Table of contents for Issue 269 in The Week Junior US

Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old from Texas, was crowned champion of the Scripps National Spelling Bee on May 29. It was the 100th anniversary of the bee, which was held outside Washington, DC, and was broadcast on television. What is the bee? The Scripps National Spelling Bee, which began in 1925, is the nation’s most prestigious spelling competition. It’s open to students who haven’t turned 16 or finished eighth grade. At the event, competitors take turns trying to spell a word no one else has attempted. First they must pronounce it correctly, then spell it out loud within two minutes. If they spell it correctly, they remain in the bee. If not, they are eliminated. Bee officials include Jacques A. Bailly, who has been the event’s head pronouncer since 2003, and…

CHOOSING NAMES Say hello to Jia Jia and De De! After receiving more than 35,000 entries in a public contest, animal park officials chose names for the first giant pandas ever born in Hong Kong. The female and male were born last August. CLIMBING SKY HIGH Kami Rita Sherpa, a pro climbing guide from Nepal, reached the peak of Mount Everest for the 31st time. Sherpa, age 55, beat his own record for the most ascents of the world’s tallest mountain, which he set last year. He is “a global symbol of Everest itself,” said the company he works for. A STRONG SWIM Lewis Pugh, age 55, became the first person to swim around the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. Pugh, who swam 62 miles over 12 days with…

The US and more than 100 other countries kicked off Pride Month on June 1. The month celebrates and advocates for fair treatment of people in the LGBTQ+ community. The first Pride march took place in June 1970. It marked the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a major event in New York City that caused people to come together to advocate for the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people. In 1978, the rainbow Pride flag was created for the Gay Freedom Day Parade in San Francisco, California. Since then, rainbow flags have become a symbol of the movement. President Bill Clinton was the first US President to recognize Pride Month in 1999. In the US, Pride Month is coming at a challenging time for many people in the LGBTQ+ community.…

Renowned dog trainer Annie Grossman has released her first-ever book on dog training, How to Train Your Dog with Love + Science. Drawing from years of hands-on experience, she offers a positive, researchbased approach to help owners bond with their dogs while teaching them new skills. Grossman grew up in New York City, where she still lives today. She always loved animals and had a dog-walking business in middle school. Later, she became a journalist, writing for publications like The New York Times, where in the 2000s she was assigned an article about the rise of dog trainers. This inspired her to enroll in a training program. “I loved spending time with my dog and thought a job where I could learn about dogs would be pretty cool,” Grossman told…

Bonobos may be proof that there’s strength in numbers—and working together can make all the difference. A new study showed that within the bonobo society, females bond together to assert and maintain power despite their limited size and strength. This leadership makes them rare among mammals. Bonobos, a type of great ape, are one of the closest living relatives of humans. As with most primates, males are larger and stronger than females. Typically, the males’ greater size and strength would result in domination of the troop (group of bonobos), choosing mates and controlling resources like food. But females appear to have taken control by forming “girl squads.” The scientists examined research conducted over 30 years on six bonobo communities living in the wild in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They…

A California sea lion named Ronan has astonished scientists by nodding in time to musical rhythms. Experts thought only humans and a few other animals had this ability. But in a recent study, Ronan outperformed people at keeping a beat. ● LIFE SPAN: About 15 to 30 years ● HABITAT: The Pacific Coast, from Alaska to Mexico ● SIZE: About 8 feet for males, 6 for females ● DIET: Fish and invertebrates such as octopuses ● FUN FACT: A male sea lion’s call sounds like a dog’s bark, but females make different sounds.…

In the next five issues of our Summer of Reading challenge, keep an eye out for interviews with these award-winning creators. You can find them in our Book Club column on page 23. PABLO CARTAYA It’s evident from author and actor Pablo Cartaya’s new release, A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation, that he enjoys traveling around the country. The fast-paced fantasy adventure chronicles an epic 10-day road trip from California to Florida featuring a boy and his disagreeable grandfather. GRACE LIN Author and illustrator Grace Lin received a Newbery Honor in 2011 for Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Her latest illustrated fantasy adventure, The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon, debuted in May to much acclaim. The characters are unforgettable! MEG MEDINA The winner of the 2019 Newbery Medal…

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered a new color that has never been seen by humans before. It’s a blue-green color that they named “olo.” People see colors through a part of the eye called the retina. It has lightsensitive cells called rods and cones that send electrical signals to the brain. There are three types of cone cells, which detect red, green, or blue light. Usually, a cone that detects green can be activated at the same time as one or both of the other cones but not on its own. The scientists developed a technique using a special green laser that stimulated only the greendetecting cones in people’s eyes. (Lasers can damage your eyes, so never shine one at yourself or anyone else.) Every participant…

On May 31, the title-deciding match of the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Champions League was played at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. The Champions League is an annual months-long competition among the top soccer clubs in Europe, and it is one of the most renowned soccer tournaments in the world. In the final, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) beat Inter Milan, 5–0. It was the largest-ever margin of victory in a Champions League Final. The win marks the first Champions League title for PSG. Ahead of this season, which began in September, the format of the competition was changed. One difference was how the first round is organized. Instead of groups of four teams playing each other, the 36 teams each played a variety of teams in the new…

Coach’s Name: Danielle Gabrish Team: Hymax Bobcats (field hockey) “Coach Danielle is the best coach ever! She doesn’t just teach us how to play field hockey—she teaches us how to believe in ourselves. She pushes us to work hard, try our best, and never give up. She always tells us being a good teammate and a kind person is just as important as scoring goals. Coach Danielle is also a real scientist, which is super cool! She’s someone I really look up to and trust. I’m so lucky to have her as my coach.” Layla Bowman, 11, Maryland 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.…

Wylde Park (Paramount+) This new series from The Loud House creators is about half-siblings Jack and Lily. He is a rule follower and she is a free spirit, and they are living together for the first time. They have wild adventures, help run the family’s pet-grooming business, and learn to embrace their differences. Captain America: Brave New World (Disney+) In the fourth Captain America film, the superhero is now Sam Wilson, who used to be The Falcon. When Sam meets the newly elected US President, Thaddeus Ross, he is tasked with uncovering a plot involving the rise of Red Hulk, which could destabilize the world. The Chameleon Queen (PBS) Fandresena Rakotoharimalala is the first herpetologist (scientist who studies amphibians and reptiles) from Madagascar to lead genetic research on chameleons. This…

What you’ll need • Bricks, left over from home projects or purchased from a home improvement store (look for inexpensive bricks or concrete blocks)• Cardboard, such as from a shipping box, to protect your work surface• Optional: primer (like gesso) to create brighter colors• Paintbrush• Chalkboard paint• Chalk• Optional: felt, scissors, and white glue (to make a soft bottom) Instructions 1. Cover your work surface with cardboard. If you’d like, paint the bricks with primer—except for the small side that will become the bottom. As a shortcut, you can paint only the sides that will show. Allow the primer to dry completely. 2. Paint the bricks on the top and long sides with chalkboard paint. Let dry. 3. Use chalk to draw or write whatever you’d like on the bricks—buildings,…

A fabulous festival for dogs For two days at the Goodwood estate in England, 12,000 dogs were treated like royalty. At the annual Goodwoof festival, pet pooches enjoyed lapdog luxuries, like a spa and massage parlor, and activities such as doga (yoga for dogs). A Bavarian oompah band led a parade of 600 dachshunds, and famous authors presented readings of dogthemed works. “It is not a dog show,” said the Duke of Richmond, who founded the pet extravaganza. “It’s a dog event unlike any other.” Gaming on a getaway There are no restaurants at the International Space Station. So when astronaut Jonny Kim started craving a cheeseburger while orbiting 250 miles above Earth, he had to get creative. Using ingredients available in the floating laboratory, Kim put a piece of…

On June 12 at 7 p.m. ET, the editors of The Week Junior will be hosting a special virtual event for families! We will be kicking off our 2025 Summer of Reading program with a panel discussion featuring four acclaimed middle-grade authors who have exciting books coming out this summer. Attendees can discover how their favorite authors come up with story ideas, illustrate their work, and more. You can RSVP for this free event and learn more about it at tinyurl.com/TWJUS-AuthorEvent. We hope to see you there! IT’S YOUR TURN Email your news, views, and photos to hello@theweekjunior.com. We want to hear from you! To have your letters, photos, nominations, recommendations, or ideas considered for inclusion in the magazine, please include your first name, age, and state with your submission.…

Teacher’s Name: Mrs. Dennler School: Eastampton Community School “I want to nominate my library teacher, Mrs. Dennler. She is super supportive, helpful, and kind. She wants to make sure everyone is following directions but also gets the help they need. She has amazing books and displays. She also lets us choose the books we want to read in the library. Mrs. Dennler is the best teacher ever!” Charlotte, 10, New Jersey 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.…

