Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 160 i The Week Junior US

Candidates from the two major political parties in the US (Democrats and Republicans) have announced they’re running for President in 2024. They will begin campaigning around the country, trying to convince Americans that they are the best person for the nation’s top job. Americans will choose a winner in November 2024. What is happening? As The Week Junior went to press on May 2, seven Republicans and three Democrats had entered the race. More people are expected to announce their candidacy in the months ahead, especially on the Republican side. Political experts say the current front-runners are President Joe Biden (a Democrat seeking his second term) and Donald Trump (the Republican former President who lost to Biden in 2020). Who are the Democrats in the race? Biden, age 80, announced…

CELEBRATING STAR WARS A chain of doughnut shops will add Star Wars–themed items to its menu on May 4—known as Star Wars Day to fans of the space saga. Pinkbox Doughnuts designed treats to look like Princess Leia, Yoda, and other characters. A CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT A bulldog named Patch took home the top prize at Drake University’s Beautiful Bulldog Contest. The breed is the Iowa college’s mascot. Patch sported the crown after beating out 28 other contestants. “We’re so proud of her all the time, but especially today,” said Patch’s owner. A CHOCOLATE KING As the UK prepares for the coronation of King Charles III on May 6, a team of chocolatiers and artists has crafted a life-size, lifelike sculpture of him made entirely of chocolate. The bust weighs more…

France Hair law proposed A member of France’s parliament (similar to Congress) wants to make it illegal to discriminate against someone (treat them unfairly) because of their hair. Olivier Serva said workplaces often force Black people to straighten their natural hair. He wants the law to fight discrimination based on the texture, length, color, or style of hair. Other people say that general discrimination laws do this job already. Panama Drought causes canal closure A drought (severe lack of rain) is causing one of the world’s most important shipping routes to limit the number of ships that can pass through. The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans so ships don’t have to sail around the bottom of South America. Rainwater is an energy source that helps power ships…

Nestled in the Southern Appalachian mountain range, this 15,288-acre preserve in northeast Alabama is home to the Little River Canyon, the deepest canyon in the state. The preserve has waterfalls, boulders, canyon rims, sandstone cliffs, and 26 miles of hiking trails. More than 147 bird species, 35 mammal species, and 40 fish species live here. These include the endangered blue shiner fish, black vultures, great blue herons, woodland voles, river otters, and green salamanders. Fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding are allowed in some parts of the park.…

Raccoon dogs are in the Canidae family with foxes and wolves. They recently attracted global attention when they appeared in a study that tested for chemical traces of animals at a market in Wuhan, China, where Covid-19 likely began. • LIFE SPAN: 7 to 8 years • HABITAT: Wooded areas in Asia and Europe • SIZE: Up to 27 inches long and 22 pounds • DIET: Birds, fruits, insects, plants, and rodents • FUN FACT: Raccoon dogs are the only members of the Canidae family that hibernate.…

Scientists in the Netherlands designed a flying robot to prevent collisions between birds and airplanes, which kill birds and damage planes. Many airports use birds of prey, like falcons, to chase birds away and keep them safe. But live falcons are costly and hard to care for. The RobotFalcon looks and moves like a real falcon but is made from fiberglass and foam. It has a propeller on each wing and a camera on its head for remote steering. In tests, it was as effective as a real bird of prey and more effective than drones that don’t look like falcons.…

The Penn Relays, the oldest track and field competition in the US, took place at Franklin Field from April 27–29 at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The meet had more than 300 events and over 15,000 participants, including students, elite athletes, and Special Olympians (athletes with intellectual disabilities). In the past, high school girls raced on the first two days, while the boys raced the second and third days, which meant they had bigger crowds. This year, the order was flipped and it will alternate in the future. One of the most famous athletes at the meet was 2020 US Olympian Devon Allen, who also plays for the Philadelphia Eagles football team. He won the 110-meter hurdles event last year and again this year in an excitingly close finish,…

