Table of contents for 369 in The Week Junior

China recently announced that it will relax its border rules on 8 January to allow people to travel in and out of the country. However, many countries have introduced restrictions for people travelling from China to prevent the spread of Covid-19. What’s happening in China? On 26 December, the Chinese government said it would be reopening the borders to the country for the first time since March 2020. This means that people will be allowed to travel in and out of China. People from other countries who want to visit China will no longer need to quarantine (a period of isolation to make sure someone isn’t carrying an illness, such as Covid-19) when they get to China. Before this, visitors had to quarantine for up to three weeks. Chinese people…

A RESCUED SEA TURTLE A sea turtle has found a new home at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, England. The turtle, named Heidi, was injured after getting tangled in a fishing net in the Indian Ocean. After four years, Heidi has recovered and is said to be settling in well. A TOY DOG’S JOURNEY HOME A stuffed toy animal called Dog Dog has been returned to its owner, a 10-year-old girl named Luna. Dog Dog was returned by Southwest Airlines, in the US, along with photos of her adventures. The photos included Dog Dog drinking water, reading the plane safety manual and looking out of the window. DISCOVERING A VALUABLE PAINTING A piece of art bought for just £40 has been sold for £130,000. The painting, called White Roses…

8 January 1940 Food rationing is introduced When the Second World War began in 1939, Britain was getting lots of its food from other countries. The German navy tried to stop food arriving by sea, so there was a shortage of things like butter, meat and sugar. To make sure that everyone had enough to eat, the UK Government gave every household a ration book containing coupons, which shopkeepers would sign before issuing food. Food rationing continued after the war and finally stopped in 1954.…

At the start of a new year, Mo Gilligan does the same thing. “I buy a notepad and put down the 10 things I want to happen. Then I put the notepad in my drawer and go back at the end of the year.” His new year’s habit seems to work. Gilligan is a popular comedian, TV presenter, judge on The Masked Singer and is now hosting a new BBC music show called That’s My Jam. Life wasn’t always easy for Gilligan and his family, however. His parents split up when he was five years old and his mother didn’t have very much money. The family relied on free school meals. Just a few years ago, Gilligan was folding jeans in Levi’s, a shop in Covent Garden in London. While…

A recent study suggests that logging (cutting down trees to use the wood) does not necessarily mean that things can’t live in the left-over forest any more. In fact, chopping down trees sometimes attracts more plants and wildlife than in forests where the trees have been left untouched. Experts believe that about 70% of the world’s forests have had at least some logging. Until recently it wasn’t clear exactly what impact this had on other wildlife in forests. However, new research carried out on the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia, shows that logging can encourage healthy animal and plant life. Scientists from Oxford University used tens of thousands of camera traps (cameras connected to sensors that only photograph when movement is detected) to find out how many animals were…

Scientists have observed adult male jaguars, who usually like to be alone, forming friendships that can last for years. Male jaguars don’t usually interact with other jaguars unless they are mating (making babies) or fighting to defend their territory. However, a recent study found evidence of them spending time with each other – patrolling territories, resting and eating together. Scientists gathered information about jaguars across South America using tracking devices, camera traps (cameras connected to sensors that only take a picture when they sense movement) and by watching closely. The scientists found two jaguar friendships. One pair in the Pantanal (a wetland region in Brazil) stayed together from 2006 to 2014, and were seen eating and resting together. Another pair in Venezuela spent time together from 2013 to 2018, but…

Herd animals like zebra and antelope face a challenge: a lot of their young look exactly the same. Birds use sounds to identify their young but in the hustle and bustle of a herd, neither sight nor sound is always effective. They don’t have the luxury of a pouch like a kangaroo and they can’t hitch a ride like a monkey. Instead, these species tend to use smell as their main sense to identify their youngsters. Enjoy unlimited visits to ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, plus a host of other benefits with ZSL Membership. Find out more at zsl.org/membership/zsl-membership…

On 5 December, a group of scientists in the US made a major breakthrough in a process called nuclear fusion. For the first time ever, they produced more energy than they put into the experiment. Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the Sun and other stars in our universe. It is called “fusion” because it involves atoms (the building blocks of all matter) fusing (joining) together. Recreating the process on Earth needs lasers (intense light beams) to heat up atoms of hydrogen (a type of gas) to 100 million degrees Celsius – hotter than the core of the Sun, which is 15 million degrees Celsius. The heat causes the central parts of the atoms, the “nuclei”, to fuse together and form heavier atoms. As they do this, lots of…

