Leah Johnson (writer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leah Johnson
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| Born | July 5, 1994 |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Indiana University Bloomington (BA) Sarah Lawrence College (MFA) |
| Genre | young adult, middle grade fiction |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Notable works | You Should See Me in a Crown (2020) |
| Notable awards |
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Leah Johnson is an American writer. She writes books for young adults and middle schoolers. Her first novel, You Should See Me in a Crown (2020), was very popular. It even won an honor from the Stonewall Book Award. She has also written Rise to the Sun (2021) and Ellie Engle Saves Herself! (2023).
Contents
Growing Up and School
Leah Johnson grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. She loved reading books from a young age. In high school, she was the main editor for her school's newspaper. She also played tennis and sang in the choir.
When she went to Indiana University Bloomington, she worked at different places. These included the Wall Street Journal and radio stations like WFIU and WPLN. Later, she earned a special degree in writing from Sarah Lawrence College.
Her Writing Journey
How Leah Johnson Became a Writer
Leah Johnson started writing her first novel in 2018. She was a student at Sarah Lawrence College at the time. She wrote an essay about needing more diverse books for young adults. After that, an editor helped her plan her first book.
Her first book, You Should See Me in a Crown, came out in 2020. It is about a Black teenager who runs for Prom Queen. She wants to win a scholarship for college. Leah Johnson said she wrote the book to show people like her in stories she loved. She wanted to see diverse characters in teen movies and books.
The book was a big success. It won a Stonewall Book Award honor. It was also chosen by Reese Witherspoon for her book club. Sadly, this book was one of many that were challenged or banned in 2021. In 2022, Leah Johnson won the Indiana Authors award for her book.
Her second book, Rise to the Sun, was released in 2021. This story is about two girls, Toni and Olivia. They go to a music festival looking for different things. Publishers Weekly said the book celebrates music, friendship, and finding strength.
In 2023, she released her first book for middle schoolers. It is called Ellie Engle Saves Herself!. The book is about a young girl who finds out she has a superpower. Kirkus Reviews said it was a funny and fast-paced story. They also said it explores who you are and being responsible. This book was a finalist for a special award in 2024.
In 2024, Leah Johnson also released a collection of stories. It is called Black Girl Power. It has stories from 15 Black authors about girlhood. The book was a bestseller.
Leah Johnson plans to write two more romantic comedy books. The first one is expected in 2025.
Loudmouth Books
In 2023, a new law in Indiana banned many books from school libraries. Because of this, Leah Johnson decided to open a bookstore. She named it Loudmouth Books. This store focuses on "banned books" and books by authors who are often overlooked.
She started a fundraiser to help open the store. People donated more than enough money to reach her goal. The bookstore opened in September 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
About Her Life
Leah Johnson lives in Indianapolis.
Awards and Special Mentions
Two of Leah Johnson's books were chosen by the Junior Library Guild. These are You Should See Me in a Crown and Rise to the Sun.
Time magazine put You Should See Me in a Crown on its list of the "100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time." Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly also named it one of the best young adult books of 2020. Later, a group called the Young Adult Library Services Association listed it as a top book for young adults.
Ellie Engle Saves Herself! was listed as one of the top science fiction and fantasy novels for youth in 2023 by Booklist. The American Library Association also included it on their Rainbow List in 2024.
- 2020
- You Should See Me in a Crown was a finalist for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction.
- It was also a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Young Adult Literature.
- It won the Ripped Bodice Award for Excellence in Romantic Fiction.
- 2021
- You Should See Me in a Crown received a Stonewall Book Award Honor.
- 2022
- You Should See Me in a Crown won the Indiana Authors Award for Young Adult Literature.
- 2024
- Ellie Engle Saves Herself was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Middle Grade Literature.
Her Books
- You Should See Me in a Crown. United States, Scholastic Inc ISBN: 978-1-338-50326-5, June 2, 2020, print and digital.
- Rise to the Sun. United States, Scholastic ISBN: 978-1-338-66223-8, July 6, 2021, print and digital.
- Ellie Engle Saves Herself!. United States, Disney-Hyperion ISBN: 978-1-368-08555-7 May 2, 2023, print and digital.
