Table of contents for Issue 267 in The Week Junior US

On May 15, the US Census Bureau released a list of the nation’s cities that experienced the greatest population growth between July 2023 and July 2024. The South and West dominated the rankings, and Texas accounted for four of the top five fastest-growing cities in the country. What did the report show? The statistics from the Census Bureau, a government agency that gathers data on the US population and economy, documented growth in cities of all sizes across much of the country. The findings showed that 94% of the nation’s biggest cities rebounded from population declines that took place during the Covid-19 pandemic. Cities in the South and West had the most significant population increases, continuing a trend from previous years. Southern cities had an average population growth of 1.6%,…

What you need to know • In 1993, telecommunications company Nokia released the first cell phone with text messaging. • Every day, about 23 billion texts are sent worldwide and about 4.1 billion are sent in the US. • Studies show that talking to a loved one on the phone causes the brain to release chemicals that make us feel better. • According to some scientists, texting can improve relationships and mood by making people feel connected. In a recent YouGov survey, 40% of people said texting is their preferred method of communication with loved ones, while 29% said they prefer staying in touch by phone call. In particular, young people between the ages of 18 and 24 prefer to text, not call. Many people say texting is quick and…

Studies have shown that crows are smart enough to craft tools and recognize human faces. Now experts believe the birds can identify complex shapes. Researchers from Germany put two carrion crows in front of a computer screen that streamed a set of shapes. They trained the birds to peck at a star shape to earn a reward of mealworms. Next, the birds were shown a group of six shapes, such as one star and five moons. The birds figured out that one shape was different from the others and pecked at it. The team then made it more difficult by showing the crows different four-sided shapes, like squares and parallelograms. One of these figures was slightly irregular—for example, it had a longer side and a shorter side instead of equal…

Ron Magill Wildlife expert, Zoo Miami While a human’s heart rate can average 60 beats per minute, a Galapagos tortoise’s averages 10 per minute. This puts less stress on vital organs, which can lead to a longer life. Tortoises also have unique immune responses and the ability to suppress cancer, and their shell protects against injury. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about Zoo Miami at zoomiami.org.…

Outdoor gear company Rumpl launched a new sleeping bag designed for custom comfort. The Wrap Sack isn’t narrow and enclosed, like a traditional sleeping bag. Instead, it’s open and roomy, with “wings” that can be layered over the body. The Wrap Sack gives sleepers space to roll over and turn on their side. They can stick their feet out if they want to and tuck a pillow into the hood. The layers can be clipped into place for snug and secure sleep or left loose for maximum moveability.…

Fans of Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. franchise have a new way to engage with their favorite characters. On May 22, Super Nintendo World opened as one of the five portals (areas) at Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida. The Mario character made his debut in a Donkey Kong game in 1981. In 1985, the first game starring Mario was released worldwide, and Super Mario games have since become the best-selling video game franchise ever made. The first Super Nintendo World opened in 2021 at Universal Studios Japan, and the second one arrived in 2023 at Universal Studios Hollywood in California. Mario and his brother, Luigi, are plumbers from New York City, but many of the Mario games are set in the Mushroom Kingdom, which is the setting…

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is a new role-playing game (RPG). It is out now for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation platforms, Xbox consoles, and PC. It is a sequel to Fantasy Life, a Nintendo 3DS game that was released in the US in 2014. The original Fantasy Life was set in the kingdom of Reveria, and gamers could switch between 12 different “life paths” to complete different tasks. It began as a pleasant life simulation, but the goal shifted to stopping a mysterious dark energy from destroying the land. In 2018, Fantasy Life Online was released for mobile devices, but updates ended in 2021. The Girl Who Steals Time has new characters and mysteries, as well as updated graphics. You start the game by making an avatar…

What inspired this book? I wanted to write a story about a group of girls in the 1920s who solve crimes and mysteries together. What does the word “wayward” mean to you? To me, it means someone who doesn’t always follow the easy path and is headstrong and independent. What adventures did you enjoy as a child? I grew up in Australia and I was a Girl Guide, which is similar to being a Girl Scout in the US. We would go camping, sleep in tents in the bush, and cook over a campfire. It was wonderful! Are you and Maggie alike? Maggie is loyal, stubborn, and brave. I’m loyal and stubborn but not as brave as Maggie. What were your favorite books growing up?  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory…

