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The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini
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.
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.
168 pages, Hardcover
First published January 24, 2012
8 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Peter Johnson
19 books8 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
In 1951, Peter Johnson was born in Buffalo, New York. He received his BA from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and his MA and PhD in English from the University of New Hampshire. He is the winner of the 2001 James Laughlin Award for his second collection of prose poems, Miracles & Mortifications (2001).
His other books include Eduardo & "I" (White Pine, 2006), Pretty Happy! (1997), and the chapbook Love Poems for the Millennium (1998). He is also the author of a novel, What Happened (Front Street Books, 2007), as well as a collection of short stories, I'm a Man (2003).
Johnson is the founder and editor of The Prose Poem: An International Journal and the editor of The Best of The Prose Poem: An International Journal (White Pine Press, 2000).
About his work, the poet Bruce Smith has said, "Because Peter Johnson does not guide himself either by the turns and counterturns of verse or the horizontal urge of prose, he must continually reinvent the wheel and its destination. He writes with a lover's lavish extravagance and a yogi's self-discipline. His funny poems are heartbreaking and his serious ones are hilarious."
He received a creative writing award in 2002 from Rhode Council on the Arts and a fellowship in 1999 from the National Endowment for the Arts. A contributing editor to American Poetry Review, Web del Sol, and Slope, Peter Johnson teaches creative writing and children's literature at Providence College in Rhode Island, where he lives with his wife, Genevieve, and two sons, Kurt and Lucas.
In 1951, Peter Johnson was born in Buffalo, New York. He received his BA from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and his MA and PhD in English from the University of New Hampshire. He is the winner of the 2001 James Laughlin Award for his second collection of prose poems, Miracles & Mortifications (2001).
His other books include Eduardo & "I" (White Pine, 2006), Pretty Happy! (1997), and the chapbook Love Poems for the Millennium (1998). He is also the author of a novel, What Happened (Front Street Books, 2007), as well as a collection of short stories, I'm a Man (2003).
Johnson is the founder and editor of The Prose Poem: An International Journal and the editor of The Best of The Prose Poem: An International Journal (White Pine Press, 2000).
About his work, the poet Bruce Smith has said, "Because Peter Johnson does not guide himself either by the turns and counterturns of verse or the horizontal urge of prose, he must continually reinvent the wheel and its destination. He writes with a lover's lavish extravagance and a yogi's self-discipline. His funny poems are heartbreaking and his serious ones are hilarious."
He received a creative writing award in 2002 from Rhode Council on the Arts and a fellowship in 1999 from the National Endowment for the Arts. A contributing editor to American Poetry Review, Web del Sol, and Slope, Peter Johnson teaches creative writing and children's literature at Providence College in Rhode Island, where he lives with his wife, Genevieve, and two sons, Kurt and Lucas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
June 8, 2017
I won this first-read from goodreads.com giveaways and there wasn't a description that I recall, so I was surprised when it arrived and was a book for kids ages 8-12 :)
Nonetheless, I take my reading seriously, so I looked it over and dived in. First off, its not about THE Harry Houdini as I originally had surmised. Its a clever, timely kids book by Peter Johnson about a boy, John Smith, Jr., who has the nickname Houdini, and his friends Jorge and Lucky, and the things they get into in their town of Providence.
From the back cover--
"After an author comes to speak to his class, John Smith, Jr., whom everyone calls Houdini, decides to write a novel about his own life. He chronicles his hilarious misadventures with the class bully, a scary neighbor with an even scarier dog, and his big-buck leaf-raking enterprise. Houdini has a list for everything, including what to say instead of a swear word, and gruesome ways to get back at the bully.
But its harder for Houdini to write about his father losing his job or his hero brother, Franklin, who is reported missing in action in Iraq. In a novel that is at once exuberant and poignant, the bonds of family, friendship and camraderie triumph over all else."
Nonetheless, I take my reading seriously, so I looked it over and dived in. First off, its not about THE Harry Houdini as I originally had surmised. Its a clever, timely kids book by Peter Johnson about a boy, John Smith, Jr., who has the nickname Houdini, and his friends Jorge and Lucky, and the things they get into in their town of Providence.
From the back cover--
"After an author comes to speak to his class, John Smith, Jr., whom everyone calls Houdini, decides to write a novel about his own life. He chronicles his hilarious misadventures with the class bully, a scary neighbor with an even scarier dog, and his big-buck leaf-raking enterprise. Houdini has a list for everything, including what to say instead of a swear word, and gruesome ways to get back at the bully.
But its harder for Houdini to write about his father losing his job or his hero brother, Franklin, who is reported missing in action in Iraq. In a novel that is at once exuberant and poignant, the bonds of family, friendship and camraderie triumph over all else."
April 12, 2013
Yellow post-it notes litter my desk like a checkered flag. Once in a while one gets stuck to my elbow or purse bottom. I'm optimistic at first that this organization technique will galvanize me into getting my act together. But by the end of the year, I've gravitated toward my natural chaos, casting a jaded eye at the fake wood desktop thinking, this strategy ain't a workin' for me. I feel the same way about some common literary techniques in children's literature. At first, I think, ahhhh... how clever of the author to have the main character use a dictionary to look up words, helping the young reader learn new vocabulary. After coming across this technique umpteen times, it's looking like a checkered flag to me right now. Eventually, I git dawgone tired of it. Maybe my problem is they remind me too much of doing outlines for research papers where my scattered notes looked like confetti. Or maybe it is too much like cooking where I always miss a key ingredient creating a mound of inedible slop. Or maybe I'm too random for a sequential list. I don't know. I do know I get irritated at lists as well. Lists for top ten rules to make friends. Lists for things to do. Lists of favorite words (that's a biggie). Lists on how to pick your nose (just kidding). Alas, this book has lists. But we don't see them once in a while, we see them ten times over the course of 160 pages. These lists clarify the plot. They are funny. And they irritate me.
