Innehållsförteckning för Issue 280 från The Week Junior US

Two sets of talks were held in the US, first in Alaska and then in Washington, DC, as part of negotiations to end the war between Ukraine and Russia. The war began in 2022 when Russia invaded the neighboring country of Ukraine, an independent nation that Russia believes should be part of its country instead. What happened in Alaska? On August 15, President Donald Trump met with Vladimir Putin, president of Russia, at a US military base near Anchorage, Alaska. It was the first face-to-face meeting between Putin and a US President since the war began and Putin’s first visit to America in a decade. No details about their discussions were released. Before the meeting, Trump said a ceasefire (pause in fighting) was the top priority. Afterward, however, he said…

A CHARMING CHICKEN A 14-year-old hen is officially the world’s oldest chicken. Pearl, who lives in Texas, enjoys time in the yard, watching TV, and getting neck scratches from her humans. The happy hen “just has a love for life,” said her owner. KIND WORDS A boy in Illinois is brightening people’s days at his free compliments stand. Ethan Wargo, age 9, has given a variety of compliments to dozens of passersby about everything from their shoes to their names and jobs. “It makes people feel good,” Wargo said. “It also makes me feel good.” UPHOLDING TRADITION When 3,946 people from 62 countries performed a traditional Japanese dance—called the Bon dance—in Osaka, Japan, they set records as the largest group and most nationalities to do it at the same time.…

Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is making upgrades to increase its accessibility. Visitors can reserve one of four all-terrain wheelchairs, which work on rocky trails and snowy paths. More than 130 picnic tables that accommodate wheelchairs are being installed, and a new bus transports people with mobility issues. “Our job is to steward the park for everyone,” said the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, which helped fund the changes.…

What you need to know ● Many states and cities have laws restricting how fast boats can go, but only in certain areas. ● Speed limits are typically in place near wildlife, shore, and swimming areas. For example, in California, boats are restricted to 5 miles per hour within 100 feet of swimmers. ● A common speed restriction on boats is that they cannot go fast enough to produce a wake in the water. ● Recreational boats can reach speeds of up to 115 miles per hour. In 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, the US agency tasked with protecting Earth’s oceans) proposed a speed limit of about 11 miles per hour for boats between 35 and 65 feet long, up to 90 miles off the Atlantic coast.…

The kakapo population is set to receive a boost next year during the breeding season of the critically endangered birds, which happens every two to four years. The kakapo is the only species of flightless parrot in the world. Fewer than 250 of the birds exist, and all of them live in New Zealand. They mostly live on islands that are free of non-native predators like rats and cats, which were brought into the country by people. Efforts to boost kakapo populations are challenging because the birds don’t breed every year. Instead, their breeding season happens at the same time that the rimu tree produces large amounts of fruit and seeds—known as a mast event. Mast events are triggered by the previous summer’s temperatures, and one of these is expected…

Zack Lemann Curator of animal collections, Audubon Insectarium Young monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed leaves. These are poisonous to most animals—but not monarchs. Chemicals from the leaves defend them against predators and stay in the insect even when it transforms into a butterfly! Adults drink nectar from many kinds of flowers. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the Audubon Insectarium at audubonnatureinstitute.org.…

A portable camping stove A with foldable sides makes outdoor cooking easy. The FireNest is made of sturdy titanium and is small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. It sets up and breaks down in seconds and is less than an inch thick when folded. The FireNest includes three cooking panels for searing, grilling, and boiling and can be used with multiple fuel types, including firewood. Campers can cook right on the panels or in a pot or pan they put on top of them. The stove’s makers expect it to be available in the fall.…

The 2025 WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) season is heading into its final stretch. Each team is playing 44 regular-season games, the most in league history. Eight of the 13 teams will head to the playoffs, set to begin in September 14, and the race for those spots is tight. Several teams face the added challenge of having top players—including Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx—sidelined by injuries. On August 12, the Lynx became the first team to officially clinch a playoff berth. Although they didn’t play that day, they had a large lead in the standings and results from other contests allowed them to secure a spot. It marks their third straight postseason appearance and the team’s 14th trip to the playoffs…