You can make the most of stargazing with a few helpful items. Many libraries and astronomy clubs allow users to borrow the first two for free. Binoculars You can see some amazing views of objects in the night sky with simple binoculars, according to NASA. Binoculars give a much larger field of view of the sky than most telescopes. Telescope A telescope can help you see distant objects and finer details, like the rings around Saturn, more clearly. Planisphere A planisphere is a type of star chart, which is like a map of the stars. You can print one out at in-the-sky.org.…

Keyword crossword Once you have completed the crossword, transfer the letters in the yellow boxes, in order, into the boxes below to get the answer to the Keyword question. ACROSS 1 Drop a football during a game 4 Each track in a playlist 8 Automobile 9 Long wiry hair on a cat’s face 10 Comfy, padded bed coverings 12 Word for travelers meaning “by way of” 14 Dry grass that’s fed to horses 15 They hang on a bathroom rack 17 Parts of jeans for holding stuff 20 Tool for a lumberjack 21 Grassy area around a house 22 Loudest friend of Bashful and Doc DOWN 1 Verified piece of information 2 Planet only slightly larger than our moon 3 Rule passed by Congress 5 Tree that produces acorns 6…

Norway signed the Artemis Accords on May 15, becoming the 55th country to join the international agreement promoting peaceful and cooperative space exploration. It was created in 2020 by the US and seven other nations, including the UK, Australia, and Japan. The treaty supports the Artemis program, which is led by NASA (the US space agency) and aims to return astronauts to the Moon and eventually send crews to Mars. Norway and the US have been working together on space missions since 1962. That year, they collaborated with Denmark to launch the first non-military rocket from Norway’s Andøya Space Center. Since then, NASA has conducted many missions from the center. Countries that sign the Artemis Accords agree to share information, avoid conflict, and protect space sites like Moon landing areas.…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported more than 1,000 cases of measles, putting the nation on course to have the highest number of patients with the disease in 25 years. Cases have been reported in 30 states, with the spike being driven by a large outbreak in Texas. What is measles? Measles is a disease caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air from person to person. Most people recover from measles, but it can be serious, even deadly, for young children. Before the measles vaccine (medicine to prevent an illness) was developed (see sidebar above), the disease caused hundreds of deaths and thousands of hospitalizations each year in the US. As use of the vaccine became widespread, cases dropped significantly. By 2000,…

For more than 10 years, Katy Canales has helped teach young people at some of England’s most prestigious museums. Now she has applied her expertise to her debut children’s book, Get Dressed!: A HistoricalGuessing Game for Fashion Lovers, as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Phaidon Press Kids imprint. Canales began her career working in communications for charity organizations before following her passion for museums. After earning a master’s degree in museum studies, she became an assistant curator (person who selects and preserves art) at Young V&A, a museum in London focused on childhood history. “They have an incredible historic clothing collection, and I jumped at the chance to be in charge of that,” Canales told The Week Junior. She is now a curator for the countryside estate…

Dolphins are well known for their intelligence, including their ability to communicate with one another by making clicks and whistles. This has inspired a group of scientists to use artificial intelligence (AI, when a computer imitates human learning) to better understand how dolphins communicate. They are now trying to “talk” with dolphins in the ocean. The AI is using research gathered by the Wild Dolphin Project (WDP). The project’s scientists have studied Atlantic spotted dolphins since 1985, including observing the sounds the dolphins make underwater. They have found that certain sounds are associated with specific behaviors. For instance, dolphins often “squawk” during fights and“buzz” when they are courting another dolphin. Now that data is being put to new use by engineers at Google, who have developed an AI model called…

Vultures Although vultures are often associated with ugliness and death, conservationists in Africa are working to improve their reputation. A report found that these birds of prey provide pest control and other benefits valued at $1.8 billion a year. New Zealand’s wildlife According to a report from the government of New Zealand, many of the country’s fish, birds, frogs, and reptiles face a risk of extinction. The report lists bacteria and the spread of non-native plants as threats to native species.…

Ahead of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final this month, find out more about one of the world’s most prestigious soccer tournaments. What is the UCL? The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) oversees competitions between national teams and club teams in Europe. The UCL is its top club competition, bringing together teams across the continent to declare a champion of Europe every year. Most clubs qualify for the UCL by finishing their season in a top position in their national leagues. Competitive domestic leagues can qualify four or five teams, while in less competitive leagues only the champions qualify. The tournament starts with qualifying rounds, followed by a league phase and knockout rounds. It ends with a final in late May or early June. UEFA history A competition between…

