"Henry has become a leading light in YA mystery." - Booklist
"April Henry’s crime dramas are consistently smart and satisfying.” - Kirkus
"A must-have for YA mystery-thriller collections." - School Library Journal

​​Welcome to my little corner of the Internet. I'm a New York Times bestselling author who loves kung fu, Brazilian jujitsu, and all things salty. ​

I love to do school visits 

School visits are a great way to get students interested in reading and writing.

 I love to visit schools and share with students the joys of reading, writing, and research. I also talk about the vital importance of tenacity. 

To learn more, check out my school visit page.  I am excited to announce that I am now booking all my speaking engagements through TheBookingBiz.com.  

And the good folks at my publisher have put together a teacher's guide for my books (which can be used with Common Core state standards). You can get it here. 
​

School visits in Omaha, Nebraska 

High praise for The Lonely Dead

The Lonely Dead isn't out until January 29, 2019, but it's already gotten an amazing review. Kirkus says:

For most of her life, Adele has been told that her visions are a result of schizophrenia. But what's the truth? When Adele sees her friend Tori in the woods as she's cutting through the park on her way home, she's confused. Why would Tori be out there in the November cold wearing a halter dress? Adele realizes that, after not taking the pills for her schizophrenia, the visions that used to haunt her before her diagnosis are back. Tori isn't real. After noticing a mound of fresh dirt with a toe sticking out—and a few minutes of digging—Adele finds Tori's body. Although Tori is dead, Adele can see her, just as she can see all the dead, just like her mother and grandmother before her could. But can she use her power to solve the mystery of Tori's murder before the killer strikes again? Henry (Count All Her Bones, 2017, etc.) delivers a compelling thriller that weaves supernatural elements into a topical tapestry of loss, betrayal, and family drama. In an interesting twist, Adele, who can't remember much from the last time she saw Tori, becomes a prime suspect and even doubts her own innocence. This book is set against a high school backdrop with mostly white characters (one African-American friend is introduced, relating Tori's racist behavior). A thriller that manages to be both creepy and fun.

Student writing contest 

Are you an aspiring thriller writer? Show off those thrilling, chilling writing skills by entering an original short story into the contest my publisher is having . The winner will win a virtual visit  for their classroom or library.

Submissions must use the Story Starters page from the Thrills, Chills, and Writing Skills guide, using either one of the story ideas or mixing and matching details from columns A, B, and C. Stories must be between 500 and 1,500 words. Click here for more information.

Taking my Brazilian jiujitsu on the road

I love to do Brazilian jujitsu (think wrestling plus chokes plus joint locks) and try to roll at a local school whenever I do school visits. Every school has its own special way of doing things - and with luck I can pick up a trick or two to try at my regular schools in Portland.  

The things I do for research! 

Now certified in Wilderness Medicine

​I spent 16 hours this weekend learning how to deal with cuts (all the way up to amputations), sprains, broken bones, heat illness, dislocations, burns, frostbite, spinal injuries, head injuries... all complete with moaning (or eerily silent) patients complete with fake blood and bruises. I am now certified in Wilderness Medicine. (I'm also exhausted!) It's going to make the book I'm writing in the next six months so much better!

    I'd love to hear from you
    [or just email:  april (at) Aprilhenry (DOT) com . I answer every single email, so if you don't hear back try again - and make sure your email address is correct. If you use your school address, make sure your school accepts e-mails from outside the school.  Many don't. Oh, and teachers, do me a favor - don't assign a whole class to write to me, unless it's as a group writing one letter.] 

    Note that if you email me, I will add you to my newsletter mailing list. 

Want a personalized, signed book?

Want a signed, personalized copy of one of my books?  Contact my neighborhood book store, Annie Bloom's Books at 503-246-0053, and tell them what you want - signature only or a personalized greeting to a particular person.  They will contact me and I will come in to sign them.  

Best Note Ever from a Middle School Teacher

Just wanted to let you know for a 3rd year in a row you are making my life easy – and creating a bunch of new readers.  I am still lucky enough to teach an advanced reading class along with my Intensive class and across the board your books are the motivators.  Here is one of the book projects done by one of my 7th graders!  I can’t keep enough copies of your books on my shelf.  ​

Fan art

Events and school visits

My life as a mystery writer