📖 Overview
Janet Tashjian is an American children's and young adult author born in 1956 in Providence, Rhode Island. She has written numerous successful book series and standalone novels, with her work published by Henry Holt and Company.
Her breakthrough came with "Tru Confessions" (1997), which was later adapted into a Disney Channel Original Movie. The novel established her ability to blend different formats and narrative styles, a technique that would become one of her trademarks.
The "My Life" series, illustrated by her son Jake Tashjian, represents a significant portion of her body of work, beginning with "My Life as a Book" (2010) and continuing through multiple installments including "My Life as a Billionaire" (2021). These books feature creative formatting and illustrations that help engage reluctant readers.
Tashjian has authored several other notable series, including the "Larry" trilogy, the "Einstein the Class Hamster" series, and the "Sticker Girl" books. Her work frequently incorporates humor and unconventional storytelling elements while addressing themes relevant to young readers.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Tashjian's ability to engage reluctant readers, particularly with her My Life As... series featuring stick figure illustrations. Parents and teachers report success using her books with students who struggle with reading or have ADHD.
Common positive feedback:
- Humor that appeals to middle grade readers
- Integration of drawings and doodles that break up text
- Relatable characters dealing with school and family challenges
Critical feedback:
- Some find the plots predictable
- Occasional complaints about simplified writing style
- Later books in series feel repetitive to some readers
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
My Life as a Book: 4.1/5 (12,000+ ratings)
The Gospel According to Larry: 3.8/5 (2,800+ ratings)
Amazon:
My Life as a Book: 4.7/5 (850+ reviews)
Multiple readers note these books turned their children into eager readers. One parent wrote: "First book my son read cover-to-cover without complaints."
📚 Books by Janet Tashjian
Tru Confessions - A 12-year-old girl creates a video diary about her life with a twin brother who has developmental disabilities.
The Gospel According to Larry - A teen creates an anti-consumerist website under the pseudonym Larry that unexpectedly gains a massive following.
Vote for Larry - Larry runs for President of the United States while navigating both political challenges and personal relationships.
Larry and the Meaning of Life - Larry embarks on a spiritual journey with a guru while questioning his own beliefs and purpose.
My Life as a Book - A reluctant reader discovers a way to understand words by drawing pictures for them during summer reading assignments.
For What It's Worth - Set in 1960s Los Angeles, a teenage boy pursues his dreams in the music industry while dealing with social changes of the era.
The Gospel According to Larry - A teen creates an anti-consumerist website under the pseudonym Larry that unexpectedly gains a massive following.
Vote for Larry - Larry runs for President of the United States while navigating both political challenges and personal relationships.
Larry and the Meaning of Life - Larry embarks on a spiritual journey with a guru while questioning his own beliefs and purpose.
My Life as a Book - A reluctant reader discovers a way to understand words by drawing pictures for them during summer reading assignments.
For What It's Worth - Set in 1960s Los Angeles, a teenage boy pursues his dreams in the music industry while dealing with social changes of the era.
👥 Similar authors
Gordon Korman writes series and standalone books that mix humor with realistic middle-grade situations. His extensive bibliography includes both contemporary and historical stories, and he began publishing while still a teenager himself.
Dan Gutman creates books that combine educational content with entertaining storylines in series like My Weird School and The Genius Files. He uses similar formatting techniques to make reading accessible for reluctant readers, including illustrations and creative text layouts.
James Patterson writes the Middle School series and other youth titles that feature illustrated formats and first-person narratives. His books address school experiences and family dynamics with humor and incorporate sketches throughout the text.
Lincoln Peirce combines text and illustrations in his Big Nate series to tell stories about school life and friend relationships. His background as a cartoonist influences his storytelling style, which blends comics with traditional narrative.
Tommy Greenwald writes the Charlie Joe Jackson series about a middle school student who dislikes reading. His books use similar techniques to engage reluctant readers, including short chapters and informal narrative voice.
Dan Gutman creates books that combine educational content with entertaining storylines in series like My Weird School and The Genius Files. He uses similar formatting techniques to make reading accessible for reluctant readers, including illustrations and creative text layouts.
James Patterson writes the Middle School series and other youth titles that feature illustrated formats and first-person narratives. His books address school experiences and family dynamics with humor and incorporate sketches throughout the text.
Lincoln Peirce combines text and illustrations in his Big Nate series to tell stories about school life and friend relationships. His background as a cartoonist influences his storytelling style, which blends comics with traditional narrative.
Tommy Greenwald writes the Charlie Joe Jackson series about a middle school student who dislikes reading. His books use similar techniques to engage reluctant readers, including short chapters and informal narrative voice.