Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 151 i The Week Junior US

The US government is joining other nations in restricting access to TikTok because of concerns over security. More than 100 million Americans currently use the video app. TikTok, which is run by a Chinese company called ByteDance, is also taking steps to limit use by young people, citing concerns over screen time and health. What is happening? On February 27, US President Joe Biden said all federal agencies must delete the app from government devices within 30 days. Two days later, a committee in the House of Representatives (one half of Congress, which makes laws) approved a bill that would give Biden the authority to ban TikTok entirely in the US. When The Week Junior went to press, the Senate (other half of Congress) was set to announce a similar…

GOING THE DISTANCE Three aerospace engineers in Indiana set a record for the longest flight by a paper airplane. The friends spent four months perfecting the design of their plane, which flew 289 feet, 9 inches. “It was hard to believe,” one of the engineers said. A SPARKLING DISCOVERY Two gold earrings set with semi-precious stones were uncovered in Germany after being buried for about 800 years. The earrings were part of a collection of jewelry and silver coins found at a site called Haithabu. The region was a key trading hub between mainland Europe and Scandinavia during the Viking era (793–1066). COOKING UP KINDNESS Hall of Fame rock star Dave Grohl spent 24 hours cooking for people who are homeless in Los Angeles, California. The Foo Fighters frontman worked outside…

This year, 21-year-old college student Raya Kenney was thrilled when a bill inspired by homework she did in elementary school became law. Titled “The Women Who Worked on the Home Front World War II Memorial Act,” it advocated for a monument on the National Mall in Washington, DC, in honor of the millions of women who supported the US during World War II (1939–1945). Kenney grew up in Washington, DC, and now attends Kenyon College in Ohio. One of her fifth-grade assignments was to build a model of a monument for someone who had not yet been recognized. She had just seen the hit 1992 film A League of Their Own, based on the first all-female professional baseball league, which formed after many male players left the US to serve…

Human teenagers are known to be impulsive. This means they tend to take risks or act without thinking about the consequences of their behavior. A new study has found that adolescent chimpanzees are also more reckless than adults—but they’re still less impulsive than human teens. During human adolescence, a part of the brain that helps people make cautious choices, called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, is still in the process of developing. Meanwhile, teens undergo changes in their hormones (chemicals in the body) that may drive them to act more impulsively. Research has shown that between the ages of 8 and 15, chimpanzees experience similar changes in hormone levels and behavior. To see how adolescence affects chimps’ decisions, a team of researchers tested 40 wild-born chimpanzees at a sanctuary in the…

Sheep in the shade Sheep farmers in Australia say their flocks are thriving in fields with solar panels. Shade from the panels keeps the sheep cool and helps the grass grow lush, and the sheep eat weeds that could block sunlight from reaching the panels. Spotted-tail quolls The population of spotted-tail quolls in north Queensland, Australia, has dropped from 500 animals about 25 years ago to 221 adults today. This means that the marsupials may be critically endangered (at high risk of no longer existing).…

Dominant dynasties and sensational Cinderella stories make the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments, kicking off this month, among the most thrilling US sporting events. History of the tournament The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) is the governing body for college sports. The first men’s basketball tournament was held in 1939, spearheaded by Ohio State basketball coach Harold Olsen. Eight teams competed, and Oregon defeated Ohio State for the title. The first women’s NCAA tournament was held in 1982. Thirty-two teams competed, and Louisiana Tech won the title. Choosing the teams Today, 68 teams compete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. The 32 teams that win their conference championship automatically qualify. The other 36 teams are awarded “at-large bids” by the NCAA Selection Committee, a group of college athletic…

Researchers have found that tightly coiled curls are the best hair type to protect people’s heads from the Sun. Earlier studies have shown that humans evolved to have thick hair on the top of their heads to prevent them from overheating in sunshine. However, Tina Lasisi of Penn State University wanted to find out if different hair types provide a different kind of heat protection. Lasisi and her team experimented by putting three different wigs on a thermal mannequin, which is a model of a human body with heat sensors in it. One wig had straight hair, one had hair with medium curls, and one had tightly coiled hair. The mannequin was put into a chamber where the researchers could simulate (imitate) sunshine. The team measured how much heat the…

Major League Soccer (MLS) just completed its first full week of the 2023 season. The league expanded this year and welcomed a new club, St. Louis City SC. Now there are 29 MLS teams in all. St. Louis got off to a great start by winning both of its first two matches. In the first one, they pulled off a shocking win on the road, coming from behind in the final minutes to defeat Austin FC, 3–2, on February 25. St. Louis defender Tim Parker, who had not scored since 2018, made the club’s first-ever goal. On March 4, St. Louis made their home debut in a sold-out match at their new stadium, Citypark, in St. Louis, Missouri. They beat Charlotte FC, 3–1. The first goal at Citypark was made…

