Table of contents for 395 in The Week Junior

Protests and violence across France have started to calm down after many days of unrest. The protests are a reaction to the police killing of a 17-year-old boy called Nahel Merzouk on 27 June. Who is Nahel? Nahel Merzouk lived in Nanterre, on the outskirts of Paris. He was training to be an electrician and he liked playing rugby. On 27 June he was shot by police during a traffic stop, and died. Afterwards, the police said that this happened because the officers’ lives were in danger but a video of the events shows this may not have been true. Nahel’s death has made lots of people very angry and has raised many questions about racism in the French police force. Racism is when people are treated unfairly because of…

AVOCET CHICKS Two avocet chicks have hatched in Devon, England, for the first time. Volunteers and staff spotted avocets mating in Seaton Wetlands and helped keep the eggs safe from crows, foxes and stoats. Local councillor Geoff Jung said the chicks were “a magical sight”. SELLING A PAINTING A portrait by Gustav Klimt, a famous Austrian artist who is known for paintings such as The Kiss, has sold for £85.3 million. The portrait has set a new record for the most expensive piece of artwork sold at auction in Europe. The painting, Lady with a Fan, is believed to have been unfinished when Klimt died in 1918. A SUPER SKATEBOARDER Arisa Trew, a 13-year-old skateboarder, has made history by landing two mid-air rotations at a competition in Utah, US. Trew…

Self-driving cars use sensors, cameras and other technology to understand their surroundings. They can accelerate, brake and steer, respond to traffic lights and signs, and avoid obstacles – all without the help of a human. Ford’s “BlueCruise” is the first hands-free system approved for use on UK roads. There are strict rules, though: the driver is not allowed to sleep, use their phone or do other activities, and cameras monitor them so if they take their eyes off the road they will be alerted. Other systems are being developed that need no driver input at all, and the Government says that these vehicles could be on our roads by 2025. Many people think self-driving cars are the future but others think they are unsafe. What do you think? Should all…

Madison Keys The US tennis player beat Daria Kasatkina, from Russia, in the final of the Eastbourne International competition. Australia men’s cricket team In the men’s Ashes cricket tournament, Australia won the second Test against England by 43 runs. Natasha Jonas The boxer from Liverpool, England, defeated Kandi Wyatt to win the IBF welterweight title. Jonas is now a world champion in two weight divisions. Daryll Neita The British sprinter won the 200 metres race at the Diamond League in Sweden. Dina Asher-Smith came second.…

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai (Puffin Books) Ten-year-old Ha has grown up in Saigon, surrounded by family and friends. However, when the Vietnam War reaches her city, Ha and her family must leave. After travelling on a ship to America, they arrive in a strange land. How will Ha adjust to life in her new home? The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon (Chicken House) Scruffity is born into a hard world. He longs to be part of a family but no one wants him. Then Scruffity is freed by a boy who is as unwanted as he is. The pair travel together until tragedy strikes. This emotional verse novel tells a powerful tale – from the point of view of the young dog. The Crossover by…

Name: Gazel Lord of the Flies by William Golding “Adventurous, gripping, exciting. I like how Golding has interpreted his views on society into a classic island adventure story.” 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…

Hello my name’s Olaf Falafel, I’m a children’s author, illustrator, dad and a stand-up comedian. I like to share useful drawing tips, information about different artists and jokes like this one: which Star Wars character has the longest arms? Hands so low! This week I want to tell you about Frida Kahlo, an artist from Mexico who is well known for her self-portraits and unique look. When Kahlo was 18, she was badly injured in a bus crash. During her long recovery, stuck in bed, she took up painting. Now, Frida Kahlo is considered one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Unfortunately her recovery was not complete and the accident left her in constant pain, which she often tried to show in her work. Kahlo’s pictures were mostly…

On the team we have lots of different interests. There are sports fans, nature lovers, gamers, bookworms, cinema buffs and newshounds. When we choose features for the magazine, you can be sure that any and every idea will have its keen supporters. The team’s chief gamer is art director Dave, who was a judge on the BAFTA Young Game Designers competition (page 24). The All About lidos (page 12) was me. I learned to swim in an outdoor pool (it wasn’t a lido – it wasn’t nearly grand enough for that) but I still adore the water. Associate editor Laura loves animals and was intrigued by the baby-talking dolphins on page 10. Deputy editor Rahul is fascinated by imagining the future and wanted the wooden city (page 3). Flora loves…

