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I Am Leaper
Leaper, a kangaroo rat who can communicate with humans, enlists the aid of a boy named Julian to help defeat a "monster" that has been terrorizing the desert where she lives.
- GenresChildrens
105 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1990
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Annabel Johnson
30 books9 followersFrom the age of twelve, Annabel was dedicated to a future of being an author, so that by the time she was twenty she had begun to see the happenings of her life as material for books to come. Prior to her writing career she worked in publishing houses as a librarian, as a legal secretary, and in other secretarial posts.
In 1955 she and her husband Edgar began their co-authorship by writing historical novels of the old West, traveling the country, visiting the scenes of their stories and delving into their research while living in an eight-foot camping trailer, trying to make ends meet on an author’s meager royalties. They had no home base, except a certain spot in the Mojave Desert in winter, and another site in the National Forest in Wyoming in the summer.
The Johnsons co-authored many popular works of historical and science fiction both for young adults and adults. They began their career together, however, with several novels set in the Old West, intending to bring that period to life for children far removed from the country. They spent several years traveling throughout the western United States, seeking out little known facets of western history, and compiling accounts of old-timers they met, and of their own experiences. As time passed they shifted their focus more toward the present era, in an effort to help their readers come to terms with today's world.
In 1966, with the growing success of their books, they settled in Denver, but after Edgar’s death, Annabel came home to Arizona, to continue her career in the desert setting she has always loved. She bought a lovely home in Leisure World and settled in. With each new novel she wrote her excitement never left her.
Annabell Jones Johnson passed into a new life February 9, 2013.
In 1955 she and her husband Edgar began their co-authorship by writing historical novels of the old West, traveling the country, visiting the scenes of their stories and delving into their research while living in an eight-foot camping trailer, trying to make ends meet on an author’s meager royalties. They had no home base, except a certain spot in the Mojave Desert in winter, and another site in the National Forest in Wyoming in the summer.
The Johnsons co-authored many popular works of historical and science fiction both for young adults and adults. They began their career together, however, with several novels set in the Old West, intending to bring that period to life for children far removed from the country. They spent several years traveling throughout the western United States, seeking out little known facets of western history, and compiling accounts of old-timers they met, and of their own experiences. As time passed they shifted their focus more toward the present era, in an effort to help their readers come to terms with today's world.
In 1966, with the growing success of their books, they settled in Denver, but after Edgar’s death, Annabel came home to Arizona, to continue her career in the desert setting she has always loved. She bought a lovely home in Leisure World and settled in. With each new novel she wrote her excitement never left her.
Annabell Jones Johnson passed into a new life February 9, 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 14, 2013
Unlike most people who read Annabell's book "I Am Leaper", I did not read it in school or buy it online, it was Annabell's personal copy's I read while experiencing the desert songs in the heart of the Mojave desert. Actually read in two days.
I went out to the location where my Dad's cousin Annabell (this is the correct spelling) wrote the story, where the Kangaroo Rat lived, where the turquoise mine is, where turtles still can be found.
As for monsters, they are still there too, but not any as the days warm up. I heard none and saw not a sole; I heard only the huge quite of the desert Annabell so loved. I was out there looking for her winter camping site where she would live half the year working on her book with husband Edgar.
They are both passed now, and my last task for Annabell was to spread her ashes in the place she loved so, the Desert. Although I could not find the exact spot, according to the photos she gave me, I did find a suitable location. I will return each year till I find it.
I will be building a web-site for Annabell & Edgar Johnson, where details of their life and books can be found…
Sid Kramer
I went out to the location where my Dad's cousin Annabell (this is the correct spelling) wrote the story, where the Kangaroo Rat lived, where the turquoise mine is, where turtles still can be found.
As for monsters, they are still there too, but not any as the days warm up. I heard none and saw not a sole; I heard only the huge quite of the desert Annabell so loved. I was out there looking for her winter camping site where she would live half the year working on her book with husband Edgar.
They are both passed now, and my last task for Annabell was to spread her ashes in the place she loved so, the Desert. Although I could not find the exact spot, according to the photos she gave me, I did find a suitable location. I will return each year till I find it.
I will be building a web-site for Annabell & Edgar Johnson, where details of their life and books can be found…
Sid Kramer
August 20, 2008
A young kangaroo rat allows himself to be captured by a laboratory in order to warn them of a monster that is terrorizing the desert and to ask for help on behalf of all the animals there. The only one who really listens to Leaper though is a young boy who cleans the lab.
A good premise but the ending doesn't tell us much. We understand Julien will take the consequences of his actions, but I'd have liked resolution.
A good premise but the ending doesn't tell us much. We understand Julien will take the consequences of his actions, but I'd have liked resolution.
October 18, 2018
I enjoyed it, but it could have been fleshed out a bit more: Julian's character, the laboratory, and the resolution all seemed a bit sparse. What does really shine is the author's love for the desert environment and the creatures that call it home. Another strong point is Leaper: her perspective is very well portrayed, allowing the reader to see the world through the eyes of a kangaroo rat.
I read it with my eight-year-old daughter. She liked it and always wanted to read on!
I read it with my eight-year-old daughter. She liked it and always wanted to read on!
October 23, 2021
Wonderful little science fantasy. With a particularly powerful revelation that makes it like a fable, too. Recommended for children not ready for Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. Except for one mistake; it's birds, not lizards, that are descended from dinosaurs. Avl. on openlibrary.org.
October 27, 2025
why did I want to much more from this 😭 was a quick and fun read with my daughter and she certainly learned some new vocab, but overall wasn't really blown away by this
August 8, 2023
It was a good short read. I remember seeing this on my shelf a bit ago and wanting to read it again but I never did until now. like I stated, it was a short book I was able to read it in a day and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a break from a longer-read.
March 24, 2009
Lyra in 4th Grade writes, "I like the fun and excitement between a kangaroo rat named Leaper and a boy named Julian"
February 12, 2016
I laerned that you need to be careful in your environment
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews