Janet Sumner Johnson
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Books

The Winterton Deception 1: Final Word (MG series)(Pixel + Ink, October 2023):

In this twisty middle grade mystery for fans of Knives OutThe Inheritance Game, and The Westing Game, thirteen-year-old twins Hope and Gordon enter a spelling bee in a last-ditch effort to save their family from financial ruin, only to find themselves in a cut-throat competition to uncover a fortune and dark secrets about the wealthy relations they’ve never known.

A tense, clever clue hunt unafraid to tackle the challenges and secrets often kept behind closed doors, Final Word is a gripping series starter sure to satisfy even the most voracious armchair detectives.

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Pre-order through The King’s English for a signed copy!!

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Praise for Final Word:

★ “[O]vertones of Agatha Christie. . . . Intelligent, intricately plotted, and ultimately moving.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ “In this nuanced first-person narrative, clever riddles, high-stakes competition, and fraught family drama keep the pages turning, while keenly rendered characters . . . discover the value of kindness, the harm of preconceived notions, and the folly of equating wealth with happiness.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “A pleasing smash-up of middle-grade mysteries with several meaty loose ends and a surprising final reveal, the true mystery here is how you’ll appease readers while they await the sequel. Can you say c-i-r-c-u-l-a-t-i-o-n?”—Booklist, Starred Review

“The enticing combination of spelling bee drama, treasure hunt puzzles, family secrets, and a stunning final twist will keep readers enthralled.”—School Library Journal

“I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough—The Winterton Deception had me hooked!”—Jennifer A. Nielsen, #1 New York Times bestselling author

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Book cover for Not My Circus. A little girl in a yellow jacket and blue skirt stands in front of several circus animals, including an elephant spraying water everywhere. Not My Circus (Capstone, January 1, 2024):

Olivia was supposed to buy eggs at the store. Instead, she bought a circus! Between food fights and a lack of potty training, her mom is not thrilled. When Mr. Victor refuses to take the animals back, it’s off to the zoo for Olivia’s new friends . . . unless she can find a way to prove that she is in control of her circus. Janet Sumner Johnson (Braver Than Brave, A Bad Case of the Almosts, and Help Wanted, Must Love Books) takes a simple idiom and turns it into a hilarious story of one girl’s love of animals, weaving in themes of responsibility, determination, and creative thinking.

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A book cover. An illustration of a young girl with brown hair and light brown skin in a yellow sweater with pink trim stands in front of a roller coaster. Text reads, "Braver than Brave"Braver than Brave (Capstone, August 2022):

Wanda desperately wants to be brave like her big brother Zane, but it’s not easy. When the Coaster of Doom opens at the amusement park, Wanda is determined to conquer it. But up close, it’s scarier than she thought! With all eyes on her, she must find the confidence to be her own kind of brave.

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Help Wanted: Must Love Books (Capstone, March 2020):

When Shailey’s dad gets a new job, she loses her bedtime reading partner. She immediately starts interviews to fill the position and is thrilled when her favorite fairy tale characters line up to apply. But Sleeping Beauty can’t stay awake, the Gingerbread Man steals her book, and Snow White brings her whole team. Shailey is running out of options. Is bedtime ruined forever?

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PB&J SocietyThe Last Great Adventure of the PB&J Society (MG)(Capstone, 2016):

Some things are better together. Like peanut butter and jelly. Or Annie and Jason. So when her best friend’s house is threatened with foreclosure, Annie Jenkins is bursting with ideas to save Jason’s home. She could sell her appendix on eBay. (Why not?) Win the lottery. (It’s worth a shot!). Face the evil bankers herself. (She’s one tough cookie, after all.) Or hung down an elusive (and questionably real) pirate treasure. Whatever the plan, it has to work, or this is undoubtedly THE LAST GREAT ADVENTURE OF THE PB&J SOCIETY.

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A Bad Case of the Almosts (Capstone, January 2023):

The Almosts are ruining Abby’s life! She’s almost tall enough. She’s almost a star student. She’s almost first in line–and on and on it goes. So why even bother entering the science fair? The Almosts will ruin it anyway. But what if Abby is wrong? Maybe the almosts can actually be a good thing . . .

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The Recess Genius 1: Open for Business (Pixel + Ink, March 2023):

Regina Grey muddles her math, splutters her spelling, and gets jumbled up in gym.

Still, she’s always been good at disappearing into her books.

But when she discovers a new skill on the playground, will it ruin the only thing she’s ever been good at?

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The Recess Genius 2: TBA (PB Series) (Pixel + Ink, April 30, 2024)

The Recess Genius is back! There are still tons of tricky problems on the playground, but the upcoming talent show might be just the solution to help with them all. The second book in the RECESS GENIUS series from the author of HELP MUST LOVE BOOKS and the illustrator of HELLO WORLD!

Regina Grey, the Recess Genius, can solve any problem. Brother problems and friend problems. Bug problems and pen problems.

But when no one signs up for the talent show? That problem requires some extra thought. And there are other issues that need Regina’s special skill set and attention.

Still, sometimes one simple answer is all the solution you need for the show to go on. After all, the Recess Genius is very talented.

The second book in The Recess Genius picture book series from the author of HELP MUST LOVE BOOKS and the illustrator of HELLO, WORLD! charms with funny, warm celebration of out-of-the-box thinking and an unforgettable heroine sure to solve any reading dilemma.

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The Winterton Deception 2: TBA (MG Series) (Pixel + Ink, October 2024):