Table of contents for Issue 277 in The Week Junior US

In recent weeks, world leaders and international aid organizations have called attention to a dire humanitarian crisis, including widespread hunger, within Gaza, a territory in the Middle East, and demanded action to relieve suffering. In response to global outrage, food shipments began arriving on July 27. What happened? On July 23, a total of 109 aid organizations, including Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders, issued a statement warning of mass starvation among Gaza’s population of more than 2 million people. The World Health Organization (WHO) said 25% of the population is facing conditions similar to a famine (extreme lack of food) and that almost 100,000 women and children are suffering from severe malnutrition. The United Nations (UN, a group of 193 countries) said 147 people, including 88 children, have…

Michael Jordan, considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, will join NBC Sports this fall as a special contributor for its NBA coverage. The league begins a new era with the 2025–2026 season, ending its nearly 40-year run on TNT and ESPN. Raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, Jordan loved sports from a young age. As a high school sophomore, he didn’t make the varsity basketball team. The setback motivated him to train hard, make varsity the next year, and quickly become a standout. He went on to play for the University of North Carolina, hitting the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA championship. Jordan was picked third in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He led the team to six NBA championships, won five MVP…

According to new research, cutting off rhinos’ horns reduces the poaching (illegal hunting) of the animals by nearly 80%. Rhinos are hunted for their horns, and scientists think there are now fewer than 28,000 rhinos left in the world. A team of researchers studied different rhino protection methods used in Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa, between 2017 and 2023. About 25% of Africa’s rhino population lives in Greater Kruger, and the researchers wanted to find out which methods worked well. The protection methods they studied included using detection cameras, tracking dogs, helicopters, and rangers (trained animal protectors) to keep an eye out for poachers. More than 700 poachers were arrested, but the researchers found that arresting the illegal hunters didn’t significantly reduce the number of rhinos that were killed.…

Camatta Canyon amoles Experts were recently shocked to discover 16,000 Camatta Canyon amoles at Las Piletas Ranch in California. They had previously believed 10,000 of the flowers existed in the world. This could mean the plant is no longer endangered. National forests The Trump administration said it will remove protections from 58 million acres of national forests to allow for road construction and cutting down trees. The forests are habitats for hundreds of species, such as bald eagles and black bears.…

On August 15, 1965, the legendary rock band the Beatles played a record-breaking concert at Shea Stadium in New York City. Who were the Beatles? The Beatles were a band from Liverpool, England, made up of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Lennon and McCartney met as teenagers in 1957 and began performing together. Harrison joined them soon after. The group began referring to themselves as the Beatles in 1960, and Ringo Starr joined in 1962. By the mid-1960s, the Beatles had become one of the most popular bands in the world. They made their first visit to the US in February 1964 and launched their first tour of North America that year. A big and daring idea A concert promoter named Sid Bernstein arranged for the…

Between 90 and 66 million years ago, one of the most fearsome dinosaur predators to roam Earth was Tyrannosaurus rex. Now a team of scientists has identified a new species of dinosaur that would have been T. rex’s ancestor. This dinosaur hasbeen named Khankhuuluu mongoliensis, which means “dragon prince from Mongolia.” Researchers made the discovery while studying two 86-million-year-old fossils found in the early 1970s in Mongolia, in Asia. The remains were originally thought to be from a type of tyrannosaur called Alectrosaurus. In 2023, however, scientists from the University of Calgary in Canada determined that the fossils were from a completely new dinosaur. Khankhuuluu would have weighed more than 1,650 pounds and been about 13 feet long. By comparison, T. rex weighed between 11,000 and 15,000 pounds. The newly…

From July 5 to July 27, top cyclists competed in the 112th Tour de France, the most famous men’s cycling race in the world. The course covered more than 2,000 miles and, for the first time since 2020, took place entirely in France. It began in Lille, traveled through different regions, and ended on the Champs-Élysées, a main avenue in Paris. Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia was this year’s champion. It was his fourth Tour de France victory. In addition to receiving a trophy at the finish, he was awarded the race’s famous yellow jersey. Pogacar won the Tour in 2020, 2021, and 2024. This year, he crossed the finish line four minutes and 24 seconds ahead of the next fastest rider, Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark, the 2022 and 2023 winner.…

Coach’s Name: Erin Flynn Team: KC Elite Gymnastics “Coach Erin is the best coach ever! I recently had an injury, and she helped me push through it and do what I could. She helps our team believe in ourselves and makes us better people and gymnasts. She is always supportive and patient, and she helps us feel confident when we’re doing a new skill for the first time. You can see by how she treats us that she cares about us and wants our team to succeed and be the best version of ourselves.” Ellis, 12, Kansas 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.…