The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) in Ohio is celebrating the work of Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. He is famous for making paintings and sculptures with vibrant colors, cartoon-like characters, and elements of traditional fine art and commercial (mainstream) culture. More than 100 pieces of Murakami’s art from throughout his career are on display in the exhibition Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow. It runs through September 7. Murakami was born in 1962 and learned traditional Japanese painting at college in Tokyo. After studying in New York City in the 1990s, he created his“Superflat” style. The name refers to how his art looks and how he thinks Japanese culture has been“flattened” by outside influences. Some of his work was inspired by traumatic events, and Emily Liebert, a…

The Circus G (Prime Video, Hulu, or rent on other platforms) “This is one of my favorite movies of all time! It is a funny and entertaining silent film from 1928 starring the famous actor Charlie Chaplin. It is about a man who accidentally ends up in the middle of a circus performance while running from a cop. He is a hit with the audience, so the ringmaster hires him to make his failing show better. While he is working for the circus, he finds out the ringmaster is too harsh on his stepdaughter, one of the performers, so he tries to help her find a better life. This film is great for kids. The stunts will have the whole family in hysterics!” Scarlet, 12, North Carolina Do you have…

By Peter Burns (Aladdin) Tom and his friends are orphans, and they steal from people to survive on the tough streets of London, England. His friends are caught and forced to live in a grim workhouse, where they labor all day. Tom wants to rescue his pals, but he doesn’t know how to do it. One day, a mysterious man, known as the Corsair, recruits Tom to join Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts, a boarding school located in the Swiss Alps. The Corsair tells Tom he could train to become a Shadow Thief and a member of the Shadow League, the top-secret international group that helps keep global political power in balance. Tom accepts the invitation and enrolls in the school, hoping to learn the skills he needs to help…

The Bad Beginning By Lemony Snicket (HarperCollins) “The chapter that kicks off this book, the first in a popular series, perfectly sets up the adventures that follow,” said Emily Cain of the Indianapolis Public Library in Indiana. “In trying to convince you not to read the following pages, it makes you want to read them more.” Ages 8–12 Dawn of the Jaguar By J.C. Cervantes (Rick Riordan Presents) The main character, Ren, is in a race against time in the opening chapter of this second book in the Shadow Bruja duology. “A choice she’s made has crippled her powers, forcing her to rely on her inner strength to save her friends,” said Vanessa Iris Soto of the Hoboken Public Library in New Jersey. Ages 8–12 The Puppets of Spelhorst By…

Crisscross Each of these words that begin and end with the same letter fits into this grid. Can you find where each one goes to complete the grid? 3 letters DAD DUD 4 letters CROC DEED ERIE GANG OHIO PEEP PROP 5 letters ALOHA ARENA RULER 6 letters AFRICA EXHALE HEALTH 7 letters DOGSLED 9 letters DACHSHUND DARTBOARD DEDICATED GROUNDHOG HOPSCOTCH PHOTOSHOP ALL THE SAME Each answer contains the letters P-A-N. Those letters have been placed for you. Can you figure out the words? 1. Country known for anime and manga 2. Kitchen storage area 3. Language spoken in much of Latin America 4. Great ape known for its intelligence 5. Gas in the tanks of many barbecue grills ANSWERS CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 29. Spot the difference These…

Each week I find myself thinking about the many different cities, states, and countries featured in our pages and asking myself which ones I would most like to visit. Do I want to go to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado (p5) or the state fair in Iowa or Washington (p5)? Or would I rather visit China, which recently hosted the World Games (p3), or France, where Notre-Dame Cathedral has once again been named the nation’s most popular tourist attraction (p6)? My answer is yes, I’d like to go to all those places! But if I could choose only one, it would be Rapa Nui, the remote island in the Pacific Ocean where nearly 1,000 giant (and mysterious) stone statues stand (p12). They were built thousands of years ago, but…