Surrey Scorchers In the British Basketball League, Surrey Scorchers earned their second win of the season when they beat Bristol Flyers 78–73. Gary McKee On 31 December, McKee finished running his 365th marathon (26.2 miles) of 2022, one for each day of the year. McKee raised more than £1 million for charity. Venus Williams The tennis star began the season with a win in the ASB Classic in New Zealand. It’s her 30th year playing in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour. Northampton Saints After losing their last four games, Northampton Saints managed a 46–17 victory over Harlequins in rugby union’s Premiership.…

The year has only just started but we’re already looking forward to all the exciting films due to be released this year. Classic stories and characters are set to return or get new versions, and some original tales are coming too. Judy Blume’s much-loved novel, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret, has finally been adapted for the screen. It’s about 11-year-old Margaret, who moves to a new town and battles with the usual problems of growing up, from new relationships to a changing body. If you prefer to stay in the realm of fantasy, Disney releases its live-action remake of The Little Mermaid this year. Halle Bailey from the singing duo Chloe x Halle stars as the mermaid who gives up her voice in return for human legs. Another…

Peter’s Baking Party by Peter Sawkins (Bonnier Books) Become a star baker with this cookery book written by Great British Bake Off winner Peter Sawkins. There are plenty of simple recipes for beginners, as well as more challenging bakes for adventurous cooks. Try whipping up fluffy breakfast pancakes, peanut butter cookies or even the perfect birthday cake. Unleash Your Creative Monster by Andy Jones. Illustrated by Olaf Falafel (Walker Books) Have a go at producing your own stories with this entertaining and imaginative guide to creative writing. You’ll find lots of practical advice, useful writing tools, tips for finding inspiration and keeping a story moving forwards, as well as some fun story prompts and exercises to get you started. YOU CAN Upcycle and Craft by Wastebuster (Collins Kids) Find out…

Name: Asher Wolf Brother By Michelle Paver “Breathtaking, spellbinding, adventurous. Impossible to put down. A mindblowing adventure that carries you back to a shadowy world crawling with magic.” YOUR TURN Email your book review to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk. If your review is printed in the magazine you’ll receive a Roving Reporter badge. Tell us what you liked about the book and why you’d recommend it to others, and 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 www.futureplc.com/privacy-policy…

Is there a better way to warm up on a chilly winter’s day than with a mug of comforting hot chocolate? You don’t always need to go to a coffee shop, however. With a little help from an adult, it’s easy to learn how to make a scrumptious mug of hot chocolate at home. Collect together your basic ingredients and get creative with different toppings like squirty cream and syrups, then serve your drink with a biscuit dipper. Once you’ve mastered making your hot chocolate, you could even become your family’s very own barista (person who prepares and serves hot drinks) and set up a “hot chocolate service station” in your kitchen. Make a big batch of hot chocolate and set out a selection of mugs, toppings and dippers for…

Hello and welcome to your first issue of 2023. I hope it gives you a good excuse to sit (or lie) somewhere comfortable while you enjoy discovering what’s happened around the world over the past couple of weeks. For even more of a treat, you might want to whip up a mug of delicious hot chocolate to drink as you read – see page 25 for our recipe. If you’re new to The Week Junior, please know we’re thrilled to have you join us and we look forward to sharing fascinating and inspiring news, features and activities with you. If you’d like to find out more about some of the stories and get to know the people that make this magazine, have a listen to our podcast – The Week…

Plant your Pants The Country Trust is asking school pupils up and down the country to “Plant Your Pants”. The charity, which helps disadvantaged young people connect with nature, says that burying cotton underwear reveals the health of the soil because healthy soil breaks down cotton. Soil is vital for growing crops and storing carbon, but some scientists believe UK soil only has enough nutrients to last another 200 harvests. If you want to find out how healthy the soil is in your school or garden, download the Plant Your Pants Pack at countrytrust.org.uk/plantyourpants GET INVOLVED 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…

“This is the Qutab Minar in New Delhi. It is the tallest brick minaret in the world, at nearly 73 metres tall. I had to lie down on my back to take this photograph!”Dhaani “My school stayed open in the snow so we all built an igloo.”Ishaan and Zane “I knitted a patchwork blanket for a local Ukrainian family. I’ve also been using sea glass to upcycle things. I raised £445.50 for Shelter and Mary’s Meals.”Michael…

