Table of contents for Issue 278 in The Week Junior US

On July 30, the Australian government announced that it will include YouTube in its sweeping ban on social media accounts for people under age 16. YouTube is the world’s most popular platform for young people. Australia is the first country to implement a nationwide policy. What is the ban? The ban, which is set to go into effect on December 10, applies to platforms where two or more users can interact and people can post material. This includes Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and Reddit. The companies that operate them will be responsible for deleting existing accounts of people under 16 and taking “reasonable steps” to ensure that young users don’t find alternative ways to access them. The ban, passed in November 2024, initially exempted YouTube because it offers educational…

TRIPLE THE JOY The Audubon Nature Institute in Louisiana welcomed three capybara pups. The little ones are doing well and settling in. “Don’t let those little legs fool you, capybara pups are born ready to explore!” the zoo said. A ROBLOX REVOLUTION Grow a Garden, a Roblox game (above) designed by a 16-year-old in a few days, had 21.6 million people playing it at the same time, beating a record set by Fortnite. Players in the game that has been called “calm” and “chill” plant seeds, raise pets, and trade or sell what they harvest. A LIFELONG LOVE OF READING In 1962, Dan Pelzer started writing down the title of every book he read. When he died recently at age 92, there were 3,599 books on the list, which his…

Superman has been a fan favorite since the last century, and his popularity is showing no signs of waning. Since his debut nearly 90 years ago, more than 600 million copies of Superman comics have been sold. And this year’s Superman movie (represented by the photo on this page) is a humongous hit and the highest-grossing superhero movie of 2025. But many people say that when it comes to a favorite crime fighter, they prefer Spider-Man, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Avengers, the X-Men, or Captain Marvel. And some fans say newer superheroes are just as cool—or cooler. What do you think? Is Superman the greatest superhero? Yes—no one can compete with him Superman is described as being“faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive.” He has x-ray vision,…

Adult cats are champion snoozers, sleeping for 12 to 16 hours a day. According to new research, most cats lie down on their left side when they sleep. Scientists believe this position serves a function beyond providing comfort—it may be related to survival. To understand more about feline sleep habits, an international team of researchers studied 408 YouTube videos of cats napping. They noted that about 65% of the cats slept on their left side, while less than 35% were right-side snoozers. Research has shown that different parts of the brain play a role in processing various senses and controlling specific behaviors. Sleeping leaves animals vulnerable to attacks and other threats, which can be risky even for housecats. When cats wake up on their left side, the study suggests, they…

Joan Daniels Animal care expert, Brookfield Zoo Chicago I share your enthusiasm and concern for giraffes. A great resource for young giraffe lovers is the Junior Giraffe Club, an organization inspired by famous giraffe biologist Anne Innis Dagg. You can become an expert like her and share your knowledge with family, friends, and classmates. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about Brookfield Zoo Chicago at brookfieldzoo.org.…

A new unicycle uses A electricity to handle streets, hills, potholes, and cobblestones. The InMotion V12S can go as fast as 43.5 miles per hour and runs for about 75 miles on one charge. The e-unicycle has hydraulics to smooth out the ride and self-balancing technology so riders can get on and off easily. Riders lean forward to start moving and to the side to turn. Leaning back slows down the e-unicycle. It has a touch screen, headlights and taillights, colorful decorative lights, and speakers to play music on the go.…

The 2025 USA Track and Field Championships took place from July 31 through August 3 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. For the first time ever, the event combined the para championships, a competition for athletes with physical, visual, or intellectual impairments, with the outdoor championships for able-bodied athletes. The competitors, who included gold medalists from the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, were competing for US titles and trying to earn spots at the upcoming World Championships. Among the para athlete winners were wheelchair racers and frequent champions Daniel Romanchuk and Susannah Scaroni, who each won two medals, and 2024 Paralympian Annie Carey, who broke her own world record in the women’s T44 long jump. (Competitions are distinguished by disability classifications.) Meanwhile, a new star emerged when Violet Hall, age 17,…

This year is the 80th anniversary of the Moomins, whimsical creatures that look similar to hippos and were created by Finnish artist and author Tove Jansson. Over the years, they have appeared in novels, comic books, stage productions, and cartoons, and now they’re being celebrated at the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) in New York City. ToveJansson and the Moomins: The Door Is Always Open is the first major US exhibition devoted to the artist and her beloved characters. Jansson was born in Helsinki in 1914, and she died in 2001. She grew up in a family of artists and created the Moomins to bring hope and happiness during World War II (1939–1945). BPL press officer Fritzi Bodenheimer told The Week Junior that one reason fans love the Moomins is that“they’re…

