Leah Johnson (writer) explained

Leah Johnson
Birth Date:5 July 1994
Occupation:Writer
Language:English
Nationality:American
Education:Indiana University Bloomington (BA)
Sarah Lawrence College (MFA)
Genre:young adult, middle grade fiction
Subjects:-->
Notableworks:You Should See Me in a Crown (2020)
Years Active:2018–present

Leah Johnson is an American writer. Her debut novel You Should See Me in a Crown (2020) received critical acclaim, including a Stonewall Book Award Honor. She is the author of Rise to the Sun (2021) and Ellie Engle Saves Herself! (2023).

Early life and education

Johnson was raised on the west side of Indianapolis, Indiana.[1] [2] She was an avid reader from childhood. Johnson went on to be the editor-in-chief of her high school's newspaper as well as a tennis player and a member of the show and concert choirs.[3] While in college at Indiana University Bloomington, she interned at the Wall Street Journal, WFIU, and WPLN.[4] Johnson received her MFA in fiction writing from Sarah Lawrence College.

Career

Writing career

Johnson began the manuscript for her debut novel You Should See Me in a Crown in 2018 as a graduate student at Sarah Lawrence College. After publishing an Electric Literature essay about the dearth of diverse YA literature, editor Sarah Landis reached out to help her craft a book proposal. You Should See Me in a Crown centers a Black queer teenager who runs for Prom Queen to win a college scholarship. Johnson described the book as "very much an homage to the work that I love the most...John Hughes movies of the eighties, the teen romantic comedies of the late '90s, early aughts... I love those stories so much and wanted to see someone like me reflected in them as more than a sidekick."[5] Published in 2020 by Scholastic, the book received critical acclaim. It received a Stonewall Book honor and was selected as Reese Witherspoon's first YA book of the month, among other accolades.[6] You Should See Me in a Crown was among over 729 books that were banned or challenged in 2021.[7] In 2022 Johnson received the Indiana Authors award for Young Adult Literature for You Should See Me in a Crown.[8]

Her second novel Rise to the Sun (Scholastic) was released on July 6, 2021.[9] The book is about "two girls named Toni and Olivia who both go to a music festival and search for two very different things." In a starred review Publishers Weekly described the book: "Here, Johnson pens a love letter to the healing power of music, enduring friendship, summertime love stories, and hard-won resilience."[10]

Her middle grade debut, Ellie Engle Saves Herself, was published on May 2, 2023 under Disney-Hyperion.[11] [12] The book follows a young girl who discovers she has an amazing superpower.[13] Kirkus Reviews stated in a positive review, "This fast-paced, humorous novel will have readers racing to the end as they fall in love with Ellie’s quirky and authentic personality. Johnson deftly explores identity and responsibility to ourselves and others in this joyful coming-of-age story." Ellie Engle Saves Herself was shortlisted for the 2024 Lambda Literary Award for Middle Grade Literature.[14]

Johnson along with author George M. Johnson, has a seven-figure book deal with FSG Books for Young Readers, and plans to write two romantic comedies, with the first to be released in 2025.[15]

Loudmouth Books

In June 2023, after the state of Indiana passed a law banning many books from school libraries,[16] Johnson announced plans to open Loudmouth Books, an independent bookshop dedicated to "highlighting banned books and uplifting the work of marginalized authors."[17] A GoFundMe campaign to support the store's start-up costs raised $16,570 toward its goal of $10,000.[18] The bookstore opened in September 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana.[19]

Personal life

Johnson resides in Indianapolis. She identifies as queer, and came to accept her sexuality while writing her debut novel You Should See Me In A Crown.

