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52 Articles

Plane crashes near Washington, DC

On January 29, a passenger jet collided with a US Army helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington, DC. It was the worst airborne accident in the US in 20 years. What happened? American Eagle flight 5342 was headed from Wichita, Kansas, to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, carrying 60 passengers and four crew members. (American Eagle is a network of smaller regional airlines that operate under the American Airlines name.) It was flying north over the Potomac and was moments from landing. A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Fort Belvoir, in Virginia, was on a training flight with a three-person crew, heading south over the river. The two aircraft collided at about 9 p.m., falling into the water below. Aviation officials said there were no survivors.…

Plane crashes near Washington, DC

Mona Lisa to get its own room

The Mona Lisa, considered to be the most famous painting in the world, will move to its own dedicated exhibition space at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, by 2031. Emmanuel Macron, the nation’s president, announced the plan on January 28, saying it will alleviate major crowding and long lines caused by the 25,000 visitors who view the painting each day. The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the early 1500s. Known for its subject’s mysterious smile, it is currently displayed with dozens of other paintings in the museum’s largest gallery, the Salle des États. Security guards keep the crowd moving, and each visitor has less than a minute to view the masterpiece. The new gallery will have a separate entrance, and visitors will be able to…

Mona Lisa to get its own room

Grammy Awards are presented

On February 2, the music industry gave out its most prestigious prizes at the 67th annual Grammy Awards. The televised ceremony was hosted by comedian Trevor Noah at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. In addition to celebrating music, the event raised more than $7 million to aid communities affected by the recent California wildfires. Grammy winners are chosen by 13,000 voting members of the Recording Academy. The awards honor music across many genres, including rock, rap, country, and jazz. The four major award categories are Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist. Beyoncé, who has the most Grammys of any artist in history, took home three awards, bringing her total to 35. With her first-ever Album of the Year…

Grammy Awards are presented

IT’S AN AMAZING WEEK FOR…

SEEING A SHADOW On February 2, a famous groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow at the annual Groundhog Day event in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania. According to legend, the sighting forecasts six more weeks of winter. FATHERLY PRIDE Jeremiah Trotter was a star player for the Philadelphia Eagles, and now he’ll watch his son Jeremiah Trotter Jr. play for the same team at the Super Bowl on February 9. Trotter Jr. wears his father’s number, 54. “I’m extremely proud of him, just living out his dreams,” his father said. A SWEET DELIVERY After getting stuck in a historic snowstorm, an Alabama woman delivered a healthy baby boy named Dallas in a Krispy Kreme parking lot — and nicknamed him “Glaze.” The shop offered the family free doughnuts for a year…

IT’S AN AMAZING WEEK FOR…

Dispute over geographic name changes

Google Maps said it will update the names of two major landmarks to follow an order from President Donald Trump. It will change the name of Denali mountain in Alaska to Mount McKinley and the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The order has created confusion among mapmakers and government agencies over how to carry it out. What happened? On January 20, Trump’s first day in office, he signed an executive order (similar to a law) to change the names. Although laws must be approved by Congress (the branch of government that makes laws), the Constitution (highest law in the US) gives Presidents a limited ability to issue orders that require only their signature. They can be challenged in court and reversed by future Presidents. Why did Trump…

Dispute over geographic name changes

NWSL expands to Colorado

The NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) announced that Denver, Colorado, will be the home of the league’s 16th soccer franchise, beating out Cleveland and Cincinnati in Ohio. NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said Denver was chosen for its “passionate sports culture.” The team, which has not been named, will begin playing in 2026 and plans to construct a facility designed specifically for women’s soccer in Denver’s city center.…

NWSL expands to Colorado

Black History Month begins in the US

This February, the US is celebrating Black History Month, an annual event to honor the contributions Black Americans have made to the nation, including the fight for equality and justice. The theme for 2025 is“African Americans and Labor,” selected by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The theme was chosen to recognize the many ways that work—free and paid, skilled and unskilled—is at the center of much of Black history and culture. Carter G. Woodson, who founded the group that would become the ASALH, first established a week for celebrating Black history in 1926. He chose a week in February that included the birthdays of Frederick Douglass (1818–1895), a leader of the movement to abolish slavery, and Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the US President who…

