Innholdsfortegnelse for 421 i The Week Junior

On 1 January, an earthquake struck central Japan, causing deaths and injuries to people and damaging lots of buildings. Thousands of people had to leave areas near the sea because of tsunami warnings. Tsunamis are large and very powerful waves that can be caused by earthquakes. What happened? Just after 4pm on New Year’s Day, an earthquake struck in Ishikawa, a region in the centre of Japan. It was felt in the capital city, Tokyo, which is almost 200 miles away from the epicentre (the point on the Earth’s surface where an earthquake is strongest). It was the biggest earthquake in Ishikawa since 1885, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale. The Richter scale is used to judge the strength of earthquakes, and a measurement between 7.0 and 7.9 can cause…

The lives of Opira Bosco Okot and his family have been heavily affected by climate change. Opira is a refugee – a person who has had to leave their home because of the threat of war or violence. In 2017, he had to escape fighting in South Sudan. He ran and walked barefoot for days, eventually crossing the border into Uganda and arriving at the Palabek Refugee Settlement, a place for refugees to live. There, he was given a small plot of land on which to build a shelter and make a living by farming. However, climate change is causing temperature rises and unpredictable rainfall in Uganda, affecting how much food farmers can produce. People have also struggled with floods and droughts (long periods of little or no rainfall) in…

The Great Wall of China is the longest wall in the world. The total length of all the sections added together is more than 13,000 miles. Researchers have recently found that parts of the wall have been preserved over time by something called a biocrust. This is a thin layer of plant life, including moss, lichen and cyanobacteria (a type of tiny living organism). The Great Wall of China was built in sections over a period of around 2,000 years. The first parts were started around 220BC. Its purpose was to protect China from invaders coming from the north. The most famous parts of the wall were built from stone, but in some areas it was built using “rammed earth”. This is when soil and rocks are pressed together. Over…

Did you know that 2024 has been declared the International Year of Camelids? Camelids are a family of animals that includes three species of camel as well as llamas, alpacas, vicunas and guanacos. They are able to thrive in very harsh environments, which many other animals can’t cope with. The decision to focus on camelids during 2024 has been made by the United Nations (UN), an organisation that most of the world’s countries are members of. Every year, the UN picks certain environmental topics to focus on. Last year was the year of millet, a type of grain that humans can eat. The UN wants to highlight how important camelids are and how much more useful they can be in helping people and the environment. It is hoped that the…

At the largest collection of animal milk in the world, scientists are analysing the properties of different milks to help protect baby animals. The huge “milk bank” is at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington DC, US, and it contains more than 16,000 samples taken from more than 200 species of mammal, from hippos to tiny tree shrews. Milk contains the ingredients that help young mammals to develop and grow. The scientists at the milk bank study the samples, which are frozen, to work out their contents. They use this information to create formula (a liquid used as an alternative to a mother’s milk) which is as close as possible to the real thing. Formula is used to feed baby animals whose mothers have died or stopped producing milk. The scientists…

Why not find a new friend in 2024 – yourself! Being treated with kindness, respect and love are things you would expect from a good friendship and you shouldn’t have to go far to find them. Start by being your own friend. What does self-love mean? Loving yourself, also called self-love, means being as kind to yourself as you are to others. Imagine your best friend is worried or upset, then think about how you’d support them and try to make them feel better. Self-love means giving yourself the love, care and respect you might give your friends and family. Becky Goddard-Hill, the author of Create Your Own Confidence, tells The Week Junior it means valuing yourself at all times. “It’s speaking to yourself with kindness and encouragement, and it…

Weird and Wonderful Nature by Ben Hoare (DK) Why do Mexican jumping beans jump? How do sea cucumbers defend themselves? What causes the northern lights? If you’re fascinated by nature, you’ll enjoy these stories of the most unusual, bizarre and curious aspects of the natural world, presented with great illustrations. Kay’s Incredible Inventions by Adam Kay. Illustrated by Henry Paker (Puffin Books) This entertaining new book takes you on a trip through the history of the world’s most incredible inventions – from the first ever toilet to the story of how Velcro was invented by a dog. Some of these inventions changed the world; others definitely did not. They’re all fascinating to read about, though. How to Chat Chicken by Nick Crumpton. Illustrated by Adrienne Barman (What On Earth Publishing)…