The Shaggy Dog In this 2006 comedy, a man who works long hours is bitten by a magical sheep dog. He then turns into a dog at random times, helping to change the way he relates to his family. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Four teens get sucked into a video game in this 2017 action-adventure. Each one ends up in the body of an adult avatar, and they must unite to beat the game and get back home. Family Switch This 2023 comedy is about a body swap that occurs after a family visits an observatory. The parents and teens trade lives, and so do their baby and dog.…

Project Runway (Disney+) (Hulu) (Freeform) This popular competition for fashion designers features model Heidi Klum as host and season four winner Christian Siriano (together above), now a top designer, as the contestants’ mentor. In one of the first challenges, the teams create looks based on Disney princesses and villains. Wednesday (Netflix) The hit horror-comedy returns on August 6 with the first part of its second season. Back at Nevermore Academy, Wednesday Addams has a psychic vision of her best friend dying. As she tries to stop it from coming true, she uncovers secrets from the 1960s. The series is rated TV-14. The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+) Season three of this award-winning show arrives on August 6. The comedy follows teen Penny Proud as she navigates growing up and…

When Stars Are Scattered By Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed “I first read this book two years ago, and I keep coming back to it! It’s a true story about the co-author, Omar Mohamed, and his brother, Hassan, who were born in Somalia but escaped to a refugee camp in Kenya. They arrive in the US, where they continue to search for their mother and try to start a new life. This book made me cry and laugh and taught me to never give up on my dreams!” Trisha, 12, New Jersey Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Podcasts are audio shows that you download and listen to on your phone. They’re super popular, and it’s easy to see why. Podcasts are free, simple to access online, and great for when you’re on the go (like riding in a car or on the bus). Besides listening to podcasts, you can also create your own. Here’s how you can get started. Choose a topic Pick a subject you’re interested in, like animal facts or sports trivia. Then you can plan specific episodes around that general topic. For example, if you decide your podcast will be about amazing animals, you could create one episode about different types of apes and another about unusual pets. Consider a co-host Many podcasts have more than one host, and the hosts have a conversation.…

Although many people are afraid of spiders, most species in the US are harmless. In fact, spiders play a helpful role in our ecosystem (group of plants or animals in a certain place that affect one another). They eat many kinds of insects, including mosquitoes as well as other bugs that damage plants. As the days get colder, you may see more spiders in your home because they come out of hiding to look for a mate. Try not to squish them. Instead, place a glass on top of the spider, slide a piece of paper underneath, and carry it outside. Release the spider near a shed, an outdoor flower pot, or a grassy area where it can make a web.…

In each issue of The Week Junior, we publish a big debate on a controversial topic ranging from serious to silly (p8). We present what we hope are equally persuasive cases on both sides and ask you, our readers, to evaluate the arguments, decide where you stand, and cast your vote online. Our team always looks forward to seeing how the percentages turn out, and you often surprise us! Some of the most popular debates we’ve presented have been on the topic of food—“Is vanilla ice cream better than chocolate?,” for example, and “Is candy corn yum or yuck?” This week we ask another hotly debated question: “Does pineapple belong on pizza?” We expect heavy participation as we try to settle this controversy once and for all. What do you…

Rohan, a 9-year-old from Florida, likes making a difference. Some good deeds he has done include helping a friend do their homework and assisting his family at home. To mark The Week Junior’s fifth anniversary in 2025, we’re asking readers to share five good deeds they’ve done. Have you helped a neighbor or a friend or performed a kind act? Go to kids.theweekjunior.com/activities to download a form like the one shown at right. Fill it out, then have an adult email it to us at hello@theweekjunior.com. We’ll feature some of the submissions on this page in future issues. RIDDLE OF THE WEEK What has four legs but only one foot? A bed IT’S YOUR TURN Email your news, views, and photos to hello@theweekjunior.com. We want to hear from you! To…

Teacher’s Name: Mr. Hebert School: Brookhaven Elementary School “I was nervous about taking the state tests, but Mr. Hebert’s silly jokes always make the class laugh and lighten the mood. Mr. Hebert has great methods to help his students feel less anxious. For example, he lets us take brain breaks after a hard lesson. He makes learning fun, keeps the class motivated to learn, and instills confidence in us.”Olivia, 9, California 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.…

