Innehållsförteckning för Issue 285 från The Week Junior US

A debate over the right to free speech has intensified across the US following the assassination (killing for political reasons) of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk. He died on September 10, and a memorial service for him was held on September 21. Who was Charlie Kirk? Kirk, age 31, co-founded Turning Point USA, a youth organization focused on conservative values (set of beliefs that typically aligns with the Republican Party and some religious groups). He often spoke on college campuses and was known for debating with people who disagreed with him. Kirk was speaking at Utah Valley University when he was shot and killed. After his death, he was lauded by many conservatives for his beliefs, which included support for gun rights and marriage between men and women only. Kirk…

A SLICE OF GLORY A Connecticut city has earned a Guinness World Records title for largest pizza party. More than 9,000 slices were served in New Haven to 4,525 people. “The pizza is amazing, the people are amazing,” said Owen Zhang, a participant. PAWS IN POWER The results are in for a pet mayoral race in Somerville, Massachusetts. A long-haired black cat named Minerva captured nearly 6,000 votes in a race of 70 pet candidates to win the community’s title of “Bike Path Mayor.” Minerva will follow in the pawprints of the path’s previous mayor, a cat named Berry. A JOYFUL HOMECOMING An orangutan named Popi, who was rescued as an infant from illegal captivity nine years ago, was released back to the wild in East Borneo. While in “jungle…

Located in northern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park spans 62 square miles with landscape features including the Virunga Mountains, Musanze Caves, and Kamiranzovu and Rusumo waterfalls. One of Africa’s oldest national parks, it was established in 1925 to protect mountain gorillas. Today there are 12 groups of mountain gorillas in the park, and many visitors enjoy gorilla trekking tours, safaris, and the Kwita Izina, an annual naming ceremony for baby gorillas. Many other rare animals also live in the park, including African forest elephants and golden monkeys.…

Sumatran tiger Four Sumatran tiger cubs were recently born at Manor Wildlife Park in the UK. The litter is believed to be the country’s largest, offering hope for the critically endangered subspecies. Fewer than 400 are left in the wild. ● LIFE SPAN: 15 years ● HABITAT: Tropical forests of Sumatra, Indonesia ● SIZE: 7 to 8 feet long ● DIET: Fish and mammals like deer and monkeys ● FUN FACT: Compared to other tigers, they have closer-together stripes and darker orange fur.…

Scientists have used dinosaur teeth to gain new insight into what Earth’s climate was like millions of years ago, according to a new study. The findings will help researchers better understand how long-term climate changes affected life on the planet. Researchers in Germany examined the tooth enamel (protective outer layer) of dinosaurs that lived during the Mesozoic Era (252 to 66 million years ago) in North America, Africa, and Europe. These dinos included Tyrannosaurus rex and a type of sauropod called Kaatedocus siberi. When the dinosaurs breathed, they absorbed oxygen into their hard tissues, like bones and teeth. The oxygen contained chemical data about the makeup of Earth’s atmosphere (blanket of gases that surrounds the planet) at the time. That data was stored in the tooth enamel, which can survive…

From September 13 to September 21, more than 1,900 top track and field athletes from 193 countries, plus a refugee team, gathered in Tokyo, Japan, for the World Athletics Championships. It was the 20th edition of the event, which is held every two years. For the fifth time in a row, the US team earned the most medals. They finished with 16 golds, a new record, plus five silvers and five bronzes. Three of the golds came on the competition’s final day, when the US won the women’s and men’s 4x100m relays and the women’s 4x400m relay. Back on Day 1, the US 4x400m mixed relay team also won gold. One member of the women’s 4x400m team was Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, a four-time Olympic gold medalist. She was a champion in…

Coach’s Name: Kyle Steitz Team: Nelson Farm Gators (swimming) “Coach Kyle is so awesome! He’s coached our team—which is for ages 6 to 18—for the past 15 years. Last year, we had an undefeated season and got to the city meet championship and the state championship. He encourages us to have the most fun, be the nicest, and swim as fast as we can. He makes practice fun with games, nicknames, drills, and doughnuts. He’s also great because he trains the oldest swimmers to help coach the younger ones.” Lily, 9, and Joshua, 11, Colorado 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.…