Hotel for Dogs PG (Available to stream or rent on major platforms) “This movie isn’t just about dogs. It’s also about a sister and brother named Andi and Bruce who secretly take care of their dog, Friday, even though their foster parents don’t allow pets in their home. One day, they discover a dirty, abandoned hotel. With help from friends, they clean it up and turn it into a beautiful home for Friday and other stray dogs. They make inventions to take care of the dogs too. It is a very funny movie with some sad parts, but you’ll want to see if the dogs will be safe and get adopted. The movie’s overall message is that you can be friends with animals.” Adelaide, 9, California Do you have a…

By Gordon Korman (Scholastic Press) Carter’s parents told him not to take his phone with him while skiing on vacation. He does anyway, and while he is stopped on a slope checking social media, his little brother, who is learning to ski, accidentally plows into him. Carter breaks both legs and is confined to a wheelchair for the next few months. His parents set him up to attend seventh grade virtually, and classmates drop off materials. Carter can’t get out of the house without a lot of effort, so he finds a new hobby—watching live footage from surveillance cameras around town. He wants to determine whether Lacey, a classmate he has a crush on, is holding hands with Maddox, a popular student. But soon Carter becomes more interested in strange…

It’s All or Nothing, Vale By Andrea Beatriz Arango (Listening Library) When a seventh grader who was injured in an accident finally gets to practice fencing again, she worries she’ll never be as good as she was before. This novel in verse is beautifully read and tells a moving story. Ages 10+ Otherworldly By Lee Bacon (Audible Originals) Mark and Levi are in the middle of recording a podcast when a spaceship crashes in their backyard. They make contact with a furry purple alien who needs to reconnect with her crew or she’ll be lost forever. Can the kids help her? A drone chase is part of this fast-paced adventure. Ages 8–12 Pippi Longstocking By Astrid Lindgren, translated by Susan Beard (Listening Library) Broadway actor Sutton Foster narrates the 80th-anniversary…

Ingredients ● 5 slices pork, turkey, or plant-based bacon● ¾ cup mayonnaise● 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar● 1 tablespoon sugar● 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt● ¼ teaspoon black pepper● 8 cups bite-size pieces broccoli (from about 2 large crowns)● ½ cup diced red onion (from about ½ medium onion)● ⅓ cup chopped roasted almonds (optional)● 5 pitted dates, chopped Instructions 1. Heat oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the bacon on the sheet, spacing it apart evenly. Bake until brown and crisp, about 18 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Let it drain and cool, then roughly chop. 2. In a small bowl, make the dressing: Whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. 3. Place the remaining ingredients…

Robot coyotes guard airfields A pack of Coyote Rovers is gearing up to defend America’s fighter jets. Using plastic coyote figurines on remote-controlled car bases, US Army engineers developed these robots to scare off birds and other creatures that can damage aircraft or runways. Slower models were“just pushing animals out of the way,” a researcher said, so the new bots can zoom around airfields at 20 miles per hour. The team plans to program them to identify species they encounter and adjust their scare tactics accordingly. Running to the ends of the Earth Susan Ragon is on top of the world. The Massachusetts athlete has earned Guinness World Records titles for being the oldest woman to run marathons at the North and South Poles. At age 69, after completing races…

“Everyone should be able to be safe while having fun outside. But not everyone has access to sunscreen, which can help prevent skin cancer. I decided to email sunscreen brands to see if they would donate sunscreen to people who are less fortunate. We gave the sunscreens to the Boys & Girls Clubs summer camp, and I even got to make a presentation to all the campers about sun safety. Some quick tips: Apply sunscreen, wear sun-protecting clothes, stay in the shade, keep hydrated, and visit a doctor regularly.” 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.…

“My family and I went to the movie theater to see How to Train Your Dragon after I saw it in The Week Junior! It was so much fun.”Gavin, 11, Texas “I made the frozen banana bites. They were delicious and fun to make! Thank you!”Mae, 10, Maine “I love reading The Week Junior. I was inspired to make a catapult.”Winston, 6, Indiana…