When you give a gift of The Week Junior, you inspire a child in your life to explore interests, read about the world around them, and learn something new every week. Smart, fun, educational. Written for kids ages 8–14. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or anytime you want to delight a child you love. They’ll thank you every week. Give 25 weekly issues and save 67%, plus get a free gift! Order online at theweekjunior.com/travel SAVE 67% Order NOW! Scan This…

July 26 marked the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal civil rights law signed by President George W. Bush in 1990. The law bans discrimination against people with disabilities and requires equal access to public transportation, businesses, government services, and job opportunities. The ADA was enacted after years of effort by disability and civil rights activists. Accommodations that are now common did not exist before the law. For example, wheelchair ramps were not required on buses or in schools, often making those spaces inaccessible to people who used wheelchairs. Elevators and crosswalks did not have buttons with Braille for people with vision impairments. Celebrations of the ADA’s anniversary include art shows, carnivals, and accessible fitness events across the US. Many are part of Disability Pride…

A list of the 10 books most frequently taught in public school classrooms was released on July 24 as part of a report by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). To create the list, NCTE surveyed about 4,000 educators who teach English language arts in sixth through 12th grades in all 50 states. What books were on the list? According to the report, Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, is the most frequently taught text in the US. It was followed by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel The Great Gatsby and Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, published in 1953. The other most commonly taught books on the list were Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth, Frankenstein by Mary…

Colorful sandstone cliffs, sand dunes, and beaches line the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along Lake Superior in Michigan. The name “Pictured Rocks” comes from the mineral stain on the face of the cliffs, which rise as high as 200 feet above the water. Different colors, like red, orange, blue, and green, appear when groundwater seeps through cracks in the rock, mixes with minerals, and trickles down the cliffs. Beyond the 15-mile shoreline are hiking trails leading to forests, lakes, and waterfalls. Visitors may see white admiral butterflies flying through the area.…

Greater roadrunner The greater roadrunner, a bird native to the American Southwest and Mexico, has now been seen as far northeast as Missouri and Arkansas. Due to climate change, the birds are expected to continue their journey north. ● LIFE SPAN: 7 to 8 years ● HABITAT: Grasslands, deserts, and woodlands ● SIZE: 0.5 to 0.75 pounds, up to 24 inches ● DIET: Small lizards, mice, and insects ● FUN FACT: Roadrunners rarely need to fly because they can run at least 15 miles per hour.…

For the first time ever, images of the Sun’s south pole have been sent back to Earth. They were captured earlier this year by the Solar Orbiter spacecraft, which was launched in 2020 by the European Space Agency (ESA), and recently released. The pictures are the most detailed ever taken of the solar surface and show a shimmering atmosphere, parts of which reach temperatures of about 18,000,000° F. There are also darker clouds of gas, which are cooler but still reach 18,000° F. The Solar Orbiter also revealed that the magnetic field at the Sun’s south pole is currently in disarray. A magnetic field is the area around a magnet where magnetic force can act on another magnet. Like Earth, the Sun acts like a big bar magnet, with two…

Many people think civics (the rights and duties of citizens) is a complicated subject to learn about. But Ben Sheehan, author of the best-selling book What Does the Constitution Actually Say?, is hoping to change that through a new 12-part show, Civics Made Easy. The series is now available to watch on the PBS app, PBS.org, and YouTube. Sheehan is from Washington, DC, and his parents worked in the political world. Starting when he was about 5 years old, his family would have discussions over dinner about how the government works. “To me, civics is a language,” he told The Week Junior. “The longer we learn about it and speak it, the more fluent we become.” He said he feels lucky to have had that early civics education and that…

In JRR Tolkien’s fantasy novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (LOTR), the Shire is the area of Middle-Earth that small human-like Hobbits call home. Now gamers can experience Hobbit life through the new cozy simulation game Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game. It was recently released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox platforms, and PC. You begin the game by creating your own Hobbit character, customizing its looks, physical traits, style, and personality. When the action starts, your Hobbit is a newcomer to a place called Bywater, a peaceful and magical setting with lush green meadows and forests, farm animals, and hidden homes known as holes. As one of the local residents, your goal is to help turn the area into a…

What inspired this book? I saw an ad for a free piano that said “not haunted” on it. It made me want to write a story about a piano pretending not to be haunted. Any surprises while writing it? The fact that I was writing a scary story surprised me because I’ve never been interested in scary stories. I also had more fun drawing the scary scenes than I thought I would. What do you hope kids take away from the book? Discover hobbies for yourself. Make art and create things because you enjoy doing it, not to find fame. Do you play an instrument? I grew up playing the ukulele and guitar. Would you accept a haunted instrument? Absolutely.…