Teacher’s Name: Mrs. Manske School: Boulder Elementary School “Mrs. Manske is so kind. Whenever there is a problem, she helps us. When we feel sad, Mrs. Manske makes us shine bright like the sun. If a student is having trouble with something, she slows down to make sure everyone can catch up. Mrs. Manske is always there for everyone in the class, and she makes everyone feel like they can do absolutely anything! She makes learning so fun!” Avery, 8, Montana 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 Where is the biggest state fair in the US? a) Iowa b) Michigan c) Texas a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 2 True or false? The kakapo is the world’s only flightless parrot species. True ☐ False ☐ 3 In the book The School for Thieves, what is the name of the top-secret group Tom is training to join? a) Shadow League b) Spy League c) Swiss League a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 4 What is the name of the art style Takashi Murakami created in the 1990s? 5 A recent study found that ChatGPT often added which of these words to text it had edited? a) Delve b) Debate c) Decide a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 6 True or false? The Milwaukee Brewers had the longest…

On August 12, World Elephant Day was marked across the globe. The day was established in 2012 to raise awareness and support for Asian and African elephants, whose populations are in danger due to habitat loss, climate change, and human activity. Today, there are fewer than 415,000 wild elephants in Africa and fewer than 50,000 in Asia. African forest elephants are considered critically endangered, while African savannah elephants and Asian elephants are classified as endangered. Wildlife experts say that without protection, these species could become extinct. The theme of this year’s World Elephant Day was “Mothers and Matriarchs,” which honored the “wisdom, memory, and leadership” of female elephants, organizers said. To mark the day, Bannerughatta Biological Park in Bengaluru, India, paid tribute to elephant care workers and released elephant-themed postcards.…

On August 12, President Donald Trump said his administration is launching an intensive review of eight museums that are part of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex and is operated by the US government. What happened? White House officials sent a letter to Lonnie Bunch, the head of the Smithsonian, informing him that the museums to be reviewed are the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of American History, National Museum of the American Indian, National Museum of Natural History, National Portrait Gallery, and Smithsonian American Art Museum. These museums will have their current exhibitions, as well as plans for future exhibits, assessed for “tone, historical framing, and…

Generation Alpha (people born between 2010–2024) and Gen Z (those born between 1997–2012) have their own slang, and Adam Aleksic has become a sensation on social media for explaining what those words mean. He’s taken his expertise offline with his first book, Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language.Aleksic, age 24, grew up in Albany, New York. His curiosity for language was sparked as a child when he read a book about word origins. He went on to major in linguistics (the study of human language) at Harvard University. During his final semester, a friend encouraged him to post educational videos online. Today, more than 2.3 million followers watch Aleksic’s“Etymology Nerd” videos on TikTok and Instagram, where he explains everything from“rizz” (meaning charisma) to “delulu” (delusional). He…

The ocean is home to masses of small floating organisms called zooplankton. Some are as tiny as .04 inches long, and they spend most of their lives asleep, deep in the ocean. New research has shined a light on how these little creatures are important for helping to protect the planet against global warming. The research, led by scientists from China, the UK, and Canada, focused on the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean). The Southern Ocean is about one sixteenth of Earth’s total ocean area. The team studied types of zooplankton called copepods, krill, and salps. All of these creatures eat tiny plant-like organisms called phytoplankton, which live near the sea’s surface and absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases trap the Sun’s heat in the…

Mountain yellow-legged frogs The Los Angeles Zoo released 643 southern mountain yellow-legged frogs and tadpoles into mountain streams in California as part of an effort to save the species. More than 6,000 amphibians have been released since 2006. Koalas An attempt to reintroduce 13 koalas to the wild failed, and Australian officials took the remaining six koalas back into care. Experts are trying to figure out what went wrong, such as bad weather or a lack of available food.…

Rapa Nui, commonly known as Easter Island, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been a source of fascination for centuries. Where is the island? Rapa Nui (pronounced “ra-pah NOO-ee”) is one of the most remote inhabited places in the world. It’s located in the Pacific Ocean about 2,200 miles from Chile in South America and is also the easternmost outpost of Polynesia, a vast region in the Pacific that includes Hawaii and New Zealand. The triangular island, measuring about 63 square miles, was formed millions of years ago by volcanic activity and is famous for its giant—and mysterious—human statues called moai (“moeeye”). Human history The island was first settled in about 700 to 800 CE by people from other Pacific islands. Their descendants were known as Rapa Nui,…