I wonder if my snarky attitude towards lists makes me too biased to write a review, and maybe it does, but I didn't think this book lived up to its potential. While the craft elements are all there, the end result was like a rock skipping across the surface of a lake with chapters too short and the first person point of view too limiting for me to connect with the characters. The strong start introduces the protagonist, Houdini, who sounds like a smart aleck teenager. He's funny, has an attitude, and spends time with his good friends, Lucky and Jorge. Lucky is actually unlucky when it comes to injuring himself and Jorge likes to swear all the time. The trio deals with Angel, the class bully, and learn to not be afraid of their neighbor, Old Man Jackson, an ex-Vietnam war veteran with one arm and pit bull guard dog. Their neighborhood is rough and life is not easy for the boys. When Houdini's brother goes off to fight in Iraq, the family is fearful for his life, causing Houdini to find an unlikely friend in Old Man Jackson.
A subplot involves Houdini writing a novel. Normally I like this metafictional touch, but here it made me notice the writing craft too much and I felt like I was being manipulated through the story. Dad is political and opinionated. He's about to lose his job and through writing, Houdini notices these changes. The problem is that the first person point of view made the father flat as a character. Perhaps if I could go inside his head, he'd be more rounded. As is, when I first read his views they sounded like a platform for the author's political views. The same goes for Angel. I needed to get inside his head. Why did he change? The first person point of view made it unbelievable. The older brother is flat too. I would have liked to go inside his head to learn about his relationship with old man Jackson. He makes all the right decisions and is more an adult than the father. I think using third person narrative would have pulled me into the story more versus feeling like a detached observer.
In some ways this story reminded me of "Okay for Now" by Gary Schmidt but without the deep character development. The chapters are very short and while I like the authors use of words and arrangement of sentences that create a nice rhythmn, I just couldn't connect with the characters. On the other hand, I can see students liking the nice humor and short chapters.
I did feel uncomfortable with some of the stereotypes: hot-tempered abusive father who is a red head, screaming mother who dresses in tight clothes, wired rapper-looking boy who swears all the time, Vietnam veteran who burns incense and has an insane laugh, mohawk fat bully, and so on. The author tries to show them as human toward the end, but I wished he had not used these stock characters. This is definitely a grade 5 book and older. I know that I am in the minority with this book. My friend Angela really liked it and we tend to agree on most books. It has also won two awards. Maybe the lists spun me in the wrong direction. Maybe coming off reading four great adult novels, I was turned off by the simplicity of this story. I don't know. You'll have to decide for yourself. The good news is it took me only two hours. It's taken me longer to write this review ; )
I wonder if my snarky attitude towards lists makes me too biased to write a review, and maybe it does, but I didn't think this book lived up to its potential. While the craft elements are all there, the end result was like a rock skipping across the surface of a lake with chapters too short and the first person point of view too limiting for me to connect with the characters. The strong start introduces the protagonist, Houdini, who sounds like a smart aleck teenager. He's funny, has an attitude, and spends time with his good friends, Lucky and Jorge. Lucky is actually unlucky when it comes to injuring himself and Jorge likes to swear all the time. The trio deals with Angel, the class bully, and learn to not be afraid of their neighbor, Old Man Jackson, an ex-Vietnam war veteran with one arm and pit bull guard dog. Their neighborhood is rough and life is not easy for the boys. When Houdini's brother goes off to fight in Iraq, the family is fearful for his life, causing Houdini to find an unlikely friend in Old Man Jackson.
A subplot involves Houdini writing a novel. Normally I like this metafictional touch, but here it made me notice the writing craft too much and I felt like I was being manipulated through the story. Dad is political and opinionated. He's about to lose his job and through writing, Houdini notices these changes. The problem is that the first person point of view made the father flat as a character. Perhaps if I could go inside his head, he'd be more rounded. As is, when I first read his views they sounded like a platform for the author's political views. The same goes for Angel. I needed to get inside his head. Why did he change? The first person point of view made it unbelievable. The older brother is flat too. I would have liked to go inside his head to learn about his relationship with old man Jackson. He makes all the right decisions and is more an adult than the father. I think using third person narrative would have pulled me into the story more versus feeling like a detached observer.
In some ways this story reminded me of "Okay for Now" by Gary Schmidt but without the deep character development. The chapters are very short and while I like the authors use of words and arrangement of sentences that create a nice rhythmn, I just couldn't connect with the characters. On the other hand, I can see students liking the nice humor and short chapters.
I did feel uncomfortable with some of the stereotypes: hot-tempered abusive father who is a red head, screaming mother who dresses in tight clothes, wired rapper-looking boy who swears all the time, Vietnam veteran who burns incense and has an insane laugh, mohawk fat bully, and so on. The author tries to show them as human toward the end, but I wished he had not used these stock characters. This is definitely a grade 5 book and older. I know that I am in the minority with this book. My friend Angela really liked it and we tend to agree on most books. It has also won two awards. Maybe the lists spun me in the wrong direction. Maybe coming off reading four great adult novels, I was turned off by the simplicity of this story. I don't know. You'll have to decide for yourself. The good news is it took me only two hours. It's taken me longer to write this review ; )
February 21, 2017
A Boy’s Interesting Life
Morgan M.
How would you feel if you inspired someone to do something positive with their life? Wouldn’t that be a great feelings?
John Smith, Jr. is a huge fan of magic, and his nickname is Houdini. He got the nickname Houdini he was obsessed with the magician Houdini. He loves to read detailed biographies about Houdini, and also books written by Houdini. Houdini’s books are mainly about tricks and other successful magicians. John and his two best friends, Jorge and Lucky, are extremely close. Ironically, he has an enemy named Angel. John’s older brother, Franklin, is in the Marines. John and his family are always worrying about Franklin.
John is a skinny, average height kid with brown eyes and short, brown hair. He likes to wear baggy jeans with his favorite gray motorcycle jacket.
