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.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
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.
Peter Johnson grew up in Buffalo, New York, at a time when they had a good football team, which seems like fifty years ago. Similar to Benny Alvarez and his friends, Peter always loved words, knowing he was going to be a teacher or a professional baseball player. Also, being from a long line of Irish storytellers, he loved reading and telling tales, and when he realized that his stories changed every time he told them, and that he could get paid for this kind of lying, he decided to become a novelist. His first middle grade novel, The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini, was named one of the Best Children's Books by Kirkus Reviews, and he's received many writing fellowships, most notably from the National Endowment for the Arts.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Soft Cover. Condition: new. Seller Inventory # 9780061988912
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 21053438-n
Book Description Condition: New. Brand New. Seller Inventory # 006198891X
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. 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. When John Smith, Jr., AKA HoudiniNnicknamed after his hero, Harry HoudiniNdecides to write a novel about his life, he soon discovers that writing about his friends and family lets him get to know them in completely new ways. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780061988912
Book Description Condition: New. . Seller Inventory # 52GZZZ01VU77_ns
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. reprint edition. 168 pages. 7.50x5.25x0.25 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # x-006198891X
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # V9780061988912
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # V9780061988912
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 21053438-n
Book Description PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Delivered from our UK warehouse in 4 to 14 business days. THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # IQ-9780061988912