Table of contents for 461 in The Week Junior

Muslim and Jewish communities in the UK have come together on the one-year anniversary of attacks by Hamas (a terrorist group) on Israel. The attacks led to conflict in the region becoming much worse. Gaza is a strip of land that borders Israel and is governed by Hamas. What has been said? Senior figures from Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith groups in the UK came together to call for peace between all sides in the conflict. “Anti-Jewish hate and anti-Muslim hate have no place in the UK today,” they said. “We must stand together against prejudice (an unfair feeling of dislike based on race or religion, for example) and hatred in all its forms.” The statement was made because the conflict in Gaza has affected people in the UK too.…

Can you tell the difference between a pepper and a parsnip? A recent survey of 1,000 children, aged seven to 11, found that nearly half (49%) have tried growing their own food at school. However, a third could not identify some vegetables, including beetroot and courgette. The same survey found that pupils are more likely to eat fruit and vegetables they haven’t tried before when they have helped to grow them. This made them more tempting to children than seeing them served up with dinners, or even being eaten by their favourite pop star. Some people say that growing food is a skill that every child should learn but others think it’s not essential and should just be a hobby for those who love it. What do you think? Should…

In autumn, ladybirds start preparing to nest for the winter, so they seek out the warmth and safety of people’s homes. You might see them on windows or scuttling around inside. There are 47 species of ladybird in Britain but the most common is the seven-spot ladybird, which is red with black spots. Also common are the red two-spot ladybird and the harlequin. Harlequins are an invasive species (one that has come from other countries and can harm local species and habitats). Originally from Asia, they can have up to 22 black spots, or be black with only two red spots. If you see a ladybird in your home, encourage it into a container and transfer it to a sheltered spot outside – such as under a hedge – during…

With its summit (highest point) standing at an incredible 8,849 metres, Everest is the world’s highest mountain above sea level – but did you know that it’s getting even taller? Scientists say the huge landmark, which sits on the border of Nepal and Tibet in the Himalayan mountain range, grows by as much as two millimetres every year. Although this might not seem like a lot, it adds up over time. In a recent study, researchers have suggested that Everest is experiencing a growth spurt. They think this is because of a nearby river, and that the mountain is between 15 and 50 metres taller than it would otherwise be. The researchers explain that the Arun river has eroded rock and soil (meaning the moving water has worn it down…

On 6 October, Brazil won the men’s Futsal World Cup for the sixth time. The competition was organised by FIFA, the group in charge of football around the world. Brazil beat their South American rivals, Argentina, 2-1 in the final, which was played in the city of Tashkent, in Uzbekistan. Futsal is a version of football that is played on indoor courts. Unlike a regular outdoor team, which has 11 players, a futsal team has five players and the court is smaller than an outdoor pitch. A game has two 20-minute halves and there is no limit on how many substitutes can be used. Another difference to regular football is that in futsal, if a player is substituted he or she can rejoin the game later on. Games are fast…

What would you do if you were stranded on a deserted island? This is the problem that faces ROZZUM unit 7134, also known as Roz, in new film, The Wild Robot. Roz is a robot designed to help humans with their day-to-day tasks. When she is shipwrecked on an island, she must learn how to adapt to the harsh and unfamiliar surroundings. As she explores, Roz builds relationships with animals on the island, including a gosling (baby goose) that she decides to help. This animated adventure is based on the best-selling The Wild Robot books by author Peter Brown. Chris Sanders, who directed the film, told The Week Junior that it has been an “amazing journey” adapting the book. He said it was important to make sure that people watching…

Ghostlines by Katya Balen (Bloomsbury Children’s) Tilda loves the island of Ayrie, surrounded by seals and puffins but when newcomer Albie arrives, he isn’t convinced. There’s a mysterious island, just a short, dangerous boat ride away, and visiting it is strictly forbidden. There’s a rumour it might be haunted, too, but could it help win over Albie? The Case of the Missing Person by Kereen Getten. Illustrated by Leah Jacobs-Gordon (Pushkin Children’s) In the latest instalment of the engaging Di Island Crew Investigates mystery series set on an island, Fayson’s friends are planning to throw her a spectacular party to celebrate her birthday. However, when a member of the gang is kidnapped, the crew have a race against time to find them. Shipwrecked by Jenny Pearson (Usborne Publishing) Three kids…