“The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini” is about a boy who is inspired to write his own book. John was inspired by an author named Mr.Peterson. John was inspired because he wanted to make money. He realized it would be interesting to write about his life, is more interesting than other kids’ lives. John writes about issues his family has to deal with, like his father losing his job and the family constantly being anxious about Franklin going to the war. Something special he wrote about was the time when him and, Franklin renovated an elderly man’s house so that the man would have good living conditions.
Writing books give John so much pleasure, especially when he’s writing about his life. “He also made me want to write my own book because I know my life was more interesting than the kid he wrote about.” “The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini” shows that you can do anything as long as you can do anything as long as you try. Everybody can use some inspiration at some point in life.
Morgan M.
How would you feel if you inspired someone to do something positive with their life? Wouldn’t that be a great feelings?
John Smith, Jr. is a huge fan of magic, and his nickname is Houdini. He got the nickname Houdini he was obsessed with the magician Houdini. He loves to read detailed biographies about Houdini, and also books written by Houdini. Houdini’s books are mainly about tricks and other successful magicians. John and his two best friends, Jorge and Lucky, are extremely close. Ironically, he has an enemy named Angel. John’s older brother, Franklin, is in the Marines. John and his family are always worrying about Franklin.
John is a skinny, average height kid with brown eyes and short, brown hair. He likes to wear baggy jeans with his favorite gray motorcycle jacket.
“The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini” is about a boy who is inspired to write his own book. John was inspired by an author named Mr.Peterson. John was inspired because he wanted to make money. He realized it would be interesting to write about his life, is more interesting than other kids’ lives. John writes about issues his family has to deal with, like his father losing his job and the family constantly being anxious about Franklin going to the war. Something special he wrote about was the time when him and, Franklin renovated an elderly man’s house so that the man would have good living conditions.
Writing books give John so much pleasure, especially when he’s writing about his life. “He also made me want to write my own book because I know my life was more interesting than the kid he wrote about.” “The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini” shows that you can do anything as long as you can do anything as long as you try. Everybody can use some inspiration at some point in life.
February 29, 2012
After a school visit from an author, John Smith, Jr. (nickname Houdini), decides to write his own book. At first, he wants to write to make money and because Houdini thinks his life is more interesting than the kid in the author's book. He develops a list of rules to guide him in his writing endeavor which include: Rule #9. Put in a few comic scenes. (Yes, kids to like to laugh and there are some hilarious moments in this book.) Rule #7: Include a moral dilemma for your characters (Houdini definitely creates some poignant moments with this rule.)
While Houdini writes about his life with his friends starting a leaf raking business, befriending a war vet and trying to get even with the school bully, Angel, he realizes some things are hard write about, much less think about. How do you write about the pain of your brother, Franklin, missing in Iraq or the possibility of your father losing his job?
When Houdini has to think about his friends and family, he gets to know them in deep and touching ways. Author, Peter Johnson, effectively captures the authentic male middle school voice in a stirring story mixed with just the right amount of humor.
If you don't believe in magic, you will after reading The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini. Highly Recommended ages 8 and up, but will especially appeal to the upper middle grade ages of 10-14.
This is my review as it appeared on my blog, http://www.boystobooks.com
While Houdini writes about his life with his friends starting a leaf raking business, befriending a war vet and trying to get even with the school bully, Angel, he realizes some things are hard write about, much less think about. How do you write about the pain of your brother, Franklin, missing in Iraq or the possibility of your father losing his job?
When Houdini has to think about his friends and family, he gets to know them in deep and touching ways. Author, Peter Johnson, effectively captures the authentic male middle school voice in a stirring story mixed with just the right amount of humor.
If you don't believe in magic, you will after reading The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini. Highly Recommended ages 8 and up, but will especially appeal to the upper middle grade ages of 10-14.
This is my review as it appeared on my blog, http://www.boystobooks.com
July 1, 2012
This ended up being a nice cozy piece of realistic fiction written by a local (Rhode Island) author. It probably would not be surprised about the fact that the narrator's name is John Smith, Jr. John is confronted with a few challenges, and most of them show up on the book's cover. The troubles include the fact that his brother is serving in Iraq, his and his friends are being picked on by the local tough guy Angel, they have a Vietnam-vet neighbor that everyone is afraid off, and the family seems to be teetering on the edge of financial troubles if his dad loses his jobs.
This does keep John, who is called Houdini because he has a lot of similarities with the famed magician, and his friends down. As autumn is passing, they start a small business to help clean up their East Side of Providence neighborhood by raking leaves. This project is aided by their slimy city council representative who is happy to get the media coverage by helping to fund their tools and time.
There are a number of humorous moments that help balance out the sad and touching ones. This is actually a strong 'boy book" I would say reminds me a lot of Jordan Sonnenblick, Andrew Clements, and Carl Hiaasen. I was glad that I ended up coming across this one.
This does keep John, who is called Houdini because he has a lot of similarities with the famed magician, and his friends down. As autumn is passing, they start a small business to help clean up their East Side of Providence neighborhood by raking leaves. This project is aided by their slimy city council representative who is happy to get the media coverage by helping to fund their tools and time.
There are a number of humorous moments that help balance out the sad and touching ones. This is actually a strong 'boy book" I would say reminds me a lot of Jordan Sonnenblick, Andrew Clements, and Carl Hiaasen. I was glad that I ended up coming across this one.
July 7, 2013
June 15, 2013
John Smith's friends call him Houdini because of his obsession with everything Houdini (and who wants to be called John Smith anyway?)
Houdini decides to try his hand at writing after an author speaks at his school. Houdini thinks he could do a better job than that guy. The book chronicles his attempt to do just that.
Add in a brother serving in the military, an odd, reclusive Vietnam vet, a huge bully, a sleazy politician, and job lay-offs, you have the main plot of the book.
