This week’s big news

If you feel worried

It’s understandable that you

might feel upset about what’s
happening in the Middle East.
If you do, talk with a trusted
DID YOU? adult, share your feelings, and
KNOipW
is a territ
ory ask questions about things
a Str the you’re concerned about. Limit
The Gazsquare miles in ered
0
of 14 st that is bord your exposure to news meant
a
Middle E rael and Egypt. for adults, and do things you
by Is enjoy. Talk to your family about
Food being
distributed in Gaza
what you can do to help others.

Humanitarian crisis ongoing in Gaza How did people react?

In recent weeks, world leaders and international
aid organizations have called attention to a
dire humanitarian crisis, including widespread
Gaza. From March to May of this year, Israel
established a near-total blockade of food
shipments to Gaza, leading to increasingly
International humanitarian organizations praised
the arrival and distribution of food but said it was
hunger, within Gaza, a territory in the Middle worse conditions for civilians. Israel has only a start. “Vast amounts of aid are needed
East, and demanded action to relieve suffering. allowed food and other aid into Gaza since to stave off famine and a catastrophic health
In response to global outrage, food shipments May, but the UN has said it is insufficient and crisis,” said Tom Fletcher, the UN’s emergency
began arriving on July 27. that Israel has made distributing it difficult. relief coordinator. On July 29, the Integrated Food
Israel, however, has said Hamas is seizing food Security Phase Classification (a UN–supported
What happened? shipments, the UN and aid organizations have agency) said the situation in Gaza was the
On July 23, a total of 109 aid organizations,
mismanaged distribution, and the UN is using “worst-case scenario” and called for an immediate,
including Save the Children and Doctors Without
“false and misleading” statistics. “unimpeded, large-scale, lifesaving humanitarian
Borders, issued a statement warning of mass
response.” Aid organizations and world leaders
starvation among Gaza’s population of more than
2 million people. The World Health Organization
What did Israel do? urged Israel to make it faster and easier for
On July 26, Israel said it would let other countries, agencies to distribute additional aid. “Access to
(WHO) said 25% of the population is facing
including Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, aid must be urgently accelerated over the coming
conditions similar to a famine (extreme
drop aid into Gaza from airplanes. The hours and days,” said David Lammy, the UK’s
lack of food) and that almost 100,000
next day, Israel said it would pause foreign minister. “The world is watching.”
women and children are suffering
fighting in some areas of Gaza
from severe malnutrition. The
United Nations (UN, a group of
from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to allow What will happen next?
trucks to bring aid in. The Israeli Israeli officials said the daily pause in fighting
193 countries) said 147 people,
military said it would create and creation of safe transportation corridors
including 88 children, have died
“humanitarian corridors” to will continue “until further notice” and they are
of malnutrition and that more
ensure that aid trucks had safe “prepared to expand the scale of this activity as
than 1,000 people have been killed
Tom Fletcher routes to different regions of Gaza. required.” When The Week Junior went to press on
since May while trying to get food.
That day, more than 120 trucks arrived July 29, reports said that more aid was set to arrive
What caused the crisis? carrying food that was distributed by the UN and in Gaza by truck and air. Meanwhile, world leaders
Israel and Hamas (a terrorist group that other agencies. Planes also dropped packages of will continue to push for more humanitarian aid
controls Gaza) have been at war in Gaza since food attached to parachutes. In addition, Israel as well as an end to the war. Ongoing peace talks
October 2023, and Hamas is currently holding restored power to a water treatment plant that between Israel and Hamas are taking place with the
20 Israelis hostage. Israel controls access into provides drinkable water. help of the US and Qatar, which are allies of Israel.

2 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

 This week’s big news PLACECE
OF PatiEoA t of

ADA celebrates rn nal Cour din g

A protest outside The Inte oused in a buil n
is h o w
the International Justice Netherlands kn e.

35th anniversary Court of Justice in the e Peace Palac

as th

J uly 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 Climate case decided at UN court
Braille for people with vision impairments.
Celebrations of the ADA’s anniversary include
art shows, carnivals, and accessible fitness events
C limate activists achieved a long-awaited
victory at the International Court of Justice
(ICJ) on July 23. Located in the Hague, the
The decision was the ICJ’s first climate case
since it was founded in 1945. The case was the
result of years of activism led by young people
across the US. Many are part of Disability Pride capital city of the Netherlands, the ICJ is the from Pacific Island nations, which are especially
Month, which is in July. Meanwhile, disability highest court of law for the United Nations (UN) vulnerable to rising sea levels caused by climate
rights groups have said that recent legislation and often referred to as “the world court.” It change. In 2019, students from the University
passed in Congress could lead to a reduction in handles legal disputes between countries and of the South Pacific, on the island nation of
programs and services for people with disabilities. gives opinions on legal issues that are brought Vanuatu, formed the Pacific Islands Students
before it by UN departments. Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) group.
In its recent ruling, the ICJ decided that PISFCC took their cause to leaders of several
climate change is a threat to human rights and Pacific Island nations. Those officials then
that countries primarily responsible for climate persuaded the UN General Assembly to bring
change could be forced to pay reparations the case to the ICJ and request an opinion. The
(payments to make up for harm or damage). court began considering the case in December.
The ICJ cannot legally enforce the ruling, but the “This ruling is a testament to the resolve of
decision could influence other climate lawsuits the people at the very front lines of the climate
ON THE COVER: GETTY IMAGES (3); MIDDLE-EARTH ENTERPRISES; ICJ; ON THIS PAGE: GETTY IMAGES (2); GUINNESS WORLD

and lead to cases against major polluters. crisis,” said PISFCC director Vishal Prasad.

IT’S AN AMAZING WEEK FOR… A FEATHERED PHOTOBOMB

Newlyweds Isabella and Bas were posing for
BEING A SUPERFAN photos at their wedding reception in the
Hugo Tsang Cheuk-ti, a 32-year-old from Hong Netherlands when they were joined by some
RECORDS; WOWSA; YARA DRAGT PHOTOGRAPHY; ON LEFT PAGE: GETTY IMAGES (3)

Kong, set a record for the largest collection of unexpected guests: 11

memorabilia of the Pokémon monster Gengar. ducks that waddled
He began collecting the 1,200 items at age 8. into the frame. The
David
“This little guy was my destined buddy,” he said. photographer, Yara
Olvera
Dragt, posted a video
A SUMMER SWIM of the memorable
An open-water swimmer from Mexico now holds moment on social
the record for the fastest swim around the New media, where it has
York City island of Manhattan. David Olvera gone viral. The ducks
completed the 28.5-mile distance in 5 hours, 34 were the “cutest
Hugo Tsang
minutes, and 58 seconds. “Surround yourself wedding crashers
Cheuk-ti
with people who lift you up,” he said. ever,” Dragt said. The ducks

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 3

 National news
The 10 most When does school start?
frequently
taught books
in the US

US schools in the South and

Southwest tend to begin their
year earlier than those on the
East Coast. About 47% of schools
ING
EDUCAETNTS
begin their year before August

STUD about 3.8

16, according to weareteachers.
com. About 35% of schools open
There areublic school
million prs in the US. their doors during the last two
teache weeks of August. Another 16%
begin after September 1, and 2%
offer lessons year-round.

Report on classroom books released

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
Lee, Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth,
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Of Mice and Men
by John Steinbeck, and Night by Elie Wiesel.
to their students. In addition to the classics,
teachers said they want to include books that have
been published more recently. They also want to
Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). To create introduce books by a diverse range of authors,
the list, NCTE surveyed about 4,000 educators What did the list reveal? such as women, people of color, and people who
who teach English language arts in sixth The 10 books on the list are considered important identify as LGBTQ. While some educators said they
through 12th grades in all 50 states. because they introduce students to influential are free to choose what to teach, more than 33%
themes, complex language, and historical context. said they must follow a scripted curriculum and
What books were on the list? All of them were written by white authors, mostly 20% said they had no choice in text selection.
According to the report, Romeo and Juliet, by men, and published more than 60 years ago,
William Shakespeare, is the most frequently however. Except for four titles—The Crucible, Night, What will happen next?
taught text in the US. It was followed by F. Scott Fahrenheit 451, and Frankenstein—the books are NCTE offered suggestions for helping educators
Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel The Great Gatsby and identical to the most-taught list from 35 years ago. introduce diverse texts to their classrooms. For
Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, published example, the group encourages teachers and
in 1953. The other most commonly taught What did teachers say? community members to speak out against book
books on the list were Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Nine out of 10 teachers surveyed expressed bans, which is when a book is removed from a
Bradbury, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper interest in introducing a wider variety of literature school because people object to its content.

WORD THE
OF
WEEK THE WEEK IN HISTORY
August 5, 1926
PINEAPPLE Harry Houdini performs his greatest feat
A “pine apple” was once used to describe a On August 5, 1926, magician Harry Houdini
pine cone, which comes from a pine tree. In performed his greatest stunt, spending 91
the 17th century, when the pineapple fruit minutes in a sealed tank before escaping,
became popular, people breaking a previous record. Houdini, a
thought its segmented skin famous escape artist, practiced the trick
and oval shape resembled a twice before performing it in public. Each
pine cone, and the name time, he spent more than 90 minutes inside
Harry
“pineapple” was a 700-pound iron coffin, submerged in a
Houdini
transferred to the fruit. swimming pool in New York City.

