booktalk Archives - Page 1219 of 1354

Maud: A Novel Inspired by the Life of L.M. Montgomery
by Melanie Fishbane (Author)

Booktalk: Fourteen-year-old Lucy Maud Montgomery — Maud to her friends — has a dream: to go to college and become a writer, just like her idol, Louisa May Alcott. But living with her grandparents on Prince Edward Island, she worries that this dream will never come true. Her grandfather has strong opinions about a woman’s place in the world, and they do not include spending good money on college. Luckily, she has a teacher to believe in her, and good friends to support her, including Nate, the Baptist minister’s stepson and the smartest boy in the class. If only he weren’t a Baptist; her Presbyterian grandparents would never approve. Then again, Maud isn’t sure she wants to settle down with a boy — her dreams of being a writer are much more important.

Snippet: The Four Musketeers had decided they would meet in front of Nate’s house, and as Maud and Mollie approached, the boys emerged.

“As promised, we have kept our solemn vow to take you home once again.” Nate bowed.

“In plain English, we are here to walk you home,” Jack said, following his friend’s gesture.

Maud and Mollie giggled.

Again they paired up, and Maud took in the late autumn stars and the full moon as she and Nate talked of books and the lectures and her plans to go to school and write.

Two Truths and a Lie: It’s Alive!
by Ammi-Joan Paquette (Author), Laurie Ann Thompson (Author), and Lisa K. Weber (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Every story in this book is 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!

Snippet: And speaking of 911, some plants can even rally an animal army to come to their defense! When caterpillars attack plants like corn or lima beans, for example, the plants send out a chemical distress signal. The scent then gets picked up by wasps, which race in to attack the caterpillars. The plants are saved, and the wasps get a tasty caterpillar dinner. It’s nice to have friends you can call on in a pinch.

It’s Nonfiction Monday!