Varian Johnson

Follow to get new release updates and improved recommendations

About Varian Johnson

Varian Johnson's books for young readers include THE PARKER INHERITANCE, which was named a 2019 Coretta Scott King Honor Book and a 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book; THE GREAT GREENE HEIST, which was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2014 among other accolades; and TWINS, his first middle-grade graphic novel.

Varian was born in Florence, South Carolina, and attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received a BS in Civil Engineering. He later received an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and is honored to now serve as a member of the faculty. Varian lives outside of Austin, TX with his family.

Jason Reynolds

Jerry Craft

Kwame Alexander

James Ponti

James Patterson

Kelly Yang

Are you an author?

Help us improve our Author Pages by updating your bibliography and submitting a new or current image and biography.

Learn more at Author Central

1 11 1

$7.99

Kindle Edition
$10.99

Kindle Edition
$7.99

Kindle Edition
$7.99

Kindle Edition
$3.99

Kindle Edition
$10.99

Kindle Edition
$5.99

Kindle Edition
$10.99

Kindle Edition
$9.99

Kindle Edition
$5.99

Kindle Edition
$4.99

Kindle Edition
$10.99

Kindle Edition

Author Updates

Titles By Varian Johnson

All Formats Kindle Edition Audible Audiobook Paperback Hardcover See more

Twins: A Graphic Novel (Twins #1) Oct 6, 2020

by Varian Johnson, Shannon Wright

( 1,339 )

$7.99

Coretta Scott King Honor author Varian Johnson teams up with rising cartoonist Shannon Wright for a delightful middle-grade graphic novel!

Maureen and Francine Carter are twins and best friends. They participate in the same clubs, enjoy the same foods, and are partners on all their school projects. But just before the girls start sixth grade, Francine becomes Fran -- a girl who wants to join the chorus, run for class president, and dress in fashionable outfits that set her apart from Maureen. A girl who seems happy to share only two classes with her sister!Maureen and Francine are growing apart and there's nothing Maureen can do to stop it. Are sisters really forever? Or will middle school change things for good?

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback

The Parker Inheritance Mar 27, 2018

by Varian Johnson

( 639 )

$10.99

A Coretta Scott King Author Honor and Boston Globe / Horn Book Honor winner!"Powerful.... Johnson writes about the long shadows of the past with such ambition that any reader with a taste for mystery will appreciate the puzzle Candice and Brandon must solve." -- The New York Times Book ReviewWhen Candice finds a letter in an old attic in Lambert, South Carolina, she isn't sure she should read it. It's addressed to her grandmother, who left the town in shame. But the letter describes a young woman. An injustice that happened decades ago. A mystery enfolding its writer. And the fortune that awaits the person who solves the puzzle.So with the help of Brandon, the quiet boy across the street, she begins to decipher the clues. The challenge will lead them deep into Lambert's history, full of ugly deeds, forgotten heroes, and one great love; and deeper into their own families, with their own unspoken secrets. Can they find the fortune and fulfill the letter's promise before the answers slip into the past yet again?

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback , Preloaded Digital Audio Player

The Return (Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts, Book 3) Apr 26, 2016

by Varian Johnson

( 235 )

$7.99

A new threat faces the world of Erdas in this continuation of the New York Times bestselling series.

Split between two worlds, Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan are four young heroes who are racing to stop an ancient evil. Even the spirit animal bond, the sacred link between humans and animals, is on the brink of destruction.

The friends face an enemy with the power to enslave others to its will-and to steal spirit animals away from their rightful partners. With their own allies falling to this darkness, the four must look to their bonds to light the way forward.

But one of those lights is about to go out. Briggan, Uraza, Jhi, and Essix. Before their journey is over, one of these legends will be lost.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Audio CD

The Wildcat's Claw (Spirit Animals: Fall of the Beasts, Book 6) Oct 10, 2017

by Varian Johnson

( 199 )

$7.99

The Heroes of Erdas are wanted fugitives. Conor, Abeke, Meilin, and Rollan have saved their world from countless threats. They are guardians from across the globe, united by their legendary spirit animals under one banner. But now the young heroes are running for their lives, framed for a crime they didn't commit.