Name: Gwyn The Adventures of Frankie the Puffin by Robin Thomas “Brave, adventurous and exciting. Frankie loves doing things other puffins do not do. There seems to be no end to his curiosity!” YOUR TURN Please email your book review to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk. If it is printed in the magazine you will receive a Roving Reporter badge. Describe your chosen book in three words, tell us what you liked about it and why you would recommend it to others. Don’t forget to include your name and address.* *If you are the competition winner, we will only use the details you provide to contact you and arrange delivery of your competition prize. Further details about how we manage the data you provide can be found at www.futureplc.com/privacy-policy…

Word fill in All these words fit in the grid. Can you work out where each word goes to complete it? 3 Letters Cat Saw 4 Letters Blue Fish Tope 5 Letters Angel Blind Teeth Whale 6 Letters Carpet Copper 7 Letters Lantern Requiem 8 Letters Mackerel Predator Thresher 9 Letters Crocodile Greenland Wordsearch Can you find all of the words listed here? They are hidden horizontally, vertically or diagonally and may read forwards or backwards. ACORN BERRY BLOSSOM BRANCH CANOPY CONE CONKER COPSE CORK DECIDUOUS EVERGREEN FOLIAGE FOREST ORCHARD ROOT SAPLING THICKET TRUNK TWIG WOODLAND Number tower Place a number in every circle to complete the tower. The value in each circle is the sum of the numbers in the two circles directly beneath it. Spot the difference These…

Creating Nature’s Corridors was launched to improve the planet for generations to come and is on a mission to plant 10,000 trees and hedges every year. In its 2023–24 season, Creating Nature’s Corridors more than doubled its target by planting about 25,000 trees and hedging plants across UK sites. The project has now planted a total of 31,389. To find out more about the charity and its tree-planting work, check out creatingnaturescorridors.co.uk…

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

We love hearing from you! It’s easy – just write a comment when you vote in our online Big Debate poll, or even record a voice note for The Week Junior Show. Last week we asked you if politicians should take free stuff… “No, if they do take gifts they may look like bribes.” “Yes, because giving presents is just a way of saying thank you.” “No. What about other people who really really want those Taylor Swift tickets?” “Yes, they work very hard and deserve free stuff.” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here.…

BOLLYWOOD IN THE BALLROOM For the first time on Strictly Come Dancing a couple danced to a Bollywood song. Bollywood is the Indian film industry. Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez chose Bole Chudiyan from the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Krishan said she was “a proud Scottish Indian girl”. A VERY CALM HORSE A retired military horse has been awarded the PDSA Order of Merit, a special medal given to animals that do important work. Lord Firebrand, also known as Yogi, spent 10 years working in royal parades, including the Queen’s funeral procession in 2022. He is known for his calm nature. PORRIDGE LOVERS A Scottish man has won a contest for making the world’s best porridge. On 5 October, Chris Ormiston won the 31st World Porridge Making Championship in…

To mark National Poetry Day on 3 October, the charity the National Literacy Trust revealed the results of a survey that found out how much children in England are engaging with poetry. Almost 5,000 children, aged from eight to 16, took part in the research. The survey found that just under half of children and young people in England are engaging with poetry in some form. This could mean they read poetry, write it, listen to it or perform it. Those who do engage with poetry mentioned lots of benefits. They said that poetry helps their confidence, improves their ability to learn and makes it easier for them to understand how others are feeling. More than half (51%) of the young people who engage with poetry said they do it…