1 In what international city were axolotls successfully released into the wild? 2 True or false? Scientists discovered a new color called “olo” that is reddish brown. True ☐ False ☐ 3 Which of our Author Ambassadors was the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature in 2023–24? a) Grace Lin b) Meg Medina c) Pablo Cartaya a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 4 What is the name of the most distant galaxy ever observed, which was recently spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope? a) MoM-z14 b) DaD-z14 c) SiS-z14 a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 5 True or false? Maja Stark’s recent US Open win was her first major golf tournament victory. True ☐ False ☐ 6 How old is the famous naturalist Sir David Attenborough? a) 77 b) 88…

From June 4 to 9, an estimated 1.8 million Muslims (people who follow the religion of Islam) from around the world will gather in Mecca, a city in Saudi Arabia. There, they will perform an annual pilgrimage known as the Hajj. Muslims consider Mecca the birthplace of the prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. The Hajj is one of five pillars of the religion, and every Muslim who can make the journey is expected to complete it at least once in their lifetime. Attendees perform rituals, including walking seven times around the Kaaba, a cube-shaped shrine in the middle of the city’s Grand Mosque (place of worship). The Hajj ends with Eid al-Adha, when people share meals and exchange gifts. Last year, pilgrims at the Hajj endured temperatures as high…

A group of young people have filed a lawsuit A (legal dispute) challenging President Donald Trump’s executive orders on climate and the environment. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Montana, argues the orders are unconstitutional. Who filed the lawsuit? The 22 plaintiffs (people filing the lawsuit) range in age from 7 to 25. Most are from Montana, although some live in Hawaii, Oregon, and other states. They are represented by Our Children’s Trust, a nonprofit legal group that has won two climate-related court victories in recent years. In one case, Held v. State of Montana, the Montana Supreme Court ruled in favor of the young people. It said that Montana’s energy policies had violated residents’ constitutional right to a clean environment. The lead plaintiff in that case was…

Manitoba, Canada Thousands leave homes to avoid fires About 17,000 people in the Canadian province of Manitoba and thousands more in Alberta and Saskatchewan have been evacuated because of more than 188 wildfires that have broken out. Hot and dry weather is causing the fires to spread quickly, releasing smoke across Canada and parts of the US. On May 31, the US Forest Service said it was sending 150 firefighters and equipment to Canada to help battle the fires. Blatten, Switzerland Village destroyed by glacier collapse Most of the Swiss village of Blatten has been destroyed by an enormous avalanche of ice and rock. Prior to this, all the residents had been evacuated because scientists warned that a section of a glacier above the village was likely to break off…

Minnesota’s oldest state park has a very special feature. North America’s longest river, the Mississippi, originates there before flowing south to meet the sea. The park, which was established in 1891, also contains more than 100 lakes and thousands of acres of old-growth pine forests. Inside its boundaries, a wilderness sanctuary helps preserve native plants like orchids and cuckoo flowers that grow near Lake Itasca’s shore. The park attracts many kinds of birds, including loons, owls, and hummingbirds. Visitors may also see beavers, deer, black bears, and wolves.…

Dr. Roger Benson Curator of paleontology, American Museum of Natural History Although not closely related, birds and pterodactyls, which are actually called pterosaurs, share similarities. First, both fly. Fossils show that pterosaurs had hollow, air-filled bones like birds do, and they were covered in hair-like structures similar to feathers. Like birds, many also lacked teeth. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about AMNH at amnh.org.…

Sleep can improve your mood, keep your energy levels up, and allow you to concentrate better. Sleep also plays a crucial role in brain development for children. That’s one reason newborn babies spend most of their time asleep. Scientists have done a great deal of research on babies’ sleepandadults’ sleep—butthey know much less about sleep in adolescents. These years are an important time for the development of young people’s brains, but they’re also a time when kids tend to start going to bed later and getting less sleep. To find out more about the effect sleep has on adolescents, a team of researchers from China and the UK looked at data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. The research involved 3,222 children, ages 11 and 12, who were…