Black History Month begins in the US

Around the world

Lyon, France French team wins cooking contest On January 28, a team of chefs from France won the Bocuse d’Or. This international cooking competition, sometimes called the “World Cup of cuisine,” involves 24 teams from around the globe concocting dishes for judges during a two-day cook-off. Chef Paul Marcon, whose father won the competition in 1995, led the French team to victory. He said coming in first in the competition was a “childhood dream.” Novi Sad, Serbia Protests against government Tens of thousands of people have joined protests against Serbia’s government. A march from the capital, Belgrade, arrived in the northern city of Novi Sad on February 1, three months after a train station roof collapsed in the city, killing 15 people. Many people blamed the government for the tragedy,…

Around the world

Was our first President the most important?

George Washington led the troops that freed the US colonies from British rule, then helped create the Constitution, which established a new, independent nation and is still the highest law in the US. Yet America has changed since his time, from 13 colonies to a massive nation of 50 states and from a country where only white men with property could vote to one where nearly all citizens over 18 can cast a ballot. Through the years, other Presidents have played a major role in transforming American democracy and civic life and have overcome many challenges at home and abroad. What do you think? Was our first President the most important? Yes—he shaped America George Washington is called “the father of our nation” for a reason. The US as we…

Was our first President the most important?

New hero behind the shield

In the film Captain America: Brave New World, premiering in theaters on February 14, the iconic superhero is played by Anthony Mackie. The actor is best known for his role as Sam Wilson (“The Falcon”) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU, where superheroes have interconnected stories). At the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), his character became the first Black Captain America. Mackie, age 46, grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He always loved acting and drama, and he attended the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City. He made his big-screen debut in the 2002 film 8 Mile, alongside Eminem, and has since appeared in numerous films, including the 2008 Oscar-winning war drama The Hurt Locker. When he is not acting, Mackie repairs roofs in communities…

New hero behind the shield

A mission to inspire

Poet Amanda Gorman’s new picture book, Girls on the Rise, is already a best-seller. Based on Gorman’s poetry and illustrated by Loveis Wise, it celebrates women’s achievements and empowers young girls to use their voices for change. Gorman made history at age 22 as the youngest inaugural poet when she read her poem“The Hill We Climb” at Joe Biden’s 2021 Presidential inauguration. Now age 26, she said this new book reminded her why she loves storytelling for kids: “When I write for a child, I am writing to an incredibly smart mind.”…

A mission to inspire

Sculpting his heritage

Armia Khalil, a security guard at the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, now has a sculpture on display at the museum. His carved wood piece, Hope – I Am a Morning Scarab, is featured in the exhibit Flight Into Egypt. Khalil, age 45, grew up in Egypt and sculpted clay figures by the Nile River. He immigrated to New York in 2006 and took on a security role at the Met in 2012. There, he met a curator who put his work in the exhibit. Inspired by the scarab beetle, an ancient Egyptian symbol of hope, Khalil said he wants his piece to say, “Continue to hope.”…

Sculpting his heritage

Great Backyard Bird Count set to start

From February 14 to 17, people worldwide will take part in an annual event called the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). Anyone can participate by counting and identifying birds and then sharing the findings on a website or app. Since 1998, researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Audubon Society have organized the GBBC to gather data on wild birds. Another organization, Birds Canada, joined in 2009. During the four-day event, the groups ask bird lovers to become citizen scientists (people who volunteer to collect data for scientific research) by spending at least 15 minutes counting the birds they see in an outdoor area, such as a local park or the yard outside their home. People can join the event by creating a free account on the GBBC…

Great Backyard Bird Count set to start

PLACE OF THE WEEK

Located in the northern part of the Chihuahuan Desert, this park encompasses 115 square miles of white sand dunes. Creatures like the Apache pocket mouse, bleached earless lizard, and sand-treader camel cricket have adapted to this environment by developing light shades that blend in with their surroundings. There are more than 600 species of invertebrates (species without a backbone) in the park, including sand scorpions, tarantulas, and walking sticks. The White Sands pupfish lives in four small bodies of water in the park and is found nowhere else in the world.…

PLACE OF THE WEEK

Can pets really use buttons to talk?