A traditional Japanese ingredient called miso has been successfully made in space. This could help provide a wider variety of food options for astronauts, who often report having a reduced sense of taste and appetite in space. More flavorful food could help them get the nutrition they need. Miso is a paste made by fermenting soybeans. In the fermentation process, fungus (like mold or yeast) is added to an ingredient to trigger chemical changes in it. The technique is also used to make foods like bread, cheese, and soy sauce. Miso paste serves as a base for many soups, sauces, and marinades. Its flavor is considered “umami,” which is described as a rich, meaty, or savory taste. A team of researchers from the US and Denmark worked together to see…

2025 GDT NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS…

The NBA (National Basketball Association) postseason has been full of thrilling action and surprising upsets. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Oklahoma City Thunder all won an impressive 60 or more games during the regular season, but only the Thunder made it through the conference semifinals, which ended on May 18. In NBA playoff rounds, teams compete in best-of-seven-game series. The Indiana Pacers and the Minnesota Timberwolves advanced to the conference finals with 4–1 records in the semifinal round. The Pacers eliminated the Cavaliers, the top team in the Eastern Conference, on May 13, and in Western Conference action the next day, the Timberwolves knocked out the Golden State Warriors. Warriors star Steph Curry missed the last three games of the series due to an injury. The other conference semis…

TheKarate Kid, a movie released in 1984, tells a heartwarming story about a bullied teen named Daniel LaRusso, who builds a special friendship with a martial arts master. Considered by many to be one of the best sports films ever made, it spawned sequels and the Netflix series Cobra Kai, featuring Daniel as an adult. After a 15-year break from the big screen, a new film, Karate Kid: Legends, opens in theaters on May 30. It is rated PG-13. In Legends, Li Fong, a teen from China, moves to New York City. He studied kung fu in his hometown, but after he runs into trouble with a karate champ, he enters a karate competition. Li is trained by his kung fu master, Mr. Han (played by famous martial arts film…

Full House (Hulu, Max, or available to rent or buy on all major platforms) “This sitcom is about the ups and downs of a family in San Francisco: a dad and his three daughters, plus the dad’s brother-in-law and best friend. The show originally aired in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when my parents were my age, but the issues the family faces—such as school, friendship, and growing up—are still relevant today. My favorite character is Michelle, the youngest sister. She is cute and funny, and you get to watch her and her sisters grow up through the seasons. I would give this show 15 stars out of 10!” Cassidy, 10, Connecticut Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to…

By Judith Rossell (Dial Books for Young Readers) When Maggie gets kicked out of an orphanage for bad behavior, a teacher drops her off at The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls. She’s dreading this new school because it has a reputation for making its students miserable. But quite the opposite is true! Maggie and two other new students, who were considered troublemakers by their guardians, are greeted with cake and new clothes. It turns out that the terrifying rumors about the school are to hide the fact that students receive spy training and solve mysteries to protect the city. For example, Maggie takes classes in “hiding,” in addition to traditional subjects. The students are called into action when a woman who loves orchids disappears from the library. She writes a…

The Cartoonists Club By Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud (Graphix) Friends form a comics club, and they are excited to show their work at a local convention. “This is a perfect book for kids who are interested in becoming cartoonists,” Kinney said. “It’s a funny story that highlights the importance of self-expression.” Ages 8–12 J vs. K By Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) Kinney described this illustrated novel by two celebrated authors as“an epic rivalry between two fifth graders who are determined to win their school’s annual creative storytelling contest.” There’s a hilarious twist at the end, and it has something to do with Kinney himself! Ages 8–12 Same Page By Elly Swartz (Delacorte Press) The sixth-grade class president wants to have a book-vending…

Ingredients • ½ cup red, white, and blue sprinkles• 16 store-bought cookies (such as chocolate chip or sugar)• 1 quart vanilla ice cream Instructions 1. Spread the sprinkles out on a plate. Place 8 of the cookies face down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 2. Top each cookie with 1 to 2 scoops (⅓ to ½ cup) of ice cream, depending on the size of the cookie. Close each sandwich by placing a second cookie face up on top. Gently squeeze the cookies together to bring the ice cream to the edge, then immediately roll the edge in the sprinkles. 3. Transfer the baking sheet with the sandwiches to the freezer until the ice cream is firm. 4. Once the ice cream has refrozen, transfer all the sandwiches to a…

