Tabla de contenidos para Issue 314 en The Week Junior US

On April 10 at 5:07 p.m. Pacific Time, the Orion spacecraft carrying four astronauts splashed down in the ocean off the coast of San Diego, California. The successful return marked the completion of the historic 10-day Artemis II mission, which sent humans into deep space for the first time in more than 50 years. How did the spacecraft land? NASA (the US space agency) launched Artemis II on April 1, and Orion traveled 252,756 miles from Earth, the farthest into space humans have ever gone. The crew—commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen—gathered data and tested equipment. They circled the far side of the Moon on day six and began heading home on day seven. On April 10, they put on their spacesuits…

A SPECIAL LIBRARY CARD A cat named Muffin loves the local library in Quebec, Canada, so much that staff gave him his own library card. For years, Muffin has visited every day and greeted people at the door. “People’s faces…light up,” said a librarian. FORMING A FROG PATROL A group known as the frog patrol has been busy in Otrebusy, Poland. On rainy spring nights, volunteers help thousands of migrating frogs and toads cross a dangerous road. Wearing reflective vests and rubber gloves, they carry the amphibians one by one across the road to safety. A LUCKY WINNER A raffle ticket holder in Paris, France, won a very big prize: a painting by famous artist Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) worth more than $1.1 million. Organizers sold 120,000 raffle tickets for $118…

Renowned entomologist (scientist who studies insects) Samuel Ramsey, known as “Dr. Sammy,” has spent his career working to understand and protect honeybees. He recently brought his expertise to the new National Geographic three-part documentary Secrets of the Bees, now streaming on Disney+ and Hul. Ramsey, who grew up in Maryland, has loved bees since the age of 7. As bee populations have fallen over the years, he shifted his focus to their protection. “I am so enamored of how smart these tiny creatures are,” Ramsey told The Week Junior. In pursuit of his passion, he earned a doctorate in entomology from the University of Maryland. In 2021, he founded the Ramsey Research Foundation, a nonprofit that works to make scientific information about bees more accessible. His research on parasites has…

Patients at a children’s hospital in Scotland are helping penguins by painting rocks for the birds to use to build nests and woo mates. The initiative supports the breeding season of the gentoo penguins at the Edinburgh Zoo, where about 100 birds live together in a colony. When the season begins in early spring, a male gentoo penguin starts collecting smooth pebbles to build a nest. Once he sees a prospective mate, he picks up some of the best looking stones and offers them in a courtship ritual called “pebbling.” If the female accepts the gift, the two become a couple. Then they use the pebbles to finish constructing a nest for future eggs. Gentoo penguins usually pick one mate and stay together for several breeding seasons. Sometimes they even…

Two marsupial species Scientists believed that pygmy long-fingered possums (above) and ring-tailed gliders had gone extinct 6,000 years ago, but both marsupials (mammals that carry their babies in a pouch) were recently found alive on the island of New Guinea. Mountain lakes Lakes in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains have been turning from clear to a murky green color. Scientists say rising temperatures and pollution are creating algae blooms that are harming aquatic life and releasing toxic chemicals…

The Mighty Five is a nickname for the five national parks located in the state of Utah. Each of the parks formed many millions of years ago. They were originally inhabited by Indigenous people (first people known to have lived in a place), whose rock art can still be found in some of the parks today. All five of the sites are certified“Dark Sky” parks because they do not have much artificial light at night, making them ideal locations for stargazing. Let’s take a journey through these naturally dramatic landscapes. Arches Covering more than 73,000 acres, Arches National Park is located in southeastern Utah near the town of Moab. It was established as a national monument in 1929 and expanded into a national park in 1971. There are more than…

Clothing goes in and out of style, but throwing away skinny jeans or baggy hoodies might not be a good idea—they could be cool again one day. In fact, there’s a belief in the“20-year rule” regarding fashion, which is the idea that trends make a comeback every 20 years. Now researchers have used math to prove it’s actually true. A team of mathematicians, computer engineers, art historians, and engineers created a database of about 37,000 garments dating back to 1869. Using the Commercial Pattern Archive at the University of Rhode Island and records from designer collections, the team charted features of the clothing like waistlines, hemlines, and necklines. Then they created a mathematical model to analyze the data. Their findings indicate that fashion trends are indeed cyclical and return every…

