Table of contents for 396 in The Week Junior

On 5 July, Israel ended its military operation in a refugee camp in the Palestinian city of Jenin. On 3 July, the Israeli army had launched its biggest military operation in the camp for more than 20 years. What happened? Jenin is a Palestinian city in an area known as the West Bank, because it lies to the west of the River Jordan. The town has a refugee camp that was established in 1953 and is now home to as many as 24,000 Palestinian people, who have fled from their homes. The Israeli army used bombs and bulldozers in the attack, in which 12 people died, 140 were injured and 900 homes were damaged. The United Nations (UN) said that at least 3,500 people were forced to leave their homes…

What is wonder? “It’s the moment when you realise you don’t know everything, and that’s glorious,” Frank Cottrell-Boyce tells The Week Junior. “It’s what’s not explained by the explanation.” The author’s new book, The Wonder Brothers, is about cousins Middy and Nathan. They attempt to magic home the famous Blackpool Tower after it vanishes one night. Cottrell-Boyce had the idea for the story after he threw a birthday party for his mother, who was very ill. He hired a magician and saw how all her worries vanished as she watched and wondered at the tricks. Her happiness stayed with him and he decided to write about magic. According to Cottrell-Boyce, magic and wonder is in everything. It’s in cooking, for example. When bread rises perfectly, it’s a miracle, he says,…

Cutting our use of fossil fuels by making energy from solar panels and wind farms is a well known way to tackle climate change but a new study shows that soil could play a big role too. Scientists are looking at ways to store the gas carbon dioxide (CO2) on Earth. That’s because too much of it in the atmosphere is one of the main causes of global warming. CO2 comes from natural sources and from human activities like burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas). If there is too much of it in the Earth’s atmosphere, it can trap in the Sun’s heat, leading to climate change. The soil study was led by Jacqueline McGlade, former chief scientist at the UN Environment Programme (the UN is a group of…

BIGPICTURE NATURAL WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION…

Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer by Jeffrey Boakye (Faber Children’s) When Kofi learns that his best friend Kelvin has a photographic memory, he has a genius idea. Their school is obsessed with rap music but no one can ever make out the words. Kofi and Kelvin create their own fanzine full of song lyrics and it’s a smash hit! Could this be their best summer ever? The Piano at the Station by Helen Rutter. Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli (Barrington Stoke) Lacey is sent to music lessons to keep her out of trouble at lunchtime but there she discovers an unexpected talent for the piano. Just as she begins to make progress, her piano teacher has to leave. Will Lacey go back to her old ways or can her love…

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…

Isn’t it annoying when you lose your place in a book and have to flick through the pages to find it? Make yourself a bookmark and you’ll never have this problem. It’s good to make several so you’ve got spares to mark pages in your school books, or to give out as presents to friends and family. Here, we show you how to use old catalogues, comics, greetings cards, magazines or photos to create a unique bookmark. Cut out pictures or text to tell a visual story or create an imaginative collage. You can add your own doodles, highlight text or colour in parts. Go wild – it’s your choice. What you need • Card• A ruler• Scissors• Comics, magazines, newspapers, etc• Glue• Pens• Wool or string• A hole punch…

Are you ready for the Women’s World Cup? I’m not a huge sports fan but after reading our feature on page 12, I am excited and will definitely be keeping up with what’s going on. On this week’s podcast we are asking if you were only allowed to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose? The debate in the office has been fierce! You can find out what our podcasters thought on the show – follow the instructions on the opposite page to get The Week Junior Show. We were asking this because of the report on page 11 about elephants mixing it up when it comes to dinner plans. My favourite food? There’s nothing more delicious (in my view) than food I have…

Animal photography If you’re an animal lover aged 18 or under, don’t forget to enter the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards. From pets to farm animals, wildlife to minibeasts, you can photograph any animal that sparks your interest. There are some amazing prizes up for grabs, including a weekend break to photograph deer with an award-winning photographer, hundreds of pounds of vouchers and trophies. Chris Packham and lots of other nature enthusiasts will be judging this year’s entries. Find out more and enter before the 15 August deadline at rspca.org.uk/ypa 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 onto the page. We will only use the details…

We love hearing from you! It’s easy – just write a comment when you vote in our online Big Debate poll, or even record a voice note for The Week Junior Show. Last week we asked you if all cars should be self-driving… “Cars should be self-driving. It’s easier for the driver and they can be relaxed while they’re having a conversation.” “No, it’s too risky. Computers are prone to hacking and errors.” “Only if it has sensors all around it.” “No, it’s a thrill to pass your driving test!” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here. THE WEEK Junior SHOW If you’ve enjoyed this issue, why not listen to our podcast, The Week Junior Show? Go to tinyurl.com/TWJ-show…

POETRY PRIZE WINNERS The CLPE Children’s Poetry Award has been given to Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek for their collection of nature-inspired poetry, Marshmallow Clouds. At the awards ceremony, Reem, aged eight, read a poem called Marshmallows from the winning book. RESCUING A RUNAWAY PUG A train driver stopped his train to save a pug called Poppy that had run close to the railway tracks. Michael Jones said when he went to investigate, he saw a “tiny little face looking back at me”. Jones took Poppy on board, fed her crumpets and water, and gave her back to her owners at a nearby train station. FINDING A MASTERPIECE A lost portrait by the painter Thomas Gainsborough has been identified in London. Stored away for 60 years, it was found by…

