Table of contents for Issue 266 in The Week Junior US

On May 8, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was chosen as the pope, the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion followers. Popes traditionally choose a new name when they are elected, and he will be known as Pope Leo XIV. He is the first pope in the 2,000-year history of the church to be born in the US and the first from the religion’s Augustinian order, which prioritizes bringing people together and caring for those in need. Leo, age 69, replaces Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at age 88. Who is the new pope? Leo, the 267th pope, was born in 1955 in Chicago, Illinois. His father was an educator, his mother was a librarian, and he has two older brothers. His ancestors were Creole…

Bill Gates said he will donate the rest of his fortune, about $107 billion, to the Gates Foundation, which he founded with his former wife, Melinda French Gates, in 2000. The pledge is among the largest philanthropic donations ever given and will allow the foundation to spend more than $200 billion over the next 20 years to improve healthcare, reduce poverty, and expand education access worldwide. The foundation will close in 2045, earlier than planned.…

What you need to know • Across the US, more than 95,000 schools serve school lunch to 29.6 million students a day. • Since 2012, US schools have been required to offer vegetables, beans, peas, and lentils with lunch. • A 2023 survey of teens found that 64% said school meals tasted good, but about 20% were unlikely to eat them because of poor quality. • In 2024, more than 173 million Americans used food delivery apps, like DoorDash and Uber Eats. School lunches have come a long way in recent years, with the addition of plenty of fruits, vegetables, and vegetarian options. Not every student enjoys them, though, and some are going to great lengths to have a better midday meal. While many kids bring lunch from home, others…

Scientists in the South Atlantic Ocean have caught something never before seen on film: a colossal squid. These elusive sea creatures are one of the world’s largest invertebrates (animals without a backbone). They typically live at extreme depths in Antarctic waters, making it hard for scientists to see them in their natural habitat. Colossal squids were first discovered in 1925 after one was eaten by a sperm whale, but only eight sightings have been reported in 100 years. Researchers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute, who were searching for marine life, used a remote-operated vehicle with a camera to film the squid about 2,000 feet below the surface. Most colossal squids are thought to live at even greater depths. Colossal squids can grow up to 23 feet long and weigh as…

Cody Hickman Avian care expert, Brookfield Zoo Chicago If flamingos don’t eat foods like shrimp, algae, or brine flies, their feathers will be pale gray or white. The pink color comes from pigments like canthaxanthin that are found in these foods. Flamingos have a specialized beak designed for this diet. Without it, they can’t thrive. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about Brookfield Zoo Chicago at brookfieldzoo.org.…

A smart spice dispenser called Spicerr lets home cooks select a recipe, then mixes up and dispenses a precise seasoning blend to flavor it. The device also uses AI to learn a user’s taste preferences and personalizes flavor mixes for them. Spicerr holds six airtight capsules of herbs or spices. They come pre-filled with high-end seasonings or empty for the user to fill with their own ingredients. The capsules are easily swapped out, making mealtime options endless. Spicerr is set to be available later this year.…

Many of the world’s fastest runners gathered in Guangzhou, China, for the 2025 World Athletics Relays on May 10 and 11. It was an important competition because the top 14 teams in each event qualified for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September. The events at the meet were the men’s and women’s 4x100-meter and 4x400-meter relays, a mixed 4x400, and the debut of a mixed 4x100. The mixed events have teams of two men and two women. The new race will not be featured at worlds, but it will be at the 2028 Olympics. Speed is key in relays, and teammates also must pass a baton as they run. In a heat of the mixed 4x100, the US team had a poor handoff and failed to make…

Since 2002, Disney’s animated film Lilo & Stitch has charmed audiences with the tale of an unlikely friendship between a young girl and a spirited space alien. Now there is a new live-action version of the movie that tells the same story but with human actors and a computer-generated Stitch. It arrives in theaters on May 23. As fans of the first film know, Stitch is a destructive monster created by an evil scientist. After he steals a space vehicle, he crash-lands in Hawaii. Lilo, a lonely orphan being raised by her sister, Nani, mistakes the creature for a dog and adopts him. As she teaches him about ’ohana (the Hawaiian word for family), the galaxy police arrive in the area and are set on capturing the monster at any…

The Penguins of Madagascar (Available to rent or buy on all major platforms) “This is my favorite show. It’s based on characters from the Madagascar films and is about four military commando spy penguins on a mission to fight crime. Skipper is the leader, Kowalski is the brains, Rico is the muscles, and Private is the naive and optimistic rookie. Their lives are filled with wacky adventures and hilarious events. Every episode is like a delightful dose of medicine to cheer me up! Whether you’re a kid or not, this show is perfect for the whole family to watch together!” Katie, 11, Texas Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

By Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Karen De La Vega (Clarion Books) This best-selling book from 2007 has been turned into an exciting graphic novel. When the new school year begins, Jessie is going to skip third grade and will be in the same grade as her brother, Evan. This news shifts their sibling rivalry into high gear over the summer. Evan, who struggles with math and spelling, decides he wants to beat his sister at something. They make a bet to see who can earn the most money selling lemonade during the last five days of summer break. They agree that“winner takes all,” so the sibling who loses must give up all their earnings. Jessie and Evan each set up lemonade stands in town, using different business strategies. For instance,…

Doodles from the Boogie Down By Stephanie Rodriguez (Kokila) In this graphic novel partially based on the author’s life, Steph, who lives in the Bronx, wants to attend an arts school in another part of the city. Her mother doesn’t approve, so Steph hatches a plan but doesn’t think through the consequences. Ages 9–12 Liar & Spy By Rebecca Stead (Yearling) Georges, a seventh grader, moves to an apartment building in Brooklyn and quickly becomes friends with a 12-year-old named Safer, who claims to be a spy. They team up to investigate a mysterious tenant in the building. But then the adventure takes an unexpected twist for Georges. Can he trust Safer? Ages 10 and up Under the Egg By Laura Marx Fitzgerald (Rocky Pond Books) When a girl spills…

Ingredients • 6 mini bell peppers• ¼ cup pizza sauce• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese• 2 ounces pepperoni, chopped• Optional toppings: olives, fresh basil, corn, chopped jalapeños or tomatoes, marinated artichokes, ricotta cheese, pre-cooked chopped or shredded chicken Instructions 1. Heat the oven to 400° F. Rinse the mini bell peppers, then halve each lengthwise. Scoop out the peppers’ membranes (the white part inside) and seeds and discard. 2. Arrange the peppers with the cut side facing up on a baking sheet. If a pepper leans too much to one side, you can help keep it propped upright with the support of a small ball of aluminum foil. 3. Spoon 1 teaspoon pizza sauce into each pepper. Top with a sprinkling of cheese and pepperoni. You can also use other…

Word search Can you find all these things with holes in them? They are hidden horizontally, vertically, or diagonally and can be forward or backward. When you’re done, read the remaining letters to get a bonus message. BAGEL BEADS BELT BUTTON DONUT FLAT TIRE FLUTE GOLF COURSE GRATER GUITAR HALO JEANS KEY LACE LOOSELEAF PAPER MASK NEEDLE OLD SHOE OUTLET RING SALT SHAKER SIEVE SPONGE SWISS CHEESE ZERO FILL IN THE BLANKS Fill in the blanks in each sentence with two words so the second word is the same as the first word with a letter inserted into the exact middle, like REAL and REGAL. (NEED A HINT? Check the bottom of the page.) 1. I couldn’t microwave the leftovers from my———— because the aluminum takeout tin is made out…

This week I was interested to read about the first-ever Global Flourishing Study (p3). The goal of the research was to assess people’s well-being in six areas, including happiness, health, social relationships, and financial stability. Getting the answers was a huge undertaking. Researchers from around the world enrolled more than 200,000 participants in 22 countries, representing a wide variety of backgrounds, languages, incomes, and living conditions. Analysis of the data will continue for years to come, but what is known so far is noteworthy. It turns out that something we often hear—that money doesn’t guarantee happiness—is true. I hope you enjoy reading about the study and that it might even lead to discussions among your friends and family. Here’s a conversation starter: What do you think you need to flourish…

The Standard Chartered Young Weather Photographer of the Year contest is being held by The Royal Meteorological Society in partnership with The Week Junior Science+Nature magazine in the UK. Anyone under age 18 from around the world can submit photos they have taken that capture the wonders of the weather or any signs of climate change. The contest is free to enter, and the deadline for submissions is June 19. You can find out more about the terms and conditions for applying at tinyurl.com/TWJUS-SN-Mets. 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 first name, age, and state with your submission. By emailing your…

After two rounds of voting on May 6, Friedrich Merz became Germany’s new chancellor (a top leader). Merz was expected to easily win a vote in Parliament (similar to Congress) but, in a surprise outcome, fell six votes short of a majority in the first round of voting. He gained a majority in a second round by nine votes. It was the first time since 1949 that a candidate lost the initial vote but still won. In Germany, citizens vote for political parties, not candidates. Members of the party that wins the most seats in Parliament then elect a chancellor. In Merz’s case, he is the head of the Christian Democrats party (CDU/CSU), which has formed a coalition with the Social Democrats party. Merz, a former corporate lawyer, faces challenges…

The winners of the 2025 Pulitzer Prizes, the nation’s top awards for journalism, were announced on May 5. The prizes, given this year for the 109th time, also honor excellence in the arts, including books, drama, and music. What are the Pulitzer Prizes? There are 23 Pulitzers given out each year, 15 in journalism and eight in the arts. The prizes were established by Joseph Pulitzer (1847–1911), one of the most influential journalists of his time. He was the publisher of The New York World and St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and when he died he left money to establish the prizes to provide an incentive for excellence in journalism. Today, the prizes are administered by Columbia University. Winners are chosen by experts in the field and receive $15,000 each. The Public…

As a paleoartist, Gary Staab has spent his career bringing extinct creatures to life. His realistic creations of dinosaurs, sharks, and mummies are displayed in more than 50 museums around the world. For a recent project, he designed thedinosaur replicas at the Edelman Fossil Park and Museum of Rowan University in New Jersey, which opened in March. As Staab told The Week Junior, “I try to put the flesh back on the bones of extinct animals.” Growing up in Nebraska, Staab was drawn to art and nature, exploring the wide-open landscapes around him and developing a fascination with animal biology and anatomy. After earning a dual degree in art and science at Hastings College, he interned at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and the Natural History Museum in London,…

A few months after wildfires swept through Los Angeles, California, plants and animals have begun returning to parts of the city that had suffered great damage. One group of scientists and volunteers is monitoring this triumphant recovery in the Altadena foothills. The Chaney Trail Corridor Project was founded by Kristen Ochoa, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and focuses on a wilderness area near Eaton Canyon. Ochoa and other project members had installed cameras to monitor wildlife before the Eaton Fire reached the area in January, destroying plants and causing animals to flee. After the fire died out, Ochoa’s team set up new cameras to replace equipment that had been destroyed. These cameras have helped them document wildlife as it returns to the area. Coyotes were…

Sea turtles A new study found that endangered sea turtles are recovering worldwide after many years of conservation efforts. In most of the areas experts studied, threats facing the reptiles are declining and turtle populations are rising. Earth’s lakes Research shows that oxygen levels are dropping sharply in the world’s lakes. A study found that oxygen levels had declined in 83% of lakes, and scientists say most of this loss is caused by climate change. Low oxygen levels can kill wildlife.…

The Scripps National Spelling Bee, the nation’s most prestigious spelling competition, turns 100 years old this year. History of the bee In 1925, the Louisville Courier-Journal, a Kentucky newspaper and the host of a successful state spelling bee, invited other newspapers to join them in hosting a national spelling bee. Nine US newspapers sponsored the event. More than 2 million schoolchildren participated in local bees until the field narrowed to nine contestants—one for each newspaper—who competed in Washington, DC. In 1941, the Scripps newspaper company took over sponsorship of the bee. It aired on national TV for the first time in 1946, and winners in the 1950s appeared on a popular variety program, The Ed Sullivan Show. The Merriam-Webster dictionary became the official referee of spelling words in 1958. Advancing…

A team of scientists has discovered an extinct species of wasp that was preserved in amber for 99 million years. Amber is a liquid made by a tree that has hardened over a long time. Sixteen wasps were found in Myanmar, in Southeast Asia. But these were no ordinary wasps. The team was surprised to discover that the insects had a structure on their bodies that looked like a Venus flytrap. These are plants with leaves that snap shut, trapping insects inside, which the plants slowly consume and use as food. However, the team thinks these wasps had a different use for their traps. Instead of consuming their prey, they may have kept another insect trapped, then laid an egg in it or on it. When a baby wasp hatched,…

The 2025 MLB (Major League Baseball) regular season is in full swing. While several teams are off to impressive starts, others have already made big changes in hopes of finding success. Many of the teams with the best records so far are in the National League (NL). On May 7, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 2024 World Series Champions, became the first team this season to reach 25 wins. The New York Mets and San Diego Padres have also been racking up wins. In the American League (AL), the best team as of May 13 was the Detroit Tigers. Two of their players, Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson, have combined to hit 19 home runs over the team’s first 41 games. The Seattle Mariners are another AL team that has…

Instructor’s Name: Julie Knowles Activity: Ballet “Every student at Collierville Arts Academy is so lucky to have Mrs. Julie as their teacher. She is super kind and always helps you if you are struggling. She also gives us out-of-class dance opportunities. She has helped me become a better dancer over the five years I’ve been with her. I always look forward to class. She is the most outstanding ballet teacher ever! Everyone appreciates her so much! We all love you, Mrs. Julie!” Clara, 11, Tennessee 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.…

