Table of contents for 450 in The Week Junior

US President Joe Biden has withdrawn his bid to be re-elected for a second term as the US leader. He also declared his support for his vice president, Kamala Harris, to run instead. The presidential election will take place on 5 November. What happened? On 21 July, Biden released a statement to announce that he would no longer be seeking re-election. He said it had been the “greatest honour” of his life to serve as president, but it was “in the best interest of my party and the country” for him to withdraw. Biden promised to campaign for Harris to be president and told people to “embrace her” as a candidate. The announcement followed weeks of pressure on Biden, as other members of his party (the Democratic Party) told him…

On 7 June, three deaf girls performed the English national anthem in British Sign Language (BSL) in front of 80,000 football fans at Wembley Stadium. Imogen (aged 10), Sarah (aged nine) and Chloe (aged eight) were mascots as England played Iceland. BSL is a way of communicating using hand gestures, facial expressions and body language. The incredible experience was part of a campaign called Support. It’s In Your Hands, which aims to raise awareness of BSL and encourage people to use it. Before the match, the three girls got to high-five the England players, although they had to wait a little while before meeting them. Chloe told The Week Junior, “The players were all taking forever to eat their dinner upstairs in the restaurant! Then, suddenly, all the players came…

How many butterflies do you see near where you live? Do you think you could identify different species? Members of the public around the UK are being asked to count the insects as part of this year’s Big Butterfly Count. The survey is organised by the Butterfly Conservation charity. It was launched in 2010 and is now the biggest butterfly survey in the world. In 2023, almost 95,000 people took part. Butterfly Conservation does the count each year to help it understand the populations of different species and where they live. Since the 1970s, 80% of butterfly species have declined. This is a result of climate change, habitat loss, farming and the use of pesticides on crops. Rising temperatures have also caused some species to move north to search for…

When a team of scientists decided to look into what makes people blush, they came up with a fun experiment: ask teenagers and young adults to do karaoke (singing songs along to recorded music), then make them watch themselves back and measure their responses. Forty young women from the Netherlands, aged between 16 and 20, were asked to perform one of four popular tunes that are considered tricky to sing. These included Hello by Adele, Let It Go from the film Frozen, and All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey. On a second visit, the volunteers watched videos of themselves singing, with a special scanner measuring their responses. They also watched the other people’s videos. Each person was told that other volunteers were watching videos of them…

England men’s Under-20 rugby team England beat France 21-13 in the final of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in South Africa. Cavan Sullivan Aged just 14 years and 293 days, Sullivan became the youngest player ever in Major League Soccer in the US when he appeared for Philadelphia Union. GB women’s 4x100 metres relay team Great Britain won the 4x100 metres relay race at the Diamond League in London. Tadej Pogačar The Slovenian cyclist won the Tour de France for the third time. Pogačar also won the Giro D’Italia and became the first man to win cycling’s two biggest races in the same year since 1998.…

If you had a magical crayon that made your drawings come to life, what would you create for yourself and how would you deal with the superpower? These are some of the questions the hero must answer in the upcoming film Harold and the Purple Crayon. Harold is a character in a book but he realises he has a lot to learn after he draws himself off the pages and enters the real world along with his special crayon. The film’s director Carlos Saldanha tells The Week Junior that the film has “fun surprises” and will appeal to different ages. “It’s not only kids that get lured (tempted) by the magic of the crayon,” he says. “Adults and young adults enjoy the emotions of the story.” Harold and the Purple…

Where did you get your inspiration from? Reading the books. For each cover, I was given the choice of a couple of scenes. I would read those scenes, making notes of character descriptions and other details. I’d start by doing lots of small, very rough sketches, called thumbnails. The publisher also sent me the audiobooks. They played on a loop in my studio for a few months. Who is your favourite Harry Potter character? I like Hagrid because he reminds me of my dad, who died in 2007. He was also big and hairy, rode a 1950s motorbike and he loved walking in the woods. And, like me, Hagrid loves animals. Lots of animals, especially dogs, seem to really like me too. Do you have a favourite magical creature to…

We’ve received lots of photos of readers doing fun things with their grandparents. It has inspired us, so we’ve teamed up with the magazine for older people, Woman’s Weekly, to get people crafting together. Here is a simple weaving idea for a wall hanging that you can share with an older person (they can help with the fiddly bits). Try these tips too: using thicker materials like chunky wool, fabric or ribbon is quicker than thinner yarns. You can vary the texture and colours – maybe weaving with old shoelaces, lace, gift-wrap, twine or thin fabric strips. Please send us photos of you crafting to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk and perhaps we will print your photo in a future issue. What you need ● A large piece of cardboard ● A ruler ● A pencil ●…