4 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

 National news
CURTALIN
CAL tion staged
produc r in
The first elacorte Theate am
D illi
at the rk City was W hant
New Yo are’s The Merc
e
ShakespVenice in 1962.
of

Katie
Hobbs

Arizona eliminates medical debt

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 A rendering of the
Delacorte Theater
creating pathways to economic security,” Hobbs said.
after the renovation

A view of
Oklahoma City Historic outdoor theater to reopen
T he Delacorte Theater, an open-air venue in
New York City’s Central Park, is set to reopen
after undergoing an $85 million renovation that
redwood reclaimed from New York City water
towers, wider seats, and increased wheelchair
access. Upgrades to the backstage area will allow
took 18 months to complete. The theater is where more performances to be staged each summer.
Shakespeare in the Park, a free summer series On August 7, the Delacorte will officially
that presents the work of 16th-century British reopen with a production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth
Best big cities in the US named playwright William Shakespeare, is performed. Night, directed by Saheem Ali, the Public Theater’s
US News & World Report has named Oklahoma City, the The theater, built in 1962 by the city of New associate artistic director. The play’s cast includes
capital of Oklahoma, the “Best Big City to Live.” A survey York, is operated by the Public Theater, a award-winning actors Peter Dinklage,
analyzed 859 US cities with populations of 499,000 or nonprofit arts organization known Lupita Nyong’o, and Sandra Oh.
COURTESY OF ENNEAD ARCHITECTS; GETTY IMAGES (4); PURDUE UNIVERSITY; ON LEFT PAGE: COURTESY THE PUBLISHERS; GETTY IMAGES (3)

more for their affordability, quality of life, job strength, and for its commitment to making Performances will run through
other factors. Oklahoma City won for its low-cost housing dramatic arts accessible to September 14. Tickets will be
options, short commutes to work, and cultural growth. everyone. Through the years, given out at locations across
Ranking second and third were El Paso and Austin, Texas. more than 6 million people New York City on the day
have lined up—often for of each show, and a digital
hours at a time—to secure lottery for tickets will also
a ticket to attend one of the be held. In addition, PBS
free productions. has announced that it will
The architect (person who broadcast a filmed performance
Actress Sandra Oh stars
designs buildings and oversees of the production later this year.
in the new production.
their construction) hired to preserve The renovation reinforces the
the theater and make it more modern was Delacorte’s mission to serve everyone because
Stephen Chu. The renovation, paid for with public it belongs to everyone, said Oskar Eustis, the

New prize for space discovery funds from the city and state as well as private
donations, features a new exterior made of
Public Theater’s artistic director. “You own it,” he
said. “We’re just the stewards of it.”
Purdue University in Indiana has established the Neil
Armstrong Space Prize to honor people who have made
important contributions to the understanding of space. THE WEEK’S SILLIEST HEADLINE
The prize is named after US astronaut Neil Armstrong,
who graduated from Purdue in 1955 and became the “Toothpaste spill shuts down
first person to walk on the Moon’s surface in 1969. The
first recipients of the prize will be named in 2026.
North Carolina road” UPI
August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior
 Around the world
Paris, France The artist
Mural honors performer and mural
Famous singer, dancer, and actress Josephine
Baker has been honored with a mural in Paris.
Baker was born in the US but moved to France in
1925 and spied for the French during World War
II. She later joined the US civil rights movement,
campaigning for equal rights for Black Americans.
A firefighter
Artist Franck Duval painted her among song lyrics.
near Athens

Greece and Turkey

Wildfires affect two countries
Thousands of people have been moved to safety after wildfires
burned in several regions across Greece and Turkey. Affected
areas include the Peloponnese region west of Greece’s capital,
Athens, and forested mountains around the Turkish city of Bursa.
High winds and extreme heat—including a record of 122° F in
Silopi, Turkey, on July 26—enabled the fires to spread. Hundreds
of firefighters have been working to battle the flames.

The snake
on a coin

Barbados
World’s smallest snake found
Scientists turned over hundreds of rocks to rediscover the world’s
smallest known snake. The Barbados threadsnake is as thin as
a strand of spaghetti. It grows to about 4 inches long—the size
of a small earthworm—and likes to burrow in the ground. The
snake is so good at hiding that it hadn’t been spotted since 2006,
causing some experts to fear it was extinct. Finding it “reminds
us that we still have something important left,” a researcher said.

A protest
Nairobi, Kenya
Country music fest
Kenya held its first International
Cowboys and Cowgirls Day, drawing
REUTERS (2); BLAIR HEDGES; GETTY IMAGES(4); SHUTTERSTOCK (2); ALAMY

thousands of country music fans

to Nairobi. The event showcased
the nation’s growing fan base for
the country music genre, which
Lomé, Togo
some people say has similarities
Demonstrations against nation’s leader
to traditional Kikuyu folk songs.
Young people in Togo’s capital, Lomé, are protesting against
Festival attendees wore cowboy hats
the country’s leader, Faure Gnassingbé. The Gnassingbé family
and boots, watched local stars like
has ruled Togo for nearly 60 years, and in 2024 he changed the
“Sir Elvis” Otieno, and line-danced Kenyan
constitution (nation’s principles for government) in order to stay
to popular songs such as “Take Me country
in power. Protesters say freedoms are being limited and there is
Home, Country Roads.” fans
a lack of jobs for young people, so they want him to resign.

6 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

 Around the world
Rovaniemi’s
Lapland, Finland
river beach Record heat is recorded
Lapland, which some say is the home of Santa
Claus, has been sizzling in record heat. For the
first time ever, Finland recorded 16 days in a row
with temperatures over 80º F. Experts say the heat
wave is caused by climate change. In Rovaniemi,
Chinese
where tourists go to meet Santa, the sun shines
tourists in
past 11 p.m. in July, keeping days hotter for longer. Amritsar, India

India
India revives visas for Chinese tourists
India has started issuing tourist visas (documents that allow
entry) to Chinese citizens after a five-year suspension, signaling
that relations between the two countries are improving. India
and China share a 2,100-mile border, but India banned visas
for Chinese tourists in 2020 after military clashes at a border
crossing killed 20 Indian soldiers. A Chinese spokesperson said
allowing visitors to enter India again was a “positive move.”

Announcing
the deal

Putrajaya, Malaysia
Ceasefire agreement reached
At a meeting in Putrajaya on July 28, the leaders of Thailand
and Cambodia agreed to a ceasefire (pause in fighting), ending
battles between the countries’ armies that had taken place
along a shared border since July 24. At least 34 people died
in the fighting, and thousands fled their homes. The conflict,
which dates back more than 100 years, involves disagreements
over land that both Thailand and Cambodia claim to own.

Children dress Sea foam

Indonesia
up for the day. caused by
Celebrating kids the algae
On July 23, Indonesia celebrated
Hari Anak Nasional (National
Children’s Day). About 84 million
children live in Indonesia, and the
day was established as a reminder
of how important they are to the
South Australia
country’s future. The day also raises
Rush to save sea life
awareness of what young people
The Australian government is spending about $18 million to
need, including good schools and
deal with a fast-growing spread of tiny organisms called algae.
healthcare, to reach their potential.
Known as an algal bloom, this phenomenon takes oxygen out
The country’s education minister
of the water and releases poisons. The bloom, caused by rising
said, “Today, we see Indonesia’s
sea temperatures, has been growing since March and has killed
future smiling.”
more than 400 marine species in South Australia.

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 7

 The big debate

Does pineapple belong on pizza?

Pizza is meant to be personalized, but
A
some say no way to fruit as a topping. THAT’SPIE!
LARGEza ever made
What you need to know est piz et,
The larg3,580 square fen
was 1 is bigger tha
● According to a study by the US which etball courts.
k
Department of Agriculture, about two bas
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.

Yes—let people eat what they want No—stop ruining perfectly good pizza
F or centuries, people have been loving pizza
and the wide range of toppings it can hold.
While pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and
If people like putting pineapple on pizza, why yuck
their yum? One of the best things about pizza is
Not all toppings are created equal. Adding
onions or sausage to a pizza is not the same as
onions are among the most popular pizza being able to endlessly customize it. Vegetables? adding pineapple. Meat and vegetables
toppings in the US, adventurous chefs have been Shellfish? Fruit? Why not! Everyone enjoys complement the flavor of tomato sauce and
known to add everything from shrimp to different flavors, and pizza lets you experiment and mozzarella cheese, but the pineapple flavor is
barbecue chicken to pasta to their pies. But the find your favorite combination. When you put so strong that it takes over. That means you
addition that has caused the most controversy is pineapple on pizza, the sweet fruit contrasts with can’t taste the pizza itself. And pineapple juice
pineapple. Some people love the sweet-and-salty the tangy tomato sauce and melty cheese, and the tends to run all over and soak into the crust,
combination and say that if you can put anchovies ingredients meld together to create a complex, making it mushy. No true pizza lover wants to
or arugula on pizza, why not pineapple? But layered, and entirely original flavor. Besides, eat a soggy slice. Pizza is a simple dish that has
others say sugary fruit should not be allowed on pineapple is a good source of vitamins and been around for centuries. It’s a classic, and
their favorite dish. What do you think? Does minerals. Fruit is healthy, so we should be there’s simply no good reason to mess with
pineapple belong on pizza? encouraging people to eat it any way they can. pizza perfection by adding pineapple.