A new museum dedicated to world-famous American pilot Amelia Earhart has opened in Atchison, Kansas. The Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, which is at the Amelia Earhart Memorial Airport, features a plane that is identical to one that Earhart famously flew. Earhart was born in Atchison in 1897. In 1928, she became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, and in 1932 she was the first woman to do it solo—and in record time. In 1937, while attempting to fly a Lockheed Electra 10-E airplane around the world, she disappeared. What happened to Earhart, navigator Fred Noonan, and their plane remains a mystery. Earhart is revered as a pioneer and someone who fought for gender equality. “She was so far beyond her time,” the museum’s founder, Karen Seaberg, told…

The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones (Apple TV, Vudu) “If you enjoy early 20th-century history, historical fiction, or you’re just a fan of the character Indiana Jones from films, this show is perfect for you. The series, also known as The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, features the daring escapades of Indiana Jones from the ages of 8 to 10 and 16 to 21. Young Indy explores Egypt with his father, dodges enemy fire during World War I, meets historical figures, and more. Learning real historical facts as you watch makes the show twice as exciting. This is a must-watch for adventureseeking history buffs!” Caleb, 14, Georgia Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

By Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Patricia Castelao (Harper) Ruby, a young elephant, has a secret: She hates her tusks. For the other elephants who live at a wildlife sanctuary, tusks are a big deal. They even hold a Tuskday ceremony when a little elephant’s tusks come in. But Ruby hides when it’s time to practice for the ceremony. Tusks are the reason her mom is no longer alive. Ruby was born in the African savanna, and poachers killed her mom so they could get her tusks and sell them. (Elephant tusks are made of ivory, a valuable material.) For the first time, Ruby tells her animal friends, Ivan and Bob, exactly what happened during her first few weeks of life. Talking about her past helps Ruby embrace her future. Will…

When the 12 members of The Week Junior’s Junior Council began meeting for the Spring 2023 session, they decided they wanted to use their voices to raise awareness about the importance of protecting animals and the environment. The children came up with specific ideas, conducted research on the topic, interviewed experts, and wrote their stories. We hope their work inspires you to take action! If you do, write to us about it at hello@theweekjunior.com.…

By Sam, 10, New Hampshire When an animal species is classified as endangered, it means it’s in danger of going extinct (no longer existing). Under the United States’ Endangered Species Act (ESA), endangered species have special protections to help increase their populations. Thanks to the ESA, numbers of grizzly bears have increased, and the bald eagle has been saved from disappearing. States also have their own endangered species lists. As a wildlife biologist with the New Hampshire fish and game department, Heidi Holman monitors wildlife populations to determine if any species are at risk of extinction. “I do a species status assessment, which is a very formal scientific document that looks at all the information about a species,” said Holman. She collects facts including what it eats and how its…

By Ryan, 10, New York Making smart changes at home can decrease the amount of trash we produce and help animals. A lot of human-made trash ends up in the environment, which can destroy the habitats of animals and harm them, said Lauren Boccardi of the Nature Conservancy. In the ocean, turtles, fish, and porpoises can get stuck in various plastics, and birds may end up unintentionally eating plastic. Here are three ways you and your family can take action to make a difference. Think before you buy. When shopping for clothes, try to buy only what you need—for example, to replace clothes you have outgrown. Before you buy anything, always ask yourself, “Do I need this? Could I borrow it or buy it used?” One idea is to go…

By Oliver, 11, California Many animals are threatened by habitat destruction, but laws can help protect their homes. A recent example is the passage of a federal regulation (government rule) that protects the Tongass National Forest in Alaska. The Tongass is the largest temperate rainforest in the world, spanning nearly 17 million acres. (A temperate rainforest is a forest where there is a lot of rain and moderate temperatures ranging between 32° F to 68° F.) Animals in the Tongass benefit from the law because it protects the ancient forest from having roads built through it and prevents the logging of trees. This law saves trees that are hundreds of years old and are home to many wild animals. Some of the animals in the Tongass that benefit from the…

