John Corey Whaley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Corey Whaley
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| Born | January 19, 1984 Springhill, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Period | 2010–present |
| Notable works | Where Things Come Back
NOGGIN Highly Illogical Behavior |
| Notable awards | Michael L. Printz Award William C. Morris Award National Book Award Finalist |
John Corey Whaley (born January 19, 1984) is an American author who writes exciting novels for young adults. His first book, Where Things Come Back, won the Printz Award in 2012. This award is given by the American Library Association for the "best book written for teens" each year. His second book, Noggin, was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2014. It was also named one of Time Magazine's 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time.
Contents
Early Life and School
John Corey Whaley was born on January 19, 1984. He grew up in a town called Springhill, Louisiana. He finished Springhill High School in 2002. After high school, he moved to Ruston, Louisiana, to go to college. Before becoming a full-time writer, he taught English to middle and high school students in Louisiana for five years.
He studied English at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. He earned a bachelor's degree in English. He also earned a master's degree in teaching English for secondary schools.
His Books
Where Things Come Back
This book is about a 17-year-old named Cullen Witter. He lives in a small, quiet town in Arkansas. Cullen thinks he knows everything about his town, but then things get turned upside down.
One summer, a birdwatcher named John Barling believes he has seen a woodpecker. This type of woodpecker was thought to be extinct since the 1940s. Its possible return brings a lot of attention to Cullen's town. Reporters and bird experts come from all over the U.S. The townspeople hope this "Lazarus woodpecker" will bring new life to their town. Kids start getting woodpecker haircuts, and everyone eats "Lazarus burgers." Everyone is excited, except for Cullen. He sees the town's excitement as a strange show.
Then, something even more shocking happens. Cullen's 15-year-old brother, Gabriel, suddenly disappears. Cullen has to deal with this mystery while also growing up. He tries to keep his family strong. The story also follows a young person in Africa who is searching for meaning. These two stories, though far apart, slowly come together in a surprising way. This book is about second chances and things finding their way back.
Noggin
Imagine being alive, then not, and then alive again! That's what happens to Travis Coates.
Travis was alive, then he died. Now he's alive again. The part in between is a bit blurry. But he knows that his head was removed and kept in a freezer. Five years later, it was reattached to another person's body. And just like that, he's back! Even though it seems impossible, he's still 16 years old. But everything and everyone around him has changed. His bedroom is different, his parents are older, and his best friend is different. What about his girlfriend? Is she still his girlfriend? That's also unclear.
Travis has to figure out how to live as his "new" self while still being the "old" Travis. It looks like he'll have to face some challenges along the way.
Highly Illogical Behavior
This story is about 16-year-old Solomon Reed. He has not left his house in over three years. He is perfectly fine with staying inside. Lisa Praytor is a determined 17-year-old. She wants to get into a top psychology program. She decides to "fix" Sol. Lisa enters his world, bringing her charming boyfriend, Clark, with her. Soon, the three of them form an unexpected friendship.
As Lisa learns more about Sol, and Sol and Clark become closer, the comfort zones they've built around themselves start to break down. Their friendships also face challenges.
Awards and Recognitions
John Corey Whaley has received many awards for his writing:
- The U.S. Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) gave Where Things Come Back the annual Printz Award. This award is for the best books published for young adult readers.
- Whaley also won YALSA's 2012 William C. Morris YA Award. This award is for new authors with their first books.
- Where Things Come Back was chosen as a Publishers Weekly Best Book in 2011.
- The National Book Foundation named Whaley a Top 5 Under 35 Author in 2011.
- Whaley and Where Things Come Back were on ABC Children's Group's New Voices 2011 Top Ten List for Teens.
- Publishers Weekly named Whaley a Spring 2011 Flying Start Author for his first novel. The book also received a special review from the publication.
- SIBA, the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, chose Where Things Come Back as one of its Spring 2011 Okra Picks.
- In 2014, Noggin was a finalist for the California Book Awards in the Young Adult category.
- NOGGIN was also a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2014.
- In 2016, Highly Illogical Behavior was a finalist for the LAMBDA Literary Award in Children's and Young Adult Fiction.
