Search Results for “Forces of Nature” - Laurie Ann Thompson https://lauriethompson.com Inspiring and empowering young readers Fri, 10 Oct 2025 22:36:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://lauriethompson.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/cropped-05_lauriethompson_PhotoByMaryBalmaceda-thumbnail-square-150x150.jpg Search Results for “Forces of Nature” - Laurie Ann Thompson https://lauriethompson.com 32 32 Two Truths and a Lie The Series https://lauriethompson.com/books/two-truths-and-a-lie-series/ Tue, 06 Sep 2022 21:48:18 +0000 https://lauriethompson.com/?page_id=6336 Read more]]>

Two Truths and a Lie: the Series

Click on a book cover below for individual book / order information.

Two Truths and a Lie: Forces of Nature
Two Truths and a Lie Histories and Mysteries
Two Truths and a Lie:
Histories and Mysteries
Two Truths and a Lie It's Alive
Two Truths and a Lie: It’s Alive!

written by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson
illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
Walden Pond Press

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

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)

]]> Two Truths Histories https://lauriethompson.com/books/two_truths_histories/ Sat, 09 Jan 2021 14:57:06 +0000 https://thompson.wotestsite.com/books/two_truths_alive-2/ Read more]]>

Two Truths and a Lie

Two Truths and a Lie Histories and Mysteries
Two Truths and a Lie:
Histories and Mysteries

written by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson
illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
Walden Pond Press, 2018
ISBN: 978–0062418869
192 pages, ages 8 and up

buy the hardcover
buy the paperback
buy the e‑book
Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries

Other Books in this Series

Two Truths and a Lie: It's Alive!
Two Truths and a Lie: Forces of Nature

Histories and Mysteries

Did you know that a young girl once saved an entire beach community from a devastating tsunami thanks to something she learned in her fourth-grade geography lesson? Or that there is a person alive today who generates her own magnetic field? Or how about the fact that Benjamin Franklin once challenged the Royal Academy of Brussels to devise a way to make farts smell good?

You know the game: Every story in this book is strange and astounding, but one out of every three is an outright lie. Some false stories are based on truth, and some of the true stories are just plain unbelievable! Don’t be fooled by the photos that accompany each story—it’s going to take all your smarts and some clever research to root out the alternative facts. Don’t believe everything you read!

Resources

Accolades

“With the phrase ‘fake news’ being tossed around a great deal these days, this collection of stories in which one out of every three is a lie is both timely and entertaining…. Readers with a taste for trivia and the strange-but-true aspects of geography and history will find much to enjoy.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Even dyed-in-the-wool skeptics will be hard put to spot the ringers: footprints embedded in sandstone on the roof of Kentucky’s Mammoth Caves, dental fillings more than 12,000 years old, or a trove of lead tiles embedded with ancient Roman curses? Along with suggestions for side projects and discussions, the authors offer fact lists containing one false factoid as extra challenges to readers’ credulity. Happily, the back matter includes explanations that identify the baloney, as well as a savvy guide to evaluating information sources.” (Booklist)

]]> Two Truths Nature https://lauriethompson.com/books/two_truths_nature/ Sat, 09 Jan 2021 14:57:36 +0000 https://thompson.wotestsite.com/books/two_truths_histories-2/ Read more]]>

Two Truths and a Lie

Two Truths and a Lie Forces of Nature
Two Truths and a Lie: Forces of Nature

written by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson
illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
Walden Pond Press, 2019
ISBN: 978–0062418838
208 pages, ages 8 and up

buy the hardcover
buy the paperback
buy the e‑book
Two Truths and a Lie: It's Alive!

Other Books in this Series

Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries
Two Truths and a Lie: It's Alive!

Forces of Nature

Did you know studies have shown that too many fidget spinners spinning in the same direction can potentially have adverse effects on the earth’s magnetic field? Or that there’s a company that can turn your deceased loved one’s remains into a diamond? Or that the loudest sound in history was made by the eruption of a volcano in 1883, whose echoing blast circled the planet twice?

