Janet

Tashjian

Children’s/Middle Grade/Young Adult Author

Middle Grade & Young Adult

Travels from: Los Angeles, CA

Our teachers quoted her for months after the school visit. — Tricia London; Middle High Library Director, Avon, MA

Janet Tashjian is a children’s, middle-grade and young adult novelist who’s been writing books for children for over two decades. Her first novel, Tru Confessions, was made into a critically acclaimed Disney TV movie starring Clara Bryant and Shia LaBeouf. The Gospel According to Larry series is a cult favorite and Fault Line is taught in many middle and high schools. Her bestselling My Life As a Book series is illustrated by her son, Jake. They also collaborated on the Einstein the Class Hamster series. Jake will sometimes accompany Janet for events. Her newest series that Jake also illustrated is about Hannah Sharpe, Cartoon Detective, an observant young sleuth on the autism spectrum who likes to solve mysteries by drawing cartoons of her cowboy alter ego, Dusty Pickle.

Janet collaborated with fellow Macmillan author Laurie Keller on the chapter book series Mary Frye, Private Eye. She currently lives in Los Angeles and made her new home city the setting of the Sticker Girl series, which details the adventures of Martina who overcomes being shy with the help of her magical stickers that come to life.

Hannah Sharpe, Cartoon Detective

Christy Ottaviano Books |

September 19, 2023

Children’s/Middle Grade

From the creators of the bestselling My Life series, here is an engaging new mystery about Hannah Sharpe—an observant young cartoonist on the autism spectrum—that features full color illustrations and panel art, perfect for fans of graphic novels.

Young cartoonist Hannah Sharpe has many strengths: she’s curious, creative, has an amazing memory, and most important—she notices things. When Doug Williams moves into her family’s Airbnb, Hannah can’t shake the feeling that he’s got something to hide. But his girlfriend, Remy Furtado, couldn’t be nicer or more helpful. As Hannah investigates, often with her sketchbook in hand, she makes a series of unsettling discoveries involving stolen packages, changed keypad codes, and hidden stacks of cash. Can Hannah crack the case and unfold the mystery on her own?

Including full-color illustrations with panel art featuring Hannah and her cartoon alter ego, Dusty Pickle, here is a thoughtful and propulsive new book starring a neurodiverse protagonist.

Bestseller, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Illustration & Graphic Storytelling, Kid-Lit: Middle Grade, Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers, Neurodiverse Concerns & Perspectives

My Life as a Coder (The My Life series #9)

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) |

April 7, 2020

Middle Grade

My Life as a Coder is the ninth book in Janet Tashjian’s much-loved, diary fiction My Life series starring reluctant reader Derek Fallon, featuring illustrations by Jake Tashjian.

Derek Fallon receives an exciting new gift–a laptop! But there’s a catch: it has no Wi-Fi so he can’t use it for gaming. If he wants to play computer games, he’ll have to learn how to code them himself. Another unforgettable adventure awaits in Book 9 of the My Life series, this time involving tech and coding!

Comedy & Humor, Kid-Lit: Middle Grade, Science & Technology

My Life as a Meme (The My Life series #8)

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) |

April 2, 2019

Middle Grade

Book 8 of the much-loved My Life series

Derek Fallon loves making funny memes, but when he finds himself the joke of a viral meme, he realizes how easy it is to offend others using this platform. Derek decides to confront the creator of the hurtful meme, all during the backdrop of a fire evacuation that has put him in the same place as his meme bully. Here is another thoughtful, funny, and timely adventure in the life of the ever-loving, ever-mischievous Derek Fallon.
Christy Ottaviano Books

Comedy & Humor, Kid-Lit: Middle Grade

Marty Frye, Private Eye: The Case of the Busted Video Games & Other Mysteries

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) |

March 12, 2019

Children’s

Book 3 in the Marty Frye young chapter book mystery series by bestselling author-illustrator team Janet Tashjian and Laurie Keller!

In this new collection of mysteries, everyone’s favorite poet detective is back in action. When a prankster tangles all the school jump ropes into knots and gym is canceled, Marty pins down the culprit. When five machines are mysteriously found broken at the arcade, Marty jumps on the case. And when Mom’s phone goes missing after a trip to the mall, Marty races against the clock to track it down before dinner. But can he still manage to make up rhymes while he solves new crimes?

Broken into three short stories with a generous amount of art on each page, this is an ideal stepping stone to longer chapter books. Young readers will be off in search of a rhyme in no time.

Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers, Mystery & Thriller, Poetry

Sticker Girl and the Cupcake Challenge

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) |

October 9, 2018

Middle Grade

Jump into Book 3 of this magical middle grade adventure series with Sticker Girl Martina Rivera!
Bonus feature: Sticker sheet featuring the magic stickers from Book 3 packaged with the book.

A gumball machine robot.
Two adorable (and creative) kittens.
An unruly ant farm.