Goodness, there was so much news this week. You can hear about some of the things we couldn’t squeeze in on our podcast, The Week Junior Show. Recently you have been sending in lots of photos of activities with grandparents (and a great aunt), and you’ve inspired us! On page 25, we’ve teamed up with Woman’s Weekly, a magazine for older people, to get young people crafting with their relatives. It’s lovely to share time and skills, and the summer holidays is a great time to try activities together. After all, the interests you build now could shape your life. On page 12, in our feature about astronauts, we mention the UK’s Helen Sharman. She is interested in science now because when she was little, her father often showed her…

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 you provide to arrange delivery of badges, and we will not share them with anyone else. By submitting your reports and pictures, you give consent to The Week Junior to print them in magazine and digital editions, and mention on our podcast. We reserve the right to edit contributions for length, accuracy and suitability. Ensure you have your parent/guardian’s permission before sending anything to us.…

1 Which children’s TV channel was affected by an IT outage recently? ⬜ a) Cartoon Network ⬜ b) CBeebies ⬜ c) CBBC channel 2 True or false? The King writes the King’s Speech. ⬜ True ⬜ False 3 In which country would you find the River Seine? 4 Who is currently the richest person in the world? ⬜ a) Elon Musk ⬜ b) MrBeast ⬜ c) King Charles III 5 True or false? Tenby’s youngest and first ever female town crier, Erin Morgan, studies performing arts. ⬜ True ⬜ False 6 How many Siamese crocodile eggs hatched in Cardamom National Park, Cambodia? 7 Who was the first British astronaut? ⬜ a) Tim Peake ⬜ b) Helen Sharman ⬜ c) Neil Armstrong 8 True or false? After they died, the pharaohs…

Kamala Harris has been Joe Biden’s vice president since 2021. She was the first woman – as well as the first black and South Asian American – to take on the role. Between 2011 and 2017, she was the attorney general (chief law officer) for the state of California. After that, she was elected as a US senator (senior politician). She has spoken out against several issues including racism (when people are treated badly or unfairly because of their skin colour, culture or nationality). While working as vice president, she has also supported policies that tackle climate change.…

RARE PAPER DESIGNS A rare collection of decorative paper cuttings created by schoolgirls in the 17th century is on display at Sutton House, London. The house, which is a visitor attraction, was once a girls’ school. The decorative cut-outs were found there in the 1980s. DOCTOR WHO NUMBER TWO A waxwork (lifelike figure made in wax) of Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa has been unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London. Gatwa said working with artists at the waxwork museum was “amazing”. He thinks that the most realistic part of the sculpture is the teeth because they are “so accurate”. FLOWER MEADOWS Two Oakwood Clydesdales, a heavy type of horse, are helping to mow meadows around Scotney Castle in Kent and Bateman’s, a house in Sussex, England. Bailey and Percy pull…

In the Cardamom National Park in Cambodia, 60 Siamese crocodile eggs have hatched in the wild. The births are a big boost for the critically endangered species. Local people found the eggs in nests earlier this year and protected them around the clock. ● LIFESPAN: Around 22 years in the wild. ● HABITAT: Slow-moving rivers, lakes, marshes and swamps. ● SIZE: Up to four metres long and 350 kilograms. ● DIET: Fish, snakes, frogs, birds and some mammals. ● FUN FACT: Siamese crocodiles were thought to be extinct in the wild but were rediscovered in 2000.…

Around the world, one fifth of the calories eaten by humans come from wheat, but this important crop is under threat from climate change and disease. Now, a new study has found that a collection of wheat gathered in the 1920s and 1930s could hold the key to protecting the crop for the future. The wheat was collected by a plant scientist called Arthur Watkins. A century ago, he worked in the University of Cambridge’s plant-breeding department and during this time he collected more than 1,000 varieties of wheat from 32 countries. Over the years, some of the wheat varieties in the collection were lost but there are still 827 left. The samples are valuable because most of the wheat varieties aren’t grown by farmers anymore. The samples are looked…

Are you going to the beach this summer? Think ahead and master some tips on staying safe and you’ll be able to make the most of your seaside adventure. A day at the beach is good for you Who doesn’t love a day on the beach, building sandcastles, exploring rock pools and splashing around in the sea? The seaside is good for you too – sunlight helps your body make vitamin D, which keeps bones, teeth and muscles healthy. The fresh sea air can help you sleep better and the soothing sound of waves makes you feel calm. Safety experts When you go swimming, check that there are lifeguards on duty. These are people who are trained to keep you safe in the water. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)…

New animated film Kensuke’s Kingdom (PG) is also out on 2 August. Based on the best-selling book by Michael Morpurgo, it tells the story of Michael, a boy who becomes shipwrecked with his dog, Stella, on a remote island. The pair discover they are not alone when they meet Kensuke, a man who has lived on the island in secret since the Second World War (1939–1945). At first, Kensuke is upset and angry about Michael’s arrival but they end up joining forces to fight against a threat to the island and its animals. The script for the film was written by author Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who was recently announced as the new Children’s Laureate.…