President Donald Trump announced that a 90,000-square-foot ballroom will be built at the White House and said it will be finished before his term ends in 2029. It would be the largest renovation of the iconic building since 1952. What is the plan? Renderings depict a large space with an ornate ceiling, gold chandeliers, and a marble floor. It would be an addition next to the East Wing and would allow 650 people to attend White House events—more than triple the 200 attendees who can currently be hosted in the East Room, the building’s largest space. To host bigger groups, the White House has typically set up a tent on the South Lawn. The renovation could cost $200 million, with most of the funding coming from private donors. What is…

Wallis Annenberg, a passionate advocate of the arts, wildlife protection, and other causes, died on July 28 at age 86. As the president of the Annenberg Foundation, one of the nation’s largest family-run charities, she oversaw $1.5 billion in donations to thousands of organizations. Annenberg was born in 1939 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her father, Walter Annenberg, made a fortune in media and later used his wealth to establish the Annenberg Foundation, based in Los Angeles, California. Wallis Annenberg attended college and later worked for TV Guide, a magazine her father owned. After her father’s death in 2002, she joined the foundation as vice president and became its president in 2009. In that role, Annenberg broadened the foundation’s original focus on education and diplomacy to include community projects. One early effort,…

Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern is known for her leadership style based on compassion and strength. Now she is sharing her approach in a new memoir, A Different Kind of Power. Ardern grew up in a small rural town in New Zealand. She got started in politics as a teenager, helping out on a campaign for a member of Parliament (similar to Congress). She went on to earn a degree in communications and worked for several top politicians before getting elected to Parliament in 2008. In 2017, Ardern led New Zealand’s Labour Party to victory and, at age 37, became the country’s youngest prime minister (like a president) in more than 150 years. While in office, she guided the country through the Covid-19 pandemic and supported causes like…

Octopuses can learn a remarkable amount of information about things in their environment by touching them. For example, they can use their eight arms to reach into nooks and crannies and test whether what they find is good to eat. A new study has shed light on why these animals have such a terrific sense of touch: They can detect chemicals produced by microscopic single-celled organisms called microbes. Scientists at Harvard University in Massachusetts have been studying octopuses’ sense of touch for years. Previously, researchers discovered that octopuses have receptors in their arms that give them the ability to“taste” objects, although they were not sure exactly how. A laboratory at the university keeps some California two-spot octopuses in tanks. Observing the creatures, scientists noticed that octopuses ate live crabs but…

The US Open, the most prestigious tennis tournament played in this country, begins in New York City this month. What is the US Open? The US Open is organized by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and held every year at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. The center’s main tennis court is Arthur Ashe Stadium, named for the first Black man to win the US Open, in 1968. There are five main championships—men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles. Men’s single matches are played in a best-of-five-sets format, while all others (women’s singles and all doubles matches) are played in a best-of-three-sets format. The Open also has wheelchair, junior wheelchair, and junior championships. Tournament history The organization that became…

Social media posts about animals—whether pictures of splooting squirrels, videos of cats in costume, or memes of smiling dogs—are hugely popular. A new study found that sharing these posts can strengthen our relationships. Scientists compared it to “pebbling,”which is when one gentoo penguin gives a rock to another one to show affection. The researchers monitored social media accounts with pet content, interviewed content creators, and spoke with people who share animal posts. The team found that creators often add emotional cues to their animal posts, like a heartfelt caption or playful music, to communicate the happiness they feel when they’re with their pet. And when people forward these posts to friends and loved ones, they often include emotional cues or comments that reflect their shared interests or history. For example,…

From July 11 to August 3, the world’s top athletes in open water and indoor swimming, diving, high diving, artistic swimming, and water polo gathered in Singapore for the World Aquatics Championships. Team China left with the most medals, a total of 37 across all disciplines, and Team USA went home with 32, the second most. The US won 29 of the medals, including nine golds, during the swimming competitions in the pool, which took place over thelast nine days of the event. Two famous swimmers came to Singapore with big goals. Team USA star Katie Ledecky, the most decorated female swimmer in world championship history, was looking to win her seventh consecutive world title in the 800-meter freestyle. Meanwhile, Canadian Summer McIntosh was trying to win five individual golds…

Coach’s Name: Nathan Salazar Teams: Los Angeles County Dragonboat Club (LACDBC) and USA National Team “Coach Nathan is extremely dedicated and very supportive of his team. He is also good at fixing our techniques and our mindsets. He can be serious, but he can also be very funny and playful. He led the under-16 and under-18 divisions to win the Youth Cup in the World Dragonboat Racing Championships. His guidance has been instrumental in my growth as a paddler.” Mrinal, 12, California 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.…