For Chantelle Lindsay, a wildlife conservationist, nature has always been very important. Her first bedroom as a child was safari-themed, and she loved animals. She used to put out food for the hedgehogs and collect snails to keep under her bed. Lindsay tells The Week Junior that wildlife “always was the thing that brought me the most authentic joy, peace, curiosity, wonder, and really connected me to myself”. These days, Lindsay shares her passion for wildlife with others. Alongside her work on CBeebies, where she presents Teeny Tiny Creatures, she is also involved in the London Wildlife Trust’s Nature in Mind project. This helps young people who are waiting for mental health support on the NHS to get involved in nature-based wellbeing sessions. She says they aim to help young…

A group of UK farmers has launched a campaign asking large supermarkets to stop “farmwashing”, which means using labels to make customers think the food is from small UK farms. The campaign, called Farmers Against Farmwashing, wants UK supermarkets to support local food producers. The farmers claim that big supermarkets are using farm-style brands that include the Union Jack (UK flag) to make customers think that the food is from UK farms. However, they said that much of the food sold under these brands is bought from large industrial farms abroad. In July, a survey of 202 farmers showed that 61% were worried that they would have to give up their farms within 18 months because they were not making enough money. Only 25% of those asked believed supermarket claims…

York Valkyrie At the Women’s Super League Grand Final, York Valkyrie beat St Helens 18-8 to win the rugby league competition for the second year in a row. Coco Gauff The US tennis player beat Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic by two sets to zero to win the China Open event. England netball team England won the Taini Jamison Trophy for the first time since 2021 by beating New Zealand by two games to one in New Zealand. Leicester City Leicester won their first Premier League football match of the season with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth. Facundo Buonanotte scored the goal.…

You might know Joseph Coelho as the award-winning poet, playwright and author who was the Waterstones Children’s Laureate before Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Did you know he also has a background as an archaeologist? Here, he uses his knowledge to weave a thrilling magical adventure. Relic Hamilton is a 12-year-old boy who lives with his grandfather above an old antique shop in London. One day, when he’s polishing some brass lamps, a genie appears; but it’s not a kind and helpful genie, but an evil one – and it feeds on hope. Soon, Relic finds himself part of a hidden community of genie hunters who secretly travel the world in their hi-tech jet, the Aladdin, to stop rogue genies before they can wreak havoc on the world. This is the first in…

There have been quite a few SpongeBobSquarePants games in the past, and they all made SpongeBob the main hero. However, in 2024 it is finally time for his best friend to get the spotlight. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game has you play as the cheery pink starfish, exploring the underwater world of Bikini Bottom completing quests set by his friends. Yes, including SpongeBob. It’s a “sandbox” adventure game, which means you have the freedom to explore at your own pace, rather than being made to go certain ways. If you’re a fan of the TV show and films, you’ll enjoy the way this sounds – the original actors have provided their voices for the game too. The Patrick Star Game is out for all consoles as well as PCs.…

A new museum has opened in Germany’s capital, Berlin, which is full of optical illusions and rooms that look as though they are the wrong way up. Called The Upside Down, it claims to be Europe’s largest interactive experience. At the opening party, people got to check out 21 unusual rooms that are designed to look crazy in people’s pictures. Activities include diving into a ball pit, taking a seat on a private jet, getting up close to a giant hair dryer, performing circus tricks upside down and singing in four private karaoke rooms. The new museum follows the success of The Upside Down in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, which opened for visitors four years ago.…

“We loved making hedgehogs from The Week Junior, recycling old copies to make their spikes.”Sammi and Jesse “When we were on holiday in Canada we visited a glacier butr still wanted to read ou ‘cool’ magazine.”Milo and Freya “I went on a kayaking trip on the weekend near where I live. My dad and I kayaked 24.5 miles all the way to the sea in two days.”Felicity…

In Leek, England, a man has collected more than 10 million seeds belonging to all the UK’s tree types. Brian Mountford started in 2022 after reading about the decline in butterflies and bumble-bees. On walks, he put oak, ash, beech and birch seeds in his pockets, then dried the seeds and planted them in all sorts of bottles, containers and pots. He then took the baby plants to the John Hall Wellness Garden, which is run by the charity Rethink Mental Illness. Volunteers there will plant the trees. “It has always been my plan over these past two years to do some good for the world,” says Mountford. “The world needs more people planting trees.”…

