Johnny, My Friend facts for kids
Johnny, My Friend (which is Janne, min vän in Swedish) is an exciting book by a Swedish writer named Peter Pohl. It was his very first novel! The book came out in Sweden in 1985. Later, in 1991, it was translated into English by Laurie Thompson so more people could read it.
What the Story is About
The story of Johnny, My Friend is told by a 12-year-old boy named Krille. Krille grew up in a very safe and happy family. This was in the 1950s in a city called Stockholm, in Sweden.
One day, a new boy named Johnny shows up. Johnny quickly becomes popular with all the kids in the neighborhood. He is super good at riding his bicycle! Even though he's popular, Johnny is also a bit of a mystery. He doesn't talk much about his own life.
The other boys don't know where Johnny lives. Sometimes, he just disappears for a long time. Then, he suddenly comes back without explaining where he's been. Krille decides he needs to figure out Johnny's secret. He wants to solve the mystery of who Johnny really is.
Different Languages
This book has been translated into many different languages. This means kids all over the world can read it! It has been translated into 11 languages, including:
- Danish: Min bedste ven (1987)
- Norwegian: Janne min venn (1988)
- German: Jan, mein Freund (1990) – This version even won a special award called the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis!
- Dutch: Jan, mijn vriend (1991)
- English: Johnny, My Friend (1991)
- French: Jan, mon ami (1995)
- Italian: Il mio amico Jan (1996)
- Estonian: Janne, mu sõber (1997)
- Japanese: 『ヤンネ、ぼくの友だち』 (1997)
- Icelandic: Janni vinur minn (1997)
- Low German: Jan, mien Fründ (2000)
Movie Version
A movie was made based on this book! The film is called My Friend Joe and it came out in 1996.
