Books with author Mark Johnson

Childhood and adolescence were a virtual rollercoaster ride for Mark Johnson. In his second book—Tales of a Rollercoaster Operator: Stories from My Missouri Youth—he navigates the highs and lows of coming of age in St. Louis, Missouri, in the 1960s and 1970s. Experience Mark’s favorite growing-up twists and turns in this collection of twenty-six funny and poignant essays, including learning to drive a rollercoaster, discovering the joys of a first pet, embarking on a quest with his father to wrangle World Series tickets, and witnessing the wonder in a brand new year after a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger. This book of stories will inspire you to revisit your youth, dust-off your favorite memories, and find new meaning in the indelible moments that stay with you for a lifetime.

Esther the Wonder Pig meets Little Book of Sloth in this charming true story about the adorable Instagram stars, Pickles the pig and his friend—the hog-turned-hero—Tickles. Pickles the Pig (@LivingwithPickles) has been featured on The Dodo, Inside Edition, and People!Pickles is a pig, rescued as a wee one and now living it up at his forever home. But one day Pickles becomes very sick. His only hope? One big sow with an even bigger heart on a faraway farm…but will she get to Pickles in time? Learn the true story about one extraordinary pig and his savior in this inspiring photographic picture book!

Having retired to the bucolic splendor of the Calenbry holdings, Jess tries to make peace with the horrors she has endured, the stains upon her soul. But coming back home has its own risks, and if she doesn't think of something, her mother will see her in dresses, lace, and finishing school before the year is out, all hopes for knighthood and freedom put forever out of reach.Seeking diversion, an invitation to a gala is accepted. What Jess had hoped might be a momentary respite becomes poignant with the possibilities of love. And horror, as skies turn to rot and screams fill the air, vile abominations stalking panicked nobles as an entire holding slowly slips into darkest nightmare.Now Jess must embrace the madness of living dream once more if she is to have any hope of rescuing hundreds of souls desperate for salvation, and the one girl whose smile had touched her heart.

The Knight in Shining Armor is a children's book that defies the idea of your typical Knight in Shining Armor, complete with pictures.Be sure to check out other children's books by M.D. Johnson, to include:Alienation of the Alien NationBeastly’s Greatest FearBuddha’s GardenBug CityCat for HireThe Love CootiesBeautiful DreamerA Penny for Your ThoughtsInteresting Facts About Polar BearsThe Potty MouthThe Potato Who Dared to Be MoreWicked Wisdom: Monsters Words of Wisdom: Advice to Live ByThe Case of the Fallen Candy CaneTeddy-ku: Teddy Bear HaikuJive Turkey’s 12 Dishes of ThanksgivingAnd many more...

Do you love cool birds of prey like eagles, hawks, owls, vultures and falcons? We do too! Nature Kids shows everything we love about these fascinating creatures. They're big, fast, strong and they are the kings of the sky. This book has loads of interesting facts, and highlights some of the raptors most amazing traits. It's filled with lots of big, close-up pictures, you can explore the raptors most unique features. We even show you specific species and what makes them unique and cool: raptors like the Harpy eagle that hunts and eats monkeys and the Harris Hawk that hunts in packs to overwhelm their prey. Did you know a woman fell off a cliff to her death and was eaten by Griffon vultures? Yup! We have that in there too!

Asking for help is only the first step.Jennifer can’t go on like this―binging, purging, starving, and 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 relationship with food, and friends, and family―and how each 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 based on her own experience when she was hospitalized for an eating disorder as a teenager. The innovative format using blank verse and prose, changes in tense and voice, and forms, workbooks, and journal entries mirror Jennifer’s progress toward a healthy body and mind.

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.

Oscar is a strange looking little seagull. He is smaller than the others, a bit clumsy and has blue legs but he sure is loveable. Danger is in the air and Oscar's family is forced to flee, leaving Oscar alone. Come along with Oscar, a sheepdog named Cooper and a wise old eagle as they show us the meaning of courage, determination, teamwork, and friendship. I know, I know, a sheepdog usually chases seagulls and an eagle might see a seagull as today's dinner. The thing is that Oscar is just too loveable. Enjoy this heartwarming narrative supported by rich, colorful illustrations that breathe life and emotion into the characters.

Oscar is a strange looking little seagull. He is smaller than the others, a bit clumsy and has blue legs but he sure is loveable. Danger is in the air and Oscar's family is forced to flee, leaving Oscar alone. Come along with Oscar, a sheepdog named Cooper and a wise old eagle as they show us the meaning of courage, determination, teamwork, and friendship. I know, I know, a sheepdog usually chases seagulls and an eagle might see a seagull as today's dinner. The thing is that Oscar is just too loveable. Enjoy this heartwarming narrative supported by rich, colorful illustrations that breathe life and emotion into the characters.

The Runner – the first book in the young adult dystopian Avi Bloom series…Ten years ago the president of the United States declared that global warming had reached a tipping point from which it would not recover. In answer to this dilemma, modern technology was shut down. The elderly and other volunteers could opt to live out the rest of their lives in a virtual world, but all others were left to fend for themselves.Avi Bloom lives in a world in which each family must contribute one child as a runner. A runner risks life and limb to travel from village to village delivering news and other small items. Avi is one run shy of retiring when she discovers that whole villages are disappearing, leaving only a few dead bodies and the youngest children behind. Now, Avi must find out who or what is responsible for these missing people as she goes on a journey and discovers friendship, love, and betrayal. She also discovers that the forces behind these disappearances are much larger and more frightening than she could ever have imagined. This is a young adult novel with mild violence.