There are some mean pranks, the bully learns his lesson, and the sleazy politician gets put in his place.
In my opinion-the book is pretty anti-climactic but it does have some really good underlying themes like the importance of family, loyalty to your country, sticking by your friends, working together as a community, and forgiveness.
John Smith's friends call him Houdini because of his obsession with everything Houdini (and who wants to be called John Smith anyway?)
Houdini decides to try his hand at writing after an author speaks at his school. Houdini thinks he could do a better job than that guy. The book chronicles his attempt to do just that.
Add in a brother serving in the military, an odd, reclusive Vietnam vet, a huge bully, a sleazy politician, and job lay-offs, you have the main plot of the book.
There are some mean pranks, the bully learns his lesson, and the sleazy politician gets put in his place.
In my opinion-the book is pretty anti-climactic but it does have some really good underlying themes like the importance of family, loyalty to your country, sticking by your friends, working together as a community, and forgiveness.
January 13, 2015
The best part about this book for me was the Providence setting. However, that's not enough to really get me into this book. It read a lot like young adult fiction from the 80s does. It's slice of life with no real plot to it. Even the premise of the book, which is that John Smith AKA Houdini wants to be a writer so he's writing what he knows doesn't seem to carry through the entire book. The story he does tell isn't that compelling to me although I can see how this book can be used to address having a family member at war and having them come back changed. Overall it just felt aimless and plotless.
May 6, 2012
I was pretty disappointed with this book, and anyone who in drawn to it because of the word "Houdini" in it, will also be very disappointed. I would recommend it mostly to grades 6-8 boys, especially those who are struggling a bit with their reading. There are cuss words through out the book (right away in the first chapter) and I felt like the author was trying to cover too many plot lines (father losing his job, bully in the neighborhood, sleezy politicians, ex-vet, brother in Iraq). I didn't feel like I really got to know any of the characters very well.
August 21, 2012
I received this book as a first reads giveaway. It took me awhile to sit down with this one as I wanted to read it with my niece and she was still working her way through another book. Once we sat down with this one though it was a great time reading. We giggled a good bit and could connect to having a family member overseas at war. Thank you for sharing this book with us.
September 28, 2014
I love this book. I love that our hero has a lot of problems that so many kids have today. Parents dealing with a rough economy, a brother in the military conflicts in the middle east, an obnoxious bully and the angst of growing up. John loves Houdini, wants to be an author and is determined to get ahead in spite of all of his troubles.
June 4, 2018
John Smith, Jr. is obsessed with Harry Houdini. So much so that his friends nickname him Houdini, which you have to admit is a better name than the very boring John Smith. Houdini lives in a poor neighborhood in East Providence, where his parents worry about money, Houdini worries about local bully Angel Dmitri, and they all worry about Houdini’s older brother Franklin, a marine serving in Iraq. When a kids’ book writer visits his school, he gives Houdini some good advice, and Houdini works through all of these worries by trying to complete a novel about his life.
Houdini is a middle-grade novel with a lot of heart. The emotions of a thirteen year old with a lot on his mind are spot-on. In its scant 166 pages, a lot is going on, and there is surprising depth and development of characters. There are times when you aren’t sure the boys in this novel (Houdini and his two best friends Lucky and Jorge) are ever going to learn to do the right thing. But Franklin makes his return, and though he is damaged he is absolutely the emotional core of this novel.
One of the better middle grade books out there.
Houdini is a middle-grade novel with a lot of heart. The emotions of a thirteen year old with a lot on his mind are spot-on. In its scant 166 pages, a lot is going on, and there is surprising depth and development of characters. There are times when you aren’t sure the boys in this novel (Houdini and his two best friends Lucky and Jorge) are ever going to learn to do the right thing. But Franklin makes his return, and though he is damaged he is absolutely the emotional core of this novel.
One of the better middle grade books out there.
May 20, 2021
Despite having almost nothing about magic in it, this was an engaging story of kids in difficult social positions bonding to improve their lives. John Smith, after hearing an author speak at his school (sounds like a middle school or junior high), decides to write a novel. As well as the encouragement of the speaker, Smith avidly reads about Harry Houdini and frequently refers to his works as inspiration for solving his writing and life problems.
Young magicians will learn no "magic" tricks in this book, but the family stories and the fortitude of John Smith will be sufficiently instructive to make the book worthwhile.
Young magicians will learn no "magic" tricks in this book, but the family stories and the fortitude of John Smith will be sufficiently instructive to make the book worthwhile.
May 10, 2017
I enjoyed this book because everything from the characters to the setting was just so interesting to read. I didn't think I would enjoyed the book but I really did. Houdini (John Smith) explains his life through the book, and the hardships he faces with his friends who just want to get by. My favorite part of the book is when Houdini, his dad, brother, and his friends all helped fix up Old Man Jackson's house, because Jackson was so happy when they were all finished. I think if you like third-person point of view, you would like this book.
October 23, 2018
My personal opinion about the book its a pretty good book is really detailed the setting was easy to tell . Well my favorite passage of the book was when john found his two best freinds and they where a vet and a dog. what i like about this book is that it took place in the middle school grade. And would i recommend yes because this book is really interesting and entertaning book to read and the book is really realistic and discritive. what i dint like about the book was that the bully always picked on john every single day.
June 12, 2022
This is the perfect book to recommend to my eighth grade students! They’re very reluctant readers, and this is a light, fun book that feels grown up (the narrator censors the cussing because “you don’t cuss in kid’s books” but he also says that you can replace them with the real words in your head; one of the characters drinks alcohol; characters discuss the effects of war on veterans; etc.) and like you read something important. I’m going to push this hard on my boys next year who don’t read much.
December 31, 2021
This is a difficult book to rate, at times I felt like I wanted to give it a 4-star due to some difficult topics it covers, and covers well, in my opinion. But at other times I was just like “what am I reading?” I definitely think 7th or 8th grade boys would really relate and enjoy this book and I guess that is what matters.
