Amazon Category:  Mystery/Suspense Publisher: SterlingHouse Publishing, Inc. ISBN-10:  1563151847 Type: Fiction Pages: 180 Copyright: Feb 1 1999 Teacher Margo Brown turns to sleuthing when shocking secrets are revealed in her young student's journal. When seventh grader Johnny Benson dies of snakebite, the school and community are shocked. However, when his English teacher, Margo Brown, reads the entries in his writing journal she begins to suspect that his death was not accidental. Her attempt to question authorities creates waves and places her job and life in jeopardy. Justice is served when Margo and her plucky friend, Roxie, uncover the truth, which rocks the local school and law enforcement authorities. Set in the Heartland of America, WHY JOHNNY DIED is a poignant mystery novel which deals with unspeakable truths facing today's children and teachers. It is a story of broken families and single parents, of homes laden with alcohol, drug abuse, and domestic violence. It is a frank look at how today's teachers strive to deal with the baggage brought into the classroom by children of dysfunctional families. The unique, fast-moving plot combines reality, suspense, and humor. Excerpt Seventh graders didn't die...it was the first time in my twenty years of teaching that one of my students had died. There had been a few summer accidents throughout the years involving children from our school, but death had never visited my classroom until that day.

Teacher Magazine
Why Johnny died is an engaging novel that teachers will surely love...it simply hooks readers in with its suspenseful plot and surprising twists.

NEA Today
Why Johnny Died is certainly a story to tell. A well received first novel.

L.C. Hayden, Author
A fast read, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The story line is not only interesting, but very realistic...a very entertaining book.