Artificial intelligence (AI, when a computer imitates human learning) is used in many aspects of daily life, from online searches to medical diagnoses. A new study found that AI is also changing how we talk and could have a lasting effect on human language. Researchers looked at the AI platform ChatGPT, which was first released in 2022 and has hundreds of millions of users. They asked ChatGPT to edit millions of pages of writing—including emails, essays, and academic and news articles—to polish and clarify the text. Then the team searched through the revised text and identified words that ChatGPT had added frequently, like “delve,” “realm,” and “meticulous.” Next the researchers tracked the use of these“GPT words” in hundreds of thousands of YouTube videos and podcast episodes created before and after…

As the 2025 MLB (Major League Baseball) season winds down, the playoff race is gaining excitement with many teams vying for a postseason spot. The past week was filled with key matchups, historic moments, and a celebration of youth baseball. One highlight of the season’s second half has been the hot play of the Milwaukee Brewers. They recently compiled the longest winning streak of any team this season, emerging victorious in 14 consecutive games. They hold a record 22–5 since the All-Star break and are comfortably on top of the MLB win leaderboard. On August 22–24, a key series was played between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. The two teams have been battling for the top spot in the National League (NL) West division. The Dodgers,…

Coach’s Name: Aaron Galvin Team: Straight Blast Gym (Brazilian Jiujitsu) “Coach Aaron is the most encouraging coach ever! He is always there to help me, whether I’ve lost a sparring match, I’ve gotten overwhelmed, or I don’t understand something. He is a purple belt, which means he has a lot of education. He has improved my skills ever since I started jiujitsu. Coach Aaron is also the funniest person in the gym. Whenever we are drilling, he is the first one to bust out a joke. He is the best!” Will, 12, Montana 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.…

Eyes of Wakanda (Disney+) Marvel’s new animated series set in Black Panther’s kingdom of Wakanda follows the Hatut Zeraze, a group of warriors who are like secret agents. Each episode follows a different character as they carry out missions to reclaim lost Vibranium artifacts. It is rated TV-14. A Minecraft Movie (Block Party Edition) (HBO Max) The hit film follows four misfits who get pulled into the Minecraft universe. This special edition has on-screen lyrics and quotes to encourage viewers to sing along or shout the characters’ lines. The regular version is also streaming. Songs & Stories with Kelly Clarkson (Peacock) (NBC) August 19 at 10 p.m. ET Kelly Clarkson, a famous singer-songwriter and talk-show host, chats with other performers in this new four-part special. Each episode has a different…

What inspired this book? I got the idea about 10 years ago while in Scotland. We were staying in the middle of nowhere, and as we were walking through the woods, I thought how cool it would be if there was a secret school for criminals there. What is one of the themes of Tom’s story? You’re the master of your own destiny. Ultimately, you can create your own history in your own future, no matter where you come from. Did anything surprise you when writing this book? I’ve worked mainly as a sports writer, so I was surprised by how much more exhausting writing fiction was compared to writing nonfiction. Any writing advice? Keep revising. I’m not a particularly strong writer of first drafts, but I’m an excellent rewriter.…

The grand slam of autographs A giant baseball recently traveled across the US to achieve a world record for the most signatures on an item of sports memorabilia. While most autographed baseballs feature a player’s handwriting, this 8-foot, 1,200-pound sphere collected the signatures of Minor League Baseball fans. In about a month, it was signed by 6,750 people—including the league’s commissioner—knocking the previous record holder out of the park. An official said the big ball may appear in the Baseball Hall of Fame. “Squirrel cars” help guide dogs A UK organization has found a creative way to train service dogs to ignore squirrels. Dogs usually love chasing them, but guide dogs must be calm and attentive while supporting humans with vision impairments. Trainer Hannah Liebeskind told BBC News that as…

