species from extinction. The research focuses on the 10,443 species of animals, plants, and fungi (living things like mushrooms, mold, and mildew) that are considered to be “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (see box, above). These species are the closest to going extinct out of all those that still exist in the wild. The study found that about 80% of critically endangered species are mainly threatened by habitat loss. Other threats to species on the list include climate change and diseases, such as one caused by the chytrid fungus that has affected amphibian populations around the world. Another threat comes from invasive species, which are non-native species that cause…

Giant river otters This species has returned to Argentina’s Iberá Wetlands for the first time in 40 years. Experts have released a family of otters, including two babies that were born in captivity. They plan to reintroduce more otters in the future. Blue crabs An annual survey of blue crabs in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay recorded one of the lowest population levels ever. Officials say this might be due to pollution, climate change, and the spread of invasive blue catfish that eat crabs.…

For hundreds of years, lighthouses have brightened the way for sailors. Now they are also beloved landmarks around the world. Beacons of light Lighthouses are towers that have a powerful rotating or flashing light at the top. They can be found on coastal areas or islands, where they were built to help ship captains navigate in and out of harbors while avoiding reefs, rocks, and uneven coastlines, especially at night or during stormy weather. They’re typically constructed of stone, brick, or reinforced concrete to withstand salt water and winds. A lighthouse also has a foghorn or other sound signal, which serves as a warning in murky weather conditions, such as dense fog. From firepits to lanterns One of the first known lighthouses, the Pharos of Alexandria, dates back to about…

From August 3 to 10, girls from the US and other countries gathered in Greenville, North Carolina, to compete in the Little League Softball World Series (LLSWS), the world’s largest youth softball tournament. In the championship game on August 10, West Suburban Little League from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, defeated Floyds Knob Community Club Little League from Indiana, 1–0. The victory marked the first time a team from Pennsylvania has won the LLSWS title since 1978. Throughout the summer, teams from around the country, made up of girls ages 10 to 12, participated in district, section, state, and regional tournaments to determine the eight US teams that would compete at the LLSWS tournament. The Pennsylvania team won the Mid-Atlantic region, while the Indiana team won the Central region. Teams from Canada, Latin…

Coach’s Name: Lee Wisinski Team: Brookfield Park and Rec Grade 3–4 Dodgers “Coach Lee has helped us learn all new things this year. During practice, we do fun drills that teach us to play better and how to work as a team. He says to always keep our hopes up even if we are down, and that the most important thing about baseball is to have fun! He gives out rewards to players who do their best in a game, and a cool keychain for the most focused player at practice.” Ben, 10, and Owen, 9, Wisconsin 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.…

Castle in the Sky This 1986 film was famous Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki’s first one with Studio Ghibli. It is about two kids protecting a mysterious floating island. The Secret of Kells The Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon released this film in 2009. It is set in ninth-century Ireland and is a fantasy about a boy who helps complete a magical book while defending a monastery. Ernest & Celestine A series of popular Belgian children’s books inspired this 2012 French film about an unlikely friendship between a bear and a young mouse. It won a César Award, France’s top honor in movies, for best animated film.…

Adaptive (Peacock) This new documentary series gives an up-close look at the lives of four Team USA Paralympians who competed at the Paris Games last year: Ezra Frech (track and field), Jamal Hill (swimming), and wheelchair basketball players Courtney Ryan and Josie Aslakson. It is rated TV-14. Totally Funny Animals (The CW) (Hulu) Short videos of animals caught on camera in silly, unexpected moments fill this new comedy show. Each episode counts down the top 10 funniest animal clips, which are sometimes grouped by fun themes, like “dogs behaving like other animals” and “pets at parties.” Lego Masters Jr. (Fox) In this new spin-off of the hit competition series Lego Masters, young builders are paired with celebrities as they take on challenges such as making Disney train rides and Ninjago…

What inspired this book? I wanted to write it after publishing Real Friends, my graphic novel memoir about the friendship trouble and anxiety I had in elementary school. I had pages of notes left over from writing that book, which I decided to use as ideas for this book to explore. Did you grow up with siblings? Yes, I’m one of five. I have three sisters and a brother. What was your favorite book genre as a child? Fantasy, for sure. What advice would you give your younger self? It’s OK to make mistakes. Be patient and have compassion for yourself as you figure things out. If you could live inside a book, what kind would you choose? I’d choose a comic book—and I’d have superpowers but live in a…