YES Three reasons pineapple belongs

on pizza NO Three reasons pineapple does not
belong on pizza LAST WEEK’S POLL
Last week, we asked if baths
1 Pizza was meant to be customized and
is the perfect dish for people to try any
flavor combinations they enjoy.
1 Many toppings blend well with cheese,
sauce, and spices, but pineapple
overwhelms other ingredients.
are better than showers.
More than half of you prefer
a quick jump
2 Pineapple melds sweet with savory and
gives pizza a more complex taste. 2 Pineapple is juicy, which soaks into the
crust and makes it soggy. That’s
absolutely no fun to eat.
under the
water to a 41%
3 Pineapple is a good source of vitamin C YES
long soak 59%
and fiber, among other nutrients, so it
makes pizza healthier. 3 Pizza has been a classic for hundreds of
years. Pineapple messes with perfection. in the tub.
NO

What do you think? The goal of the big debate is to present two sides
of an issue fairly in order to stimulate discussion and
Now that you’ve read a bit more about this issue, visit kids.theweekjunior.com/polls allow our readers to make up their minds. The views on
GETTY IMAGES

so you can vote in our debate. Vote YES if you think pineapple belongs on pizza or this page do not reflect those of The Week Junior, and
NO if you don’t. We’ll publish the results next week. the page is not funded by third parties.

8 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

 People
Returning to the spotlight
Basketball icon Michael Jordan takes on a new role as a TV sports analyst.

M ichael Jordan, considered one of the Jordan also earned two Olympic gold
greatest basketball players of all time, medals (in 1984 and 1992). In 2009, he was
will join NBC Sports this fall as a special inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
contributor for its NBA coverage. The During his induction speech, Jordan said he
league begins a new era with the hoped he gave others “the optimism and
2025–2026 season, ending its nearly the desire to achieve their goals through
40-year run on TNT and ESPN. hard work and perseverance.”
Raised in Wilmington, On NBC, he will appear in
North Carolina, Jordan loved special segments during big
sports from a young age. As a games and halftime shows.
high school sophomore, he Besides breaking down game
didn’t make the varsity highlights, he will offer insights
basketball team. The setback on players and teams. He joins
motivated him to train hard, a star-studded squad of former
On the
make varsity the next year, and players like Reggie Miller and
court in 1990
quickly become a standout. He broadcaster Mike Tirico.
T
went on to play for the University of North Since retiring in 2003, Jordan has mostly FUNordFaAnCwore his a
J n
Carolina, hitting the game-winning shot in stayed away from the media, so his return Michael of North Caroli o
e rsity h ica g
the 1982 NCAA championship. to TV is especially exciting for fans. He is Univ nder his
C e
Jordan was picked third in the 1984 also looking forward to the role. “The NBA shorts u orm at each gam
ulls u n if c h arm .
B d luck
NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. He led the on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, as a goo
team to six NBA championships, won five and I’m excited about being a special
MVP awards, and was a 14-time All-Star. contributor to the project,” he said. Michael Jordan

Poet gets top spot OVERHEARD

M ississippi’s new poet laureate is Ann
Fisher-Wirth. She was a professor at the
University of Mississippi for 34 years, teaching
English and environmental studies before retiring
in 2022. Her work includes the acclaimed poem
Catalpa, inspired by a century-old tree on campus.
During her four-year term as poet laureate, she
GETTY IMAGES (3); UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI DIGITAL IMAGING SERVICES; COURTESY OF TEAM FORCES

plans to start a podcast featuring state residents Zara Lachlan

sharing their favorite poems. “Poetry is a great way
to move people—and just open the world in
them,” Fisher-Wirth told Mississipi Today. Setting a record at sea
Z ara Lachlan, age 21, has become the first
woman to row solo from Europe to South
America. The UK athlete traveled 3,794 nautical
miles (4,366 miles) from Lagos, Portugal, to
Cayenne, French Guiana, in 97 days, 10 hours, and
20 minutes on a 24-foot boat. She rowed alone,
averaging 17 hours a day, with no outside help. “I am a nerd, and I think
She is also the youngest woman to row any ocean nerds are cool.”
solo, nonstop, and unsupported. Lachlan finished
Actor Jonathan Bailey, who stars in
in February 2025, and Guinness World Records Jurassic World Rebirth, on being himself
officially recognized her feat in July. “I thought I
Ann Fisher-Wirth
would be a lot more scared than I was,” she said.

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 8

 Animals and the environment
Why are rhinos hunted?
Poachers hunt and kill rhinos
DID YO?U to take their horns, which have
NOSE oceros been used in traditional Chinese
e rhin
The namom the Greek medicine for more than 2,000
es fr
com r “nose” years and can be sold for high
words fohorn.”
and “ prices in some Asian countries.
The international trade in rhino
horns has been banned since
1977 but still takes place illegally.

Rhino horns

A rhino that has had

its horn removed

Dehorning rhinos helps save them

A ccording to new research, cutting off
rhinos’ horns reduces the poaching (illegal
hunting) of the animals by nearly 80%. Rhinos
dogs, helicopters, and rangers (trained animal
protectors) to keep an eye out for poachers.
More than 700 poachers were arrested, but
two years. The researchers found that
dehorning reduced poaching by 78%.
While dehorning rhinos can save the
are hunted for their horns, and scientists the researchers found that arresting the animals’ lives, another study discovered that
think there are now fewer than illegal hunters didn’t significantly the method changes their behavior. It found
28,000 rhinos left in the world. reduce the number of rhinos that dehorned rhinos are less likely to get
A team of researchers that were killed. involved in social interactions with other rhinos,
studied different rhino Another method that is and the area they choose to cover as they roam
protection methods used in being used to protect the is much smaller. Scientists think that because
Greater Kruger National rhinos is to cut off their rhinos use their horns in battles to protect their
Park, South Africa, between horns, which is called territory, without a horn they may become
2017 and 2023. About 25% “dehorning.” This doesn’t hurt more cautious and avoid confrontations.
of Africa’s rhino population the animals because their Researcher Tim Kuiper from Nelson
lives in Greater Kruger, and the horns are made of keratin, the Mandela University in South Africa told
A black rhino with
researchers wanted to find out same substance that makes up The Guardian newspaper that dehorning
its horn intact
which methods worked well. human hair and fingernails. The rhinos shouldn’t be the long-term solution.
The protection methods they studied horns can grow back over time, so the average Ultimately, conservationists want to address
included using detection cameras, tracking rhino needs to be dehorned every 18 months to the causes of illegal hunting.

PLACE OF THE WEEK

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
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. A white
Visitors may see white admiral butterflies flying through the area. admiral butterfy

10 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

 E
Animals and the environment
PRIMATRES
U
PEDtaInCs and chimps
Orangu wn to use tools ,
Animal Greater
are kno eir ears, teeth
th
of the week roadrunner
to clean and nails.

An orca,
also known as
a killer whale

Orcas use tools for grooming The greater roadrunner, a bird native to the

A population of orcas in the Pacific

Northwest have been spotted using
seaweed as a tool to groom one another.
minutes. This could be a way to remove
parasites and dead skin cells, researchers
believe, and sharing the tool could help
American Southwest and Mexico, has now
been seen as far northeast as Missouri and
Arkansas. Due to climate change, the birds are
This behavior has never been recorded strengthen social bonds among the whales. expected to continue their journey north.
before in marine mammals. While whales have previously been
● LIFE SPAN: 7 to 8 years
Scientists used a drone to record observed draping pieces of kelp over their
individuals from a population of 74 orcas, bodies, the southern residents are the only ● HABITAT: Grasslands, deserts, and woodlands
known as the southern residents. They saw ones known to use kelp as a social tool.
● SIZE: 0.5 to 0.75 pounds, up to 24 inches
one of the whales use its teeth to tear off a Study author Michael Weiss said these
2-foot-long piece of bull kelp, a type of whales have “a distinct culture” that is “worth ● DIET: Small lizards, mice, and insects
seaweed, and balance the kelp on its nose. trying to protect.” Researchers plan to study
● FUN FACT: Roadrunners rarely need to fly because
Then the whale brought the kelp to a partner the behavior further and find out whether
they can run at least 15 miles per hour.
and rolled it between their bodies for several other whales use tools in a similar way.