Little Women This beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott was published in the late 1800s and follows four sisters. An award-winning movie adaptation of the book was released in 2019. The Penderwicks Jeanne Birdsall’s five-book series is about four sisters, each with a distinct personality. It begins with a memorable summer and goes on to follow the girls together and apart. Sisters The follow-up to Raina Telgemeier’s graphic memoir Smile explores the funny relationship between Raina and her younger sister, Amara. The story unfolds during a road trip, blending present-day scenes with flashbacks.…

Dancing with the Stars (Hulu) (ABC) Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET The popular competition series, which pairs celebrities with dance pros, is back for a new season and it’s celebrating its 20th anniversary. The latest competitors include Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, former NBA star Baron Davis, and wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin. Dog Man (Netflix) This hit animated film based on Dav Pilkey’s best-selling graphic novels is now streaming. It follows Dog Man, a half-dog, half-human police hero who must stop the evil cat Petey and protect the city. The main story involves a sweet Petey clone who bonds with Dog Man. Next Gen Chef (Netflix) In a new series, 21 talented chefs under age 30 gather at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America for a high-stakes cooking competition. They…

A breathtaking story about a young football star questioning his dreams, The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze will stick with you long after you finish it. Here are questions to get a conversation going with friends and family who have also read it. Why do you think some townspeople treat Henson differently from Menkah? What adjective best describes Henson? Does Henson’s talent on the field remind you of any real-life pro football players? If so, who? If you were Henson, would you still play football? Why or why not? How is the pacing of this book different from other stories you have read? Did the ending of the story satisfy you? Explain your answer.…

Crisscross Each of these kinds of fish fits into this grid. Can you find where each one goes to complete the grid? 3 letters EEL RAY 4 letters BASS SHAD TUNA 5 letters GUPPY SHARK 6 letters SALMON 7 letters HADDOCK SNAPPER WALLEYE 8 letters FLOUNDER GOLDFISH STURGEON 9 letters BARRACUDA SWORDFISH ZEBRAFISH ALL THE SAME Each answer contains the letters S-H-E. Those letters have been placed for you. Can you figure out the words? (NEED A HINT? Check the bottom of the page.) 1. Word on some food packages sold for Passover 2. Completed 3. Law officer who wears a silver star 4. Things she sells by the shore 5. Thought someone said “piece of pie” when they said “pizza pie” ANSWERS CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 29. Take…

“A year ago, I started a nonprofit called Hospital Hugs that delivers care packages to children in the hospital. I came up with this idea based on my own hospital experiences. I received care packages from friends and family that brought me joy. I realized that every child may not get packages from friends and family, and I wanted to change that. Since founding Hospital Hugs, I have delivered more than 150 care packages to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, each one filled with a stuffed animal, an insulated water bottle, stickers, art supplies, and nail polish.” 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 are you unable to…

Teacher’s Name: Mr. Paglinawan School: Waialua Elementary School “Mr. Paglinawan is such a funny teacher. He makes sure to get a laugh out of us, even when he is serious. Mr. Paglinawan enjoys teaching us games that help us with teamwork. He also makes sure there are only good vibes in the classroom. Mr. Paglinawan makes learning so much fun for us and turns a normal good day into a GREAT day.”Sera, 11, Hawaii 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.…

On September 17, NASA (the US space agency) announced that more than 6,000 planets have been officially identified outside our solar system. Known as exoplanets, they orbit stars similar to our Sun. Scientists around the world use equipment on Earth and in space to discover them. The milestone comes almost exactly 30 years after the first exoplanet was spotted on October 6, 1995. Between 1995 and 2022, 5,000 exoplanets were identified. The rate of discovery has accelerated in recent years as technology and equipment have become more advanced, with 1,000 more identified in just the past three years. There are currently an additional 8,000 possible exoplanets waiting to be assessed. NASA scientists said they expect to identify many thousands of exoplanets in the coming years. Though no planets similar to…

The US is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15 to honor and recognize Hispanic communities. This year’s theme is “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future.” Who is being recognized? National Hispanic Heritage Month is meant to recognize anyone who identifies as Hispanic or Latino. The term “Hispanic” typically refers to anyone who comes from, or is descended from people who came from, Spanish-speaking countries. This includes Spain as well as Mexico and Cuba. The term “Latino” is often used to refer to anyone from, or descended from people who came from, Latin America, no matter what language was spoken in their home country. What is the history of the month? In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson declared the week of September 15 to be…