In recent years, videos of “talking” pets have become popular on the internet. Many feature dogs pressing buttons that play audio recordings of words like “treat” or “outside.” Some pets even press multiple buttons in a row, producing phrases like “come play. ”Whether these actions count as speech is a subject of debate. Using data from an app, scientists in California recently analyzed the button use of 152 pets. They found that dogs created some two-word combinations—such as “food” and “water” or “outside” and “potty”—more often than they would if they were randomly pushing buttons. Researcher Federico Rossano told The Washington Post the dogs“might be communicating the way a 2-year-old human might, which is more sophisticated than previously believed.” Other scientists are skeptical that the animals are using language like…

Can pets really use buttons to talk?

Animal of the week

Pygmy hippo After 116,000 votes were cast in an online naming contest, a baby pygmy hippo at Virginia’s Metro Richmond Zoo has been given the name Poppy. The female calf was born underwater, which is uncommon for this endangered species. ● LIFE SPAN: 27 to 45 years in human care● HABITAT: Forests and swamps in West Africa● SIZE: 4.5 to 6 feet in length, 350 to 600 pounds● DIET: Roots, stems, leaves, ferns, and grasses● FUN FACT: Although they have stubby legs, pygmy hippos can run about 18 miles per hour.…

Animal of the week

Good week / Bad week

Sunflower sea stars Experts are growing sunflower sea stars in labs after the critically endangered creatures almost disappeared from the California coast. Some could be released into the Pacific Ocean to eat purple sea urchins, which are destroying kelp forests. Freshwater animals Almost a quarter of the world’s freshwater animal species are at risk of extinction, according to a new study. Pollution, dams, agriculture, and climate change pose threats to 24% of the species studied, including fish, crabs, and dragonflies.…

Good week / Bad week

“Why are some animals herbivores, some carnivores, and some omnivores?”

John J. Wiens Ecology and evolutionary biology professor, University of Arizona Animals eat different things to avoid competing with one another. Early animals were likely meat eaters (carnivores), then evolved to eat some plants (omnivores) or mainly plants (herbivores). Those with high body temperatures get help from heat-loving bacteria in their guts to digest green leaves. Do you have a question for an animal expert? Send it to hello@theweekjunior.com. Find out more about U of A ecology and evolutionary biology at eeb.arizona.edu.…

“Why are some animals herbivores, some carnivores, and some omnivores?”

A northern land of ice, fire, and light

The landscape of Iceland is known for its glaciers and fiery volcanoes. Discover this European country’s spellbinding beauty, history, and culture. Where is Iceland? Iceland is an island nation in northern Europe that is about the same size as Kentucky. The country just about touches the Arctic Circle with the Greenland Sea to its north, Norwegian Sea to its east, and Atlantic Ocean to its south and west. Iceland is often called the“land of fire and ice” for being the location of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, and others like it, as well as many active volcanoes. It has more than 3,000 miles of coastline with black sand beaches and a dramatic landscape with lava fields, waterfalls, and hundreds of natural hot springs. Half of the nation’s population lives in and…

A northern land of ice, fire, and light

Humans evolved to run faster

Scientists used advanced computer modeling to determine that a prehistoric human ancestor couldn’t run as well as Homo sapiens (modern humans). The findings are helping them learn more about how humans evolved (changed very slowly over time) to run in order to survive. The species, called Australopithecus afarensis, lived in East Africa about 3.7 million years ago. It was first discovered in 1974, when the skeleton of a small female was found. Named Lucy, she was the most complete fossil of an early human. Australopithecus afarensis gave scientists insight into the evolution of humans from apes to Homo sapiens. It had a small skull and long arms like an ape, but its spine and knees were more like a human’s. That meant Australopithecus afarensis could still swing from trees but…

