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Pete 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 15 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 the biggest name in humorous children’s fiction.
HELP, I’M A CLASSROOM GAMBLER (Random House) recently 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 DIARY OF AN (UN)TEENAGER
and HOW EMBARRASSING IS THAT!
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 20 languages.
UK: Random House June 2009 33,000 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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