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Thousands of people, including an entire city, were asked to leave their homes after Storm Boris caused flooding across several European countries. What happened? Storm Boris caused torrential (very heavy) rain and high winds. In parts of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, five times the average rainfall for the whole of September fell in just four days. Germany was also affected. Rivers flooded land and, in Poland, dams (structures used to hold back water) burst, releasing lots of water that flooded towns and cities. The Polish government declared a “state of natural disaster”, which gives authorities special powers to keep people safe. What was the effect? At least 23 people have died across Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and Romania. Thousands of people across several countries…

When free school meals weren’t available during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Sophie Balmer says she remembers thinking, “How is it fair that this has happened?” Balmer is from a low income, single-parent household, so she knows how losing these meals can affect a family. Now she’s using her own experiences to help others, including taking on a role at Magic Breakfast. Magic Breakfast is a charity that provides free breakfasts to more than 200,000 schoolchildren in England and Scotland every day. Balmer is a board adviser, working with trustees (the decision makers at charities). Although Magic Breakfast was not involved with her school, Balmer did used to go to a breakfast club. She says she knows from experience how important it is to start the day right and have the fuel…

A study has found that songbirds form connections when they are migrating, even if their travel companions are not the same species. Billions of birds migrate every year. Some make fairly short journeys but others fly thousands of miles across continents, deserts and oceans in order to find food, warmer weather and places to nest. A recent study in the US looked at the records of 50 types of songbird, which have been monitored for 23 years, to build a picture of what the birds were doing on their epic journeys and who they connected with along the way. The researchers studying the migrating birds caught them in nets and put tiny numbered leg bands on the birds so they could track the birds’ movements. Three types of songbird –…

Rose Ayling-Ellis Actor, presenter and winner of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, Rose Ayling-Ellis began learning BSL when she was 18 months old. She says sign language is an important part of who she is and wants more people to learn how to do it. Tasha Ghouri Deaf campaigner Tasha Ghouri says deaf people can sometimes feel left out of conversations. When hearing people learn even basic conversations in BSL it “really does go a long way,” she says. Troy Kotsur The US actor became the first ever deaf man to win an Oscar (an important film award) for his role as a deaf dad in the film Coda. He says learning sign language helps deaf children feel confident about communicating.…

Spending time with a clown doesn’t just make children laugh, it can shorten the time they spend in hospital, a study has found. The research followed 51 children and teenagers in Israel who were being treated in hospital for a lung infection called pneumonia. The patients were put into two groups. One group had normal medical care and the other had the same care plus regular visits from clowns who sang and played games with them. All the patients were also encouraged to eat and drink by themselves – something patients must be able to do before they are allowed to go home. The researchers found that the patients who spent time with clowns felt less stressed during their treatment and had a shorter stay in hospital. They only needed…

England women’s rugby union team England defeated New Zealand by an impressive score of 24-12. The teams will play each other again on 6 October. Arsenal Football Club In the Premier League, Arsenal enjoyed a 1-0 win over their London rivals Tottenham. Defender Gabriel scored the goal. US Solheim Cup team On 15 September, the US beat Europe to win the Solheim Cup, which is a women’s team golf competition. It was the US’s first Solheim Cup victory since 2017. Gloucestershire On cricket’s T20 Blast Finals Day, Gloucestershire beat Somerset by eight wickets to win the trophy.…

Please Right Back, created by a theatre company called 1927, begins a tour on 25 September. As is the case with other shows made by 1927, it features a mixture of live actors and animated characters. In the play, four actors play more than 20 parts. It’s about Kim, who lives with her animated brother, Davey, and their mum. Kim’s dad is apparently on an adventure, tracking down a stolen briefcase, and he sends letters telling her about the unbelievable things that happen to him. However, for Kim the truth is not as it seems. The tour begins at Oxford Playhouse.…

Tell us your favourite thing about writing this book. Experiencing a life so different from my own. I learned a lot about resilience from my characters. This is your first book – are you planning any others? Absolutely, I’m already working on my second children’s book, and my phone is full of ideas for stories, characters and themes. Describe Solo in three words. Sensitive, resilient, funny. How many books do you think you have read in your life? After much calculation and algebra, I can only assume at least 1,000, likely more. Growing up, I loved Danny the Champion of the World for its warmth, humour and touch of drama. Have you always wanted to be a writer? Yes, I used to make books out of stapled cardboard when I…

