Innehållsförteckning för Issue 286 från The Week Junior US

More than 140 world leaders and officials came together at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York City from September 22 to 29 for the organization’s annual General Assembly meeting, which is called the General Debate. This year’s gathering marked the UN’s 80th anniversary and came as the world grappled with several wars and rising tensions in the Middle East and Europe. What is the meeting? The UN is a group of 193 countries that focuses on global issues (see box above), and the General Assembly (UNGA) is its main group, whose members meet to debate issues and make decisions. The UNGA begins its annual session with the General Debate every year, and leaders of member nations speak on various issues. Leaders also hold behind-the-scenes meetings to conduct negotiations…

AN ADORABLE ARRIVAL The Oklahoma City Zoo welcomed a Francois langur monkey, a species that’s endangered in the wild. The baby boy, who was born with bright orange fur that will turn black as he grows, is “incredibly special,” zookeepers said. RETIRING FROM A DREAM JOB At age 106, Jean Schmidt retired from her role as chaplain of the men’s basketball team at Loyola University Chicago. Sister Jean, as she is known, gained fame as the team’s biggest fan. In her farewell to students, she said, “Let your dreams become reality. Don’t let anybody stop you.” A GOOD HAIR DAY A New York City animal shelter found a creative way to draw attention to the many dogs at the facility waiting to be adopted: placing wigs on them and calling…

It has been a big year for Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member Bowen Yang. He kicked off 2025 enjoying the success of the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked, in which he plays Glinda’s friend Pfannee. Then, in July, he made Emmy (top TV award) history by becoming the most nominated Asian male performer. In November, he’ll return to the big screen in Wicked: For Good, the Wicked sequel. Yang was born in Australia and raised in Colorado by Chinese immigrant parents. He grew up watching SNL on his basement TV. In high school, he joined his school’s improv group and was voted most likely to be on SNL by his classmates. He later attended New York University and earned a degree in chemistry, but he decided to…

For years, researchers have experimented with methods to reintroduce dusky gopher frogs into Mississippi ponds. Thanks to the efforts of wildlife officials and teams from the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee and Western Carolina University in North Carolina, the species’ population has increased. Dusky gopher frogs live in Mississippi’s longleaf pine forests. Young tadpoles grow up in seasonal ponds, and when they mature they move into burrows made by other animals, such as gopher tortoises. Habitat loss, water shortages, and harmful organisms called parasites have made it more difficult for these frogs to survive and reproduce, so the species has become endangered. In 2012, after surveys suggested that only 100 to 200 adult dusky gopher frogs remained in the wild, researchers began trying to breed more frogs. At first, an attempt…

Vanuatu’s coral reefs Coral reefs around Vanuatu in the southern Pacific Ocean have been harmed by natural disasters during recent years, but now the reefs show signs of recovery. Coral is growing again, and clownfish, starfish, and sea turtles have been seen. Tropical birds Over the past 70 years, some bird species in tropical regions have declined by as much as 90%. A new study finds that this is due to extreme heat, with dangerously hot days putting more pressure on birds’ bodies.…

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS SERIES… Front Desk By Kelly Yang In this beautifully written, heart-wrenching series, fifth-grader Mia, an Asian American immigrant, works at the front desk of a California motel that her parents manage. “Mia loves to write and tackles a new school while making friends and memories,” said Aalyah, 11. TRY THESE BOOKS… The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora By Pablo Cartaya Arturo, a 13-year-old poet, helps out at his family’s Cuban restaurant. When a developer tries to close it, Arturo rallies the community to save it. “Like Front Desk, this stand-alone novel has activism and strong family ties,” said Liv Hanson of the Chicago Public Library. Parachute Kids By Betty C. Tang In this first of a two-book graphic novel series, Feng Li’s Taiwanese parents believe that…

Origami, the Japanese art of folding paper, has existed for hundreds of years, but new patterns are still being discovered. Kelvin Wang, a college student at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah, recently developed“bloom patterns” that could be used in mechanical design. The principles of origami have already been used to build bridges and medical devices. And NASA (the US space agency) designed several components of the James Webb Space Telescope to unfold in space, including its massive mirror. Wang, who has been doing origami since he was a boy, created the first bloom patterns on his own. They collapse into flat, circular layers, then open up into a much larger structure resembling a blooming flower. He joined a research lab at BYU to further develop his ideas. Objects that…