Welcome to Two Truths and a Lie: Forces of Nature! You’ve heard of the game: Every story in this book is strange and astounding, but one out of every three is an outright lie. Picking out the fakes isn’t as easy as you think, however. Some false stories are based on truth, and some of the true stories are just plain unbelievable! Don’t be fooled by the photos that accompany each story—it’s going to take all your smarts and some clever research to ferret out the truth.

From a man who gave himself an appendectomy to radio signals from other planets to eagles that have been trained to take out spy drones, the stories in this third installment in the Two Truths and a Lie series will amaze you! Just don’t believe everything you read….

Resources

]]> Two Truths and a Lie https://lauriethompson.com/books/two_truths_alive/ Sat, 09 Jan 2021 14:00:00 +0000 https://thompson.wotestsite.com/books/changemaker-2/ Read more]]>

Two Truths and a Lie

Two Truths and a Lie It's Alive
Two Truths and a Lie: It’s Alive!

written by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson
illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
Walden Pond Press, 2017
ISBN: 978–0062418814
176 pages, ages 8 and up

buy the hardcover
buy the paperback
buy the e‑book
Two Truths and a Lie: It's Alive!

Other Books in this Series

Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries
Two Truths and a Lie: Forces of Nature

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

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)

]]> Press Kit https://lauriethompson.com/press_kit/ Thu, 24 Dec 2020 18:58:07 +0000 https://thompson.wotestsite.com/about-2/ Read more]]>

Search Results for: Forces of Nature

Laurie Ann Thompson, Photo A

Downloadable photos

To download, first click the link to view a photo, then click on the share icon () and select download.

Short biography

A former software engineer, Laurie Ann Thompson now writes for young people to help them understand the world we live in so they can help make it a better place for all. She strives to write nonfiction that encourages imagination and fiction that reflects universal truths. Learn more at lauriethompson.com.

More detailed biography

Laurie Ann Thompson grew up in the fields and forests of northern Wisconsin but now lives between the mountains and the sea in western Washington State. A naturalist and former software engineer, she writes for young people to help them understand the world we live in so they can help make it a better place for all. She strives to write nonfiction that encourages imagination and fiction that reflects universal truths, as seen in Emmanuel’s Dream, a picture book biography of a man who changed his country’s perceptions of disability (winner of the ALA Schneider Family Book Award and Odyssey Honor, a CCBC Choice, and a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year, among dozens of other accolades); the Meet Your World series, which introduces very young readers to familiar backyard animals; the Two Truths And A Lie series for middle-grade readers (co-authored with Ammi-Joan Paquette); Be a Changemaker, an inspiring how-to guide for teens who want to change the world; and Elizabeth Warren’s Big, Bold Plans, a picture book biography of the U.S. Senator and former presidential candidate. Thompson lives near Seattle with her family and pets. Learn more at lauriethompson.com and on Instagram at @laurieannthompson.

Laurie Ann Thompson, Photo B

Book covers (downloadable, full-sized, print quality) 

To download, first click the link to view a book, then click on the share icon () and select download.

Let the Light In book cover
9.25″ x 9.75″
10″ x 10″
You Are a Robin! book cover
10″ x 10″
You Are a Honey Bee! cover image
10″ x 10″
You Are a Raccoon! cover image
10″ x 10″
Emmanuel's Dream
9″ x 11″
Elizabeth Warren's Big Bold Plans
10″ x 10″
Two Truths and a Lie: Forces of Nature
7″ x 9″
Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries
7″ x 9″
Two Truths and a Lie: It's Alive!
7″ x 9″
Be a Changemaker
5″ x 8″
My Dog is the Best
9″ x 9″

