The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. Aka Houdini

By Peter Johnson

Book Overview

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.

Can one kid's novel about his own life help him make sense of it all?

A Hilarious Friendship Story: 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.Dealing with Bullies: Standing up to the neighborhood bully, Angel Dimitri, takes more than just guts--it might take a very weird, and very public, haircut.A Brother at War: 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.Starting a Business for Kids: 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006198891X
• ISBN13: 9780061988912
• Release Date: July 2014
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.1" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7