Keyword crossword Once you have completed the crossword, transfer the letters in the yellow boxes, in order, into the boxes below to get the answer to the Keyword question. ACROSS 1 Horse-drawn transportation in the Old West 7 Early, wingless stage of many insects 8 Fragrant, often purple springtime flower 9 Part that keeps the top of a cereal box closed 11 Structure photographed by tourists in Egypt 13 Baby cats 14 Result of solving an addition problem 16 Dentists look at these all day 18 Posted restriction on a driver’s speed 20 Strange and not easily explained DOWN 1 Banana ___ (ice cream treat) 2 It’s what we inhale 3 For ___ (phrase like “for instance”) 4 Word that can follow olive or motor 5 Architectural features of the…

BEING A SUPERFAN Hugo Tsang Cheuk-ti, a 32-year-old from Hong Kong, set a record for the largest collection of memorabilia of the Pokémon monster Gengar. He began collecting the 1,200 items at age 8. “This little guy was my destined buddy,” he said. A SUMMER SWIM An open-water swimmer from Mexico now holds the record for the fastest swim around the New York City island of Manhattan. David Olvera completed the 28.5-mile distance in 5 hours, 34 minutes, and 58 seconds. “Surround yourself with people who lift you up,” he said. A FEATHERED PHOTOBOMB Newlyweds Isabella and Bas were posing for photos at their wedding reception in the Netherlands when they were joined by some unexpected guests: 11 ducks that waddled into the frame. The photographer, Yara Dragt, posted a…

Katie Hobbs, the governor of Arizona, announced that $429 million in medical debt (money owed for medical care) will be erased for more than 352,000 of the state’s residents. The effort is a partnership between Arizona and Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit group. Residents don’t have to apply but will instead receive a notice in the mail that some or all of their debt has been paid off. “We are creating pathways to economic security,” Hobbs said.…

What you need to know ● According to a study by the US Department of Agriculture, about 11% of the population eats pizza on any given day. ● Pizza with pineapple and ham is known as “Hawaiian pizza,” but it was created by a chef in Canada in 1962. At the time, Hawaii was the US state that grew the most pineapples. ● A YouGov survey found that 12% of Americans said pineapple is one of their favorite toppings, and 24% said pineapple is their least favorite. For centuries, people have been loving pizza and the wide range of toppings it can hold. While pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and onions are among the most popular pizza toppings in the US, adventurous chefs have been known to add everything from shrimp to…

A population of orcas in the Pacific Northwest have been spotted using seaweed as a tool to groom one another. This behavior has never been recorded before in marine mammals. Scientists used a drone to record individuals from a population of 74 orcas, known as the southern residents. They saw one of the whales use its teeth to tear off a 2-foot-long piece of bull kelp, a type of seaweed, and balance the kelp on its nose. Then the whale brought the kelp to a partner and rolled it between their bodies for several minutes. This could be a way to remove parasites and dead skin cells, researchers believe, and sharing the tool could help strengthen social bonds among the whales. While whales have previously been observed draping pieces of…

Alligators mainly live in freshwater, while crocodiles are most commonly found in saltwater. As adults, American alligators are black with a blunt, “U”-shaped snout, while American crocodiles are olive green and have a pointed, “V”-shaped snout. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about Zoo Miami at zoomiami.org.…

For the first time, a robot with a human-like appearance has used jet engines to fly. Engineers in Italy hope the iRonCub3 can one day help in real-world situations, like natural disasters or other emergencies. The iRonCub3 has four engines—one on each arm and two on its back. They give the child-size robot, which weighs 154 pounds, enough power to lift off the ground and hover in the air. The humanoid device is equipped with artificial intelligence to help it remain stable in the wind or when it shifts its arms and legs around.…

The AUSL (Athletes Unlimited Softball League), a professional women’s softball league that debuted in June, has crowned its first champion. On July 27, the Talons completed a two-game sweep of the Bandits in the best-of-three-game championship series and won the title. The games were played in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The AUSL was founded by Athletes Unlimited, an organization that runs pro women’s sports competitions. The league has four teams: the Talons, Bandits, Blaze, and Volts. They played 24 regular-season games at locations across the US. Many of the players were former college stars. The Talons had the best record of the season, and the Bandits came in second place. The Bandits outscored their opponents by 39 runs, however—the most of any AUSL team. Bandits slugger Erin Coffel was named this season’s…