On September 28, the final games of the 2025 MLB (Major League Baseball) regular season were played. Heading into the last three games, eight playoff spots had been clinched, but four were open and multiple division titles were still undetermined. The Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Boston Red Sox claimed the final postseason spots. Each year, the winners of the East, Central, and West divisions of the National League (NL) and American League (AL) automatically make the postseason. The Milwaukee Brewers, who won the NL Central, finished the season with a 97–65 record, the best in the MLB. The other top NL teams were the Philadelphia Phillies in the East and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the West. The Dodgers are the defending World Series champions, and this…

Coach’s Name: Nicole Clark Team: Woodbine Gators (swimming) “Coach Nicole led us to a division championship last year, and she helped us with a winning season this year. She is the best coach because she is always positive, always makes sure we do our best in and out of the pool, never takes no for an answer, and encourages us to be better swimmers and better people. She is patient, kind, and fun. She cares about all of us, especially the younger swimmers. Coach Nicole is a great role model and friend.” Lily, 10, New Jersey 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.…

The Outsiders This show is based on S.E. Hinton’s classic novel about teens in 1960s Oklahoma. It won the 2024 Tony (top theater award) for best musical. The North American tour just kicked off, and there are dates scheduled through September 2026. Six The main characters in this award-winning musical are the six wives of Henry VIII, the king of England from 1509 to 1547. The show uses pop-music-inspired songs to tell their stories. A national tour recently began, with dates set through June 2026. The Sound of Music While many people are familiar with the 1965 film about the singing von Trapp family, the musical originated as an award-winning 1959 Broadway production. A North American tour is underway and scheduled into August 2026.…

NFL Slimetime (Paramount+) Wednesdays at 5 p.m. ET This Nickelodeon series show about pro football is back for its fifth season. Each week, hosts Nate Burleson, who is a former NFL player, and Dylan Gilmer show highlights and interview players. They will award a slime trophy to the best player at the end of the season. Is It Cake? Halloween (Netflix) The popular competition series is back with Halloween-themed episodes. Nine bakers are challenged to craft spooky cakes that resemble things such as gargoyles, scary clowns, black cats, and owls. As always, judges try to guess what’s real and what’s actually made of cake. Kiff (Disney+) (Disney Channel) Optimistic squirrel Kiff and her laid-back bunny friend Barry star in this series about their lives in a quirky town. Season two…

Ingredients ● 4 medium sweet potatoes● 2 teaspoons olive oil● One 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and patted dry● Salt and freshly ground black pepper● ½ teaspoon ground cumin● ¼ cup tahini● Juice of ½ lemon Instructions 1. Heat the oven to 375° F. Rinse and scrub the sweet potatoes to remove any dirt, then prick potatoes a few times with the tines of a fork or the tip of a knife. 2. Arrange sweet potatoes on a foil-lined baking sheet and drizzle with 1 teaspoon of the oil, turning potatoes to lightly coat. Set the oven timer for 1 hour to cook the potatoes until tender. 3. Meanwhile, spread the chickpeas on a second foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and season generously with salt and…

Diving for glory in Boston The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series leaped to a climax at the world finals on September 19 and 20, when 12 men and 12 women dove off of rooftop platforms at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, Massachusetts. Fans cheered as athletes jumped from heights of up to 88 feet, performing twists and somersaults in the air before entering the water at more than 50 miles per hour. In the end, high scores from the judges carried Rhiannan Iffland and Gary Hunt to victory. “I’ve enjoyed every minute,” said Iffland. A stadium made of wood Japan’s first-ever wooden soccer stadium is being built for Fukushima United FC. The 5,000-seat stadium will be constructed with wood from local forests. It will be a symbol…

The Week Junior is conducting a national search for 12 students, ages 8 to 14, who want to have their voices heard about the issues and causes that matter to them. This will be our seventh session of Junior Council, and council members will meet directly with The Week Junior editors and mentors. There will be about six virtual workshops held from January through May 2026. A project created by council members may appear in a future issue of the magazine. To apply, go to juniorcouncil.theweekjunior.com to download the application. The deadline to enter is October 20. 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…