These are just a few of the new stickers waiting to be peeled off of Martina Rivera’s new magical sticker sheet and SPRING TO LIFE. Student council is keeping Martina busy with a bake sale and cupcake-savvy Bev is excited to help out. The girls advertise their delicious creations and are thrilled to be invited to participate in a web show baking contest. Can Martina balance school and a ruthless cupcake competition, all while keeping her stickers in check? Or is this a recipe for disaster?

Kid-Lit: Middle Grade

Marty Frye, Private Eye: The Case of the Stolen Poodle

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) |

June 26, 2018

Children’s

Book 2 in the Marty Frye young chapter book mystery series by bestselling author-illustrator team Janet Tashjian and Laurie Keller

In this new collection of mysteries from bestselling author-illustrator team Janet Tashjian and Laurie Keller, everyone’s favorite poet detective is back in action. When the school nurse’s equipment is stolen, Marty tracks it down. When special candy disappears from the store, Marty finds the culprit. And most importantly, when a friend’s poodle goes missing, Marty comes to the rescue. But can he still manage to make up rhymes while he solves new crimes?

The poet detective continues to make up rhymes and solve new crimes, in this second book in the illustrated Marty Frye, Private Eye series for young readers.

Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers, Mystery & Thriller, Poetry

Sticker Girl Rules the School

Square Fish |

June 19, 2018

Middle Grade

Jump into Book 2 of this magical illustrated adventure series with Sticker Girl Martina Rivera!
Bonus feature: Sticker sheet featuring the magic stickers from Book 2 packaged with the book.

A Chipmunk Ballerina. A Treasure Chest Full of Jewels. A Zombie DJ. These are just a few of the many stickers ready to be peeled off Martina Rivera’s new sticker sheet and come to life in Book 2 of the Sticker Girl series, Sticker Girl Rules the School.

With a newfound confidence in hand, Martina is thinking about running for student council. Of course, her rambunctious sticker sidekick Craig—a talking cupcake—thinks this is a great idea and volunteers her to run for class president.

As Martina soon discovers, running a campaign is a piece of cake compared to organizing a class trip and managing a horde of unruly stickers determined to create chaos within her group of friends. A magical new adventure awaits with Sticker Girl!

Read all about it in Sticker Girl Rules the School by Janet Tashjian and remember to see where Martina’s journey began in the first book, Sticker Girl. This fun, illustrated series is perfect for middle-grade and reluctant readers.

Kid-Lit: Middle Grade

Sticker Girl

Square Fish |

October 10, 2017

Middle Grade

Meet Sticker Girl Martina Rivera, a quiet kid with a remarkable secret: Her sticker collection comes to life! Adventures abound in this new middle-grade series by bestselling author Janet Tashjian. Stickers included!

Martina Rivera has a remarkable imagination. But with two extroverted brothers at home, she’s always struggled to make a big impression on those around her. Life soon takes an exciting turn when Martina discovers the secret power of her sticker collection: They come to life! Among her magical sticker friends are Craig, a rambunctious talking cupcake; Nora, a karaoke-singing ladybug; and Lucinda, a very sleepy fairy. Will her new sticker friends help her overcome her shyness? Or will they get Martina in lots of trouble? Or both?! It’s time to meet Sticker Girl!

Bonus feature: sticker sheet featuring all the magic stickers from Book 1 packaged with the book!

Friendship & Community, Kid-Lit: Middle Grade

Marty Frye, Private Eye: The Case of the Missing Action Figure

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) |

June 27, 2017

Children’s

Broken into three short stories of poetry and petty crime, this charming chapter book will have young readers in search of a rhyme in no time. Book 1 in the Marty Frye series!

Marty Frye is not your ordinary sleuth. Marty Frye is a poet detective–he makes up rhymes as he solves small crimes. When his friend Emma’s diary is missing, Marty is on the case. When Katie’s flour is nowhere to be found, Marty tracks it down. And when the brand-new Action Chuck figures mysteriously vanish from the toy store, Marty unravels the mystery. Will there ever be a case too hard for Marty to solve? Or a word too impossible to rhyme?

Broken into three short stories of poetry and petty crime, this charming chapter book will have young readers in search of a rhyme in no time.

Kid-Lit: Picture Books & Early Readers, Mystery & Thriller, Poetry

School Presentations

Janet comes to schools where the students have read at least one of her novels. She usually does a PowerPoint presentation that covers the different novels she’s written, how she comes up with ideas, the writing choices she makes in different books, the writing process itself, and of course, rewriting, all followed by a lively question and answer period. She does large and small groups, two or three presentations, often in the morning. Her author visits are very high energy, as well as interactive. She’s been doing them fo almost three decades, with many schools bringing her back year after year. Reluctant readers, visual learners, ESL students, and students with learning disabilities are always excited about her presentations too. All students will leave the sessions with a newfound passion for telling their own stories.