By Zinn, 10, Georgia As an animal rights activist, I worry that many people don’t know where our meat comes from. There are about 9 billion animals being raised for food in the US each year, and many of them may not have good lives on factory farms. To reduce animal cruelty, I am a vegetarian, which means I eat only plant-based foods and dairy products. Even if you aren’t ready to stop eating meat, here are some other important steps you can take to protect animals. Read food labels carefully. Food packaging can be tricky to understand. For example, the word “natural” doesn’t tell consumers how animals were raised to create the product. Instead, look for “certified humane” and “animal welfare approved” on food packaging. These terms guarantee that…

The US will elect its next President in November 2024, but 10 people have already said they’re running for the office (p2). If you think 18 months seems like a very long time to campaign, you’re right. The US is different from many other countries in that regard. Mexico has a 60-day pre-campaign season followed by a 90-day campaign season, for example, while candidates in France campaign for about two weeks. Why does the US drag it out so long? One reason is that many nations have laws limiting the length of a campaign season, and the US doesn’t. There are pros and cons to the way we do things—on the positive side, voters have more time to get to know the candidates and what they stand for. On the…

“Here we are, reading The Week Junior with our dog.” James, 8, and Calvin, 6, Oregon “I saw one of Picasso’s paintings in a Boston museum. I could tell it was from the Blue Period, just like it said in The Week Junior!” Abby, 11, Virginia “I love to cook so much, and it is super awesome that The Week Junior has recipes. My family said, ‘Wow, I can’t believe you made those!’” Arielle, 10, California…

1 What word has been added to a Brazilian dictionary in honor of a soccer legend? a) Pelé b) Ronaldo c) Neymar a ◻ b ◻ c ◻ 2 True or false? In the new book The One and Only Ruby, Ruby is an elephant who hates her trunk. True ◻ False ◻ 3 Yasmeen Lari is which country’s first female architect? a) India b) Pakistan c) Afghanistan a ◻ b ◻ c ◻ 4 Raccoon dogs are the only member of the Canidae family known to do what? 5 True or false? One of Harry Belafonte’s recordings became the first album by a single artist to sell more than a million copies. True ◻ False ◻ 6 A university from which US state repeated its victory in the men’s…

On April 26, the word “Pelé” was added to a Brazilian dictionary to honor a legendary soccer player, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as Pelé. The adjective means to be the best in any area with “quality, value, or superiority that cannot be equaled to anything or anyone, just like Pelé.” Pelé, who died in December 2022 at age 82, was a hero in his native Brazil and helped make soccer popular globally. He was born in 1940 and spent his early years playing soccer barefoot with a ball made of rags. At age 16, he joined the Brazilian national team and became known for his grace, flair, and speed. He won three World Cup championships, the most of any player in soccer history. He was also the youngest player…

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden welcomed the president of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, and his wife, Kim Keon-hee, to an official state dinner at the White House on April 26. The event marked the 70th anniversary of the alliance between South Korea and the US. What is a state dinner? A state dinner is a formal event expressing goodwill—a way for a US President to honor a leader who is officially visiting from another country. At the event, the two leaders exchanged toasts in a show of diplomacy and to demonstrate the strength of their alliance. US Presidents have hosted more than 200 state dinners since the tradition began in 1874. This was the second one hosted by Biden. Who were some of the guests? About…

Many dog owners treat their dogs like family, from dressing them in adorable sweaters to dropping them off at doggie daycare. Around the world, people spend more than $5 billion on dog clothes every year, and in one poll, 76% of US dog owners said they let their pups sleep in bed with them. Many people even like to take their dogs out to dinner rather than leave them home alone. Thousands of restaurants in the US let dogs sit at outdoor tables. Pups can be perfect dining companions, curling up at their owner’s feet during the meal. But some diners feel pets take away from their dining experience. What do you think? Should dogs be allowed at restaurants? Yes—everything’s better with dogs It’s so fun to enjoy a nice…

Hot Australian summers can mean danger for gray-headed flying fox bats. Once the thermometer rises above 104º F, the animals are at risk of overheating and becoming dehydrated. In one city, officials are tackling the problem by installing custom sprinklers to keep the bats cool. In the city of Melbourne, summer temperatures have increased during the past 10 years, reaching as high as 114º F. Bats are nocturnal (most active at night), which helps them avoid the worst daytime heat. To keep cool, flying foxes usually pant and fan their wings. But in extreme temperatures, those methods don’t work. During a heat wave in 2019, more than 4,000 bats died. This year, officials installed 32 sprinklers in Yarra Bend Park, home to a colony of about 35,000 bats. The sprinklers…