Whether you have a few weeks of summer left or your new school year has recently begun, you can put some plans in place that will set you up for your best year yet. Here are a few smart strategies that will get you excited about what lies ahead. Set yourself up for homework success Take a few minutes to check out your homework space. Is it comfortable and well lit? Can you easily reach your charger and pencil sharpener? Give it a test run with any summer work you have left. That way, if you need to make changes—like moving a lamp or adjusting your chair—you can do so now. Also, think about what time will work best for you to do homework during the school year. It might…

HOST A BACKPACK DRIVE FOR STUDENTS Every year, many students begin their first day of school without basic supplies. You can help kids get what they need—and protect the environment by keeping items out of landfills—by collecting clean, gently used backpacks to share. With the help of a parent or a school administrator, plan a drive. Make fliers with details, such as where to drop off donations. Many families buy school supplies in bulk, so ask if they would also donate items like extra pencils, pens, folders, and notebooks. After you’ve gathered all the supplies, sort items into backpacks and work with an adult to transport them to a school, children’s shelter, or community center.…

Riding into a different century Lizanne Wilmot has pedaled her way to an unusual world speed record. She rides the penny-farthing, a type of bicycle from the 1800s that has a front wheel up to 5 feet tall and a much smaller wheel in the back. She recently reached a speed of 25.92 miles per hour, nearly twice the average speed of a regular bike. Wilmot said there is a booming community of “bike weirdos” like her in Australia, where she lives. When you’re on a penny-farthing, she said, “you can’t help but to smile the entire time.” Telescope spots an owl in space The James Webb Space Telescope has spotted what appears to be the face of an inquisitive owl staring down at Earth. In fact, it’s a rare…

“We read about the Texas flooding in The Week Junior and decided we wanted to raise money to help with the cleanup and recovery. Our mom taught us how to harvest Columbine flower seeds from her garden, so we made packets to sell in our neighborhood for $2 each. We added money from our allowance and donated it all to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. It made us feel happy to know that our money would go to the families in Texas, and we were so glad we could find a way to help.” 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.…

1 Who is on the cover of the new video game Madden NFL 26? a) DeVonta Smith b) Jalen Hurts c) Saquon Barkley a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 2 True or false? Orangutans add 15 to 20 minutes to their daytime nap for every hour of sleep they miss. True ☐ False ☐ 3 When will the first book of Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions be released? a) October b) November c) December a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 4 What is the name of the star system where the James Webb Space Telescope recently found evidence of a planet? _______________ 5 How many lighthouses are there around the world? a) 200 b) 2,000 c) 20,000 a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 6 True or false? Ne Zha 2…

On August 7, NASA (the US space agency) said the James Webb Space Telescope had spotted evidence of a planet close to Earth. It was observed in a nearby star system (group of stars that are close together) called Alpha Centauri, about 4.5 light-years away. A light-year is the distance light travels in one Earth year, about 6 trillion miles. Scientists said the planet appeared to be about the size of Saturn and made of gas. If it is confirmed to exist, it would be closer to its star than any other known planet. It would also be the closest planet spotted in the habitable zone (area where conditions could support life) of a star, although it would not support life as we know it. Evidence of the planet was…

As students return to school for the 2025–26 academic year, many of them are being welcomed back with changes focused on improving learning. Some of the policies have already been enacted, and others will be put into place at a later date. What’s happening with cell phones? New York passed a law in May that requires its schools to be free of cell phones and other personal electronic devices from “bell to bell” starting this academic year. It joins 13 other states, including Florida, Georgia, and Virginia, that have banned or restricted cell phone use in schools. Other states, such as California and Oregon, have guidelines that limit cell phone use during school hours. The goal of the restrictions is to reduce distractions and make it easier for students to…

At more than 6,200 feet tall, Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeastern US. It’s also considered one of the windiest places in the world. Visitors can hike to the summit, take photos, and on a clear day gaze at more than 100 miles of the American landscape. The state park sits on top of the mountain, which is surrounded by 800,000 acres of the White Mountain National Forest. Visitors to the mountain are likely to hear the song of the white-throated sparrow. Ravens and crows have also been spotted there, as have bobcats, bears, and moose.…