Teacher’s name: Mrs Tingle School: Nine Acres Primary School, Newport, Isle of Wight “I am nominating my teacher Mrs Tingle because she is a great English leader and a very supportive teacher. If you’re worried about something she will always know and help you. This week has been a very different week yet Mrs Tingle still helped us because she is the best teacher in the world and she makes me feel safe and happy at school.”Archie 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…

Follow The Week Junior on PopJam@TheWeekJunior. You can download the PopJam app from the App Store or Google Play. In our last issue, we asked you if you should stay up on New Year’s Eve… “Yes, it only happens once a year and I don’t want to miss out!” “Even though you will be tired it is worth it to see all of the fireworks.” “Obviously! It’s New Year’s Eve!” “You have just had Christmas and might have stayed up late so it’s too much. Just go to bed so you’re fresh for the new year and not exhausted.” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here.…

Covid-19 is an infectious disease that was first detected at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China. The disease quickly spread to countries all over the world. To prevent it from spreading further, most countries introduced lockdowns. These limited how often people could leave home and who they could see. Vaccines (a medicine that trains the body to fight a disease using its own defences) against the virus became available from December 2020, which gave people more protection against Covid-19. Countries began easing lockdown rules because the vaccines had made many people much safer.…

Paris, France Exhibition shows ancient treasures A new exhibition at the Louvre museum in Paris shows treasures from the Silk Road, a network of routes linking Europe to Asia. From about 130BC until AD1453, the Silk Road was used by traders to transport goods. The show displays pages from one of the oldest copies of the Qur’an (the holy book of Islam), dating from the 8th century. Santos, Brazil Funeral for football legend Pelé On 3 January, thousands of people gathered in the city of Santos to pay their respects to former football star Pelé. Pelé, who died aged 82 on 29 December, is regarded as of the greatest footballers of all time. He won three World Cups – in 1958, 1962 and 1970 – with Brazil. A fire truck…

Many tropical forests are cut down in order to plant oil palm trees. Palm oil is used in 50% of packaged supermarket products, including chocolate and soap. It’s added for lots of reasons, such as making products last longer and giving food a crispy texture. An organisation called the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil is trying to make palm oil production less damaging but environmental groups say that not enough is being done to protect forests.…

The Solent A £5 million project has been launched to restore nature in the Solent, the stretch of water between Great Britain and the Isle of Wight, which is a busy route for ships. The project will help to restore seagrass meadows, oyster reefs, saltmarshes and seabird nesting sites. European puffins UK researchers say that most puffin nesting sites in Western Europe will be lost by the end of the century because of climate change. However, conservationists have a plan for how to better protect the birds, such as tempting them to nest in safer places by putting model puffins there.…

On 30 December 1922, after war and revolution in Russia, the Soviet Union was formed. It was a huge country covering modern Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia and Ukraine. Officially named the United Socialist Soviet Republic (USSR), it lasted until 1991. Life in Russia Before 1917, Russia was ruled by a tsar (emperor) who had complete control over the people. Life was hard for ordinary Russians. Many did not have enough to eat. Around 80% of the population lived in the countryside but few of them owned their land. Even though they did not have enough to eat, people had to give up a lot of what they produced so it could be sold overseas. City life was no easier. People had to work long hours in factories where they…

Once the New Year buzz has passed, January can feel like hard work and many people find their mood drops (it is sometimes called “the winter blues”). Red January is a charity that focuses on improving wellbeing during the first month of the year – and anybody can get involved. What’s Red January’s big idea? “The idea is to move every day in January to beat the winter blues away,” explains Hannah Beecham, who set up Red January. There are no rules when it comes to how you move. Playing outside, taking a dog for a walk or taking part in a sport all count. Beecham recommends getting creative with how you move, from skipping to paddle-boarding and Zumba classes. The only rule is that REDers (the name given to…

by Abi Elphinstone. Illustrated by Geraldine Rodriguez (Puffin Books) Ten-year-old Martha Pennydrop and her little brother Scruff have moved to a new house in London. It looks like an ordinary townhouse but it has a secret magical history. Their adventure begins when they find a drawer of mysterious gold dust in the bedroom, along with a window that’s impossible to close. Soon, a barefoot boy called Peter Pan and a fairy called Muddle turn up, and they are in need of help. The magical world of Neverland is in the grip of an icy curse, cast by the villainous pirate Captain Hook. Martha and Scruff must join the Lost Kids and go to Neverland to help save it. Abi Elphinstone has put a fresh new spin on the classic story…