KA
AS N
Good week / Bad week “What’s the difference
EX
between an alligator and
a crocodile?” Simeon, 10, Wisconsin
T

PER
Ron Magill
Wildlife expert,
Zoo Miami
Alligators mainly live in
freshwater, while crocodiles
are most commonly found in
Camatta Canyon amoles National forests
saltwater. As adults, American
Experts were recently shocked The Trump administration said
alligators are black with a
to discover 16,000 Camatta it will remove protections from
blunt, “U”-shaped snout,
GETTY IMAGES (9); ALAMY; KARLI EVANS

Canyon amoles at Las Piletas 58 million acres of national

while American crocodiles
Ranch in California. They had forests to allow for road
are olive green and have a
previously believed 10,000 of construction and cutting down An alligator
pointed, “V”-shaped snout.
the flowers existed in the trees. The forests are habitats
world. This could mean the for hundreds of species, such as Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to [email protected].
plant is no longer endangered. bald eagles and black bears. Find out more about Zoo Miami at zoomiami.org.

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 11

 All about the Beatles at Shea Stadium

Sixty years ago, the Beatles gave a

performance that made history.

O n August 15, 1965, the legendary rock

band the Beatles played a record-breaking
concert at Shea Stadium in New York City.

TICKETE
TO RcIkDtickets
e
Upper-d eatles at Shea
e B
to see th m in 1965 cost
Stadiu as $5.65.
as little

The concert

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.

WOeW !
s had 20
tl
The Bea number one
go to 0
song illboard Hot 10
s
on the B, more than any
charts usical artist.
other m

A ticket to
the concert

A big and daring idea Here, there, The Ed Sullivan Show

COURTESY OF SUBAFILMS LTD.; GETTY IMAGES (6); COURTESY OF APPLE

A concert promoter named Sid Bernstein arranged

and everywhere The band’s first live performance
During their time as in the US was on February 9,
for the Beatles to play two concerts on February 12,
a band, the Beatles 1964, on a popular program
1964, at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The shows
gave performances called The Ed Sullivan Show (left).
sold out, so Bernstein proposed a Beatles concert
that have become The Beatles performed hits such
at Shea Stadium, a new sports arena in Queens
landmarks in the as “She Loves You,” “I Saw Her
where the New York Mets baseball team played.
history of music and Standing There,” and “I Want to
Shea was a massive venue, though, and the band’s
pop culture. Here Hold Your Hand” as 73 million
manager, Brian Epstein, worried that they would
are a few of them. people watched on TV.
not sell enough concert tickets to fill the seats.

12 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

 All about the Beatles at Shea Stadium

From left: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George

Harrison, and Ringo Starr perform at Shea Stadium.
NAME E
THE FsA M us Fans at
’ enormo
tle
The Beaity in the 1960s the show
popu lar s
known a A triumphant performance
becameemania.”
“Beatl The Shea Stadium concert turned out to be a
huge success. The Beatles played to a crowd of
55,600 fans, a record number for attendance
at the time. The band had just started their
third US tour in August 1965, using specially
made sound amplifiers. Even those weren’t
loud enough for the stadium, however, so the
band used the arena’s sound system. Other
bands played before Ed Sullivan, a famous TV
host, introduced the Beatles. “Now, ladies and
gentlemen, honored by their country, decorated
by their queen, loved here in America, here are
the Beatles!” he said. Throughout the show,
fans were screaming so loud that security
guards had to cover their ears.

Billy Joel (left) and Paul

McCartney in 2008

Longtime legacy
The Beatles’ Shea Stadium show helped pave the
way for future large-scale stadium rock concerts. “It
was marvelous,” Lennon said of the concert. “It was
the biggest crowd we ever played to, anywhere
in the world.” The excitement was captured in
Candlestick Park Rooftop concert a documentary film called The Beatles at Shea
In 1966, the Beatles held their The band gave a surprise
Stadium. The band stopped touring in 1966 and
final concert tour. It ended concert—and their last live
officially broke up in 1970, although their music
at Candlestick Park (left), performance —in 1969 on the
remains popular today. The stadium, meanwhile,
an outdoor stadium in San rooftop of the Apple Corps office
was torn down in 2009. At one of the last concerts
Francisco, California. They in London, where they were
there, headlined by Billy Joel, Paul McCartney
played 11 songs over a period recording some of their final
appeared and sang the Beatles songs “I Saw Her
of 30 minutes, a typical set songs. People gathered on the
Standing There” and “Let It Be.” “It’s so cool to be
length at that time, wrapping it streets to listen. The show ended
back here on the last night,” McCartney said. “Been
up with “Long Tall Sally.” with a performance of “Get Back.”
here a long time ago—we had a blast that night.”

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 13

 Science and technology SOLAROR
NEIGHthBe closest
is
The Sun th and is about
E ar
star to mes wider than
100 ti r planet.
ou

A newly captured
image of the Sun’s
south pole

Exploring the Sun’s secrets

F or 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
and cause disruption to electronic devices,
including phones—although they don’t cause
direct harm to humans. After the poles flip, the
A new perspective
Solar Orbiter spacecraft, which was launched Sun gradually reaches a “solar minimum,” which
in 2020 by the European Space Agency (ESA), is when the magnetic fields are back in order
and recently released. The pictures are the most and the Sun’s level of activity is low.
detailed ever taken of the solar surface and There is currently no way for scientists to
show a shimmering atmosphere, parts of predict when the Sun will reach its most
which reach temperatures of about active state, but ESA researchers said
18,000,000° F. There are also the Solar Orbiter captured the
darker clouds of gas, which are new images at just the right
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is equipped
cooler but still reach 18,000° F. time to help them understand
with the world’s largest digital camera and
The Solar Orbiter also the cycle. In the coming years,
could help scientists unravel some of the
revealed that the magnetic the path the orbiter will take
deepest mysteries of how the universe works.
field at the Sun’s south pole is as it moves around the Sun will
The telescope (above), which sits at an altitude
currently in disarray. A magnetic change, allowing it to capture
of 8,900 feet on the peak of Cerro Pachón
field is the area around a magnet even better images of the Sun’s
The Solar in Chile, was created by the US government
where magnetic force can act on Orbiter poles. The researchers said they hope
and is named after a trailblazing American
another magnet. Like Earth, the Sun acts to develop computer models that can
astronomer. It will spend 10 years taking a
like a big bar magnet, with two poles (north and predict the Sun’s activity and allow people on
time-lapse movie of the entire night sky.
south). A magnet’s north pole is attracted to the Earth to prepare for solar storms.
Although the observatory will not be fully
south pole of another magnet and vice versa. “[This] will enable us to get to the bottom
operational until later this year, it has revealed
The Sun’s north and south poles switch of some of the basic science of space weather,”
a stunning first image showing more than 10
places every 11 years in a chaotic period known Christopher Owen, who studies data from the
million glittering galaxies. The complete picture
as the “solar maximum.” That switch is in the Solar Orbiter for the ESA, told BBC News. But,
is so vast that scientists made a zoomable,
process of happening right now. During the solar he added, “more work needs to be done before
searchable version available online, which you
maximum, solar storms (sudden explosions of we...see signals on the Sun that we can rely on to
can see at skyviewer.app/explorer.
energy and material) can travel toward Earth predict eruptions that might hit the Earth.”

14 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

 Science and technology
Meet a fierce relative of the T. rex
B etween 90 and 66 million years ago,
one of the most fearsome dinosaur
predators to roam Earth was
Khankhuuluu would have weighed
more than 1,650 pounds and been
about 13 feet long. By comparison, T.
A rendering of the
dinosaur known as
the “dragon prince”
Tyrannosaurus rex. Now a team of rex weighed between 11,000 and
scientists has identified a new species 15,000 pounds. The newly discovered
of dinosaur that would have been T. dino’s skull was more than 2 feet long.
rex’s ancestor. This dinosaur has Jared Voris, one of the researchers,
been named Khankhuuluu said that humans would
mongoliensis, which A VERTYE have been the perfect
means “dragon prince BIGauBruIs rex had prey for this predator.
from Mongolia.” Tyrannos0 teeth, which He said, “I would
Researchers made about 6 each about much rather run
were s long.
the discovery while 8 inche into an adult T. rex than
studying two 86-million- run into Khankhuuluu.”
year-old fossils found in the early 1970s The team thinks Khankhuuluu
in Mongolia, in Asia. The remains were was the most recent ancestor of the
originally thought to be from a type of tyrannosaurs. It’s likely that the dinosaur,
tyrannosaur called Alectrosaurus. In or one of its close relatives, traveled from
2023, however, scientists from the Asia to North America over a land
University of Calgary in Canada bridge. The creatures evolved (changed
determined that the fossils were from very slowly over millions of years) into
a completely new dinosaur. the T. rex and other large predators.

Mental strategies
help runners. A humanoid robot
that can fly
JULIUS CSOTONYI; GETTY IMAGES; ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA; ON LEFT PAGE: ESA & NASA/SOLAR ORBITER/EUI TEAM, E.