“Why is it that some sea turtles don’t have beaks?”Puakai, 10, California Mike O’Neill Manager, Giant Ocean Tank, New England Aquarium Species have different beak and jaw styles based on the food they eat. Hawksbills have long, pointy beaks, and loggerheads have bulkier beaks. These might help them eat crabs and clams. Green turtles have serrated beaks, which are great for ripping algae and seagrass off the seafloor. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the New England Aquarium at neaq.org.…

Monkeys with opposable thumbs can be fooled by a basic magic trick, a new study found. Humans, like many primates, have opposable thumbs, which move freely and let us grip things. The study used a classic trick called the French drop, which involves a magician making an object “disappear.” The magician holds a coin in their right hand. They reach over with their left hand and seem to grab the coin. But when the magician opens the left hand, it isn’t there. The audience is fooled into thinking the magician made the coin disappear. In reality, the magician put the coin back in their right hand. The team performed this trick with a piece of food, not a coin, for three species of monkeys—capuchins, squirrel monkeys, and marmosets. Capuchins have…

On April 27, Kirsten Neuschäfer of South Africa won the Golden Globe Race, a solo, nonstop circumnavigation (around the world) sailing competition. She completed her journey in 233 days, 20 hours, 43 minutes, 47 seconds. She was the only female skipper in the race and is the only woman who has ever won it. The competition is based on the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race of 1968. The second time it was held was in 2018. A unique aspect of the race is that no electronic instruments or devices, including satellite-based navigation, computers, smartphones, and tablets, are allowed. Skippers navigate using the Sun, stars, and simple calculations. Neuschäfer and 15 other skippers each set sail from Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, on September 4, 2022. All the yachts were between 32 and…

Coach’s Name: Mike Sullivan Team: Mountain Racing Ski Team “Coach Mike has been a wonderful coach for four years. He always gives us pointers to improve how we race. He makes our ski racing drills fun and lets kids choose the drills. If you mess up, he pushes you in the right direction. He is kind and enthusiastic about what he does. He loves coaching our small ski team because he gets to connect with all his athletes.” Erin, 11, Wisconsin 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.…

Bessie Coleman Born in 1892, she was the first woman of African American and Native American descent to become a licensed pilot in the US. She was known for doing tricks in the air. Jeana Yeager In 1986, she and fellow pilot Dick Rutan were the first people to fly around the world without stopping or refueling. Yeager helped build their aircraft, Voyager. Their historic trip took nine days. Jessica Cox She was born without arms and uses her feet to do tasks—including fly a plane. In 2008, she became the first armless person to get a pilot’s license. She is the subject of a film called Right Footed.…

Harriet the Spy (Apple TV+) The animated series, adapted from Louise Fitzhugh’s books, follows 11-year-old aspiring writer Harriet M. Welsch, who lives in New York City in the 1960s. Season two’s new episodes will bring more trouble-filled adventures as Harriet searches for new stories to write about. The Great British Baking Show: Juniors (Netflix) This spin-off of the popular baking competition series The Great British Bake Off has 16 talented young bakers from across the UK. They will be put to the test as they try to wow expert judges by creating elaborate desserts. Star Wars Visions (Disney+) Volume two of this series delivers nine new short films that each tell a tale from the Star Wars franchise. The films, which are in the style of Japanese anime, were made…

Written in first person from the point of view of a young elephant, this emotional story lends itself to discussion with friends and family who have also read the book. Here are some questions to help get your book club conversation started. Should Ruby have to attend the tusk ceremony? Why or why not? What did you learn about Ruby from her body language? How is Ruby’s personality different from Ivan’s? What do you think was the story’s turning point? How have the hardships in Ruby’s life made her stronger? What do you think are the top challenges that elephants face? How did this book make you feel? Is this your favorite book in the series? Why or why not? JOIN THE WEEK JUNIOR’S BOOK CLUB Watch a special video…

