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 for younger children 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 home. Her books for older kids explore similar ideas. They also look at deeper topics in a sensitive and hopeful way. Many of Johnson's books are connected to Alabama and its history.

Early Life and Education

Angela Johnson was born in Tuskegee, Alabama. She grew up in Windham, Ohio, with her brother and parents. She started writing in fourth grade. Her mother gave her a diary for Christmas, which sparked her interest.

Her parents always encouraged her to write. In high school, she wrote poetry. She wanted to be a teacher or a lawyer back then. After high school, she went to Kent State University. She studied special education there. However, she left before finishing her degree to focus on writing.

Her Writing Career

After leaving college, Angela Johnson worked as a nanny. She worked for author Cynthia Rylant. Cynthia Rylant read Angela's stories. She then sent them to her own publisher. The publisher liked Angela's work and wanted to publish a picture book. Angela says this connection helped start her writing career.

Angela 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. She continues to write for different age groups, which is not common for authors.

Angela describes her writing as "character driven." This means her stories focus on the people in them. She finds it harder to create the plot than to develop characters. Sometimes, her characters are based on people she has met. She says strangers often share their stories with her. Once, an older woman on a bus told her about a teenage love. This story inspired characters in her book Sweet, Hereafter. Angela says she just wants to tell a good story. She does not try to teach a lesson.

Other authors praise her work. Jacqueline Woodson says Angela's writing is realistic and easy to read. She feels Angela takes her time with stories and cares about her characters.

Angela 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. She 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.

• In 1991, she won the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award for Tell Me a Story, Mama.
• She won the Coretta Scott King Award three times. She won for Toning the Sweep (1994), Heaven (1999), and The First Part Last (2004).
• In 2004, she received the Michael L. Printz Award. This award is for the "best book written for teens." She won it for The First Part Last.
• She received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2003. This is a special award for talented people.
• In 2018, she received the Margaret Edwards Award. This award honors authors who have made a lasting impact on young adult literature.

In 2013, a scholarship was created in her name. It is called the Angela Johnson Scholarship. It helps students of color who want to study writing for children and young adults.

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

Selected Books

Here are some of Angela Johnson's books:

See also