The 2025–2026 NBA (National Basketball Association) regular season ended on April 12. All 30 teams played on the final two days, and while every playoff spot had been clinched beforehand, some postseason seeds (rankings) were still undetermined. The NBA has two conferences, Eastern and Western. Ten out of 15 teams from each one make the playoffs, but only the top six in each are guaranteed a spot in the first round. The seventh through 10th seeds must earn a spot by winning games in a play-in tournament. The Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champions, had the league’s best overall record for the second year in a row. They are also the West’s top seed for the third straight season. They hope to be the first team to win back-to-back…

Coach’s Name: Hayley Miller Team: Tumblekids Winchester (gymnastics) “Coach Hayley is awesome because no matter what, you can count on her to be there. She won’t turn down spotting you if you aren’t confident about a skill (unless she knows you aren’t ready). Hayley may be super supportive, but she doesn’t let you slack off or tell you everything you do is perfect. Otherwise, how can you become a better gymnast? Overall, she is a kind coach and pushes you to become the best you can be!” Nadia, 8; Maya, 9; and Emilia, 11, Massachusetts 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.…

WATCH: AMERICAN GLADIATORS Wrestling champ Mike“The Miz” Mizanin hosts this reboot of a popular competition series. It pits amateur athletes against 16 “Gladiators,” which include professional wrestlers, bodybuilders, and fitness stars. They compete in events such as jousting and wall climbing before racing in a final obstacle course. (Prime Video) PLAY: JETPACK JOYRIDE RACING In this multiplayer spin-off of a mobile game similar to Mario Kart, you race a jet-powered hoverkart on futuristic tracks, drifting and boosting as you head toward the finish line. You can play as Jetpack Joyride star Barry Steakfries or characters from Halfbrick games such as Dan the Man and Fruit Ninja. (Apple App Store, Google Play) WATCH: A GORILLA STORY: TOLD BY DAVID ATTENBOROUGH In 1978, legendary naturalist David Attenborough introduced the world to Pablo,…

The middle-grade and young adult novels by Emma Mills, a scientist with a PhD in anatomy and cell biology, often explore themes of friendship and complex family dynamics. When she isn’t busy writing novels, Mills edits scientific manuscripts. Did you draw inspiration from your real life while writing The Greenies? I wanted to write a story set in St. Louis, Missouri, because that’s where I grew up. My middle school had a fourth floor that students were not allowed to go up to. That definitely helped to inform the story. Why did you choose an environmental club for the characters to join? My middle school had an environmental club. Volunteers went around to each classroom with carts to collect the recycling. I always thought it was fun to get out…

A fanciful flower bouquet A city in India has broken the world record for the largest flower bouquet. The un-bud-lievable display, named “The Unity Blossom,” measured about 33.6 feet by 35.6 feet. Designed for an annual flower show in Ahmedabad, the ample arrangement included about 11,700 chrysanthemums in colors such as yellow, purple, red, and white. The blooms were arranged in a dome shape on a white pedestal decorated with a red bow. Thousands of visitors attended the festival and marveled at the big bouquet. Possum hides among toys While browsing stuffed animals in an airport gift shop in Tasmania, Australia, a customer was surprised to spot a real possum sitting on the shelf. Possums are often found living in trees in Australia, but this one seemed to prefer hanging…

“I made and sold hand-drawn maps of Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Forest, and Bent Creek Experimental Forest at different markets. I love mountain biking and taking care of the trails I ride. After my first market, I learned the importance of properly displaying my products and speaking clearly to the people who came to my table. It was fun talking to people about my art! I donate $1 from each map sold to my mountain bike team, Pisgah Rage, which is a volunteer organization that helps more kids get on bikes!” Have you done something interesting or raised money for a cause you care about? Whatever you’re up to, we want to hear about it at hello@theweekjunior.com. RIDDLE OFTHE WEEK What’s long and short at the same time? A…