Visual focus gives runners a boost

F ocusing on the finish line might be
a runner’s best strategy. A study
found that when runners narrow
Researchers found that runners
who narrowed their focus, especially
at the end, ran at a faster pace. They The iRonCub3
KRAAIKAMP (ROB); ESA; H. STOCKEBRAND/RUBINOBS/NSF/AURA

their visual focus to one spot, rather also had an elevated heart rate,
than taking in their surroundings,
their performance improves.
which indicated that they were
putting in greater physical effort.
F or the first time, a robot with
a human-like appearance has
used jet engines to fly. Engineers
two on its back. They give the
child-size robot, which weighs
154 pounds, enough power to
Scientists studied about 1,600 Emily Balcetis, a psychologist at
in Italy hope the iRonCub3 can lift off the ground and hover in
elite and casual runners, asking them New York University and lead author
one day help in real-world the air. The humanoid device is
to widen or narrow their visual of the paper, described it as a mental
situations, like natural disasters equipped with artificial
attention during short and long runs. strategy with physical benefits. “Just
or other emergencies. intelligence to help it remain
Runners were also told to narrow changing where and how you look
The iRonCub3 has four stable in the wind or when it
their focus the entire time or only during a hard task can improve your
engines—one on each arm and shifts its arms and legs around.
toward the end of the run. effort and outcomes,” she said.

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 15

 Photos of the week

Glowing revue
Dancers perform at an event
celebrating the 50th anniversary
of a stage show in Thailand.
GETTY IMAGES (5); LILIANA

Mirror image
A hot-air balloon floats
above Lake Tahoe in the US.

16 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

 Photos of the week
Getting close Splash zone
This shot zooms in An aerial photograph
on a giraffe at a captures people at a
zoo in Turkey. water park in China.

REA
PHODER
TO

Rock star
Colorful blooms Liliana, age 12 of Rhode
This picture of rainbow Island, took this picture
roses was taken in Canada. while visiting Arizona.

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 17

 Sports
Race festivities
GEAR
SHIFeTrSiders use
Franc s
Tour de t types of bicycle g
differen epe ndin
e race d
during thn the terrain.
o

Millions of spectators line the

streets and roads along the Tour
de France route to watch cyclists
speed by. As part of the race
traditions, the pack is preceded
by a long caravan of sponsored
vehicles (above). People riding
in them hand out small gifts to
Tadej Pogacar the roadside crowds.

Cyclist wins fourth Tour de France

F rom July 5 to July 27, top cyclists competed in
the 112th Tour de France, the most famous
rider, Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark, the 2022 and
2023 winner. This is the fifth consecutive year in
men’s cycling race in the world. The course covered which the two men placed first and second.
three positions throughout the early stages but
eventually claimed the lead for good. In Stage 16,
he extended his lead with an outstanding ride
more than 2,000 miles and, for the first time The Tour de France was first held in up Mont Ventoux, one of the most difficult
since 2020, took place entirely in 1903. Today, it is made up of 21 daily climbs. He reached the summit in a record time
France. It began in Lille, traveled stages and two rest days. This year’s of 54 minutes and 51 seconds, a full minute
through different regions, and route had seven flat stages, six faster than the previous record.
ended on the Champs-Élysées, medium mountain stages, six Pogacar joins a rare group of cyclists who have
a main avenue in Paris. mountain stages (five with uphill won the Tour at least four times. The record is five,
Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia was finishes), and two individual time and four riders have done that. Among the other
this year’s champion. It was his trials (races against a clock). Riders top finishers this year were Germany’s Florian
fourth Tour de France victory. In compete in teams, but only one Lipowitz, who was the best rider under the age of
Florian Lipowitz
addition to receiving a trophy at the person wins the overall title. 25. He earned a special white jersey, while Italy’s
finish, he was awarded the race’s famous yellow Vingegaard struggled during the Stage 5 time Jonathan Milan, who had the most points in sprint
jersey. Pogacar won the Tour in 2020, 2021, and trial and ended up more than a minute behind finishes and intermediate stages, got the Tour’s
2024. This year, he crossed the finish line four Pogacar. He was never able to make up the green jersey. Pogacar also received a polka-dot
minutes and 24 seconds ahead of the next fastest difference. Pogacar bounced between the top jersey for winning the mountain classification.

THIS WEEK’S WINNERS... England’s AUTO RACING

national team NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace finished
INTERNATIONAL SOCCER
0.222 seconds ahead of Kyle Larson to
On July 27, England defeated Spain in
win the Brickyard 400 at the
a penalty shootout to win their
Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July
second consecutive UEFA Women’s
27. He is the first Black driver to win a
Euro 2025 title. During regular time,
major race at the 116-year-old track.
Alessia Russo scored the lone goal for
England. England goalkeeper Hannah MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Hampton made two saves in the On July 23, the Colorado Rockies beat
shootout. Meanwhile, on July 26, the St. Louis Cardinals, 6–0. It was
Nigeria pulled off a 3–2 comeback their first shutout in 220 games. That
against Morocco to win their 10th had been the MLB’s longest streak
Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. without a shutout since 1900.

18 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

 LEAGUTEE Sports
UPDA ason, the
026 se
In the 2 ill expand to sixill
AUSL w nd each one w SPOTLIGHT ON...
teams, ased in a US city.
be ba

Kendrick Smallwood
AGE: 21 SPORT: TRACK AND FIELD
TEAM: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
The Talons
Quick history I got my start in track and
field racing in the street with my siblings and
First champs in pro softball league friends from elementary school. I joined a
summer track program when I was 12 and

T he AUSL (Athletes Unlimited Softball League),

a professional women’s softball league that
debuted in June, has crowned its first champion.
Coffel was named this season’s Most Valuable
Player and the Hitter of the Year.
The Bandits and Talons had each won four
started hurdling around eighth grade. I’d seen
Jamaican hurdler Omar Mcleod win gold at the
2016 Olympics and thought it looked
On July 27, the Talons completed a two-game games against each other in the regular season. In
fun. It became my main event.
sweep of the Bandits in the best-of-three-game Game 1 of the championship, the score was 1–1
championship series and won the title. The at the end of the fourth inning. The Talons then Big deal Typical hurdlers
games were played in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. scored twice in the fifth before rain halted play. are about 5-foot-11 to 6
The AUSL was founded by Athletes Unlimited, The game resumed the next day, and the Talons feet tall. I’m about 5-foot-7.
an organization that runs pro women’s sports held on to win. Their pitcher Georgina Corrick, the Collegiate hurdles come up
competitions. The league has four teams: the AUSL’s Pitcher of the Year, threw for six innings. to around my belly button,
Talons, Bandits, Blaze, and Volts. They played 24 Game 2 featured another rain delay and more but I don’t let that stop me.
regular-season games at locations across the US. strong pitching. The game was scoreless in the
Many of the players were former college stars. top of the sixth, when the Talons’ Sydney Romero
Keeping fit We hurdle on
Tuesdays and Thursdays and also do
The Talons had the best record of the season, and hit a home run to give her team a 1–0 lead. It
technique work. I also do a fair amount of speed
the Bandits came in second place. The Bandits turned out to be the only run of the game. Talons
endurance training to maintain my velocity between
outscored their opponents by 39 runs, however— pitcher Montana Fouts pitched a complete game,
and over the hurdles and my overall flat speed.
the most of any AUSL team. Bandits slugger Erin allowing five hits while striking out seven batters.
Mood boosters Whenever things start
to feel a little hard or like too much all at once, I
COACH OF THE WEEK communicate with our behavioral specialists and
I also talk to my mom and write in my journal. If
Coach’s Name: Erin Flynn I have a disappointing race, I’ll listen to the song
“Trigger Protection Mantra” by Jhené Aiko. It allows
AUSL; UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ATHLETICS (2); ON LEFT PAGE: GETTY IMAGES (4)

Team: KC Elite Gymnastics

me to ground myself and clear my thoughts.
“Coach Erin is the best coach ever! I recently had an injury,
and she helped me push through it and do what I could.
Race-day routines I fold my uniform and
lay it out in the order I intend to put it on. It’s easier
She helps our team believe in ourselves and makes us better
than having to rummage through my duffel bag. I
people and gymnasts. She is always supportive and patient, and
also put on a fresh pair of socks before I compete. At
she helps us feel confident when we’re doing a new skill for the first time. You
the starting line, I keep my mind blank and lock in to
can see by how she treats us that she cares about us and wants our team to
what’s in front of me: 10 hurdles and the finish line.
succeed and be the best version of ourselves.” Ellis, 12, Kansas
Best advice If you want to try a sport, go for it
To nominate a Coach of the Week, send your coach’s name, photo, sport, and team to hello@ and don’t think much about what could go wrong.
theweekjunior.com. Include your name, age, state, and a few reasons why your coach is great. Think about something that could go right.

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 19

 Arts and entertainment

DID YOU?
KNOW iday” co
mes
“Fr rd
The wordOld English wo se
from an the Nor
Frigg, d
related tos of marriage an
es
godd otherhood.
m

Freakier Friday

Film about a family body swap

In Freakier Friday, a new sequel to a classic comedy, a mother, grandmother, and two teens magically switch bodies.

