Books with author John Pearson

The Japanese hold a Mogi ceremony for young women coming of age. Latina teenagers get quinceaneras. And Janice Wills of Melva, NC ... has to compete in the Miss Livermush pageant. Janice loves anthropology--the study of human cultures--and her observations help her identify useful rules in the chaotic world of high school. For instance: Dancing is an effective mating ritual--but only if you're good at it; Hot Theatre Guys will never speak to Unremarkable Smart Girls like Janice and her best friend, Margo; and a Beautiful Rich Girl will always win Melva's annual Miss Livermush pageant. But when a Hot Theatre Guy named Jimmy Denton takes an interest in Janice, all her scientific certainties explode. For the first time, she has to be part of the culture that she's always observed; and all the charts in the world can't prove how tough--and how sweet--real participation and a real romance can be. Funny, biting, and full of wisdom, this marks the debut of a writer to watch.

'The Dangerous Caves of Botown' is a children's adventure/fantasy story set in the fictional seaside town of Botown where Zach and Lucy Watson are on holiday with their parents. The year is 1995 and the adventure is sparked off by the family's interest in Botown museum's 50th Anniversary celebrations. These include a tour of the local 'dangerous' caves where ancient artefacts were discovered during a dig in 1970. The Watson's join the tour and learn that Botown has a history of human settlement dating back to the earliest of times. Further exploration by the children and their friends, Ben and Cathy, leads them to an exciting adventure and the discovery of something amazing about the caves which helps to explain a mystery that has troubled inhabitants of Botown for centuries.