Coach’s Name: Erielle Tolentino Sport: Tennis “Coach Erielle has been my coach since 2021. She improved my game by making me practice backhands until I got it. She is very nice and kind. If you mess up a shot the first time, she gives you another try. She always plans fun drills at the start and end of every tennis class. I really like it when she drops into the match and rallies with us. This is why I think Coach Erielle is the best tennis coach of all time.” Kabir, 10, California 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.…

Birthplace Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria. The city honors him with a music festival every year. The Magic Flute was filmed there. Childhood Mozart began playing music at the age of 3 and was composing pieces by the time he was 5. He composed his first opera, Apollo et Hyacinthus, when he was 11 years old. By age 13, he was a touring musician. Special pet The composer was famous for having a pet starling. He discovered the bird in a pet shop in Vienna, Austria. It stood out because it was singing a tune from one of his piano compositions.…

NHL Big City Green’s Classic (ESPN) March 14 at 7 pm ET This special will be the first-ever live, animated telecast of a National Hockey League (NHL) game. The players will be Big City Greens characters and animated NHL players. The action will follow a live game between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers. 7 Toughest Days (ABC.com) (Disney+) In this three-episode series, adventurer Dwayne Fields visits some of Earth’s most extreme, hostile environments, such as the rainforests of Gabon and the deserts of Oman. He has seven days to guide himself and his crew to safety as they face physical and mental challenges. The Voice (NBC) The hit singing competition series is back for another season. This will be country star Blake Shelton’s 23rd and final turn…

Although the characters in Iceberg are fictional, many of the book’s details are true. The fast-paced story lends itself to a discussion with others who have read the story. Here are some questions to get your book club conversation started. Would you have snuck onto the Titanic if you were Hazel? What details about how the Titanic was constructed surprised you the most? In your opinion, what was the most suspenseful part of the story? What skills does Hazel have that would make her a good journalist? If you could rewrite this book from another character’s point of view, who would it be and why? Were you satisfied with the book’s ending?…

Play what you love Listening to music (or a podcast or book) is a great way to keep yourself entertained while you get busy organizing. You can enjoy what’s being played while completing your task. Set a timer How long do you think it will take to clean out that drawer? How about the bookcase? Make a guess and set a timer to see if you can beat your prediction. Make it a game If you have siblings who are cleaning up with you, see who can complete certain fun tasks the fastest. For example, you can race to find out who can pick up all the blue toys in the room first. Have fun afterward Check with an adult to see if you can do a favorite activity after…

Your family can help the planet by cutting back on resources like water, gas, and electricity. To help motivate parents and siblings, start a “go green” fund. Get together and review bills to see how much your household is spending on water, gas, and electricity. Aim to spend less by challenging everyone to use less. Ideas include setting timers for shorter showers, using the cold setting on the washing machine, and turning off the lights when leaving a room. When you get next month’s bills, compare them to those from the same month last year and calculate how much you saved. Discuss putting some of that money toward something fun, like a special family outing.…

I’m always curious about how our readers will vote in our Big Debate, but I’m especially eager to hear your thoughts on the topic in this week’s issue (p8). The question we’re asking: Is writing by hand better than typing? We’ve outlined solid arguments on both sides. Are you persuaded by the research showing that writing by hand improves learning, memory, and focus? Or do you think speed, neatness, and ease of editing are more important? We invite you to consider these points and cast your vote at kids.theweekjunior.com/polls. (I’ll be thinking about it too!) Each week thousands of children across the US participate in our poll, and the opinions you share are always interesting. If you have more to say on this topic or any other, write to me…

We’d love to see pictures you’ve taken or pictures of you in them! Have an adult email them to us at hello@theweekjunior.com, along with anything you would like to us to know about what you’re doing in the photo. “Among all these books, my favorite one is The Week Junior.” Michael, 10, Virginia “We made the veggie miso fried rice recipe. It was scrumptious! My family, my dog, and I loved it.” Lucas, 10, Wisconsin “I love The Week Junior so much. My favorite sections are That’s Unbelievable and the Puzzles page!” Harper, 10, North Carolina…