D isney 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
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
relate to. You can have your misunderstandings,
but at the end of the day, you are family.”
Music was a big part of the 2003 film, and
along, magically switch bodies, and live each is a lot of tension as the wedding nears, and after it’s still important in the new one. As a teen,
other’s lives for a day. The original film was a meeting with a psychic, Anna ends up switching Anna was in a garage band, and as an adult,
released in 1976 and was remade for a bodies with Harper while Tess swaps with she works as the manager of a pop star. The
new generation in 2003. That Lily, throwing everyone’s lives into chaos. sequel’s soundtrack, which blends ’90s pop-punk
global hit has now spawned a The original cast is back in their and new pop music, was designed to match the
new sequel, Freakier Friday. previous roles, with Jamie Lee Curtis characters’ energetic and rebellious spirits.
Featuring the same main as Tess and Lindsay Lohan as Anna. Although the story focuses on the girls and
characters in a new body swap, Harper is played by Julia Butters, women, Curtis said Freakier Friday has a message
it hits theaters on August 8. who said her character’s complicated for everyone: “It’s the universal story of seeing
The 2003 film was about relationship with her mom “is definitely the world through somebody else’s eyes and
Tess Coleman and her teen Julia Butters one that I think almost every teenager can understanding how hard it is.”

3 more body-swap films Jumanji:

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

20 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

 Arts and entertainment
Ben Sheehan in
Civics Made Easy
THIS WEEK’S
WATCH LIST
ACT
LEGreAaLreFno age
The tional
m its or constitu essary
li ents nec
requiremme a Supreme
co
to be rt justice.
Cou

Project Runway
(Disney+) (Hulu) (Freeform)
This popular competition for fashion designers

New series explains civics features model Heidi Klum as host and season
four winner Christian Siriano (together above),
now a top designer, as the contestants’ mentor.

M any people think civics (the rights and duties

of citizens) is a complicated subject to learn
about. But Ben Sheehan, author of the best-
Each episode of Civics Made Easy tackles a
different question, such as “Why Do We Have
Two Main Political Parties?” Sheehan explores
In one of the first challenges, the teams create
looks based on Disney princesses and villains.

selling book What Does the Constitution Actually the topics through discussions with experts, chats
Say?, is hoping to change that through a new with people on the street, and direct explanations
12-part show, Civics Made Easy. The series is to viewers. He did all the research for the show
now available to watch on the PBS app, himself and discovered many things he
PBS.org, and YouTube. couldn’t believe. For example, he said,
Sheehan is from Washington, “People would be surprised to learn
DC, and his parents worked in that every state has a different
the political world. Starting when approach for how we vote.”
he was about 5 years old, his Sheehan thinks it’s important for Wednesday
family would have discussions over young people to know about civics (Netflix)
dinner about how the government The US Capitol
because many consequential moments The hit horror-comedy returns on August 6 with
works. “To me, civics is a language,” he in US history, including the push to have the first part of its second season. Back at
told The Week Junior. “The longer we learn about the voting age lowered to 18, involved their Nevermore Academy, Wednesday Addams has
it and speak it, the more fluent we become.” He participation. If being unsure how things work a psychic vision of her best friend dying. As she
said he feels lucky to have had that early civics prevents people from getting involved in civics, tries to stop it from coming true, she uncovers
education and that the show “is my version of “that’s something that can be overcome,” he said. secrets from the 1960s. The series is rated TV-14.
paying that back to as many people as possible.” “I hope this show helps do that.”
PETER SHIN; GETTY IMAGES; DISNEY (2); DISNEY/SPENCER PAZER; COURTESY OF NETFLIX; ON

READER RECOMMENDS
LEFT PAGE: GLEN WILSON/DISNEY; GETTY IMAGES; DISNEY; COLUMBIA PICTURES; NETFLIX

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
The Proud Family: Louder
with his best friends Melissa and Zack. Milo is voiced by
and Prouder
“Weird Al” Yankovic, a famous singer, and Melissa is voiced
(Disney+)
by pop star Sabrina Carpenter. Murphy’s Law is the idea
Season three of this award-winning show arrives
that anything that can go wrong will go wrong, which
on August 6. The comedy follows teen Penny
makes for entertaining situations. This show is really funny
Proud as she navigates growing up and dealing
and deserves more seasons.” JJ, 11, Massachusetts
with her wacky relatives. In the new episodes,
Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other kids? Send your review to [email protected]. she travels the world with friends and family.

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 21

 T On screen
TOURISN
TOW Set in New
Movie ctor
Hobbitonhere parts of dire ings
lan d, w of the R
Zea kson’s Lo
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Peter Jac bbit films were m
and Ho pen to visitors.
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Tales of the Shire:

A Lord of the Rings Game

Game based on Lord of the Rings

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
Tales of the Shire has many elements that are similar to Animal
Crossing and other cozy games. You get to design and decorate holes, with
no limits to how things are arranged. Creating a big kitchen is important
game Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game. It was recently released for because food is a large part of the game. The Hobbits forage fruit and
the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox platforms, and PC. vegetables, catch fish, and follow recipes to cook for friends.
You begin the game by creating your own Hobbit character, Hosting dinner parties is a good way to meet new people,
customizing its looks, physical traits, style, and personality. including some characters from the books and LOTR movies.
When the action starts, your Hobbit is a newcomer to a place Even the wizard Gandalf appears in the game.
called Bywater, a peaceful and magical setting with lush LOTR fans hoping for a dangerous mission to the famous
green meadows and forests, farm animals, and hidden Mount Doom won’t get that in this game. But the Hobbits of
homes known as holes. As one of the local residents, your Bywater do spend plenty of time exploring beyond the village, so
goal is to help turn the area into a thriving town. Gandalf
the game still has enough light adventure to keep things exciting.

PODCAST THE
OF
WEEK APP OF THE WEEK CHANNEL THE
OF
WEEK
WHOSE AMAZING LIFE? WILD EARTH
All major platforms youtube.com/@WildEarth
Each episode of this series is about an interesting This channel has videos and live streams made by
person from the past or present, but their identity naturalists and safari rangers in Africa. You can see
MIDDLE-EARTH ENTERPRISES (2); WONDERY; SMG STUDIO; WILDEARTH VIA YOUTUBE
is kept a mystery until the end of the show. Your rare lion crossings, giraffes racing, and elephants
job is to guess the subject from the clues you hear. exploring in their natural habitats. You can also
The latest season covers people such as scientist find out how wildlife tracking assists experts in
George Washington Carver and rapper Bad Bunny. protecting endangered animals.

CHICKTIONARY
Apple App Store, Google Play
In this new game, you solve puzzles by using
mixed-up letters on chickens to spell hidden
words. As you progress, you can unlock chicken
characters that will give you free words or other
bonuses. Play at your own pace or race the clock as
you crack word puzzles and test your vocabulary.

22 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

 Book club
BOOK OF THE WEEK
4 books that are set
Free Piano at summer camp
From bunkmate drama to mysterious
(Not Haunted)
By Whitney Gardner
sightings, these picks are full of fun.
Camp Frenemies
(Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
By Liz Montague
Margot, an aspiring musician, finds
(Random House Studio)
an abandoned keyboard on the
In this graphic novel, Beatrice’s
street next to a sign that reads
dad signs her up for a weeklong
“Free Piano (Not Haunted).” Hoping
sleepaway camp before she begins seventh
the instrument will help grow her
grade. Although Beatrice doesn’t want to
social media following since her
attend, she agrees to go this one time. Her first
ukulele videos haven’t exactly set
day of camp is rocky because her bunkmates are
the internet on fire, she takes home
arguing. Will things turn around? Ages 8–12
the keyboard. She also believes
that if she makes it big, she’ll be
able to reunite with her father, who
Miss Camper
moved to Los Angeles to pursue his
By Kat Fajardo
(Graphix)
dreams. Margot soon realizes that
ASK THE AUTHOR Sue and her friends can’t wait
the keyboard is indeed haunted by
for summer camp. They are
two spirits! One ghost is Vision,
who was a fun and friendly 1980s Whitney Gardner excited to hike, play games, make comics, and
simply spend time in the fresh air. But when
music pop star, and the other is We spoke to the author of the Book of the Week. they get to camp, they discover they’re not in
Vision’s sinister former manager.
What inspired this book? What do you hope kids most of the same groups. This graphic novel
While Margot is initially spooked
I saw an ad for a free piano take away from the book? features many of the same characters as the
by the haunted instrument, she
that said “not haunted” on it. It Discover hobbies for popular book Miss Quinces. Ages 8–12
soon realizes that Vision may be
made me want to write a story yourself. Make art
the perfect collaborator to boost
the views of her music videos. She
about a piano pretending not and create My Summer Camp Has
and Vision plan to record a duet,
to be haunted. things because Mega Sloths
but the evil spirit wants to stop Any surprises while
you enjoy doing it, By Rebecca Wood Barrett,
them. To prevail, Margot must writing it?
not to find fame. illustrated by Jaimie
learn that getting “likes” is fine, The fact that I was
MacGibbon (Orca Book Publishers)
Do you play an Henry and his friends are excited to build
but learning to like yourself is more writing a scary instrument? campfires at their summer camp. Instead,
important. This fast-paced graphic story surprised I grew up playing the they’re hammering wood and pouring cement
novel contains dynamic comic me because I’ve ukulele and guitar. to build their own lodge. Meanwhile, there are
panels, which have a retro feel. As never been interested
BOOKS: COURTESY OF PUBLISHERS; AUTHOR: COURTESY OF WHITNEY GARDNER; GETTY IMAGES