Humans evolved to run faster

Lucy’s hand bones

Lucy and other early human ancestors may have been able to make and use tools, according to a recent study. Researchers analyzed the hands of three Australopithecus species, including Australopithecus afarensis. They closely examined places on the hand where soft tissue attached to bone, which offer clues to how the hands functioned and how the species used them. All three species had hands that were capable of grasping, pinching, and gripping objects, like tools, to varying degrees. The most recent species, Australopithecus sediba, lived 1.95 million to 1.78 million years ago and had the most humanlike hand. The study doesn’t prove that the species used tools, but it does show that they had the ability to do so.…

Lucy’s hand bones

Scientists say our brains think slowly

The human brain is powered by more than 85 billion neurons (nerve cells that carry information) that send electrical signals. Despite all that brain power, a new study by scientists at Caltech, in California, found that humans think surprisingly slowly. The researchers determined that our brains have a “speed limit” for processing information, which is about 10 bits (the smallest units of digital information) per second. They got this number by converting the brain’s electrical signals into bits and calculating how many bits people used to perform tasks like writing, playing video games, or solving a Rubik’s Cube. The team also calculated that we absorb sensory information about the world around us—like smell, sight, and sound—at about 1 billion bits per second. This means that our brains are processing information…

Scientists say our brains think slowly

Wood satellite reaches Earth’s orbit

The world’s first wooden satellite successfully reached Earth’s orbit, about 250 miles above the planet. Called LignoSat, the mug-size object was designed by Japan’s space agency and launched in November 2024. LignoSat is part of an effort to make biodegradable (breaks down naturally) spacecraft and reduce the amount of trash in space. Since 1957, satellites have been made from metal, which can withstand the extreme conditions of space. However, metal doesn’t biodegrade. There are currently about 3,000 metal satellites in space that are no longer operating. Wood, on the other hand, can handle conditions in space and also disintegrates when it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere. The team of scientists tested three types of wood and chose magnolia, which is the lightest one. LignoSat will orbit Earth for six months before it…

Wood satellite reaches Earth’s orbit

A vacuum that picks up objects

A new robot vacuum does more than suck up dust from the floor. The Saros Z70 also has a robotic arm that picks up objects and deposits them in a designated spot, like the trash or a storage basket. The arm, called the OmniGrip, can grab socks, tissues, small toys, shoes, or other items that weigh two thirds of a pound or less. The Saros Z70 uses cameras and lights to navigate and has strong suction power for vacuuming. You can also train it to recognize specific items, and when you ask where they are, a voice assistant will tell you.…

A vacuum that picks up objects

Photos of the week

2025 WORLD SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS FINALISTS…

Photos of the week

Women’s golf tour turns 75

The LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) has kicked off its 75th anniversary season. The action began with the annual Tournament of Champions, which was held at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida, from January 30 to February 2. The winner was South Korea’s A Lim Kim, who finished with a four-day total score that was 20 under par (the expected score). The Tournament of Champions is a fun and exciting event that is unlike others during the season. It features a field of 32 pros who are tournament winners from the past two years. Among the competitors were the world’s number one player, American Nelly Korda, who won seven titles last year and was the 2024 LPGA Tour Player of the Year. Another headliner was Lydia…

Women’s golf tour turns 75

THIS WEEK’S WINNERS…

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL One of the biggest rivalry games in the sport took place on February 1, when Duke University, ranked number two in the country, played the unranked University of North Carolina. Duke won, 87–70, and the team’s star freshman, Cooper Flagg, scored 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out seven assists. Another Duke freshman, Kon Kneuppel, scored 22 points and had five assists in the game. COLLEGE GYMNASTICS Sixth-ranked UCLA upset fifth-ranked Michigan State at a meet on February 1. UCLA clinched the win thanks to Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, who earned a perfect 10 on the floor. NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE The multi-day Pro Bowl Games, an event where NFL stars compete in skills contests and flag football, ended on February 2. The National Football Conference…

