James Watson (author) facts for kids

James Arnold Watson (born November 8, 1936 – died April 28, 2015) was an English writer. He wrote many books, especially for young people, and also plays for schools and radio.

About James Arnold Watson

James Arnold Watson was born in Darwen, a town in Lancashire, England.

One of his books, The Noisy Ducks of Buxtehude, was special because it was written in two languages, English and German. It was made for very young children.

In 1989, a magazine called Books for Keeps wrote about Watson's work. They said that a main idea in his stories was "a universal fight for human rights." This means his books often showed characters standing up for what is right and fair for everyone.

Stories About Important Issues

Three of his novels were called "adventure thrillers." They were exciting stories that also made readers think about important topics:

• The Freedom Tree: This book was set during the Spanish Civil War. It explored themes of freedom and conflict.
• Talking in Whispers: This story took place in Chile. It looked at difficult times when people faced unfair treatment.
• Where Nobody Sees: This novel was set in modern Britain. It dealt with secrets and how powerful groups might hide things, like information about nuclear energy.

These books were praised for their exciting action and for making readers want to discuss the issues. The judges for the Carnegie Medal, a famous book award, said that Talking in Whispers bravely covered "the difficult theme of oppression in Chile." They noted it was told honestly through the eyes of three teenagers.

Watson also wrote two plays for older students and four plays for radio. He published the novel Fair Game – Steps of the Odessa in 2008. Later, in 2013, he released "Pigs Might Fly" as an e-reader book.

James Arnold Watson passed away on April 28, 2015.

Books and Plays by Watson

Fiction Books

• Sign of the Swallow
• The Bull Leapers
• Legion of The White Tiger
• The Freedom Tree
• Talking in Whispers
• Where Nobody Sees
• No Surrender
• Ticket to Prague
• Justice of the Dagger
• The Ghosts of Izieu
• "Make Your Move" and Other Stories
• Fair Game – Steps of the Odessa
• "Pigs Might Fly"

Plays and Dramas

• Banned! Tom Paine, This Was Your Life
• Gotcha!
• Wars-R-Us.com
• Robin Hood: the Play, or How Prince John Pitted His Wits Against the Outlaws of Sherwood Forest
• The Noisy Ducks of Buxtehude
• Fair Game – Steps of the Odessa
• "Pigs Might Fly"

Educational Books

• "What is Communication Studies?"
• "The Dictionary of Media & Communication Studies" (with Anne Hill)
• "Media Communication: An Introduction to Theory & Process"