Angela Johnson (writer) facts for kids

Angela Johnson (born June 18, 1961) is an American writer. She writes children's books and poetry. She has written over 40 books since 1989.

Her picture books are simple and poetic. They often tell stories about African-American families and friendships. They also cover common childhood experiences, like moving to a new place. Her books for older kids explore similar themes. They also look at deeper issues in a sensitive and hopeful way. Many of Johnson's books connect to Alabama and its history.

Angela Johnson's Early Life

Johnson was born in Tuskegee, Alabama. She grew up in Windham, Ohio, with her brother and parents. She started writing in fourth grade. This was after her mom gave her a diary for Christmas.

Her parents encouraged her to write. In high school, Johnson wrote "punk" poetry. Her school's literary club did not accept it. She says this made her want to write even more. While in high school, Johnson wanted to be a teacher or a lawyer. She later attended Kent State University. She studied special education there. However, she left before finishing her degree to focus on writing.

Angela Johnson's Writing Career

After leaving university, Johnson worked as a nanny. She worked for author Cynthia Rylant. Rylant read Johnson's writing. She then sent it to her own publisher. The publisher contacted Johnson. They wanted to publish her story as a picture book. Johnson says this connection with Rylant helped start her career.

Johnson began publishing picture books in 1989. In 1993, she started writing books for young adults. Her first young adult book was Toning the Sweep. Johnson continues to write for all age groups. This is quite rare for authors today.

How Angela Johnson Writes Her Stories

Johnson says her work is "character driven." This means her stories focus on the characters. She finds it harder to create the plot than to develop characters. She says her characters are sometimes based on people she has met. They are also inspired by stories people have shared with her.

Johnson says strangers often tell her stories. For example, an older woman on a bus once told her a story. It was about a man she loved as a teenager. War kept them apart. But they stayed in touch. The woman planned to see him again. This story inspired Johnson's characters Sweet and Curtis in Sweet, Hereafter.

Johnson also says about her writing: "I've never set out to teach a lesson... I just want to tell a good story." Jonathan Hunt, who led the 2018 Margaret Edwards Award committee, praised Johnson's writing. He said it was timeless, detailed, and elegant. He also noted its wide appeal. Fellow children's author Jacqueline Woodson describes Johnson's writing as realistic and easy to read. She says, "you can tell by reading her work that she takes her time... and truly cares about the characters."

Johnson prefers to stay out of the public eye. She rarely attends conferences or visits schools. She does not use social media. However, she does have a website. Johnson plans to keep writing, even though she has slowed down.

Awards and Recognition

Angela Johnson has won many awards. She has won awards for both her picture books and novels.

• She won the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award in 1991. This was for her book Tell Me a Story, Mama.
• She has won the Coretta Scott King Award three times. These were for Toning the Sweep (1994), Heaven (1999), and The First Part Last (2004).
• She was also a runner-up for this award twice. These were for When I Am Old With You (1990) and The Other Side, Shorter Poems (1999).
• In 2004, she won the Michael L. Printz Award. This award is from the American Library Association. It recognized The First Part Last as the "best book written for teens" that year.
• In 2003, Johnson received a MacArthur Fellowship. This is a very special award.
• In 2018, Johnson received the Margaret Edwards Award. This award honors authors who have made a "significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature."

In 2013, a scholarship was created in Johnson's name. It was started by the Vermont College of Fine Arts and Barry Goldblatt Literary. This scholarship gives $5000 to students of color. These students attend the MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults program. Goldblatt chose to name the scholarship after Angela Johnson. She was his first client.

Kent State University gave Johnson an honorary doctorate in 2007. She also received the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award in 2013. In 2021, she received the Harper Lee Award.

Selected Works by Angela Johnson

See also