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Pete Johnson
www.petejohnsonauthor.comPete Johnson's first novel for the 9-12 age group THE GHOST DOG was voted winner of the Young Telegraph Fully Booked Award and the Stockton Libraries Children's Book of the Year - an accolade he earned for a second time in 2001 for THE CREEPER. The awards success has kept on coming for the UK’s top comedy writer for children.
Born in Winchester, Pete studied English at Birmingham University and went on to try a variety of jobs before teaching English and Drama at a secondary school in Buckinghamshire. It was there that he wrote his first novel for teenagers, SECRETS FROM THE SCHOOL UNDERGROUND, drawn from his observations and reflections on his students. The book became an immediate hit. Pete sees writing as 'an incredible form of investigation'. This has involved him going on ghost hunts to help research WE, THE HAUNTED and THE DEAD HOUR and persuading his sister, Linda to become a contestant on Blind Date to gain knowledge for I'D RATHER BE FAMOUS (she won!).
Pete's novels have sold widely in translation, now over 22 languages and he has visited Germany and Belgium for events to meet his European readers. Pete visits many schools and libraries all over the UK and inspires a special loyalty among his readers, some of them are lucky enough to join his reading panel, resulting in the 'unique colloquial intimacy' of his books. Pete believes that 'one of the best things an author can do, is show the reader he, or she, is not on their own.' For thousands of readers, Pete Johnson's books have done just that.
Pete is now widely regarded as one of the biggest names in humorous children’s fiction. HELP, I’M A CLASSROOM GAMBLER (Random House) won the first Junior Leicester Book Award and 2008 saw the brilliant HOW TO GET FAMOUS. Pete’s books for reluctant readers published by Barrington Stoke continue the laughs with HOW EMBARRASSING IS THAT!
RETURN OF THE (UN)TEENAGER - chosen by Leicester Libraries - 20 BOOKS TO MAKE YOU LAUGH OUT LOUD - SUMMER 2011
Publications
THE VAMPIRE BLOG and THE VAMPIRE HUNTERS 10+
When Marcus's parents tell him his body is about to go through some changes he doesn't expect they will start with a white fang appearing in his mouth. But Marcus is a half-vampire. His parents warn him not to try and resist the transformation, but Marcus wants to stay as he is - until he finds himself in great danger and discovers an incredible secret. In THE VAMPIRE HUNTERS Tallulah thinks she has found a particularly deadly vampire living in the village…
Blue Peter Book of the Month June 2011
‘Perfect’ The Book Bag
UK: Random House 36,000 words
THE TV TIME TRAVELLERS
What was World War II really like? For three weeks five modern and very different children will have the chance to find out when they become the TV Time Travellers. Rupert, Zac, Izzy and Harriet will live as though it is 1939 for a reality TV show. They will have to carry gas masks all the time, rush to a shelter when the siren wails and are allowed to eat only wartime rations. They will also have lessons with the strictest teachers they’ve ever known. Tensions between them rise. Can they even trust each other? Then comes a truly astonishing surprise...
Pete Johnson is now published in 22 languages.
UK: Random House June 2009 3,000 words Translation: JLA
HOW TO GET FAMOUS
2009 Sheffield Libraries Award Winner
Tobey is determined he will get famous. When he and his friend Georgia audition for starring roles in the local play, it could be their big chance. But then disaster strikes... Can Tobey turn this tragedy around and find a way to be famous after all?
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