"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
"Legendary mystery author Henry is back at it again" - Barnes & Noble blog
"Another one to add to the collection of Henry's fast-paced thrillers." - YALSA
"April Henry’s crime dramas are consistently smart and satisfying.” - Kirkus
"A must-have for YA mystery-thriller collections." - School Library Journal
"Legendary mystery author Henry is back at it again" - Barnes & Noble blog
"Another one to add to the collection of Henry's fast-paced thrillers." - YALSA
Welcome to my little corner of the Internet. I'm a New York Times bestselling author who loves Brazilian jujitsu, salty snacks, and all things scary.
Cover reveal for Two Truths and a Lie, out May 24, 2022
Trapped in an old motel with a murderer…
Nell has always wanted to be an actor, but doubts her ability. As a member of her school’s theater program, she prefers working backstage. On the way to a contest, an unexpected blizzard strands her acting troupe in a creepy motel. There Soon they meet a group of strangers from another high school—including the mysterious and handsome Knox, who insists they play the game Two Truths and a Lie. When it’s Nell’s turn, she draws a slip of paper inked in unfamiliar handwriting:
I like to watch people die.
I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve killed.
Suddenly a night of harmless fun turns into a matter of life and death. As guests go missing, it becomes clear that a murderer is hiding in their midst ready to strike again. In a room full of liars and performers, the truth is never quite what it seems. Nell is going to have to act like her life depends on it—because it does.
Nell has always wanted to be an actor, but doubts her ability. As a member of her school’s theater program, she prefers working backstage. On the way to a contest, an unexpected blizzard strands her acting troupe in a creepy motel. There Soon they meet a group of strangers from another high school—including the mysterious and handsome Knox, who insists they play the game Two Truths and a Lie. When it’s Nell’s turn, she draws a slip of paper inked in unfamiliar handwriting:
I like to watch people die.
I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve killed.
Suddenly a night of harmless fun turns into a matter of life and death. As guests go missing, it becomes clear that a murderer is hiding in their midst ready to strike again. In a room full of liars and performers, the truth is never quite what it seems. Nell is going to have to act like her life depends on it—because it does.
More great reviews for Eyes of the Forest
"Eyes of the Forest by April Henry is a suspenseful, captivating look at what may happen when a fantasy world becomes too real for some of its fans. When 10-year-old Bridget's mom was dying of cancer, Bridget spent hours reading aloud from R.M. Haldon's Swords and Shadows series to ease the pain for them both. At 12, red-headed and "milk-pale" Bridget impressed the fantasy writer at a signing with her "encyclopedic knowledge" of his books and was hired to keep track of the myriad details for him. Now 17, Bridget still works for him, using her own database to keep everything straight. But Bob Haldon has writer's block and, despite clamor from readers, the series finale isn't forthcoming. Then Derrick, a LARPer and Haldon's "biggest fan," meets his idol, whom he finds drunk and despondent. Derrick and Bob hatch a plan to get the author writing again but things go "horribly wrong," and Bob ends up "in an isolated cabin, injured, shackled. No one but his captors [knowing] where he [is]." Bridget becomes increasingly worried and, since no one takes her fears seriously, begins an investigation of her own.
"Henry's engaging and often thrilling narrative is told from multiple points of view, allowing readers close access to the motivations of all her main characters. She expertly examines the darker side of the culture of fandom, including pressures it puts on creators, and how fans themselves get out of hand. Ultimately, it's Bridget who, though completely submerged in the world of Swords and Shadows, manages to save the day by acting IRL. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author."
–BookPage
"In this mystery with a clever twist by Henry (Playing with Fire), a George R.R. Martin–esque author is forced to write in captivity, his only hope of rescue lying with his teenage Portland, Ore.–based assistant. Alternating perspectives, including that of middle-aged Swords and Shadows author R.M. Haldon, or Bob, whose yearslong tardiness on the final book in his epic fantasy series turned TV show has angered many fans; redheaded Bridget Shepherd, 17, who secretly works as Haldon’s “continuity supervisor”; and teenage kidnapper Derrick, a “socially inept, geeky pariah,” all white, plus Bridget’s Indian American classmate and love interest Ajay Kapoor, allow readers to delve into the central players’ psyches, presenting a portrait of each individually and in pairs before their combined narratives overlap. The conceit—that a fan might kidnap and exploit an author to coerce them into continuing a story—feels plausible in Henry’s treatment of a simulation gone wrong... Its brisk pacing and sensational premise will have wide appeal."
