{"product_id":"the-amazing-adventures-of-john-smith-jr-aka-houdini-isbn-9780061988912","title":"The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCan one kid’s novel about his own life help him make sense of it all?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA Hilarious Friendship Story:\u003c\/b\u003e Three best friends—Houdini, Lucky, and Jorge—navigate their messy, funny, and sometimes confusing neighborhood life in Providence, relying on each other no matter what.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDealing with Bullies:\u003c\/b\u003e Standing up to the neighborhood bully, Angel Dimitri, takes more than just guts—it might take a very weird, and very public, haircut.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA Brother at War:\u003c\/b\u003e Houdini wrestles with the fear and pride of having his older brother, Franklin, a Marine serving in Iraq, especially when he’s reported missing in action.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eStarting a Business for Kids:\u003c\/b\u003e To make some much-needed money, the friends launch a leaf-raking business that leads to unexpected encounters with neighbors, including a reclusive Vietnam vet and his intimidating dog.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e | \u003cp\u003eWhen an author comes to speak to his class in a rundown area of Providence, Houdini decides to make money by writing his own novel.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRule #8 for Writing a Kid's Novel: Try to include a few lists in your novel. Kids like lists. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter all, Houdini's life is way more interesting than the kid the author wrote about.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHoudini 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo matter what, Houdini and his friends will have to stick together to figure out how to do the right thing.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“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.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eProvidence Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“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.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“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.’” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“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.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44887975854309,"sku":"NP9780061988912","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780061988912.jpg?v=1730227866","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-amazing-adventures-of-john-smith-jr-aka-houdini-isbn-9780061988912","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}