By Saranya, 13, Virginia There are many animals in shelters waiting to be placed in loving homes. Here are three ways you can help. Consider fostering. Fostering is when an animal, such as a dog or cat, lives temporarily in a home while it waits to be adopted. Animals that are fostered can get more attention than they would in a shelter. Fostering can also help people figure out whether they are able to permanently take care of a pet, said Rena Lafaille, director of administration at the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City. “Helping an animal learn to love and be loved gives you the chance to change its life for the better,” she said. Adopt a pet. If your family is ready to care for a pet…

By Kyle, 10, California You may not realize it, but animals have emotions like we do. They just have different ways of expressing them. “The question isn’t whether they’re feeling them but what they’re feeling,” said Marc Bekoff, a biologist at the University of Colorado Boulder. Here is his advice. Look for signs. When dogs wag their tail, this could indicate that they are happy, excited, or anxious. When cats’ hair stands on end, it may mean they are feeling scared or stressed. When threatened or angry, dogs might bark and cats may hiss. But it may be harder for humans to understand how other pets, such as lizards and snakes, are feeling. You might notice, though, that a lizard that feels afraid retreats to a corner to hide. Bekoff…

By Andrew, 12, Virginia Bees pollinate about 75% of the fruits, nuts, and vegetables grown in the US. Despite this, bees are losing their habitat and are at risk of going extinct. The good news is you can help. By planting native plants, you can replace bees’ lost habitat. Here’s how to get started. Identify where you could grow native plants. You can plant a flower garden in the ground or in containers. For smaller spaces, you can use windowsill plant trays or planter pots designed for stoops, patios, or balconies. Another idea is to ask an adult to help you identify an appropriate place to tend a garden outside your home. Look for community garden plots near you. Finally, helping friends or grandparents plant and maintain their own gardens…

By Shrey, 10, Massachusetts When I had anxiety, my dog, Ollie, helped me overcome it with his constant affection. This experience led me to believe that having therapy dogs at school might benefit children dealing with daily stresses, anxieties, and grief. Therapy dogs are trained to provide comfort and support to people, and they often work in schools, hospitals, and retirement homes. They can be integrated in various ways. At some schools, therapy dogs live permanently with a staff member who brings the dog to work with them. These dogs can become permanent members of the school! Schools can also work with local organizations that bring in a therapy dog for certain classes or counseling sessions. Recently, I met with my school principal to propose a therapy dog program for…

Word ladder To change the word BIRD into the word NEST, use each clue to fill in a word that is only one letter different from the word before it. If you get stuck, try solving from the bottom up. STEPPING STONES Each figure hides a seven-letter item in a salad. To find each one, start anywhere and move in an unbroken path through letters that share a border (no jumping!), using each letter once. ANSWERS CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 29. DETOURS Draw one continuous path from START to END that goes through every single square without crossing itself. For squares with signs, you may only enter at the arrow’s base, and you may only make a turn in the direction of an arrow shown. (NEED A HINT? Check…

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Mitchell School: Gateway College Preparatory School “Ms. Mitchell is my math teacher. She makes the most complicated concepts easy to understand. She teaches math using fun activities and realistic scenarios. Recently, we did a unit on financial literacy. I enjoyed learning about how taxes work. Ms. Mitchell is friendly with her students and gives out rewards for hard work. You can tell she truly enjoys teaching.” William, 11, Texas 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.…

Give a gift of The Week Junior for a smart start on summer reading fun! Our Summer of Reading program includes book lists, author interviews, and an exclusive threebook reading challenge with a chance to win an amazing bundle of books! It’s a wonderful way to support a child’s literacy over the summer and to continue to develop a love of reading that will last a lifetime. Perfect for birthdays, graduation, or anytime you want to delight a child you love. To order, SCAN HERE: SUBSCRIBE BY JUNE 1 TO JOIN THE FUN. To order a 25 weekly issue subscription of The Week Junior and save 66%, visit theweekjunior.com/smartfun…

