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TOP OF THE CLASS
Pete's
most popular books in schools
TRAITOR
Exciting thriller acclaimed for its anti-bullying themes. A highly popular class reader.
‘Pete Johnson’s skilfully written dialogue taking us into the story on the first page.’
The Bookseller
Book Club notes available on Traitor page.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PARENTS
Best-selling comedy about ‘parent fatigue,’ introduces Pete’s most popular character - Louis.
A highly popular class read.
‘Children who read it will chortle away, feel better about themselves and have lots of jokes to tell.’
The Sunday Times
THE GHOST DOG
Award-winning spooky tale about the power of imagination. A big favourite and great stimulus for creative writing.
‘An incredibly enjoyable book … from a very accomplished writer.’
Books for Keeps
HOW TO UPDATE YOUR PARENTS
Highly topical comedy about technology and social media addiction. Already proving a favourite with book groups.
‘How to Update your Parents provides a fresh outlook on the subject … in a thoroughly entertaining way.’
Lovereading4kids
DIARY OF AN (UN)TEENAGER
Brilliantly observed comedy about becoming a teenager. A highly popular class reader, great for reluctant readers.
‘This is a very promising look at the slightly uncomfortable transition phase between childhood and adolescence. A compelling read.’
Book Trust
TRUST ME, I'M A TROUBLEMAKER
Award-winning comedy about Archie, who thinks he’s too ‘mature’ for school. All the pupils find him unbearable especially Miranda, the class trouble-maker. Widely regarded as one of Pete’s best comedies.
‘This is a cleverly crafted, fast-flowing comedy and the more subtle lessons in growing up and trying to change people won’t be lost either.’
Carousel
AVENGER
Award-winning thriller about bullying – interesting follow-up to ‘Traitor.’ A gripping, challenging read.
‘This is a powerful tool for considering the causes of inadequacy and bullying and how bullies and their victims can both face them and conquer them.’
Book Trust
MY PARENTS ARE OUT OF CONTROL
What happens when your parents ask for tips about being cool? Much-loved Louis comedy – a big hit with pupils – and adults. Yields great discussions.
‘A brilliant look at family life today. A hilarious story which will appeal to boys and girls alike.’
Parents in Touch
Book Club notes available on ‘My Parents Are out of Control’ page.
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CELEBRATING ITS TWENTY-FIFTH
YEAR IN PRINT: THE GHOST DOG
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Pete tells us what this best-selling spooky tale means to him.
 ‘THE GHOST DOG’ wasn’t my first book. I’d written several novels for teenagers first. They had achieved good reviews and moderate sales. To be honest, none had set the world alight.
Then a publisher suggested I wrote a book for a slightly younger audience, 8-12 year olds. So I submitted a synopsis, which I saw as a modern, updating of Blyton’s ‘Faraway Tree,’ books. I was excited about it. My publishers weren’t. The only positive thing they said was - ‘We still believe you can do it.’
So I immersed myself in my new audience’s world. I chatted with so many families. I was even invited to a ghost story telling night. This was brilliant fun. A group of boys sat round telling eerie tales. There was a great atmosphere and I thought wouldn’t this be a top way to begin a story. But where was I going to take it?
The idea came to me quite suddenly. A real flash of inspiration. What if one of the ghost stories become real? What if a fearsome monster leaps out of their tales and haunts their dreams every single night? And they just can’t get rid of it.
 Every other idea I’d had crumpled away. I knew this was it. My publishers agreed. And ‘THE GHOST DOG’ came to life.
It was my first book to win a prize. My first best seller. My first to be translated into several languages. So many firsts.
Nearly a quarter of a century later it has never gone out of print. And schools still read it, especially around the weeks leading up to HALLOWEEN. One boy told me recently, ‘The Ghost Dog set fire to my imagination’.
To be a writer you need a number of things and one of them is a deep faith in yourself. And actually, before ‘The Ghost Dog’ I was starting to lose that belief. Did I really have anything to offer? Didn’t those mild sales mean I was kidding myself?
The strangest thing of all is that I really struggled over those teen titles, while ‘The Ghost Dog’ flowed from my pen almost as if it had been waiting for me.
I am so cheered that people are still enjoying The Ghost Dog. And I will always be grateful to it. |
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THE GHOST DOG’S FAMOUS OPENING
The first time I only saw its face.
Out of the darkness it came floating towards me.
It had evil eyes.
Blood poured out of its mouth.
It was the ugliest, most horrible thing I had ever seen.
And I’d brought it to life . . . |
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 TOP BLOGGERS – AND THEIR FAMILIES – SAY
‘HOW TO CHANGE YOUR PARENTS INTO SUPERSTARS’ IS . . .
‘PERFECT READING WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS CHEERING UP DURING LOCKDOWN.’