Disney is known for making fun family movies, and one of its classics is Freaky Friday. It’s a story about a mother and daughter who don’t get along, magically switch bodies, and live each other’s lives for a day. The original film was released in 1976 and was remade for a new generation in 2003. That global hit has now spawned a new sequel, Freakier Friday. Featuring the same main characters in a new body swap, it hits theaters on August 8. The 2003 film was about Tess Coleman and her teen daughter, Anna. In the new film, Anna has a 15-year-old daughter, Harper, and is getting married to a man who also has a teen, Lily. There is a lot of tension as the wedding nears, and after a…

Milo Murphy’s Law (Disney+) “This animated series is a spin-off of Phineas and Ferb and features one of its characters, Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz, who, in the future, becomes Professor Time. The show is about Milo Murphy, a 13-year-old who goes on adventures with his best friends Melissa and Zack. Milo is voiced by “Weird Al” Yankovic, a famous singer, and Melissa is voiced by pop star Sabrina Carpenter. Murphy’s Law is the idea that anything that can go wrong will go wrong, which makes for entertaining situations. This show is really funny and deserves more seasons.” JJ, 11, Massachusetts Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

By Whitney Gardner (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) Margot, an aspiring musician, finds an abandoned keyboard on the street next to a sign that reads “Free Piano (Not Haunted).” Hoping the instrument will help grow her social media following since her ukulele videos haven’t exactly set the internet on fire, she takes home the keyboard. She also believes that if she makes it big, she’ll be able to reunite with her father, who moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams. Margot soon realizes that the keyboard is indeed haunted by two spirits! One ghost is Vision, who was a fun and friendly 1980s music pop star, and the other is Vision’s sinister former manager. While Margot is initially spooked by the haunted instrument, she soon realizes that…

Camp Frenemies By Liz Montague (Random House Studio) In this graphic novel, Beatrice’s dad signs her up for a weeklong sleepaway camp before she begins seventh grade. Although Beatrice doesn’t want to attend, she agrees to go this one time. Her first day of camp is rocky because her bunkmates are arguing. Will things turn around? Ages 8–12 Miss Camper By Kat Fajardo (Graphix) Sue and her friends can’t wait for summer camp. They are excited to hike, play games, make comics, and simply spend time in the fresh air. But when they get to camp, they discover they’re not in most of the same groups. This graphic novel features many of the same characters as the popular book Miss Quinces. Ages 8–12 My Summer Camp Has Mega Sloths By Rebecca…

Ingredients ● 4 small zucchini● Kosher salt● 1 pound orzo pasta● 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil● 1 large garlic clove, halved● ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes● Freshly ground black pepper● 4 tablespoons unsalted butter● Fresh basil, for serving Instructions 1. Grate the zucchini using a box grater or a food processor. Place the grated zucchini in the center of a clean kitchen towel. Fold up the corners, then twist the towel to squeeze excess liquid through it over a large bowl. (This step will prevent the zucchini from getting mushy in your dish!) 2. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo to al dente (firm), according to package directions. 3. While the orzo cooks, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a…

Trivia champion’s long reign For nearly two years, one contestant kept winning a French trivia game show. This record-breaking streak of 646 wins in a row earned the man, named Émilien, about $3 million in cash and prizes such as scooters, TVs, 23 cars, and a parachuting lesson. After someone finally defeated him in July, Émilien said he would take a year off and travel—perhaps using prize trips to Italy and Spain’s Canary Islands. The show’s host called him a role model, but Emilien said, “I’m just someone who likes to answer questions.” A mayoral race gets catty Election season is getting hairy in Somerville, Massachusetts, as local cats compete for the position of Bike Path Mayor. Berry, a 3-year-old cat, was originally given the title by her owners because…

“I’ve always been passionate about the existence of dinosaurs. I went to see Jurassic World Rebirth with my family.”Krish, 10, Florida “We made the Mango Icy recipe from the special recipe section of The Week Junior. It was yummy and easy to make.”Nolan, 11, and Griffin, 8, Massachusetts Krish, 10, Florida “I watched the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal between Real Madrid and Dortmund. It was an exciting game!”Hannah, 9, New York Teacher OF THE WEEK…

1 What is the name of the town that the video game Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game starts in? a) Bywater b) Crickhollow c) Hobbiton a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 2 True or false? Rhino horns can grow back over time. True ☐ False ☐ 3 Which team won the first-ever Athletes Unlimited Softball League championship? a) Blaze b) Bandits c) Talons a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 4 What is the name of the new PBS show about civics from best-selling author Ben Sheehan? 5 The Americans with Disabilities Act is marking which anniversary this year? a) 25th b) 35th c) 45th a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 6 True or false? Parts of the Sun’s south pole can reach temperatures of 18,000,000°…