Politicians, civil rights leaders, and entertainers have paid tribute to Harry Belafonte, who died on April 25 at age 96. He was remembered as a trailblazing singer, actor, and activist. Belafonte was born in 1927 in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. His parents were West Indian immigrants. In 1944, he left high school to join the Navy during World War II (1939–1945). During his service, Black shipmates encouraged him to read books by African American authors and learn about Black history. After the Navy, he achieved success as an entertainer in jazz clubs. By the early 1950s, he had a record contract and a role in the Broadway play John Murray Anderson’s Almanac. He received positive reviews and won a Tony Award (top theater honor) for his work.…

Eitan Bernath, a TV chef and author, has been named a High Level Supporter to the United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP), the largest global organization working to eliminate hunger. At age 21, Bernath is the youngest person to be named to the position. In the role, he will educate the public about WFP’s work. While growing up, Bernath loved watching cooking shows and recreating dishes he saw. “I realized if I cook it, I can eat it,” he told The Week Junior. This passion led him, at age 11, to be one of the youngest contestants on the cooking competition series Chopped. Bernath now has an audience of more than 10 million followers on social media who enjoy watching him cook original dishes, which often have an international flavor.…

Life on the edge could be an advantage for animals. Sometimes, according to recent research, social outsiders are better at facing new situations and solving problems. When animals are presented with something new or different in the wild, their first instinct is often to flee out of fear. To see if hoofed animals would engage with an unfamiliar item, scientists studied 111 animals living at zoos in Spain and Germany, including impalas, gazelles, oryxes, camels, deer, sheep, giraffes, llamas, horses, and goats. The team chose species that live in groups and have complex diets, which may make them more adventurous. The scientists categorized how likely the animals were to try new things. They also analyzed the social ranking of each individual animal based on how it interacted with others. The…

Fish in the Netherlands A live webcam in the Dutch city of Utrecht is helping migrating fish pass through a dam. People can watch it at visdeurbel.nl and ring a virtual “fish doorbell” to alert the dam’s lock-keeper when they see fish waiting at the gate. Yellowstone bison More than 1,100 bison from Yellowstone National Park were killed in order to prevent them from infecting nearby cattle with a dangerous disease. Bison had left the park to escape severe winter weather and search for food.…

Astronauts could find drinking water inside tiny glass beads scattered across the surface of the Moon, according to new research. The findings were released as NASA (the US space agency) and other space agencies undertake missions to send humans back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. The glass beads were discovered by a team of scientists in China and the UK. The researchers were studying rock samples collected by China’s Chang’e-5 lunar rover (wheeled robot), which explored the surface of the Moon in 2020. Using a robotic arm, the rover scooped up 3.7 pounds of rock samples from the Moon’s surface and brought them back to Earth. The beads, known as spherules, are each less than 0.03 inches wide. They were formed millions of…

The new documentary 1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed is giving kids who identify as mixed race (being from two or more races) and their families a chance to open up about their life experiences. It was made by W. Kamau Bell, an award-winning comedian, producer, and director. It is now streaming on Max. Bell, who is Black, is married to a woman who is white and they have three daughters together. He told The Week Junior that the idea for the film came from their own desire to better understand their children and how they perceive the world, which is different from the way he and his wife each see it. Growing Up Mixed features 11 kids, ranging in age from 7 to 16. The participants include two of Bell’s…

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a new action-adventure sci-fi game. It is out now for the PlayStation 5, Xbox systems, and PC. It is rated Teen for mild language and violence. Survivor is a sequel to the popular game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, which was released in 2019. Both take place in the galaxy that is the setting for the Star Wars films and TV series. Fallen Order revolved around Padawan (Jedi knight apprentice) Cal Kestis. In the game’s story, the democratic Republic had fallen, and evil Darth Vader’s Galactic Empire was taking control of the galaxy. The new game picks up the story five year later. It is narrated by Cal’s mentor, Cere Junda. Cal is now a full Jedi, and he’s powerful, brave, and pretty good at…

