Most Popular Books by Janet Tashjian

A hard-hitting novel that breaks open the gritty world of teen relationship abuse, by the author of The Gospel According to Larry "Unlike Abby, I hadn''t had a boyfriend since Peter last year, and even that was stretching the definition of boyfriend way past anything Webster would recognize. I had better luck holding the attention of a roomful of people in a comedy club than a guy-I couldn''t decide if that was good or just plain pathetic." Seventeen-year-old Becky Martin-smart, funny, ambitious-aspires to be a stand-up comic. While setting out to make her goal a reality, she meets Kip Costello, a rising star in the San Francisco comedy-club scene. And what could be better than an intense boyfriend who cares about every detail of her life? But Becky soon discovers a darker side to Kip, where emotional and physical abuse grow hand-in-hand. As the relationship goes from loving to controlling, Becky must find the courage to get help before it''s too late. In this powerful novel, Janet Tashjian tackles the difficult and complex subject of teen relationship abuse from the viewpoints of both the victim and the perpetrator, showing that there are no easy answers for either-but many brave survivors.

Monica, a fourteen-year-old perfectionist and word game expert, tries to break free from all of the suffocating rules in her life by creating a game for living called Multiple Choice.

The year is 1971 and the place is Laurel Canyon, California. Quinn, a fourteen-year-old music "encyclopedia," writes a music column—called "For What It''s Worth"—for his school paper. But Quinn''s world is about to change when he is faced with helping a war dodger and must make some tough decisions. When he starts receiving cryptic Ouija board messages from Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix (all members of the 27 Club), he knows he is in over his head. Fortunately for Quinn, his new girlfriend Caroline helps him get a grip and channel his inner self.

Summer''s finally here, and Derek Fallon is looking forward to pelting the UPS truck with water balloons, climbing onto the garage roof, and conducting silly investigations. But when his parents decide to send him to Learning Camp, Derek''s dreams of fun come to an end. Ever since he''s been labeled a "reluctant reader," his mom has pushed him to read "real" books-something other than his beloved Calvin & Hobbes. As Derek forges unexpected friendships and uncovers a family secret involving himself (in diapers! no less), he realizes that adventures and surprises are around the corner, complete with curve balls. My Life as a Book is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children''s Book of the Year.

Twelve-year-old Tru wants two things more than anything else in the world--to find a cure for her twin brother, Eddie, who is developmentally delayed, and to create her own television show. So the day Tru learns about a teen video competition on the local cable network, she knows that this is her change to make both of her dreams come true. But the more she gets involved in the making of her video documentary about Eddie, the more Tru begins to understand his special needs and the complexity of her relationship with him. Eddie seems like a burden from time to time, but he just may be the most important person in Tru''s life. Written in the form of a computer diary, this refreshingly humorous novel, narrated by a sassy heroine sensitively portrays the struggles and triumph of living with a sibling with special needs.

Book 7 of the much-loved My Life series that has the irrepressible Derek Fallon starting his own Youtube web series! Derek Fallon finally found something to get excited about at school—an extracurricular class on making videos! Together with his friends Carly, Matt, and Umberto, Derek can’t wait to create his own Youtube web series. But he soon realizes Youtube stardom is a lot of work. On top of that, it’s time for his foster monkey Frank to go to monkey college so Derek must scramble to find a reason for Frank to stay with his family—if only a little while longer. Can Derek solve both problems at once? What if Frank became a part of Derek''s Youtube videos? Here''s another funny and thoughtful novel in the series that centers around most every tween today’s pastime—Youtube! Christy Ottaviano Books

Derek Fallon gets the chance of a lifetime—to participate in a gaming company focus group and to test out a new video game called "Arctic Ninja." Together with his friends Carly, Matt, and Umberto, Derek thinks his gaming talents will be showcased. But he soon realizes that everyone has got him beat, including whiz kid El Cid. On top of that, school reading tests have begun and Derek feels doubly off his game. Isn''t there anything he''s good at?

In Book Three of the popular "My Life . . ." series by Janet Tashjian, Derek Fallon''s plan to help out a new classmate backfires miserably There''s a new kid in Derek Fallon''s class. His name is Umberto and he uses a wheelchair. Derek''s family is still fostering Frank the monkey, and Derek thinks it would be great to train Frank to assist Umberto. But Derek quickly realizes that Umberto is definitely not looking for any help. Derek soon becomes the butt of Umberto''s jokes. On top of that, Umberto starts stealing Derek''s cartoon ideas and claiming them as his own. How did Derek get himself into this mess, and how can he find a way out before he is the laughingstock of school? The answer may very well be his cartoon strip—SUPER FRANK! My Life as a Cartoonist features illustrations by Janet Tashjian''s son, Jake Tashjian.

Seventeen-year-old Josh, a loner-philosopher who wants to make a difference in the world, tries to maintain his secret identity as the author of a web site that is receiving national attention.

