Books with author J. T. (John Townsend)

Barney’s wanted: preferably dead and silenced forever…They’re after him – but Barney doesn’t know who they are until he discovers a deadly terrorist plot.After a series of lucky escapes, he tries to strike back and get help but no one will believe him – not his teacher, not the police and not even MI5.The only person who will listen is Laura but can two teenagers outwit such a sinister terror attack?Time is running out. FASTComments from schools on CRASH DIVE…"All the Year 5 and 6 pupils found John Townsend so engaging and very amusing! The response days after has been fantastic, the boys are desperate to get hold of his books."Mr Stuart Woodburn, KS2 English: Aston Fields Middle School.“The children John Townsend met last week rushed for his books when brought into the library yesterday by their teacher. She was surprised and very pleased as some hadn't read anything for a long time. No copies of the Barney series are left on the shelves and Crash Dive disappeared immediately!”Penny Bates, Librarian at The Chase High School, MalvernCrash Dive appears on the Years 7 & 8 recommended reading list at Sweyne Park, Rayleigh: ‘This is not a list of what we believe children should be reading, it’s a list of quality books that others have enjoyed reading. School Librarian – Michelle Waghorn: “Crash Dive was described by Year 7 Emily as ‘the best book ever’ and she has already read the first twenty chapters over the weekend!’ ‘John Townsend showcased Crash Dive, the latest in his adventure stories. “John always inspires the pupils and his books are very popular. The pupils enjoyed speaking to him and gaining insights into his books and writing.” Linda Bromyard, school librarian’ (Worcester News)Comments from readers about Crash DiveA no-holds-barred, pull-out-all-the-stops, breathless tangle of a teenage thriller. Townsend manages to hurl his readers along a path of humour, suspense and thrills with more twists and turns than a flippin scary roller coaster - I'm shattered! Toby B, aged 14.Let me first start off by saying what a brilliant book! By far it’s my favourite book yet. What I loved about the book was the expression of Barney's emotions whenever someone mentions his attitude and whenever someone wouldn't believe him. I've never read a book that really makes me feel like I was the character! I also love the description in Chapter 15, which is probably my favorite chapter. Just the scene of sitting next to a window while it rains, drinking coffee and talking to a friend - for some reason I find this really moving and sometimes I fantasize about me being in that position. I have recommended this book to lots of my friends who haven't read it yet and what makes my copy of the book is the fact I had it signed!Ciarán B (Year 8)The book was very dramatic and there was a lot of action in it. I liked reading it to myself out loud because I wanted to express my emotions when I was reading it. My favourite character was the dodgy American woman who kept changing her appearance. I liked her because she was mysterious and sometimes evil. She tricked Barney and manipulated him. The other character I liked was Seb who was on the plane with Barney also. He was good because he always looked on the bright side of everything no matter what. I liked Barney because he was always getting into trouble and this made him funny!Gabriel M (Year 7)

"I’m at that special age: 12. It is one of my favourite numbers in the whole universe. In fact, it’s my perfect number. 12 isn’t just the sum of 10 (the base of our whole amazing number system) and 2 (the only even prime number in the cosmos) but it’s the first number with 1, 2, 3 and 4 asfactors. I reckon that’s so cool."Eliot thinks outside the box. He can’t help it. Numbers are his thing – and letters, too. So when the biggest mystery that struck his school in the history of the world needs to be solved, Eliot is the one to call on. Can you solve the mystery and find out who did it – before Eliot does? This time the solution isn’t in the real world (the ‘real’ world of the story). Instead it’s inside the book itself– locked away in a series of puzzles. Can you find the clues, solve the puzzles and find theculprit?

Princess Bare Foot and The Tales from Togetherland came about through a chance meeting of John Townsend with Nimsi Micaelo. That chance meeting revealed Nimsis ideas for a book for children. She had the title already in her head, Princess Bare Foot. From their repeated conversations and exchanges of ideas, with John turning Nimsis ideas into short stories along with his own ideas, Princess Bare Foot and The Tales from Togetherland was born. The flow of ideas from Nimsi and John has continued resulting in a second book, even into a third book. The book holds fast to childhoodinnocent, dreamlike, and happy.