sightings of prehistoric creatures. What’s really

with the creator’s popular previous in scary stories. I also had Would you accept a
going on at this wilderness camp? Ages 9–12
work, Fake Blood, this story strikes more fun drawing the scary haunted instrument?
an emotional chord. scenes than I thought I would. Absolutely.
The Only Ghost at
Summer Camp
READER RECOMMENDS By Tara J. Hannon
(Penguin Workshop)
When Stars Are Scattered By Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed This book is part of a new series
“I first read this book two years ago, and I keep coming back to it! It’s a
featuring a ghost who has just graduated
true story about the co-author, Omar Mohamed, and his brother,
from elementary school. Ghostie and his best
Hassan, who were born in Somalia but escaped to a refugee camp in
friend, Tate, are loving summer camp until a
Kenya. They arrive in the US, where they continue to search for their
counselor starts to tell ghost stories and
mother and try to start a new life. This book made me cry and laugh
everyone gets scared. Almost every page of
and taught me to never give up on my dreams!” Trisha, 12, New Jersey
the book is illustrated. Ages 6–10
Do you have a book to recommend? Send your review to [email protected].

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 23

 How to...

HEA6R THIeSo!ple
2 of p
%
About have listened
in the USpodcast at
to a e.
least onc

Start your own podcast

Find out how to record a show that other people can listen to.
Learn the lingo

P odcasts 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
Research and write
Brainstorm a theme for your first episode, then
research your topic online or gather books from the
access online, and great for when you’re on the go library. Organize the most interesting facts you find
(like riding in a car or on the bus). Besides listening into an outline. You don’t need to write a full script, but
You can sound like a podcast
to podcasts, you can also create your own. Here’s it’s helpful to have an idea of what you’re going to talk
pro by using some of these
how you can get started. about and in what order. Your episode doesn’t need to
common podcasting terms.
be long—you can aim for five to 10 minutes to
Choose a topic Intro The intro is an opening
start. Practice out loud to test whether you
Pick a subject you’re interested in, like
have enough material for a show. segment of the podcast where
animal facts or sports trivia. Then you
you might introduce yourself
can plan specific episodes around Record it and the topic of your show.
that general topic. For example, if you Professional podcasters often use
decide your podcast will be about expensive microphones and computer Episode An episode is a single
amazing animals, you could create programs. But all you need to get installment of your podcast,
one episode about different types of started is a voice recorder, which most like a chapter in a book.
Try practicing
apes and another about unusual pets. out loud.
smartphones and tablets have. For the best Transition A transition is music
sound quality, record in a quiet room. Keep or sound that can connect one
Consider a co-host
the phone or tablet microphone near your mouth to part of your podcast to another.
Many podcasts have more than one host, and the
make sure people can hear you well.
hosts have a conversation. Maybe you have a friend Outro The outro is a quick
or a sibling who would like to work on a podcast with Share your work closing segment to wrap up
you. Or you could invite a “guest” onto each show, The easiest way to have your family and friends listen your podcast. For instance, you
like a cousin who plays on the high school team for to your podcast is to add the audio file to a shared can ask listeners for feedback
GETTY IMAGES

an episode about soccer or a sibling who loves Legos drive (like Google Drive or Dropbox). Then you can or tease the next episode.
for your toy-themed podcast. email them the link so they can enjoy your show.

24 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

 How to...

Cook up brown butter orzo with zucchini

Ingredients
● 4 small zucchini ● ¼ teaspoon red pepper
● Kosher salt flakes
● 1 pound orzo pasta ● Freshly ground black pepper
● 3 tablespoons extra-virgin ● 4 tablespoons unsalted
olive oil butter
● 1 large garlic clove, halved ● 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
large skillet. Add the garlic and cook until the garlic is golden
and the oil is infused with its flavor, about 1 minute. Remove
and discard the garlic.
4. Add the zucchini, pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to
the skillet and cook until the zucchini has cooked down and
turned golden and caramelized, about 10 to 12 minutes.
(Some zucchini bits will be dark brown, which is nothing to

DID YOU?
worry about!) Turn off the heat.
5. Return the pasta pot to the stovetop, add the remaining 3
a ty
KNOWpe of tablespoons of butter, and set over medium-low heat. Watch as
Zucchini,uash, is a fruit the butter melts, then foams, then begins to turn light brown.
sq
summer es from a plant
and comdible flowers. WARNING! Stir occasionally, about 4 minutes. As soon as it starts to smell
nutty and you begin to see speckles at the bottom of the pan,
with e Ask an adult’s
THE WEEKDAY VEGETARIANS GET SIMPLE, COPYRIGHT © 2024 BY JENNY ROSENSTRACH, PHOTOGRAPHS COPYRIGHT © 2024

permission befo remove the pan from the heat so the butter doesn’t burn.
using the stove re 6. Toss the orzo and zucchini with the brown butter. Tear the
BY CHRISTINE HAN, PUBLISHED BY CLARKSON POTTER, AN IMPRINT OF CROWN PUBLISHING GROUP; GETTY IMAGES

a food processoor basil into pieces and add generously. Serve immediately in
r.
bowls. Makes about 4 servings.

ECO TIP HELP PROTECT They keep bugs

under control.
WEEK
OF
THE SPIDERS
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.

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 25

 Puzzles
Keyword 1 2 3 4 5

6
THREE FOR ALL
crossword
Once you have completed the crossword,
7 8 Sort this list into three familiar three-part
phrases, like THREE-RING CIRCUS or SALT
LAKE CITY.
transfer the letters in the yellow boxes, 9 10 11 12
in order, into the boxes below to get the CHASE WILD IN BEAR BUNS
answer to the Keyword question.
MIND DOG GOOSE HOT
ACROSS 13 14 15
1 Horse-drawn transportation
in the Old West
7 Early, wingless stage of many insects
8 Fragrant, often purple springtime flower 16 17 18 19
9 Part that keeps the top of a cereal
box closed
11 Structure photographed by tourists 20
in Egypt
13 Baby cats Keyword question: Each August, a town in Spain hosts a
14 Result of solving an addition problem one-hour good-natured event in which residents throw
what at each other?
16 Dentists look at these all day
18 Posted restriction on a driver’s speed
20 Strange and not easily explained ■■■■■■■■ Cutting room
Divide this grid into five sections so each
ANSW
C ERS section consists of five adjacent boxes
DOWN FOUANN BE
1 Banana ___ (ice cream treat)
2 It’s what we inhale
CODE CRACKER PAGE N
In this coded list of things on a farm, every letter has
D O
29.
containing the numbers 1–5. The sections
may have different shapes.
3 For ___ (phrase like “for instance”)
been replaced with a substitute. The same substitutions
4 Word that can follow olive or motor
5 Architectural features of the
Lincoln Memorial
are used throughout the list. Hint: The X is an uncoded N.
Use the letter patterns you find to crack the code. (NEED 5 1 4 3 1
2 5 3 5 2
ANOTHER HINT? Check the bottom of the page.)
6 How some people drink tea on a
summer day ■■■■
N

1 2 3 1 3
10 Item with sizes called AA, AAA, and D K V N X
12 Cow-stealing villain
13 Toy you might fly on a windy day
■■■■■■■
4 5 1 5 4
N H H A L D N
15 Flutterers around a porch light
17 Word in an August weather report ■■■■
A Q B H
4 2 4 3 2
19 Sound heard by the answer to
12-Down ■■■■■■■■■■■
M T D D B K V N N H M

Spot the difference These two pictures of the Beatles crossing London’s Abbey Road appear to be the same,
but take a closer look. There are actually five differences. Can you see them?

PUZZLES BY PUZZABILITY

Code cracker hint: Every H here is an uncoded O.

26 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025
 That’s unbelievable!
He had all It’s a shore thing.
the answers.

Trivia champion’s long reign Beach sculptures come alive

For nearly two years, one contestant kept winning a French trivia game A collection of giant strandbeests, which means “beach animals” in Dutch, is
show. This record-breaking streak of 646 wins in a row earned the man, on display at the Prinsenhof Museum in the Netherlands until September.
named Émilien, about $3 million in cash and prizes such as scooters, TVs, Artist Theo Jansen grew up near the sea, which inspired him to build these
23 cars, and a parachuting lesson. After someone finally defeated him in curious contraptions. Every year, Jansen creates a new strandbeest using
July, Émilien said he would take a year off and travel—perhaps using prize materials such as plastic pipes, wooden planks, cloth, and cardboard. He
trips to Italy and Spain’s Canary Islands. The show’s host called him a role designs his creations to catch the wind and “walk” along the beach. He said
model, but Emilien said, “I’m just someone who likes to answer questions.” he is exploring the relationships between humanity, technology, and nature.