A study revealed that black-tailed prairie dogs help long-billed curlew birds avoid predators. When the rodents see a predator, they call out a barklike alarm and dive underground. Curlews listen for the warning too. ● LIFE SPAN: 3 to 5 years ● HABITAT: Flat grasslands in North America ● SIZE: 11 to 13 inches long, up to 4 pounds ● DIET: Mostly grass and leafy plants ● FUN FACT: Prairie dogs live in “towns”—vast tunnel networks connecting many family burrows.…

A doctor in Florida successfully operated on a patient 7,000 miles away in Africa, using a remote-controlled robot to perform the surgery. Fernando Da Silva, who lives in Angola, needed surgery to treat cancer (a collection of diseases caused by cells that grow out of control). In a robotic surgical procedure, the surgeon does not touch the patient. Instead, the doctor moves their hands to control smaller robotic hands that hold surgical instruments and make contact with the patient. When the doctor moves their hands around, the robotic hands move in the same way. Da Silva’s procedure, called “transcontinental robotic telesurgery,” was performed by Dr. Vipul Patel from Florida. He sat at a robotic console equipped with a 3D screen and highly responsive hand controls. His movements were transmitted through…

Fans of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series will soon have a new way to listen to her popular tales. The audio-storytelling service Audible has teamed up with Pottermore Publishing, which releases Rowling’s digital audiobooks and e-books, to create Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions. Unlike the current audiobooks, which are read by a narrator, the new versions will feature a cast of more than 200 actors performing as the stories’ characters, as well as music and real-world sounds. The first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, will be released on Audible on November 4, and a new one will follow each month. In the first three stories, Harry will be voiced by Frankie Treadaway (top photo), an actor from the UK. He was a Potter fan before getting the…

The NFL (National Football League) preseason has kicked off, which means it’s time for Madden NFL 26, the latest edition of a popular franchise. The game, which features Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley on the cover, was just released for the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. It is the first time since 2013 that a Madden game has been made for a Nintendo console. To create more realistic action than ever, the developers used NFL data and artificial intelligence (a computer program that imitates human learning) to ensure the players and coaches make the kinds of movements and decisions they would in real life. You’ll even see play call suggestions from coaches, with details about why they’re good ideas. One reason this feature was…

Circus Mirandus By Cassie Beasley “When Micah’s grandpa falls ill, Micah’s mean great-aunt comes to help. She doesn’t let Micah visit his grandpa, but he sneaks in, and Grandpa tells him about a magical circus he used to visit. At the circus, there is a magical man, called the Lightbender, who owes him a miracle. Micah leaves home to find the magical circus and try to save his grandpa. This story has many fun twists!” Tessa, 12, Mississippi Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

A LUCKY FIND Caitlin Riley, a rare books specialist in the UK, was amazed to find a first edition of The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien tucked away on a bookshelf. The copy sold for more than $58,000 at an auction. The discovery “feels like a miracle,” Riley said. A GREAT RIDE It was an epic journey for an 85-year-old from Oregon, who became the oldest man to cross America on a bike. Bob Sanders traveled 3,007 miles from California to Florida in 44 days, with stops along the way to take in the scenery, see old friends, and meet new ones. “I’m glad I did it,” Sanders said. HEADING HOME A Kemp’s ridley sea turtle named Elton was released into the ocean from a New York City beach. Elton, whose…

The US will spend more than $100 million to conserve about 578,000 acres of wetlands, the Department of the Interior (DOI, the agency that conserves land) announced. Migratory birds, such as ducks, rely on wetlands for food and shelter during their long flights. An additional $201 million from private groups will go toward the effort. DOI said the funds will help maintain healthy populations of birds and support traditions such as bird-watching.…

What you need to know ● Labor Day always falls on the first Monday of September. ● About 47% of US schools are back in session before August 16, while about 35% open in the last two weeks of August and 16% begin after September 1, according to weareteachers.com. ● Schools in the South, Southwest, and West—like Florida, Texas, and California—typically begin earlier than those in the Northwest, Upper Midwest, and East Coast. Where you live in the US determines when your school year begins. At one time, school start dates were based on the local climate (hot or cool) and the location (urban or rural area). In rural states, most schools opened after Labor Day and closed in mid-spring. This allowed farms to operate on schedule and let kids…