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Bielasiak School: Lafayette Elementary School “Ms. Bielasiak gives an unlimited amount of care to all her students. She will help any child when they’re having trouble with their work. Ms. Bielasiak is so kind. We always have a chance to shine in her class. There is always some surprise waiting for all of us when we come in on Monday. She spends time with her students and loves kids. Ms. Bielasiak will challenge you and make learning so fun!”Esha, 10, Washington, DC 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.…

The BEST READING GIFT for curious kids When you give a gift of The Week Junior, you inspire a child in your life to explore interests, read about the world around them, and learn something new every week. Smart, fun, educational. Written for kids ages 8–14. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or anytime you want to delight a child you love. They’ll thank you every week. Give 25 weekly issues and save 67% off the cover price. ORDER ONLINE AT THEWEEKJUNIOR.COM/SPACE or scan to subscribe…

On September 25, FIFA (the global governing body for soccer) announced three mascots for the 2026 World Cup. Maple the Moose, Zayu the Jaguar, and Clutch the Bald Eagle will represent the tournament’s three host countries: Canada, Mexico, and the US. The tournament, the world’s largest soccer competition, takes place every four years and is hosted by different countries each time. In 2026, a total of 48 teams from around the globe will compete at venues across the three North American countries. The first match kicks off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico. FIFA said the mascots celebrate the culture of each country. Maple, a goalkeeper, roams Canada’s landscape and enjoys its people. Zayu, a striker, represents Mexico’s dance, food, and traditions. Clutch is a midfielder who symbolizes the curiosity…

NASA, the US space agency, introduced its 24th class of astronauts on September 22. The 10 candidates—six women and four men—were selected from more than 8,000 applicants from across the US. What happened? Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy welcomed the new class in a ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The agency had issued a call for applications in March 2024, when its 23rd class of astronauts graduated. Norm Knight, NASA’s flight operations director, said it was extremely difficult to choose from the thousands of talented applicants and called the newcomers “distinguished” and “exceptional.” They will join the agency’s 41 active astronauts. Who are the astronauts? For the first time since 1959, when NASA began recruiting astronauts, this class has more women than men. It includes five…

Letchworth State Park, in the northwestern part of New York, is often referred to as “the Grand Canyon of the East” because of its dramatic cliffs and deep gorges. The park is about 17 miles long, and the Genesee River courses through it and over waterfalls that spill between cliffs as high as 600 feet. In the fall, the park’s trees are known for changing into brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. Bald eagles can be seen year-round, and white-tailed deer, red foxes, cottontail rabbits, chipmunks, and woodchucks can be spotted in the woods.…

Scientists have created a“superfood” for honeybees that is extra rich in nutrients and could help bee populations. Honeybees are vitally important to life on Earth. They carry pollen from one plant to another, which allows flowers to turn into fruit or grains and then reproduce. A recent survey found that between April 1, 2024, and April 1, 2025, beekeepers in the US saw a 55.6% drop in their honeybee colonies. Though new colonies are also added every year, the overall numbers concern bee experts. The main factors affecting honeybee numbers include climate change, habitat loss, and poor nutrition. Honeybees usually eat pollen and nectar, which contain a type of fat called sterol—an important nutrient that helps honeybees grow. When there isn’t enough pollen available, beekeepers give their bees extra food.…

AGE: 23 SPORT: ICE HOCKEY TEAM: UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Taking the ice I started skating when I was age 2. My mom comes from a big hockey family. She was the first-ever women’s hockey coach at St. Cloud State University, and my two younger aunts played in college. I started dreaming about playing college hockey when I was about 4 or 5. Tough lesson I came to college as a top player, but the team had Olympians and All-Americans, so I didn’t get a lot of playing time at first. I was frustrated, but I stuck it out. I learned to be patient and that things aren’t going to be given to you right away. Cool idea I played my last season last winter. I used to journal before every game.…

The work of two legendary storytellers has come together in a new picture book version of the classic fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. The reimagined story was written by Stephen King, a best-selling author known for horror novels. It is paired with illustrations by Maurice Sendak (1928–2012), the author and illustrator of children’s books such as Where the Wild Things Are. Hansel and Gretel was first published in 1812 by the German storytellers the Brothers Grimm. It follows a brother and sister who are left in the forest, where they discover a candy-covered house. The house is a witch’s trap, and after the children are caught, they must devise a clever escape plan. Over the years, the story has inspired many plays, films, and books. Hansel and Gretel was composed…