Name: Olivia The Last Spell Breather by Julie Pike “Heartwarming, unique and impactful. The strongest bond is friendship and it is never too late to fix a problem.” YOUR TURN Email your book review to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk. If it’s printed in the magazine you’ll receive a Roving Reporter badge. Describe the book in three words, what you liked about it and why you’d recommend it to others. Don’t forget to include your name and address.* *If you are the competition winner, we will only use the details you provide to contact you and arrange delivery of your competition prize. Further details about how we manage the data you provide can be found at futureplc.com/privacy-policy…

Holly King-Mand is a writer, presenter and campaigner for literacy (the ability to read and write) who has inspired thousands of children to be creative. Holly enjoys writing her own short stories, usually set in magical places. Here, she guides you through how to write a sparkling winter’s tale. Winters in the UK can feel long and bleak. Thanks to cold and rainy weather, short days and long, dark nights, people often don’t feel like going outside or doing much at all. This can make the season feel dull and boring at times. However, winter can also be a magical and exciting time – the perfect setting for a story. Dark nights can create spooky or cosy atmospheres and frozen landscapes can set the scene for risky adventures. This week,…

Happy New Year to our loyal readers and a big hello to our new subscribers – welcome to the first issue of 2024! Our cover star, Tony Hudgell, is the inspirational young fundraiser celebrated in the New Year Honours list. We look at just some of the other people rewarded for their outstanding achievements on page 5. On page 9, we meet brave Molly Harris and find out about Opira Bosco Okot, who – despite having to leave his home to escape to safety – is showing young people in a similar situation how they can protect their environment. Technology is great for helping people reach their potential; on page 15 you can read about a device that could give Welsh people who can’t speak a voice that sounds more…

An awareness-raising poster competition Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect around one billion people in the world’s poorest communities. NTDs often spread because of dirty water and bad-quality housing, and they can lead to long-term health problems. An international organisation called Unlimit Health has set up a poster competition to raise awareness of NTDs. If you are aged between eight and 16 and live in the UK, you can enter by creating a hand-drawn poster to help shine a light on NTDs. The makers of the three best posters will win a prize of art supplies and will be invited to an event in Parliament. You can find out more at tinyurl.com/TWJ-poster GET INVOLVED Email your news, views and pictures to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk Please include your full name and address so that we…

RESCUING A DONKEY Firefighters in Northern Ireland recently rescued a donkey called Snowie after she got stuck in a drain. The firefighters managed to pull her to safety using straps attached to a small digger. The team then gave her some ginger nut biscuits to calm her down. A NEW THEME PARK Universal Studios, the film company behind Despicable Me, has announced plans to build its first theme park in the UK. Universal already has parks in the US and Asia, which include Harry Potter and Nintendo-themed areas. The new park will be in Bedford, England. SPORTING OPPORTUNITIES On 23 December 2023, Rebecca Welch became the first woman to referee a Premier League football match when she took charge of a game between Burnley and Fulham. Welch has been refereeing…

Children’s charity the NSPCC is asking volunteers aged from 13 to 16 to help young people stay safe online. Young people know more than most parents about life online, and the NSPCC wants to hear their views. The volunteers will learn a lot too, having a go at public speaking and learning about teamwork. If you are aged 13–16 and would like to get involved, ask your parent or carer to help you apply before the 12 January deadline at tinyurl.com/TWJ-NSPCC…

Miami Beach, the US New colourful artwork A new artwork in Miami Beach celebrates drag. Drag is an art form that sees someone dress as another gender in a way that exaggerates that gender’s characteristics. The artwork, called Adora Vanessa Athena Fantasia, is named after local drag artists. It features wall murals and five metal panels showing people painted in bright colours. Italy Older people on the rise A recent census (national survey) in Italy revealed that older people are outnumbering children in the country. Italy has about six people over the age of 65 for every one child aged six and under. The country has one of the lowest birth rates (the number of children being born every year) in Europe. Italy’s population is 59 million. Ouadi Rimé, Chad…