Awards and honors

Two of Johnson's books are Junior Library Guild selections: You Should See Me in a Crown and Rise to the Sun.[20] [21]

Time included You Should See Me in a Crown on their list of the "100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time".[22] Kirkus Reviews[23] and Publishers Weekly included it on their list of the best young adult books of 2020.[24] The following year, the Young Adult Library Services Association named the novel among their top 10 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.[25] They also included it on the following lists: Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults,[26] Best Fiction for Young Adults,[27] and .[28]

Booklist included Ellie Engle Saves Herself! on their list of the top ten science fiction and fantasy novels for youth published in 2023.[29] The following year, the American Library Association included it on their Rainbow List.[30]

Awards for Johnson's writing!Year!Title!Award!Result!
2020You Should See Me in a Crown Goodreads Choice Award for Best Young Adult Fiction [31]
Lambda Literary Award for Young Adult Literature[32]
Ripped Bodice Award for Excellence in Romantic Fiction[33]
2021
2022Indiana Authors Award for Young Adult Literature[34]
2024Ellie Engle Saves HerselfLambda Literary Award for Middle Grade Literature[35]

Works

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gerike. Lydia. 2020-07-05. 'Black joy is at the heart of' author and Indianapolis native Leah Johnson's YA novel. 2021-06-05. The Indianapolis Star. en-US. 2021-03-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210305174609/https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/arts/2020/07/05/indianapolis-native-leah-johnson-talks-you-should-see-me-crown/3267577001/. live.
  2. Web site: Dorantes. Jorge. 2020-08-20. Q&A With Y.A. Sensation Leah Johnson. 2021-06-05. Indianapolis Monthly. en-US. 2021-06-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210605024422/https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/arts-and-culture/qa-with-y-a-sensation-leah-johnson. live.
  3. Web site: Aceves. Aaron H.. 2020-06-06. Q&A With Leah Johnson, You Should See Me in a Crown. 2021-06-05. We Need Diverse Books. en-US. 2021-06-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210605033532/https://diversebooks.org/qa-with-leah-johnson-you-should-see-me-in-a-crown/. live.
  4. Web site: Grey. Idris. 2020-06-26. Spring 2020 Flying Starts: Leah Johnson. 2021-06-05. PublishersWeekly.com. en. 2021-06-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210605040522/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/83707-spring-2020-flying-starts-leah-johnson.html. live.
  5. Web site: Thomad. Summer. 2021-02-14. Author Leah Johnson On Being Young, Black, Queer And In Love. 2021-06-05. NPR.org. en. 2021-06-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210605023251/https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2021/02/14/966493175/author-leah-johnson-on-being-young-black-queer-and-in-love. live.
  6. Web site: Moscato-Goodpaster. Robert. 2020-09-08. Local Author Leah Johnson's book 'You Should See Me In A Crown' Becomes First YA Pick For Reese Witherspoon's Book Club. 2021-06-05. WFYI Public Media. en-us. 2021-06-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210605033531/https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/local-author-leah-johnsons-book-you-should-see-me-in-a-crown-becomes-first-ya-pick-for-reese-witherspoons-book-club. live.
  7. Web site: Spielberger . Daniel . 2022-06-01 . 7 Banned LGBTQ+ Authors on the Books That Changed Their Lives . 2023-06-09 . Them . en-US . 2023-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609174552/https://www.them.us/story/banned-lgbtq-authors-books-changed-lives . live .
  8. Web site: Leah Johnson . 2023-11-01 . Indiana Authors Awards . en-US . 2023-11-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231101150056/https://www.indianaauthorsawards.org/honoree/leah-johnson/ . live .
  9. Web site: Rise to the Sun. 2021-06-05. shop.scholastic.com. en. 2021-06-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20210605033541/https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/rise-to-the-sun-9781338662238.html. live.
  10. Web site: 2021-05-27 . Rise to the Sun by Leah Johnson . 2023-06-09 . www.publishersweekly.com . 2023-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609174553/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781338662238 . live .
  11. News: Ellie Engle Saves Herself . . en . 2023-06-09 . 2023-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609174554/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/leah-johnson/ellie-engle-saves-herself/ . live .
  12. Web site: Chambers . Alex . Middle School and Queer Superpowers, and a Comedian in a Car . 2024-07-08 . Inner States - Indiana Public Media . en.
  13. Web site: Charron . Cate . Summer Reading List: 8 new books by Indiana authors to bring to your book club . 2023-06-09 . 2023-06-07 . The Indianapolis Star . en-US . 2024-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240601021859/https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/2023/06/07/summer-reading-list-new-books-by-indiana-authors-to-check-out/70187643007/ . live .