Take part in a Photo Contest Ready for outdoor adventures? Our sister magazine The Week Junior Science+Nature is holding its Scavenger Hunt Photo Contest again this year. The task is to track down 10 items from a list of natural objects using tinyurl.com/SN-list and while searching for them, snap photos that show nature’s beauty. You can take pictures of animals, plants or wild places wherever you live. Then enter your finds for a chance to win an awesome Canon EOS 4000D DSLR camera and a nature book bundle. Get involved at sciencenature.theweekjunior.co.uk/scavenger-hunt before the deadline on 28 August. 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…

Christina Bowen Bravery is the women’s world champion in stone skimming. To win, competitors must throw stones so that they bounce across water and travel as far as possible. Bravery can skim a pebble 41 metres across the water, a distance that earned her first place in the World Stone Skimming Championships in 2019. She is aiming to defend her title later this year. Bravery perfects her skills while walking her dog, Paws, near Ulverston in Cumbria, England, where she lives. “I should say I train lots, but I don’t,” she told The Week Junior. In fact, she only decided to enter the 2019 championships the day before the competition. She’s thrilled she did and advises others, “If something arises, no matter how scary it might be, give it a…

Humans often use “baby talk” with young children, speaking in higher-pitched, sing-song voices to them. However, a new study has discovered that we aren’t the only species to do this. Female bottlenose dolphins make higher-pitched sounds when they are communicating with their calves (babies). Bottlenose dolphins communicate using whistling and clicking noises. Each dolphin has a whistle that is unique to them, called a “signature whistle”. Dolphins use them to identify each other, just as humans use names. Dolphin’s whistles develop during the first few months of their life and they can copy the whistles of other dolphins as a way to communicate. The researchers attached microphones to19 adult female dolphins living around Sarasota Bay in Florida, US. This allowed them to examine the signature whistles the dolphins made –…

These seabirds have pale blue irises (the bit of the eye around the pupil) but scientists studying the birds on Bass Rock, in Scotland, found something odd. Birds who have survived a virus known as avian flu have black irises. More studies are needed to find out why. ● LIFESPAN: 17 years. ● HABITAT: Eastern Canada, Iceland and Europe. Bass Rock holds the world’s largest group of northern gannets. ● SIZE: A wingspan of between 165 and 180 centimetres. ● DIET: Fish, which they catch by diving into the sea. ● FUN FACT: Northern gannets can dive at up to 60mph.…

Do you enjoy a quick daytime nap? Some people think they are a waste of time but scientists have recently found evidence that daytime naps can be good for adults’ brains. Researchers from University College London and the University of the Republic in Uruguay looked at snippets of people’s DNA. This is a chemical that carries all the information about your body and characteristics. There are 97 DNA snippets in humans that can identify whether you’re likely to be a daytime napper or not. The scientists used data from 35,000 people in the UK between the ages of 40 and 69. They studied people whose DNA showed that they were more likely to nap in the day compared to people whose DNA showed that they didn’t need to. By looking…

by Efua Traoré (Chicken House) It’s been three years since Jomi’s mum left the village for Lagos, the city of dreams. Now, Jomi has made up his mind to follow her. Leaving his home, accompanied only by a bush baby he rescues from the bulldozers that are destroying the forest, he heads for the big city. At first, Lagos seems huge, daunting and dangerous – but things improve when he falls in with a crew of street kids. Together, they come up with a wild plan to find Jomi’s mum through the TV talent show she loves, Lagos Let’s Dance. If they can only get their dance crew on the TV show, then maybe his mum will spot Jomi and they’ll be reunited – but will the kids get the…

These illustrated books are perfect for those who like to see stories unfold, as well as reading them. Bunny vs Monkey returns with the Maniacal Badger who wants to take over the woods. Bumble & Snug is also set in a forest, only with mythical bugpops too. Rob Biddulph has created a fantastic book in which famous artworks vanish into dust, and in Alex Falase-Koya’s story, museum exhibits come to life in the Natural History Museum. Grow and Make This Book Wild both take readers into the natural world and teach you how to turn a book into a work of art. For people who love gaming, Press Start! allows you to read while venturing into a virtual world. Frankie’s World gives an insight into a neurodivergent mind through a…