“I read this book after it was listed as a reader recommendation, and I really enjoyed it.”Saanvi, 7, California “I loved the article about orchids because we have many in our house.”Rohan, 10, North Carolina “I was excited to do the bracket with my dad!”Violet, 9, New York…

After more than 21 hours of negotiations, peace talks between the US and Iran concluded on April 12 without an agreement. The discussions came amid a temporary ceasefire in a war that began on February 28 when the US and Israel attacked Iran. The negotiations were held in Pakistan and led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian official Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Iran did not accept US demands to cut its nuclear weapons program and refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping channel for much of the world’s oil. Iran has restricted the passage since early in the war. After the talks failed, the US imposed a blockade to prevent any ships traveling to or from Iranian ports from passing through the strait. The restrictions began…

Fewer than 300 regent honeyeaters are left in the wild, and captive birds don’t know the species’ distinctive song. To help, experts are trying a “tutoring” technique in which wild-born males teach captive-bred young males the melody. ● LIFESPAN: About 10 years in the wild ● HABITAT: Eucalyptus forests in Australia ● SIZE: 7 to 9 inches tall, weighing under 1 pound ● DIET: Mainly nectar, fruit, and insects ● FUN FACT: Regent honeyeaters lay reddish eggs that often have purplish spots.…

Modern birds descended from dinosaurs more than 100 million years ago. Scientists do not know exactly how this long, slow process occurred, but there has been a general belief that small dinosaurs evolved over millions of years to have feathers, then eventually developed the ability to fly. According to a new study, however, this process was not so straightforward. Researchers identified a type of feathered dinosaur, called Anchiornis, that lost the ability to fly. Anchiornis lived in China about 163 to 153 million years ago. It was about the size of a crow, and some scientists believe it had four wings. Anchiornis belonged to a group of feathered dinosaurs called Pennaraptora, which had evolved to be able to fly. At some point, however, Anchiornis went backward in evolutionary terms. Scientists…

Late last year, the popular Netflix sci-fi series Stranger Things ended after five seasons. The show told a story about a group of friends and supernatural events in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. Now an animated spin-off series is adding more to the story about life in Hawkins. Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 premieres on Netflix on April 23 and features a new plotline. Although the original show was rated TV-14, this one is made for younger audiences. Tales from ‘85 takes place between the second and third seasons of the first series. In the show, Stranger Things’ core group of friends—Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max—plus a new character, punk tinkerer Nikki Baxter, confront a suspicious threat emerging from the Upside Down (a dark parallel world). Executive…

By Emma Mills, illustrated by Sarah Nicole Kennedy This first book in a new graphic novel series focuses on a seventh grader whose world is turned upside down after her parents divorce. When Violet moves to a new town for her mom’s job, she leaves behind great friends. The only person Violet knows at her new school is her cousin Kris, and they’ve never had much in common. On her first day, Violet hangs out with some other students under the bleachers, and they all end up getting detention. Kris feels bad about her cousin getting in trouble and pulls a prank to get detention as well. Rather than sitting in a classroom, all the students in detention are required to help Isabel, who started an environmental club and is…

Spy School  By Stuart Gibbs “Ben is a normal kid until a professional spy recruits him to a school for future spies. He accepts, and then he realizes there is a mole inside the school working for a criminal organization. With help from the daughter of the most talented family of spies, Ben sets out to find out who the mole is. Unfortunately, when Ben uncovers the mole, he is locked inside a room with a ticking bomb. It’s a race against time. Will Ben make it out alive? Read to find out!” Ketan, 10, New Jersey Do you have a book to recommend? We want to hear about it! With an adult’s help, please send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Earth Day, on April 22, is a day to appreciate our natural world, raise awareness about the major challenges the planet faces, and take action. Here are some ideas for getting involved and encouraging others in your community to do the same. Start at home You can make a positive impact with a few simple changes. Instead of catching a ride, reduce pollution by biking or walking to your destination when you can. Also try cutting down on the amount of waste you create by persuading your family to pack lunches and snacks in reusable containers. Drink out of reusable water bottles instead of buying disposable plastic bottles. Recycle cans, milk jugs, paper, batteries, and cardboard boxes. (To participate in our debate about recycling, see page 8.) Embrace native plants…