Derek Fallon discovers all the angst that comes with being twelve—he just wants to feel grown up, but life gets in the way with a series of mishaps that make him look like a baby. He passes out during a worm dissection in science class, falls flat on his face in gym class and gets a fat lip that causes him to lisp all day, and his plans for a monster-truck party turn into a bouncy house disaster. Why isn''t being in middle school as great as Derek imagined? Thankfully, with a little help from his friends—and, ironically, a Toys for Tots fundraiser—things seem like they could start shaping up at last. My Life as a Joke by Janet and Jake Tashjian is a Christy Ottaviano Book

Janet and Jake Tashjian’s My Life as a Billionaire is Book 10 in the much-loved, illustrated My Life series. Derek Fallon won the lottery and now gets to split over a billion dollars with a friend—the buying possibilities are endless—skateboards!, sneakers! video games!, a backyard skateboard park!!!—let the shopping begin. But Derek is soon challenged with new obstacles that he hadn’t thought of before. Having money to spend should make his life easier but it’s bringing with it lots of anxiety. It’s up to Derek to find a balance with his newfound wealth, and to consider the best ways to spend his money. Christy Ottaviano Books

My Life as a Coder is the ninth book in Janet Tashjian''s much-loved, diary fiction My Life series starring reluctant reader Derek Fallon, featuring illustrations by Jake Tashjian. Derek Fallon receives an exciting new gift--a laptop! But there''s a catch: it has no Wi-Fi so he can''t use it for gaming. If he wants to play computer games, he''ll have to learn how to code them himself. Another unforgettable adventure awaits in Book 9 of the My Life series, this time involving tech and coding! Christy Ottaviano Books

A Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee • From the creators of the bestselling My Life series comes a fresh and funny story about Hannah Sharpe—an observant young sleuth on the autism spectrum who likes to solve mysteries by drawing cartoons of her cowboy alter ego, Dusty Pickle—in this colorfully illustrated adventure featuring full-color art on every page. Young cartoonist Hannah Sharpe has many strengths: she’s curious, creative, has an amazing memory, and most important—she notices things. When Doug Williams moves into her family’s Airbnb, Hannah can’t shake the feeling that he’s got something to hide. But his girlfriend, Remy Furtado, couldn’t be nicer or more helpful. As Hannah investigates, often with her sketchbook in hand, she makes a series of unsettling discoveries involving stolen packages, changed keypad codes, and hidden stacks of cash. Can Hannah crack the case and unfold the mystery on her own? Including full-color illustrations with panel art featuring Hannah and her cartoon alter ego, Dusty Pickle, here is a thoughtful and propulsive new book starring a neurodiverse protagonist. "Included are illustrations explaining how Hannah thinks and reacts, minicomics, and an author’s note explaining that her son, the illustrator of this novel, is on the autism spectrum.... This is an inclusive, fun addition to the middle-school mystery field." ―Booklist "Hannah is a lovable, relatable protagonist…. Her story provides some clever lessons on life’s grey areas, which are universally frustrating (even if they manifest differently for all of us)." —School Library Journal "Hannah Sharpe is courageous, smart, talented, and funny. " —Ethan Long, award-winning creator of The Death and Life of Benny Brooks

Not yet eighteen years old, Josh, a.k.a. Larry, comes out of hiding and returns to public life, this time to run for President as an advocate for issues of concern to youth and to encourage voter turnout.

Josh Swensen (otherwise known as Larry) can''t seem to get off the couch. His usual overactive imagination and save-the-world mindset have all but vanished, and his best friend Beth is seriously worried.When Beth coaxes Josh into taking a walk at Walden Pond, Josh meets Gus Muldarian, a spiritual guru who convinces him to join his study group as a way to find deeper meaning in life. Josh thinks Gus is a joke. Still, feeling desperate and seeing no way out of his rut, he agrees to try it. What begins as a harmless Thoreau-esque search for meaning soon turns into Josh''s most chaotic and profound adventure yet. After the success of The Gospel According to Larry and Vote for Larry, Janet Tashjian returns with yet another tour de force—a book that explores important topics and will keep teens hooked right until the unexpected end.

Book 8 of the much-loved My Life series Derek Fallon loves making funny memes, but when he finds himself the joke of a viral meme, he realizes how easy it is to offend others using this platform. Derek decides to confront the creator of the hurtful meme, all during the backdrop of a fire evacuation that has put him in the same place as his meme bully. Here is another thoughtful, funny, and timely adventure in the life of the ever-loving, ever-mischievous Derek Fallon. Christy Ottaviano Books

Book 3 in the Marty Frye young chapter book mystery series by bestselling author-illustrator team Janet Tashjian and Laurie Keller! In this new collection of mysteries, everyone’s favorite poet detective is back in action. When a prankster tangles all the school jump ropes into knots and gym is canceled, Marty pins down the culprit. When five machines are mysteriously found broken at the arcade, Marty jumps on the case. And when Mom’s phone goes missing after a trip to the mall, Marty races against the clock to track it down before dinner. But can he still manage to make up rhymes while he solves new crimes? Broken into three short stories with a generous amount of art on each page, this is an ideal stepping stone to longer chapter books. Young readers will be off in search of a rhyme in no time. Christy Ottaviano Books

It''s another day at Boerring Elementary: Einstein the class hamster, lover of fun facts, is getting ready for his game show when in walks Principal Decker with some bad news. Due to severe budget cuts, the school library will be closed for the rest of the year. How is this possible? The library is the heart of the school! Einstein is determined to find a way to save the library. With the help of Marlon the turtle, his friend Ned, and Ms. Moreno''s entire class, plans are put in motion! Janet and Jake Tashjian are back with another winning story starring the lovable walking encyclopedia, Einstein the class hamster. This title has Common Core connections.

