Adventure Awaits in Allen Johnson Jr.’s Award-Winning My Brother’s Story; A Journey Through the 1930s South

Explore Allen Johnson Jr.’s My Brother’s Story, the first in the Blackwater Novels series. Follow orphaned twins on thrilling adventures in the 1930s rural South, filled with mystery, friendship, and courage.

---

Allen Johnson Jr.’s My Brother’s Story has captured the hearts of readers and critics alike, earning four children’s book awards and establishing the beginning of the thrilling Blackwater Novels series. Set in the 1930s along the fictional Blackwater River and Blackwater Swamp near Turpentine, Georgia, the story follows orphaned identical twins, Johnny and Will Jennison, as they navigate a world of danger, friendship, and discovery.

Separated as toddlers, Johnny is adopted by an abusive aunt in Tennessee, while Will finds a loving home in the countryside near Birmingham, Alabama. As they grow up, their lives unfold in parallel, leading Johnny on a daring escape and into the protective care of Linc, a Black man living deep in the Blackwater Swamp. Meanwhile, Will travels by train, plane, and automobile to reunite with his brother. Readers of all ages are invited to step into a time when children explored tree-houses, fished in hidden rivers, and embraced the wild magic of nature — often finding trouble along the way.

“My Brother’s Story is an adventure tale that immediately grabs readers’ attention…while both twins have the same dreams about the past and the future, their paths slowly come together as they fight to become brothers once and for all.”
— School Library Journal, Gr 6–8

The novel is not just a story of adventure; it also explores themes of loyalty, love, courage, and resilience. Young readers will connect with the vivid characters and thrilling escapades, while older readers will appreciate the nostalgic depiction of childhood adventures and the moral lessons woven into the narrative.

“Young readers will meet fun characters whose adventures are marked by honesty, loyalty, love, and courage. Older readers will applaud a refreshing story that recalls and fosters those ideals.”
— Kathryn Tucker Windham, Legendary NPR Storyteller

Johnson’s storytelling brings the South of the 1930s to life. Readers can almost smell the pine trees and honeysuckle, hear the wildlife in the swamp, and feel the flow of the Blackwater River beneath a starlit sky. His immersive approach makes every chapter an experience, leaving readers eager to discover what happens next.

“Allen Johnson, Jr. is persistent. He never gives up, and unlike most of us, he just keeps on ticking away at the storyteller’s craft…By the time you run smack into the last line of the last chapter, you want to continue anyhow. You wonder, ‘What happens the next day? And the next…?’”
— Jim Reed, Writer, Bookseller, Film Actor

My Brother’s Story is perfect for adventurous middle-grade readers, especially those who enjoy tales of daring exploits, strong friendships, and navigating challenges with heart and determination. It is the ideal introduction to the Blackwater Novels series, setting the stage for even more adventure in Books Two and Three.

For readers ready to dive into a world of suspense, nature, and timeless adventures, My Brother’s Story is a must-read.

[Discover the Blackwater Novels and read more reviews →]