Schnauzerfest Schnauzerfest pays vets’ bills for dogs. This helps owners who can’t afford the treatment their dogs need. The charity also helps dogs in rescue centres by paying for their vets’ bills too. Sometimes the bills are small but sometimes they can be much higher, running into thousands of pounds if the dog is very unwell or has lots of health issues. Some of the biggest vets’ bills are for cataract surgery to help blind dogs see again, or heart operations. Find out more at schnauzerfest.org…

Teacher’s name: Mr L Satterthwaite School: Tower House School, London “I would like to nominate our fantastic teacher Mr Satterthwaite for Teacher of the Week, but really for Teacher of the Century. He always makes us laugh, and was incredibly helpful over our 11+ exams, which could be stressful but the legend of Mr Satt would always help us out. His motivation probably scored us an extra 50% alone! He is just really the best teacher.” Zac Hill and his Year 6 classmates 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…

Company bosses are usually paid very well for being in charge. Peter Hebblethwaite, the head of shipping company P&O Ferries, recently revealed that his salary in 2023 was £325,000 – plus a bonus of £183,000. A year earlier, P&O Ferries had sacked a lot of its staff and replaced them with temporary workers from other countries, which, according to the law, it could pay less. At the time, P&O said it was not making enough money and did this to save the company. The BBC reported in May that its workers are now paid an average of £5.20 an hour – below the UK minimum wage. Some people say it’s not fair that bosses earn so much more money than their hard-working staff. What do you think? Do company bosses…

In Pembrokeshire, Wales, a performing arts student called Erin Morgan has been made the town of Tenby’s first ever female town crier – and also its youngest. The role of town criers emerged in medieval times as a way for people to find out news and other important information. Seventeen-year-old Morgan’s duties will involve making announcements and hosting official events. She says she wants to promote Tenby and its traditions, plus encourage more young people to get involved in the local community.…

On 20 July 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the Moon. Fifty-five years later, humans are still exploring space. China has achieved lots of exciting things recently, including landing a spacecraft on the far side of the Moon – and even taking fish to the Chinese space station to see how they adapt to space. The head of NASA (the US space agency), Bill Nelson, said that the US and China are in a “space race” to see who can return humans to the Moon first, but let’s see how you get into space in the first place. When did humans first go to space? The first artificial satellite (a man-made object that is placed into orbit by rockets) to be sent into space…

Teenager Davina Perrin said she was “buzzing” to play in The Hundred cricket competition. Perrin, who is 17, is part of the Northern Superchargers team, based in Leeds, England. Their first game in this year’s competition is due to take place against Trent Rockets, of Nottingham, on 26 July. Perrin was part of the Birmingham Phoenix squad in 2022 and 2023 but didn’t get to play a match. “I’m really excited about The Hundred,” she told The Week Junior. “It’s a great competition and now I’m with the Superchargers, hopefully I can get on the pitch and contribute.” The tournament is called The Hundred because when two teams play in a match, each team bowls 100 balls. The batting team aims to score as many runs as possible from the…

(Bloomsbury Children’s Books) First published in 1997, this book about a boy wizard is the first in a series that has sold more than 600 million copies across the world, inspiring films, games and theatre. Harry lives with his mean aunt, uncle and cousin and he feels lonely but on his 11th birthday, he receives a letter telling him he belongs to a magical world. As a first-year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry has much to learn and explore with his new friends Ron and Hermione but soon he must face the feared dark wizard Lord Voldemort. The latest editions of the Potter series have covers illustrated by Jonny Duddle, bringing Hogwarts to life with a richly magical atmosphere. WIN! A copy of Harry Potter and the…

As the school summer holidays begin, there are apps that are great for getting people out and about. AllTrails and Go Jauntly are two good examples. They are both collections of routes for walking and hiking around the UK and beyond, with AllTrails also featuring cycle routes. You can use the apps to find trails near your current location, read reviews and, if needed, find out which ones are best if you’re taking a dog or are in a wheelchair. Another fun way to get active in summer is by spotting bugs and using apps to help with scientific research. FIT Count is a free app that helps you collect data on “pollinators” (insects that visit flowers, such as bees and butterflies). iRecord App is similar but lets you record…

On 7 July, an ice cream van named Kelly Whip became stranded in the sea at Harlyn Bay in Cornwall, England. Fortunately, no one was in the van. Although a group of people tried to save the vehicle, the waves got stronger and the rescue attempt had to stop. Instead, the beachgoers had to stand and watch it bobbing about as surfers continued to catch waves nearby. One onlooker said it was “strange”, like watching an “end of the world film”. When the tide went out, a farmer arrived, attached it to his tractor and pulled it onto the beach.…

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 whether adults should be phone-free outside school… “Yes, adults spend too much time on their phones – it’s not healthy.” “No, adults are old enough to make their own decisions.” “Yes, because if they’re on their phone they might not know where their child is.” “No – what if there’s an emergency?” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here.…