THIS WEEK’S WINNERS…

Track stars begin indoor season

On February 2, top track and field athletes gathered at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston, Massachusetts, for their first event of the season. Many Olympic medalists and world champions participated, making for thrilling races. One of the most anticipated events was the men’s 60-meter race, which is unique to indoor track. It featured a showdown between US star Noah Lyles, the reigning Olympic champion in the 100-meters, and Italy’s Marcell Jacobs, who won the 100 at the Olympics in 2021. Lyles sprinted to the finish in 6.52 seconds and won. Terrence Jones of the Bahamas came in second, PJ Austin of the US was third, and Jacobs was fourth. Another American winner was Quincy Wilson, age 17, the youngest male track and field medalist at the 2024…

Track stars begin indoor season

COACH OF THE WEEK

Coach’s Name: Jimmy Dean Freeman Team: West Los Angeles Little League “Coach Jimmy has a positive attitude and teaches parents to support their kids. Everyone wants to be on his team. He is kind and helped a lot of kids in our league who lost their homes in the recent wildfires. He coordinated with families to give kids equipment they needed to play baseball or softball. He also arranged for them to get gifts to uplift their spirits. We love Jimmy!” Hazel, 10, and Rudy, 8, California To nominate a Coach of the Week, send your coach’s name, photo, sport, and team to hello@theweekjunior.com. Include your name, age, state, and a few reasons why your coach is great.…

COACH OF THE WEEK

Caroline Castans

AGE: 20 SPORT: SOCCER TEAM: UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Early years I started playing soccer with my friends when we were 3 or 4 years old. At first, I did it just to have fun, but once we started getting better and more competitive, I stuck with it. Role models Growing up, I loved watching Julie Johnson (now Ertz) and Mal Pugh (now Swanson) play soccer. They were always in the air scoring and were so entertaining. Training plan We practice at least four or five times a week, and we also lift weights. Almost every day on the field we have passing patterns, which is about getting touches and getting your feet warmed up. On some days, we end practice with shooting or attacking-type games. Those are the best. Time off…

Caroline Castans

SNL celebrates 50 years on TV

An award-winning TV series is celebrating a major anniversary. Saturday Night Live, also known as SNL, is a weekly comedy sketch show that is performed live and is in its 50th season. It is known for funny sketches and videos, impressions of famous people, jokes about current events, and music. It will be honored on February 16 in SNL50: The Anniversary Special, airing on NBC at 8 p.m. ET. SNL is rated TV-14. Saturday Night Live, based in New York City, made its premiere in October 1975. At the time, it stood out because it starred young performers doing an unusual type of comedy live on TV, at 11:30 p.m. ET. Each week, the show had a different host—popular actors, athletes, singers, or politicians—and a musical guest. The format has…

SNL celebrates 50 years on TV

3 facts about the show

Longest-serving cast member Kenan Thompson (right) has been on SNL for 22 seasons. When he was younger, he was on Nickelodeon’s sketch comedy show All That and the sitcom Kenan & Kel. Most frequent guest host Actor Alec Baldwin (right) first hosted SNL in 1990 and has done it a total of 17 times. He also spent five seasons as a recurring guest star playing President Donald Trump. In 2017, he won an Emmy (top TV award) for that role. Most frequent musical guest Rocker Dave Grohl (right) has been on the show 15 times. He has performed as the lead singer of his current band, Foo Fighters; as the drummer of his earlier band, Nirvana; and as a guest musician with other artists.…

3 facts about the show

Paddington returns to theaters

The famous marmalade-loving bear created by author Michael Bond is headed on a new adventure. Paddington in Peru, the third film in a popular franchise, will arrive in theaters on February 14. It combines live action with a computer-animated bear and is a thrilling journey about family and discovery. The first Paddington film came out in 2014, and a sequel followed in 2017. Paddington, an Andean bear, was born in a Peruvian jungle, but stories about him have mostly focused on his life with the Brown family in London, England. In the new movie, he returns to Peru with the Browns to search for his missing Aunt Lucy. In the process, they must uncover the secrets of the legendary lost city of El Dorado. The film was directed by Dougal…

