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![]() About
Janet Tashjian by Kimberly Hondos Janet Tashjian is a novelist, activist and mother. She was born in Rhode Island in 1956 and called Needham, Massachusetts home for twenty years before recently relocating to her current residence in Los Angeles with her husband and teenage son Jake. For the past fifteen years, this witty author has been writing treasured entertaining novels for middle-grade and young adults. Her first novel Tru Confessions received such great reviews that it was made into a Disney TV movie. And her Fault Line is taught is many middle school curriculums across the county. Her many other novels include The Gospel According to Larry, My Life As a Book, My Life As a Stunt Boy, and My Life As a Cartoonist. But her road to literary success was in fact a winding one. In college she majored in journalism and after graduation spent several years working in sales and marketing. Determined to live her passion, she quite her job, took a few writing workshops and eventually received a Masters Degree in Fine Arts from Emerson College in Boston. Considering her own comical writing style, it’s not surprising that Tashjian draws inspiration from authors like Lois Lowry and Jack Gantos, who are also famous for their poignant humorous narratives. Today, her books are renowned for combining both fiction and nonfiction. Real life socially conscious characters like Bono and U2 are frequently featured in her works along side fictional characters. And they often have serious subjects like consumerism, dating violence, special needs and voting weaved into the storyline with entertaining humor. It’s a writing style most notably influenced by Tashjian’s own life. She has long been active in promoting social change and even made an ad for moveon.org, a nonprofit organization that promotes progressive change. And artistic talent seems to run in the family. Her son Jake has illustrated My Life As a Book, My Life As a Stuntboy, and My Life As a Cartoonist. Their latest project is a clever new series titled Einstein the Class Hamster. When they’re not working, Tashjian and her son make school visits providing presentations to grades 4 to 12. She discusses her books, how she became a writer, her inspiration and offers motivational advice for students. Bibliography Blasingame, J. (2004) Interview with Janet Tashjian. Journal Of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 48 (4), 350-351. doi: 10.1598/JAAL.48.4.7 Janet Tashjiran. (2013). http://janettashjian. com. (accessed November 16, 2013). Macmillan Publishers. (2013). Janet Tashjian. http://us.macmillan.com/author/janet tashjian. (accessed November 16, 2013). |
Selected Books by Janet Tashjian
Click on any title to find library holdings near you via the WorldCat® database. ![]() Tashjian, Janet
For What it's Worth New York: Henry Holt, 2012 Young readers will love this suspenseful mystery set in Laurel Canyon, California in 1971. In the narrative, fourteen-year-old Quinn’s world is turned upside down when he is faced with helping a war dodger. It’s not long after that he starts receiving cryptic Ouija board messages from Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix, who are all members of the 27 Club. With the help of his girlfriend, Caroline, he must find a way to make sense of it all. ![]() Tashjian, Janet
My Life as a Cartoonist New York: Henry Holt, 2013 Derek Fallon’s class gets a new student. His name is Umberto and he uses a wheelchair. Derek has the great idea to train Frank, a monkey his family is fostering, to assist Umberto. However, his idea doesn’t go as planned and he soon becomes the butt of Umberto’s jokes. He even steals Derek’s cartoon ideas. In order to avoid becoming the laughingstock of the whole school, Derek must find a way out of this mess. This book will touch your heart with a humorous voice that will leave you reeling for more. ![]() Tashjian, Janet
Larry and the Meaning of Life New York: Henry Holt, 2008 The final installment of the three book series is filled with smart humor and life lessons. Suddenly feeling lost and unmotivated Josh Swensen, aka Larry, finds daily activities a struggle. So with the help of his friend Beth and a new acquaintance Gus Muldarian, a spiritual guru, he decides to join a study group to find a deeper meaning in life. This seemingly little class turns out to be Josh’s biggest adventure yet. ![]() Tashjian, Janet
Vote for Larry New York: Henry Holt, 2004 Teens are sure to get a kick out of the wacky adventure in the second book in the ‘Larry’ series. This is the second book in the ‘Larry’ series. After giving in to consumerism, e-year-old Josh Swensen is kidnapped and forced to resurface as his old activist persona Larry. His mission is not simple. He must affect change in government. But will he be able to become the next president? And more importantly, does he really want to? ![]() Tashjian, Janet
The Gospel According to Larry New York: Dell Laurel-Leaf, 2001 In the first book in the ever popular hilarious three book series, readers discover that Josh Swensen isn’t your average teenager. Frustrated by consumerism and waste, Josh starts his own controversial website. It’s not long before his online popularity puts him in a pickle. To free himself of his new found alter-ego, he decides to stage his own death. But this isn’t as easy as he thought it would be and he soon finds himself in real danger. ![]() Tashjian, Janet
Fault Line New York: Henry Holt, 2003 17-year-old Becky Martin has her whole life ahead of her when she starts dating Kip, a rising star in the San Francisco comedy club scene. She soon discovers that Kip is controlling and jealous. Becky must find the strength to find help and leave her abusive relationship. This novel examines the viewpoints of both the victim and the perpetrator and is a must read for teens. ![]() Tashjian, Janet
Multiple Choice New York: Henry Holt, 1999 With a departure from humor, this book introduces readers to 14-year-old Monica Devon’s compulsive habits. In order to get a grip, she creates Multiple Choice, a game that will force spontaneity into her life. At first, the game goes smoothly but it doesn’t take long until it takes a turn for the worst. Becky must have the courage to seek help to keep herself from going over the deep end. |