During the summer, when the weather is hot, playing in a paddling pool or running through a sprinkler in the garden can be the perfect way to spend an afternoon. However, when water companies announce a hosepipe ban, activities like filling paddling pools or running sprinklers are no longer allowed. Other non-essential activities, like watering the garden with a hose or washing your car, aren’t allowed either. At the moment, customers of water companies South East Water and South West Water, living in Cornwall, Devon, Kent and Sussex in England, are under a hosepipe ban. Although the bans aim to save water, some people think it’s unfair for companies to restrict how they use their water. What do you think? Are hosepipe bans a good idea? Yes – it’s good…

Capercaillie For the first time in eight years, the population of a rare bird called the capercaillie has increased in Scotland. The birds are critically endangered because of loss of habitat and human activity. However, a survey this spring found 19 more male capercaillies than last year. • LIFESPAN: About six years.• HABITAT: Pinewood forests in Scotland.• SIZE: Between 60 and 90 centimetres long.• DIET: Berries, buds, seeds and shoots.• FUN FACT: In Gaelic, the traditional language of Scotland, the bird’s name means “horse of the forest”.…

Hurdles, pole vault, steeplechase, high jump, 100 metres and 5,000 metres races are some of the exciting sports at the UK Athletics Championships. On 8 and 9 June, hundreds of athletes from Great Britain and Northern Ireland competed for the chance to finish first and win a gold medal. The tournament takes place each summer, and this year it was at the Regional Arena Track in Manchester, England. Two of the most popular events were the women’s and men’s 100 metres races. Dina Asher-Smith won the women’s title in a time of 11.06 seconds. Zharnel Hughes came first in the men’s race by finishing in 10.03 seconds. He also won the 200 metres race to become a double champion. In the women’s 200 metres, Daryll Neita finished first in 22.25…

Summer is in swing and free outdoor festivals are happening across the UK. Whatever interests you, there is a festival for it, including art, films, food, music or theatre. The International Festival returns to Milton Keynes, England, from 21 to 30 July, with family events including comedy, dance, music and theatre shows, by artists from around the world. On the opening night, Campbell Park will be turned into a giant volcanic area, with a display of fireworks and lights. There will also be a fairground village in the park, full of beautiful mechanical animals that highlight the natural world. During the final weekend of the festival, Music on Cycles – a band on wheels – will spin around the city creating a concert and street party as they go. Everyone…

(Andersen Press) Paris, 1940. Safiyyah loves spending hours in the library, studying maps and dreaming of travelling the world. Since the Germans invaded France, there are real-life dangers on her doorstep. Friends and neighbours are fleeing the city, and bombs are falling on the streets. Safiyyah is afraid to leave the mosque where she lives with her family. When her father is arrested by the Germans for his secret Resistance work, Safiyyah must draw on all her bravery to continue his errands around the city. Jews who are in serious danger come to the mosque in search of help. Can she find the courage to enter the city’s underground catacombs and lead them to safety? You’ll root for Safiyyah on every page of this historical adventure. Inspired by true events,…

The shortlist for our Breakthrough Book of the Year award celebrates new talent by spotlighting work by authors whose first books for children have captivated readers. The list includes several fantasies. Hedgewitch will appeal to those who love The Worst Witch, and Mia and the Lightcasters offers readers a world of magical creatures. The Secret of Haven Point is about a baby raised by mermaids. The Twig Man includes details of Kurdish culture within a spooky tale. In Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun, the British-Nigerian heroine learns that her Afro hair has magical powers. Seed tells the story of Marty’s grandad, who gives Marty a special seed, and Drama and Danger charts the first adventures of Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle in 18th century London. For something different,…

Crossword Read the clues carefully and write the answers into the grid. Across 1 Select, choose (4) 3 Dried grape (6) 8 Keyboard musician (7) 9 ___ de Triomphe, Paris landmark (3) 10 Skull and ___, pirates’ flag (10) 13 Spice grinder (6,4) 17 Nocturnal bird (3) 18 Less dirty (7) 19 Bicycle built for two (6) 20 Tool for pressing clothes (4) Down 1 Water or gas hose (4) 2 Seat for one (5) 4 Creative activity (3) 5 Blemish (5) 6 Most pleasant (6) 7 Disposable hanky (6) 11 Larger than average (6) 12 Brussels ___, green vegetable (6) 14 Supporter for power cables (5) 15 Cruise ship (5) 16 Smile broadly (4) 18 Billiards stick (3) Number tower Place a number in every circle to complete the…

Nelson’s Journey Based in Norfolk, Nelson’s Journey supports children who have lost a loved one. It provides resources and services and accepts referrals from families and professionals for those who may need its support. Since 1997, Nelson’s Journey has helped thousands of young people. Grace, a young volunteer and member of the youth panel for Nelson’s Journey, nominated the charity. Grace was a Nelson’s Journey service user, and this year she is planning a swimming fundraising challenge to raise money for the charity. Discover more at nelsonsjourney.org.uk…