More than 75% of US adults said they had read all or part of at least one book in the past 12 months, according to a Pew Research Center survey. The finding is consistent with US reading habits since Pew began asking this question in 2011. Print books remain the preferred format, with 64% of people reading them. About 31% said they read e-books, an increase from 17% in 2011. Audiobooks also gained in popularity, particularly among younger adults.…

The world produces billions of tons of waste, with the number only predicted to go up, and recycling is an important solution. Recycling materials requires fewer resources, like electricity and water, than creating new materials from scratch. For example, recycling glass instead of manufacturing new glass uses 40% less energy. Making new aluminum uses 95% more energy than recycling it. But recycling is also an imperfect, expensive, and time-consuming process that requires big trucks, people to collect and sort materials, and pricey equipment. Some people say we need to focus on better solutions. What do you think? Should we cut back on recycling? Yes—it’s not as simple as it seems We should focus our efforts on generating less waste to begin with. Recycling gives people a false sense of accomplishment,…

When horses are happy, frightened, or greeting their friends, they whinny in different ways. Scientists have now found that when a horse whinnies, it’s making two sounds at once. One is low, like a cow’s moo, and the other is a high whistle. This is known as biphonation, and horses may be some of the only mammals that can do it. Experts knew that the low-pitched noise is made when air passes through bands in the horse’s vocal box, or larynx, in its throat. Humans also speak by pushing air past the vocal cords in their larynx. But while humans whistle using their mouth, the study found that the higher-pitched whistling sound comes from a horse’s throat. To make this sound, a horse squeezes the muscles around its larynx and…

James Kusmierczyk Staff veterinarian, Cameron Park Zoo Yes, but it is rarer than in humans. Some animals that can get cavities are dogs, bears, and primates. Cavities form when bacteria in the mouth digest sugars, producing acid that erodes teeth. Because most animal saliva is not acidic and their diets typically have less sugar, cavities are less likely. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about the Cameron Park Zoo at cameronparkzoo.com.…

Every time a load of laundry is done, the wastewater carries microplastics from our clothes down the drain. To address this problem, a company called CLEANR created the VORTX filter. It was inspired by manta rays, which filter food without clogging their gills. VORTX is easy to install in a few minutes, works with any washing machine, and catches four times more microplastics than a standard filter. The device swirls water around in a cone shape and pushes the fragments into a pod, which can then be removed and thrown away.…

From April 9 to April 12, the 90th edition of the Masters, the most prestigious golf tournament in the world, took place at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Rory McIlroy, who is from Northern Ireland, was the winner and became the first golfer since 2001–2002 to win back-to-back Masters championships. This year’s tournament began with 91 golfers. Players can qualify in several ways, including winning past major titles, finishing among the top players in the world rankings, or earning a spot in the season-ending Tour Championship. McIlroy entered the Masters as one of the favorites to win the tournament’s famous green blazer, which is one of the champion’s prizes. He got off to a great start on Day 1, then dominated the competition on Day 2, ending with a…

As the world celebrates Earth Day on April 22, Disney+ will be releasing the new Disneynature documentary film Orangutan, which provides a close look at the lives of one of the most intelligent species on the planet. Shot in the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo, the film primarily follows a young ape named Indah. One of the documentary’s directors, Mark Linfield, has filmed wildlife for more than 30 years. He told The Week Junior that orangutans are one of his favorite animals because they are“constantly surprising and engaging.” They are an endangered species, primarily because their habitat has been destroyed by extensive palm oil cultivation. One goal of the film is to raise awareness about the challenges the animals face. Orangutan begins when Indah is 9 years old and living…