- Publishers Weekly
"Henry's engaging and often thrilling narrative is told from multiple points of view, allowing readers close access to the motivations of all her main characters. She expertly examines the darker side of the culture of fandom, including pressures it puts on creators, and how fans themselves get out of hand. Ultimately, it's Bridget who, though completely submerged in the world of Swords and Shadows, manages to save the day by acting IRL. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author."
–BookPage
"In this mystery with a clever twist by Henry (Playing with Fire), a George R.R. Martin–esque author is forced to write in captivity, his only hope of rescue lying with his teenage Portland, Ore.–based assistant. Alternating perspectives, including that of middle-aged Swords and Shadows author R.M. Haldon, or Bob, whose yearslong tardiness on the final book in his epic fantasy series turned TV show has angered many fans; redheaded Bridget Shepherd, 17, who secretly works as Haldon’s “continuity supervisor”; and teenage kidnapper Derrick, a “socially inept, geeky pariah,” all white, plus Bridget’s Indian American classmate and love interest Ajay Kapoor, allow readers to delve into the central players’ psyches, presenting a portrait of each individually and in pairs before their combined narratives overlap. The conceit—that a fan might kidnap and exploit an author to coerce them into continuing a story—feels plausible in Henry’s treatment of a simulation gone wrong... Its brisk pacing and sensational premise will have wide appeal."
- Publishers Weekly
Playing with Fire is a Quick Pick nominee!
Every year, the American Library Association's youth librarians choose books as Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. The list identifies titles that encourage reading among teens who dislike to read for whatever reason. The list selects fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novel titles. Criteria for these titles include having a high interest "hook," a catchy title/cover, and an interesting plot.
Nearly all of my books have been Quick Pick finalists—and Playing with Fire is now a nominee!
Nearly all of my books have been Quick Pick finalists—and Playing with Fire is now a nominee!
Sixth graders at Oak View Middle imagined a theme park based on Girl, Stolen
Great Kirkus review for Eyes of the Forest (August 24, 2021)
Kirkus can often by kranky, but not this time:
When the police do not believe that Portland, Oregon, author R.M. Haldon has been kidnapped, it’s up to his young researcher, Bridget Shepherd, to save him.
Famous fantasy author Haldon, who bears similarities to George R.R. Martin, has been trying to finish the much-anticipated final book in his Swords and Shadows series. What happens when he wakes up trapped in a cabin, chained to a treadmill desk, with some food and water and a note ordering him to write? Communicating via coded messages, he can only hope that Bridget, the 17-year-old high school student who helps him with research, will realize something is wrong. Bridget came into his life at a reading during which she demonstrated her encyclopedic knowledge of his world. Her attachment to the Swords and Shadows books stems from reading them with her mother during the painful years before she died of cancer. Afterward, lonely Bridget had few friends left, and her workaholic father was frequently absent. Now the books allow her to open up to classmate Ajay as she shares with him the fantasy world she loves—but, like the police, Ajay doubts her theory, and Bridget must act alone. The excellent pacing, shifting between the perspectives of the main characters, adds to the suspenseful feeling of a ticking clock, and readers come to understand everyone’s motivations. Apart from Indian American Ajay, main characters are White.
Offers a suspenseful and dastardly plot entwined with fan culture and mystery. (Thriller. 12-18)
When the police do not believe that Portland, Oregon, author R.M. Haldon has been kidnapped, it’s up to his young researcher, Bridget Shepherd, to save him.