Have you ever listened to a podcast? It is basically a recording that you can listen to on a phone, tablet or computer. It’s a bit like a short radio show that you can hear whenever you want. There are podcasts for people of all ages and they can be about anything. You can find podcasts about comedy, gaming, history, sport – even superheroes. For example, The Week Junior Show, which comes out every Friday, features the team talking about the week’s news, and our sister magazine, Science+Nature, has a brilliant podcast called Mysteries of Science, in which experts help to investigate baffling scientific puzzles. However, with some basic equipment and a good idea, anyone can have a go at making their own show. First of all, you need a…

Crossword Read the clues carefully and write the answers into the grid. Across 1 Large pond (4) 3 Travelling show with clowns (6) 8 Safe enclosed area for toddlers (7) 9 Small piece (3) 10 Clothing that blends in with natural surroundings (10) 13 Garments sometimes worn under suit jackets (10) 17 Long, slippery fish (3) 18 Honey-makers’ home (7) 19 Footballer’s trousers (6) 20 Portable canvas shelter (4) Down 1 Edges of the mouth (4) 2 Australian marsupial that looks like a small bear (5) 4 Small hotel (3) 5 Snake with a hooded neck (5) 6 Couch, sofa (6) 7 Brussels ___, green vegetable (6) 11 Ice-cold (6) 12 Caramels, mints etc (6) 14 House made of ice (5) 15 Kiddie’s three-wheeler (5) 16 Bird’s home (4) 18…

Age UK Age UK helps everyone make the most of their later life. It does this by speaking up for older people’s rights and giving them support when they need it. This can involve campaigning for improvements in the way the Government helps older people, and giving people advice on things like exercise and being cared for at home. Age UK also organises clubs and classes where people can go to learn computer skills, try arts and crafts, play games together and meet new people. You can find out more about what Age UK does at ageuk.org.uk…

1 Which was the first country to celebrate New Year 2023? □ a) Kiribati □ b) Australia □ c) India 2 True or false? In Wales, workers for the RSPCA, an animal charity, rescued a cow by mooing. □ True □ False 3 How many FIFA World Cups did Brazilian footballer Pelé win? 4 How long do people between seven and 16 years of age spend online each day, according to a 2021 study? □ a) Five hours □ b) Four hours □ c) 30 minutes 5 True or false? Jaylen Smith, aged 18, is the youngest black mayor in the US. □ True □ False 6 How much of the Earth was covered with forest 10,000 years ago? 7 Who was the first leader of the Soviet Union? □…

People around the world have paid tribute to former Pope Benedict XVI (16th) who died on 31 December, aged 95. The Pope is the head of the Catholic Church. Benedict led the Catholic Church between 2005 and 2013 before stepping down. His final public speech as Pope drew a crowd of more than 50,000 people. He was the first Pope to retire since 1415 (Popes usually serve for the rest of their life). His body will lie in the Vatican City, a very small country within the city of Rome in Italy, that is the headquarters of the Catholic Church. He spent much of his life, including his final years, in the Vatican City. Born in Germany in 1927, Benedict, whose birth name was Joseph Ratzinger, studied religion and became…

The National Health Service (NHS) is experiencing its “most challenging winter ever”, according to the head of NHS England, Amanda Pritchard. Waiting times at hospital accident and emergency (A&E) departments have risen sharply – one in three people now wait more than four hours to be seen by a doctor, and many have to wait much longer. Why is the NHS in trouble? Pressure on the NHS has partly been caused by an high number of illnesses that are usually at their worst in the winter. Around 13% of hospital beds are currently being used by people who have Covid-19 or flu. Hospitals are also dealing with extra cases that had to be delayed during the pandemic. Another problem is that hospitals are unable to discharge (let go) some patients…

