Colony

30 years ago a secret research facility was destroyed - overrun by millions of ants. Two survivors fled the carnage, unaware that something terrible escaped with them. Now a teenager boy and girl discover they are linked to that fateful day.

Betrayed by their families and hounded by the military, they begin to realise their whole lives have been a lie. Worse than that, the ants are gathering again…

Winner of the Doncaster Children’s Book Award 2010. 

Shortlisted for the Leeds Book Award.  Longlisted for the Royal Mail Award.  Also available in Germany.

• Publisher: OUP Oxford (5 Feb 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0192755390
• ISBN-13: 978-0192755391
• Price - £5.99 (GBP)

‘Readers will feel like they're clinging on for dear life… flipping the pages, desperate to know what happens next.  This book is mad, bad and dangerous to read.’ – Scotsman Newspaper

‘A riveting read… far ahead of the average conspiracy thriller’

– The Bookbag

‘A beautifully executed, finely crafted thriller’ – Write Away

‘Fast pace, genius plotting, original storyline and compelling characters…. Brilliant.’ – Lovereading.co.uk

‘Tautly written… the story hurtles towards its somewhat alarming conclusion’ - Carousal Magazine

Crash

Who the Hell is Dodd Pollen?

Bobby Berlin needs to find out. Because his father has woken up convinced he’s a teenager by that name. He thinks the year is 1977 and, for reasons he can’t explain, he’s determined to get to Dundee. But their journey to the city turns into a horrific ordeal for Bobby and his best friend Mary.

His father’s behaviour is becoming increasingly sinister and the events unfolding around them are as mystifying as they are horrific. Bobby Berlin has got to get rid of Dodd Pollen. Before Dodd Pollen gets rid of him

Shortlisted for the Royal Mail Award, the Angus Book Award, the Manchester Book Award and the Boltona Book Award.

• Publisher: OUP Oxford (3 April 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192720791
• ISBN-13: 978-0192720795
• Price - £5.99 (GBP)

‘Enough pace and plot twists to keep fans of his action-packed debut happy, but this time there's a little more room for his characters to breathe’ - Scotsman Newspaper

‘Fast-moving, engrossing and extremely effective’

– Carousel Magazine

‘A wonder in dramatic tension… there is a huge depth to this novel and coupled with the furious pace of the narrative drive, it left me unable to put this book down’ – Vulpis Libris

‘Oh, I did enjoy reading Crash… an adventure story in the best tradition but it does have great thematic depth.  Thouroughly enjoyable.’ - The Bookbag

‘J A Henderson has produced another taut thriller, which compels from the first page… strongly recommended’ – Books For Keeps

Bunker 10

At 20.00 hours on the 24th December, Pinegrove Military Installation exploded.   The blast ripped apart acres of forest and devastated the remote highland valley where the base was located. No official cause was given for the incident.  Inside were 185 male and female personnel – a mixture of scientists and soldiers. There were also seven teenagers.

This is the story of their last day.

Winner of the Royal Mail Award 2008.

Shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Best Children’s Book, The Angus Book Award, the South Lanarkshire Book Award, The Falkirk Prize and the Stockport Book Award.  Selected for the Young Adults Choices booklist by the US International Reading Association.  Selected by the School Library Association and the Education Department as one of the 160 must-read books for teenage boys.  Also available in the USA.

• Publisher: OUP Oxford (4 Jan 2007)
• ISBN-10: 0192754866
• ISBN-13: 978-0192754868
• Price - £5.99 (GBP)

‘I raced thorough it… Great stuff.’

– Charlie Higson (Young James Bond)

‘A plot that crackles’ – Scotsman Newspaper

‘Hold tight for a non stop thrill ride’ –Teenreads

‘I finished reading it and just said, wow… 9/10’ – Sunday Herald

Hunting Charlie Wilson

(As Jan-Andrew Henderson.  For younger teenagers)

Charlie is thrown out of his normal routine when one day, on the way home from school, he is chased by a strange cat-like creature with hands. To the rescue comes Peazle, a strange and plucky boy from the past.

Charlie has been targeted by Morgana, a villainous and vengeful creature from the world of magic. Charlie and Peazle's attempts to escape, and to overcome the threat of Morgana, lead to a wild chase across Scotland, full of incident, excitement and surprises, before they finally triumph.

• Publisher: OUP Oxford (3 Feb 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0192754076
• ISBN-13: 978-0192754073
  

 ‘A gripping story from page one… timeless’ – Write Away! 

‘Fast, furious and totally gripping’ – The School Librarian

‘Skillful and well paced’  - Scottish Association of Teachers

‘Very definitely on our list of must-reads’ – Scottish Book Collector

Secret City

(As Jan-Andrew Henderson.  For younger teenagers)

Charlie is in Edinburgh with his parents, who are acrobats performing at the festival. While there, he discovers a secret tunnel under the city, and a diary which leads him into a search for treasure and a battle with dangers from under the ground.

• Publisher: Oxford University Press (1 Jan 2004)
• ISBN-10: 0192719572
• ISBN-13: 978-0192719577
  

 ‘A non stop, compulsive read’ – The School Librarian

 ‘Contains enough plot to power half a library’ – Scotsman Newspaper

 ‘A cracking read’ – Sunday Post

‘Sent chills and thrills down my spine’ – Vivian French

‘A winner… a thrilling read… this book has it all.’

– Derby Evening Telegraph

 ‘Thrilling’ – Newsround, BBC TV

 ‘Appealing and authentic’ – Sunday Herald

 ‘A guaranteed bestseller… a terrific read’

– The Afternoon Show, BBC Radio

‘An action packed, highly imaginative read’ – Bookfest

 ‘Fast moving and inventive’ – Scottish Book Collector

Poetry Books

These are books of rather odd poetry written and illustrated by Jan - and are available online only. 

Tape Measuring Mice

Poetry for evil children and immature adults.  Click below to order.

Tape Measuring Mice

Butt Farming

Not really for kids.  Click below to order.

Butt Farming

The State of Wild Abandon

A potted history of Israel told through the story of a little boy and an exceedingly ugly rabbit...  Click below to order.

The State of Wild Abandon