Western donkey race is a wild ride Donkeys and humans hoofed it at a race in New Mexico that paid tribute to the old mining towns of the American West. In the event, a pack burro race, people didn’t ride the donkeys but instead gently pushed, pulled, or led them by rope while the animals carried traditional mining tools. Each pair ran on a 3-mile or 6-mile course, competing for trophies. Marvin Sandoval and his miniature burro Buttercup won the 6-mile race in about 49 minutes. “She wants to be out front,” he said. “She climbs really well.” Toppling a special house of cards A world record was in the cards when a Chinese company staged an elaborate display to demonstrate the strength of its windows and doors. SUNHOHI hired…

“We started baking together during Covid to enjoy a sweet treat and to connect with our neighbors. About a year ago, we started making fancy cupcakes and selling them in the park down the street. Our mom found a wagon and an old wooden box at a garage sale that we turned into our stand. We wanted to give back to society and decided to donate the money we raised to the Humane Society, where we volunteer, as well as to other organizations we believe in. Our customers sometimes give us more than the $3 we charge for a cupcake. We also offer lots of interesting information about the Humane Society, which works to protect animals. We have baked more than 240 cupcakes, including one featured in The Week Junior,…

“We love The Week Junior so much that we read it the moment it arrives in our mailbox—even if we’re in the middle of playing basketball!”Sajan, 11, and Jai, 8, Michigan “The article on speaking with confidence helped me get ready for my class president speech.” Jackie, 10, Virginia “I have many animals, but I love my chickens best. My favorite roosters are Phoenix and Boots, who I raised as chicks.” Levi, 9, Texas…

1 What is the name of the archaeologist in the game Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time? a) Edgar b) Edward c) Edwin a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 2 In what year did the king of England first issue the Magna Carta? a) 1215 b) 1300 c) 1327 a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 3 True or false? Norway was the 55th country to join the Artemis Accords, which promotes international cooperation in space. True ☐ False ☐ 4 In a new study, researchers in Germany found that crows can identify what? a) Sounds b) Shapes c) Colors a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 5 The new movie Karate Kid: Legends centers on a teen who moves to New York from what country? 6 True or false?…

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BUILDING BIG A Lego city made up of 239,444 bricks has set a record for the world’s largest Lego diorama. The 760-square-foot town, built in Portugal, has neighborhoods, a suspension bridge, an airport, beaches, cars, and even a Ferris wheel. TAKING FLIGHT Bald eaglets Sunny and Gizmo, who hatched on a live nest cam in California in March, are flapping their wings and will fly away soon. Sandy Steers, head of the nonprofit that operates the nest cam, said she’ll be sad to see them go but also happy “they had the courage to just take off.” A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE Max Evans-Browning, age 5, drew 99 animals in honor of renowned wildlife expert David Attenborough’s 99th birthday. But these weren’t just any animals—Max researched and drew Attenborough’s favorite creatures. The…

May 24, 1935 First baseball game played at night On May 24, 1935, the first Major League Baseball (MLB) game was played at night under the lights at Crosley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cincinnati Reds hosted the Philadelphia Phillies. President Franklin D. Roosevelt symbolically flipped a switch from Washington, DC, to turn on the lights. The Reds defeated the Phillies, 2–1. Today, about 66% of MLB games are played in the evening.…

Established in 1949 across about 116 square miles in the country’s center, Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatia’s largest and oldest national park. The area features lush forests and meadows but is best known for its water formations, such as waterfalls and lakes. Many of the lakes appear in vibrant colors, which come from mineral deposits in the water. Animals in the park include bears, wolves, otters, lynx, butterflies, and rare bird species. Each year the park receives about a million visitors who enjoy the beauty of the waterfalls, several walking and hiking trails, and boating.…

After many years of debate, scientists have identified a mysterious ancient jawbone that was discovered on the ocean floor off the coast of Taiwan. Using advanced technology, a team of researchers determined that the fossil belonged to a Denisovan, one of the closest extinct relatives of modern humans. Denisovans lived in Asia from about 300,000 to 50,000 years ago. Scientists know that they existed at the same time as early homo sapiens (humans) and Neanderthals, who are also human ancestors. But experts are just starting to learn more about Denisovans because they were only discovered in 2010. Very few of their fossils have been found, and most of those came from a single cave in Siberia. With so little evidence of Denisovans to work with, scientists have had a difficult…

On May 16, the 2025 WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) regular season began. One big change this season is that the league now has 13 teams, due to the addition of the Golden State Valkyries. They are based in San Francisco, California, and are the first WNBA expansion team since 2008. In the regular season, all the teams will play 44 games, the most in the league’s 29-year history. The WNBA’s defending champions are the New York Liberty, and they are expected to be one of the best teams again this season. After winning their first title last year, they are now looking to become the fourth WNBA team to win consecutive championships. On opening day, the Valkyries hosted the Los Angeles Sparks in their first home game. The new…