Night parrots Around 50 night parrots have been found by indigenous researchers (indigenous people are the original inhabitants of a place) in western Australia. It’s now thought that the Ngururrpa Indigenous Protected Area could be home to the world’s largest population of night parrots. Vanishing fireflies The US government is set to list the Bethany Beach firefly as endangered, in order to protect it. The insect is facing extinction because of threats such as climate change, habitat loss and light pollution. It would be the first of 170 firefly species in the US to be protected this way.…

Black History Month (BHM) takes place every year in October in the UK and is now in its 37th year. It celebrates the achievements and contributions of black people from all over the UK. Why is BHM important? BHM aims to draw attention to the experiences, history and accomplishments of black communities in the UK over many years. Black people have made many important contributions to life in the UK, for example in healthcare, politics, publishing, science, sport and the arts, and the organisers of BHM want to highlight these stories. How did it start? Black History Month was the idea of a US historian, Carter G. Woodson, in the early 20th century. He saw that there was very little information about the contributions of black people in the US,…

When you’re facing a challenge, do you find a way to overcome it or do you tell yourself there’s no point trying? Learning to believe in yourself gives you confidence. What does self-belief mean? Believing in yourself means knowing you can get better at something, even if you don’t succeed at first. You see a challenge as something you can overcome if you try hard enough. It’s not believing you can do everything but knowing that, with practice, you can try. A famous psychologist (expert in thoughts and feelings) called Dr Albert Bandura said self-belief means you can face all kinds of challenges – from speaking up in class to climbing a mountain – if you make the effort to achieve it. How is it good for me? As well…

What wish would you want granted? To be able to fly – but I guess I’d need superhuman strength too, to survive the cold of high altitudes. It would also be great to breathe underwater. If you could time travel, where would you go? I would have to go back 65 million years to check out the dinosaurs. How amazing would it be to see a feathered T. rex… from a safe distance! What was the best thing about writing this book? Getting to include some of my favourite London landmarks, like the British Museum, Natural History Museum and London Aquarium. It was fun to imagine Relic and the Hermitic Sodality of Genie Hunters in these spaces. What is the perfect writing spot? At home at my desk with my…

Holly King-Mand is a writer, presenter and campaigner for literacy (the ability to read and write) who has inspired thousands of children to learn English. Holly helps children improve their writing skills and prepare for exams. Here she tackles how to write an essay… Writing essays is an unavoidable but fun part of studying lots of subjects, but what is an essay? Essays are an extended piece of writing that presents an argument or information on a topic. They can vary in purpose, style and type but they all involve questioning, assessing and discussing ideas or evidence. An essay usually answers a question or a request to present ideas on a particular topic. For example, an essay question might ask what motivates a character in a book to act in…

This week marked a year since the conflict in the Middle East became far worse after the Hamas attacks in Israel. We join with the faith leaders and other groups who are working for peace and calling for unity among people (page 2). It’s not always easy to understand another person’s point of view. It takes hard work, imagination, bravery, patience and kindness. Do you like gardening? That’s just one of the questions in our latest reader survey (page 21) because we want to find out how you spend your time. The debate this week (page 8) is about gardening. There weren’t any big shops where I grew up, so we had to grow a lot of our own food – and I still get a thrill from watching seeds…

Recycle Now, the national recycling campaign in England and Northern Ireland, is organising the 21st edition of Recycle Week – and it will run from 14 to 20 October. This year’s theme is Rescue Me and asks everyone to rescue items that can be recycled from being thrown in the rubbish bin. Although recycling is important every day of the year, this is a week to spread awareness and make an extra effort towards protecting the planet. Have a look at recyclenow.com and click on “News and campaigns”.…

Teacher’s name: Miss Blackburn School: Skelton School, Penrith, Cumbria “Miss Blackburn is a kind, caring and patient teacher, she has a loving heart and makes everyone smile and laugh. She is willing to help, no matter your age. She is friendly and inspirational and gives up her time to help others. Go Miss Blackburn, you are awesome.” Holly and Alice 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…