August 26, 1873 First US public kindergarten approved On August 26, 1873, the school board of St. Louis, Missouri, approved the first public kindergarten in the US. Educator Susan Blow brought the idea to the US after she toured Germany and learned about “kindergartens.” Hers began in 1873. By 1880, more than 9,000 children in St. Louis attended kindergarten. Today, about 3.7 million children are enrolled in US kindergarten programs.…

Chimney Rock State Park is named for a 315-foot-tall rock spire, which visitors can access by hiking to the top or taking an elevator. Hikers can also enjoy Hickory Nut Falls (shown at left), one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern US. Flowers like rhododendrons, daylilies, and bright-colored jewelweed bloom along the trails. The park is also known for its guided bird walks, on which many birders attempt to spot cerulean and Swainson’s warblers. The Great Woodland Adventure Trail highlights the creatures that live in the forest with kid-friendly discovery stations and live animals.…

Researchers captured the first-ever footage of a baby Hoffman’s two-toed sloth farting in a bucket of water, disproving a long-held theory that sloths do not fart. One of the researchers said that sloths are actually incredibly gassy. ● LIFE SPAN: 20 years in the wild, 49 in captivity ● HABITAT: Treetops in South American forests ● SIZE: 21 to 29 inches, 10 to 20 pounds ● DIET: Leaves, twigs, and fruits ● FUN FACT: Blue-green algae often grows on their fur, helping them blend in with the leaves.…

Pterosaurs were winged reptiles that dominated the skies during the age of dinosaurs. Sometimes called pterodactyls, they could be huge, with wingspans of up to 36 feet. According to a new study, however, not all pterosaurs were big. In fact, a recently discovered fossil was the size of a small seagull. And at 209 million years old, it was also the oldest pterosaur ever found in North America. The small pterosaur was found among more than 1,000 fossils in a bed of volcanic ash in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Other fossils nearby included giant amphibians, freshwater sharks, armored crocodile-like creatures, and one of the oldest known turtles. A team of scientists first discovered the site in 2011. They think a flood washed over the animals, covered them…

A live-action film based on Nintendo’s beloved video game series The Legend of Zelda will arrive in theaters in 2027, and the actors who will portray its main characters have been revealed. In a recent post on social media, Shigeru Miyamoto, the game’s famous creator, announced that Benjamin Evan Ainsworth has been cast as Link, the courageous hero, and Bo Bragason will play Zelda, princess of the magical kingdom of Hyrule. The first Legend of Zelda game was released in 1986 and has become one of Nintendo’s most iconic and longest-running video game franchises. The games have different stories, but most center on Link as he explores mystical lands and battles evil Ganon and other villains to protect the kingdom. Plot details of the film have not been revealed yet,…

In 2022, Nintendo released Kirby and the Forgotten Land, an award-winning 3D platforming adventure for the Switch. It is the best-selling game in the Kirby franchise, and on August 28, an upgraded edition is being released for the Switch 2. Kirby and the Forgotten Land–Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World will feature improved graphics plus a new adventure. People can buy the entire game, but those who already own the old one and a Switch 2 can buy an upgrade pack instead. In Kirby and the Forgotten Land, a dark vortex appears in the sky over Dream Land and sucks up Kirby and a bunch of creatures called Waddle Dees. When Kirby wakes up, he is in the strange Forgotten Land and the Waddle Dees are missing. You play…

A Galaxy of Whales By Heather Fawcett “Fern’s mom runs a whale-watching company, and they live next door to Jasper. His parents also run a whale-watching company, and Fern considers him her enemy. When Fern finds out about a photography contest, she wants to win, but so much else is happening. Her mom’s company is losing customers, and her best friend is ignoring her. This book is full of twists and turns and mystery.” Jasmine, 9, North Carolina Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Grandparents’ Day is coming up on September 7, 2025. This is a day when people of different generations are encouraged to connect with one another. We invite you to use this form to write down your thoughts about one or more of your grandparents—or any special older people in your life. You can share this form with them—they may enjoy knowing what you have to say! Our editorial team would also love to read what you write and see your artwork. To share your thoughts and drawing with us, ask an adult to email your form to hello@theweekjunior.com. If you need extra forms, they can be found online at kids.theweekjunior.com/activities.…