The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. Aka Houdini - Softcover

Johnson, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 006198891X ISBN 13: 9780061988912

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2014

Synopsis

For fans of Jerry Spinelli's Maniac Magee, Gary D. Schmidt's The Wednesday Wars, and Jack Gantos's Joey Pigza Books comes a hilarious and poignant slice-of-life novel from critically acclaimed author and poet Peter Johnson.

When an author comes to speak to his class in a rundown area of Providence, Houdini decides to make money by writing his own novel. Houdini chronicles his life as he and his friends start a leaf-raking business, befriend Old Man Jackson (a Vietnam War veteran with a seriously intimidating dog), and get even with the neighborhood bully, Angel. But it's hard to find a way to write about his dad losing his job or his brother, Franklin, who is first reported missing in action in Iraq and then still seems to be missing when he comes home.

No matter what, Houdini and his friends rely on one another to figure out how to do the right thing. And Houdini discovers that writing and thinking about his friends and family lets him get to know them in completely new ways.

About this title

Review:

"A bit grittier and more believably boylike than most contemporary first-person narratives, this novel has a lot of heart as well. And while a narrator who makes lists is common enough, Houdini's are decidedly more amusing than most."--Booklist

"Johnson (Loserville) delivers a strong contemporary urban novel with cross-gender appeal. . . . Johnson offers solid insights into the varied well-drawn characters, and readers will appreciate Houdini's realization that 'writing makes you think very hard about things.'"--Publishers Weekly

"The perfect book for adolescent readers--especially boys--who like humor combined with characters that seem completely real. [A] satisfying novel that will leave readers happy they met Houdini."--Providence Journal

Johnson (Loserville) delivers a strong contemporary urban novel with cross-gender appeal. . . . Johnson offers solid insights into the varied well-drawn characters, and readers will appreciate Houdini s realization that writing makes you think very hard about things. --Publishers Weekly"

A bit grittier and more believably boylike than most contemporary first-person narratives, this novel has a lot of heart as well. And while a narrator who makes lists is common enough, Houdini s are decidedly more amusing than most. --Booklist"

A middle-schooler writes a kids novel; an author writes an engaging, amiable read-and, presto, a tale about a boy nicknamed Houdini turns out magical. . . . By turns poignant and downright hilarious, Houdini s story/novel is delivered in a voice that s wonderfully authentic. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"

The perfect book for adolescent readers especially boys who like humor combined with characters that seem completely real. [A] satisfying novel that will leave readers happy they met Houdini. --Providence Journal"

"A middle-schooler writes a kids' novel; an author writes an engaging, amiable read-and, presto, a tale about a boy nicknamed Houdini turns out magical. . . . By turns poignant and downright hilarious, Houdini's story/novel is delivered in a voice that's wonderfully authentic."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

From the Back Cover:

When an author comes to speak to his class in a rundown area of Providence, Houdini decides to make money by writing his own novel.

Rule #8 for Writing a Kid's Novel: Try to include a few lists in your novel. Kids like lists.

After all, Houdini's life is way more interesting than the kid the author wrote about.

Houdini chronicles his life as he and his friends start a leaf-raking business; befriend Old Man Jackson, a Vietnam War veteran with a seriously scary dog; and get even with the neighborhood bully, Angel. But it's hard to find a way to write about his dad losing his job or his brother, Franklin, who is reported missing in action in Iraq.

No matter what, Houdini and his friends will have to stick together to figure out how to do the right thing.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 006198891X
• ISBN 13: 9780061988912
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192