Word fill in All these words fit in the grid. Can you work out where each word goes to complete it? 3 letters Tea Zip 4 letters Cubs Rope Vent 5 letters Field Stove Tepee 6 letters Icebox Mallet Scouts 7 letters Bedroll Weather 8 letters Brownies Outdoors 9 letters Adventure Deckchair Wordsearch Can you find all of the words listed here? They are hidden horizontally, vertically or diagonally and may read forwards or backwards. SALAMANDER SCORPION SEAHORSE SEAL SHARK SHEEP SHREW SHRIMP SKUNK SLOTH SLUG SNAIL SNAKE SPARROW SPIDER SQUID SQUIRREL STARFISH STOAT STORK 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 two…

Neuroblastoma UK This charity wants to find a cure for neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer. Some children with cancer need strong treatment for a long time which can make them feel really poorly. Thanks to people raising money in schools, at work or in their local community, Neuroblastoma UK supports scientists to help them understand more about the disease and develop better, kinder treatments. It raises awareness of cancer too – look out for their Gold Ribbon badges for Childhood Cancer Awareness month in September. Learn more at neuroblastoma.org.uk…

Teacher’s name: Mrs Ewing Patel School: St Peter’s C of E Primary School, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire “Mrs Ewing Patel, aka Mrs E-P, is the best teacher because she is so supportive and encouraging. She is always up for a good laugh and tries her best to get to know us all. She makes lessons more interesting and creative but still manages to get the work in, which is a wonder. She has taught me and my classmates so much and is just wonderful.” Lea 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 If you’ve enjoyed this issue, why not…

Eleven-year-old James Craven was recently diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome (TS), a condition that causes someone to make twitches and sounds, called tics, when they are anxious. The day after his diagnosis, James watched Lewis Capaldi’s performance at Glastonbury festival when the singer, who also has TS, could not complete his set because of his tics. James wrote to Capaldi, saying, “It brings a smile to my face” to see the singer continue through his struggles. Capaldi inspired James, a keen piano player, even before he knew that he had TS. Now James says Capaldi is his “role model”.…

All around the UK’s coast in summer, you can spot pink flowers called thrift. Also known as sea-pink or cliff clover, the plant clings to cliffs and springs up on shingle (pebbly) beaches and sand dunes. Thrift is tough and can live in a salty environment and poor soil. That’s where it gets its name – “thrift” means using resources carefully and not wasting them. The plants grows in cushion-like tufts of needle-shaped leaves, low to the ground so it can cope with windy places. The pink flowers cluster in balls on stalks up to 20 centimetres high, so they look a bit like pink lollipops. Hundreds of years ago, in Scotland’s Orkney Islands, thrift roots were boiled in milk and used to treat a lung disease called tuberculosis.…

Many people in the UK enjoy swimming in open-air pools, known as lidos. In a country known for its soggy summers, it is surprising that swimming in cold water became so popular – but the public loved it. Jump in to find out more. What is a lido? The word “lido” is borrowed from Italian. Lido is a beautiful island in Venice where, in the 19th century, royalty and rich people from across Europe came to stay. The island offered grand hotels and “sea-bathing”, which had become a fashionable treatment for all sorts of illnesses. Local authorities in the UK wanted to sell tickets to their newly built pools, so they called them lidos to make them sound glamorous and exciting. Why were public pools built? During the 19th century,…

Have you seen cyclists competing on their bikes and thought about giving the sport a go? Thanks to a new campaign, young riders can get involved over the school holidays and boost their cycling skills. A group called British Cycling, which helps organise the sport, has launched its Summer of Cycling scheme. From now until September there are more than 300 events at cycling clubs all around England, where people aged seven to 12 can enjoy a session. You will also find lots of summer events on offer throughout Wales and Scotland. The events are free and include things like fun coaching and bike tips, traffic-free group rides and even a chance to try some racing. It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced rider or are completely new to cycling.…

