The month isn’t even over yet, but so much has been packed into the last few weeks it feels more like two months already! That’s not exactly an excuse for neglecting the blog, but, you know, life happens. Anyway… Beachside Nonfiction Workshop I started out the month at the Beachside Nonfiction Workshop with Candace Fleming & Jennifer Swanson. It was amazing!
It may itself be a little-known fact, but January 4th is National Trivia Day! To celebrate, I thought I’d post some trivia tidbits from Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries. Remember, ONE of the claims in each set of three below following is false. Can you figure out which one in each trio is the fake trivium? (Did
Are you buying any of my books to give as a gift this holiday season? If so, thank you! I’d be thrilled to send you a signed bookplate and some book swag for you to include with your gift. Just send an email to laurie@lauriethompson.com with the details (which book, to whom it should be personalized, and what mailing address you’d like
THREE STARS IN THE NIGHT SKY by Fern Schumer Chapman Gussie Rose Press/June 6, 2018 Grades 5–8, 56 pages Here’s what the publisher says: At the age of 12, Gerda Katz fled Nazi Germany and came to America all by herself. Decades before the label gained recognition, she became what’s now known as an “unaccompanied minor.” Gerda’s story of family separation reflects the dislocating
Votes for Women! American Suffragists and the Battle for the Ballot by Winifred Conkling Algonquin Young Readers, February 13, 2018 Grades 8–12, 320 pages Here’s what the publisher says about Votes for Women!: For nearly 150 years, American women did not have the right to vote. On August 18, 1920, they won that right, when the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified
Capsized! The Forgotten Story of the SS Eastland Disaster by Patricia Sutton Chicago Review Press (July 1, 2018) Grades 5–8, 176 pages Here’s what the publisher says about Capsized!: A fascinating historical account of courage and tragedy on the Chicago River On July 24, 1915, the SS Eastland, filled to capacity with 2,500 passengers and crew, capsized in the Chicago River while still moored
EAVESDROPPING ON ELEPHANTS by Patricia Newman Millbrook Press/August 1, 2018 Grades 4–8, 56 pages Here’s what the publisher says: Can understanding how forest elephants communicate help scientists find ways to protect this vulnerable species? Researcher Katy Pane and others involved with Cornell University’s Elephant Listening Project believe it can. Patricia Newman takes readers behind the scenes to see how scientists are making new
2018 CYBILS, here I come! I’m excited to share that I’ll be a CYBILS judge again this year. The CYBILS Awards recognize authors and illustrators whose books for children and young adults combine both literary merit and popular appeal. In the past, I’ve always helped with judging the younger nonfiction category (Nonfiction Picture Books in 2011 and 2012, and Elementary/Middle
Our latest in the Two Truths and a Lie series, Histories and Mysteries, has been out for a few weeks now, and we were lucky enough to have it hit the web for its official blog tour right around publication day. Now that the dust has started to settle a bit, I wanted to share all of the in-depth reviews, educational materials,
I wanted to share some of my favorite photos from the Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries launch party last Saturday at Brick and Mortar Books: This is the window display that greeted us when we arrived at Brick and Mortar Books! So nice!! They had loads of books ready for sale! The signing line starts to form. Fun signing books! Signing