Pete Johnson

When Pete Johnson was ten, he wrote a fan letter to Dodie Smith – author of The Hundred and One Dalmatians. She wrote back to him and the two began exchanging letters. “She was the first person to encourage me to become a writer,” says Pete, who began sending stories to publishers at the age of eleven.

After studying English at Birmingham University, Pete worked as a film critic for some local newspapers. This led to a plum job as a film critic on Radio One.

It was working as a teacher at a secondary school that inspired Pete’s first published novel, Secrets From The School Underground and his short story collection, One Step Beyond. Pete gained some valuable insight by inviting his students to comment on his writing. “They helped to make me tough on my writing,” says Pete, “I learnt that bad books – and clichés – arise when a writer doesn’t know enough about his world.” Today, Pete still regularly visits schools and libraries to keep in close contact with his readers.

 

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Featured Books, with extracts by Pete Johnson

The Vampire Fighters (The Vampire series Book 3)
Pete Johnson
Marcus, Tallulah and Gracie are back in this final fast-paced, fun and frightening story in award-winning Pete Johnson's vampire series, following on from The Vampire Blog and The Vampire Hunters. Click here for Vampire Fighters Classroom Notes and Blogging tips for Kids.
Featured in: 9+ readers | Pre-Publication
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/06/2012
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The Vampire Hunters (The Vampire series Book 2)
Pete Johnson
This is a new novel from award-winning author Pete Johnson that taps into the very current interest in vampires - done with Pete's humorous, accessible touch. Click here for book 1 in the series, The Vampire Blog. Click here...
Featured in: 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/06/2011
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Return of the (un)Teenager
Pete Johnson
Interest Age 11+ Reading Age 8+.  Hilarious and much requested follow-up to the award-winning bestseller Diary of an (Un)Teenager. Perfect for reluctant or struggling teen readers as it's short, action packed with a real page-turning quality about it. To view...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 14+ readers | Dyslexia-friendly | Reluctant Readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 20/01/2011
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Spook School: Revenge of the Stink-Monster
Pete Johnson
Welcome to Spook School...where the pupils have bags of spirit! It's exam time at Spook School, and Charlie and Lewis's last exam is their toughest: they have to solve a baffling and very spooky mystery on Earth - in just...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 31/08/2010
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The Vampire Blog (The Vampire series Book 1)
Pete Johnson
On his thirteenth birthday, Marcus Howlett is faced with a bombshell. His parents are half-vampire. And, although he hates the thought of it, he is about to become one too. But, as he secretly blogs about the horrors of his...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 27/05/2010
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Spook School: Horror from the Deep
Pete Johnson
In this, the third spook school, Charlie and Lewis have been so successful in their Spook Squad assignments that it’s earned them a holiday on Earth but when they get there they find themselves on the trail of a very mysterious ghost. This is...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/04/2010
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Spook School: Curse of the Rat-beast
Pete Johnson
In this the second in the series Charlie loves being a spook but his latest mission is his most baffling too because he must work out what a giant rat that’s haunting boys down on Earth is really up to....
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/09/2009
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Spook School: Lair of the Mothman
Pete Johnson
A fantastically humorous series from a widely admired children’s author who really knows how to get readers hooked on reading. With black and white illustrations throughout the series can’t fail to inspire. Dare you join Charlie and his friend Lewis...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/09/2009
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Shut It!
Pete Johnson
Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. Ben hates his older brother Andy. He’s always putting Ben down and embarrassing him. When Andy goes too far one night Ben takes the dramatic step of stopping speaking. Can Ben and Andy resolve...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers | Dyslexia-friendly | Ebooks | Reluctant Readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 20/08/2009
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Bug Brother
Pete Johnson
Can Jamie deal with the trials of his annoying younger brother Harry? Harry’s younger but taller and seems to take delight in tormenting his older brother… But Jamie has a plan. Making a wish on his amazing cape, he turns...
Featured in: 7+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 24/04/2009
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The Bad Spy's Guide
Pete Johnson
This book definitely gets into the category of 'books you can't put down' and has therefore rightly been chosen as one of the Blue Peter Book Award 'Books I couldn't put down' 2007.  It's a thriller but it's also full...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers | Book Awards | Ebooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 03/05/2007
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Help! I'm a Classroom Gambler
Pete Johnson
School is possibly the most boring place on earth – or so Harvey thinks until he comes up with an original way of spicing things up. With bets running during lessons things certainly can be fun. Too much fun sometimes!...
Featured in: 9+ readers | Ebooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/04/2006
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Diary of an (Un)teenager
Pete Johnson
Interest Age 11+ Reading Age 8+. Spencer is determined that he’ll stay exactly as he is when he turns 13. As he tells his diary, he wants nothing to do with the clothes, kit and attitudes that other teenagers adopt....
Featured in: 11+ readers | 14+ readers | Books for Boys | Dyslexia-friendly
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/01/2004
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