Fun destination Moominworld (right) is a summer theme park in Naantali, Finland, on an island that inspired Tove Jansson’s tales. Visitors can explore locations re-created from the books, meet characters, and see live shows. National treasure Finland issued its first Moomin-themed stamps in 1992 and has released new designs regularly to support various causes and celebrations. This year, five colorful stamp designs were released to mark the 80th anniversary of the first Moomin book. Creative legacy The Moomin Museum, located in Tampere, Finland, has about 2,000 works, including Jansson’s original art and works by artists who were inspired by her stories. There are also models of the Moomins’ home (above).…

StuGo (Disney+) This series premiered in January on the Disney Channel and is now streaming. It is about middle schoolers who are tricked into going to a fake academic camp on a remote island. They end up on adventures that involve mutant thieves, mind-reading manatees, and other wackiness. The Visioneers with Zay Harding (Paramount+) (cbs.com) Explorer Zay Harding travels the world in this new reality series, meeting and spotlighting people who are developing creative solutions to help the planet. Among the topics he learns about are sustainable fashion, tidal power plants, and solar-powered cars. The Wild Ones (Apple TV+) Follow adventurer Aldo Kane and cameramen Declan Burley and Vianet Djenguet as they head to remote places to find endangered species. The dangers they face include dodging crocodiles in Indonesia and…

Did you ski as a child? I played hockey, but I grew up in Canada, which is a big ski country. After winter break, there would be kids who would return to school on crutches due to skiing accidents. Do you relate to Carter? Yes, I felt close to Carter during the entire writing process. He was a character who came alive in my mind from the very beginning. What do you love about writing for this age? I love that middle schoolers are becoming fully in command of their own opinions. They’re choosing their own books to read and deciding what’s important to them. Do you have a favorite book genre? Humor stories have always been my first love. Lemonade or iced tea? Frozen lemonade.…

Thrifting—buying used items at a store that specializes in secondhand goods—is a growing trend, including among young people. Buying used clothes instead of new ones is less expensive, and it’s fun to hunt for special outfits. Thrifting is also better for the environment because clothing production uses a lot of water, as well as chemicals that can be harmful to the Earth, and garments that are thrown away end up in landfills. Here’s how to thrift for an impressive haul. Do some research You may have already heard of popular thrift stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army. You can search online for “thrift stores” plus your zip code to find other shops in your area. Before you go, make sure they sell the kinds of items you might be…

Photo booths are a great way to record fun moments. You can set up your own at home. Pick a spot with good natural light, or position a lamp close by. With an adult’s help, hang a simple backdrop, like a colorful sheet or big piece of kraft paper. Prop up a camera, phone, or tablet on a small tripod or a stack of books so the camera lens is at about eye level. Gather props, such as hats, silly sunglasses, bead necklaces, and feather boas, in a basket for everyone to grab. You can also try photo booth apps, like MiniPhotobooth or Pocketbooth, which let you customize layouts, add stickers, and more. Start snapping pictures and have fun!…

When Jacinda Ardern was the prime minister of New Zealand, we featured her several times in our news sections, including when she stepped down from her position in 2023. Now she is a fellow at Harvard University in Massachusetts and the author of a new memoir, and we’re delighted to feature her once again in The Week Junior (p9). In her book, titled A Different Kind of Power, she shares her approach to leadership, which is based on kindness and compassion. Although it often seems that those qualities are lacking in elected officials, Ardern says they shouldn’t be—and in fact that they were crucial factors in her success. What qualities do you think are important in leaders, whether the president of a school club or the head of a nation?…

Teacher’s Name: Mrs. Rudow School: Crofton Middle School “Mrs. Rudow truly cares about each individual student in her class. She creates fun demonstrations that make us learn but also laugh. Plus, when her students are confused or have a problem, Mrs. Rudow is understanding and listens to what we have to say. I am grateful for everything she does for all of us.” Maryn, 12, Maryland 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.…

On August 3, French cyclist Pauline Ferrand-Prévot won the 2025 Tour de France Femmes, a women’s version of the famous Tour de France race, which is only for men. She is the first rider from France to win either race in 36 years. The competition began on July 26 and crossed the country in nine stages. Ferrand-Prévot, age 33, was competing in her first Tour de France. She returned to road racing this year after a six-year break to compete in mountain biking and won a gold medal in that sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The last French cyclist to win the women’s Tour was Jeannie Longo in 1989. The most recent French winner of the men’s Tour was Bernard Hinault in 1985. The race covered about 724 miles…