Social Media

Award highlights

Notable appearances

  • Keynote: SCBWI-Western Washington’s Regional Conference, Redmond, WA
  • Keynote: “Be a Changemaker and Write to Save the World” for Young Author’s Day at the PNWA (Pacific Northwest Writers Association) Conference, Seattle, WA
  • Radio interviews: T Love’s Energy Awareness
  • Radio interview: Sister Jenna on America Meditating
  • Radio interview: Brooke Taylor on A Special Connection on WHKW AM1220 in Cleveland, OH
  • Radio interview: Sunny Chayes on Singin’ in the Rain
  • Panelist: “Keeping it Really Weird,” YALSA’s YA Lit Symposium in Austin, TX
  • Panelist: “Are You A Change Maker?” Martin Luther King Day program at the Washington State Historical Museum
  • Panelist: Seattle Reading Council author preview event
  • Moderator: “Changemakers in Society: Books That Motivate Kids to Solve Problems and Make the World a Better Place” panel at AASL in Columbus, OH
  • Moderator: “Nonfiction is the New Black, “SCBWI Western Washington in Seattle, WA
  • As well as numerous school visits (both in-person and online) and bookstore events
]]> #AtHome learning using my books https://lauriethompson.com/2020/04/17/athome-learning-using-my-books/ https://lauriethompson.com/2020/04/17/athome-learning-using-my-books/#comments Fri, 17 Apr 2020 15:27:57 +0000 http://lauriethompson.com/?p=3576 Read more]]> The inspiring image above is a spread from my upcoming picture book, ELIZABETH WARREN’S BIG, BOLD PLANS, illustrated by the amazing Susanna Chapman and releasing on May 5 (hooray!). These days, it often feels hard to conceive of big, bold plans. I’ll admit, some days just getting out of my pajamas feels like a victory. And for those of those parenting or teaching youngsters and attempting #AtHome learning for the first time? Hats off to you!
To try to help you with your big, bold plans–or even the just-getting-through-today plans–I’ve been working to create and assemble whatever materials I can that might be of assistance. I’ll continue to add to this list as I get more requests (feel free to reach out if there’s something specific you’d like!), ideas, and time. Hopefully, you can find access to the books via an online read-aloud, ebook download, independent bookstore, or your own bookshelves. I hope these resources are helpful for your #AtHome learning efforts!

Emmanuels Dream cover with sticker
EMMANUEL’S DREAM: THE TRUE STORY OF EMMANUEL OFOSU YEBOAH

Two Truths and a Lie coverTwo Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries coverTTL3 Forces of Nature coverThe TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE series

Be a Changemaker coverBE A CHANGEMAKER: HOW TO START SOMETHING THAT MATTERS

MY DOG IS THE BEST-coverMY DOG IS THE BEST

Again, my goals here are to be as helpful as possible for YOU to continue leading #AtHome learning, so please email me if there is anything specific I might be able to do, including ways to connect with your students. We’re all in this together, even while we’re apart. So, until we meet again, stay safe, #StayHome… and stay sane. xoxo

]]> https://lauriethompson.com/2020/04/17/athome-learning-using-my-books/feed/ 4 Happy book birthday to Forces of Nature! https://lauriethompson.com/2019/06/25/happy-book-birthday-to-forces-of-nature/ https://lauriethompson.com/2019/06/25/happy-book-birthday-to-forces-of-nature/#respond Tue, 25 Jun 2019 16:44:41 +0000 http://lauriethompson.com/?p=3435 Read more]]>
Animated GIF of TTL Forces of Nature cover

TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE: FORCES OF NATURE, the third book in the series, is finally here! So, what’s this one about? Here’s an overview:

Crazy-but-true stories make this acclaimed nonfiction series perfect for fans of curiosities and wonders—and anyone looking to explore ways to separate fact from fiction.

Did you know studies have shown that too many fidget spinners spinning in the same direction could potentially have an adverse effect on Earth’s gravitational field? Or that there’s a company that can turn your deceased loved one’s remains into a diamond? Or that the loudest recorded sound in history was made by the eruption of a volcano in 1883, whose echoing blast circled the planet at least three times?

