Leah Johnson

Leah Johnson is an American author known for writing young adult and middle grade fiction. Her work often features diverse characters and explores themes of identity, belonging, and self-discovery through the lens of Black and LGBTQ+ experiences. Johnson's debut novel "You Should See Me in a Crown" (2020) garnered significant critical acclaim and received a Stonewall Book Award Honor. The story follows a Black queer teenager competing for the title of Prom Queen to secure a college scholarship, and it was widely praised for its representation and authentic storytelling. Following her successful debut, Johnson released "Rise to the Sun" (2021) and expanded into middle grade fiction with "Ellie Engle Saves Herself!" (2023). Her educational background includes a BA from Indiana University Bloomington and an MFA in fiction writing from Sarah Lawrence College. The Indianapolis native developed her writing craft through various experiences, including serving as editor-in-chief of her high school newspaper and completing internships at prestigious organizations like the Wall Street Journal, WFIU, and WPLN. She began her professional writing career in 2018 while pursuing her graduate studies.

Readers consistently highlight Johnson's ability to write authentic teen voices and create relatable LGBTQ+ coming-of-age stories. Many reviews note her skill at balancing serious themes with humor and hope. What readers liked: - Natural, realistic dialogue - Strong character development - Representation of Black queer joy - Positive portrayals of friendship and family - Fast-paced, engaging plots What readers disliked: - Some found the romance plots predictable - A few felt the resolutions wrapped up too neatly - Occasional mentions of pacing issues in middle sections Ratings: "You Should See Me in a Crown" - Goodreads: 4.2/5 (87,000+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.6/5 (2,800+ ratings) "Rise to the Sun" - Goodreads: 3.9/5 (11,000+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.5/5 (500+ ratings) "Ellie Engle Saves Herself" - Goodreads: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.8/5 (100+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Finally a YA book where the queer Black character gets to just exist and have fun adventures."

You Should See Me in a Crown (2020) A Black queer teenager named Liz Lighty competes for her conservative Indiana high school's prom queen title to win a scholarship to her dream college.

Rise to the Sun (2021) At a music festival in Alabama, two girls—grieving Olivia and aspiring musician Toni—find their paths unexpectedly crossing over the course of three transformative days.

Ellie Engle Saves Herself! (2023) A middle grade novel about a twelve-year-old girl who discovers her own superpowers while navigating family changes, friendship challenges, and the complexities of growing up.

Becky Albertalli writes contemporary YA novels centered on LGBTQ+ teens navigating love, identity, and high school relationships. Her work includes "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" and features similar themes of self-discovery and coming out stories.

Ashley Woodfolk creates YA fiction that explores grief, friendship, and Black teen experiences in authentic ways. Her books like "The Beauty That Remains" deal with complex emotions and relationships while maintaining accessibility for teen readers.

Nina LaCour writes stories focusing on queer teen relationships and mental health with particular attention to character development. Her books including "We Are Okay" feature similar themes of finding oneself and building connections.

Brandy Colbert produces YA novels examining Black teen experiences, family dynamics, and LGBTQ+ themes. Her writing style in books like "Little & Lion" combines serious topics with moments of joy and discovery.

Julian Winters creates stories about queer teens finding their place in the world while dealing with family expectations and first love. His works including "Running With Lions" feature similar elements of sports, friendship, and coming-of-age experiences.