What you need to know ● The oldest known long poem is The Epic of Gilgamesh, which was written about 4,000 years ago. ● Poems often have emotional themes and use rhythm, rhyme, and line breaks to convey their meaning. ● Studies show that reading, watching, or listening to poetry can improve well-being, empathy, and learning. ● In September, the Library of Congress named Arthur Sze the next US poet laureate, a position that fosters appreciation for poetry in the nation. There are many different forms of poetry, such as 14-line rhyming sonnets, three-line haikus with exactly 17 syllables, long and elaborate odes, and limericks that make you laugh out loud. William Shakespeare wrote sonnets about love, while Emily Dickinson wrote short lyric poems about life, death, and domestic life.…

Scientists are racing to save some of the world’s most beautiful snails from extinction. Polymita tree snails live in the forests of Cuba, an island in the Caribbean. The snails have shells with stunning colors and patterns that make them a target for collectors. International protection laws make it illegal to remove the snails from Cuba without a permit, but some people illegally transport them in order to sell them for use as decorative objects or in jewelry. Scientists from Cuba and the UK have joined forces to protect all six known species of Polymita snails. The most endangered is the green Polymita sulphurosa, which has a blue flame-like pattern with orange-yellow bands. Fewer than 30,000 of these snails remain, and their habitat is threatened by climate change and forest…

Thom Linley Curator of fishes, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Goblin sharks often live in darkness. Instead of seeing food, they sense it. The underside of their long snout is covered with nerves that sense vibration and electrical signals and two nostrils with a great sense of smell. The shark’s large body is slow, so it shoots out its jaws to grab prey. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out about Linley’s The Deep-Sea Podcast at deepseapod.com.…

Herbivorous (plant-eating) dinosaurs could be picky eaters, a new study found. This contradicts a long-held view that dinosaurs ate different parts of a plant or tree depending on their height. For example, experts used to think the extra-tall Camarasaurus ate mostly from treetops. The study found, however, that they preferred low-lying plants and twigs. Other dinosaurs also had preferences for plants that were not necessarily easy for them to reach. Scientists analyzed tooth enamel and calcium from 150-million-year-old fossils. The study measured the calcium isotopes in the teeth, which have a chemical record of the creatures’ diet. Different types and parts of plants have different chemical signatures, which allowed researchers to narrow down what the prehistoric animals ate.…

A rugged phone with two screens and a long-lasting battery is designed to go on big adventures. Weighing almost 2 pounds, the Armor 33 Pro has a screen on the front and back, regular and night vision cameras, GPS, and a powerful speaker. The Armor 33 Pro is heftier than a regular smartphone, in part due to the extra-large battery that lasts up to 10 days. The tough case is waterproof, resistant to scratches and dust, and keeps the battery safe in extreme temperatures, from-22° F to 131° F.…

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Robert Rauschenberg. He was an influential American artist who became known for his creativity and versatility as he made paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and sets and costumes for the stage. Some of his most famous works were painting and sculptures that incorporated everyday objects, such as rubber tires, a clock, and a quilt. To celebrate his legacy, several US museums are hosting exhibitions of his work. As a child, Rauschenberg, who died in 2008, drew in his school books and covered his bedroom walls with photos from magazines. He began studying art after he visited his first museum at age 20. He had dyslexia, a learning disability that can make letters appear flipped around, and he said he thought it…

Garfield Kart 2—All You Can Drift is a new cartoon racing game. It is out now for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. As fans know, Garfield is a lazy orange tabby cat with a sarcastic sense of humor and a love of lasagna. He lives with his owner, Jon Arbuckle, and a cheerful dog, Odie. He has appeared in comic strips, TV shows, films, and earlier video games. The first Garfield Kart game was released in 2013 and was remade as Garfield Kart Furious Racing in 2019. Garfield Kart 2 is the series’ first new game since then, and it has upgraded graphics and a brand-new feel. The action is similar to the Nintendo game Mario Kart. Players get to choose their driver before the…