Coach’s Name: Xander Pratt Team: Lifetime Otters (swimming) “Coach Xander is helpful, kind, and motivational. He helps us achieve our goals and always pushes us to new limits. He never gives up, he’s fun, and he’s always positive. Coach Xander is encouraging at swim meets when we are nervous to compete. He cheers when we want to give up and says, ‘Don’t give up now. We’re almost done, and you can do it!’ He makes us feel like we can do anything!” Mila, 10, Texas 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.…

Inspiration The first film was written by Robert Mark Kamen (right). It was inspired by an article about a bullied boy who took karate lessons, as well as Kamen’s own experiences with bullying and martial arts. Sequels In the 1980s, there were two direct follow-ups to the original Karate Kid, plus an animated TV series. In 1994, The Next Karate Kid had a female main character, played by Hilary Swank. A 2010 remake of the original starred Jaden Smith (right). Stage version The Karate Kid: The Musical—which was based on the first film and had a script by the same writer, Robert Mark Kamen—made its world premiere in 2022 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was considered a test for a potential Broadway run.…

Mission Unstoppable (Paramount+) Actress Miranda Cosgrove (above) hosts this series that highlights women in STEM who are leading the way in science and innovation. Season six is currently airing and includes episodes about animal behavior, skateboarding physics, and the chemistry behind makeup. Fountain of Youth (Apple TV+) Two adult siblings go on a high-stakes quest for the mythical Fountain of Youth in this new adventure film. They follow historical clues across five continents, stopping at the Egyptian pyramids and other ancient ruins while also facing dangerous enemies. It is rated PG-13. Lego Masters (Fox) It’s season five of this popular competition series that pits teams of builders against each other. The challenges include making a Star Wars galaxy, a Wicked set, and Batmobiles. The champions earn a $100,000 prize and…

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes By Jonathan Auxier ”This interesting book is about a boy named Peter who is blind and an orphan. To survive, he is forced to learn how to steal. Soon enough, he becomes an expert lock-pick. One day, he steals a mysterious box containing magical eyes. Once he puts them in, he’s transported on a thrilling adventure where he uncovers the truth about his past.” Arjun, 10, California Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

With the weather warming up and school days winding down, it’s a perfect time of year to head outdoors and take up stargazing. You can stay up late with family and friends to see the stars or, with an adult’s help, look for astronomy clubs near you that may host stargazing events for the public. If you’d like to see what sights you can spot at night, here’s how you can get started. Notice the Moon You’ve seen the Moon many times. But have you ever noticed how it affects the rest of the sky? A full Moon lights it up and can actually block you from seeing the planets and fainter stars. The best time to stargaze is at the end of the Moon’s cycle, when it’s really small,…

Some store-bought household cleaning products include chemicals that harm the environment and pollute the air. With an adult’s help, you can make inexpensive, eco-friendly cleaning solutions from ingredients you may already have in your cabinets. To make an all-purpose cleaner for countertops and bathroom sinks, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and add a piece of lemon peel. For an all-natural window cleaner, mix 1⁄4 cup vinegar with 4 cups water and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. (Shake it up to dissolve the cornstarch.) To remove odor from your kitchen sink, pour some baking soda directly down the drain, followed by water.…

This week’s cover of The Week Junior welcomes the Golden State Valkyries to the WNBA (p18). The league hasn’t added a new team since 2008, so this is major news in the world of sports. I’m excited to see how the team does this year and, in the bigger picture, how the WNBA season unfolds. Interest in women’s basketball has skyrocketed in recent years, and I expect the enthusiasm to continue to grow. One player I’ll be watching closely is Paige Bueckers, the first overall pick in this year’s WNBA draft. She now plays for the Dallas Wings, and although her team lost to the Minnesota Lynx in its first regular-season game, she scored 10 points and had seven rebounds. No matter what happens, I’ll always be grateful that I…

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…

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Peña School: The Sarah Smith Garnet School “Ms. Peña is an amazing teacher. She always pushes me to do my best. Ms. Peña ensures that her class is fun and memorable by making it interactive. She lets us run the classroom and gives us the freedom to choose where we want to sit. She is the best teacher ever and has made going to school so much more interesting.”Gabby, 11, 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.…