A siren sounds at 7pm every evening in Mohityache Vadgaon village, in India, announcing that it is time for everyone to turn off screen devices, like televisions and mobile phones. At 8.30pm, a second siren sounds, informing the 3,000 residents that screen-free time is over. The leaders of the village introduced it so that young people could focus on their homework and not be distracted by funny videos or phone messages, and families and friends could talk face-to-face more. However, some say that a screen simply gives access to information – it is not harmful in itself. Instead of having a strict rule, a person can decide for themselves when to put down a device in favour of doing something else. What do you think? Should you set limits on…

Jill Clark is a grandmother of two with a brand new hobby. At the age of 74 she started to rap. Inspired by hip-hop artists such as Drake, Eminem and Jay-Z, she started to write raps about… cats. Jill posted online videos of herself rapping and has raised more than £500 for the National Cat Centre through her songs. Clark, who has always enjoyed creative writing and rhymes, says that her raps take a lot of practice to get right. “Rappers are so quick,” she says, “They are incredible.” THEY SAID IT! “I’d love to take it to ancient Egypt to the pyramids!”Millie Gibson, who will play Ruby Sunday in the new Doctor Who says where she’d most like to travel in the Tardis.…

Snowdrops can start to sprout across the UK in January. They love damp soil under broadleaved trees (those with leaves rather than needles), along riverbanks and in gardens and parks. Snowdrops can be up to 25 centimetres high and grow from a bulb (an underground bud). The bell-shaped flowers droop from the end of an upright stem, surrounded by two to three long, narrow leaves. The flowers are made up of six segments called tepals – three smaller inner ones with a V-shaped notch in the tip and a green outline, and three longer ones. They are usually the first of the spring flowers and are traditionally seen as a symbol of hope for better times ahead.…

After winning the Women’s Super League (WSL) with Chelsea and playing her first game for England in September, Lauren James smashed some of her own personal goals in 2022. This year, she is hungry for even more success on the football pitch. This summer, the women’s World Cup will be held in Australia and new Zealand, and James is determined to be selected for the England squad. “I’ve always watched World Cups and it’s a dream to be part of one,” she told The Week Junior. “It’s still several months away but we’re building towards it and England want to try to win it.” England won the 2022 UEFA European Women’s Football Championship (Euro 2022) last summer at Wembley Stadium, London. Sadly, James was injured and couldn’t take part. “I…

Plenty of fantastic games came out in 2022 – but this year is shaping up to be just as good, whether you play on a console, a computer or a phone. First up, big news for Minecraft fans. A brand new Minecraft game called Minecraft Legends is coming out in the spring. This game is less about crafting and building and more about battling. In the new game your goal is to save the world from the Piglins – a gang of pig-like ruffians who love all things gold. It’s an action-strategy game for all consoles and PC, starring lots of the mobs (characters) that you will be familiar with from Minecraft and Minecraft Dungeons. Next up, something for Legend of Zelda fans. It’s been five years since The Legend…

Where did you grow up? In rural Scotland. Weekends were spent building dens, camping on the moors and climbing trees. Every remote landscape I see sparks a story I often say I’m a writer because the wilderness made me one. What was your favourite book as a child? Northern Lights because Lyra showed me girls can be as brave as boys, grown-ups and armoured polar bears. Or The BFG because the invented words – snozzcumber, whizzpopping – made me giggle and inspired me to create my own silly words. What’s the best age? My heroine, 10-year-old Martha Pennydrop, assumes that “10 is the beginning of the end,” but she discovers 10 is when the world opens up. You’re on the doorstep of the rest of your life. As long as…

How can I listen? You can find most podcasts through apps such as Google Podcasts, Spotify and BBC Sounds. Ask an adult before you download anything. You can listen to episodes at home through your device’s speaker or use headphones. Listening to them in the car is a fun way to pass the time. Who else can help? Talk to your teacher about making a school or class podcast. It could be about school achievements, events or issues. Some schools run podcast clubs where pupils learn how to make episodes. It might even be possible to make podcast episodes available on your school’s website.…

Name: Aiden “I entered a competition which asked, ‘What do you want the internet of the future to be like?’ My winning entry meant that I could go and see my work on display and have afternoon tea at the Houses of Parliament, which was a real treat! Meeting the Queen of the Jungle, Giovanna Fletcher, was the icing on the cake, though. I want the internet to be our conscience and guide, like Jiminy Cricket was to Pinocchio. Then it would drive us to act one way or another, informed by good moral values and a desire to do the right thing – not because of personal gain, but because it is the right thing to do.” What have you been up to lately? Which books have you enjoyed…