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Evans-Lora School: Brooklyn Arbor Elementary School “Ms. Evans-Lora is a great teacher because she teaches everyone to be equitable and fair. She listens to us carefully about our questions and ideas. She also tries to learn different students’ languages, like Japanese and Chinese. During class she makes jokes and tells us silly stories about herself. I am happy that I have a nice teacher because she makes us feel like we are part of a community.” Sena, 8, New York 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 In what year was March officially declared Women’s History Month? a) 1978 b) 1980 c) 1987 a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 2 True or false? Tightly coiled curly hair keeps people’s heads coolest in the Sun. True ☐ False ☐ 3 Which basketball program has won the most Men’s NCAA Tournament titles? 4 Who is the main villain in the new video game DC’s Justice League: Cosmic Chaos? a) The Joker b) Lex Luthor c) Mister Mxyzptlk a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 5 True or false? Adolescent chimpanzees are less patient than human teenagers. True ☐ False ☐ 6 The movie The Magic Flute is inspired by an opera by what classical composer? a) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart b) Franz Liszt c) Johannes Brahms a ☐ b ☐…

US Ambassador Cindy McCain has been appointed executive director of the World Food Program (WFP), the largest global organization working to eliminate hunger. WFP is run by the United Nations (UN, a group of 193 nations working for peace and cooperation). McCain, currently the ambassador to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture, begins her new job on April 4. WFP, founded in 1961 and based in Rome, Italy, provides food to millions of people facing natural disasters and conflict in more than 120 countries and territories. This includes people in Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, and in Turkey and Syria after earthquakes hit those nations last month. McCain, who is the widow of Senator John McCain, has worked with many international nonprofits and headed up the McCain…

On March 1, the US Supreme Court (top court of law) heard arguments in two cases about student loans. Outside the court, demonstrators showed support for President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive millions of dollars in student debt. What is Biden’s proposal? A student loan is money borrowed, sometimes from the federal government, to pay for college. Many people finish college with so much debt that they spend decades paying it back. In 2022, Biden said he would cancel up to $20,000 per person in federal student loan debt. The plan would apply to people who earn less than $125,000 a year, and taxpayer money would cover the cost. About 43 million people would have some debt forgiven, and 20 million would no longer owe anything. What happened at the…

Louisiana’s only national forest spreads across 604,000 acres in the north-central part of the state. It has about 100 miles of trails where visitors can explore the impressive pine trees. One tree, “The Statesman,” is estimated to be more than 200 years old. The forest attracts migratory birds in the spring and fall, and the Latt Lake Observation Pier is an excellent place to spot them. Meanwhile, butterfly lovers can visit the Catahoula Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden. The wilderness also supports armadillos, turtles, Louisiana black bears, and herds of horses.…

Pallas’s cats, a rare wildcat species, have been found living on Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. Animal droppings were collected on a 2019 expedition, and scientists have now identified traces of at least two of the cats. ● LIFE SPAN: 8 to 9 years ● HABITAT: Dry, rocky grasslands in Central Asia ● SIZE: 20 to 24 inches long, 4 to 11 pounds ● DIET: Mountain weasels and small rodents ● FUN FACT: Most cats’ eyes have slit-like pupils, but Pallas’s cats have round pupils.…

Millions of years ago, giant penguins that weighed as much as modern gorillas lived along the coast of New Zealand. Paleontologists (scientists who study the past through fossils) who discovered the species named it Kumimanu fordycei, or “monster bird.” Bones of the flightless bird were found inside huge 57-million-year-old boulders that had cracked open on a beach in Otago, New Zealand. Scientists made 3D models of the Kumimanu’s humerus (flipper) bone and compared it to those of other prehistoric penguins and modern-day emperor penguins. This helped them estimate that the “monster bird” weighed 340 pounds and was about 5 feet 2 inches tall. The paleontologists also found fossils of another previously unknown species, which they named Petradyptes stonehousei, or “rock diver.” It likely weighed 110 pounds. That makes it bigger…

Fury of the Gods will arrive in movie theaters. It is a sequel to the 2019 hit Shazam! It continues the story of the DC comic book superhero as he learns more about himself and his powers. The film is rated PG-13. Shazam’s origin story is that he is a foster child named Billy Batson who was given special powers by a wizard-like being. When he says the magic word “shazam!” he turns into an adult superhero. At the end of Shazam!, Billy’s five foster siblings get the same powers. Fury of the Gods takes place three years later, with Billy and his siblings juggling teen life and secret superhero life. Trouble arises when three ancient goddess sisters come to Earth in search of a magical item. The fate of…

DC’s Justice League: Cosmic Chaos is a new action role-playing game. It is out now for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation platforms, and Xbox One. Like DC’s movie universe and comic books, Cosmic Chaos is all about big-name superheroes, big powers, and big battles. It is set in the town of Happy Harbor, where the base for the team of superheroes known as the Justice League is located. When the game begins, trickster villain Mister Mxyzptlk has arrived from the 5th Dimension. He is on a mission to turn Happy Harbor into his own kingdom. He has brought an army of goofy alien foot soldiers, who start causing all sorts of damage as soon as they arrive. To take on Mxyzptlk, gamers play as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. They all…

