Books with author J. J. Johnson

Forged in Fire Miraculously, Alex had survived the crucible of combat and emerged victorious, earning the right to attend Dragon Academy.But his trials had only begun.For Alex had dared the unthinkable.A despised Ruidian entering Dragon Academy was an abomination the school’s elite would stop at nothing to destroy, eager to cripple or kill him if they possibly could.Even worse, Alex’s mentor was notorious for throwing his disciples into the thick of any conflict, no matter how unfair the odds.Alex knew only two paths lay before him:To be forged in the fires of his enemies’ hate into a killing blade capable of cutting down all his foes…Or to be hammered into slag, never to rise again.Eager for a fast-paced Wuxia/LitRPG adventure filled with deadly adversaries, exotic adventures, and mighty cultivators fighting for the power to topple kingdoms? Then read on!

Freedom at Any CostAlex’s last clear memory was of racing into battle, on a desperate mission of mercy.Before waking up with a collar of steel about his neck, stripped of all weapons and armor, soon to be sold at auction.Never had Alex faced such steep hurdles to achieving his dreams.Never had he been more determined to make those dreams come true.So marks the beginning of a perilous journey that would see Alex facing down vile slavers, corrupt merchants, ferocious spirit beasts, and bloodthirsty cultivators eager to see him fall.No matter what it took, Alex was determined to reach Dragon Academy and learn the cultivator’s arts.Because in a world where strength was everything, only the strong could truly be free.Eager for a fast-paced Wuxia/LitRPG adventure filled with deadly adversaries, exotic adventures, and mighty cultivators fighting for the power to topple kingdoms? Then read on!

"Incredible and searing." --Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear MartinThe Hate U Give meets Just Mercy in this unflinching yet uplifting first novel that explores the racist injustices in the American justice system.Every week, seventeen-year-old Tracy Beaumont writes letters to Innocence X, asking the organization to help her father, an innocent Black man on death row. After seven years, Tracy is running out of time--her dad has only 267 days left. Then the unthinkable happens. The police arrive in the night, and Tracy's older brother, Jamal, goes from being a bright, promising track star to a "thug" on the run, accused of killing a white girl. Determined to save her brother, Tracy investigates what really happened between Jamal and Angela down at the Pike. But will Tracy and her family survive the uncovering of the skeletons of their Texas town's racist history that still haunt the present?Fans of Nic Stone, Tiffany D. Jackson, and Jason Reynolds won't want to miss this provocative and gripping debut.

Val had returned from his latest tour of duty scarred in body and soul. Barely able to walk and drugged to the gills for pain, he thought his killing days were finally behind him.He couldn't have been more wrong. Endless Online, a hyper futuristic game where players could truly live another life. Val loved the idea of starting over in virtual reality. But when someone he cares about turns up missing after chasing that same dream, Val quickly learns that Endless is no simple game. And if Val can't figure out the dark secrets behind this realm of wizards, warriors, and intergalactic conquest, then it's game over. For everyone.

Islandia had been without a High King for a generation. Eloy, the last High King, embarked upon a journey shrouded in mystery after a cryptic warning found from a long lost prophet promised a return of ancient dark forces. Eloy had placed the rule of Islandia and the five kingdoms in the hands of his closest friend, King Richard. After thirty years most have long since stopped looking for Eloy's return or the darkness foretold. Many under Richard's rule have grown discontent and jealous of his appointment. All hope for peace is lost and chaos reigns after the icy hand of an assassin takes the life of King Richard and plucks him from the throne. What now? Will Prince Titus, Richard's son, have the strength to hold Islandia together, or will it descend into war over the High King's throne! The kingdom is divided by the sword as each must decide where their loyalties lie.

Becky Albertalli meets Jenny Han in a smart, hilarious, black girl magic, own voices rom-com by a staggeringly talented new writer.Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?

There should be more to life than just surviving, Even in a post-apocalyptic world gone to hell. A lonely 18 year old Kris Robertson left his mountain hideaway only to discover a deserted city of isolated individuals scrambling over the debris. Young girls being abducted, wild dogs attacking people. Scared young people hiding from raiding parties and each other. Scavenging for a life amongst the remains of the past. There is no community, no one in charge. Kris must decide whether to assume that responsibility or walk away. When Kris saves two young girls from a slaver’s raiding party, the decision is made for him. He discovers he is responsible for other’s wellbeing and always will be. Realizing the only safety is in a community working together. Kris and his collected band of misfits create a sanctuary on the rooftops of the city. A place away from the wild animals and wilder men. Unfortunately, anything good, anything of value, will be coveted by others. Kris and his friends must fight to save what they have built, or run and never be a family again.

Beautiful Dreamer is a juvenile fiction e-book for children ages 5 and up, showcasing a poem with pictorial depictions of ideologies that Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream encompassed. Check out more from this author at: http://maryannesbookshelf.com/childrens-corner/Written with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in mind and his dream, told in poetic form, this book asks the question –if his dream can become a reality?Beautiful Dreamer features 25 plus pages of black and white graphics from various graphic artists, to give it a classic look, with depictions of political imagery that is both methodical and inspiring. It features the following advanced vocabulary words to strengthen your child's vocabulary:leprechaunstreacherouslimericksshammagnificentfaithjusticeequalityfreedomremembrancecreedcredohymnshumanitiesprophecyspiritualbrevitycultureexhilaratingstrugglesinsanealternativewarpedattainedsubmergedcircumventevadedeceptivelydistractionconnedIf you enjoyed this title from author M.D. Johnson, be sure to check out her other wisdom infused books for kids:A Penny for Your ThoughtsWicked Wisdom: Monsters Words of Wisdom: Advice to Live ByBuddha’s GardenA Girl’s Guide to LoveObama’s WisdomA Kiss GoodnightThe Falling StarProverbs of AfricaAfrican ProverbsAfrican Proverbs IINative American ProverbsSometimesSore LoserFacing ChallengeAuthor M.D. Johnson has published over 80 children’s books, has a B.A. in English and Master of Management degree in Business and is a mother and wife. She is a well-traveled adventurer, poet, author, blogger and playwright with many more up and coming stories to tell. Website: http://maryannesbookshelf.com

