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Read how Pete tried to get famous here - an exclusive for this website!

Read an extract from the book here!

How to Get Famous

 

 

   NEWS ARCHIVE

Archived news from 2007 (see the news page for 2008/9 news!)

PETE JOHNSON SUPPORTS THE NATIONAL YEAR OF READING

Pete Johnson is a passionate supporter of libraries. And he has visited hundreds of schools and libraries over the past few years. He is excited by The National Year of Reading and was a guest speaker at the conference celebrating The National Year of Reading in Dorset in March. He will be giving a keynote address at Cambridgeshire Speaking and Listening Conference, ‘Tell Me More,’ at Girton College, Cambridge on 21st May.

Over the next few weeks Pete will also be visiting schools and libraries in Crawley, Twickenham, Wokingham, Solihull, Lowestoft (Book Mastermind Day) Enfield, Birmingham, Hayes, Broxbourne and St Albans.

Five Stars for 'The Bad Spy's Guide' The Bad Spy’s Guide
 
Ten year old Caitlin Molloy has selected The Bad Spy's Guide to review in The Sunday Express (29th July) She writes: 'This book grabs you from the first page and it's really funny. I think anyone aged seven or over would love it.' She gives it 5 Stars *****

The Sunday Express adds: 'We loved this book too; it would make a great holiday read.'

STOP PRESS: ''Help I'm a Classroom Gambler' on Government's list of recommended books for boys
 
Alan Johnson, the Education Secretary, in conjunction with the Library Association, has compiled a list of the best books for boys, including Help, I'm a Classroom Gambler, possibly Pete Johnson's cheekiest, funniest book. Other books on the list range from Shane to Jeremy Clarkson's autobiography.

'HELP! I'M A CLASSROOM GAMBLER' named as CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR

Pete Johnson's comedy romp, 'Help! I'm a Classroom Gambler' has won Leicester's Children's Book of the Year Award. The original long list of twenty books, the shortlist of five books and the winner was decided entirely by children across Leicester.

Leicester librarians described this shortlist as the strongest yet - and Pete (pictured below with fellow author Anthony Browne and fans, courtesy of Leicester Mercury) was delighted to win this prestigious award. He also liked the way children expressed their thoughts about the five shortlisted books through dance, music and drama at the ceremony.

The Bad Spy’s Guide

 

FREE DOWNLOADS ABOUT THE HERO GAME

Of all Pete Johnson's books, the most discussed is The Hero Game, in which Charlie discovers a dark secret about his granddad. Can you do something awful and still be a hero? Many schools are reading this book. And now you can gain a full scheme of work for The Hero Game and an interview with Pete Johnson on www.harcourt.co.uk/literature or call 01865 888080. The Hero Game is available from Puffin and also in the New Windmills Series (Heinemann) with a full range of follow-up activities.

AUTHOR OF THE YEAR!
Southark Teachers' Reading Groups have selected Pete Johnson to be their Author of the Year. Teachers and pupils from fifteen local schools who have been studying Pete's books are coming along to meet him at Charles Dickens School in London on July 4th at 4pm. Books will be provided by "Tales on Moon Lane", the children's bookshop.

Pete signingPETE GETS SOME HOMEWORK
At West Bromwich Town Hall on 12th July there was the final of the Secondary School Book Quiz. Year Seven students from nine local secondary schools were competing for the title of BOOK QUIZ CHAMPIONS. One of the four titles chosen for the quiz was Pete's Avenger. Pete was the Quiz's special guest and he was advised to revise his book very carefully - as some pupils know it extremely well!

BOOK OF THE YEAR!

Pete's comedy hit, Trust Me, I'm a Troublemaker, WON the Calderdale Children's Book of the Year Award.

A team of librarians and teachers drew up a shortlist of what they felt were the best children's books of the year. But they left the final decision to more than two hundred children (aged between 8 and 12). It was they who selected the final winner. Two of the young judges are pictured, left, with Pete at the awards ceremony.

"The day at Calderdale was brilliant," says Pete, "a real celebration of children's books. I was, of course, delighted to win - and some friends have already helped me drink the bottle of champagne I received."

Pete with EllieAlso, Avenger won the Best Shorter Novel award in the Sheffield Children's Book Awards. This gripping thriller was up against a very strong shortlist, which is chosen by the children of Sheffield, culminating in the awards ceremony in November last year. Pete is pictured, right, receiving his award from Ellie Crisell, the BBC Newsround presenter.