For decades, world-famous naturalist Sir David Attenborough has been helping people learn about Earth’s wonders. In a new documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough, he shares knowledge about the world under the sea, how it’s changing, and why it must be protected. Attenborough, who recently turned 99 years old, says in the film, “After living for nearly a hundred years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land but at sea.” The documentary premieres on National Geographic on June 7 and begins streaming on Disney+ and Hulu the next day, which is World Oceans Day. Ocean was shot in locations including Hawaii, the UK, Indonesia, Antarctica, and the Mediterranean, and it took more than two years to make. Thanks to high-tech cameras…

A reading journal is a great way to keep track of books you might like to read, express your opinions about stories you have read, and look back on how your reading interests have evolved. Your personal reading journal can be anything you would like it to be—no one is grading it! Another reason to keep a journal: Research suggests that it helps you reduce stress and connect with your creative side. Here’s how you can get started. Pick a journal You might like a lined notebook that is easy to carry around in a backpack, or maybe you’d prefer an art sketchbook with blank pages if you think you might like to doodle in your journal. It’s helpful if your journal has a spiral binding so it stays open…

You may have books in your home that you no longer need. One way to make room on your bookshelves—while keeping your books out of a landfill—is to host your own used book sale and donate what you raise to a cause you care about. First, decide on a charity to donate to. With an adult’s help, set a date and time for the sale. Then make signs to post around your neighborhood. On the day of the sale, organize books on a table or in boxes by genre, such as “middle grade mysteries” or “graphic novels.” Post a sign that lists prices. Afterward, bring any books that don’t get sold to a community donation center that accepts them.…

As the days get warmer, all of us at The Week Junior have one thing on our minds: our Summer of Reading campaign! The highlight is our list of “The 50 Books Kids Love Most.” All the titles are recommended by kids your age, and you can read what they have to say starting on page 12. We celebrate books elsewhere in the issue too! Check out our debate “Is it better to read before bed?” (p8), and find out how to keep a reading journal and make bookends in our How To section (p24). Even our puzzles (p26) have a book theme! The program continues for five more issues as we feature interviews with our Author Ambassadors: Pablo Cartaya, Grace Lin, Meg Medina, SF Said, and Rita Williams-Garcia (p15).…

James Webb Space Telescope (also known as Webb) has spotted the oldest and most distant galaxy ever observed. Called MoM-z14, the newly identified galaxy existed 280 million years after the universe was created about 13.8 billion years ago. That makes it at least 20 million years older than the previously known oldest galaxy, which was also spotted by Webb. Webb is operated by NASA (the US space agency), with support from the European and Canadian space agencies. It launched in December 2021 with the mission of seeing farther back into space and time than ever before and observing faraway planets for signs of life. Light from other galaxies takes billions of years to reach the telescope, which means Webb is capturing them as they once existed all those years ago.…

June 17, 1885 Statue of Liberty arrives in New York On June 17, 1885, the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York City aboard a French ship. A gift from France to the US, it came in more than 300 pieces and had to be put together. At the time, the statue was brown because, like the early penny, it was made of copper. The metal’s exposure to the weather over the years turned the statue into the green color we recognize today.…

If you like to curl up with a book and lose yourself in a story, chances are you also have a favorite time of day to read. For some readers, that’s first thing in the morning, when they’re refreshed and energetic. It can be a great way to kick-start the day. Others pick up a book once they’re done with their homework or right after dinner. But many people prefer to wait until bedtime, when the world around them falls silent and nothing comes between them and their book. They say there’s nothing better than drifting into sweet sleep with a fun story, quirky characters, and colorful images in their head. What do you think? Is it better to read before bed? Yes—it’s very relaxing Reading a book at night…

Axolotls bred in captivity can survive—and even thrive—after being released into the wild, a team of researchers has discovered. These critically endangered amphibians are found in the wild only in Mexico City, so this successful reintroduction is a positive sign for the species. In a new study, eight axolotls were released into an artificial wetland in Mexico City, and 10 were released into the city’s Lake Xochimilco. The researchers tracked the creatures and found that all of them survived for at least 40 days. A checkup showed that the axolotls had gained weight, which means they were effectively hunting for prey in their new habitats. Animals that are raised in captivity don’t always know how to find food and protect themselves in the wild, but this success brings hope that…