The Week Junior spoke to Jennifer A. Nielsen, author of Iceberg. A distant relative of Nielsen’s was on board the Titanic and escaped on one of the lifeboats. The book is dedicated to him. Have you always been fascinated with the Titanic? Yes. I was 8 or 9 years old when my mom told me about what happened. What did you learn while researching the book? There was so much I didn’t know! It blew my mind to find out about the coal fire on board. I also didn’t realize there had been warnings that many icebergs were in the path of the Titanic. If one factor had been different, the entire history may have changed. How long ago did you start working on Iceberg? I started about a year…

A gratitude journal is a notebook for recording aspects of life that you’re thankful for. Writing in one has been shown to help people feel happier and healthier. Here’s how to begin. 1. Pick a journal. You don’t need a special journal to get started—any notebook will work. You can recycle one that’s mostly unused by pulling out pages that have been written on. If you have a phone, you could use the Notes app. 2. Start writing. Every day, write down one to three things you’re grateful for. It could include people in your life, a fun activity you did that day, or even something you were excited to learn. Consider drawing pictures or adding photos to accompany your thoughts. 3. Reread often. Every few weeks—or as often as…

Crisscross Each of these things associated with basketball fits into this grid. Can you find where each one goes to complete the grid? 4 letters FAKE PASS TEAM 5 letters BENCH BLOCK SHOOT 6 letters ASSIST 7 letters AIRBALL PLAYERS 8 letters FADEAWAY 9 letters FAST BREAK FREE THROW LOOSE BALL 11 letters OUT OF BOUNDS 12 letters PERSONAL FOUL THREE-POINTER ALL THE SAME Each answer contains the letters E-A-R. Those letters have been placed for you. Can you figure out the words? ANSWERS CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 29. Spot the difference These two pictures of a dog having a bath appear to be the same, but take a closer look. There are actually five differences. Can you see them? Take five Five 5-letter words associated with hiking are…

Jeff Reitz has earned a world record for making the most trips to Disneyland in a row. The California man, who began visiting daily in 2012, logged 2,995 trips and became somewhat of a Disney celebrity before the Covid-19 pandemic stopped his streak in 2020. “I started having guests in the parks stop me for photos and autographs,” he said. Now Reitz has a certificate from Guinness World Records, which he plans to bring along on his next visit.…

“We celebrated Benjamin Franklin’s birthday at the library! My sister and I dressed up like him and narrated facts to the kids at story time. I told the group about some of my favorite contributions Benjamin Franklin made, including America’s first library and post office. I told them how it’s amazing that he invented the Franklin stove and bifocal glasses. I love that he wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac and started The Pennsylvania Gazette to make sure people knew about the latest current events, just like The Week Junior does! I can’t wait to celebrate his birthday again next year!” 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 6-letter…

Drug company Eli Lilly said it will significantly lower the price of its insulin drugs. Insulin is used to treat diabetes (a condition that results in too much sugar in the blood). The price of the company’s most prescribed insulin will drop from $274.20 to $66.40. For insured people who use participating pharmacies, the cost will be no more than $35. President Joe Biden called the decision “a big deal” and said it’s time for other drug companies to follow suit.…

In 1787, a professional “penman” named Jacob Shallus was hired to handwrite the US Constitution using a quill on a piece of parchment paper. Shallus spent about 40 hours working on the document that laid the foundation for our country, and the handwritten result is on display in Washington, DC. If Shallus were doing that job today, however, he would most likely type it on a computer and finish much faster. Many people think that’s a good thing because typing is quick, efficient, and easy to read. But others say writing with a pen and paper is more valuable. What do you think? Is writing by hand better than typing? Yes—writing by hand has big payoffs Sure, writing by hand may take longer than typing, but it has scientific benefits.…

Fish aren’t known for being brainy, but a new study reveals that some fish can recognize their own faces in photos and mirrors. This self-awareness is usually found in animals with larger brains, like humans and elephants. Scientists in Japan put bluestreak cleaner wrasses to the test. The researchers first showed a mirror to 26 cleaner fish. They then secretly injected dye into the scales of 10 fish before showing them the mirror again. If an animal tries to touch or remove the mark, that means it has recognized its own reflection. The injected cleaner fish saw the marks on their bodies and tried to scrape off the dye with rocks. The researchers also showed the fish photographs of themselves and photos of unfamiliar fish. Each cleaner wrasse acted aggressively…