  14. Web site: Announcing the Finalists for the 36th Annual Lambda Literary Awards . . 2024-03-27 . 2024-04-05 . 2024-04-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405165014/https://www.them.us/story/lambda-literary-awards-2024-shortlist-announcement . live .
  15. Web site: 2023-02-15 . George M. Johnson and Leah Johnson have 7-figure book deal . 2024-07-08 . AP News . en.
  16. Web site: Duster . Chandelis . 2023-11-03 . This bestselling author’s book was challenged in schools. So she opened a store for banned books . 2024-07-03 . CNN . en.
  17. Web site: 2023-11-01 . The Author Fighting Back Against Book Bans . 2024-07-03 . Esquire . en-US.
  18. Web site: Kirch . Claire . Children's Author Becomes a 'Loudmouth' for Banned Books . Publishers Weekly . June 20, 2023 . June 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240601021905/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/92801-children-s-author-becomes-a-loudmouth-for-banned-books.html . live .
  19. Web site: Watson . Jenna . Indiana author Leah Johnson's 'banned bookstore' opening this weekend . 2024-07-03 . The Indianapolis Star . en-US.
  20. Web site: Rise to the Sun . 2024-06-01 . . en . 2024-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240601021905/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/rise-to-the-sun-9781338662238j . live .
  21. Web site: You Should See Me in a Crown . 2024-06-01 . . en . 2024-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240601021906/https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/you-should-see-me-in-a-crown-9781338503265j . live .
  22. Web site: Williams . Jenna . 2022-08-02 . Leah Johnson's writing the stories she needed in adolescence . 2023-06-09 . The Media School . en-US . 2023-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609174554/https://mediaschool.indiana.edu/alumni/profiles/leah-johnson.html . live .
  23. Web site: 2020-03-24 . You Should See Me in a Crown . 2024-05-31 . . 2022-12-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205210523/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/leah-johnson/you-should-see-me-in-a-crown/ . live .
  24. Web site: Best Books 2020: Publishers Weekly Publishers Weekly . 2024-06-01 . . 2022-05-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220517175319/https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2020/young-adult . live .
  25. Web site: Lam . Anna . YALSA names 2021 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers . 2024-06-01 . . en . 2024-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240601021905/https://www.ala.org/news/2021/01/yalsa-names-2021-quick-picks-reluctant-young-readers . live .
  26. Web site: 2021 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults . 2024-06-01 . . . en . 2021-01-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210104213625/http://www.ala.org/yalsa/2021-amazing-audiobooks-young-adults . live .
  27. Web site: 2021 Best Fiction for Young Adults . 2024-06-01 . Young Adult Library Services Association . . en . 2021-01-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210114225334/http://www.ala.org/yalsa/2021-best-fiction-young-adults . live .
  28. Web site: 2021 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List . 2024-06-01 . . en . 2023-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129221426/https://www.ala.org/rt/2021-rise-feminist-book-project-list . live .
  29. Web site: Reagan . Maggie . August 2023 . Top 10 SF & Fantasy for Youth: 2023 . 2024-06-01 . . 2024-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240601021906/https://www.booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=9784204 . live .
  30. Web site: 2024-03-15 . Rainbow List: 2024 . 2024-06-01 . . 2024-06-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240601021906/https://www.booklistonline.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=9793485 . live .
  31. Web site: You Should See Me in a Crown . 2024-06-01 . . en . 2024-02-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204110032/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50160619-you-should-see-me-in-a-crown . live .
  32. Web site: Anderson . Porter . 2021-03-15 . The US-Based Lambda Literary Awards Program Names Its 2021 Finalists . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220101214334/https://publishingperspectives.com/2021/03/the-us-based-lambda-literary-awards-program-names-its-2021-finalists/ . 2022-01-01 . 2022-02-15 . Publishing Perspectives . en-US.
  33. Web site: 2021-02-16 . Awards: Southern Book, Ripped Bodice Winners . 2024-06-01 . . 2024-02-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226214301/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3923 . live .
  34. Web site: 2022-08-26 . Awards: Indiana Authors Winners; Dayne Ogilvie Finalists . 2024-06-01 . . 2022-12-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221213222339/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=4305 . live .
  35. Web site: 2024-03-27 . Announcing the Finalists for the 36th Annual Lambda Literary Awards . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240405165014/https://www.them.us/story/lambda-literary-awards-2024-shortlist-announcement . April 5, 2024 . 2024-04-05 . them..

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