Abominable PG (Available to rent on major platforms) “This movie is about a young, magical yeti named Everest. After escaping a scientist’s lab, he hides in Shanghai, a city in China, where he meets a girl named Yi. Most people believe that yetis are dangerous, but she helps Everest hide and cares for him. Yi will do anything to get him to safety, so she and her two friends, cousins Jin and Peng, travel thousands of miles with Everest by foot, train, and boat to get him to his home on Mount Everest. Throughout the adventure, Everest uses his magical abilities to help the group. It is a funny, heartwarming, fantastical movie.” Logan, 10, Tennessee Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your…

If you liked… Warriors: Into the Wild By Erin Hunter In this fantasy adventure series, a young housecat leaves his comfortable home to join a clan of wildcats in the forest. As he adapts to his new surroundings, he discovers a world of danger and prophecy. Ages 8–12 You might like… The Unwanteds By Lisa McMann This seven-book fantasy series also has high-stakes battles and characters who mature as the story unfolds. Thirteen-year-old twins Alex and Aaron are separated into different societies, and a conflict threatens to pit them against each other. Ages 8–12…

Grenade By Alan Gratz This historical fiction novel takes place in 1945 in Okinawa, an island in Japan, and switches perspectives between an American and a Japanese soldier who are fighting on opposite sides during World War II (1939–45). They even meet at one point during a battle. The gripping plot shows how both boys have to be courageous and make difficult choices. Ages 10–14 Tessa Miyata Is No Hero By Julie Abe On a trip to Japan to visit her grandparents, Tessa breaks a family heirloom. It releases an evil samurai god named Taira and brings to light a part of Tokyo where gods and mythological creatures walk among humans. In this fast-paced fantasy, Tessa and a 13-year-old neighbor must work together to stop Taira before he traps the…

Word search Can you find all these words associated with France? 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. ALPS AU REVOIR BAGUETTE BERET BONJOUR CAFE CHEESE CHIC CREPE DIJON DINE DIOR ESCARGOT EUROPE JOAN OF ARC LOIRE LYON MADAME MERCI MONET NAPOLEON PARIS PETITE VERSAILLES 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 its last letter moved to the beginning, like WORDS and SWORD. 1. I can———— extra money returning cans to the recycling center, which is ———— my house. 2. I thought the lake would be———— to the public now that it’s been…

This week we celebrate Earth Day, coming up on April 22. Throughout the issue, you’ll find special content wherever you see the yellow Earth Day icon. We’re shining a spotlight on a scientist who protects bees (p9), a project that benefits penguins (p10), five breathtaking national parks in Utah (p12), and a documentary about an orangutan (p20), among other articles. We also invite you to consider this week’s Big Debate question: Should we cut back on recycling (p8)? We want to know what you think! And in our How To section, we provide ideas for observing Earth Day plus a way to make a commitment to help the planet (p24–25). We hope you’ll share your pledge with us! This week we also cover the exciting story of the Artemis II…

Send us your reviews! Do you have a favorite book, movie, or TV series you want other kids to know about? If so, your opinion could be featured in The Week Junior. We are always looking for reviews to publish in our Reader Recommends boxes in Arts and Entertainment (p21) and Book Club (p23). Tell us what you most enjoyed about a film, TV show, documentary, or book and why you think others would like it. Write a few sentences about the plot and subject matter, and give a description of the main character. Reviews should be sent to hello@theweekjunior.com, and be sure to include your first name, age, and the US state where you live. We know you’ll have great suggestions! IT’S YOUR TURN Email your news, views, and…

Teacher’s Name: Mr. Sam Sauer School: Haldane Central Schools “Mr. Sauer is the best chorus teacher. He’s funny and kind, and he encourages us to do anything. We sing songs from all over the world, and Mr. Sauer really works with us until we get it right. He believes that if you love to sing, you should be able to. He brings so much joy to our school.” 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.…