In 2013, Katherine Applegate won the Newbery Medal for The One and Only Ivan, a novel about a gorilla who lived in a cage at a mall. It was turned into a book series. The Week Junior spoke to her about her new book in the series, The One and Only Ruby. How did you research elephants? I have many elephant-related books and also did online research. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee has an online “Elecam” where you can watch elephants rolling in the mud and doing playful things. I also highly recommend the videos from ElephantVoices. Where do you keep your Newbery Medal? I’m not sure where it is exactly—it’s stored away for safekeeping. I know an author who keeps his medal in the freezer! Do you have pets?…

By Viviana, 11, New Mexico At the state capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico, students recently spoke in support of Senate Bill 9, which would fund programs to protect New Mexico’s wildlife. It’s amazing when students ask questions and come to legislative hearings, said Sarah Cottrell Propst, the state’s cabinet secretary for energy, minerals, and natural resources department. Kids’ voices do make a difference in the eyes of lawmakers, she said. When I spoke to students at the capitol, they shared their advice on using your voice. Rally support. Check a local government’s website to see when a public hearing for a law that affects animals will take place. Ask an adult if you can attend. Or ask your school if it could plan a field trip to a local…

By Jai, 8, Connecticut You might think animals like snakes and sharks are scary, but they are important to our world. For instance, snakes eat rats, which can spread disease. These creatures play an important role in our ecosystem, said Charlotte Reemts, a scientist at the Nature Conservancy. Here are some surprising facts about how animals that seem frightening actually help the world. They control populations. Wolves are apex (top) predators that eat large herbivores like deer and elk. If herbivores became overpopulated, they would eat so many plants and trees that less oxygen would be available, which isn’t good for the environment. Wolves, which prey on these animals, help maintain a healthy balance of herbivores by lowering their numbers. They maintain ecosystems. Without sharks, the ocean’s ecosystem would fall…

By Nishka, 11, Virginia Contributing to a drive for pet supplies in your school or local area—or starting a drive—can be a great way to support your nearest animal shelter. “We have a lot of young people who contact us to volunteer,” said Gina Lynch of the Humane Society of Fairfax County, Virginia. She notes that while many children may be too young to volunteer in shelters, collecting food and supplies for the animals is something kids of all ages can do. “A lot of shelters can’t afford to buy new items,” she said. Here’s how you can start collecting items they need. Check with your local shelter to find out their needs. Remember to ask if they have restrictions on donations they accept. “We ask people to avoid donating…

By Madison, 11, Minnesota You can help animals just by taking pictures of them. Brian Skerry, a photojournalist and film producer for National Geographic, said that capturing animals in photos or on video can help people realize that they aren’t that different from us. Viewing these images could inspire you and others to help care for them. Here are Skerry’s ideas to help you get started. Photograph the animals you love. If you have pets, they make great animals to photograph. They’re always around, so you can capture them at different times of the day. You may also want to try to photograph them doing something fun, such as playing with a toy or running in the yard. Experiment with photo composition. Photo composition is when you decide how to…

Massive murals that fool the eye An artist is transforming abandoned buildings by painting 3D-style murals directly onto the outside walls. Pierrot, the self-taught French graffiti artist also known as SCAF, has created murals of animals, vehicles, people, and cartoon characters on old factories and inside empty swimming pools. His clever artwork is an illusion: It tricks the viewer’s eyes and brain into thinking the characters are coming out of the walls instead of being on a fl at surface. Human snowflakes in the sky The sky is no limit for a group of 101 California skydivers, all of whom are at least 60 years old. The group, known as Skydivers Over Sixty (or SOS), has broken a world record for creating the largest snowflake formation while in free fall.…

The Royal Meteorological Society’s Young Weather Photographer of the Year contest is being held in partnership with The Week Junior Science + Nature magazine in the UK. Kids under age 18 from around the world can submit photos they have taken that capture the wonders of the weather. The contest is free to enter, and the deadline for submissions is June 27, 2023. Find out more about the terms and conditions for applying at zealous.co/rmets. 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 full name, age, and state with your submission. By emailing your submission to us, you give The Week Junior consent…