Famous fantasy author Haldon, who bears similarities to George R.R. Martin, has been trying to finish the much-anticipated final book in his Swords and Shadows series. What happens when he wakes up trapped in a cabin, chained to a treadmill desk, with some food and water and a note ordering him to write? Communicating via coded messages, he can only hope that Bridget, the 17-year-old high school student who helps him with research, will realize something is wrong. Bridget came into his life at a reading during which she demonstrated her encyclopedic knowledge of his world. Her attachment to the Swords and Shadows books stems from reading them with her mother during the painful years before she died of cancer. Afterward, lonely Bridget had few friends left, and her workaholic father was frequently absent. Now the books allow her to open up to classmate Ajay as she shares with him the fantasy world she loves—but, like the police, Ajay doubts her theory, and Bridget must act alone. The excellent pacing, shifting between the perspectives of the main characters, adds to the suspenseful feeling of a ticking clock, and readers come to understand everyone’s motivations. Apart from Indian American Ajay, main characters are White.
Offers a suspenseful and dastardly plot entwined with fan culture and mystery. (Thriller. 12-18)
My pandemic hobby: making necklaces out of buttons the way my mom did
New author photo
More about my August 2021 release, Eyes of the Forest
After a bestselling fantasy writer disappears, only his biggest fan believes he’s in danger. Instead of re-reading his books, she must venture into the real world to uncover the truth.
Bridget found refuge in RM Haldon's epic fantasy series, Swords and Shadows, as her mom, another fan, was losing her battle with cancer. Bridget cared about the series first, not the author. But when she met Haldon at one of his rare book signings, she impressed him with her encyclopedic knowledge of the fantasy world he created. She has been working for him ever since, as he attempts to write the final book in his blockbuster sword-and-sorcery series. Now he has gone missing, and Bridget is the only person who feels concerned. Can she piece together Haldon’s cryptic clues and save him before it’s too late?
Bridget found refuge in RM Haldon's epic fantasy series, Swords and Shadows, as her mom, another fan, was losing her battle with cancer. Bridget cared about the series first, not the author. But when she met Haldon at one of his rare book signings, she impressed him with her encyclopedic knowledge of the fantasy world he created. She has been working for him ever since, as he attempts to write the final book in his blockbuster sword-and-sorcery series. Now he has gone missing, and Bridget is the only person who feels concerned. Can she piece together Haldon’s cryptic clues and save him before it’s too late?
Honors for The Girl in the White Van
Every year, the American Library Association's youth librarians choose books as Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. The list identifies titles that encourage reading among teens who dislike to read for whatever reason. The list selects fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novel titles. Criteria for these titles include having a high interest "hook," a catchy title/cover, and an interesting plot.
I'm proud to say that nearly all of my teen books have been Quick Picks!
The Girl in the White Van is also a finalist for Ohio's Buckeye Award.
I'm proud to say that nearly all of my teen books have been Quick Picks!
The Girl in the White Van is also a finalist for Ohio's Buckeye Award.
See how volunteers and Mother Nature have healed the Eagle Creek Trail
Run, Hide, Fight Back finalist for Nebraska award!
Run, Hide, Fight Back is a finalist for the 2022-2022 Nebraska Golden Sower Award! Nebraska’s students will be reading it along with the others and choosing their favorite during the next school year. Winners get invited to a conference in 2022 (which means it might be an actual, in-person conference! ).
Playing with Fire hardcover features embossed fiery foil on interior cover
Review from The Bulletin for Playing with Fire
"Natalia’s horrifying history with fires is slowly revealed, amping up the already high tension as it becomes clearer exactly why she is as terrified as she is. ... well written and undeniably, regrettably relevant given the inevitability of future West Coast conflagrations."
-The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
-The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Run, Hide, Fight Back receives Oregon Spirit Award
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The Oregon Spirit Book Award is given yearly by the Oregon Council of Teachers of English to the author of a distinguished contribution to children’s literature or young adult literature that engages and encourages readers’ imagination, discovery, and understanding, reflecting the spirit and values held by Oregonians.
And this year, it was given to Run, Hide, Fight Back! |
Booklist review for Playing with Fire, publishing January 19, 2021
When a fire cuts off a popular trail in the Oregon forest, a small group trapped by the flames must find another way out―or die―in Playing with Fire, an unrelenting teen-vs-nature YA thriller by New York Times bestselling author April Henry.