August 14, 1935 Social Security Act signed into law On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law. Its goal was to provide financial help to people without jobs and to older Americans, for which it became known. Today, people ages 62 or older can apply for Social Security benefits, which are funded through taxes on wages and salaries. More than 74 million Americans receive the benefits each year.…

Okefenokee Swamp is known for its many amphibians, such as gopher frogs, and water trails that can be explored by boat. Recently, a conservation organization purchased about 7,800 acres of land near the refuge to stop the construction of a titanium mine. The group said the mine would have endangered the water and the species that depend on it, like American alligators, hooded pitcher plants, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and black gum trees. Now the park remains a natural destination for visitors, who can enjoy railroad tours, adventure walks, and reptile encounters.…

Blue-eyed ground doves Chester Zoo in England has successfully hatched three blue-eyed ground doves—some of the rarest birds on Earth. With only 11 adults remaining in the wild, these chicks play an important role in increasing the population. Antarctic seals Melting ice in the Antarctic threatens Weddell seals and Antarctic fur seals (above), which need ice for resting, breeding, and finding food. Researchers found that the seal population there has greatly decreased since 1977.…

An ancient fungus that once inspired a myth known as the “mummy’s curse” might hold the key to powerful new medical treatments. According to a recent study, the fungus could help treat a type of cancer called leukemia and potentially other diseases as well. Fungi are a group of plantlike living things that include mold, mildew, and mushrooms. The legend of the curse dates back more than 100 years. In 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter and his colleague George Herbert made international headlines when they discovered the burial place of King Tutankhamun (see box at right) in Egypt. The 3,000-year-old tomb was filled with treasures, like gold-covered chariots, piles of jewelry, and a solidgold mask that decorated Tut’s coffin. Herbert became ill and died less than six months later, and…

Sketch is a new fantasy comedy-drama about what happens after a girl’s drawings of monsters become real. It hits theaters on August 6. The film was written and directed by Seth Worley. He told The Week Junior that the story was inspired by his own daughter’s“creatively intense” drawings, as well as something that happened to his sister. When she was young, she was upset with a teacher and got in trouble for drawing a picture of her that wasn’t nice. His sister was sent to a counselor, who told her making art is“a healthy way to process your emotions,” Worley said. In the film, a similar thing happens to a girl named Amber, played by Bianca Belle. Her mother has died, and although her father and brother, Jack, try to…

ToaT is an episodic 3D adventure game about a teenager living with an unusual challenge: The character’s arms are stuck outward so the body forms a T. It is available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game was made by a popular Japanese developer, Keita Takahashi. He told Monstervine, a gaming reviews and news site, that he was interested in the idea of a game featuring a character with restricted movements. It is usually considered a programming error, but in this case, players can engage with the character. The star of the game is a customizable 13-year-old whose name is Teen unless you change it. When the game starts, Teen’s life is filled with typical activities—hanging out with friends, going to school, doing things around town. However,…

The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins “This is an exciting story about a girl named Katniss, who lives in a dystopian society and is forced to fight for her life in a deadly arena. Inside the arena, she finds Peeta, a boy from her home district, and after the rules suddenly change, she realizes both of them could win. I liked how the story mixed survival, strategy, and love. The book is fast-paced, full of action, and keeps you hooked the whole time.” Rohan, 12, California Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Word ladder To change the word PINT into the word SIZE, 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. Breathe quickly, like a dog on a hot day Glass section of a window Word that can follow “candy” and “sugar” Alternative to a cup, for your ice cream Part of a skeleton Make your audience yawn How you describe achy muscles Respectful term people use to address their king STEPPING STONES Each figure hides a seven-letter synonym for “odd.” To find each one, start anywhere and move in an unbroken path through letters that share a border (no jumping!), using each letter once. (NEED A HINT? Check the bottom…

How much of this week’s news can you remember? 1 Which US zoo is celebrating the first anniversary of the public debut of its giant pandas? a) San Diego Zoo b) San Francisco Zoo c) Santa Barbara Zoo a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 2 In the video game To a T, what is the default name of the main character? 3 The myth of the deadly “mummy’s curse” was actually based on an illness caused by what type of organism? a) Bacteria b) Fungus c) Virus a ☐ b ☐ c ☐ 4 True or false? Summer McIntosh won the “Race of the Century” over Katie Ledecky at the World Aquatics Championships. True ☐ False ☐ 5 In the book Snoop, Carter breaks his legs doing what? a) Skateboarding b)…