John Wilson's Blog, page 11

RECENT TITLES—updated August 1st

Allan McBride has fought in some of WWI's bloodiest battles. He has seen his comrades, and his best friend, killed. But tonight he waits in a shed outside Amiens, accused of desertion, to discover if dawn will bring a last-minute reprieve—or execution by firing squad. Shot at Dawn a new title in Scholastic Canada's series of historical adventure stories for boys, I Am Canada.
Sample: "Shells were landing all along the barbed-wire entanglements in front of us, throwing up great fountains of earth, shattered wooden stakes and tangles of wire. Heavier guns were targeting the strongpoints behind us. We huddled down as low as possible in the bottom of the trench as the ground heaved and clods of earth flew through the air. The sound was a physical presence—a hammer beating constantly inside my head."Review: "The novel is very intense…this is a fascinating portrait of a young man pushed to the edge and struggling to come to terms with a world he could never have imagined.…the powerful writing and strong characters will grip readers from beginning to end, and hopefully provoke some thoughtful discussion about this pivotal moment in history." Quill & Quire
Some of my other titles on WWI and WWII And in the Morning . "A compelling, fascinating, and ultimately disturbing book that is not to be missed." School Library Journal"…a timely reflection on the realities of war that presents a powerful, timeless anti-war argument…A terrific addition to a social studies or history curriculum." Booklist.Bitter Ashes: The Story of WWII, a companion to Desperate Glory: The Story of WWI."…an accessible, often mesmerizing, account of the war. Like Desperate Glory, Wilson's earlier World War I book, Bitter Ashes is clear, critical and succinct…The book's breadth, warmth and clarity provide a good read for young history buffs, a compelling narrative even for those who don't usually take to non-fiction." Deirdre Baker. Toronto Star.
Set in the harsh desert world of Arizona and Mexico in the 1870s, Written in Blood follows young Jim Doolen as he attempts to find traces of the father who abandoned his family ten years earlier. As he travels through the scorched landscape, Jim crosses paths with an Apache warrior, a cave-dwelling mystic, an old Mexican revolutionary and a mysterious cowboy. With each encounter he adds one more link in a chain that leads back to a dark, violent past. Finally, in a ruined Mexican hacienda, Jim realizes that discovering his past has also opened the way to his future.Praise for Written in Blood"…a captivating and engrossing read." Quill & Quire"The story is very well written and will appeal to young readers, especially boys. It is full of tension and adventure...Recommended." Tri State YA Book Review Committee
"Chapters are short and action filled, Jim is a likable character and reluctant readers will find this to be a fast-paced, easy-to-swallow tale of the Old West." Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Death on the River"This riveting look at the Civil War's horrifying Andersonville prison through the eyes of an 18-year-old inmate has the power to shock and to compel young readers' interest while uncovering exciting history for them. Wilson doesn't shove the history down his readers' throats. He merely writes a tension-filled story packed with appalling events that really happened…This engrossing novel leaves an enduring impression." Kirkus Reviews"Wilson paints an engrossing picture of the brutal life of these soldiers…Most young readers, especially boys, will be fascinated by Jake's adventures." Quill & Quire"engrossing, vivid…some startlingly resonant moments" G&M

LINKS—updated August 1st

Of course, there's my website. Then there's facebook, twitter, and For my books, eBooks or otherwise, there's amazon (in Canada, Amazon.ca). For eBooks there's Smashwords. If searching these sites, use book titles, there are many many John Wilson's out there.

For blog radio interviews/chats, try here and here.
This an older video interview with a younger me, try here or here for one in print.

If you are interested in organizing a school reading or a conference presentation (or just want to say hello), check out details on my website and/or contact me directly