How did Henson, the story’s main character, come about? I created Henson in 2012 for a book that didn’t work out. I kept his character in mind because I knew I would use him someday! Do you follow a specific process when creating your characters? I spend a few weeks creating profiles for my main characters. I decide on their favorite foods, the clothes they wear, and the music they like. When I begin writing a story’s dialogue, I refer to these profiles to make sure I am accurately capturing a character’s voice. I advise all aspiring writers to use this strategy. Did you always know you wanted to write? I always knew I was a good storyteller, but I studied marketing in college. Before turning to writing full-time, I…

Stepping on Legos—on purpose A mom from New Zealand broke the record for the fastest 100-meter run over Lego bricks with bare feet. Gabrielle Wall spent 24.75 seconds making the painful trek down the track, which was strewn with more than 600 pounds of Legos. To toughen up her soles in preparation for the attempt, Wall walked around barefoot for two months, including while grocery shopping and attending a wedding. The final ordeal was “like running on clouds,” Wall joked. But she said the experience was “unforgettable.” A fun home for the whole family A house for sale for $1 million in Southport, England, comes with one very fun extra feature. Next to one of the home’s seven bedrooms is a pit full of 11,300 plastic balls. It’s not just…

Ashley, a 12-year-old from Iowa, enjoys helping others. Ashley’s good deeds include setting the table for meals and helping friends at school. To celebrate The Week Junior’s fifth anniversary in 2025, we’re asking readers to share five good deeds they’ve done. Have you helped a neighbor 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. 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…

1 A New Zealand mom set a world record for the fastest 100-meter run in bare feet over what objects? 2 True or false? Scientists in Germany studied dinosaur claws to research Earth’s atmosphere millions of years ago. True ☐ False ☐ 3 On which Caribbean island do Polymita tree snails live? a) Cuba b) Aruba c) Jamaica a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ a) Two b) Three c) Four a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 5 True or false? Stonehenge is aligned with the movements of the Moon. True ☐ False ☐ 6 What is the title of the first book in the Sisters Grimm series? 7 Leopard seals have been observed doing what for up to 13 hours a day? a) Dancing b) Singing c) Sleeping a ☐…

Ken Jennings holds the record for the longest winning streak in Jeopardy! history. He is also the quiz show’s full-time host as well as a best-selling author. His newest book, The Complete Kennections: 5,000 Questions in 1,000 Puzzles, is based on his years of solving and creating trivia. Jennings was born in Edmonds, Washington, and grew up in South Korea and Singapore, where his father worked as a lawyer. He loved watching US game shows and spent many rainy recesses reading the encyclopedia. Jennings went on to study English and computer science at Brigham Young University, where he was the captain of the school’s quiz bowl team. In 2004, while working as a healthcare software engineer, Jennings got the call to be on Jeopardy! He prepared by creating flash cards…

Leopard seals are solitary creatures that live in one of the world’s most remote areas—the Antarctic. During the Antarctic spring season, between October and January, scientists have observed leopard seals singing for up to 13 hours a day. The seals dive underwater and sing for two minutes at a time, then come up for air before repeating the cycle. A new study shows that their vocalizations also follow a structured and predictable pattern, similar to human songs and nursery rhymes. The study was conducted by researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia, who have been collecting leopard seal sound recordings since the 1990s. Since the seals sing during the night, UNSW Professor Tracey Rogers rode a bicycle to the edge of the sea at nighttime and…

Kashmir’s lotus flowers For the first time in nearly 33 years, lotus plants are blooming in Wular Lake in Kashmir, India. In 1992, floods filled the lake with sludgy material called silt. A 2020 cleanup removed more than 10 million cubic yards of silt, helping plants and wildlife. Beech trees Beech leaf disease, which makes it difficult for beech trees to produce energy, has spread to 15 US states and Canada. A study suggests the infection has killed 30% of native beeches. Experts are researching potential treatments.…

A complex Stone Age monument located in southern England has inspired fascination and debate for thousands of years. What is Stonehenge? The prehistoric monument known as Stonehenge is made of two kinds of rocks: large sarsen stones and smaller bluestones. Some rocks are arranged in a shape called a trilithon, which is two vertical stones with a horizontal stone on top. Stonehenge was built to align with the Sun’s movements. On the summer solstice (day of the year with the most sunlight) at sunrise, the Sun’s first rays shine into the heart of the monument. On the winter solstice (day with least sunlight) at sunset, from inside the circle the Sun appears to “sink” between two large stones. Building Stonehenge Pine posts were placed near the site of what would…

