Books with author J. J. Carlson

Going Bovine meets Trainspotting in this gritty portrait of at-risk teens gaming the prescription drug trial system. Meet Audie: Professional lab rat. Guinea pig. Serial human test subject. For Audie and her friends, “volunteering” for pharmaceutical drug trials means a quick fix and easy cash. Sure, there’s the occasional nasty side effect, but Audie’s got things under control. If Monday’s pill causes a rash, Tuesday’s ointment usually clears it right up. Wednesday’s injection soothes the sting from Tuesday’s “cure,” and Thursday’s procedure makes her forget all about Wednesday’s headache. By the time Friday rolls around, there’s plenty of cash in hand and perhaps even a slot in a government-funded psilocybin study, because WEEKEND! But the best fix of all is her boyfriend, Dylan, whose terminal illness just makes them even more compatible. He’s turning eighteen soon, so Audie is saving up to make it an unforgettable birthday. That means more drug trials than ever before, but Dylan is worth it. No pain, no gain, Audie tells herself as the pills wear away at her body and mind. No pain, no gain, she repeats as her grip on reality starts to slide. . . . Raw and irreverent, Placebo Junkies will captivate readers until the very end, when author J. C. Carleson leans in for a final twist of the knife.

Aldric is content working in his family’s apple orchard—or as content as a fourteen-year-old-boy can be doing chores and dreaming up new magic—when he digs up an antique ring and releases a rude spell-bound unicorn. She claims she belongs to the king, but after her long imprisonment, she can’t tell Aldric which king that might be. Aldric promises to take her to the capital, and suddenly a simple three-day trip becomes an adventure.War is building on his country’s borders, and even with the help of Aldric’s new friend Iggy, and Gwen, the general’s daughter, it’s going to take all the military sword training, courage, and magic Aldric has to find the unicorn’s rightful king. Promises will be made, the bonds of family and friendship will be tested, with a war which changes everything.Can an apple farmer and one rude war unicorn save the country from the approaching enemy?A unicorn, a dragon, and magicians, just as they’re found in J. R. R. Tolkien’s masterpieces, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, or C. S. Lewis’ Narnia tales.

15-year-old Ricky discovers from his companion, Thram, the Spikonians are invading their homeland. Transforming with the war unicorn, Neighbor, into one warrior-unicorn-man, they complete the two-week journey to the capital in just two days, only to discover it in ruins. Searching the rubble of his family’s home, Ricky reads part of a magic spell. As he speaks, the boy standing nearby sprouts a wing and collapses. Furious with Aldric’s irresponsible use of magic, Neighbor leaves him.Separated from the unicorn for the first time in over a year, Unicorn Keeper Ricky, refocuses and determines to set his family free, as well as all the captured citizens. However, Ricky’s plans change to urgency when he discovers the witch-magician Alyse seeks to kill his mother. He is only able to rescue a few family members, including his Spikonian brother-in-law, Drake. The clash between Ricky and Drake becomes more than about race, providing for emotionally packed dialogue with actions of love and hate, of family and singleness, of aloneness and belonging. The war unicorn rejoins them to add her counsel. Ricky and Neighbor mend their fragile relationship as they journey through wilderness encounters with nature and mythical creatures.In the meantime, castle-raised Lord Thram was given the responsibility of returning and protecting the dragon-raised Princess Celeste, missing for fourteen years. The feral princess is anything but civilized. But when the king’s consort, Lady Katrina, denies Thram palace entrance, he slips into his old habit of sneaking in the shadows where he discovers plots and deceptions.Can Ricky and Thram complete their goals to once more unite in fighting evil?

How can a 15-year-old magician expect to rescue his family and king when no one else is willing to? Aldric and the war unicorn Neighbor must find and rejoin the remnant of the Farhner army, but to reach them, they need to travel through enemy territory with their only companions a band of thieves.The Farhner general is more interested in self-preservation than in saving the king and other Farhnerians. He commands Rick to work on the Bottoms' wall where the other outcasts live. Aldric is not the only one frustrated with the general’s inaction to rescue. Desertion is out of the question, yet so is doing nothing to save their king and country.Are thieves and a handful of magicians enough to hide and heal a healing unicorn? And what about the ghosts King Segan told Rick to bring? Worst yet, Rick must confront his nemesis, the witch Alyse. Is there any hope for Farhner?

Have you ever felt the pressure to fit in? Back in her day, Grandma did too. She bought her clothes from The Hap and tried to be just like Mallory Emma McBane. Until Mallory started acting like Laura LaVan. Young readers will love Cami Carlson's fun, rhyming story that shows the silliness that comes from trying to be just like others. You too can learn to accept the truth when someone says, "Hey! You're Great!"