Curtis Manley (CHASING ERUPTIONS) in conversation with Trudi Trueit (EXPLORER ACADEMY VELA)
Schedule
Wed, 27 May, 2026 at 06:30 pm
UTC-07:00Location
Brick & Mortar Books | Redmond, WA
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Join us to welcome back local author Curtis Manley in conversation with fellow local author Trudi Trueit (EXPLORER ACADEMY VELA: THE UNBREAKABLE BOND) and celebrate the release of Curtis' new middle-grade biography CHASING ERUPTIONS!ABOUT THE BOOKS:
CHASING ERUPTIONS: HOW VOLCANOLOGISTS MAURICE AND KATIA KRAFFT HELPED SAVE 60,000 LIVES—BUT LOST THEIR OWN by Curtis Manley, illustrated by Katherine Roy
This beautiful biography in verse tells the gripping story of two French scientists who changed what we know about volcanoes. Katia, a curious girl who collected pebbles and dreamed of escaping her small town, grew up just a few miles away from Maurice, a boy who knew more about rocks and minerals than his own teachers did. . . . When Katia and Maurice met as college students, they formed The Vulcan Team—named after the Roman god of fire—to observe, investigate, and document one of the most dangerous, natural phenomena on the planet.
For nearly 25 years they crisscrossed the globe filming eruptions and creating films and books that educated and entertained. After witnessing a volcanic disaster in South America, they pursued a new project to explain the hazards of volcanoes to the people who live closest to them. Their work helped save tens of thousands of lives—just days after the Kraffts themselves perished in an eruption in Japan.
Complete with dynamic art from award-winning illustrator Katherine Roy, and extensive backmatter for school and at-home conversations.
PREORDER LINK: https://www.brickandmortarbooks.com/item/UhelvOrckPk1JnOWrHLudw
EXPLORER ACADEMY VELA: THE UNBREAKABLE BOND by Trudi Trueit
The deadly animal-smuggling ring Hydrus is at it again: They’ve created a high-tech device that lures animals to be captured and sold. Sailor and her Explorer Academy friends Lani, Cruz, and Emmett—aka the Vela Squad—are determined to stop Hydrus at any cost. Their secret weapon? Sailor’s mysterious powers, which she is still learning how to use, all the while juggling their most challenging semester at Explorer Academy yet! To add to the pressure, it’s not just animals’ lives at stake, but the life of Sailor’s missing sister, Keel. Following a trail of clues around the globe leads the Vela Squad to an astounding discovery and daring race against the clock. In the end, their courage—and everything they thought they knew about Explorer Academy—will be put to the test.
ORDER LINK: https://www.brickandmortarbooks.com/item/rn8L4rYV4dE4ItmYZkJ0YQ
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Curtis Manley was a volcanologist in a previous life—and for Chasing Eruptions he was able to draw on his own experience and a lifetime of volcano lore. Curtis is also an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction picture books, including GRACE BUILDS AN ALMOST-PERFECT DOG, CLIMBING THE VOLCANO: A JOURNEY IN HAIKU, THE RESCUER OF TINY CREATURES, JUST RIGHT: SEARCHING FOR THE GOLDILOCKS PLANET, THE CRANE GIRL, and SHAWN LOVES SHARKS. Curtis grew up in Pennsylvania but now lives with his wife east of Seattle, far enough from the local volcanoes as to be out of harm’s way.
Trudi Trueit is a gifted storyteller for middle-grade audiences, and has written more than 100 fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, including the Explorer Academy series, beginning with EXPLORER ACADEMY: THE NEBULA SECRET. Trueit was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, and lives in Everett, Washington. Web: www.truditrueit.com.
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Where is it happening?
Brick & Mortar Books, 7430 164th Ave NE Suite B105,Redmond,WA,United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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