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial This 1982 sci-fi classic is about a boy, Elliott, who befriends a stranded alien. They form a strong bond as Elliott and his friends try to protect the alien from scientists and help him get home. The Iron Giant In this 1999 animated film, a massive alien robot lands in a small town and meets a boy named Hogarth, who teaches him about humanity. The Iron Giant then has to help stop a missile from destroying the town. Invader Zim Eccentric alien Zim was at the center of this animated series that made its premiere in 2001. On a mission to conquer Earth, he disguises himself as a human child, but his plans are constantly foiled by a boy.…

Secrets of the Zoo Down Under (Disney+) (National Geographic) This series offers a behind-the-scenes look at zoos around the world. The latest season visits Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, home to more than 5,000 creatures. Follow its team of vets and keepers as they treat a lioness’s toothache, a sick baby platypus, and study koala populations. Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds (Netflix) One of the world’s oldest formal flying aerobatic teams is the Thunderbirds of the US Air Force. In this first-ever look inside its operations, you’ll see the team perform high-speed maneuvers in F-16 fighter jets and learn about the intense training that goes into being part of the elite squadron. Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld (Disney+) There is a new installment in the animated Star Wars anthology series…

The Wishing Spell By Chris Colfer “This book is part of The Land of Stories series, which features twins named Alex and Conner. They are transported into a book of fairy tales where they experience magic and wonder. They have cool adventures that involve classic characters, such as Snow White and Goldilocks. But getting home turns out to be harder than they thought it would be.” Allaina, 9, Virginia Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Herbs are plants that have leaves, seeds, or flowers and can be used for many purposes. Some, such as lavender, are used in products to help people sleep more soundly. Others, like aloe vera, can help heal cuts and burns. Many herbs are also used in cooking. These plants are easy to grow, can thrive inside or outside, and can be grown in a container or garden. Here is how to plant your own herb garden. Make your choices Decide which herbs to grow. If you and your family like to cook with certain herbs, you may want to start with those. You can buy seeds or seedlings (young plants) at a local nursery (a store that sells plants), or you can order them online. Get started If you’re using…

Laughing with others is a way to connect and to relieve stress. One way to get a laugh is to share a joke. You can find inspiration at the library—ask a librarian to direct you to joke books for kids—or ask a parent to help you search jokes for kids online. You can memorize jokes you find or use them to help inspire your own. Think about who you will be telling the joke to and what they might find humorous. For example, a joke about Minecraft might be funnier to a friend than to a grandparent. Regardless of whom you’re addressing, jokes should not be unkind or hurt feelings. Practice telling your joke in a mirror or with a friend. Once you are ready, try it out on your…

When opposite sizes attract It was a match made in world record heaven when the tallest and shortest dogs met for a playdate. More than 3 feet tall at the shoulders, Reginald, a Great Dane, towers over Pearl, a chihuahua who stands 3.5 inches high. But“they have more similarities than differences,” Reginald’s owner said. When the pair met, they wagged their tails in excitement. Reginald swooped down to meet Pearl at eye level, and then the pups ran around together. “It was a really fun and exciting day,” said Pearl’s owner. Try a scoop of snail ice cream As a special treat for passengers heading to Paris, France, the UK-based airline EasyJet is serving snail and garlic ice cream at London Southend Airport. The“jet-lato” is inspired by escargot, the classic…

“I enjoy papercrafting. It is when you make realistic models of things using paper-folding techniques. I have also always loved airplanes, and I dream of becoming a pilot. Even though my favorite thing to papercraft is planes, I have created a wide variety of vehicles like tanks, cars, and trucks using this method. I am in the process of creating a website so I can sell my models and use some of the money I earn to give back to the community. One of my goals is to start a club for papercrafting at my middle school to inspire other kids around me. I’m pictured here with one of my favorite model planes, a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 777-200 ER (Extended Range).” Have you done something interesting or raised money for a…

“I love reading The Week Junior with the horses at the barn.”Tali, 9, Washington, DC “My family and I made the raspberry Italian cream soda recipe and loved it.”Thatcher, 10, Indiana “I love The Week Junior and do a happy dance when it arrives! I was excited to see Sybil Ludington mentioned because I just read a book about her.” Vivienne, 8, Illinois…