Paddington returns to theaters

READER RECOMMENDS

Pororo: The Little Penguin (Netflix or Prime Video) “This show was immediately popular when it came out in South Korea and then in the US in 2003. It is about the silly adventures of a young penguin named Pororo and his friends. Wherever the group goes, they always find something fun to do. The characters are very cute, and the show has very fun episode titles and plots. My favorite episode is ‘Let’s Put On a Play!’ In that one, the characters produce and perform in a play about the story The Three Little Pigs. I also love the show’s playful music and that it teaches viewers about being a good friend and having fun.” Hannah, 10, Illinois Do you have a film or TV show to recommend to other…

READER RECOMMENDS

THIS WEEK’S WATCH LIST

Harlem Ice (Disney+) This new five-part documentary series centers on Figure Skating in Harlem, an organization in New York City that teaches the sport to young women of color. The series follows several skaters as they break barriers and prepare for competitions and performances. The Voice (NBC) The hit singing competition is back for its 27th season. Country singer Kelsea Ballerini has joined the show as a full-time coach, taking a seat next to returning coaches Michael Bublé—last season’s winner—John Legend, and Adam Levine, one of the show’s original stars. Expedition Killer Whale (PBS App) (PBS.org) (PBS) February 12 at 8 p.m. ET Follow scientists and filmmakers as they study killer whales in Antarctica. The team was able to observe the animals’ intelligence and teamwork strategies, including how they create…

THIS WEEK’S WATCH LIST

New Switch console is on the way

Nintendo recently made a major announcement that excited the gaming world. The company released a video revealing that the Nintendo Switch 2, a new version of its popular handheld console, will come out later this year. The original Nintendo Switch debuted in 2017. Since then, Nintendo has sold nearly 150 million of the consoles and more than 1.3 billion Switch games. Only the handheld Nintendo DS, which came out in 2004, has sold more consoles for Nintendo. One big reason for the Switch’s success is the fact that it can connect to TVs and be played on the go. Many fans knew a new Switch was coming, but Nintendo has been secretive about when it would arrive. Even now, the company hasn’t released specifics about the timing of the sequel…

New Switch console is on the way

City Spies: London Calling

The sixth book in the electrifying City Spies series kicks off on the streets of Istanbul, Turkey. Annie, whose father and brother are involved in a global spy ring, realizes she’s being followed by two men who are trying to kidnap her. She tries to elude them by jumping on a tram, but they’re still on her tail. When she ends up near a river, Annie, an exceptional swimmer, dives in and loses the men. As her family tries to find her, other members of the spy ring stay behind in Turkey to provide protection for a royal wedding. Annie’s brother, Cairo, finds an encrypted message in a sweet shop and believes Annie wants to meet them in Rome in two days. But just minutes before the rendezvous, Annie’s family…

City Spies: London Calling

What inspired this story? I went to London to see my son and got the idea for this book while I was visiting Buckingham Palace. How do you research each city? I visit the city and find people who live there because they can really show me what the city is like, including any hidden things. I also do a lot of online research and read travel books about each place. Favorite city? I have four: New York, London, Paris, and Rome. I could visit them every year. Where would you like the spies to go next? I feel like they need to go to Australia, but I’ve never been there. The flight is so long! How do you like to spend your free time? I love reading and watching…

Vote for your favorite books!

Have you read any books you’ve enjoyed so much you wish all kids knew about them? Contribute to our “50 Books Kids Love Most” list for 2025! The list, with quotes from readers, will be published in The Week Junior in June. We’re looking for at least 100 kids to fill out our voting form. If you’d like to participate, have an adult email us at hello@theweekjunior.com with Books Kids Love in the subject line, and we’ll send the form to them. Happy reading!…

Vote for your favorite books!

4 new books to mark Black History Month

King: A Life By Jonathan Eig with Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) This is the award-winning biography of Martin Luther King Jr. (1929– 1968), adapted for young people. Read about his childhood and how he became an important leader in the 20th century. The many photographs are compelling. Ages 12 and up Prince Among Slaves By N.H. Senzai, illustrated by Anna Rich (Nancy Paulsen Books) This picture book spotlights Abdulrahman Sori, a prince in Africa who was captured and sold into slavery in Mississippi in the 1780s. He guided other enslaved men, who looked to him for leadership. He was set free, but his freedom was bittersweet because he had to leave his children behind. Ages 7–10 The Swans of Harlem By Karen Valby (Delacorte)…

4 new books to mark Black History Month

Help others feel special

Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated on February 14, has origins that date back more than 1,000 years. While traditionally it is a holiday most commonly associated with love and affection, nowadays it can honor all types of relationships that bring people joy. In addition, Random Acts of Kindness Day is on February 17, which is another reason to spread a little happiness! Here are some ideas for sharing love and kindness now or anytime. Get in the spirit You can help family get in a festive mood with some decorations. Cut paper hearts from construction paper, punch holes in them, and then use string to hang them across a shelf, mantel, or bookcase. Another fun way to decorate is to write messages on paper hearts and stick them in unexpected…

Help others feel special

Fun holiday facts

Valentine’s Day has been celebrated on February 14 since the 1400s, starting in Rome. The oldest known valentine was written in 1415 in France by Charles, the Duke of Orleans, in the form of a poem to his wife. As early as the 1700s, Americans are believed to have started making and giving homemade valentine cards. The first store-bought cards were likely produced in the 1840s. Around this same time, a British chocolate company, Cadbury, started selling sweets in special boxes for Valentine’s Day. Cadbury encouraged customers to keep the boxes after Valentine’s Day to store mementos, like love notes.…

Fun holiday facts

Make tissue-paper cherry blossom greeting cards

What you’ll need • Twigs with no leaves• Heavy paper or cardstock, folded in half• White glue• Masking tape, optional• Tissue paper• Pencil• Round items (like coins or lids) to trace• Scissors• Dull pencil Instructions 1. Glue a twig to a card. You can lightly tape the stem in place with masking tape as it dries. 2. Stack several layers of tissue paper. With the pencil, trace circles in various sizes onto the top layer. Cut out circles (so you’re cutting a few layers of paper at a time). 3. Make a blossom: Take two circles of the same size and stack them together. Hold the edges and use the dull pencil to gently push the center of the circle down. Remove pencil. Twist pointy bottom so that layers are…

Make tissue-paper cherry blossom greeting cards

Bake up strawberry shortbread cookie hearts

Ingredients • 1 (1-ounce) bag freeze-dried strawberries, crushed• 2 cups flour• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch slices• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract• 1 (9-ounce) bag white chocolate chips• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil Instructions 1. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and heat the oven to 325° F. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the crushed strawberries, then whisk the remaining berries in a medium bowl with the flour and salt. 2. Place butter and sugar in bowl of a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment. Mix at medium speed until light and fluffy. Blend in vanilla. Reduce mixer’s speed to low and add flour a little at a time. 3. On a sheet of parchment, form dough into…

Bake up strawberry shortbread cookie hearts

Crisscross Each of these words and phrases made using only the letters in the word HEART fits into this grid. Can you find where each one goes to complete the grid? 3 letters AHA ART ERA RAT 4 letters AREA HEAT TART TA-TA TEAR TREE 5 letters EARTH ETHER TEETH TERRA TETRA TREAT 6 letters RATHER TEETER TETHER THREAT 7 letters HEATHER RETREAT THEATER 9 letters HEART RATE 10 letters AT THAT RATE THERE, THERE ALL THE SAME Each answer contains the letters H-O-N. Those letters have been placed for you. Can you figure out the words? ANSWERS CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 29. Spot the difference These two pictures of Icelandic puffins appear to be the same, but take a closer look. There are actually five differences. Can you…

That’s unbelievable!

