Leah Johnson (She/her/hers)

Leah Johnson is an eternal midwesterner and author of award-winning books for children and young adults. Her bestselling YA novel, "You Should See Me in a Crown," was a Stonewall Honor Book and named as one of the 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time by Time. Her debut middle grade, "Ellie Engle Saves Herself" was published in May 2023 with the second book in Ellie Engle’s world, "Bree Boyd is a Legend," just published. She is also the editor of the short story collection "Black Girl Power." 

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Awards: Stonewall Book Awards Honoree

Communities: LGBTQ+, African American

Writing Her World: Girls of Color with Complex Lives

Bestselling authors of chapter books featuring girls of color share their strategies for writing books about girls who stand strong but are also full of insecurities as they grow up in an uncertain world. From Bree and Ellie to Jo Jo Makoons, Gabby Torres, and Lola Levine, how do authors write her world?

Education Room 351 (Seats 46, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sat, Mar 15, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Children
Signing area: Signing Area - Children (following presentation)  

Panelists: Monica Brown, Angela Dominguez, Leah Johnson, Dawn Quigley
Moderator: Desirée Cueto

A Touch of Mystery and a Sprinkle of Magic

Three bestselling authors talk about their new middle grade novels in which characters navigate mystery and friendship. Each tale involves a sprinkle of magic through a ghost, superpowers, and an unusual cat.

Education Room 351 (Seats 46, Wheelchair accessible)  
Sat, Mar 15, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Children
Signing area: Signing Area - Children (following presentation)  

Panelists: Leah Johnson, Jasmine Warga, Justine Pucella Winans
Moderator: Moanike'ala Kanae

Middle Grade Carousel: Invitations to Adventure

Meet a bunch of authors in 60 minutes as they share their new books filled with invitations to adventure. Each author will be seated at a table to talk with a small group about their newest book. Every eight minutes the authors will rotate to a new table in our version of author speed-dating.

Education 211 (Seats 200)  
Sat, Mar 15, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Children
Signing area: Signing Area - Children (following presentation)  

Panelists: Tom Angleberger, Kim Bussing, J.C. Cervantes, Megan E. Freeman, Gale Galligan, Leah Johnson, Rosanne Parry, Jose Pimienta, Kim Tomsic
Moderators: Magdalena Castillo-Cockrum, Caryl Crowell

Books:

Bree Boyd Is a Legend

Children
Disney Publishing Group
March 2025
ISBN 9781368090100
256 pages

Black Girl Power

15 Stories Celebrating Black Girlhood
Children
Disney Publishing Group
January 2024
ISBN 9781368098960
320 pages