Nora T and the Champion Tree
- Author(s): Batchelor, Mona Martin
- Series:
- Imprint: University of Tennessee Press
- Publication Date: 2025-03-17
- Status: Not Yet Published - Will Back Order
- Available in Hardcover - Printed Case: Price $24.95 | Buy Now
- Available in Paper: Price $15.99 | Buy Now
- Available in Kindle: Price $9.99 | Buy Now
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An empowering story about an eleven-year-old’s love for trees and the stories they tell us.
“Gran, how did that enormous tree get here?!”
“It grew, child.”
Nora T knew her grandmother was crazy about the trees here on the farm that had turned out to be state champions, the biggest trees of their kind in Tennessee. It really is exciting, if you think about it! Would Gran nominate the tulip poplar that stood before them?
“No, I won’t,” said Gran.
Nora T’s face fell. “Oh, Gran! You must! It’s huge and it’s beautiful, and it’s soooo very big! If you don’t nominate it, who will?!”
“You will, my precious girl. You will.” And she smiled.
Nora T Singleton is eleven years old and curious (in a good way) about everything under the sun. Luckily, her family (mostly) encourages her. So, that summer, when Nora T gets curious about the trees on her grandparents’ property, her Gran helps her to nominate a tree for the Tennessee Champion Tree program. During the process, Nora T learns a lot about trees, the environment, activism—and patience!
Mona Martin Batchelor is a retired school librarian and past president of the Tennessee Association of School Librarians. She is the author of The Auctioneer’s Daughter: Family Tales Retold. Batchelor and her husband live on the family farm in Northwest Tennessee where they monitor a small collection of state champion trees, including the current Tennessee State Champion Tulip Poplar, awarded in 2023.
Maggie Latimer is an artist and designer based in Austin, Texas. Ever since she was young, she has loved using her creativity to tell a story, no matter the medium. In high school, she was inspired by her whimsical and amazing librarian, telling her that she dreamed of illustrating a book one day. And wouldn’t you know it, in a full-circle moment, that same librarian is the author of this very story!