Val thought it was over, having gambled with fate itself for the lives of all those he loved.He did not expect to wake up in a hospital bed, in the crosshairs of a professional killer.A friend he thought lost forever shows him a mysterious game that only a select few can jack into. It's the perfect escape, and what seems a fun lark becomes all too real as he enters a realm where level-ups affect both worlds, dying in game is dying for real, and no one is hungrier for Val's secrets then the men hunting for his head.Time is running out for Val and everyone he loves. So much for happy endings.

It's not always the quest for the cup. Sometimes, it's the quest for what's in the cup.Lance wants nothing more than to be there to fight the dragons for his beloved Princess Alexandra. With his faithful steed by his side, Lance sets out for the magic elixir found only in the Holy Grail. With its strengthening power, facing off an old hag, the bewitching woods, and the strange ogre who lives under a bridge should be easy. But when it comes to Alexandra's dragons, things aren't quite what they all seem to be. Will Lance's gift be enough -- or will his princess require something even more powerful to sustain her? Pull up a cup of your favorite "elixir" and enjoy this sweet and snarky satire story from C. S. Johnson, where the dragons are real, even if they aren't. FROM THE STORY: Every knight has a quest, and every quest has its reward.As a knight-errant, albeit one still in training, with only a year of service behind him, Lance took his duty seriously. But waking up was also a serious business, and that was why, despite the midmorning light flickering over his face, Lance was still half asleep. His faithful steed stepped up to help him, breathing smelly fumes into his face.“Blah!” Lance sputtered, trying to clear his tongue of the frothy waft. “What have you been eating, Percy?”His pet’s pungent wake-up call forced Lance to roll over. When the heat of Percy’s breath continued to eat into the shield of his pending sleep, Lance finally gave in to his beast’s rude awakening.“Alright, I’m getting up. Back from me, you fearsome brute.”The horse was far from intimidated by Lance’s waking grogginess; instead, he moved closer to his master, nuzzling him with his wet nose.“You’re lucky you’re the runt of your family,” Lance grumbled, sitting up. He patted down his hair, brushing the chestnut locks out of his eyes, before taking in the full sight of the bouncing creature before him. “Or you would be tied outside, like the ones at my mother’s house.”Percy gave a small yip, and the nuzzle became a nudge.“Alright, alright,” Lance muttered, petting his horse’s long, flowing mane playfully. “I know you’re hungry.”He also knew there was no point in trying to sleep when Percy was hungry—no matter how sleepy he still was.“I suppose you’re right, anyway, Percy.” Lance yawned and rubbed his hands over his face. “We promised the princess we would save her today, and every knight knows there is nothing more important than completing his quest.”Lance tossed Percy several treats and stroked his pet affectionately, before he put on his armor for the day. He pulled a breastplate polished to a shine over his head, slipped his feet into protective boots, and even donned a helmet to protect his face from the bright summer sunshine.Before too long, he stepped outside his quarters. Percy came trotting eagerly after him. With his steed at his side and a grin on his face, Lance set out into the morning to see his princess.“Princess Alexandra, I am coming for you,” he called out rapturously, eager to see his beloved once more.FROM THE AUTHOR: It's a good romantic tale that hints at the darker sides of depression and mental health, and the troubles we sometimes face when we befriend our demons, with liquid portals, jokes about avocados, strange references to illegal plants, and coffee runs. What's not to love? WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING: "... An endearing story of love ... " ~ Dee Bookworm

Islandia had been without a High King for a generation. Eloy, the last High King, embarked upon a journey shrouded in mystery after a cryptic warning found from a long lost prophet promised a return of ancient dark forces. Eloy had placed the rule of Islandia and the five kingdoms in the hands of his closest friend, King Richard. After thirty years most have long since stopped looking for Eloy's return or the darkness foretold. Many under Richard's rule have grown discontent and jealous of his appointment. All hope for peace is lost and chaos reigns after the icy hand of an assassin takes the life of King Richard and plucks him from the throne. What now? Will Prince Titus, Richard’s son, have the strength to hold Islandia together, or will it descend into war over the High King’s throne! The kingdom is divided by the sword as each must decide where their loyalties lie. -Experience an edge of your seat thrill ride as each kingdom of Islandia seeks to carve out their own rule-Explore a tale of loyalty and lordship

Asking for help is only the first step Jennifer can’t go on like this—binging, purging, starving, all while trying to appear like she’s got it all together. But when she finally confesses her secret to her parents and is hospitalized at the Samuel Tuke Center, her journey is only beginning. As Jennifer progresses through her treatment, she learns to recognize her relationships with food, friends, and family—and how each relationship is healthy or unhealthy. She has to learn to trust herself and her own instincts, but that’s easier than it sounds. She has to believe—after many years of being a believarexic. Using her trademark dark humor and powerful emotion, J. J. Johnson tells an inspiring story that is based on her own experience of being hospitalized for an eating disorder as a teenager. The innovative format—which tells Jennifer’s story through blank verse and prose, with changes in tense and voice, and uses forms, workbooks, and journal entries—mirrors the protagonist’s progress toward a healthy body and mind.