Naming contests plow ahead A winter tradition has returned as US states and cities hold contests to name their snowplows. Newly named machines include“Snowana” in Massachusetts, “Taylor Drift” in Connecticut, and“Pow Pow Ka Plow” in Idaho. “Darth Blader” and“Buzz Iceclear” make roads safer in Toledo, Ohio, while “Plowy McPlowface” sweeps Arlington, Virginia, and New Mexico welcomes “Snow Way, José!” In Chicago, Illinois, winning names like “Bozo the Plown” and“Scoop, There It Is!” earn submitters a photo with the plow. Steep price for pineapple pizza A restaurant in England is trying to stop people from eating Hawaiian pizza by pushing the menu item’s price up to £100 (about $125). The Hawaiian, which is topped with ham and pineapple, has existed since at least the 1960s. Although some people love the flavors,…

That’s unbelievable!

Editor’s note

The first issue of The Week Junior shipped to the printer on March 17, 2020, with a cover date of March 27. This means that our fifth anniversary is rapidly approaching! Our team is very excited about it, and we want to share the excitement with you. We have some special content planned for our anniversary issue coming up in March. In the meantime, we would like to invite you to participate in the fun by sending us a photo of you holding up the issue you liked best since you began subscribing, whether that was one month or three years ago. Did your favorite cover feature a person, an animal, an event, or something else? We want to know! You can find the instructions for sending in your photo…

A shout-out for jiujitsu

“We were thrilled to see martial arts featured in The Week Junior. We learn Brazilian jiujitsu and love how you are highlighting non-mainstream sports and raising awareness about their benefits. Jiujitsu not only helps in self-defense, staying fit, and making friends, but it also helps with focus, sequencing, and multitasking. We have been training for more than two years now and are national competitors. We are working harder than ever to meet our goals. The sport taught us to develop grit, overcome challenges with grace, and be a good sport.” Have you done something interesting or raised money for a cause you care about? Whatever you’re up to, we want to hear about it at hello@theweekjunior.com. JOKE OF THE WEEK Why did the cell phone need to get glasses? It…

A shout-out for jiujitsu

Show us your favorite issue of The Week Junior!

The Week Junior will be marking its fifth anniversary in March. To celebrate, we’re asking readers to send us photos of themselves holding the issue they enjoyed most since they began subscribing. Some of the photos we receive will appear in Issue 257. If you’d like to participate, ask an adult to email your photo to hello@theweekjunior.com with Favorite Issue in the subject line. Thank you for helping us look back on an amazing five years of publication! IT’S YOUR TURN Email your news, views, and photos to hello@theweekjunior.com. 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…

Show us your favorite issue of The Week Junior!

“I read about the Los Angeles fires in The Week Junior. I have friends who lost their homes in the fire, and it is very sad.”Allie, 8, California “I was inspired by The Week Junior to make former President Jimmy Carter’s favorite peanut butter pie.”Timothy, 8, New York “After reading about it in The Week Junior, I made a cozy corner with books, pillows, and more.”Hazel, 10, New Hampshire…

Teacher OF THE WEEK

Teacher’s Name: Ms. Baker School: Asbury Elementary School “Ms. Baker is my literacy teacher. She is so hardworking and handles the work of about 50 students. I can tell she cares about us because she puts so much effort into teaching. She works with every student in both classes on our essays and paragraphs. She gives us tips on our homework, schoolwork, and life skills. She is the most caring literacy teacher I’ve ever had!”Alma, 9, Colorado Nominate your teacher for Teacher of the Week! Send your reason for the nomination, a photo of your teacher, and your school’s name and address to hello@theweekjunior.com.…

Teacher OF THE WEEK

How much of this week’s news can you remember?

1 What is the name of the actor who plays the first Black Captain America? 2 What city will be the home of the 16th National Women’s Soccer League franchise? a) Cincinnati b) Cleveland c) Denver a □ b □ c □ 3 True or false? The Nintendo Switch is the best-selling Nintendo console of all time. True □ False □ 4 A pygmy hippo at Richmond Metro Zoo in Virginia was given what name in an online contest? a) Patty b) Penny c) Poppy a □ b □ c □ 5 The new Paddington film features which legendary lost city? 6 True or false? A prehistoric human ancestor called Lucy ran faster than modern humans. True □ False □ 7 Who is the longest-serving cast member in Saturday Night Live’s…

How much of this week’s news can you remember?

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