An escape room is a thrilling adventure: You must solve a series of puzzles to successfully “escape” a room in a set amount of time. The best part is you can problem-solve your way to victory with the help of friends or family. While there are many escape rooms you can visit, you can also create one at home, right in your living room. Here’s how you can get started. Select a theme A theme can help get everyone excited before the game even begins, and it will help give you direction as you create your clues. You can base your escape room on a holiday like Halloween, a sports-themed challenge, or even a classic treasure hunt with a reward at the end. Gather props Round up items you can…

It’s important to be able to write clearly so your words can be easily read by others, including teachers, relatives, and even you! If you’d like to work on your handwriting, first get some inspiration from a friend or family member’s handwriting, or the fonts on your computer. Once you have an idea of what you want your handwriting to look like, practice. Start with a blank notebook and commit to writing something every day, such as the alphabet, favorite song lyrics, or journal entries. Take your time to slowly and carefully write each letter the way you want it to look. As you get more experienced, you’ll be able to go faster.…

Happy National Book Month from The Week Junior! To celebrate, we’ve created a special section of book picks for you (p12). Children often tell us how much they loved a particular book series after they’ve finished it and then ask us what they should read next. So we’ve identified eight of the most beloved middle-grade series and suggested “readalikes” that have similar themes, characters, or plots. We hope you find lots of amazing books to read next! Thank you to the children who shared their favorite series with us and the librarians who made such wonderful recommendations. If you find a new book you love, please tell us! Send a photo of you with the book, a few sentences describing it and why you liked it, and your first name,…

Amazon, the online retailer, has agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle a lawsuit (legal dispute) filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC, the US agency that works to stop unfair business practices). The FTC said Amazon purposely made it difficult for people to cancel their Prime membership and stop paying fees on its website. About $1.5 billion of the money Amazon pays will go to affected customers. The settlement is considered one of the FTC’s biggest victories.…

What you need to know ● The Supreme Court of the US was established in 1789 and started with six justices. ● Since 1869, the Court has been made up of nine justices. ● Justices are nominated by the President and approved by the Senate for unlimited terms. They are replaced when they step down or die. ● The Court’s rulings affect regular people’s daily lives, from their civil rights and freedom of speech to voting and elections. The US Supreme Court, the most powerful court in America, was established by the Constitution (nation’s highest law). However, the Constitution does not say how many justices the court should have. In fact, Congress (branch of government that makes laws) changed the number of justices several times in the first 100 years…

Chinese scientists have developed a robot antelope to monitor Tibetan antelopes, a species classified as “near threatened.” The robot, which walks with a clumsy stride, has joined herds of real antelopes in the wild. Tibetan antelopes are hunted for their soft fur, which is used to make expensive shawls or scarves. Their population fell from 1 million to 65,000 in the 1990s but is now rising again after conservation efforts. The four-legged robot has been equipped with cameras and artificial intelligence (AI, when a computer imitates human learning) that let scientists observe the animals from afar and see how best to protect them. The new technology was tested on herds near Zonag Lake in Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve. Very few people live in the region, which is more than…

Dana Vinci Lead animal care specialist, Brookfield Zoo Chicago There are two species of hippopotamus. For the common hippo, males may weigh 3,500 to 7,000 pounds, while females range from 1,400 to 5,000 pounds. The lesser-known pygmy hippo is much smaller: Both males and females weigh 400 to 600 pounds. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the Brookfield Zoo at brookfieldzoo.org.…

An electric scooter with a built-in walking belt lets riders move at their own pace while traveling quickly along the road. The Lopifit was designed by a Dutch man who wanted to find a way to get some exercise on a treadmill during his morning commute. Powered by a motor and battery, the Lopifit can move at up to 20 miles per hour while walkers can hit up to 3 miles per hour. A display on the handles shows battery level, speed, and distance. With a single charge, the eco-friendly e-scooter can travel about 50 miles.…