The new football season has started and there’s a new version of the most popular console football game to go with it. EA Sports FC 25 officially comes out on 27 September, although people who bought the Ultimate Edition were able to access it earlier. One of the biggest new features is called 5v5 Rush, a game mode that sees you playing five-a-side football with other people online. It will also work with other modes in the game. You’ll be able to play Rush games with your friends in the Clubs mode; with your youth team in the Manager Career mode; and with your dream squad in the Ultimate Team mode. The game’s developer, EA, has also made the tactical side of the game smarter this year. There are new…

For the first time, a cat has completed the National Three Peaks Challenge – a hike up each of the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales. People travel by road to the base of each mountain and often try to complete the challenge in 24 hours. A seven-year-old Persian cat called Louis took part in the climbs with his owners, Jess Peters and Dan Taylor, who kept him on a lead. They started taking Louis on walks when he was a kitten. “He just loves being outside,” they said. Together, they all completed the challenge in 29 hours.…

Email your news, views and pictures to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk Please include your full name and address so that we can send you a Roving Reporter badge if your contribution makes it onto the page. We will only use the details you provide to arrange delivery of badges, and we will not share them with anyone else. By submitting your reports and pictures, you give consent to The Week Junior to print them in magazine and digital editions, and mention on our podcast. We reserve the right to edit contributions for length, accuracy and suitability. Ensure you have your parent/guardian’s permission before sending anything to us.…

There are different factors that have contributed to Storm Boris being so severe. These include moisture rising from unusually warm water in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Scientists also say that climate change is making severe weather events more likely. They say the leading cause of climate change is human activity – for example, some cars release carbon dioxide, which traps heat in the atmosphere and warms the Earth. Action is being taken, and lots of countries have set environmental targets in order to help the planet.…

CONQUERING FEAR FOR CHARITY On 15 September, Lucy Sladen from Kent raised more than £600 for the charity South East Dog Rescue by doing a wing walk (being harnessed to the wings of a plane). Sladen is afraid of heights but flew more than 200 metres high at speeds of 110 miles per hour. A SMELLY PENGUIN On 16 September, New Zealand’s bird of the year award went to the hoiho penguin, known for its fishy smell. Hoiho means “noise shouter” in the language of the Maori – the original inhabitants of New Zealand. The competition raises awareness of rare birds, and there are fewer than 5,000 hoihos left in the wild. UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY This year’s Ocean Photographer of the Year prize has been awarded to Rafael Fernández Caballero from…

A picture created in memory of the poet Benjamin Zephaniah has won a top art prize for young people. The portrait, by 12-year-old Izaan, came first in the People’s Choice Award at the Young Artists’ Summer Show, which was held at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. The winner of the People’s Choice Award is voted for by members of the public. Izaan said, “I am inspired by (Zephaniah’s) poem The British, as there is a lot of diversity in Britain and everybody should be respected.”…

Scientists don’t know why birds migrate when they do – some species fly off at the same time each year while other birds’ journeys seem to depend on the weather. Birds prepare for migration by eating more food to build up their strength, and some grow new feathers for the journey ahead. Birds use different techniques to guide them along their migration routes, including landmarks like coastlines, mountains and rivers. They also navigate using the Sun, stars or their sense of smell.…

Scientists have found that bluestreak cleaner wrasse look at their reflection before a fight to check their size and decide if they can win a contest with another fish. This means they recognise their own reflections. ● LIFESPAN: Four to six years.● HABITAT: Rocky areas in coral reefs, or in tide pools in the Pacific and Indian oceans and the Red Sea.● SIZE: Up to 10 centimetres long.● DIET: Dead skin, parasites and mucus of other fish.● FUN FACT: They set up “cleaning stations” which larger fish and sea turtles visit, a bit like a salon in the sea.…

More than a third of humans have a tiny bone in their knee called the lateral fabella. This bone is the size of a sesame seed; in fact, the word fabella is Latin for “little bean”. Its purpose has puzzled scientists for a long time. Now, researchers from King’s College London think it might have developed in order to help humans walk on two legs. Researchers studied the knees of 93 types of primate. Primates are a group of mammals including lemurs, monkeys and humans. The team found that most primates have a lateral fabella, along with another small bone called the medial fabella. Unusually, humans only have a lateral fabella. This particular arrangement of bones in early humans could have affected their evolution. Dr Michael Berthaume, who worked on…