Scientists have discovered that orangutans share some sleeping habits with humans. A study found that these great apes make up for a poor night’s sleep with daytime naps. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior studied 53 adult orangutans in Indonesia’s Suaq Balimbing rainforest for 455 days. They observed that the apes got about 13 hours of sleep per night in“night nests,” which they built each evening using branches and leaves. When their sleep was disrupted by cold weather, noisy neighbors, or a long day of travel, the animals responded by taking a nap during the day, just as humans do. Orangutans napped on 41% of the days, with naps averaging 76 minutes. Naps took place in “day nests,” which the apes could put together in less than…

There are many theories about the springtime “dawn chorus.” Most likely, birds are marking their territory early in the day—saying, “This is my space!” They could also be attracting mates. Another theory is that the quiet, calm, humid air of the morning allows birdcalls to travel farther. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the Milwaukee County Zoo at milwaukeezoo.org.…

The first robotic surgery in the US took place in 1985, when the PUMA 560 system was used for a brain operation. Da Vinci, the first system for general use, was approved by the FDA in 2000. Now the technology is used for a wide range of procedures, from cancer treatments to medical emergencies. In the US, there were an estimated 1.12 million robotic surgical procedures in 2020, and 22% of all surgeries used robot-assisted technology. Medical experts say robotic surgery technology has many benefits for patients, including less invasive procedures, fewer complications, faster recovery time, and shorter hospital stays. Many robotic systems are also beginning to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI, when a computer imitates human learning) to help guide doctors.…

A gaming console that fits in the palm of your hand makes it easy to play on the go. At 5 inches wide, about 3.5 inches high, and a quarter of an inch thick, the GamerCard can run thousands of games from multiple systems. It also comes preloaded with the games Bloo Kid 2 and AstroBlaze DX. GamerCard is light but contains a powerful processor and has a full-color display, speakers, and control pads and switches. Young programmers can also use the device to develop their own games.…

The 2025 US Gymnastics Championships took place from August 7 to August 10 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Nearly 140 top gymnasts gathered to compete for national titles and earn places on the US Junior and Senior National Teams. The senior women’s all-around champion was Hezly Rivera, a member of the gold-medal-winning US team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. For the second time in three years, the senior men’s all-around champion was Asher Hong, a bronze medalist in Paris. Rivera, age 17, is the youngest US all-around champion since 2017. Although her four teammates from Paris 2024 did not participate in this year’s US championships, the two alternates, Leanne Wong and Joscelyn Roberson, were among the competitors in New Orleans. The women’s events are the balance beam, floor exercise, uneven bars,…

An English-language version of one of the most popular foreign films in the world is coming to US movie theaters. Ne Zha 2 is an animated comedic fantasy adventure from China that tells the story of two powerful boys connected by fate. The Chinese-language film was originally released in February and has earned more than $2 billion at the box office, which is more than any animated film in history. The English-dubbed version arrives on August 22. Ne Zha (pronounced “Nuh JAH”) is a powerful young warrior deity known for his rebellious spirit and heroic self-sacrifice. His story is rooted in Chinese mythology and a 16th-century novel, but it has been told in many other books and films. The new movie, which is celebrated for its action scenes and stunning…

Bizaardvark (Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video) “This show is incredibly underrated, and I am obsessed with it. It’s about two crazy and funny girls: Paige (played by Olivia Rodrigo before she became a famous singer) and Frankie. They have a channel, Bizaardvark, where they post videos (hilarious ONLY). I highly recommend this show if you want drama, comedy, and nonstop laughter, but the overall theme is friendship. I think the funniest episode is ‘Control + Alt + Escape!’ from season one. In it, the girls make a video, ‘Party Don’t Stop,’ where they throw a party and are VIPs, but they’re so tired that they end up falling asleep.” Quinn, 10, Massachusetts Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

By Shannon Hale, illustrated by Marcela Cespedes (Roaring Book Press) Although Cassie is one of six kids in the family, she feels completely alone. Her baby brother takes up a lot of her parents’ time, and her best friend, Vali, no longer lives across the street. One day, she finds an offer in the mail from a publishing company with a gold sticker labeled “Grand Prize Winner.” Cassie believes that if she returns the form along with her choices for three magazines, she’ll win a new car, furniture, or a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. She daydreams about how happy her parents, who are struggling with money, will be when they find out she’s won one of the prizes. She also promises Vali that she’ll take her along on the vacation.…

