The Trouble with Ants

Written by Claudia Mills · Illustrated by Katie Kath

Book #1 in the Nora Notebooks series

Can Nora persuade her classmates that ants are fascinating, not just pests?

4.0/5 Goodreads · 91 ratings

176 pages· 24,795 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

$7.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Fourth grader Nora is fascinated by ants, but her classmates and mom don't share her enthusiasm. Tasked with writing a persuasive speech, Nora must convince her peers that ants are more than just boring insects. As she navigates school life and friendships, will she succeed in changing their minds, or will ants remain misunderstood? Join Nora on her quest to prove that these tiny creatures are truly captivating.

From the publisher

Science-obsessed fourth grader Nora has ants all figured out–now she just has to try to understand her fellow humans! The trouble with ants is . . . . . . people think they’re boring. . . . they are not cuddly. . . . who would ever want them for a pet? Nora Alpers is using her new notebook to record the behavior of ants. Why? Because they are fascinating! Unfortunately, no one agrees with her. Her mom is not happy about them being in the house, and when Nora brings her ant farm to school for show and tell, her classmates are not very impressed. They are more interested in cat videos, basketball practice, or trying to set a Guinness World Record (although Nora wouldn’t mind that). Mostly they are distracted by the assignment their teacher Coach Joe has given them–to write a persuasive speech and change people’s minds about something. Will Nora convince her friends that ants are as interesting as she thinks they are? Or will everyone still think of ants as nothing but trouble? With real science facts, a classroom backdrop, an emphasis on friendship, and appealing black-and-white interior illustrations from artist Katie Kath, The Nora Notebooks is perfect for newly independent readers–especially budding scientists like Nora!–and adults who want to encourage awareness of STEM subjects in young readers.

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