Branded as traitors, the four must uncover the plot against them, all while unraveling the mysteries of a set of powerful relics tied to an ancient secret.

Their search brings Conor home to Trunswick, where there will be no hero's welcome. They find the city transformed: the castle burned to ground and the townsfolk poor and desperate. With a handsome reward offered for their capture, who can the heroes trust?

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback , Audio CD

The Great Greene Heist (Jackson Greene) May 27, 2014

by Varian Johnson

( 172 )

$3.99

Saving the school -- one con at a time.

"A political heist page-turner set in middle school? Is that even possible? Varian Johnson shows us how it's done." - Gordon Korman, author of SWINDLE

"Do yourself a favor and start reading immediately." - Rebecca Stead, author of WHEN YOU REACH ME

Jackson Greene swears he's given up scheming. Then school bully Keith Sinclair announces he's running for Student Council president, against Jackson's former friend Gaby de la Cruz. Gaby wants Jackson to stay out of it -- but he knows Keith has "connections" to the principal, which could win him the presidency no matter the vote count.

So Jackson assembles a crack team: Hashemi Larijani, tech genius. Victor Cho, bankroll. Megan Feldman, science goddess. Charlie de la Cruz, reporter. Together they devise a plan that will take down Keith, win Gaby's respect, and make sure the election is done right. If they can pull it off, it will be remembered as the school's greatest con ever -- one worthy of the name THE GREAT GREENE HEIST.

*"The lively (and racially diverse) cast of characters and the intricate plot will make this a story to read again for the sheer fun of it all"- Horn Book, starred review

Other Formats: Library Binding , Paperback

To Catch a Cheat: A Jackson Greene Novel Jan 26, 2016

by Varian Johnson

( 71 )

$10.99

When a video frames Jackson Greene and his friends for a crime they didn't commit, Gang Greene battles the blackmailers in this sequel to the acclaimed The Great Greene Heist.

Jackson Greene is riding high. He is officially retired from conning, so Principal Kelsey is (mostly) off his back. His friends have great new projects of their own. And he's been hanging out a lot with Gaby de la Cruz, so he thinks maybe, just maybe, they'll soon have their first kiss.

Then Jackson receives a link to a faked security video that seems to show him and the rest of Gang Greene flooding the school gym. The jerks behind the video threaten to pass it to the principal -- unless Jackson steals an advance copy of the school's toughest exam.

So Gang Greene reunites for their biggest job yet. To get the test adn clear their names, they'll have to outrun the school's security cameras, outwit a nosy member of the Honor Board, and outmaneuver the blackmailers while setting a trap for them in turn. And as they execute another exciting caper full of twists and turns, they'll prove that sometimes it takes a thief to catch a cheat.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

What Were the Negro Leagues? (What Was?) Dec 24, 2019

by Varian Johnson, Who HQ, Stephen Marchesi

( 215 )

$5.99

This baseball league that was made up of African American players and run by African American owners ushered in the biggest change in the history of baseball.

In America during the early twentieth century, no part was safe from segregation, not even the country's national pastime, baseball. Despite their exodus from the Major Leagues because of the color of their skin, African American men still found a way to participate in the sport they loved. Author Varian Johnson shines a spotlight on the players, coaches, owners, and teams that dominated the Negro Leagues during the 1930s and 40s. Readers will learn about how phenomenal players like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and of course, Jackie Robinson greatly changed the sport of baseball.

Other Formats: Hardcover , Paperback

Playing the Cards You're Dealt Oct 5, 2021

by Varian Johnson

( 30 )

$10.99

“With a deft hand, Johnson shows us there's no such thing as "too young" when it comes to questioning big ideas like manhood, or even family.” –Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of Look Both Ways and Stamped

Literary powerhouse and Coretta Scott King Honor- and Boston Globe / Horn Book Honor-winning author of The Parker Inheritance Varian Johnson explores themes of toxic masculinity and family legacy in this heartfelt, hopeful story of one boy discovering what it really means to be a man.

SECRETS ARE ALWAYS A GAMBLE

Ten-year-old Anthony Joplin has made it to double digits! Which means he's finally old enough to play in the spades tournament every Joplin Man before him seems to have won. So while Ant's friends are stressing about fifth grade homework and girls, Ant only has one thing on his mind: how he'll measure up to his father's expectations at the card table.