The Big Book of Fantasy Kid Crafts By Jennifer Buchheit (Page Street Kids) If you’re a fan of dragons, fairies, mermaids, or unicorns, this craft book is for you. It has a chapter of crafts for each fantastical creature. One of the clever projects shows you how to construct a unicorn pop-up puppet. Ages 7+ The Happiest Kids Crafts in the World! By Timm Sevitz (Page Street Kids) This book’s projects come with easy-to-follow instructions and clear photos of the finished products. The chapters focus on different types of crafting. For example, in the painting section, you can learn how to make balloon planet prints and crumbled tie-dye paper. Ages 8+ The Kids’ Book of Craft Love By Irene Smit and Astrid van der Hulst (Workman Kids) Besides traditional crafts,…

What you’ll need ● Scissors● White block erasers (found online or at stationery or office-supply stores)● Pencil with a new eraser● A coin or small cookie cutters● Ink pad● All-purpose blank labels or name-tag stickers (from stationery, office-supply, or online stores)● Baby wipes or paper towels● Markers● Rubber stamps of letters (optional) Instructions 1. Use scissors to cut some erasers into geometric shapes, like squares, triangles, and rectangles. 2. Use a pencil and a coin or small cookie cutters to trace shapes, such as circles or hearts, onto other erasers. You can also hand-draw shapes, like leaves, onto the erasers. With scissors, carefully cut these shapes out of the erasers. 3. Press your eraser stamps onto an ink pad and use them to decorate the blank labels. 4. Try combining…

Word search Can you find all these dog breeds? 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. AFGHAN AKITA BEAGLE BORZOI BOXER CHOW COLLIE CORGI DALMATIAN GERMAN SHEPHERD HUSKY IRISH SETTER PEKINGESE PIT BULL POODLE PUG ROTTWEILER SALUKI SAMOYED SPITZ ST. BERNARD WHIPPET FILL IN THE BLANKS Fill in the blanks in each sentence with words that are anagrams of each other, like STAR and ARTS. (NEED A HINT? Check the bottom of the page.) OFF SIDES Make three different five-letter words by using the letters given to fill in the blanks. Out of order The numbers 1 to 9 can fit, one per square, so that no two consecutive numbers are in…

This week we’re celebrating the start of the 2025–2026 school year. Have you gone back to class already, or are you preparing for the year to begin? Some US students returned in July, while others will start after Labor Day. Do you think that’s OK, or should every school in the US follow the same calendar? That’s the topic of this week’s Big Debate (p8), and we’d love to know what you think! Share your opinion online at theweekjunior.com/polls. This issue also includes an article about new school policies, from phone bans to changes in the amount of recess time, that are being implemented around the country (p4). In addition, we provide advice on setting yourself up for school success (p24) and instructions for making your own bookplate and hosting…

Pedro, an 11-year-old from Florida, enjoys helping others. His good deeds include donating his allowance to a hospital, holding the door open for everyone, and giving food to a local food pantry. To mark The Week Junior’s fifth anniversary this year, we’re asking readers to share five good deeds they’ve done. Have you helped a neighbor or a friend or performed a kind act? Go to kids.theweekjunior.com/activities to download a form like the one shown at right. Fill it out, then have an adult email it to us at hello@theweekjunior.com. We’ll feature some of the submissions on this page in future issues. RIDDLE OFTHE WEEK What starts out tall then slowly grows shorter? A candle IT’S YOUR TURN Email your news, views, and photos to hello@theweekjunior.com. We want to hear…

We’d love to see pictures you’ve taken or pictures with you in them! Have an adult email them to us at hello@theweekjunior.com, along with anything you would like us to know about what’s happening in the photo. “I made the coconut corn chowder for my family. I thought it was delicious, and I can’t wait for my family to try it!”Jude, 11, Illinois “I was so excited when I saw falcons in The Week Junior! There are two on my street.”Ellie, 9, California “We made The Week Junior’s pasta salad recipe for a pool party potluck, and it was delicious!” Rohan, 8, and Maya, 11, Texas…

Teacher’s Name: Mr. Bacall School: Trailside Elementary school “I think Mr. Bacall is the best teacher because he is so kind, friendly, fun, and excited to teach us. He is always motivating my class to do our best. We can talk to him about anything. For example, when someone is not feeling great, Mr. Bacall always asks if there is anything he can do. I’ve had a lot of other elementary school teachers, but I think Mr. Bacall should be recognized.” Cayden, 10, Utah 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.…