Welcome to Two Truths and a Lie: Forces of Nature! You’ve heard of the game: Every story in this book is strange and astounding, but one out of every three is an outright lie. Picking out the fakes isn’t as easy as you think, however. Some false stories are based on truth, and some of the true stories are just plain unbelievable! Don’t be fooled by the photos that accompany each story—it’s going to take all your smarts and some clever research to ferret out the truth.

From a man who gave himself an appendectomy to radio signals from other planets to eagles that have been trained to take out spy drones, the stories in this third installment in the Two Truths and a Lie series will amaze you! Just don’t believe everything you read.…

(Walden Pond Press/HarperCollins, June 2019)

Creating a book is a highly collaborative process, and this book has had an incredible team working on it from day one. Many, many thanks to my co-author, Ammi-Joan Paquette; our agent, Erin Murphy; our editor, Jordan Brown; and all the wonderful folks at Walden Pond Press and HarperCollins. It’s been an honor and a joy to work with you all on this book and the entire TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE series!

Buy it now, at your local independent bookstore, or anywhere books are sold! 

]]> https://lauriethompson.com/2019/06/25/happy-book-birthday-to-forces-of-nature/feed/ 0 What I’ve Been Up To This Month https://lauriethompson.com/2019/05/29/what-ive-been-up-to-this-month/ https://lauriethompson.com/2019/05/29/what-ive-been-up-to-this-month/#respond Wed, 29 May 2019 15:56:21 +0000 http://lauriethompson.com/?p=3450 Read more]]> 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! The faculty were all stellar, the location was gorgeous, and the attendees were lovely. It was fun hanging out with other nonfiction geeks for an entire weekend. We all struggled to answer the “So, what do you write?” question, however, since we can usually just get away with “Nonfiction,” and have that be the end of it! I didn’t take nearly enough photos, but here’s the view from my hotel balcony…

Yes, it was hard work. There were a lot of sessions, and they were mostly master level, plus networking and critiques. I came away with so much useful information and new ideas to apply to my works in progress. There were obviously some other perks, too!

Seattle Reading Council Appearance

In the middle of the month, some of the members of my critique group (and all agency-mates at Erin Murphy Literary, as it turns out!), did an appearance at the Seattle Reading Council. It was a billed as a “Books and Chocolate” event… what could be better?! We each talked about our books and process and then took questions. The crowd was mostly teachers and librarians, so it made for a wonderful evening of sharing book love (and chocolate!) among likeminded new friends.

School visits

I had an elementary school visit where I got to talk to several third-grade classes about my writing journey, grit, and writing with emotion, as well as several fifth-grade classes about evaluating sources and spotting fake news. It was an awesome visit with super-engaged audiences, but alas, no photos. You’ll have to take my word for it!

I have another visit coming up early in June (the last one of the school year!), so I’ve been making sure everything is ready for that one, too.

SCBWI-WWA Spring Conference

Finally, I attended and helped with the SCBWI Western Washington’s spring conference, Imagine That! It was a great weekend: hearing from inspiring speakers, getting feedback on one of my works in progress from a powerhouse editor, and catching up with author and illustrator friends in the industry. I’m still soaking it all up and processing what was said! Good stuff.

Book Releases!

Along with all of that I’ve been getting ready for the Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries paperback release on May 21 AND preparing for the upcoming new release of Two Truths and a Lie: Forces of Nature on June 25th! I’ve designed and ordered postcards and swag, scheduled social media announcements, and made other plans to get the word out.

TTL: Histories and Mysteries cover
TTL: Forces of Nature cover
 

Works in Progress…

And, of course, there are those works in progress, too! Earlier this month I submitted both a nonfiction picture book revision and a graphic novel proposal to my agent. I’m currently revising a nonfiction picture book, a fiction picture book, and a middle-grade nonfiction manuscript. I’m also working on a brand-new nonfiction picture book draft and a young-adult nonfiction proposal. Busy, busy!

Yes, I do love my job. More so every day, in fact! =D

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