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 ‘Pete Johnson’s book couldn’t be better timed . . . Just loved the book and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.’
KAPPACINO BOOK CLUB - LATTE LINDSAY
‘Pete Johnson has a fluent and engaging style which will appeal to adults as well as younger readers . . . some of the situations are laugh out loud.’
PARENTING WITHOUT TEARS
 ‘This book is packed full of laugh out loud mischievous humour that kids will enjoy.’
THE SIMPLE MUM
‘With the next few months looking just as unsure as the last few, then a little escapism and laughter are just what our kids need . . . I thoroughly recommend the Louis the Laugh series to keep them laughing throughout.’
BOOKS FOR TWEENS, HOW FELICITY FINDS
 ‘With Louis cracking jokes throughout the book my son actually laughed our loud. A real fun book . . . Pete Johnson knows how children think and it’s wonderful to see this coming through in this book – just what we all need.’
RACHEL JESS
 ‘Florence and Jimmy absolutely poured over Tom Gates and now we have discovered another funny book series they have have come together over . . . the Louis the Laugh books. Florence read, ‘How to Change Your Parents into Superstars’ in one day and said it was as funny as Tom Gates. Then we saw Jimmy voluntarily reading it, and laughing while doing it . . . the style is fun and chatty as a child would talk to his mates.’
ROCK N’ ROLLER BABY
‘Emilia enjoys reading but through the lockdown she has fallen out of love with books a little. I purchased a small selection of new titles but nothing seemed to grab her. We then received ‘HOW TO CHANGE YOUR PARENTS INTO SUPERSTARS’ and she was hooked instantly! Emilia and I highly recommend ‘HOW TO CHANGE YOUR PARENTS INTO SUPERSTARS’ for young readers.’
YOU, ME, RAISING THREE, A Parenting & Lifestyle Blog |
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 IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN
‘HOW TO TURN 13 AND MUTATE INTO A SUPER HERO’ LAUNCHES IN GERMANY
(‘Vampire Bewitched’ in UK )
‘With a lot of humour and excitement the reader is once again in the middle of the action. The latest adventure impresses with an exciting story, horror and action as well as wonderfully bizarre and personable characters’
'The ''How to Turn 13" series makes you want more, because after each final showdown, a little door remains open for more adventures and secrets.'
Amazon, Germany. |
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Published in Germany on June 29th
‘HOW TO BECOME 13 AND SAVE THE WORLD.’
 Published in the UK as ‘The Vampire Fighters,’ this dynamic new presentation by arsEdition has found this comedy horror series a whole new audience in Germany.
German readers say . . .
‘Markus is a great and cool guy. He has to go through a lot – the tension begins on the first page and lasts until the end.’
‘This book pleased my 11 year old daughter and we are happy to give it a reading recommendation . . . It is a lot of fun to read the story.’
‘The continuation of an extraordinary story. Captivating and wonderfully bizarre characters. Great reading pleasure.’
‘HOW TO BECOME 13 – AND NOT TURN INTO AN ANIMAL’
 This eagerly anticipated title launched in Germany on January 27th. It is the sequel to the acclaimed best-seller ‘HOW TO BECOME 13 – AND SURVIVE.’
It was published in the UK as the ‘THE VAMPIRE HUNTERS.’
‘The Vampire Hunters is very exciting and I was very sad when it ended. The twist at the end is great.’
The Sun
‘The Vampire Hunters is another fantastingly written book by Pete Johnson. It is packed full of adventure, comedy, laughs, intriguing characters and a little bit of blood. This is s must read.’
Scribbler
‘I cannot recommend ‘The Vampire Hunters’ highly enough. It is an absolute delight to read – exciting, funny, a bit scary and current.’
Library Mice
‘HOW TO BECOME 13 AND SURVIVE’
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‘In addition to a funny story about a half vampire the novel also scores with suspense – and romance. Suitable for boys and girls.’
Gabriela Pagenhardt von Mainberg
‘Great reading pleasure.’
Marion Meindi |
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"It was a fabulous event – my best ever launch." Click here for Pete's blog about the launch of ‘MY PARENTS ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY’ at The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. |
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Pete’s all-time favourite children’s book is ‘101 Dalmatians’ by Dodie Smith, so he is delighted to have his picture taken at The Spotted Dog in Flamstead.
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spent the past few days with her head buried in it, snorting and chuckling away. I have had her read a few pages to me, it’s well-written and very engaging. And of course funny . . . if your child lacks confidence in their reading, I pretty much think they would find this an appealing read. Be prepared for laughter.
‘A great book and I’m sure we will be sniffing out more reads by this humorous author.’ 
massive success. My son could not put this book down and found it very funny (all we could hear was giggles) and it also made for further conversations about what he would do to train us . . .’ 