July 16, 2020
This review is going to go off on a slight tangent. Not because of plot, character, or setting. No, it's because of content. I won this giveaway seven years ago on Goodreads. At the time, I was the target audience. Sure, this is geared more towards boys, but still. Age wise, I was the target audience. It was published by HarperCollins Tween division. It is marketed for ages 8-12, so grades 3-7.
I decided to re-read it now that I am older. The book is overall pretty short, only 168 pages, so I blasted through it, finishing it after about 5-6 hours.
On page 6, which is chapter 4 seeing as the chapters are short, only about 1-5 pages long, the chapter is titled "No Swearing or Sex." On the next page, our main character who is a thirteen year old named John Smith Jr, but is nicknamed Houdini, talks about an author that went to his school who is named Mr. Peterson. He talks about things that aren't allowed in children's books.
The book reads and I quote:
'Mr. Peterson also said a kid's book can't have "explicit sex.
No problem there.
None of us has had explicit sex.
None of us has had any sex.
Most of us feel weird just talking about sex. '
This is "explicitly" stated. Houdini says Mr. Peterson says that swearing is also not allowed. Houdini mentions a small list of euphemisms for the swear words in this book. His list reads:
"Goofball. (This should be my father's middle name because he says it so much.)
Take a Hike.
Freaking. (Jorge has trouble completing a sentence without this word.)
Jackass.
Tick me off.
Heck.
Damn.
Privates.
No kidding. (This is my favorite.)"
In my book, and my family's, damn is a swear word. I would have no problem if this book was aimed at 12+, in other words, YA. Peter Johnson has written many books for the YA audience. This is his first dive into children's writing, and I personally believe he dropped the ball.
There are also two references to body parts. One male, one female. Once again, this book is marketed at ages 8-12. The chapter with the male mention is one page long. It is a list on page 22. The chapter is titled, "Ten creatures Mr. Gregory Gregory could have been in a previous life." Mr. Gregory Gregory is the local councilman. #6 on the list is: "The Incredible Shrinking Penis (a character Jorge made up.)"
The female mention refers to the mother of our bully, Angel. Page 76-77: '"Yes, you go," Angel's mother said, beginning to tremble a bit, her huge breasts threatening to burst the top button of her blouse. '
Once again, this is said about the child's mother.
On another page, toward the beginning, Houdini mentions not describing the girls in his school, because if he did, he might say something sexual. This is quoted almost word for word.
Houdini and his friends also joke about a neighbor cutting off the bully's privates. Again, quoted almost word for word.
Content affects my enjoyment and rating. If this stuff wasn't included, and it shouldn't have been seeing as there's no point, this book would have been rated a four. I did enjoy the story. At times, I did wonder if Houdini was stupid, but other than that, he was fine.
Personally, I enjoyed his brother Franklin more. I wanted to read more about his brother who is a marine that was deployed to Iraq. He was very interesting.
The plot was enjoyable, however at times it did feel like Mr. Johnson was trying to cram too many plots and subplots into 168 pages. Overall, it was enjoyable, but the bad marketing affects everything about this review and my enjoyment.
Content wise, this is also why I've placed this book on the shelves that I did. Normally, I place it according to content and age range/marketing audience, but this time I didn't do that. I refuse to place this under a children's chapter book shelf. In my opinion, it is not appropriate for 3rd grade. I wouldn't recommend this book to 8-10 year olds. I'm speaking, not from a parent point of view, nor sister of a younger sibling. When I originally read this book, I was the target audience. And as I mentioned already, I feel very strongly that Mr. Johnson and HarperCollins dropped the ball on the marketing of his "children's" novel debut.
It isn't like this book was self-published. I trust that if you go the traditional route, and are published by a big name company, the books should be age appropriate and marketed properly.
I decided to re-read it now that I am older. The book is overall pretty short, only 168 pages, so I blasted through it, finishing it after about 5-6 hours.
On page 6, which is chapter 4 seeing as the chapters are short, only about 1-5 pages long, the chapter is titled "No Swearing or Sex." On the next page, our main character who is a thirteen year old named John Smith Jr, but is nicknamed Houdini, talks about an author that went to his school who is named Mr. Peterson. He talks about things that aren't allowed in children's books.
The book reads and I quote:
'Mr. Peterson also said a kid's book can't have "explicit sex.
No problem there.
None of us has had explicit sex.
None of us has had any sex.
Most of us feel weird just talking about sex. '
This is "explicitly" stated. Houdini says Mr. Peterson says that swearing is also not allowed. Houdini mentions a small list of euphemisms for the swear words in this book. His list reads:
"Goofball. (This should be my father's middle name because he says it so much.)
Take a Hike.
Freaking. (Jorge has trouble completing a sentence without this word.)
Jackass.
Tick me off.
Heck.
Damn.
Privates.
No kidding. (This is my favorite.)"
In my book, and my family's, damn is a swear word. I would have no problem if this book was aimed at 12+, in other words, YA. Peter Johnson has written many books for the YA audience. This is his first dive into children's writing, and I personally believe he dropped the ball.
There are also two references to body parts. One male, one female. Once again, this book is marketed at ages 8-12. The chapter with the male mention is one page long. It is a list on page 22. The chapter is titled, "Ten creatures Mr. Gregory Gregory could have been in a previous life." Mr. Gregory Gregory is the local councilman. #6 on the list is: "The Incredible Shrinking Penis (a character Jorge made up.)"
The female mention refers to the mother of our bully, Angel. Page 76-77: '"Yes, you go," Angel's mother said, beginning to tremble a bit, her huge breasts threatening to burst the top button of her blouse. '
Once again, this is said about the child's mother.
On another page, toward the beginning, Houdini mentions not describing the girls in his school, because if he did, he might say something sexual. This is quoted almost word for word.