Scientists have determined that a meteorite that landed in a Georgia house earlier this summer is about 4.56 billion years old, making it about 20 million years older than Earth itself. The meteorite entered Earth’s atmosphere just after noon on June 26 and was spotted streaking across the sky in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina. People also felt vibrations as the meteorite broke into fragments that landed throughout Georgia. With a loud bang, multiple pieces tore into a house in the town of McDonough, near Atlanta, leaving a hole the size of a golf ball in the roof and a dent in the floor. No one was harmed. Researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) examined some of the fragments using advanced microscopes. They determined that the pieces belonged…

The regular season of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) doesn’t end until November 2, but on September 20, the Kansas City Current won the 2025 NWSL Shield, the award for the season’s best record. With a 2–0 victory over Seattle Reign FC, they improved to 17 wins, two draws (ties), and two losses. That gave them a total of 53 points (earned through wins and draws), which no other team will be able to match. This is the first time the Current have won the Shield. They still have five of their 26 matches remaining, and they made league history by clinching the prize with that percentage of games left to play. They can make even more history before the regular season ends. If they win two more matches,…

A new animated series on Apple TV+ is bringing a fantasy adventure book series to life. The Sisters Grimm, which is based on author Michael Buckley’s best-sellers of the same name, is about a pair of sisters who uncover a magical family secret. It premieres on October 3. The first Sisters Grimm book, The Fairy-Tale Detectives, came out in 2005 and was followed by eight more. Buckley was inspired to write them after reading about the Brothers Grimm, the 19thcentury German storytellers who collected fairy tales like Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel. Learning they had a sister and seeing a need for books with young female heroes gave Buckley the idea for a story “where girls save the day,” he told The Week Junior. The show is based on The…

The Mandalorian (Disney+) “This series is set in the Star Wars universe. It follows a bounty hunter named Din Djarin, also known as the Mandalorian, whose adopted home planet was destroyed by the evil Empire. The Mandalorian is sent to capture Grogu, a small creature who looks like a younger version of Yoda from the Star Wars films. The pair form a bond, and Grogu uses his strong special powers, called the Force, to help the Mandalorian when he has to fight. Together, they try to defeat a villain named Moff Gideon and they make many new allies on their adventures.” Isaac, 9, New Hampshire Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

By Derrick Barnes (Viking) Although Henson is in eighth grade, he’s already a football prodigy on his high school team. The townspeople in Great Mountain, Mississippi, treat him like a star, asking to take photos with him. In his first game, he catches passes with one hand and helps score more than 50 points in the first two quarters. But at halftime, he finds out that Menkah, a friend who is like a little brother to him, has been unjustly beaten by state troopers. When the crowd at the stadium learns what happened to Menkah, some shout, “Who cares? Start the game!” But Henson leaves the stadium to see his friend at the hospital. As Menkah recovers, Henson grapples with whether he wants to play football next week or ever…

Have you ever wished you could decorate cupcakes like a pro? You can—thanks to these ideas from the new book Cupcake Class: 50 Fun Themes & Totally Amazing Designs for Kids to Make & Share by Joy Howard and Deanna F. Cook. “Cupcake decorating is an activity that anyone of any age or skill level can do,” says co-author Joy Howard, who develops many of the recipes you see in The Week Junior. “Plus, it’s so fun to make something—and eat it after!” Happy decorating! Friendly lion Ingredients ● 12 cupcakes● 2 cups white frosting● Red and yellow food coloring● ¼ cup chocolate frosting● Piping bag fitted with a writing tip● 12 vanilla wafers● 24 butterscotch or peanut butter chips● Orange sprinkles● 12 brown or black jellybeans Instructions 1 In…

The legendary actor Robert Redford died this week at the age of 89 (p5). He appeared in films for 60 years and was well known to multiple generations of film fans around the world. I saw and enjoyed many of his movies, but my favorite might be All the President’s Men, which was released in 1976 and tells the true story of two Washington Post reporters (Bob Woodward, played by Redford, and Carl Bernstein) who investigated wrongdoing in the administration of President Richard Nixon. I saw the film after I had already decided to become a journalist, and it reinforced my belief that I’d chosen the right path for me. Redford also made an impact beyond his acting. He founded the Sundance Institute to draw attention to independent filmmaking and…

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