Indhu Rubasingham has been named the next artistic director of the National Theatre in London. It is one of the most important jobs in British theatre and includes choosing the plays the theatre puts on. Rubasingham is the first woman and the first person of colour to be given the role. She has worked in several other theatres, and in 2017 she was awarded an MBE (an award she received from Queen Elizabeth) for her services to theatre. Rubasingham said it was “a huge honour” to be given “the best job in the world”.…

You won’t be surprised to hear that sweet treats such as cakes and biscuits contain sugar but did you know that it occurs naturally in most foods apart from meat and fish? We look at this remarkable substance and how it has changed the world. What is sugar? Sugar comes in several forms including “fructose” in fruit and “lactose” in milk. The form most people would recognise – sold in bags and as cubes – is sucrose. This comes from plants: either sugar cane or sugar beet. A lot of the sugar you see in shops comes from beet, which grows in cool, wet regions, such as here in the UK. Sugar cane needs warmer conditions and grows in tropical countries. Have a look in your kitchen cupboard to see…

Zharnel Hughes has had a difficult history with the Olympic Games. Injury forced the British sprinter to miss the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil. Then in 2021, at the next Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, he was disqualified because of a false start. With the 2024 Olympics in France just six months away, Hughes is focused on success at the world’s biggest sporting competition. “I’m looking forward to making this a special one,” he tells The Week Junior. Hughes runs in the 100 metres and 200 metres races. In 2023, he set British record times in both, as well as winning a bronze medal in the 100 metres at the world championships. About his Olympic target he says, “It’s time to see the positive now, where Zharnel Hughes becomes Olympic…

It’s going to be a great year for going to the cinema, with lots of big-name animations designed to entice family audiences. Expect familiar characters and action-packed adventures. In March, the long-awaited Kung Fu Panda 4 arrives. In this latest addition to the series, Po the slightly tubby and definitely unheroic panda sets off on a journey to find a new Dragon Warrior in order to become the leader of the Valley of Peace. The only thing standing in Po’s way is the powerful sorceress Chameleon. Garfield, a film about everyone’s favourite greedy cat, is due in cinemas in May. Garfield is unbelievably lazy and lives with his owner, Jon, and dog Odie. Garfield’s comfortable life gets an unwelcome jolt of energy when he meets his long-lost father, Vic. Garfield…

City of Spies by Iszi Lawrence (Bloomsbury Children’s) It’s 1780 and 12-year-old Aiden has travelled from England to America to work as an apprentice to a Manhattan businessman. He dreams of making a name for himself, but right now, his life in New York feels like a struggle. All around him, American revolutionaries are battling it out for the nation’s independence from British rule, and Aiden feels sure that the British will win. A chance encounter with a boy carrying a mysterious message plunges Aiden into the fight for freedom, and things change in ways he could never have imagined. This brilliant blend of history and action will take you to the streets of 18th century New York City, crowded with soldiers and spies. You’ll learn about the American War…

In the UK, one in seven primary schools don’t have a library. The National Literacy Trust, a charity that works with schools and communities to give children skills in literacy (the ability to read and write), is hoping to change that. In a new campaign, it has said the Government should provide funding to improve libraries in every primary school in the UK. As part of this campaign, Jeff Kinney, the author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, recently visited two schools in Blackpool, England, to open special Wimpy Kid-themed libraries. The visits were part of a tour of the UK, where Kinney celebrated the power of libraries and reading. He told The Week Junior, “I think it’s really important for a kid to see their own experience…

Crossword Read the clues carefully and write the answers into the grid. Across 1 Toothpaste container (4) 3 Up-and-down playground ride (3-3) 8 Fastest overseas postal system (7) 9 Frozen water (3) 10 Insect with antler-like jaws (4,6) 13 Small lamp in the bedroom (5,5) 17 Female sheep (3) 18 Complete quiet (7) 19 Ball and racket game (6) 20 Army vehicle (4) Down 1 Frog-like amphibian (4) 2 Soft French hat (5) 4 Long slippery fish (3) 5 Garment hanging from the waist (5) 6 Removed unwanted plants (6) 7 Grub (6) 11 Can be eaten (6) 12 Create (a new device) (6) 14 Colour of broccoli (5) 15 Joint on which a door turns (5) 16 ___ year, period of 366 days (4) 18 Take part in a…