Natalia is not the kind of girl who takes risks. Six years ago, she barely survived the house fire that killed her baby brother. Now she is cautious and always plays it safe. For months, her co-worker Wyatt has begged her to come hiking with him, and Natalia finally agrees.
But when a wildfire breaks out, blocking the trail back, a perfect sunny day quickly morphs into a nightmare. With no cell service, few supplies, and no clear way out of the burning forest, a group of strangers will have to become allies if they’re going to survive. Hiking in the dark, they must reach the only way out―a foot bridge over a deep canyon―before the fire catches them
"Haunted by a devastating fire in her childhood, Natalia is afraid of a lot of things: fire, heights, water. So when her crush, Wyatt, begs her to go hiking in the tranquil Oregon woods, Natalia is reluctant, though she agrees. The hike is ruined when a forest fire erupts and cuts off her group of hikers, forcing them all to work together to survive and escape. Natalia becomes the “doctor” of the group, helping those that are injured, yet her fears might be the thing that can’t be fixed. Prolific, best-selling Henry (The Girl in the White Van, 2020) returns with a novel based on the Eagle Creek Fire of 2017. As the group of strangers try to survive a natural event, Henry employs flashbacks in order to give readers insight into the roots of Natalia’s fear and anxiety. Inspiration abounds, though, as the teens work together, making this read adventurous as well as satisfying"—Booklist
Natalia is not the kind of girl who takes risks. Six years ago, she barely survived the house fire that killed her baby brother. Now she is cautious and always plays it safe. For months, her co-worker Wyatt has begged her to come hiking with him, and Natalia finally agrees.
But when a wildfire breaks out, blocking the trail back, a perfect sunny day quickly morphs into a nightmare. With no cell service, few supplies, and no clear way out of the burning forest, a group of strangers will have to become allies if they’re going to survive. Hiking in the dark, they must reach the only way out―a foot bridge over a deep canyon―before the fire catches them
"Haunted by a devastating fire in her childhood, Natalia is afraid of a lot of things: fire, heights, water. So when her crush, Wyatt, begs her to go hiking in the tranquil Oregon woods, Natalia is reluctant, though she agrees. The hike is ruined when a forest fire erupts and cuts off her group of hikers, forcing them all to work together to survive and escape. Natalia becomes the “doctor” of the group, helping those that are injured, yet her fears might be the thing that can’t be fixed. Prolific, best-selling Henry (The Girl in the White Van, 2020) returns with a novel based on the Eagle Creek Fire of 2017. As the group of strangers try to survive a natural event, Henry employs flashbacks in order to give readers insight into the roots of Natalia’s fear and anxiety. Inspiration abounds, though, as the teens work together, making this read adventurous as well as satisfying"—Booklist
Watch the video to learn the chilling true story behind The Girl in the White Van
Want to buy a signed book?
Want to buy a signed book with a personal dedication for yourself or someone else? Just contact my local bookstore: AnnieBlooms.com. They'll contact me and I'll come down to sign (in a socially-distanced choreographed way).
New books on the way!
Glowing Booklist and School Library Journal reviews
for The Girl In the White Van
"Savannah’s ramshackle life—drifting from home to home with every new boyfriend her mother finds—has forced her to become tough, physically and mentally. It’s no wonder she’s drawn to the teachings of Bruce Lee, who espouses serenity and flexibility above all. She has to use everything she’s learned when she is forcefully abducted by a mysterious man who calls himself “Sir.” Taken to an unknown location and locked inside a darkened RV, Savannah must rely on all her skills and wits—as well as the help of a previous kidnapping victim—to free herself before “Sir” enacts his ultimate plans. After setting up the basic cast, the story immediately settles into the main plot of Savannah desperately trying to escape her makeshift prison. Heightening the tension is Henry’s choice to tell the story from the alternating first-person perspectives of all the characters, from Savannah’s potential love interest to the kidnapper himself. With a simple plot and relentless pace, this thrill-ride of a book will absolutely satisfy readers looking for pulse-quickening action and smart, resilient heroes."