People are invited to step into an incredible inflatable world at a new exhibition. In You, Me and the Balloons, Yayoi Kusama has filled an exhibition space with patterns, polka dots, giant dolls and more. The show brings together Kusama’s inflatable art – created over 30 years – in one place for the first time. Many of the pieces are more than 10 metres tall. The exhibition is an “immersive” experience. That means visitors are completely surrounded by the artwork on display and it almost feels like being in another world. Kusama is a popular artist who is sometimes called the “princess of polka dots”. She became interested in dots when, as a child, she had a hallucination (when people see things that aren’t really there) that flowers were talking…

Is It Cake, Too? Available now on Netflix Talented bakers try to trick celebrity judges by creating cakes that look like everyday items. Their mouthwatering copies of objects such as shoes and clothes leave viewers and judges guessing. American Born Chinese Available now on Disney+ Jin Wang is a normal American teenager at high school. When he becomes friends with Wei-Chen Sun at school his life changes forever. Worlds collide as Jin becomes entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods. Suitable for older viewers.…

What inspired you to write this book? I’ve always been fascinated by bush babies and Nigerian myths surrounding them. This book began with a vision of a boy on an impossible mission with a bush baby as his companion. Do you like to dance? Yes! Especially to Afrobeats. I often go out dancing. When I was little in Nigeria, I used to perform in different traditional dance groups in school. Next holiday? A family trip (probably to Egypt) with my parents, three siblings, their families and mine. It’s very special because we all live in different parts of the world. What is your favourite food? I love eating moin moin. It’s a bean cake, traditionally steamed in banana leaves – and often eaten with fried plantains. Delicious.…

There are more than 2,200 games companies in the UK alone, with tens of thousands of people working in jobs such as coding, designing and writing for games on consoles, phones and computers. Every year, the BAFTA Young Game Designers competition tries to find some of the young people who might become the next generation of British game makers. Its latest winners were recently announced. BAFTA is an organisation supporting British film, TV and video games. The contest is split into two categories: Game Concepts (for ideas that haven’t been made) and Game Making (for games that have been coded). Each category has two awards: one for 10 to 14-year-olds and another for 15 to 18-year-olds. Max Whistlecraft won the 10 to 14 Game Concept award for his idea for…

Abandoned “fairytale” village Explorer Bob Thissen has released a video of hundreds of abandoned buildings in a village in north-western Turkey. The spooky town is called Burj Al Babas and it is near the Black Sea – a popular spot with tourists. The fairytale-style houses were modelled to look like little German castles. Work on Burj Al Babas began in 2014 but stopped after the company that was building the village ran out of money. The buildings were mainly planned to be holiday homes, and once they were finished would have cost around £400,000 each. A wee-licious, refreshing drink Astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), which is orbiting Earth, are using an unusual way to quench their thirst through recycling. A new piece of equipment can make drinking water…

Name: Mohamed “Back in February, my school teachers said that there was a competition about poetry and the winners would get to go to Shakespeare’s Globe. I’ve always wanted to go to the Globe so I signed up. The only problem was that I had to decide on a poem. We were learning about the First World War poems in my English lessons and I really liked one of them (Dulce et Decorum Est, by Wilfred Owen) so I did the poem for Poetry by Heart. Surprisingly, I got to the final so I got to go to the Globe. I was so excited! First, I performed in front of a lot of people but I was more nervous performing for the second time in front of the judges. When…

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. We asked if vaping should be banned… “Banned indoors & only available on prescription to stop people smoking.” “Vapes are basically just flavoured cigarettes.” “I think it shouldn’t be banned because it stops people from smoking.” “Vaping harms the planet. They aren’t reusable and they are full of chemicals.” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here.…

1 Jair Bolsonaro is the former president of which country? □ a) Argentina □ b) Chile □ c) Brazil 2 True or false? Blackbirds snaffled all the plums from 80 trees. □ True □ False 3 In which country have people become one or two years younger? 4 Who was the first person in the world to be charged with speeding? □ a) Walter Arnold □ b) Stirling Moss □ c) Lewis Hamilton 5 True or false? Kakwenza Rukirabashaija is a politician. □ True □ False 6 How do bottlenose dolphins communicate with each other? 7 Where is the Jubilee pool lido? □ a) Renfrewshire □ b) Cornwall □ c) Brighton 8 True or false? People in Spain often have afternoon naps called siestas. □ True □ False 9 In…