“Here’s me cooling down in my pool, enjoying The Week Junior on my floating flamingo on the hottest day of the year – I love this sunny weather.”Charlotte “This is me after scoring my highest cricket score, 92 not out, for Penarth CC. I really enjoy playing cricket with my friends and look forward to training and matches every week.”Ethan “I am not the only one enjoying The Week Junior!”Kiaan…

1 Which animal has recently been reintroduced to a national park in Angola? □ a) Black rhino □ b) Angolan giraffe □ c) Elephant 2 True or false? The Union Chain Bridge connects England and Wales. □ True □ False 3 Skelleftea, the most accessible city in Europe, is in which country? _________________________ 4 How many litres of water does a UK person use on average per day? □ a) Five litres □ b) 15 litres □ c) 150 litres 5 True or false? The first recorded magic trick to be performed was by a magician called Dedi in ancient Egypt. □ True □ False 6 What does capercaillie mean in the Gaelic language? _________________________ 7 How many teams are playing at this year’s Women’s World Cup? □ a) 12…

• A drought is a long period of little or no rain, which can cause water shortages.• In 2022, the UK had its driest summer since 1995, and England had its joint hottest summer on record (with 2018).• A garden hose or sprinkler system typically uses around 15 litres of water per minute. To reduce water usage in summer, water companies sometimes ban the use of hoses and sprinklers.• This means people can’t use hosepipes for non-essential reasons, like washing a car. If a person is caught using a hosepipe during a ban, they may have to pay up to £1,000 as a punishment.…

Summer evenings are great for spotting bats. If you’re allowed to stay up, the best time to watch is twilight (when the Sun is below the horizon but there is still some light). There are 18 species of bat in the UK and one of the most common is the pipistrelle. It is also the smallest, weighing about the same as a 2p coin with a wingspan of 20 centimetres. Bats fly differently to birds, moving very fast with lots of twists and turns. The pipistrelle can eat about 3,000 insects a night and will often zoom around gardens looking for prey. If you have an outside space you can make it more bat-friendly by switching off lights and planting night-scented flowers, such as honeysuckle and petunia to attract their…

The countdown to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is on. The month-long event in Australia and New Zealand begins on 20 July, and will see the best teams in women’s international football battling it out on the pitch. How will the tournament work? For the first time, the Women’s World Cup will feature 32 teams – up from 24 at the 2019 World Cup. They will be split into eight groups of four teams. The teams in each group will play each other once, and the top two from each group will advance to the next round. One-off games – in which the loser is knocked out – will then be played among the 16 teams, until only two are left. The final will take place at Stadium Australia…

Annemiek van Vleuten On 9 July, the Dutch cyclist won the Giro d’Italia Donne in Italy. The race began on 30 June and was held over nine stages. England men’s under-21 football team England beat Spain 1-0 in the final of the under-21 Euros championships. Goalkeeper James Trafford saved a penalty. England men’s and women’s cricket teams The men’s team defeated Australia in the third Ashes test match. The women beat Australia in the T20 section of their Ashes contest. Allisen Corpuz Golfer Corpuz is this year’s US Open champion. It is the first time she has won one of golf’s big four events, which are known as the Majors.…

Favourite library? I remember my excitement every weekend when my dad took me to Chelmsford library, but my favourite is All Souls College library in Oxford, because I can pretend I’m in Hogwarts. A place you want to visit? I’m enchanted by the ancient desert city of Timbuktu. From the remoteness to the architecture, tales of the Mali empire to the manuscript library, thinking about it gives me goosebumps. A fact you learned while writing this book? One of the coolest facts I learned is that there are insects in the Amazon bigger than my hand. Rhinoceros and Titan beetles can grow to about 15 centimetres long. Your favourite thing about Safiyyah? I love Safiyyah’s navigation skills and curiosity but my favourite thing is her deep sense of kindness and…

Two new mobile games want to get players building teams to go exploring for treasure and both are based on famous characters and games. Temple Run: Idle Explorers is the latest game from the company behind the popular “endless runner” games Temple Run and Temple Run 2, but its gameplay is very different. You don’t get to do any running yourself. Instead, you are tapping on the screen to collect gold from treasure hunts, which you use to pay people to help you collect more gold more quickly. Along the way you’ll find ancient artefacts and unlock characters whom you can send off to run through temples to open up new locations. You can also “level up” (improve) the different characters to make their skills better. It’s a lot of…

As part of a traditional ritual to bring good fortune to his people, the mayor of a small town in Mexico has married a young female caiman (a reptile related to alligators and crocodiles). This ceremony has taken place in the town for 230 years as a way to remember the time when two warring communities made peace with each other at a wedding. The bride wore a white dress and veil to the town hall for her marriage. After the ceremony, the mayor danced with his “princess girl”.…

Teacher’s name: Miss Oakes School: Kettlewell Primary School, North Yorkshire “Miss Oakes is an incredible teacher, she is very caring to others. She always helps me when I need it. She’s taken us on lots of fun school trips. She makes everyone happy at school and always has a smile on her face.”Alfie 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…