Read for Good Did you know that if you read in your spare time you’re more likely to do well at school and be happy? Read for Good wants all children to love reading because it can change lives. Have you ever taken part in a Read for Good readathon at school? This involves reading to raise money and give new books to children in hospitals across the UK. Why not suggest a readathon to your teacher? Find information about how you can help children in hospital at readforgood.org…

Teacher’s name: Mrs Gee School: St Mary’s Church of England VC Primary School, Askham Richard, Yorkshire, England “Mrs Gee is kind, funny and she makes learning enjoyable for everyone. She helped the Year 6s through their SATs and she rewarded us with sausages and marshmallows on a bonfire. Mrs Gee never shouts at us. She encourages us to read books and she reads to the class. We have loved learning with Mrs Gee.” Séamus, Ralph and Rowan If we pick your teacher as Teacher of the Week, we’ll send your school three free issues of The Week Junior. Send your nominations, along with a picture of your teacher and your school’s full name and address, to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk…

1 The copyright for early versions of which cartoon couple recently expired after nearly 100 years? □ a) Fred and Wilma Flintstone □ b) Homer and Marge Simpson □ c) Mickey and Minnie Mouse 2 True or false? On 3 January this year, train drivers in England began a six-day strike. □ True □ False 3 In which city would you find the Notre-Dame Cathedral? 4 What is the name of the UK’s largest national park? □ a) The Cairngorms, Scotland □ b) Snowdonia, Wales □ c) The Yorkshire Dales, England 5 True or false? 10 different languages are spoken in Uganda. □ True □ False 6 What is the name of the longest wall in the world? 7 True or false? Adding sugar to water in a vase can…

Queen Margrethe II has announced she will abdicate (step down) from her role as Queen of Denmark. The Queen, who is 83, used her New Year speech to tell the country she would hand over the role to her son Frederik on 14 January, after 52 years as queen. Margrethe said part of the reason for stepping down was that she has not been feeling well since an operation on her back last year. Queen Margrethe II is the longest-serving living monarch in Europe. She is known for being warm and friendly and for walking around the streets of the capital city, Copenhagen, with very few security guards. She was called a “style heroine” by fashion magazine Vogue because of her bright, bold clothing. Queen Margrethe and the UK’s Queen…

On 3 January, thousands of junior doctors in England began a six-day strike. A strike is when workers team up and refuse to work to persuade their bosses to give them more pay and better working conditions. What is a junior doctor? A junior doctor is a qualified doctor who is doing further training while working. It usually takes four to six years of study at university to get a medical qualification. To gain more experience after graduating, doctors spend several years working with patients under the supervision of senior doctors. During this time, they are called junior doctors. What do junior doctors want? The British Medical Association (BMA), which represents doctors and medical students, wants junior doctors to be given a pay rise of 35%. The BMA says that…

The UK’s national parks are known for their spectacular mountains, forests, lakes and seashores. In UK law they have specific purposes, such as protecting nature. The authorities have to consider these purposes when they are deciding where to create a new national park. Now, plans from the UK, Welsh and Scottish governments suggest setting up three more. In Wales, the new park would be in the north-east of the country. Final locations in England and Scotland have not yet been confirmed. Not everyone thinks national parks are a good idea, though. Some people say they attract too many visitors, who do more harm than good. Others say all the UK’s countryside should be protected. What do you think, do we need more national parks? Yes – national parks are good…

When Molly Harris’s mother was thrown off of her horse, Molly had to act quickly. The 13-year-old from Ancaster in Lincolnshire, England, had to catch the horse, which was running free. Then she had to find her mother (who was badly hurt) and stay with her until the Air Ambulance arrived. This bravery earned Molly the Young Person of the Year award at the Air Ambulances UK Annual Awards of Excellence. Since the accident, Molly has raised lots of money for the Air Ambulance charity. Molly said of the award, “I feel so happy. The Air Ambulance did so much for my mum.”…

January is a great time to spot beard lichens, which decorate bare tree branches with their ghostly strands. Lichens are made up of two or more living things – usually a type of fungus and a tiny organism such as an algae or a cyanobacteria. They have a “symbiotic” relationship (one that benefits both of them). Beard lichens grow all over the UK but they love areas where the air is very clean. There are several species but they are all classed as fruticose lichens, which attach to the bark of trees and look like wispy plants with a pale greyish-green colour. Also called old man’s beard, they provide a habitat for insects. Beard lichens also have antibacterial properties and were once used to treat wounds.…