Houdini and his friends also joke about a neighbor cutting off the bully's privates. Again, quoted almost word for word.
Content affects my enjoyment and rating. If this stuff wasn't included, and it shouldn't have been seeing as there's no point, this book would have been rated a four. I did enjoy the story. At times, I did wonder if Houdini was stupid, but other than that, he was fine.
Personally, I enjoyed his brother Franklin more. I wanted to read more about his brother who is a marine that was deployed to Iraq. He was very interesting.
The plot was enjoyable, however at times it did feel like Mr. Johnson was trying to cram too many plots and subplots into 168 pages. Overall, it was enjoyable, but the bad marketing affects everything about this review and my enjoyment.
Content wise, this is also why I've placed this book on the shelves that I did. Normally, I place it according to content and age range/marketing audience, but this time I didn't do that. I refuse to place this under a children's chapter book shelf. In my opinion, it is not appropriate for 3rd grade. I wouldn't recommend this book to 8-10 year olds. I'm speaking, not from a parent point of view, nor sister of a younger sibling. When I originally read this book, I was the target audience. And as I mentioned already, I feel very strongly that Mr. Johnson and HarperCollins dropped the ball on the marketing of his "children's" novel debut.
It isn't like this book was self-published. I trust that if you go the traditional route, and are published by a big name company, the books should be age appropriate and marketed properly.
October 28, 2013
John Smith is a boring name unless you're related to the John Smith of Pocahontas fame, which this one isn't. Fortunately a fascination with magician Harry Houdini has yielded a semi-cool nickname for this thirteen-year-old potential author. That is until Angel, who is badly named since he's the school bully, turns it into "Houdini Weenie" and sets out to make Houdini and his buddies as miserable as possible without actually committing murder and going to prison. Houdini Smith and his friends Lucky, who isn't, and Jorge, who probably needs medication to keep him from going truly crazy, have many interesting and bizarre adventures that Houdini decides to turn into a book so he can get rich, or at least help his parents pay the bills. As he writes, he determines not use curse words, but gives you a list of alternatives he WILL use, and swears off talking about sex so kids can read his novel. This done, Houdini gives the reader a guided tour through his life, including the way his family copes with his brother's stint as a Marine in Iraq, dealing with Angel-the-Bully and his crew, setting up a leaf-raking adventure that nearly cripples Lucky, and making sort-of-friends with a half-crazed Vietnam vet named Old Man Jackson. This was an okay read that may appeal to reluctant readers and middle school boys. The relationships are fairly shallow, there are plenty of almost-swear-words, and the boys make a concentrated effort to put the bully in his place through trickery. Not a first pick for me, but I've never been a middle school boy (thank goodness!).
December 24, 2011
I won this as a giveaway from goodreads.com and was looking forward to it based on the cover, and intrigued at the lack of description.
However, I was rather disappointed once I got into it. The positives of the book were the fact that the language was easy to understand, and the chapters manageable, especially given the recommended reading ages of 3rd to 7th grade. The author also has a good knack for being able to bring places alive through his descriptions. I cannot say the same about the characters though. The only one who was truly intriguing was Old Man Jackson, and I would love to learn more about him. The others, including Houdini, come off as shallow representations of those from a stereotypical teen novel. They went through the motions to get through the author's idea for a story arc and even that seemed a little contrived. I was most disappointed in the very predictable climax and then let down of an ending. I will avoid spoilers, but can safely say that the author either ran out of time or gave up here.
This would probably be suitable for a short time as an upper grade hi-lo read, but the reliance on contemporary news events to drive some of the story would out date it quickly among those readers. I don't see the lower end of the recommended ages enjoying this for the language, dry humor, and current events may be above them.
However, I was rather disappointed once I got into it. The positives of the book were the fact that the language was easy to understand, and the chapters manageable, especially given the recommended reading ages of 3rd to 7th grade. The author also has a good knack for being able to bring places alive through his descriptions. I cannot say the same about the characters though. The only one who was truly intriguing was Old Man Jackson, and I would love to learn more about him. The others, including Houdini, come off as shallow representations of those from a stereotypical teen novel. They went through the motions to get through the author's idea for a story arc and even that seemed a little contrived. I was most disappointed in the very predictable climax and then let down of an ending. I will avoid spoilers, but can safely say that the author either ran out of time or gave up here.
This would probably be suitable for a short time as an upper grade hi-lo read, but the reliance on contemporary news events to drive some of the story would out date it quickly among those readers. I don't see the lower end of the recommended ages enjoying this for the language, dry humor, and current events may be above them.
March 23, 2012
First, I have not read the whole book--this review is based on whether or not it's a good choice for younger readers.
I checked this book out from the library for my kids, who are 8 and 7. My impression was that it was appropriate from about age 8 and up. The title of the second (third?) chapter is something like "Swearing and Sex." I had flipped through the book a little bit before giving it to my son, but hadn't caught that! They immediately showed me, and as I read through the chapter I saw a list of swear words (not really bad ones, but definitely not what I was expecting to see in a middle reader-level book), and then some comments about explicit sex. The narrator is talking about how the kids aren't supposed to write about "explicit sex," but that wasn't a problem because they weren't having explicit sex, or any sex, and mostly aren't really comfortable talking about sex at all...Yikes!!! Clearly this wasn't an appropriate book for my kids, at least at this time. I don't want any discussion about any kind of sex in any book they are reading right now, even if it's in this context.
The rest of the book may be great--it's too bad it's being marketed to the younger set. I'm very disappointed because it looks like a fun story, and it's really hard to find a book for middle-reader boys that isn't Captain Underpants! But we'll keep trying.