Is getting out of bed in the mornings a struggle? If you’re back at school after the holidays then a good night’s sleep can help you feel recharged and ready for the day ahead. What is a good night’s sleep? Everyone needs sleep. The number of hours is different for everybody but experts say, as a guide, younger children need 10 or 11 hours of sleep a night and teenagers around nine hours. A good night’s sleep isn’t just about how long you spend in bed – although that is important. It also means getting good-quality sleep so that you have plenty of brain power and energy for the rest of the day. Why is sleep good for you? Sleep helps the body heal and grow and can even protect…

The Incredible Pop-Up Bug by Ben Hoare. Illustrated by Jasmine Floyd (Templar Publishing) Discover a wonderful treasure trove of bugs and invertebrates in this amazing book that’s packed with lots of incredible paper engineering and colourful artwork. Take a look at lots of fascinating creatures, from beetles and butterflies to silk-weaving spiders. Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery by Laura Ellen Anderson (Farshore) The first book in this sweet new series from Amelia Fang author Laura Ellen Anderson follows young moth Marnie Midnight, who is excited to be starting at a new school, Minibeast Academy. There, she sets out to learn all about the Moon – and discover the mysterious hidden secrets of Moon magic. The Bee Connection by Ben Newman (Flying Eye) Join bee detective Mason on the hunt…

Name: Rosalie There’s a Beast in the Basement! Pamela Butchart “Hilarious, mysterious and interesting. I love this book because the main characters always get their theory very wrong!” YOUR TURN Please email your book review to us at hello@theweekjunior.co.uk. If it is printed in the magazine you will receive a Roving Reporter badge. Please describe your chosen book in three words, tell us what you liked about it and why you would 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…

Autumn is a great time to get your home cosy but did you know that bugs like to snuggle up when it gets cold too? In fact, insects and other minibeasts seek out shelter all year round, to avoid bad weather, hide from predators or raise their young. Help your local minibeasts by building a bug hotel in your garden or any outside area. In autumn, nature provides all the things you need to make brilliant bug blankets, from dead leaves to pine cones. Beetles, centipedes and woodlice love decaying wood; solitary bees lay their eggs in hollow stems; and ladybirds like hiding in dry leaves. Take a bag with you on a walk and see if you can collect some good materials (but wash your hands carefully afterwards). Then…

Our cover this week celebrates International Day of Sign Languages. Did you work out the finger-spelled words in the box? I was amazed to read (page 12) that sign language might actually be older than spoken language and that it could date back many thousands of years. Are you getting ready for autumn? We’ve got a great activity on page 25 showing you how to build your own bug hotel from sticks, pine cones and twigs you can pick up on a walk. Following the theme, on page 22, we’ve got five brilliant books about beetles and creepy-crawlies. I love autumn because it’s apple season. In fact, you might notice something slightly different about my editor’s photo this week. There’s an apple tree in my garden that grows absolutely enormous…

The Solstice Writing Prize is open to young people aged seven to 25. It invites you to take a closer look at the natural world, explore your relationship with it and think about the challenges nature is facing. You can enter by writing a short story, poem, or blog about any aspect of nature. Prizes are on offer for first-place winners, highly commended entries and regional winners in four age categories. Visit tinyurl.com/TWJ-solstice with an adult to get started. You can also read last year’s winning and shortlisted pieces, and watch a video from award-winning author and judge Gill Lewis with writing tips. The deadline for entering is 31 October.…

Teacher’s name: Miss Toddington School: Kings Heath Primary School, Kings Heath, Birmingham “Miss Toddington makes learning fun and TOTALLY AWESOME. If you don’t understand something you can ask and she will help you understand it. She never tells people to go to reflection unless you did something really bad. If you have Miss Toddington you will be happy to have her.” Zoe, Amanda, Scarlet, Ailbhe and Harriet 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…

Last week we asked you if AI teachers are a good idea. You said… “It’s a more creative way of teaching. AI could focus on a child whilst other children continue learning.” “No, AI wouldn’t organise trips and when a student is sad AI can’t help with emotions.” “Teachers are special. It’s just fine for AI teachers to fill in the gaps.” “AI teachers know much more than just one teacher.” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here.…

