Author: Peter Johnson

Had an amazing visit on March 11 to Dartmouth Middle School where over 300 7th graders read The Amazing Adventures of John Smith Jr., aka Houdini. The students made murals and posters; they created a board game, and even performed a song–all inspired by Houdini. Below are some pictures of their projects.

Last Wednesday I visited St. Andrews in Barrington, RI, where all the middle schoolers read The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez. Over the years, I’ve learned that the success of my visits depends of course on the kids, but also on how well teachers prepare the students before I arrive. Gregg O’Brien and Mary Read More …

Last week reminded me of why I like what I do. All the 4th and 5th graders at Henry Barnard School read The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez, and all the 7th graders at Curtis Corner School read The Amazing Adventures of John Smith Jr., aka Houdini. The librarians and teachers really had the Read More …

In September I have a new story, “The Gunslinger,” forthcoming in Taking Aim: Power and Pain, Teens and Guns, edited by Michael Cart, with other stories from the likes of Joyce Carol Oats, Walter Dean Myers, Chris Crutcher, and Francesca Lia Block. These are very powerful stories about a problem that continues to haunt our Read More …

Thanks to all who nominated The Life and Times of Benny Alvarez for the 2016 RI Teen Book Award. Good luck to Benny. He’s a great kid.