Nantucket News

A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION | 2018 NCTE Notable Children's Book in Language Arts. Do you believe everything you read in the newspaper? Early in August 1937, a news flash came: a sea monster had been spotted lurking off the shore of Nantucket Island. Historically, the Massachusetts island had served as port for whaling ships. Eyewitnesses swore this wasn't a whale, but some new, fearsome creature. As eyewitness account piled up, newspaper stories of the sea monster spread quickly. Across the nation, people shivered in fear. Then, footprints were found on a Nantucket beach. Photographs were sent to prominent biologists for their opinion. Discussion swirled about raising a hunting party. On August 18, news spread across the island: the sea monster had been captured. Islanders ran to the beach and couldn't believe their eyes. This nonfiction picture book is a perfect tool to discuss non-political fake news stories. Back matter discusses the freedom of the press guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Quotes from Thomas Jefferson make it clear that fake news has always been one of the costs of a free press. A Timeline lists actual events in the order they occurred. A vocabulary list defines relevant words.

This book introduces a new character, Taylor, who is Abby's best friend and former college roommate. She has just accepted a job on Nantucket as a junior reporter for the local paper. She finds herself both impressed by and attracted to her new boss, Blake, whose family owns the paper. Of course she can't act on that attraction and tells herself it's just a harmless crush. Meanwhile, Rhett thinks there may be a thief at his restaurant. Abby is dealing with an issue she didn't expect. Marley's ex-husband announced he wants her back, now that she's moved on. And Taylor's co-worker, another newish reporter has heard a rumor about celebrities filming on the island and is chasing a story that doesn't want to be caught.