I checked this book out from the library for my kids, who are 8 and 7. My impression was that it was appropriate from about age 8 and up. The title of the second (third?) chapter is something like "Swearing and Sex." I had flipped through the book a little bit before giving it to my son, but hadn't caught that! They immediately showed me, and as I read through the chapter I saw a list of swear words (not really bad ones, but definitely not what I was expecting to see in a middle reader-level book), and then some comments about explicit sex. The narrator is talking about how the kids aren't supposed to write about "explicit sex," but that wasn't a problem because they weren't having explicit sex, or any sex, and mostly aren't really comfortable talking about sex at all...Yikes!!! Clearly this wasn't an appropriate book for my kids, at least at this time. I don't want any discussion about any kind of sex in any book they are reading right now, even if it's in this context.
The rest of the book may be great--it's too bad it's being marketed to the younger set. I'm very disappointed because it looks like a fun story, and it's really hard to find a book for middle-reader boys that isn't Captain Underpants! But we'll keep trying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2014
John Smith Jr. hates his boring name, but fortunately his friends call him Houdini. His father works for a cleaning company but should have his own business; his older brother Franklin was a football star in high school but is now missing in action in Iraq. His two friends are Lucky (who is the most unlucky person in history) and Jorge (who looks tougher than he is), and they mostly just try to avoid Angel, the neighborhood bully. When they start their own leaf-raking business they encounter Vietnam veteran Jackson, whose scary dog and run-down house make him the neighborhood eyesore and target of the local politician, Gregory Gregory. Houdini wants to be a writer, so he includes things like lists, because kids like lists, and a villain (Angel). Kids who liked Sean Rosen and Antsy Bonano may cotton to this perky middle grade book, but it is for a YA readership. Some mild language, the mention of sex, and at least one mention of male bodyparts pull this book out of the elementary chapter books and make it better for 13 and up. Johnson is a good writer and offers a substantial plot with a thoughtful yet humorous touch.
December 29, 2011
The Amazing Adventures of John Smith, Jr. AKA Houdini is a book that can be read through one reading (especially for an adult). This is a book about a thirteen year old kid, John Smith Jr., (Houdini) who is going through everyday life with his friens Jorge and Lucky. There is a bully, a forgotten Vietnam War Hero, the current Iraq War Hero, a politician and the laid-off/job crisis in his family. This is a book about everyday life with the current events going on in today's world.
Houdini is trying to write a book to make money so his family wouldn't need to worry about money (paying the bill, food, clothes and shelter). One thing that is carry throughout the book is when one is writing a book, it gives you a perception on how one sees the world.
This book is written so well that a student in grades 3-7 could easily read this and understand what is going on with the current events. Most of the children in grades 3-7 are perspective of what is going on with their parents and their friends' parents and the pressure of their school peers.
Houdini is trying to write a book to make money so his family wouldn't need to worry about money (paying the bill, food, clothes and shelter). One thing that is carry throughout the book is when one is writing a book, it gives you a perception on how one sees the world.
This book is written so well that a student in grades 3-7 could easily read this and understand what is going on with the current events. Most of the children in grades 3-7 are perspective of what is going on with their parents and their friends' parents and the pressure of their school peers.
June 11, 2012
Instead of writing in a diary, John is writing a kid's novel about his experiences as a 13-year-old boy. In parts, it also reminds me of the movie, The Sandlot--the bully, the scary neighborhood dog and scary owner, etc.
John's story also shares about his dad losing his job, which is very relevant in American households today. I also really appreciated that the author incorporated the war in Iraq because there are many children and young people who had/have family members in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the story, John's older brother, Franklin, is a Marine stationed in Iraq. John does a good job describing his family's way of dealing with a brother and son overseas.
I also like how the author provides us information about Harry Houdini, with whom John is obsessed. At the end of the book, there is a bibliography of books about Harry Houdini that "John Smith, Jr., AKA Houdini, Might Have Read." I really liked this element because maybe curious kids will be inspired to do a little more reading, and biographies at that.
John's story also shares about his dad losing his job, which is very relevant in American households today. I also really appreciated that the author incorporated the war in Iraq because there are many children and young people who had/have family members in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the story, John's older brother, Franklin, is a Marine stationed in Iraq. John does a good job describing his family's way of dealing with a brother and son overseas.
I also like how the author provides us information about Harry Houdini, with whom John is obsessed. At the end of the book, there is a bibliography of books about Harry Houdini that "John Smith, Jr., AKA Houdini, Might Have Read." I really liked this element because maybe curious kids will be inspired to do a little more reading, and biographies at that.
March 25, 2012
This fun book is set in the neighborhood where I have lived for nearly 30 years. I can readily identify locations story settings were based upon. Plus, the book is set in the current time, which I found really cool. I believe it's the first fiction I've read where there was a character that served in the Iraq War during the Obama administration.
I enjoyed the whole premise of the book and how it evolved from starting as one thing and becoming another. I also enjoyed the palpability of the characters. I'll be looking forward to reading future works from Mr. Johnson.
Oh, and I really appreciated the fact that at the end of the book, he included a bibliography of books about Houdini that the main character
"might" have read. I think this little feature will genuinely inspire some young readers to read more about Houdini. In this day and age, anything that encourages kids to read and broaden their horizons, is good in my book!
I enjoyed the whole premise of the book and how it evolved from starting as one thing and becoming another. I also enjoyed the palpability of the characters. I'll be looking forward to reading future works from Mr. Johnson.
Oh, and I really appreciated the fact that at the end of the book, he included a bibliography of books about Houdini that the main character
"might" have read. I think this little feature will genuinely inspire some young readers to read more about Houdini. In this day and age, anything that encourages kids to read and broaden their horizons, is good in my book!
December 29, 2012
2.5 stars
It was a MG realistic novel which explored a young boy's first attempt at a novel in which he examines his life, that of his family and his friends, and tries to relate it as a story. In so doing, he begins to really start to dig for what motivates people and what makes them act as they do. In describing situations for his book, they become even more real because he has to really face them in order to get the words down on paper. His father is a working-man barely scraping by and worried that he will be laid off. His mother is trying to get a law degree while working at a cleaner's. His older brother Franklin is off in the Middle East fighting with the Marines. Houdini worries about him a lot. And then the worst happens and he is injured and missing...
