Two Truths and a Lie
written by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson
illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
Walden Pond Press, 2017
ISBN: 978–0062418821
176 pages, ages 8 and up
Other Books in this Series
It’s Alive!
Did you know that there is a fungus that can control the mind of an ant and make it do its bidding? Would you believe there is such a thing as a corpse flower—a ten-foot-tall plant with a blossom that smells like a zombie? How about a species of octopus that doesn’t live in water but rather lurks in trees in the Pacific Northwest? Acclaimed authors Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson have teamed up to create a series of sneaky stories about the natural world designed to amaze, disgust, and occasionally bamboozle you.
Every story in these books are strange and astounding … but not all of them are real. Just like the old game in this book’s title, two out of every three stories are completely true, and one is an outright lie. Can you guess which? It’s not going to be easy! Some false stories are based on truth, and some of the true stories are just plain unbelievable. And they’re all accompanied by dozens of photos, maps, and illustrations. Amaze yourself and trick your friends as you sort out the fakes from the facts. A fun way for middle-grade readers to explore ways to separate fact from fiction.
Resources
- Educators’ Guide to Support Information Literacy
- Two Truths and a Lie: STEM Game and Research Activity
- Word Search Puzzle
- ALA’s Two Truths and a Lie lesson plan
- Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook, Michelle Knott’s ideas for using this book
- Maria’s Mélange, Maria Selke’s ideas for using this book
- My #FunFactFriday video series
- My blog posts about Two Truths and a Lie: It’s Alive!
Recognition
- Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth 2017
- Booklist Lasting Connections for Science
- CYBILS Award for Elementary/Middle Grade Non-Fiction 2017
- Junior Library Guild selection
- Nerdy Book Club Award winner for the Best Long Form Nonfiction 2017
- Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List 2018
- Virginia Readers’ Choice Title (middle school) 2019–2020
- William Allen White Award (Kansas) 2019–2020
- Massachusetts Children’s Book Award Nominee 2021–2022
Accolades
“Considering the fresh attention being paid to teaching a skeptical approach to information evaluation, this series opener couldn’t be better timed.” (Booklist, starred review)
“An engaging, entertaining compendium that will inform and confound. (photos, maps, bibliography, index)” (Kirkus Reviews)