Teacher’s Name: Mr. Boyer School: Murray Middle School “We recently had something really sad happen at our school. The health teacher, Mr. Boyer, passed away from cancer. I want to nominate him for Teacher of the Week because he really connected with his students and made learning enjoyable and fun. I think it would bring lots of kids at my school some light during this time.”Siri, 12, Minnesota 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 On which Hawaiian island was the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake filmed? a) Kauai b) Molokai c) Oahu a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 2 True or false? Scientists recently caught a colossal squid on camera for the first time. True ☐ False ☐ 3 The first museum dedicated to what kind of food recently opened in Kansas City, Missouri? 4 What Major League Baseball team does Pope Leo XIV root for? a) Boston Red Sox b) Chicago Cubs c) Chicago White Sox a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 5 What kind of extinct insect did scientists find in amber and describe as “peculiar-looking” and a “weirdo”? 6 Which athlete was a part of the US Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2025? a) Gabby Douglas b) Jesse Owens c)…

DOUBLE THE JOY A set of pied tamarin twins were born at the Philadelphia Zoo in Pennsylvania. The species is critically endangered in the wild, and the zoo is “overjoyed to have…beautiful babies for guests to fall in love with,” said a spokesperson. HONORING A FIRST LADY A postage stamp featuring former First Lady Barbara Bush (right) was unveiled at the White House. Bush, who died in 2018, was the wife of former President George H.W. Bush and the mother of President George W. Bush. She was an advocate for literacy and for people with medical conditions known as HIV and AIDS. GREAT GAMES The World Video Game Hall of Fame announced four honorees for 2025: arcade game Defender, released in 1981; Tamagotchi, the digital pets that came out in 1996;…

May 18, 1953 First female pilot breaks sound barrier On May 18, 1953, Jacqueline Cochran (1906–1980) became the first woman to break the sound barrier by flying her plane faster than the speed of sound at high altitude. Cochran helped train female pilots during World War II (1939–1945). In 1964, she beat her own record, flying at twice the speed of sound. When she died in 1980, she held the most aviation records of any person, male or female.…

The Outer Banks in North Carolina is made up of more than 100 miles of shoreline on the Atlantic Coast. Wild boars, marsh rabbits, warblers, hawks, and wrens live there, along with wild horses known as “banker ponies” that roam free on the beach. In Jockey’s Ridge State Park, visitors can find the tallest natural sand dunes on the East Coast. They reach up to 100 feet high. The Outer Banks is also close to the Currituck Sound and the Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve. The reserve is made up of nearly 1,900 acres of protected forests, swamps, and marshes.…

The face of a royal woman who lived in Greece in the 1500s BCE or 1600s BCE, during the Bronze Age, has been re-created using digital technology. The woman’s remains were first discovered in the 1950s at Mycenae, an ancient city that had a fortress at its center and is now an important historical site. In Greek mythology, Mycenae was ruled by King Agamemnon, who led his soldiers in a legendary battle called the Trojan War. In the 1980s, experts made a clay model of what they thought she might have looked like, based on her skull. For the most recent reconstruction, a digital artist named Juanjo Ortega G used the clay model as a starting point. The artist also used additional information, including DNA (chemical that carries information about…

An exhibition providing a special look at the life and works of famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo recently opened at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond. Frida: Beyond the Myth, which originated at the Dallas Museum of Art, contains more than 60 works of art, including paintings, drawings, and rare photographs taken by Kahlo’s loved ones. Kahlo was born in Mexico City and lived from1907 to 1954. She contracted polio (a disease that affects the nerves) as a child, and as a teen was in a bus accident that left her with lasting injuries. Painting helped her cope, and she became known for colorful self-portraits that conveyed her emotions, explored her identity, and addressed social issues. Sarah G. Powers, a VMFA curator (person who selects art), told…

Crashlands 2 is a new sci-fi crafting survival game. It was recently released for the PC, iPhone, and iPad. The first Crashlands came out in 2016. Fans liked its silliness, combat, and unique style. The story began with intergalactic trucker Flux Dabes and her robot, JuiceBox, stranded on the alien planet of Woanope. As in most role-playing and simulation games, players had to collect items and build structures. However, the game ignored the usual rules about gathering, storing, and using all your supplies and weapons, making for a faster and easier adventure. That feature is back in Crashlands 2, as is Flux. This time, she is trying to go back to Woanope when a giant blast zaps her ship and sends her off course. Once again, she finds herself stranded…

Did you start a business when you were a child? I had a lemonade stand in my neighborhood, and that was a big thing! After I learned to sew, I created crafts that I would sell at my local consignment shop. Are there any lessons you hope kids will take away from the story? I don’t write a book to teach a lesson. I try to write a story that feels engaging, truthful, and important. Are there any classic books you love most? Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. What is your favorite activity to do in the summer? Reading is always nice, but reading in a hammock in the summertime is especially nice. I also like to go swimming and hiking. Lemonade or…

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