1 Which artist won seven awards at the 2024 MTV VMAs? ⬜ a) Taylor Swift ⬜ b) Chappell Roan ⬜ c) Sabrina Carpenter 2 True or false? A 12-year-old has won a top art prize for his painting of the poet Benjamin Zephaniah. ⬜ True ⬜ False 3 In which country have pushchairs for dogs outsold pushchairs for children? 4 What proportion of children in the UK own a phone by the age of 11? ⬜ a) Five in 10 ⬜ b) Eight in 10 ⬜ c) Nine in 10 5 True or false? According to the charity Magic Breakfast, a quarter of secondary school children don’t have breakfast every day. ⬜ True ⬜ False 6 In 2023, what percentage of UK households owned a cat? 7 In the 1970s,…

Texting while walking is so common that there’s even a name for it: “twalking”. That may sound silly, but health experts say distracted walking can pose a serious risk. Pedestrians who aren’t paying attention can easily bump into another person, trip, or step into the road without looking. A study in 2019 found that 75% of British people admitted to using their phone while they were walking, and a study in Australia found that people are more likely to have accidents while texting and walking. People who support making it illegal say texting while driving is banned in many countries, including the UK, so texting and walking should be outlawed as well. Others say a ban is a step too far. What do you think? Should it be illegal to…

September is a great time to spot water voles. This is partly because the plants around river banks start to die back, but also because young water voles have grown big enough to leave burrows and find their own food. Water voles are found in most parts of England, Scotland and Wales but they are endangered. They live around lakes, marshes, ponds, riverbanks and streams. Look for holes close to the waterline about the size of a tennis ball. Water voles leave piles of chewed plants and tiny, star-shaped paw prints in the mud. Although often confused with rats, water voles have a shorter, more rounded face and small ears. They are up to 22 centimetres long, with chestnut-brown fur and a furry tail.…

International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated every year on 23 September. It’s an opportunity to learn more about sign languages around the world, and remind governments, businesses and people how important they are. What is sign language? Sign language uses facial expressions, hand movements and body language as a way to communicate, instead of speaking or writing. Just like with spoken languages, there is no one universal sign language. Different countries have their own. There are around 300 sign languages in the world and the most common in the UK is British Sign Language (BSL). Like spoken languages, sign languages grow and change over time, often adding new words and phrases. They have different sentence structures to spoken language but still use grammar, including verbs and nouns. Signs can…

On 26 September, the play Run, Rebel will begin a UK tour visiting six cities and towns, starting at Theatre Peckham in London. It’s the stage version of an award-winning book of the same name. Run, Rebel tells the story of teenager Amber, whose life has contrasting parts. Problems at home make it quite a scary place. Her school life, on the other hand, is fun and full of friendships, teenage crushes – and the thing that helps her deal with the issues at home: running. Manjeet Mann, who wrote the original book and the script for the play, tells The Week Junior, “It’s about Amber juggling those two sides of herself, and finding the strength to overcome those struggles and become the person that she’s always wanted to be.”…

In the UK, more than four million children are considered to be in poverty, which means they might not have enough food, clothing or proper shelter. This is the story of one of them – 10-year-old Solo, who just wants to be normal. He wishes he had a proper school uniform that fits him, and plenty of food to eat at home. He wishes his mum didn’t get the “Big Bad Reds”, that she had never lost her job, and especially that she wasn’t always taking him to the memorial services of people he’s never met just to get some free food. The first book from James Fox is a warm, funny and kind-hearted contemporary story that follows a family trying to cope with difficult challenges. It reminds us of…

Mel Taylor-Bessent has had a passion for reading and writing stories since she was a child. After doing a creative writing degree at university, she set up Little Star Writing – after-school creative writing clubs, which she ran for many years. She went on to interview hundreds of authors for her website, called Authorfy, before becoming a children’s author herself. Her latest book, Race to Imagination Island, is the first instalment in an exciting adventure series exploring the unlimited power of our imaginations. Taylor-Bessent says writing for fun is vital for fuelling children’s creativity and dreams. “Every scientist, every inventor, every explorer, anyone who’s tried anything new, they would have had to imagine it first,” Taylor-Bessent tells The Week Junior. She enjoyed creating her own stories from a very young…

Based in Llanfyllin, Wales, Arts Connection – Cyswllt Celf brings arts projects to life in local communities. The team put on workshops, films, exhibitions and talks, and provide a wide range of activities from crafts to digital arts. The charity’s goal is to make the arts accessible and exciting for everyone, from schools to youth groups, and those people in their community who might need a little extra support. With an adult, visit the website artsconnection.org.uk for more information.…