Derek Fallon becomes a ninja-in-training in Book 6 of the much-loved My Life series.

In Einstein the Class Hamster and the Very Real Game Show, the companion to Janet and Jake Tashjian''s Einstein the Class Hamster, we follow Ms. Moreno''s class as they face off against the students of Crackerjack Elementary on the hit game show Kids Know Stuff. But when Principal Decker sneaks Twinkles the python into the studio, there''s widespread panic; the show''s host is afraid of snakes and walks off the set. Now is Einstein''s chance to shine! With the assistance of a sound engineer who can also hear Einstein, Ned and Marlon help Einstein get ready to host the show and save the day. But something goes wrong. Does Einstein have . . . STAGE FRIGHT? Oh no! Ned and Marlon must find a way to help Einstein and win the game show. This title has Common Core connections.

Mia and Bev find another sheet of magical stickers, and soon Mia finds herself running for class president but worrying that she is losing her new friend.

Book 2 in the Marty Frye young chapter book mystery series by bestselling author-illustrator team Janet Tashjian and Laurie Keller! In this new collection of mysteries from bestselling author-illustrator team Janet Tashjian and Laurie Keller, everyone’s favorite poet detective is back in action. When the school nurse’s equipment is stolen, Marty tracks it down. When special candy disappears from the store, Marty finds the culprit. And most importantly, when a friend''s poodle goes missing, Marty comes to the rescue. But can he still manage to make up rhymes while he solves new crimes? Broken into three short stories, this is an ideal stepping stone to longer chapter books. Young readers will be off in search of a rhyme in no time. A Christy Ottaviano Book

Marty Frye is not your ordinary sleuth. Marty Frye is a poet detective - he makes up rhymes as he solves small crimes. When his friend Emma''s diary is missing, Marty is on the case. When Katie''s flour is nowhere to be found, Marty tracks it down. And when the brand-new Action Chuck figures mysteriously vanish from the toy store, Marty unravels the mystery. Will there ever be a case too hard for Marty to solve? Or a word too impossible to rhyme? Broken into three short stories of poetry and petty crime, this charming chapter book will have young readers in search of a rhyme in no time. A Christy Ottaviano Book

Shes the girl next door, your best friend, your college sweetheart. In its first season, the hit series Felicity made its way into the hearts of millions of TV viewers as they watched Felicity Porter, the bright-eyed 17-year-old star of the show, adjust to the harsh yet bittersweet realities of college life. Now join Felicity as she chronicles her adventures during her first summer break away from college.

On summer break and avoiding his assigned reading list, Derek Fallon begins a mysterious adventure while trying to find clues to an incident in his past. After reading an old newspaper clipping about a teenage girl who drowned on Martha s Vineyard while she was babysitting him, Derek who was a toddler at the time and does not even recall the event becomes a detective in search of answers. As summer and his investigation comes to a close, Derek soon realizes that he hasn''t done the reading assignment his teacher gave him but that he has learned a valuable lesson: even though reading is hard, everyone needs stories. A fabulous, fast-paced choice for reluctant and avid readers alike, this book also includes drawings throughout.""De vacaciones de verano y evitando su tarea de lectura, Derek Fallon emprende una aventura misteriosa mientras busca pistasde un incidente de su pasado. Despues de leer un recorte de prensa viejo sobre una chica adolescente que se ahogo en Martha''s Vineyard mientras lo cuidaba, Derek quien en aquel entonces era apenas un nino y no recuerda nada del suceso se convierte en un detective en busca derespuestas. A la medida que se acerca el final del verano y de su investigacion, Derek se da cuenta de que no ha hecho la tarea de lectura que se le asigno pero si aprendio una leccion valiosa: aunque la lectura es dificil, todo el mundo necesita historias. Este libro de ritmo rapido es una opcion fabulosa para los lectores renuentes y los avidos igualmente e incluye dibujos a lo largo."""

Tommy Take Off the Fish! is a wacky and endearing picture book by bestselling children''s author Janet Tashjian and award-winning artist and animation director Stephen Holman, celebrating the joy of each child''s individuality. Tommy LOVES wearing his fish costume, not just to the aquarium but EVERYWHERE. His parents try to reel in his enthusiasm, but Tommy doesn''t feel the need to fit in. A loving and hilarious look at the wonderful lure of a child''s passionate imagination. Early readers will delight in the colorful, layered illustrations as well as the heartwarming story.

Dubbed a "reluctant reader" by his teacher, twelve-year-old Derek spends summer vacation learning important lessons even though he does not complete his summer reading list.