The 2025 Ryder Cup, one of the most highly anticipated events in golf, took place from September 26 to September 28 at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York. The event, which is held every two years, is a team competition that features 12 of the best men’s golf players from the US and 12 of the top men from Europe. This year, Team Europe defended their 2023 title by defeating Team USA, 15–13. The first Ryder Cup took place in 1927. The US has 27 wins, Europe now has 16 wins, and there were two ties. The format of the event sets it apart from regular tournaments. Over three days, the golfers compete in 28 matches across three styles of play: foursomes, four-ball, and singles. In foursomes, two…

Back in 2019, a musical adaptation of the popular Tim Burton film Beetlejuice opened on Broadway. It was nominated for eight Tonys (top theater award), had runs at two different theaters, and played 679 shows before closing in early 2023. A touring company has been performing the show across the US for nearly three years, and it’s heading back to Broadway from October 8 through January 3 for its final stop. The film version of Beetlejuice was released in 1988. It centers on a ghost couple, Adam and Barbara Maitland, who enlist a wacky demon, Beetlejuice, to drive away a family that has moved into their house. The daughter, Lydia, is able to see Beetlejuice and the ghosts. The plot of the musical is similar to the movie, but Beetlejuice…

The Mitchells vs. the Machines PG (Netflix or rent on other platforms) “The Mitchell family is going on a road trip before teen Katie leaves for college. Meanwhile, the company that makes a popular Alexa-like smart personal assistant, PAL, announces it is replacing PAL with robots. PAL gets angry and reprograms the robots to capture all humans and send them to space. The Mitchells manage to escape, and they go on the run without any technology so they can’t be tracked. With nobody around to help, it becomes their job to save humanity. This is a hilarious movie.” Lillian, 10, Massachusetts Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

To solve the puzzle of an escape room before time’s up, here are a few smart strategies. Look—and look again Check for clues in high and low places and at eye level. Lift the corner of a rug, check inside books, and peek behind picture frames. Stay organized Designate a table for your team to separate solved clues and unsolved clues. Rotate puzzles If you get stuck on a clue, pass it to a teammate. You’ll save time, and a pair of fresh eyes may help solve it! Don’t overthink Try not to get weighed down by complex calculations. Often the simple answer is the correct one!…

Word search Can you find all these “sound effect” words? 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. BAM BEEP BLAM BOING CLUNK CRACKLE CREAK CRUNCH DING-DONG HISS HONK KABOOM KERPLUNK PING PLINK PLOP POOF SCREECH SPLAT SWISH THUD THWACK VROOM WHACK WHAM WHOOSH ZAP ZOOM ANSWERS CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 29. FILL IN THE BLANKS Fill in the blanks in each sentence with two words so the second word is the same as the first word with one letter changed, like DECODE and DECIDE. 1. After years of vacationing in the same place, my parents felt it was time for a ——————and tooka —————— on a place we’d never been before.…

“This summer, my friends and I ran a one-week summer camp for kids in our neighborhood. We charged a small fee, which we donated to a local nonprofit benefiting families experiencing homelessness. Our campers, ages 3 to 8, enjoyed themed days with crafts, water play, story time, and healthy snacks. The camp brought our community closer together, took pressure off working parents, and helped do some good. We are looking forward to doing it again next year because it was a great way for us to help others.” 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 becomes new as soon as it’s broken? A world record…

“I loved making last week’s recipe for PB&J overnight oat parfaits!”Harry, 8, Connecticut “I was excited when I saw lighthouses in The Week Junior. It reminded me of the time I went to Hilton Head and climbed to the top of one!”Akasha, 10, Iowa “By reading The Week Junior, I was inspired to visit the Statue of Liberty in New York City!” Ishan, 10, California…

1 A rare blue lobster found in Massachusetts was named after which Roman god? _____________________________ 2 True or false? NASA’s new class of astronauts is the first one with more women than men. True ☐ False ☐ 3 Which Major League Baseball team finished the regular season with the best record in the league? a) Los Angeles Dodgers b) Milwaukee Brewers c) Philadelphia Phillies a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 4 What ancient Japanese art form has been used for scientific purposes, such as designing space telescopes? ________________________ 5 True or false? The original production of the stage musical Beetlejuice premiered on Broadway in 1988. True ☐ False ☐ 6 When was World Mental Health Day first established? a) 1972 b) 1982 c) 1992 a ☐ b ☐ c ☐…