A Scots pine forest A nature charity called Trees for Life is aiming to save a section of Scotland’s ancient Caledonian forest. The forest is currently less than 2% of its original size. Over the next 30 years, communities, businesses and landowners will work with the charity to restore part of the woodland. Elephant seals Hundreds of elephant seals living in the Antarctic have died from bird flu. The illness, which animals can catch, spreads easily and first reached the Antarctic in October 2023. Scientists are trying to identify sick animals and sharing information to try and stop the disease from spreading further.…

For some people, getting up early in the morning is easy. For others, it feels almost impossible. A new study shows that people might have inherited their preference for going to bed early and getting up early from Neanderthals, humans’ closest known relatives. Neanderthals emerged at least 200,000 years ago. Between 35,000 and 24,000 years ago, modern humans (Homo sapiens) replaced them. However, before Neanderthals died out, the two types of humans mixed and had babies together. Today, humans’ DNA (a chemical that carries all the information about your body and characteristics) is 4% Neanderthal. A group of researchers from the University of California, US, analysed both modern human and Neanderthal genes (sequences of DNA). They found they both had some variants (changes) to DNA that were linked to the…

London Lions On 1 January, London Lions defeated Surrey Scorchers 85–80 in the British Basketball League (BBL). Tom Cannon He scored two goals for Leicester City as they beat Huddersfield 4-1 to move 10 points ahead of second-placed Ipswich in football’s Championship. Saracens Women Saracens defeated Bristol Bears to remain unbeaten in the Premiership Women’s Rugby. It was their fifth league win in a row. Beatrice Chebet At the Cursa dels Nassos road race in Barcelona, Spain, the runner from Kenya won the women’s 5km (3.1 miles) event in a world record time of 14 minutes, 13 seconds.…

Iszi Lawrence The author reveals why British schools don’t teach the American Revolution. Have you been to New York City? No! Though I know it is amazing. It was very different in 1780 when City of Spies is set – no skyscrapers and a lot more soldiers. Favourite thing you found out while writing? George Washington, the leader of the Continental Army that defeated the British in the American Revolutionary War, had false teeth. They were made from human and also donkey teeth. Pizza or pasta? How dare you make me choose! Pizza… No! Pasta… No! Pasta on pizza? What inspired you to write this book? We never learned about the American Revolutionary War at school, though the US is a really important country. I know why we don’t cover…

There are lots of apps, games and websites that are for entertainment, and they can be a great way to relax. There are others that are designed to help people in their daily lives, whether they’re trying to feel less anxious, hear or see the world better, or improve their reading skills. For example, Smiling Mind was made in Australia as an app to help young people learn about meditation and mindfulness, which are both ways to focus your mind. It’s free, and gives you exercises to practise for 10 minutes a day. The exercises are designed to help with your sleep, concentration, stress and wellbeing, and you can use them with your family or friends. Seeing AI is a clever app designed to help and support people who are…

Sky-high and picture perfect A new attraction in New York in the US allows tourists to recreate one of the most famous photographs of all time – as long as they don’t mind heights. The original picture, Lunch atop a Skyscraper (shown below), was taken in 1932. The image shows 11 men sitting 260 metres above the ground, perched on a metal beam. It was taken during construction of the 30 Rockefeller Plaza building. Daring visitors to the skyscraper can pay to be strapped onto a beam that lifts them into the air so they can have their picture taken in a similar position. A super-sized croissant to share Bakers around the world have been busy making and selling giant croissants that are large enough to feed several people each.…

We love hearing from you! It’s easy – just write a comment when you vote in our online Big Debate poll, or even record a voice note for The Week Junior Show. Last month we asked our readers whether adults should have Christmas presents… “Everyone should get presents, it helps people bond and gives you an opportunity to think about others.” “No, because I don’t have a job, so I can’t make money to buy a gift for my parents.” “Giving presents is fun and adults should be included.” “No because most things adults want are too expensive.” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here.…