Using Cartoons to Learn Vocabulary Words”

Along with the series’ illustrator, Janet’s son Jake, Janet will discuss how Jake’s reading disability led the way for their My Life as a…YouTuber, Gamer, Meme, Stuntboy, Cartoonist, Billionaire series, which has helped students become better readers in twenty-six different languages. They talk about humor, collaborating, and most of all, how fun drawing vocabulary words can be! An interactive presentation that even the most reluctant readers will enjoy.

Ninja Editing and Rewriting

What gets cut away from a piece of writing is just as important as what gets left in. Using in-class writing, as well as work students bring in, students learn to be brave, courageous warriors wielding their pens like swords to edit out wasted words, vague images, and sluggish prose. With compassion, of course!

Finding Your Own Voice

This workshop emphasizes getting to students’ real voices in the worlds of both fiction and non-fiction. Through in-class writing with prompts, students learn the difference between authentic voices versus giving teachers what they want to hear. Even in fiction, reality is key! Builds great writing stamina too.

Creating Three-Dimensional Characters

Creating memorable characters takes more than throwing in a few funny quirks. This writing workshop lets students create interested incharacters from the ground up, then follow those characters through a basic three-act story structrure. A real crowd pleaser.

Details, Details, Details

Whether fiction or non-fiction, good writing evokes specific images that let readers picture the story or essay in their heads. Using fiction techniques in a workshop setting, students learn to use the five sense to create detailed worlds for not only their stories, but for essays and reports. Very tangible results.

Research - Friend or Foe?

Students learn how research can be their biggest ally in both fiction and non-fiction, enabling them to uncover details and specifics to make their writing come alive. Turn a report on Ancient China into an exciting thriller or “A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim” into a new reality show. Examples from my own novels illustrate the importance—and fun—of good, solid research.

“Janet Tashjian’s visit was an absolute highlight for our school community. Our students had been preparing for months by reading her books, and their excitement was palpable the moment she arrived. Janet has a rare ability to connect with children in a way that feels genuine and effortless. She made the writing process feel accessible and inspiring, which our teachers deeply appreciated. She took time to speak individually with students during book signings, making each child feel seen and valued. Whether signing books, drawings, notebooks, or even a cast, she showed incredible kindness and patience. The students who joined her for lunch had an unforgettable experience – she made them feel completely at ease and truly heard. Janet’s warmth, approachability, and enthusiasm left a lasting impression on our students and staff alike. We would welcome her back without hesitation and highly recommend her to any school looking for an engaging, meaningful author visit.” — Independence Elementary, 2026

“Janet Tashjian’s visit to our school was nothing short of inspiring! From the moment she began speaking, our students were fully engaged — hanging on to every word, laughing at her stories, and genuinely connecting with her as both an author and a person. Her energy, humor, and insight into the writing process made storytelling feel accessible and exciting. Many of our students walked away not only with a deeper love for reading, but with the motivation to write their own narratives. It was incredible to see them brainstorming, drafting, and proudly sharing their work — all sparked by Janet’s visit.” — Rio Vista Elementary School, 2025

Prior to Ms. Tashjian’s visit, we did not have the reputation for being a school of readers. After her visit, it was a different story. Ms. Tashjian has the rare ability to write wonderful books AND relate to students in an authentic and enthusiastic way. Even our younger students were mesmerized by her presentation. Our teachers quoted her for months after the school visit. Ms. Tashjian is one of my favorite authors to work with.” — Tricia London; Middle High Library Director, Avon, MA

Resources Link:
-Downloadables for guides, bookmarks and more!
-Websites
-Accelerated Readers Program Info

Janet’s Gallery Link

Janet’s Questions Link

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Nominated for the 2025-2026 Texas Bluebonnet Award
Academic Excellence Award in Journalism
BookSense Pick
Massachusetts Children’s Book Award Master List Nominee
Young Hoosier Award Nominee
DuPrey Fiction Award
Best Books for the Teen Age, New York Public Library
Best Children’s Book, Bank Street College of Education
Honor Book, Women’s National Book Association
Children’s Choice, CBC
Best Children’s Book citation, Bank Street College of Education
Children’s Choice selection, International Reading Association (IRA)
Junior Library Guild selection
Best of the Best, Chicago Public Library
Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice
Notable Trade Book in the Social Studies citation, National Council for the Social Studies/Children’s Book Council, 2002
Best Book for Young Adults, American Library Association, 2002

Media clips

Daily Titan | Award-winning author Janet Tashjian shares her story at CSUF

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.

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Marty Frye, Private Eye: The Case of the Busted Video Games & Other Mysteries

Sticker Girl and the Cupcake Challenge

Marty Frye, Private Eye: The Case of the Stolen Poodle

Sticker Girl Rules the School

Sticker Girl

Marty Frye, Private Eye: The Case of the Missing Action Figure

School Presentations

Using Cartoons to Learn Vocabulary Words”

Ninja Editing and Rewriting

Finding Your Own Voice

Creating Three-Dimensional Characters

Details, Details, Details

Research - Friend or Foe?

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Media clips

Media Kit

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