—Booklist
"Living with her mom’s abusive boyfriend in a new city isn’t easy for teenager Savannah Taylor, but she has an outlet: her kung fu class, where she is developing friendships as well as her own strength and skill. Then one night after class, a stranger accosts her in a deserted parking garage and takes her to a mobile home where she meets Jenny, another girl he kidnapped months before. Together, Jenny and Savannah must figure out a way to escape—or die in the process. This tight, fast-paced thriller forgoes deep character exploration in favor of action, keeping the narrative moving at breakneck speed from the first page until the last. It’s ideal for striving readers, particularly those who favor adventure or survival stories. Savannah is a capable but fallible protagonist; though her martial arts training does not prevent her kidnapping, it plays an essential role in protecting herself and Jenny, and her commitment to her own self-sufficiency creates believable tension with her mother’s boyfriend. VERDICT Sure to satisfy fans of Courtney Summers and Caroline B. Cooney, this book is a solid purchase for libraries with widely circulating thriller collections"
—School Library Journal
School Library Journal picked 10 YA mysteries saying, "These thrilling teen novels will keep readers up on hot summer nights." The Girl in the White Van was ne of their top picks. Read about all the picks here.
—Booklist
"Living with her mom’s abusive boyfriend in a new city isn’t easy for teenager Savannah Taylor, but she has an outlet: her kung fu class, where she is developing friendships as well as her own strength and skill. Then one night after class, a stranger accosts her in a deserted parking garage and takes her to a mobile home where she meets Jenny, another girl he kidnapped months before. Together, Jenny and Savannah must figure out a way to escape—or die in the process. This tight, fast-paced thriller forgoes deep character exploration in favor of action, keeping the narrative moving at breakneck speed from the first page until the last. It’s ideal for striving readers, particularly those who favor adventure or survival stories. Savannah is a capable but fallible protagonist; though her martial arts training does not prevent her kidnapping, it plays an essential role in protecting herself and Jenny, and her commitment to her own self-sufficiency creates believable tension with her mother’s boyfriend. VERDICT Sure to satisfy fans of Courtney Summers and Caroline B. Cooney, this book is a solid purchase for libraries with widely circulating thriller collections"
—School Library Journal
School Library Journal picked 10 YA mysteries saying, "These thrilling teen novels will keep readers up on hot summer nights." The Girl in the White Van was ne of their top picks. Read about all the picks here.
I love to do school visits
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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. |
Librarians create escape room based on The Girl I Used to Be
Librarian Barbara Holland, Barton Middle School, (shown with multiple students) with the assistance of Amy Schutze, who works at McCormick Middle School (both in Texas) created an escape room based on The Girl I Use to Be, including recreating the contents of an old cigar box that the character finds. While I was on tour, I got to see the elements of the escape room. It was amazing and kind of surreal!
Foreign rights sold in Russia for two books
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Foreign rights have been sold in Russia for both my 2010 book, Girl Stolen, and my 2020 book, The Girl in the White Van. This will be the 13th foreign country that has published at lease one of my books.
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Hanging out with forensic scientists to get new book ideas
I spent the last week in August at the the annual meeting of the Northwest Association of Forensic Scientists. My favorite part was getting to meet CeCe Moore, a self-taught genetic genealogist. When DNA testing became more widely available, she started helping adoptees find their birth families. Then she began to wonder if those same skills could be put to use identifying unclaimed/unknown bodies (mostly murder victims - and spoiler alert, they could). Then she began to think about cold case DNA. Her techniques have helped solve more than 160 other unsolved crimes.
As someone who has been doing genetic genealogy for six years (ever since my mom died) I found her fascinating. In a room filled with scientists, I asked the most questions.
I also got to attend classes on fingerprints (faking them as well as using pictures of hands to identify killers, pedophiles and drug sellers) and document examination. I'm sure the things I learned will end up in my books!
As someone who has been doing genetic genealogy for six years (ever since my mom died) I found her fascinating. In a room filled with scientists, I asked the most questions.
I also got to attend classes on fingerprints (faking them as well as using pictures of hands to identify killers, pedophiles and drug sellers) and document examination. I'm sure the things I learned will end up in my books!
Cece Moore, the famed genetic genealogist, and me.
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Taking my Brazilian jiujitsu on the road
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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.
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The things I do for research!
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. |
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