Then Ant's best friend gets grounded, and he's forced to find another spades partner. And Shirley, the new girl in his class, isn't exactly who he has in mind. She talks a whole lot of trash -- way more than his old partner. Plus, he's not sure that his father wants him playing with a girl. But she's smart and tough and pretty, and knows every card trick in the book. So Ant decides to join forces with Shirley -- and keep his plans a secret.

Only it turns out secrets are another Joplin Man tradition. And his father is hiding one so big it may tear their family apart...

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback

Mister Miracle: The Great Escape (2022) Jan 25, 2022

by Varian Johnson, Daniel Isles

( 8 )

$9.99

Scott Free wants nothing more than to leave Apokolips for planet Earth, and he knows exactly how to do it. But his plan never involved falling in love with the head of the Female Furies, Big Barda-the one person tasked with ensuring he never escapes. From Varian Johnson, the author of the Coretta Scott King Author Honor book The Parker Inheritance, and Afrofuturist artist Daniel Isles (a.k.a. DirtyRobot) comes the story of an escape plan that will take a miracle to pull off. Luckily for Scott, everyone calls him Mister Miracle! Okay, no one calls him that…yet.

Other Formats: Paperback

Gabriela: Time for Change (American Girl: Girl of the Year 2017, Book 3) Sep 26, 2017

by Varian Johnson

( 35 )

$5.99

Gabby has never been so busy! In this third novel featuring American Girl's 2017 Girl of the Year, Gabby is already juggling homework, school leadership activities, dance classes, and rehearsals for a spoken word competition when she's offered an exciting dance opportunity. It's too good to pass up, but soon, Gabby finds there aren't enough hours in the day to do it all, let alone be a good friend to her BFF, Teagen. And she can't help but notice that more and more, she wishes she were working on her poetry instead of doing pliés and grand jetés. Gabby's changed a lot this past year. By the time the competition rolls around, she begins to wonder--have her dreams changed, too?

Other Formats: Paperback

Saving Maddie Mar 2, 2010

by Varian Johnson

( 11 )

$4.99

Joshua Wynn is a preacher’s son and a “good boy” who always does the right thing. Until Maddie comes back to town. Maddie is the daughter of the former associate pastor of Joshua’s church, and his childhood crush. Now Maddie is all grown up, gorgeous—and troubled. She wears provocative clothes to church, cusses, drinks, and fools around with older men. Joshua’s ears burn just listening to the things she did to get kicked out of boarding school, and her own home.

As time goes on, Josh goes against his parents and his own better instincts to keep Maddie from completely capsizing. Along the way, he begins to question his own rigid understanding of God and whether, as his mother says, a girl like Maddie is beyond redemption. Maddie leads Josh further astray than any girl ever has . . . but is there a way to reconcile his love for her and his love for his life in the church?

Other Formats: Library Binding

Animal Tatoo saison 2 - Les bêtes suprêmes, Tome 03: Le retour (French Edition) Jan 17, 2018

by Varian JOHNSON, Anath Riveline

( 94 )

$10.99

Les quatre élus poursuivent leur combat contre le Wyrm, mais alors qu'ils se rapprochent du but, la menace est de plus en plus forte...

Meilin et Conor ont survécu à l'incendie des champs arachnéens. Désormais, leur mission est d'atteindre les racines du Wyrm qui continuent à se développer. Affaiblis, les héros et leurs animaux totems, doivent parvenir tant bien que mal à garder leur cap.

Pendant ce temps, Abéké et Rollan s'introduisent dans la forteresse de Zourtzi afin d'y trouver de l'aide. Mais le lieu, censé être imprenable, est assiégé par Zérif et ses troupes. Les enfants sont obligés de battre en retraite. Et l'un d'eux perd son animal totem dans la fuite...

Other Formats: Paperback

More Information

Are you an author? Visit Author Central to change your photo, edit your biography, and more

Varian Johnson

Similar authors to follow

About Varian Johnson

Customers Also Bought Items By

Are you an author?

Author Updates

Titles By Varian Johnson

More Information