Real OR Will this keep

agents on

fake?
their toes?

Work socks give spies away

ENDEMOL/TF1; ALAMY; MALLORY BISSETT; GETTY IMAGES (2); SHUTTERSTOCK

Two of the
campaign cats
The German foreign intelligence agency, the BND, has told its employees

A mayoral race gets catty

Election season is getting hairy in Somerville, Massachusetts, as local cats
to stop wearing socks with BND branding. The spy agency launched a
line of clothing, including socks, T-shirts, and bags, to help recruit new
employees—but it did not intend for any of these items to be worn by
compete for the position of Bike Path Mayor. Berry, a 3-year-old cat, was existing workers. The agency says the merch gives away spies’ identities
originally given the title by her owners because she spends so much time by revealing who they work for. Staff have argued, however, that the
on the path. But recently, challengers emerged. Campaign signs appeared agency’s socks are especially comfy. Is this story real, or do you spy a lie?*
for politicking pets such as Orange Cat of the “Catalyst Party”; Puzzle, the
has not had to order spies to stop wearing the clothes for security reasons.
“pro-naps” candidate; and Minerva, whose sign simply says “CRIME.” Two
boost its image so more young people will apply to work there. However, it
dogs have even joined the race. Online voting ends on September 5.
*Fake! The BND has released merchandise, including socks, in an attempt to

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 27

 Your turn
Editor’s note
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 Madison, 10, and Alison, 6, Wisconsin

controversy once and for all. What do you think?

Share your opinion at theweekjunior.com/polls.
We’ll reveal the results in next week’s issue.
Crafts for a cause
“ My sister Alison and I make beaded crafts, like
coasters and magnets, and sell them. We brought
Dane County Humane Society, which helps animals
find a loving home. We are so happy
them to a local craft fair and ended up making we got a chance to sell our
RIDD
THE WLE OF
CHARITY OF THE WEEK over $83! We donated 30% of the money to the crafts and help a good cause.”
Have you done something interesting or raised money for a cause you care about? What h EEK
Whatever you’re up to, we want to hear about it at [email protected]. as f
but on our legs
ly one
foot?
A bed

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Your five good deeds
Rohan, a 9-year-old from Florida, likes making a
Family Promise difference. Some good deeds he has done include
This organization supports families helping a friend do their homework and assisting his
experiencing homelessness. It works family at home. To mark The Week Junior’s fifth
with volunteers in 43 states to keep anniversary in 2025, we’re asking readers to share five
families together by giving them access good deeds they’ve done. Have you helped a neighbor
to emergency housing and providing or a friend or performed a kind act? Go to kids.
them with necessities. Each year, it helps theweekjunior.com/activities to download a form like
125,000 people in the US. The group’s the one shown at right. Fill it out, then have an adult
ultimate goal is to create a future in email it to us at [email protected]. We’ll feature
which every family has a home. some of the submissions on this page in future issues.
Find out more at
familypromise.org.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Email your news, views, and photos
IT’S YOUR TURN to [email protected].
28 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025
 Your turn
love to see pictures you’ve taken or pictures with you in them! Have an adult email them to us at [email protected],
YOUR PHOTOS We’d
along with anything you would like us to know about what’s happening in the photo.

“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

“I’ve always been passionate “I watched the FIFA Club

about the existence of World Cup quarterfinal
dinosaurs. I went to see between Real Madrid and
Jurassic World Rebirth with Dortmund. It was an exciting
my family.” Krish, 10, Florida game!” Hannah, 9, New York

Puzzle answers (from page 26)

Teacher
OF THE WEEK
S T A G E C
P I

T A B
A
X
L A R V A
I M
P Y
L
O A C H
I O
L I L A
U
R AM I
U N
I
C
E
D
Code cracker
barn
rooster
Three for all
wild goose chase
bear in mind
K I T T E N S S U M silo hot dog buns
I T T O wheelbarrow
Teacher’s Name: Mr. Hebert T E E T H L I M I T
E R O E O H
School: Brookhaven Elementary School MY S T E R I O U S
Keyword answer: tomatoes
“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 5 1 4 3 1
2 5 3 5 2
COURTESY OF SUBJECTS; ON LEFT PAGE: GETTY IMAGES

help his students feel less anxious. For example, he 1 2 3 1 3

lets us take brain breaks after a hard lesson. He makes 4 5 1 5 4
learning fun, keeps the class motivated to learn, and 4 2 4 3 2
instills confidence in us.”
Olivia, 9, California
Nominate your teacher for Teacher of the Week! Quiz answers (from page 30) 1 a) Bywater 2 True 3 c) Talons 4 Civics Made
Send your reason for the nomination, a photo of your teacher, and Easy 5 b) 35th 6 True 7 c) Neil Armstrong 8 Four 9 False. It was released in 1976,
your school’s name and address to [email protected]. and the remake came out in 2003. 10 b) NBC 11 b) Grooming 12 Vision 13 False. It
means “dragon prince from Mongolia.” 14 c) 55,600 15 Berry

We want to hear from you! To have your letters, photos, nominations, recommendations, or ideas considered for inclusion in the magazine,
please include your first name, age, and state with your submission. By emailing your submission to us, you give The Week Junior consent to
publish it in the magazine and online. Please get your parent/guardian’s permission before sending anything to us.

August 8, 2025 • The Week Junior 29

 Quiz
How much of this week’s news can you remember?
1 What is the name of the town that the 9 3 9 True or false? The first Freaky Friday
video game Tales of the Shire: A Lord of movie was released in 2003.
the Rings Game starts in?
a) Bywater b) Crickhollow c) Hobbiton
True ■ False ■
a■ ■ ■ b c
10 Basketball legend Michael Jordan
will be a special contributor to which
2 True or false? Rhino horns can grow network’s NBA coverage this fall?
back over time. a) ESPN b) NBC c) TNT
True ■ False ■ a ■ ■ ■ b c
3 Which team won the first-ever Athletes 11 A population of orcas in the Pacific
Unlimited Softball League championship? Northwest was recently seen using tools
for what purpose?
a) Blaze b) Bandits c) Talons ANSW
CA ERS
■ ■ ■
11 a) Hiding
a b c FOUNNDBE b) Grooming
PAGE 2ON
4 What is the name of the new PBS 9. c) Hunting
show about civics from best-selling
author Ben Sheehan? a ■ ■ ■ b c
12 In the book Free Piano (Not Haunted),
what is the name of the ghost who was a
1980s pop star?
5 The Americans with Disabilities Act is
marking which anniversary this year?
a) 25th b) 35th c) 45th
a■ ■ ■ b c
13 True or false? A newly identified
dinosaur is called Khankhuuluu
6 True or false? Parts of the Sun’s mongoliensis, which means “dragon king
south pole can reach temperatures from Mongolia.”
of 18,000,000° F.
■ ■
■ ■
True False
True False 14 How many people were in the
7 Purdue University has announced a 6 14 audience when the Beatles performed
new space prize named after which at Shea Stadium in 1965?
famous astronaut? a) 35,600
a) Alan Shepard b) 45,600
b) Buzz Aldrin c) 55,600
c) Neil Armstrong
■ ■ ■
■ ■ ■
a b c
a b c 15 What is the name of the cat that was
8 How many times has Tadej Pogacar the first “bike path mayor” of Somerville,
won the Tour de France cycling race? Massachusetts?

Photo editors: Lily Alt, Nataki Hewling Reader submissions: [email protected] Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and at
Contributors: Stephanie Abramson, Karen Cicero, Customer service: TWJcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com additional mailing offices.
Erica Clark, Stacy Cousino, Susie Dent, Truman Devitt, New subscriptions: TheWeekJunior.com POSTMASTERS: Send change of address to The Week
Editorial director: Andrea Barbalich Phoebe Houser, Dave Howard, Joy Howard, Jodi Levine, ©2025. All rights reserved. The Week and Junior, PO Box 37595, Boone, IA 50037-7595.
Executive editor: Mindy Walker Puzzability, Melisa Russo, Jordan Zakarin The Week Junior are registered trademarks.
Senior editors: Joey Bartolomeo, Gail Managing director, news: Richard Campbell Neither the whole of this publication nor any
O’Connor, Alisa Partlan, Jennifer Li Shotz Brand director, news: Harry Haydon part of it may be reproduced, stored in a
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www.futureplc.com Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244
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30 The Week Junior • August 8, 2025

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9001

MAJESTIC
MONKEY
Golden lion tamarins
are small primates with
GETTY IMAGES

reddish-gold fur and long

9000

manes that live in the

tropical rainforests
of Brazil.