It was one of the better contemporary MG books I have read, but it did not capture my attention to the point that I would recommend it to family or reread it. Admittedly, that is not my favorite genre either.
It was a MG realistic novel which explored a young boy's first attempt at a novel in which he examines his life, that of his family and his friends, and tries to relate it as a story. In so doing, he begins to really start to dig for what motivates people and what makes them act as they do. In describing situations for his book, they become even more real because he has to really face them in order to get the words down on paper. His father is a working-man barely scraping by and worried that he will be laid off. His mother is trying to get a law degree while working at a cleaner's. His older brother Franklin is off in the Middle East fighting with the Marines. Houdini worries about him a lot. And then the worst happens and he is injured and missing...
It was one of the better contemporary MG books I have read, but it did not capture my attention to the point that I would recommend it to family or reread it. Admittedly, that is not my favorite genre either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2013
20514258
I bought this book for the elementary school library based on reviews. I had
Fifth graders in mind particularly boys and put it on the shelf in the highest AR level without reading it myself. A fourth grade girl checked it out first and I
found the book in my mailbox with a note to the principal highlighting the chapter " No Swearing or Sex". I put the book in my office until I could read it.
It is wonderful, funny, sad, poignant, and I think entirely appropriate.
The book is about a Middle School boy, nicknamed Houdini, who is writing a novel. It is realistic in its treatment of school and home life. There are kids with dysfunctional families and those who have little but their family's love. It made me remember what it was like to be thirteen and I think it would be a good read for those about to be and for those who have recently been. The Vietnam Vet neighbor and a brother deployed to Iraq add an interesting subplot to the boy's story.
I bought this book for the elementary school library based on reviews. I had
Fifth graders in mind particularly boys and put it on the shelf in the highest AR level without reading it myself. A fourth grade girl checked it out first and I
found the book in my mailbox with a note to the principal highlighting the chapter " No Swearing or Sex". I put the book in my office until I could read it.
It is wonderful, funny, sad, poignant, and I think entirely appropriate.
The book is about a Middle School boy, nicknamed Houdini, who is writing a novel. It is realistic in its treatment of school and home life. There are kids with dysfunctional families and those who have little but their family's love. It made me remember what it was like to be thirteen and I think it would be a good read for those about to be and for those who have recently been. The Vietnam Vet neighbor and a brother deployed to Iraq add an interesting subplot to the boy's story.
July 4, 2013
Neither the cover nor the title of this book does it any favors -- ugh! So unappealing. In any case, this is another one of many books that qualify as reasonably good, but not great. The gimmick of the narrator claiming to have actually written the book, and complaining that adults can't truly capture the voice of a teenager, is a bit ironic, because I don't feel like the author captures a teenage voice all that well. On the other hand, I do like some of the grittier realism in the novel, and although some of the jokes fall flat (especially all the lists, which I started skipping over because I found them boring), I did enjoy the code words for swearing! Bottom line: I think the type of kids who would most enjoy reading this books are the ones who will find the cover and title least appealing. However, the fact that it made the PA Young Reader's Choice list will give it a huge boost, at least in my library.
April 16, 2012
13-yr. old writing a book (list of swear words replacements in beg. chapter!)about his life in Providence, RI city neighborhood - Dad fired from job at cleaning co. Mom works P/T in cleaners, brother Franklin in Iraq. Best friends: Lucky, big kid who "quits football to tick off his dad" and Jorge, short, skinny: "you'd label him a punk because he walks with an attitude... sometimes he's very mellow,... other days I wish his ear was an on-and-off switch, so I could lean over and shut him down." Vietnam vet neighbor and hermit-type weird guy, Jackson & his pitbull, Da Nang. Angel Dimitri, gangsta kid. John & his 2 friends have a leaf-raking business and end up helping out and becoming friends with Jackson. Lucky isn't lucky when he fall in pile of leaves where Angel's planted sharp cans. Happy ending. Good for 5-8th graders.
August 20, 2012
The thing I loved about this book was the realism of the setting and characters. Taking place in a run down neighborhood in Providence, John Smith Jr. AKA Houdini, has a brother serving in Iraq, a father who is worried about his job, and a mother who works to make ends meet. His friend Jorge has no idea who his father is. Houdini's other friend, Lucky, has an alcoholic father. The boys are afraid of the neighborhood bully, Angel Dimitri, and a neighbor they fear, Old Man Jackson, a one-armed, black Vietnam veteran, with a pet pit bull named Da Nang. When a famous author visits his school and challenges them to write a children's book, Houdini looks at it as a money-making project. As he writes the story of his life, he is surprised by the changes in himself and others.
This was a funny, yet touching story, well written and unpredictable.
This was a funny, yet touching story, well written and unpredictable.
September 30, 2012
Thirteen-year-old John "Houdini" Smith Jr. is inspired by a visiting author to start chronicling the events of his life, because he can certainly write about being a kid better than a lot of the authors he's read, whose thirteen-year-old characters are nothing like the real thing. And he has a lot to write about. His parents have big-time money worries; his older brother is a Marine in Iraq; his two best friends and he have just started a lawn-service business, courtesy of a sleazy politician; and the class bully has Houdini in his sights.
This story was such a refreshing surprise-- I was expecting a pleasant if predictable story, and what I got was something slightly reminiscent of the best of Jerry Spinelli and Gary Paulsen, but quite original. Houdini is a pretty cool kid-- and Peter Johnson is an author who definitely has a handle on authentic middle school voices.
This story was such a refreshing surprise-- I was expecting a pleasant if predictable story, and what I got was something slightly reminiscent of the best of Jerry Spinelli and Gary Paulsen, but quite original. Houdini is a pretty cool kid-- and Peter Johnson is an author who definitely has a handle on authentic middle school voices.
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