Symbol key Series Classic Newbery Medal or Honor FAVORITE FANTASIES & SCI-FI BEYOND MULBERRY GLEN By Millie Florence, illustrated by Astrid Sheckels (Waxwing Books) Eleven-year-old Lydia must leave her cherished home in Mulberry Glen to protect her family from evil forest dwellers. “I love this whimsical story about Lydia’s struggle with change, and the powerful themes of light and darkness really empower me!” said Lola, 13. “This book feels like sunshine on rainy days.” Ages 9+ FABLEHAVEN By Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman (Shadow Mountain) A hidden refuge for mythical creatures, Fablehaven is under threat from evil forces. Unbeknown to Kendra and her brother, their grandfather is the refuge’s caretaker. Setting out to save Fablehaven and their family, “the characters show great energy and emotion throughout the book,”…

The world’s largest zipper company, YKK, is testing a motorized, remote-controlled zipper that opens and closes at the touch of a button. Rather than being used on jackets and jeans, the zipper is designed to be used in industrial settings to keep workers safe. It couldalso be used to help people with disabilities. As the zipper moves, a mechanical screw hooks or unhooks the teeth to open or close it. In one test, it successfully operated on a tall tent, which a person could have reached only by standing on a high ladder.…

The 80th US Women’s Open—the oldest and most prestigious major championship in women’s golf—took place at Erin Hills, a golf course in Erin, Wisconsin, from May 29 to June 1. It had a star-studded field that included 24 of the world’s top 25 players, but the winner was Swedish golfer Maja Stark, who began the competition ranked 33rd. It is her first major title, and she is only the third Swedish player to win the US Women’s Open and the first one since 2006. There were 156 participants at this year’s tournament. Among them were American Nelly Korda, the number one player in the world and a former Olympic gold medalist; New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, the gold medalist at last year’s Paris Olympics; and the US Women’s Open’s defending champion,…

In 2003, Cressida Cowell published her first How to Train Your Dragon book, and it went on to inspire popular animated films and TV shows. Now the story from the first movie is being retold in a live-action film with human actors and computer-generated (CGI) dragons. It arrives in theaters on June 13. How to Train Your Dragon takes place in a fantasy world where Hiccup, a Viking boy, refuses to go along with his tribe’s tradition of hunting dragons. Despite his father’s disapproval, he becomes friends with a giant flying dragon named Toothless, and they team up to help stop a war. The new film was co-written and directed by Dean DeBlois, who did the same for the original animated film and its sequel. He told The Week Junior…

GirlMeetsWorld(StreamonDisney+orbuyonAppleTV+) “This awesome show is a sequel to the popular 1990s sitcom Boy Meets World, which was about a boy named Cory Matthews. Now he has grown up to be a teacher and has a daughter, Riley. The show follows her on hilarious adventures through middle school and high school. Riley is a sweet girl who always looks on the bright side. Her best friend is rebellious Maya, who is played by pop star Sabrina Carpenter. Their friends include quirky and smart Farkle; Lucas, a new boy who moved from Texas; and Smackle, the school’s debate champion. It’s a great show to binge-watch.” Zoe, 9, Illinois Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Word ladder To change the word BOOK into the word MARK, use each clue to fill in a word that is only one letter different from the word before it. If you get stuck, try solving from the bottom up. STEPPING STONES Each figure hides the name of a seven-letter section of a bookstore. To find each one, start anywhere and move in an unbroken path through letters that share a border (no jumping!), using each letter once. DO NOT ENTER Draw one continuous path from START to END that goes through every box except the ones containing obstacles. Your path may not cross itself, and there is only one solution. (NEED A HINT? Check the bottom of the page.) Crossmath Fill each empty box with a number or a…

“As an avid reader, I am always looking for interesting books to read. This inspired me to connect with other young people like me. I developed a website to spotlight books I liked and spread the word about it at my school and local library. This resulted in more than 2,300views. I read every book I recommend, and they are some of my all-time favorites. They include novels and illustrated books. My goal is to make my website the first stop for elementary and middle school students to find their next read. ” 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 can you keep without ever having it? Someone…

Thank you to everyone who sent us photos of themselves with a book they’ve enjoyed. If there’s a title you want to share, including from our Summer of Reading list (p12), have an adult email a photo to hello@theweekjunior.com. “I enjoyed reading How to Fool Your Parents!” Adrian, 10, Kentucky “Remarkably Ruby is an awesome graphic novel about two girls navigating friendship.”Elliet, 9, Michigan “I liked Ten Thousand Tries by Amy Makechnie because it’s about soccer and not giving up.” Miles, 10, New Hampshire…