Troy Bumgardner Tropical Discovery Keeper, Denver Zoo They are not direct descendants but are closely related. Dinosaurs are more closely related to birds than to reptiles. However, there were prehistoric reptiles that lived alongside dinosaurs, such as the Brachyrhinodon. These were direct ancestors of the Tuatara, a lizard-like reptile in New Zealand. Do you have a question for a zookeeper? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about Denver Zoo at denverzoo.org.…

South Korean automaker Hyundai has revealed a new technology called e-Corner, which lets a car move sideways like a crab. The new technology was introduced on a car called the Ioniq 5 at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. All four wheels can turn by as much as 90 degrees, which means the car can move sideways and diagonally. Hyundai says this will make cars easier to park and allow them to change direction faster. Cars with e-Corner technology could be for sale by 2025.…

Top snow sports athletes have been competing at world championship events across Europe. Several Americans, as well as one Canadian teen, have won medals and made history. The Nordic World Ski Championships, held in Planica, Slovenia, from February 21 to March 5, featured ski jumping, cross-country skiing, and Nordic combined (jumping and cross-country) events. On February 28, Jessie Diggins became the first American cross-country skier to win an individual world title. She finished the 10-kilometer freestyle 14 seconds ahead of silver medalist Frida Karlsson of Sweden. The 6.25-mile race course took skiers up 1,263 feet, about the height of the Empire State Building. The next day, Alexandria Loutitt, age 19, became Canada’s first world champion in ski jumping. She captured the gold with a final score that was more than…

The opera The Magic Flute by composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has inspired a new film of the same name. The movie, which mixes a modern story with opera, is in theaters now. Mozart, who was Austrian, is one of the most famous classical music composers. He lived from 1756 to 1791 and created more than 600 musical works, including symphonies, operas, and choral music. The Magic Flute is about a prince and a bird-catcher who must rescue the daughter of the Queen of the Night. It features an aria (vocal solo) sung by the queen that few singers can perform because of its high notes. Opera singer Sabine Devieilhe plays her in the film. The main character in the movie is Tim, a new student at a school for Mozart.…

Gravity Falls (Disney+, Disney Now, Hulu) “This show follows twins Dipper and Mabel during their time in mysterious Gravity Falls, Oregon, with their Grunkle (great uncle) Stan. Dipper is shy but smart, while Mabel is energetic and social. When Dipper finds a journal in the woods with entries about odd happenings in the town, he and Mabel start a quest to uncover the mysteries and find the journal’s author. They time travel, fight a dream demon, and more. The show has secret messages for you to find and decode. The characters are lovable, and every episode has something new, funny, and exciting.” Abby, 11, Tennessee Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

It’s 1912 and the Titanic is setting sail from England to New York in this historical fiction story about 12-year-old Hazel. Without enough money to buy a ticket, Hazel sneaks on board. Her plan is to get to America so she can work in a factory and send back money to her family in England. While hiding in the part of the ship that holds cargo, she overhears crew members talking about a coal fire in the boiler room. She walks upstairs to a section of the ship for third-class passengers and meets a boy who helps her blend in with other passengers. Hazel, who dreams of becoming a journalist someday, begins asking questions about the construction and safety of the ship, which people had bragged was unsinkable. She takes…

Having a room with your belongings put away until you need them can make your space more enjoyable to be in. Spring is a time when people often deep-clean their homes, making now a good time to tidy up. If you share a bedroom with a sibling, perhaps you can sort through the clutter together. But just organizing your own area of the room can be rewarding. Here’s how to get started. Consider the benefits Think of decluttering as treating your belongings with respect. You want to enjoy the items you love without tripping over them or being unable to find them. Consider what you’ll gain by tidying up. For example, rediscovering an old treasure you’d forgotten about would be exciting. Assess the areas where you could better store items,…

At a Miami art event on February 16, a woman accidentally knocked over a sculpture by the well-known artist Jeff Koons. The blue porcelain figure, titled Balloon Dog, was worth $42,000 before it shattered on the floor. The incident made headlines, however, and now art collectors are clamoring to buy the shards. “I find value in it even when it’s broken,” Stephen Gamson, a collector who expressed interest in buying a piece of the sculpture, told the Miami Herald. As for what he would do with it, he said, “There’s a lot of options.”…

Caroline, who is 12 years old and in 6th grade, told us that she believes her school is special because it offers lessons in nature studies. Students learn about gardening, animals, and survival. She also appreciates that her school is small. When she walks to class, she sees her siblings. If you want to share what’s great about your school, go to kids.theweekjunior.com/activities to print out a form. 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.…